It was mid-day and Albus was looking for Minerva. She had managed to avoid him all morning, and he was on a hunt. He had made a decision: Albus wanted to know for sure what Minerva thought of him, but she was going to have to suffer a little first. He was going to pet her, kiss her, and truly act like a man who had completely lost his heart. He was going to act like he wished he could, and the whole point was to see what her response would be. Spotting Athena up the hall he moved toward her.

"Athena where is your Aunt Min?"

"She's in the library."

"Thank you." He set off for the library, and luckily the door was a jar. As he looked in he saw Sean sitting next to Minerva, and Minerva was ignoring him. Albus watched for a bit until Sean put his hand on Minerva's thigh.

Pushing the door open he stormed into the room, and pulled Minerva out of Sean's grasp. "You will not touch her," Albus demanded as he stepped toward Sean. "You will leaver her alone, and if I ever hear of you stalking her again or saying cruel things to little Athena you will quickly learn why I was the only wizard Voldemort ever feared." Though spoken calmly Albus was radiating power, and Sean knew that he was not the wizard to mess with and without a word he left the library giving up his quest.

Albus turned to Minerva and began rubbing her arms and leaned over to kiss her forehead, "Are you ok, sweetheart?"

"I'm fine, Albus, and thank you for getting rid of Sean," Minerva replied quickly trying to get out of his grasp, but Albus wouldn't let her go. Instead he led her back to the couch, and wrapped his arms around her rubbing her stomach in soothing circles.

"Albus, please," Minerva whispered.

"Please, what Darling?"

"Let me go."

Albus let her sit up, but before he would let her leave the room he caught her off guard by kissing the back of her neck, and sucking just ever so slightly. Minerva gasped, and turned to face him angry.

"Just because you are pretending this week doesn't mean you get certain liberties that come along with being romantically involved!"

"Well, Ms. McGonagall, who was the person who begged me to kiss her? Which one of us took the first step to deepen the kiss?"

"That was to get rid of Sean! You didn't have to deepen it that was your choice."

"So you're using me without any regards to my feelings?" Albus asked looking hurt.

"No, of course not-,"

"So you kissing me, and having me touch you and act like your boyfriend when you want, but not when I want. That's not using me?"

Minerva was practically shouting now, "Albus! You knew what this was about when you agreed to it, and you were supposed to make this week better and now you've made it worse! I mean this morning, were you serious when you said you weren't pretending?"

"I think the better question is: are you pretending? Or why would it matter if I was or wasn't," replied Albus before he walked out the door. He leaned against the wall briefly to calm himself, he hated seeing her upset but it was the only way and he knew it.

Minerva was looking at the door in shock, and mumbled to herself: "He left the ball in my court! He left the bloody ball in my bloody court!!" Minerva stayed in the library for awhile to reflect on Albus' current behavior and decided that if he wanted them to act like a couple that two could play that game. Leaving the library with a wicked smile on her face she went in search of Albus.

She found him asleep outside, and she couldn't believe her luck. Sneaking up behind him Minerva began tracing his features with her finger, and she bent down to his ear, "Honey, waaaake uuuppp. C'mon sweetheart, wake up." Albus opened his eyes slowly thinking he had heard Minerva, however he was not prepared for what she did next.

Moving quickly Minerva came in front of Albus and with a flick of her wand his outer robes disappeared, and she quickly undid the buttons of his shirt sliding it off his body. Running her hands over his chest she leaned in to his face to whisper, "Let me help you relax." She let her hands run up and down his chest a few more times before moving behind him to allow her fingers to gently need his muscles.

Albus closed his eyes enjoying the sensations she was creating in him. Before he could go to sleep again, Minerva began digging into his muscles.

Sitting up quickly Albus said, "Ouch! Minerva not so rough, please."

"Oh, darling, was that too hard? I'm sorry, but I really wanted to work those knots out of your muscles. If you can't take it then I won't go as hard," Minerva replied sweetly.

"You can go harder than you were at first, but not so hard." Albus replied lying back down.

When he was settled Minerva began, "Ok. I won't go as hard, but I had no idea you were so sensitive Albus." As she hoped that had gotten to Albus, and he turned around immediately to protest that he was not sensitive.

Minerva took his face within her hands and replied, "That's ok sweetheart, being sensitive is not always a bad thing. Though now I know why you are always so lean," Minerva added while running her hands over his biceps."

"What do you mean by that," Albus asked letting his temper get the best of him.

"Just that you don't work out much, Albus, but that's ok."

"I AM NOT sensitive, and there is nothing wrong with the way I look." Albus practically yelled looking very hurt.

"That is not what I meant, my sweet."

"That is what it sounded like to me," Albus said abruptly turning around and pouting.

"I just wanted to do something nice for you, and you get all mad! I didn't mean to offend you, and I'm sorry you took it that way but I just wanted to be nice," Minerva replied pretending to cry. Albus felt bad and turned around to say something, but Minerva was storming across the yard.

Smiling and muttering to herself, "Mission Accomplished"

Later that evening Albus entered their room to go to bed, and noticed Minerva wasn't in it. He really wanted to speak with her and apologize for his behavior, but he hadn't been able to find her all day. Finally he went to Athena's room to see if she was there, and sure enough she was in bed with the child singing her to sleep.
Minerva looked up when she heard the door open, and immediately looked back down to the child. Convinced Athena was asleep she turned away from Albus, but made no move to leave the bed. Crossing the room Albus knelt down beside of her, but she turned around again.

Albus sighed heavily and spoke in a soft whisper filled with pain, "I'm very sorry, Minerva. I know I over reacted, but I guess what you said just got to me. You were so nice to give me a massage, and I'm sorry I yelled at you. I hope you can forgive me." When she made no sound or movement Albus left the room, but not before whispering again, "I really am sorry."

Minerva was going to spend the night in Athena's room, but Albus had sounded so sad and even though he deserved it she couldn't let him stay that way. So exiting quietly she entered their room to find him in bed on his side, but she knew he wasn't asleep. Moving with such a quiet grace reminiscent of her animagus form Minerva slipped across the room without him noticing. Quickly she got into the bed, and snuggled up against his back. Albus turned and encircled her with his strong arms. Knowing she had gotten him earlier Albus wanted to get her one last time before going to bed, so he moved his head so he could kiss her. Kissing her on the lips softly, and quickly running his tongue along her bottom lip Albus pulled back and whispered "good night."

'So he still wants to play does he' Minerva thought to herself before letting her hands slip under his shirt to caress his chest.

"Minerva, what are you doing?"

'Testing you,' she thought but answered aloud, "Taking your shirt off." Albus couldn't believe his ears, and when she got it off he felt her lips on his neck and then the lips moved down to his chest. He couldn't take it anymore, and in one swift movement Minerva was on her back and he was kissing her hard. Albus' hand was slowly making its way to her breast, but he stopped his hand before it reached its target.
'This isn't right,' he thought, 'Oh, God, how much I want to do this but it isn't right. I have to stop.' As the last thought crossed his mind he pulled away, and moved from the bed to stand by the window.

"Albus what's wrong?" Minerva asked out of breath.

"I can't do this, Minerva. I'm here pretending to be something I'm not, and I can't take advantage of you like that. I think you should sleep with Athena tonight, and I promise no more games."

Minerva had never been so happy. He had passed her test, and now all she needed to know was how he really felt about her.

"Albus I want you to answer this next question honestly, please. When you said you loved me, were you really pretending?"

Here it was thought Albus the moment of truth. This is why so many people lied he thought, the truth is much harder to say and even harder to face.

Minerva had to strain to hear his response he said it so softly, "No, I was not pretending. I am in love with you."

Moving behind him Minerva wrote on his bare back with her finger what she said out loud, "I...Love...You...too."

"Really?" Albus asked turning around to look at Minerva.

"Yes, really," she replied smiling. Albus was so happy he picked her up and spun her around. "Albus put me down!"

"As you wish." But when he did he drew her into a passionate kiss. Before things could go too far Minerva extracted herself from him, and retrieved the top to his pajamas. Putting it on for him Minerva led him back to the bed.

"We don't need to do that yet." Minerva said lightly kissing his temple once they were lying in the bed facing each other.

"No, we don't. Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight."

Thank you to everyone for all the reviews. Only one more chapter to go!!