Disclaimer: I own nothing, as everyone knows. For if I did, then I would be oh so much richer and not living in Hemet, CA. I'd be a seventeen year old billionaire. Or something like that.

A/N: Wow, thank you so much! I love you all so much for your reviews. Well, here are your usual personal responses.

Bigkihap: Yes, the tears continue.

Lady Henrietta: Yes, thinking of Minerva doing everything for the very last time is, indeed, a very sad thought. I hope we never have to see that day, at least not in the septology J.K. Rowling is writing. If we do, I won't come out of my room for a long time.

Esb: I'm sorry to hear about your spouse. I'm glad that I've managed to leave you wanting more. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story as well.

Mollisk: No, the part of Harry being a baby is when Minerva and Albus are thinking of that time. They're thinking of how sad they were when they had to leave him there, showing their emotions. The part of Hermione being a teenager was in the present while the whole Harry being a baby was in the past. And, now with that said, this is the next chapter. Hope you like it.

Emutet: I know, I tend to be mean. But I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you cry even more. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. And I know what you mean about that whole 'last time' thing, cuz I am a senior too. I went to my last winter formal, and on May seventh, I will be going to my last prom. So I know how sad that whole 'last time' feeling can be. And don't be afraid to open up to me, if you feel like it. I'm always here to listen, so don't worry about dropping me a line every now and then. Okay? Peace out!

Lenora: watches as fury hat gets thrown away Yes, Hermione was a good idea, I thought! Well, here is more! Lol. watches as Lenora and Draco have a battle of the fans Well, at least you're not having a battle of wits, cuz you both came rather unarmed! dodges both fans HEY! Don't make me call Mr. Fuji cuz I will pay his air fare.

Quill of Minerva: Yes, you and almost everyone else are hoping that he'll find a cure. I can't tell you how many times others like yourself have wanted a cure, for the number is way too high. But thank you for hoping. Keep the dream alive! (Wow, did I just say that? 8-O)

Girl from Iceland: Yes, I am swimming in a lake of tears. And thank you for such a nice compliment. I've never had anyone say that one of my chapters was the most real they've read. Thank you so much once again. Love from California!

Chapter Fifteen: The Christmas of Love

It was Christmas Eve, and all the students had gone home to enjoy their very first Christmas free of Lord Voldemort. It was certainly a relief to both Albus and Minerva to have time to themselves for two weeks. And now that it was the eve of one of the most exciting days of the year, they could once again be found sitting on their couch in front of the fire, simply talking with one another. Minerva smiled as she ran her hand over her quite protruding stomach. She was now six months pregnant and was happier than ever. True, she was becoming more and more tired, but everyone, including her students, were very understanding of her situation. They knew how hard it was for her to teach, carry on with a pregnancy, and battle a furious disease. So they all made it an important habit to help her every chance they had.

So now, she was just enjoying her time with her husband, just talking about their baby.

"Do you know what I realized, Minerva?" She looked up at him and quirked a brow.

"What's that?" she asked.

"We haven't thought of any names for our child." Minerva looked at the fire and thought for a while.

"Well, I suppose that is something we'll have to remedy," she replied. "If it's a girl, I've always been partial to Christine or Athena."

"I like Athena," smiled Albus. "I have no doubt she'll grow up to be as beautiful as her mother, so it would only make sense to name her after a goddess. Just like her mother." Minerva looked up at him.

"I hope you know that this is not just my child, but yours as well," she said with a smile playing on her lips. "I won't be held solely responsible for how she looks like, if it is in fact a girl. And even if it's a boy, he or she will have your personality. Speaking of which, what if it is a boy?" Albus thought for a moment.

"Indeed," he mused. "For no matter how much I love the idea of naming our child Athena, I don't think that would be a good name for a boy." Minerva chuckled.

"Certainly not." They sat in silence for a while longer before Albus spoke.

"I like the name Joshua David," he said. Minerva looked at him and quirked a brow. "Well, it may not be the most creative name out there, but it certainly is a good name, don't you think?" Minerva screwed up her face and then pursed her lips.

"That's true, I suppose," was her reply. Then, she sighed and leaned back into her husband. "Well, we have some time before we have to make an absolute decision, so we'll talk about it some more." Albus kissed the top of her head and then proceeded to lay his head upon a pillow.

"Are you excited about tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes, I've always loved Christmas," she said. "Though, I'm sure you will be more excited than I am." Albus smiled and his eyes twinkled.

"Of course, my dear," he smiled. "I love to get presents, you know that." Minerva pretended surprise.

"You mean to tell me you haven't found your present I bought for you two weeks ago? I'm absolutely shocked! I would have thought you would have 'accidentally' found your presents by now."

"Oh, believe me, Minerva, I've tried my best," Albus replied. "But you have a knack for finding hiding places to hide things you don't want others to find. I even tried the Room of Requirement, but was very much upset to find that you had not placed them there."

"I didn't put them there because I knew that would be one of the first places you would look. So, I found another place to hide it." Albus eyed her.

"Yes, well, you do live up to your name, Minerva," he smiled.

"Oh, stop it, Albus," Minerva teased. "You're trying to trick me to give you information, but it won't work." The rest of the evening was spent in Albus trying to figure out some place that Minerva could have hid his gifts that he hadn't checked yet. He only stopped when Minerva dragged him into their bedroom and made him go to sleep. It was about as easy as telling a child to go to bed, but she was eventually successful, much to her delight, for she was exhausted.

Ooooooooooo

The next morning, Minerva awoke to Albus gently shaking her shoulder and telling her to wake up.

"What time is it, Albus?" she whispered, rubbing her eyes.

"It's just after seven. I'm surprised you've slept this long," replied Albus. Minerva smiled as she looked up at him.

"I'm surprised you've let me sleep this long," she said.

"So, can we open our gifts?" he asked, his eyes twinkling a great deal more than usual.

"Honestly, Albus, you are such a big kid that I just have to laugh," Minerva said, rolling her eyes. But the smile never left her lips. "Yes, Albus, we can open our gifts." They walked into their living room and began to open their gifts. They both received gifts from the other teachers, Aberforth, and even a few from a few of their more thoughtful students. Albus had gotten Minerva several things, among them being a photo album of her family. She cried when she saw it, though she assured him they were tears of joy. She was shocked to see that he had even set aside a section for their child.

"Thank you, Albus," she said, setting it aside. "That was very thoughtful of you, indeed. Now, it's time for your gift." She smiled as she went into their bedroom and pulled out a two packages, both in brightly colored paper. As she came out, she could see the bewilderment on his face.

"It was hiding underneath our bed this whole time?" he asked. "That's not fair. That was too easy, that's why I couldn't find it."

"You just don't want to admit that it was a clever place to hide them because you expected me to hide them in some mysterious place and you couldn't find them," said Minerva as she sat next to him and placed the presents on his lap. "Now, enough chatter, open them up." Albus smiled and opened the first gift, which was the smaller of the two. In it, he found a new pair of striped pajamas with matching socks. He laughed as he placed them back in the box and kissed Minerva on the cheek, thanking her.

"Now, before you open up your next gift, I want you to read this card," she said, handing him an envelope. He opened it up and began to read aloud.

"'My Dearest Albus,

On this, our first and last Christmas together, I just wanted to tell you how much our time together has meant to me. I love you with all my heart and soul, and am very glad that you and I could have this time together. I love you so much and hope that my death will not prevent you from going on. Yours truly, for now and always, Minerva.'"

"Oh, Minerva," he said, leaning over and hugging her. "I also appreciate this time we've had together, and I would not trade it for any other time in the world. I love you." He kissed her soundly on the lips until she told him to open his next gift. Inside, he found a quilt. On it were pictures of them and their friends over the past few years.

"I made it myself," she said. "See here? That was when we went on vacation to Scotland, you, me, Poppy, and a bunch of the Order. Do you remember?"

"Yes, that was just after Harry defeated Voldemort," Albus smiled. "Oh look, you've placed in here our trip to Ireland for our honeymoon. I remember you got so sick the last day that you never left the toilet." They chuckled slightly at the memory. "Gosh, we've had some good times, haven't we?" he smiled. Then, he looked sadly at Minerva. "But we'll never have those times again, will we? At least not for long."

"Albus don't think about that now." Minerva cupped his cheek. "Let's just concentrate on today, and the good it brings." Albus nodded.

"You're absolutely right, Minerva," he said. "Let's go down to breakfast. I'm starving."

That was, indeed, the best Christmas Minerva and Albus had ever had in their entire lives. They went to bed that night, happy and content, not knowing that three months later, on March twenty-third, things would worsen…

A/N2: Well, there you go. What will happen? That is for me to know, and you to find out the next time I update! Always Hopeful