A/N: I must say that this plot bunny has mutated into a jackrabbit! I never expected this to get so involved, but it took on a life of its own. I hope to stay true to my word of lemons in chapter 3, but I'm not so sure. Probably at the very end, leading into chapter 4. Don't yell at me, okay? : -) Hope you like it.

Light the Bealltuinn Fires

Chapter 2

Albus checked his appearance for the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes earning him an admonishment from the mirror. Tea and biscuits were already set up in his study in front of a roaring fireplace. Perhaps roaring is a bit much, he thought, aiming his wand at the fire. Perfect! Minerva mentioned to him at dinner that she would join him at half past eight. He checked his clock. Five minutes to go! Normally the picture of calm, Albus dithered about nervously as the seconds ticked by. He wondered why he had gone through all this trouble and worry just to entertain a former student. She's not just a former student, he thought to himself. This was Minerva McGonagall; star pupil, pride of Gryffindor, quidditch queen, animagus, and the only woman who could make him forget to breathe.

It had started in her sixth year, when she returned from a summer abroad tanned and blossoming with femininity. But it was not simply her beauty that captivated him. Her intelligence, wit, and her tenacity all played their part in attracting his attention. They worked closely together in her final year at school. She had expressed an interest in becoming an animagus and he offered to work with her in their spare time. It took nearly the entire school year for her to master the transformation completely. Albus found that he began to look forward to their evening sessions in which more than transfiguration was discussed.

Minerva told him about her home life and family. With the McGonagall clan being quite large, she had plenty of amusing stories to tell and he loved to listen. They also spoke of politics and current affairs, both wizard and muggle. He was impressed by her poise and the way in which she expressed herself. Over the course of the school year, he found himself more often than not thinking of a certain raven-haired Gryffindor. He tried in vain to think of her only as his student, but he would awake during the night, sweating and in quite an aroused state, after dreaming of her in situations that most definitely were not part of the curriculum. He was prevented from delving into his memories further by the sound of someone knocking on his chamber door.

"Please come in, Minerva!" he said as he opened the door and motioned for her to proceed into his study.

"Thank you, Professor," she said kindly. "I mean, Albus."

She sat down on the soft burgundy sofa. Albus made sure her cup was filled, before seating himself next to her. Minerva closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of the drink, smiling wistfully.

"You remembered my favorite flavor. Chamomile and mint! That was very thoughtful, Prof..Albus."

"We spent many evenings together drinking tea, how could I forget?" He noticed that some of her hair was beginning to unravel itself from the bun that still sat atop her head and he fought the desire to remove the pins keeping it at bay. "You must be tired after roaming the castle grounds. Did you find anything?"

Minerva took a quick bite of her biscuit. "We managed to pinpoint the boundaries of the phenomenon. It goes right to the edge of the grounds and even into the Forbidden Forest a bit. Hogsmeade does not seem to be plagued by any unusual activity, so whatever spell is causing all of this seems to be limited to Hogwarts. We'll be running more tests tomorrow."

"I'm glad being an auror seems to agree with you. I know your parents weren't too happy with your career choice." Even though he was concerned about the state of the school, Albus decided to change the subject.

"My father got over the initial shock quickly and now enjoys bragging to anyone within earshot about me. Mother is still disappointed that I didn't just get married and give her grandchildren right away, but she's learned to support my decision."

Albus smiled and poured her another cup. "I'm glad to hear that! What else have you been up to besides training? I'm sure you've had your fair share of gentleman callers." He said the latter as part of a subtle attempt to find out if she was unattached. He wasn't sure why.

"I'm afraid I haven't had much time for anything else. You know me well enough to know that I always put my studies first."

It wasn't the definite answer he was looking for, but it was something. They spent another hour speaking on various topics, ranging from the current state of the muggle world to the latest wizard fashions. It was just like when she was at school, except now she was no longer his student, but a part of him was still unsure of how to proceed, if at all. Eventually the night had to come to an end and as he bid her a good night at the door, he threw caution to the wind and placed a chaste kiss upon her hand. He was rewarded by her change of color and a sharp intake of breath.

"Pleasant dreams, Albus," she whispered before disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.

Yes, he thought to himself, pleasant dreams indeed.

Another two days passed with the aurors and the Dept. of Mysteries representative, Helena Blanchard, going over every inch of Hogwarts with their Dark Detectors. Three more professors and one student had to be taken to St. Mungo's for the same reason as Professor Stephens, who was recovering nicely, but refusing to return to the school until everything was back to normal. Minerva stood just outside the main gates of Hogwarts, with Louis and Appleton, one of the other aurors, staring at the ground.

"Do you smell that? It's horrid!" she cried, covering her nose with a handkerchief.

The wizards nodded their agreement. Louis moved forward a few feet and bent down. "It seems strongest here, like it's coming from underground. Smells a bit like rotting flesh." He moved back as the odor overpowered him. "We should dig to find out what's causing it."

Appleton left to get some shovels from the groundskeeper and returned a short while later. Minerva watched the men dig into the soft earth and she cast shield charms on all of them so they wouldn't be affected anymore by the intensity of the smell.

"Just as I thought, rotting flesh." Louis pointed his wand into the hole and muttered the levitation charm. Minerva stared in horror as a decaying pig's head was brought forth and set on the ground. If not for the shields, she would have lost her lunch.

"There appears to be a note or something attached to it," commented Appleton. He pulled out his dragon-hide gloves and carefully removed the parchment. He read it aloud.

"Ahriman, Nergal, Hades, Cel,
gods of death, assist my spell.
Hear my decree and listen well
to what my desires doth compel.

Those who dwell upon this land,
ever deserving of my demand,
attend to that which I command
and know my powers firsthand.

Merau, Kalma, Morta, Hel,
goddesses of death, aid my spell.
Hear my decree and listen well
to what my desires doth compel.

Darkness shall reign where once was light,
bringing forth an endless night.
A void I conjure upon this site,
to bring decay with my Great Rite.

The gods have spoken, it has begun.
You cannot undo what I have done,
unless you hold the moon and sun,
joined together, two become one."

"It's signed by Grindelwald himself! The bastard is getting entirely too bold," concluded Appleton.

"McGonagall, transcribe this on a fresh piece of parchment. I'd rather not have to carry around something that's been festering," commanded Louis.

"What do you make of the poem? He mentioned a void of some sort. It certainly seems like all the life around here is being drained away." Minerva asked her superior.

"I agree. Let's go show this to the others."

"This is most unsettling, Headmaster," Blanchard declared, her slight French accent betraying a hint of fear. "I recommend that the school be shut down until we know more about Grindelwald's intentions."

Many professors proclaimed their trepidations at having to close down the school. "What are we to tell the students? What are we to tell their parents?" one teacher asked.

Dippet looked uncharacteristically out of sorts. He felt, as headmaster of Hogwarts, that it was up to him to protect all those who resided therein. The general public had not been made aware of what was occurring, but he was sure they would not be able to keep it secret for much longer, not after today's discovery. Evacuating the school seemed like a coward's way out, but the safety of the students was his first priority, not his injured pride. "Very well, I agree with Madame Blanchard. Two more students collapsed today and how many more tomorrow? I will issue a public statement addressing the reasons behind the closure. The longer we remain, the higher the danger until we can solve this conundrum. House Heads, please advise your houses of the evacuation and ensure that they are prepared to leave by morning. I understand this is difficult, but I see no other alternative."

Albus looked around at his fellow teachers, seeing the dread that was no doubt mirrored in his own visage. They had passed around a copy of the poem found on the pig head and it troubled him greatly. Grindelwald was taunting them; challenging them to find a possible solution. Later on in the evening, he faced his Gryffindors in their common room and told them about Grindelwald, the school closing, and the poem. The younger students were understandably frightened and some of his older lions expressed their wish to stay in case the school needed extra defenses.

"Your bravery," he told them, "does you credit, but it would be best if you all went home and awaited further instructions."

It took him until well past midnight to ensure that all was in order for the students' early morning departure, but Albus couldn't sleep. He sat sucking on a lemon drop and staring into the fire. His dreams had been plagued with images of Minerva. They hadn't spoken to each other privately since that first night. He was just starting to doze off when a faint tapping drew his attention to the door. His breath caught at the sight that greeted him.

Minerva stood in a tartan dressing gown with her long hair plaited down her back. "Did I wake you, Albus?"

He smiled blissfully and motioned for her to enter. "No, I was still up. Come in and sit with me." They sat in silence for a bit before Albus asked her to what he owed the honor of a such a visit.

"I couldn't sleep," she said reluctantly. "I was kind of hoping for some of your famous hot cocoa."

He took out his wand and waved it around. "Your wish is my command, my lady." Two steaming cups of the world-famous Dumbledore hot chocolate appeared out of thin air. Minerva savored the taste of the hot liquid as it made its way from her throat down to her stomach, warming her through and through.

"Thank you," she said, placing her empty mug on the end table. "How did your Gryffindors take the news?"

"As well as can be expected. They are scared, but trying desperately not to show it." He popped another lemon candy into his mouth, offering one to Minerva.

"No, thank you. If I'm reading the poem correctly, there is a way to reverse whatever Grindelwald's done. Something about the moon and sun, but what does that mean?"

"I'm not sure, Minerva, and until we figure that out everything here will eventually fade away."

She shivered at the thought. "I should be going back to bed," she said, rising from the sofa. "Thank you for the hot cocoa, it always helped."

Albus walked her to the door and held it open for her. He was sad to see her go even though he knew how late it was. They stood together in the doorway, eyes locked, for what seemed to both an eternity. He was drowning and his mind was screaming at him to breathe. Albus didn't know what possibly possessed him to do it, but he leaned down slowly and gently placed his lips on hers. All coherent and rational thought exited his brain as he felt her stiffen at first, but then relax and apply pressure back. As the kiss deepened, his arms moved to encircle her waist as she placed her hands behind his neck, tangling his hair in her fingers. Moments later, he looked down at her with a smile, but saw panic in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, wriggling out of his arms and taking off at a run.

"Minerva!" Albus called, but she didn't turn back. He closed the door and sighed. What have I done?

A/N: Special thanks to all my reviewers. You make me smile.