Disclaimer: I do not own Minerva, Albus or their wonderful world. I make no porfit out of my ramblings. That grand honour belongs to the great JKR.
Angeldust aka Evilwoman: I'm afraid this chapter may get the same review as the last from you.
Catwoman99: This should answer your questions. If not you'll have to wait for the next chapter.
Maexle: Thank-you for your review. By the way I like your screen name does it mean anything?
Minni: I know Min is feeling guilty, she has been brought up to believe what she is doing is wrong, you'll notice that doesn't stop her seeing Albus though.
Minerva'sQuill: A Late review is better than no review at all and if you keep saying nice things you can review whenever you like. As for you thoughts, they should be answered in the next 2 chapters.
Pati: Thanks for the review I hope you find this update cool.
A/N: Finally I've updated this story. (There I've said it for you!) Well I hope this does not disappoint. Many thanks to those who read and many many many thanks to those of you who READ AND REVIEWED.
Now on with the show. Morgana-Alex
Risking my Sister's wrath or What have I done?
Chapter 5:
The moment I realised the identity of my visitor my heart sank. I reached for my wand, as where my sister was concerned I could never be too careful.
"Katarina what brings you to my office?" I asked in a tone I hoped reflected polite indifference. I did not invite her to sit down. She would take a seat if she wanted to, no matter what I said.
She sat in the chair in front and to the right of my desk while she ignored the question and surveyed me. When her eyes fell upon my right had in the pocket I was known to keep my wand in, her lips curved in to a mock grin.
"Tut, tut little sister. Is reaching for your wand anyway to greet a pregnant woman who just happens to be the wife of your boss?" It was not a question. It was a comment designed only to hurt me, under no circumstances would I ever have a child and as far as she knew I would never have Albus.
I waited, she had a reason for being here and the longer I kept silent the quicker she'd get to it. Patience was not a virtue practiced by my sister, she thought if she wanted something then she should have it now, no matter who she had to curse to acquire it. After a pronounced sigh Katarina got to the point.
"Yes Minerva I have a reason for being here. I want to gather information. Albus is not as pleased about the baby, as I would have hoped. He has always wanted a son, so I cannot figure out why he is not ecstatic." Her eyes were boring into mine as she continued.
"So Minerva I'm here to ask you if you know why my husband is not screaming from the rooftops that he is going to be a father?"
"Why would I have any idea?" I was stalling for time. I needed to think of a better answer and quickly.
"Come now Minerva, you spend more time with him that anyone else, and that includes me." I wanted to say he's not happy, as he is not sure the baby is his. He's not happy because he loves me not you and many other things along the same lines. But of course I did not.
"Katarina I am his deputy, his sister-in-law. I am neither his confidant nor his confessor. I am in fact the last person whom he would enlighten as to his personal feelings." I felt as if I were under what the muggles call a microscope; Katarina was regarding me with such scrutiny. She was trying to discern if I was telling the truth. However she gave up quickly, we both knew my expression and my demeanour would not betray me. She had lost that hold over me years ago.
I glanced at the time; the afternoon lessons would be starting soon.
"Katarina I have 7th Slytherins after lunch and there are a few things I need to prepare." It wasn't exactly a lie; I did have them after lunch, just later than my statement implied. I got up and walked to the door to give emphasis to my meaning. Katarina reluctantly rose and walked towards me. She paused directly in front of me
"I can smell him on you Minerva." It took every ounce of hard-learned self-control to stop myself from collapsing, had I really heard what I thought I had?
"I'm sorry Katarina what did you say?" She turned to look at me.
"I said enjoy your classes Minerva. I'll see you soon." With that she left and headed into the corridor leading to the headmaster's office.
I was not going to panic. I repeated to myself the mantra, I did not hear what I thought I heard, over and over again. It didn't work so I walked to the fireplace, grabbed some floo powder and called.
"Albus Dumbledore." As I stepped into the office I smiled at the sight of his desk. It was in complete disarray, yet I knew there was an order to his chaos.
He noticed my presence almost immediately and walked over to me.
"My dear Minerva I am very sorry we did not get to spend anytime together this weekend." His eyes were twinkling and I wanted so much to lose myself in them. But I was here for a purpose.
"Albus please do not concern yourself with that at the moment and please do not interrupt me until I have finished what I am here to say." His face held worry, concern and a little hurt.
"I'm sorry Albus, I didn't mean that to sound so harsh. But I have just had a rather strange visit from Katarina. Albus she was asking questions about you. She asked if I knew why you were not ecstatic about the baby. Of course I told her that I was the last person you would confide in. I'm not sure she believed me.
"But what really bothers me is her comment right before she left. Albus I swear to Merlin that I heard her say 'I can smell him on you'. Yet when I asked her to repeat herself she said something completely different. Albus my hearing is excellent I know what I heard."
I must have looked a little worse for wear, I know that the memories of what my sister had done to me in the past were now at the front of my mind. Albus put his arms around me and held me tight.
"My dear Minerva, I promise you that Katarina will never harm you again." He was stroking my back now trying to calm me down. I pulled back to look into his eyes.
"Albus when Katarina left me she was on her way here. I should leave before…" I didn't get to finish my sentence as lips that tasted of Lemon and chocolate descended on to mine. When he pulled away we were both a little out of breath and smiling.
"Now Minerva if Katarina is indeed on her way here, you are going to stay and keep an eye on me." I raised my eyes at that, what was he saying!
"Do not worry Minerva I have not lost what was left of my marbles." I chuckled at that; he truly was my rock.
"I suggest for your peace of mind that you change into 'Tabby'." I scowled at that. "And hide on the bookshelf in the corner. It has a view of most of the office." He did have a point thought I would feel much better if he were not alone.
When he heard the gargoyle move aside and the stairs rising, we moved to where I would be observing the meeting, I changed in to my animagus form and Albus levitated me to the top shelf. I counted myself lucky that being a Quidditch player I was not afraid of heights.
Albus sat down at his desk and began to sort through the parchment that was threatening to cover it completely. When the knock came at the door he was a little nervous. He was such a poor liar and now with Minerva watching he might have to deny the very passion of his heart.
"Come in Katarina."
"Good afternoon Albus." Katarina walked without ceremony and perched on the desk facing her husband. Albus twitched involuntary; this was not a position he wanted to be in especially as the woman in question was his wife.
"Katarina perhaps in your condition you should sit in a chair?" He said moving to guide her to one on the opposite side of his desk.
"Albus such concern for my welfare. But there was a time when you could not keep your hands off me." I prickled a little at that and I could see Albus slump his shoulders, I could tell he would rather I not have heard that.
"Katarina I am a very busy man and besides in your condition I do not think it wise." Albus clearly hoped that would placate her, no such luck.
"That doesn't mean that I can't see to my husbands needs." I almost enjoyed the fact that Albus was squirming. He honestly looked as if the very thought of his wife anywhere near him would cause him to vomit. I dread to think what he would have done had she actually tried to go through with her plan.
"Katarina please remember that we are not alone in this room." He gestured towards the portraits of the former heads of Hogwarts and of course to Falkes.
"Then lets adjourn this to somewhere more private." She closed the distance between her and her husband. They were standing just inches away from each other.
"Katarina the time I spent with you over the weekend ate into the time I had set aside for my administration work. You can see the parchment that needs attention on my desk." He took the hands Katarina had placed on his chest in his own and added.
"Now please let me get on with my work. You are too much of a distraction." I'm glad she took the not too subtle brush off and left at that point. I didn't know how I was going to explain my just dropping in from the bookshelf to her if she did not.
When she had gone I still had a very nagging feeling at the back of my mind something was a miss. I could not at that point put my finger on it. But it was there.
I jumped down from the bookcase and transformed back into the more recognisable me. Albus took me in his arms and kissed me lightly before saying.
"Well my dear, was I too obvious in my refusal of her?" It felt like he was trying to explain to me. Caressing his cheek I answered.
"Albus there is no need to ask. It is not my place to say anything. Even if you had taken her on your desk, I could hardly claim that you were cheating on me. I am the mistress after all." He pulled away a little as I said that, he took my hands and kissed each one, then gazed at me with a look of such intense love that I wanted to never let him go.
"Minerva don't you ever say anything like that again. I know I have said this before. But I will say it again. I should never have let you go all those years ago. I made the biggest mistake of my life marrying your sister. Now I finally have you…" The bookshelf behind us collapsed.
What both of us had failed to notice was that the door to the office had reopened and two feet into the room stood a very angry Katarina with her wand drawn.
The Look on her face said she had heard every word we had spoken…
A/N: I know I've left you with another cliffhanger. But I couldn't resist it. This needed to be written. The next chapter will be up soon I hope and the only thing I promise about it is that it will be dark.
Now please review. This author needs an ego boost. Many Thanks for reading now please review. (Yes I know I said it twice. Maybe those people who read and don't review will take pity on me? I can live in hope.) Morgana-Alex