Sorry for the delay folks, there were just some personal problems I had to deal with and which took quite a toll on me. But now it's over, and I guess there are just some things that end horribly. Thanks to Lies for bearing with me. And as always, I don't own any of the characters, I just play with them.

"They are coming! " Hermione had looked through the kitchen door and just spotted Albus and Minerva who returned from their day in London. They looked very happy, it seemed, for they were quite oblivious to their surroundings.

"Hurry up, you two. You still have to change." Hermione rolled her eyes at the two boys who were just vanishing the remainders of their cooking. The food was all set and ready to be served.

While the boys had prepared the last things for dinner, Hermione had set the table in the living room. There were hundreds of small candles floating everywhere, rose petals on the white table cloth and soft music filled the air. Hermione had chosen the best china for this evening, along with Minerva's silver cutlery. She took one last look around the room before exiting in search of Albus and Minerva.

"Hello Hermione," Minerva smiled at her. It was obvious she had enjoyed herself today immensely. Raising an eyebrow she looked at her student curiously.

"What are you wearing, dear?" she asked.

Hermione smiled at her.

"Well, since you two have been so kind to take us all in, we wanted to thank you. That's why we have prepared a very special dinner for you." Hermione opened the door to the living room and motioned for the two professors to enter.

Albus led his wife over to the table and pulled back her chair for her.

"That's really impressive," he said while he walked over to his side of the table and sat down. "But you know that you don't have to do this." He looked at the girl for a moment that just nodded and then disappeared into the kitchen.

Minerva looked around in the room. It was all so beautiful. The trio had clearly worked the whole day to create this wonderful atmosphere for them.

"I'm curious what else they will have for us." Minerva grinned at her husband.

"Well, as far as I can see they've cooked. My little friend there looks as if he would rather be somewhere else." Albus chuckled. Indeed Wolky, the house elf, tried to offer his help to the trio but was reclined every time.

Seconds later, Ron and Harry emerged from the kitchen, each of them carrying a plate while Hermione brought a bottle of wine.

The food proved just delicious, and Albus and Minerva just enjoyed themselves. The candles and the soft music in the background created a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. The trio kept themselves in the kitchen.

When Albus and Minerva had finished their dinner – Albus had just loved the chocolate cake – Hermione removed the plates from the table while Harry chose another selection of music.

"Thank you. It's been a wonderful evening." Minerva smiled at them.

"And it's not over yet." Ron grinned at her. In fact the three of them had thought that the evening would end nicely with dancing. So they had searched for a collection of songs for slow dances.

When the first soft music Albus raised his eyebrows questioningly but Harry just motioned him to dance with his wife. So the headmaster took Minerva's hand and led her away from the table.

As Albus put his arms around her and pulled her closer, Minerva closed her eyes and inhaled deeply the scent of the man she had loved for so long. And she still loved him, loved him even more than at the day they had married. Their love had deepened steadily since then, and though there had been troubles along the road, that had only helped them and made their feelings for each other stronger.

With her eyes still closed Minerva listened to the lyrics of the current song. Somehow they fitted her relationship with Albus perfectly. He was and would always be the most important person in her life.

Albus sighed, his hands drawing slow circles on Minerva's back. Though they had been married for so long, he couldn't imagine a life without her. She meant everything to him, and his feelings hadn't changed a bit over the years.

Harry, Ron and Hermione peered through the kitchen door at the loving couple, grinning. Their plan had just worked beautifully, and the evening was a complete success.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Well, it wasn't exactly knocking, it was banging. Someone seemed rather desperate to get in.

Harry rushed to the door but Wolky was faster. The little house elf had already opened the door.

"Potter. What on earth are you doing here?" Severus Snape rushed past the house elf and looked at Harry.

"I'm staying here for the holidays. And what are you doing here?" Harry demanded to know. He didn't want Albus and Minerva to be disturbed now but he knew he couldn't keep Snape from entering the house.

"That, Potter, is none of your business. Now where's the headmaster?" The professor turned towards the house elf who pointed in the direction of the living room. Snape just nodded curtly and left Harry standing in the hall.

Then Harry came to his senses and bolted after his professor, keen to know why he was here. Something had to have happened; otherwise the former Death Eater wouldn't be here. Harry knew that he still worked for Voldemort, though as a spy for Dumbledore this time. But though Harry knew that Dumbledore trusted Snape completely, he couldn't bring himself to overcome his feelings.

"Headmaster!" Severus had just entered the living room where Albus and Minerva jumped apart. As soon as Albus realized that it was his potions master he relaxed visibly.

"Hello, Severus." Albus smiled at him and offered his hand to the younger man. Snape shook it before he turned to Minerva and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Ron and Hermione, who had just returned from the kitchen, looked quite taken aback at the sight before them.

Minerva laughed.

"Well, just because of our bickering concerning the House Cup we don't hate each other." She grinned at the children and patted Snape's arm.

Snape just rolled his eyes at seeing Harry's two sidekicks.

"Are you punishing yourselves or why are they here?" he looked at Albus for an explanation.

"I didn't want Harry to spend another summer with his relatives, so we offered him to stay with us. And since he shouldn't be all alone just with two old people, we asked Ron and Hermione to come too." Minerva explained. She couldn't quite keep the grin off her face at the disgusted look on Snape's face. To him, it must seem like pure torture to have Harry and his friends stay over summer.

"Well, you're not old. But you're definitely too kind." He said, but he smiled. He had always known that Minerva had motherly feelings to those who were alone in this world. It had been quite the same with him, though he was in a different situation than Potter.

Minerva slapped his arm playfully before Albus draw her attention back to some more urgent matters.

"So, what brought you here, Severus?" he asked, offering Snape a seat.

"Voldemort." The young man simply said.