Disclaimer: Not mine

A/N: This chapter contains sex between MM/AD. I feel a need to state this because of a few reviews I have received stating that this is gross. I want to forewarn everyone, so I can hopefully avoid that. Special thanks to the person who reviewed saying thay were not reading the story. I don't know how you can review a story you haven't read, but thanks all the same.

Chapter Ten: Recovery

Albus regarded her carefully.

"Are you certain?"

"Not entirely, but I think I am."

"You don't have to-" but he was cut off as Minerva kissed him again.

"Albus, I want to do this. I am not forcing myself; I want to make love with you."

This time he responded when she kissed him. Only when they had to catch their breath did they stop. With the next kiss, Minerva opened her mouth to him. Their tongues massaged each other, until Minerva moaned. Albus pulled away quickly, interpreting her response differently than she had meant it.

"It's okay, Albus. I'm okay." she encouraged.

They resumed their heated kissing and soon Minerva was laying on top of him. When she next moved, her pelvis came in contact with his rapidly growing arousal. Her eyes flew open and she gasped, but did not pull away. Albus stilled, waiting to see what she would do. Minerva simply leaned down and continued kissing him.

Albus was doing his best to control himself but it was difficult. His mind and body seemed to be at war with each other. He didn't want to do anything to frighten her. The logical part of his brain told him to go slow, and not be too disappointed should she need to stop. At the same time that he was telling himself this, his body was sending another message entirely. One that reminded him that this was his beautiful wife laying on top of him. He could feel her breasts through the flimsy nightgown she wore.

That's when he noticed the change in her attire. Recently, she had been wearing heavy pajamas to bed. This gown was one she reserved for after showers, before she stripped herself to sleep. That meant she had been planning this. The thought reassured Albus that she was not just acting rashly; She had thought this through.

Minerva seemed to be getting restless with just kissing. She wasn't doing more though and Albus was hesitant to. Finally, she unbuttoned his shirt and began kissing his chest. This went on for several minutes, before Minerva raised up.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Whatever do you mean, my love?"

"You aren't touching me at all. Do- do you not want-"

"That has nothing to do with it, Minerva." Albus quickly reassured. "I am just afraid of startling you."

"I'm fine. You said before that you didn't want to do this until I could give myself to you fully. I am." With that, she laid back and waited for him to make the next move.

He leaned down and kissed her gently, cupping her face with his hands. Ever so slowly, one hand left her face and moved to massage her arm. He trailed it up and down a couple of times, causing her to moan and shiver slightly. As he reached her shoulder again, he moved it over to her breast. Albus was careful to keep eye contact with his wife as he reached his goal. She moaned again, but he did not pull away this time.

His hands continued to roam her body slowly. He could feel her building to her breaking point. As one of his hands slipped under her gown, she began to tremble. He gently rubbed her thighs, feeling her legs part for him. At this, Minerva sighed.

"Are you still all right?" he asked.

"Hm, yes." she said, though part of the passion she felt had died.

"I will stop if you need me to. All you have to do is say the word."

"I know. I want to do this. I am a bit apprehensive, but I want it." she answered.

Albus began massaging her thighs again. He carefully rubbed his way upward, until he was at her center. He focused his eyes on hers and gingerly touched her.

She was breathing heavily, though Albus was unsure whether it was in fear or arousal. She began to moan as he continued his minstrations.

"Albus, please."

He raised off of her and lifted her gown. It was deposited onto the floor, followd by his own clothes. As he swept his gaze over her, Minerva almost lost her courage. He could see her turmoil as she resisted covering herself.

Minerva wanted her husband so much, and yet was so afraid. He had been so gentle with her, so she should not dread the moment of their joining. She glanced back at her husband's face to see him watching her.

"You're beautiful." he said, as he kissed her lips sweetly.

He kept eye contact with her as he once again covered her body with his. Both moaned at the sensation of their bodies making contact with each other.

"Are you ready, my dear?" Albus tentatively asked.

"Yes."

He reached for her hand, his eyes never wavering from hers. Watching her response, he entered her slowly. When he was fully sheathed, he paused.

Minerva drew a shaky breath. "I'm okay."

Their lovemaking was gentle and cautious. Neither dared look away from the other. Minerva was startled to feel her desire start to mount. She hadn't thought release would be possible. While her husband was an excellent lover, she feared she would be too frigid. Yet as they both cried out together, all thought of the last few weeks were driven from their minds.

"Are you all right, my love?" Albus asked as he laid down beside her.

Minerva glanced up at him. "Yes, I am." she answered softly as she cuddled against him.

Before long both gave into exhaustion completely.

Minerva woke the next morning feeling odd. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it did feel unusual. She had fallen asleep in her husband's arms completely nude. While she used to sleep this way, she hadn't for weeks now.

"Are you all right, my dear?" Albus asked, spotting the disconcerted look on his wife's face.

"I- I think so, Albus." she said. "I just don't know why this feels awkward."

"Would you like your gown?" he asked, concerned. As Minerva shook her head, he added, "The awkwardness will not last forever. Poppy said it may be like this at first, but that it would get back to normal with time."

"But you're my husband. I shouldn't have to get used to being with you again."

Albus drew her close to him and kissed her cheek. "Do not fret over it, my love. It is the way things are. We can not change them, but we must not let them change us."

Minerva snuggled into his arms. "How long have you been this wise, dear?"

"I don't remember. Why do you ask?"

"I expect you have always been this way; you were born old."

"If you had only known me when I was a student here, you would not think that. Aberforth and I were quite the troublemakers."

Minerva laughed gently. "I find that incredibly hard to believe, Albus Dumbledore."

The two laid in bed for a long time that morning, until a knock was heard on their door. Neither had time to move before Poppy burst into their quarters.

"Albus." she shouted.

"In a moment." he responded. He muttered a quick charm to dress himself, and left Minerva's side. She used the same charm and followed him into the sitting room.

"Yes, Poppy?" he asked, once she was in view.

"You are obviously okay. Is Minerva?" Poppy asked, frantically.

"I am quite all right." Minerva answered for herself.

"Oh, my." the mediwitch muttered.

"What?" Minerva asked, looking at her husband. There was certainly nothing about him that would trigger that response from Poppy. She wondered if there was something wrong with her own appearance.

"I was afraid one of you were ill. It is half past eleven on the day that the students are returning. I never dreamed I would, um, be interrupting anything. Good for you, Minerva."

Minerva's cheeks flushed. "How did you know?"

"Your hair."

Albus glanced at his wife and chuckled. "It is quite disheveled dear."

Minerva blushed a deeper red than she already was before Poppy cleared her throat.

"If I may ask, did you experience any pain?"

"No." answered Minerva, positively scarlet now. "Definitely no pain."

This somehow made Albus blush as well.

"Excellent. That is good news- healed and eveything." Poppy said uncomfortably. "Well, I'll be going now."

She saw herself out, leaving Albus and Minerva standing there.

"How much longer do you think we could be missing?" Minerva asked.

"I think we could manage a little longer." he answered. "Why?"

"Because I wasn't really ready to get out of bed."

Half an hour later, a house elf served the couple lunch in bed. They had not talked that much; they were content to simply lay in each other's arms.

As they ate, they discussed things of little consequence. It wasn't until the table was cleared that Albus looked at her seriously.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

Minerva smiled at him. "I feel fine, Albus. I have no regrets about last night."

"Are you certain, my dear?"

"Quite certain. Now, if I am not mistaken, we are going to have to dress properly and prepare for tonight."

Hours later, Minerva sat watching her husband stand before the students. The hall quieted when they say him.

"Welcome. Welcome to another year at Hogwarts."

Minerva tried to pay attention to her husband's speech, but her mind wondered. In her heart, she knew that it was just the first of many start of term speeches he would give as headmaster. No matter what happened, this is how she wanted to spend her entire life. Not necessarily at the school, though that would be welcomed, but with the man she loved more than anything else. As long as he was by her side, she felt certain she could overcome any obstacle.

A/N: Hallelujah, I'm finished. I loved writing it, but it was difficult at times. I can't believe I am about to embark on a sequel. As promised, the summary follows. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I am so happy you enjoyed it. I look forward to hearing from you during the sequel and also now. So please review:)

Another Dark Lord: Many years later, one of Minerva's Gryffindors is raped by another dark lord. Can she help this student cope, or will she be overcome by her own forgotten fears?