So here's chapter 13. I want to dedicate that one to Lies. Thanks for being a friend. ;-)

The Order meeting hadn't brought any news. So far, Voldemort operated more or less in secret and hadn't made any open move. That brought the Order into a more passive situation as they didn't want to offer the enemy any insight in their plans.

But Albus had arrived in a fantastic mood – not that he wasn't in a good mood anyway most of the time, but he had bought some flowers for his wife and candy for the children. And that included Severus who would be staying with them for a few days.

"Good evening, love." He kissed Minerva gently on the forehead and then gave her the flowers. Red roses had always been her favourites, and he had bought a huge bunch for her.

"Hello. And what are these for?" She inhaled their rich scent deeply.

"Nothing special," Albus shrugged. He didn't need an occasion to buy some flowers for his wife now, did he? With a wink he handed a bag of sweets over to Ron who grinned conspiratorially at him.

"So, what do you want for dinner?" Minerva asked while arranging the flowers in a vase.

Severus got up quickly.

"Well, I thought, since I spoilt your romantic evening last time, why don't I take your three cubs out for dinner and then perhaps a movie or something and you two just enjoy yourselves?" He looked at Albus and saw the familiar twinkle in his eyes brighten up.

Minerva looked at the trio who all nodded.

"Of course, Minerva. There's movie I've wanted to see anyway," Hermione interjected, nudging the boys in the ribs.

"Well, then it's settled I think." Minerva smiled gratefully at Severus. Though she loved her cubs dearly, they were quite a handful. And with the lessons going on and Albus' Order meetings, it was nice to have an evening all to themselves.

About half an hour later, Severus and the trio left the McGonagall manor and apparated to Edinburgh.

"So, which movie do you want to see, Miss Granger?" Severus asked. He had the nasty feeling that it would be some nice girl movie.

"It's called 'Blow Dry'," the girl answered. "And please, sir… Can't you call me Hermione?" She looked at him pleadingly. Hermione didn't really know why this was so important to her but after these last days with Albus, Minerva and Snape it seemed so… cold to be called by her last name.

"Okay… Hermione. Uhm… what is the movie about?" The title indicated something about hair dressing. Which didn't seem such an interesting topic for a movie.

"Well, it's with Alan Rickman, and it's about a hair dressing competition."

Severus raised an eyebrow and looked at the boys who just shrugged.

"What about you two? Do you want to see that movie too?" he asked them. Ron and Harry didn't seem able to make up their minds about that issue but Hermione looked at them with puppy dog eyes and so they nodded.

"Okay, then I think it's 'Blow Dry'," Severus concluded with a sigh. Merlin knew what that movie would turn out to be. And who the heck was Alan Rickman?

"But let's have dinner first. I'm starving." Ron said, looking at a nearby restaurant. So they went in there and ordered.

Over dinner, Severus couldn't help but questioning Hermione further about that movie.

"And who's that… what was his name? Alan Rickman?"

Hermione blushed slightly.

"Oh, he's the male lead, and he's really hot." Now Hermione's cheeks were really flushed, and Ron and Harry couldn't stifle a snort.

"Now, honestly, Hermione. Don't tell me you have a crush on that guy," Ron gulped.

Twenty minutes later they were on their way to the movie theatre, the boys still teasing Hermione about her earlier confession. Severus tried not to show it but somehow these three Gryffindors had managed to amuse him.

Back at the McGonagall manor Albus and Minerva had enjoyed their dinner. Nothing fancy, actually just some left-over from lunch. But they had enjoyed it immensely. Afterwards they had played a nice game of chess; Minerva had beaten Albus spectacularly – as usual actually. Now they had retired in front of the fire place with a mug of hot cocoa each, Minerva snuggled up in Albus' arms.

Gently he kissed the top of her head and caressed her back.

"As nice as it is having Harry, Ron and Hermione here, as nice it is to have an evening just for us." He smiled as she turned her face upwards to look at him.

"I know. Do you regret taking them in?" Minerva raised her hand and started drawing lazy patterns on Albus chest. He shook his head.

"No, it's just that I miss quiet evenings like this, just you and me. And kissing you wherever I want…" His eyes gleamed with mischief as he spoke, and Minerva knew that he had actually more in mind than just kissing. But she knew what he meant. They had never had children, so they had never known what it meant to be careful not to be caught. Even with Severus around it hadn't been like that. Severus had always been a quiet child, and after his parents' death he had withdrawn into some kind of shell. But they had barely noticed that he was even there in the beginning.

But with the trio the house had come alive again; there was a constant buzz of excitement around the place.

"I miss it too. And remind me later to thank Severus for taking them out tonight." Minerva snuggled deeper into Albus' embrace and sighed happily. It had been far too long since they had last enjoyed such an evening with tender kisses and gentle caresses.

Albus placed a long finger under her chin and lifted her face up to him. Gently he brushed his lips over hers.

"I love you, Minerva. Don't ever forget that." Very tenderly he stroked her cheek.

"And I love you, Albus." Minerva knew that they lived in dangerous times. There was an upcoming war, and Albus was the most dangerous threat for Voldemort. So she knew she just had to cherish the time she could spend with her husband. But Minerva was confident. They had survived the war against Grindelwald together and the first was against Voldemort. They knew each other very well, and they fought even better together, since each could anticipate the other's next course of action.

Long before Severus and the trio returned from their outing, Minerva and Albus had retired to their bedroom for a romantic and passionate night.