A Sense of Love or Duty

A/N: I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to update this story. Many of you might even have forgotten about it. So, without further ado, I reveal chapter five.

Many thanks to Ang, my lovely beta and friend.

Chapter Five

Minerva and Maxim were awaiting Albus' return. Minerva couldn't keep still and had been pacing up and down the rug from the moment he shut the door behind him as he set off to find Daniel. Minerva had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She knew that Daniel wouldn't give up so easily and that Albus' talk with him probably went in one ear and out the other.

The door opened and Minerva flew into the arms of Albus. She kissed his cheek as she clung to him. His heart was beating fast against his chest and she knew from then heat radiating off him that the meeting had not gone well. Albus' arms looped around her small waist and he held her close, planting a soft kiss on the top of her head as he looked at her father and shook his head.

"Min," spoke her father "would you mind leaving Albus and me alone for a few minutes?"

"But I want to hear what he said," protested Minerva. She wasn't used to being told to leave a room so the men could talk. "This involves me as much as it does you."

"Minerva, please?" asked Maxim. "Come back in half an hour and we will tell you what has been said. I just want to speak with Albus alone."

"Darling, listen to your father," Albus said softly. "I'll come and find you once I'm done here and we can go and have lunch somewhere romantic."

"You promise to inform me of what has been said?" Minerva asked, directly looking into his blue eyes.

Albus nodded before kissing her softly on the lips and then leading her to the door. He smiled at her and watched her sweep down the corridor. He knew that she was not happy about not being included. And, she was right about it concerning her as much as them but he felt he needed to speak with Maxim privately. Albus closed the door and sealed it, to prevent any intrusions before sitting down and pouring himself a glass of firewhiskey.

"It did not go well," Maxim observed, as he played with his half full glass of whiskey.

"No, it did not Maxim," Albus answered looking up at the slightly older wizard. "It seems that Daniel has dropped another stunner into the works."

"I'm not sure how much more my little girl can take of this," growled Maxim as he slammed down his glass on the table, spilling some firewhiskey. "What is it now Albus?"

"You!" Albus answered sadly.

"Me?" Maxim asked in confusion. "I don't understand."

"It seems that if Minerva doesn't marry him," explained Albus "you will lose your life. He didn't go into details, Maxim, but he made it clear what the end result would be."

"I don't want Minerva to know this, Albus," said Maxim getting to his feet. "Do you understand me? I don't want her to know."

"Maxim, she must know," Albus replied softly.

"If she knows, she will marry him, Albus," Maxim explained. "I want my daughter happy and marrying that man would not make her happy. If she doesn't marry him then I will die and I rather that happen than have her live a life of misery. She cannot marry you but she can still be with you."

"You want us to remain unmarried?" asked Albus.

"If that puts an end to the situation...then yes!" Maxim replied as he turned around to look at his friend. "Even if it means losing my life."

"Minerva would not put your life in danger Maxim," said Albus. "She is a devoted daughter."

"That's why she must not find out," he replied. "She would sign her life away. I have lived a long life, a happy one at that. I lost my wife ten years ago and I want to be with her again Albus. When I leave this world on the day of the wedding, at least I know that my death is for a purpose."

Albus stared at Maxim for a long time without saying anything. There stood before him a devoted father who loved his daughter more than life itself. He was willing to bring his life to an end so that she could be happy. In theory, the plan worked but if Minerva ever found out, Albus knew that she couldn't live with herself and that she would hate him for not telling her what her father had planned. Albus looked into Maxim's eyes and saw the determination glowing in them. They reminded him so much of Minerva's eyes and it was almost as though she was staring at him.

"She will want to know why you have died without any warning," Albus said aloud. "How do I explain that to her?"

"Simple," replied Maxim, who had been thinking it over in his mind. "I will tell her that I am dying. After all, it's not a lie and it won't come as such a shock to her."

"Maxim, have you seriously thought about this properly?" Albus asked uncomfortably. "I have Albus, I assure you that." Maxim replied. "Now go and take my daughter's mind off Daniel."

Albus still wasn't sure about this whole situation but he knew Maxim McGonagall well enough to know that once his mind was made up, there was no going back. But surely there was another way around it. Albus didn't have long to think of an alternative plan. His mind worked fiercely as he walked along the corridor to find the woman who held the key to his heart. He wanted to save her father but he also wanted to make Minerva the happiest woman in the world. For now, he would have to go along with the plan in hand till he thought of another one.

.....to be continued...