Disclaimer: All Harry Potter people, places, and things, (all Harry Potter nouns) belong to J. K. Rowlings. (This story takes place during Harry's sixth year.)

Chapter 6: Sharing the load.

"I've tried several times to get those two together. What makes you think that this will work?" Rolanda inquired, kissing him lightly.

"Because, my dear flying instructor, this is a simple plan that does not require much energy or effort on our part," Severus explained.

"What are you suggesting?" she asked, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"That we should write each of them a note, claiming to be the other one of course," he began.

She picked up his other quill. "And just what are these notes going to say? I think they should profess their love for each other in person."

He began scrawling a few ideas on the piece of parchment in front of him. "I did not mean to suggest that they should do otherwise. The letters would be brief enough to strike their curiosity, yet long enough to suggest that the other person either knows something or wants to confess something."

She laughed and kissed him on the cheek. "That sounds absolutely brilliant, and a wee bit sneaky! It just might work."

Minerva had not heard anything from Rolanda regarding what had happened after she dashed out of the office. When an owl appeared at her window, she untied the piece of parchment around its leg and gasped as she read the note.

Minerva,

There are a few matters we must discuss immediately. I have something important to tell you and I would like you to meet me in my office as soon as possible.

Yours,

Albus

She paced the room for a few minutes in nervous agitation. Did he find out? Is he angry with me? I'd better hurry and clear this up as soon as possible, she decided. Within minutes she was at his office. After a few deep breaths, she entered and found him preparing tea. He turned and smiled when he heard her enter the room. "Hello, my dear, I received your letter. You wanted to speak with me about something?"

He handed her a cup of tea, which she accepted as she raised an eyebrow at his comment, and the two sat in the floral-patterned armchairs. "Albus, I came here because I received your letter saying that you wished to discuss something with me."

As they drank their tea, they compared the notes. "Tabby, I do believe that someone has decided to play a joke on us," he remarked.

She thought for a moment. "This isn't Ro's style, therefore I don't know whom these would be from."

He chuckled. "I believe I may have the answer. I noticed her walking with Severus earlier today, arms linked."

"Do you suppose that he has decided to involve himself in our lives as well?" she inquired incredulously.

"It is most definitely a possibility. What I would like to know, however, is what they want us to discuss," he added.

Minerva set her tea down and closed her eyes for a moment. Then she stood and walked over to him. "I think I know. Before I am interrupted again by war, people, or some owl tapping at the window," she paused and leaned close to him to look into his eyes, "I have something to tell you. I love you, Albus, so very much. You have my heart and my trust. If you would rather remain friends, I can simply remain quiet as I have, but I needed to tell you that."

To her surprise a broad grin spread across his face from ear to ear. He stood and cupped her face in his hands. "My Minerva, I have loved you for too many years to remember. I thought that my love could never be returned, but I see now that I have been an old fool. Can you ever forgive me for not telling you sooner?"

"Of course, for we have equal shares in that particular crime," she said with a smirk. Then she took a deep breath. "I know you did not want to talk about what occurred on Halloween again, but what I am about to tell you is something you need to know. I wanted to tell you that morning how much I love you and that I did not regret what had happened."

"I was so worried that I had hurt your feelings and had ruined years of closeness. The truth is," he paused and leaned toward her, "I did not regret it either." He kissed her soundly and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

When they parted, out of breath, she looked up into his sparkling blue eyes. "Albus, there is something very important that I need to tell you. Our night on Halloween had a few unforeseen consequences."

She looked at the floor for a moment and he caressed her cheek with his thumb. "What is it, Tabby?"

A small timid appeared on her face as she took his hand. Slowly she placed it on her abdomen as the baby kicked. When their eyes met he looked at her with a mixture of awe and curiosity. "I'm carrying our child," she finally whispered.

Oh please don't be angry, she thought to herself as she watched him closely for a reaction. To her complete amazement, he began trailing soft kissed along her jaw line. Then he kissed her cheeks and finally captured her mouth in a passionate kiss as they moved over to sit on the sofa. He managed to work her hair free from its bun as her hairpins seemed to jump out with a will all their own. She responded and they shared a few more heated kisses before he spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? How could you ever think that I would turn you away with something like this? I love you with all my heart and I want to be the kind of father to our child who is always present," he explained.

"I thought you would be upset with me, that you would be repulsed by what happened and turn away from me completely. I was worried that-" he understood how upset she had been and decided to silence her worries with a tender kiss. As their lips met, the kiss intensified and he deepened it.

He spoke when they finally pulled away for lack of oxygen. "I was completely serious when I told you that I would always share your burdens, Tabby. It brings me joy that you wanted to keep the child."

"I am glad," she managed. Tears of happiness were forming in her eyes and her voice had begun to crack.

Brushing a loose strand of hair from her eyes, he took her hands in his. "My dear, I should have asked you this years ago. I love you with everything that I am. I want to be by your side always, to show you my love and to raise our child together. Will you do me the greatest honor and become my wife?"

Tears flowed freely down her cheeks like streams and she smiled brightly. "Albus, you have never shown me anything except love, in all your tenderness toward me. And I was blind to it all until now. I love you too. Yes, I will marry you."

He leaned toward her and they shared another passionate kiss. They were married the following week with most of the faculty in attendance. When Minerva tossed the bouquet, Severus caught it when the flowers hit him on the head. Rolanda was standing next to him smirking.

"Not a word," he retorted, causing her to giggle.

Albus and Minerva decided to wait until after the school term to take a honeymoon and decided that because concealing spells did not work on her, they should make a few announcements to the school. "They don't need to know how long we have been married, only that we are married," Albus remarked.

When they entered the Great Hall, arms linked, the students noticed that something was different. Not many noticed the new wedding bands though. Before the meal began, Albus stood to make an announcement. "With the defeat of Voldemort, there is something I would like to share with you all. Minerva McGonagall and I are married," he announced. The Gryffindor table whistled, but he was not finished. She stood next to him and took his hand, nodding for him to proceed. "We are also expecting a child," after that announcement the room erupted with whistles and applause as the message was absorbed.

After the school term had ended, Albus and Minerva spent a week in Spain, taking precautions in how much traveling they did due to Minerva's condition. Most of their time was spent in Sevilla visiting museums and exquisite art galleries. Minerva drifted off into a light sleep leaning on Albus as they took the train to Madrid. From there they would stay a night and floo back to Hogwarts. After a moment she stirred and he turned to face her.

"Have you enjoyed yourself, my dear?" he asked smiling.

She grinned drowsily and kissed him lightly. "Yes, thank you. This was a marvelous idea, going off to Spain. We shall have to introduce a bit of Spanish cuisine to the school's menu. The best part about this trip is that you are here with me."

He leaned toward her and kissed her soundly. "Where else would a loyal husband be?"

She laughed softly and leaned on his shoulder again. "I'm still getting used to that part, but I'm enjoying every minute of it."

His hand slowly drifted to rest on her abdomen. "We really ought to think of a few names," he reminded.

She nodded in agreement. "If it's a boy, I was considering Jonathon Robert."

"And if it's a girl, I was thinking of Gabriella Christine," Albus added.

After they had returned to Hogwarts and unpacked, both enjoyed a time of relaxation from the bustle of the school year. Minerva and Albus shared his quarters and he magically added a room for the baby. In the second week of July, Albus received an owl from the Ministry of Magic for a meeting. Minerva looked up from the book she was reading and noticed as his brow furrowed.

"Albus, what's wrong?" she asked.

He sighed and drew her to him, kissing her lightly. "Fudge is calling me to the Ministry of Magic. Tabby, I don't want to leave you like this, but the meeting is vital for plans to unearth the last deatheaters."

"I would prefer that you stayed here, but I understand and I think you ought to go," she told him.

He cupped her face with his hands. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

She gave him a persevering smile. "This is something that needs to be done, now go before I change my mind. I don't forget that I love you."

After kissing her tenderly, he slowly backed away. "How could I possibly forget that when I love you too? Alright, I will go. I shouldn't be more than a few days."

Over the next two days she had the sudden urge to straighten and clean everything. She even arranged all of Albus' favorite books in alphabetical order and made certain their rooms were spotless. As she sat down to rest on the couch, an unfamiliar pain took her breath away.

Thinking it was due to the fact that she was tired, she decided to ignore it and take a nap. But the pain only woke her from her nap. The baby isn't due for over a week. Why did Albus have to leave now? Fudge and his meetings, I hope Albus is alright. I had better go to Poppy and confirm this, she reasoned as the pain became sharper. She slowly stood and headed toward the infirmary.

The meeting at the Ministry of Magic had just ended and the members filed out of the building. The floo was not working that day, resulting in most of them deciding to apparate back to wherever they had come from. Albus also apparated, but instead of appearing in front of the gate leading up to the castle, he found himself outside of a pub in an unfamiliar, almost rural area as the sun descended below the horizon.

"Where in the world am I? That was not supposed to happen. Apparently the orientation must have been off. I only hope Minerva is alright," he mentioned aloud, deciding to enter the pub to inquire about where he had ended up.

Poppy turned and raised a eyebrow when Minerva wandered into the infirmary and sat down. "Minerva, you look so frazzled. What's wrong?" the medwitch inquired.

Minerva gripped the side of the bed as another sharp pain hit. "I need you to confirm whether or not I'm in labor," she explained through gritted teeth.

Grabbing her wand, Poppy performed a quick diagnostic spell and watched Minerva with concern. "It would seem that the little one has decided to arrive early. Is Albus here?"

"No, he's been at the Ministry of Magic. He should be back soon though," she stated.

"Then I think you ought to owl him," Poppy recommended.

She had little doubt that the pain could be anything but contractions now. "Poppy, what if he's lost? We have to find a way to get him back!"

The medwitch helped her friend settle onto the bed after she had changed into a hospital gown. "You shouldn't worry right now. We will cross that bridge if we come to it."

"I have a better idea. We could just send Fawkes with a note and a portkey. Fawkes will find him no matter what, and the portkey will help him get here faster," Minerva suggested.

Poppy agreed to the idea and soon Fawkes was on his way. "You had better find him soon, Minerva needs him," the medwitch whispered.

(my thanks to Kidarock, TartanLioness, Quill of Minerva, Always Hopeful, Lady Jolly, Alesia G, Emutet, esb, Silversorceress, miss mcGonagle, and Melissa for reviewing :D)