Disclaimer: I own nothing, yadda, yadda, yadda…

A/N: Thank you soooo much, to all of you. Thank you and again, thank you!

TartanLioness: I know that Minerva is being totally dumb in her assumptions, but hey, I figured that little bumps in the road are fun to write. Am I right?

Bigkihap: Thank you for yet another fine compliment on the chapter. No matter how scared I am of the chapter, you are somehow able to make me happy. And yes, this is quite the predicament, isn't it?

Intelligent Witch: Wow, I am so happy that you find these last few chapters to be "brilliant". I never thought of myself as being anywhere near a brilliant writer. Yeah, I don't think I'd even think about hurting someone if I were sick. Well, I might think about it now, but I don't know if I'd actually split up with the guy. LOL, gotta go before I babble senselessly some more.

Quill of Minerva: Don't worry, I won't have Minerva do anything rash. At least, not too rash. I promise!

Girl from Iceland: I'm sorry, I don't mean to make anyone cry… Well, maybe a little bit. smiles devishly. I almost cried myself, but knew that I couldn't or else I would never get the chapter done.

Mollisk: Of coarse, I always thank those who review, and especially those who mean a lot to me. wink.

Lenora: Okay, Len, rolls eyes you know I had to make Crystal a huge character in this story. And thank you for pointing out that mistake.

Chapter Nine: Seeking Council

"And that's pretty much what happened," concluded Minerva as she finished walking around the lake with T'ari. She hadn't wanted to give out a whole lot of information about what had happened, but before she could stop herself, she had explained every little sorted detail of how she didn't want to make Albus a widower so early after being married. T'ari listened tentatively, her brows knit.

"Well, it seems to me that you've gotten yourself into quite a pickle here, Minerva," she sighed, switching her sandals from her right hand to her left.

"That is the understatement of the year," sighed Minerva, rolling her eyes.

"I don't know what kind of an answer you are looking for, but if you want my advice, I'll give it to you." She stopped Minerva from walking and looked at her. "First of all, you must remember that Albus knew you were sick before he even thought of proposing. In fact, it was because you're sick that he finally admitted that he loved you. He doesn't want to lose you, nor does he want you to go through any of this alone. In fact, that's why I think it is even more important that you do not break his heart. He wants nothing more than to help you get through this incredibly tough time in your life. That is how much he loves you." Minerva looked down at her hands.

"What you are saying T'ari makes a lot of sense," she replied. "And, if the truth be told, I am slightly ashamed for the way I was thinking earlier." T'ari smiled.

"No need to feel ashamed," she said. "You were just thinking of what you thought was best for him. The second thing I need to tell you is that you are breaking his heart by doing this. If you think making him a widower would hurt him deeply, what do you think breaking up with him right after accepting his proposal would do?" Minerva thought about her ex-student's words.

"I hadn't thought about it that way," she admitted. "Well, I suppose you're right. After all, it's like you said, Albus did ask me after I told him I was sick." She smiled and hugged T'ari. "Thank you, T'ari. You really helped me." T'ari chuckled.

"Yes, well, I can't tell you the amount of psychology I have given to a few of my friends," she said. Minerva chuckled herself. "Now you go get him back!" Minerva gave T'ari one more hug and went back to the castle. T'ari just shook her head.

Ooooooooooo

Meanwhile, in Albus' office…

"So, she just called off the engagement, just like that?" asked Crystal. Albus nodded solemnly and cast his eyes downward. Crystal shifted in her chair from across him. "Boy, talk about your tough luck." Albus took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"I just don't understand how she could think that breaking my heart was more merciful than making me a widower." Crystal sighed.

"Well, let me see if I can try and explain all her reasoning's to you," she said. "I'll bet you anything she thought she was doing you a favor. She thought, I'm guessing that it would be too much for you to marry her and lose her so soon after the marriage. After all, she only has a year and a half left, give or take." Crystal had to choke back a sob as she said the amount of time Minerva had left. "She probably does not know that you want to spend as much time with her before she does… you know." Albus sighed.

"Yes, I suppose that does make sense," he replied, knitting his brow. "I told her what I thought about it, and she seemed to come to grips a little bit, but wasn't fully convinced of it."

"Well-," began Crystal. She was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," called Albus. The door opened and Minerva walked in.

"Hello Albus," she smiled.

"Hello Minerva," he said, standing up. Crystal looked from Minerva to Albus and back again.

"Oh, well, I think I really should go now," said Crystal, standing up and making her exit. For what seemed like an eternity, but was in fact only a minute, they just stood there, neither one saying anything. Then, Albus broke the silence.

"Listen, Minerva, I'm sorry-," he began.

"No, Albus, wait," said Minerva, holding up her hand. "I-I think I owe you an apology. I never meant to hurt you, no that was never my intent. I was just so scared that I was being selfish in marrying you and then leaving you behind. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, my love," said Albus, walking around the desk and holding out his arms. He pulled Minerva into a great embrace. "I think I may understand what drove you to do it. But please, understand that I would never have proposed to you if I thought I couldn't handle your death."

"I am so glad that you understand," whispered Minerva. "I am sorry I even thought of calling it all off." She pulled back and, taking Albus' hand in her own and placing it palm up, placed the ring in his hand. "Would you mind?" Albus chuckled and slipped the ring back on Minerva's fingers.

Ooooooooooo

Minerva and Albus walked into the Great Hall when lunch rolled around and found that everyone was, once again, there before they were. Crystal was sitting in between Severus and Poppy and T'ari was sitting to the left of Albus' chair.

"I see you two have settled right in," smiled Albus as he and Minerva took their seats.

"Of course," smiled Crystal.

"How could we not?" smiled T'ari. "We've always felt Hogwarts was our second home." It caused both T'ari and Crystal great relief to see that they were back together. It meant a lot to them.

A/N2: Well, I hope that you guys liked this chapter. I know the ending was a little shaky, but hey, I guess it works. I have big ideas for the next chapter, so hopefully it will compensate for the way this one ended. I've got some great ideas… only I cannot tell you or I'll have to kill you all! Muahahahaha! coughs up fur ball. Sorry. Hehehehe! Always Hopeful