Chapter Seventeen

"But now, after welcoming you all to another year at our beloved Hogwarts, I'd like to announce something."

Minerva only realized what this "announcement" would be, when Severus Snape's clearly audible groan reached her ears- and immediately, she bit her lips, praying God and all Saints she knew that her cheeks would not turn that familiar, terribly red colour embarrassment always seemed to cause in them. Yes, she was nervous. Though all this had been her own doing and her own wish, she had seen the wondering looks towards the Head Table as not she, but Sylvia Sprout had for once led the Sorting Ceremony. Minerva's belly had become terribly obvious in the meantime- and she had not wanted to give away her and Albus's secret this easily. So she had told her husband to simply announce it, the way he had announced so many things during their shared years at Hogwarts.

"I wanted to announce that I am to be a father next December, and I expect congratulations now!"

This very typical line was accompanied by an indeed highly typically "Albus" smile, and Minerva rolled her eyes. Well alright, so he had managed to shock half of the student body to death. Great. Subtle, Albus- very subtle indeed.

And yet there were a few among the mass of kids in front of her, mostly girls, who were apparently adding up one and one and wondering whether "two" could really be the solution. "Professor McGonagall does not lead the Sorting Ceremony" plus "Professor Dumbledore is to be a father" equals... The impossible, Minerva completed their sentence with an inward smile.

That smile disappeared very, very quickly, though, as she felt a firm tug at her left arm- and before she knew it, she was standing up, cheeks more than terribly... horribly red and an uncharacteristically weak smile on her face. Albus's arm rested loosely around her waist- and the students' look were absolutely hilarious. She actually might have laughed- a little- if she had not felt totally, utterly and absolutely embarrassed- and her husband was not really helping.

"For yes indeed, my beautiful wife is an expectant mother. You can congratulate her, too!"

And though it was, somewhat, in a way, a beautiful gesture and exactly what she had wanted to happen, it also was one of those few things on earth which could still make proud, rigid Minerva McGonagall's pale cheeks burn as if she were still that skinny teenager, desperately in love with her teacher.

Her belly was more than obvious now, exposed to the whole of the inhabitants of Hogwarts- and the worst thing was, she could not but smile sheepishly. What had happened to the raising-her-eyebrows? To the clearing-her-throat? To the frowns?

For even as the baby kicked her, hard- a new habit of his or hers- she could not but smile, though inwardly she was mumbling something very close to "It are always the innocent who suffer!".

Then, the incredible happened.

She had counted on horrified faces, on squicked teenagers, on big, big eyes and dropping jaws- and on nothing more. And yet she received more. A whole lot more.

It was Hermione who had started it- but that was not what surprised her beyond reason. What surprised her, was the mere fact that other people were actually joining her. And kept on joining her. When even Severus Snape rolled his eyes and made a faint gesture with his hands, the silly smile she'd had fixed on her face for what felt like ages was blurred by tears- for the very first time in her life, Minerva Caitríona McGonagall was crying in public and she did not even care.

They were applauding. All of them. Even the Slytherins. Some of them, at least, but she did not care about the few who rolled their eyes and rigidly stared at her in disgust. Even if Voldemort himself were to enter the Great Hall now- she'd still be happy. She did not wholly understand the rollercoaster of feelings she was going through, and all of a sudden, the strangest thing happened.

For once, she did not feel the need to understand. Feeling it was enough- more than enough- and even when Albus softly pressed his lips against hers in what apparently was the custom kiss at occasions like this, the look she sent his way was more of an "I'll slap you!" than an "I"ll kill you!" one.

Yes, Minerva pondered, blushing and bowing and being completely out of character- yes, it was a strange day indeed...

The lemon drops all of a sudden raining out of the Great Hall Ceiling proved her statement entirely correct...