Blessings and Heartache.

A/N: Just want to say a thank you to everyone who took the time to review the last chapter of this story. Your comments mean a great deal and I am glad to know that you are enjoying this so much. Sorry it's been a while since the last update. I am hopefully back on course with my writing now, though I am not very happy with how this chapter turned out.

Many thanks to Ang for beta reading this chapter for me, she is a star!

Chapter Six: A Party Fit for the King and Queen of Hogwarts.

Xiomara Hooch was rushing around the staff room as if she were being chased by a wild stampede of hippogriffs, her black Quidditch cape billowing behind her as she went about her tasks. With the help of most of her fellow teachers, the staff room had been transformed from a dull meeting room to an Arabian style room with lavish pink, orange and red silk drapes on the walls and at the windows. Incense was burning throughout the room and an array of Turkish snacks was laid out on the table nearest the bookshelf that had been hidden from view by an orange silk drape. She was very pleased with what she saw in front of her and it would be an engagement party to remember. She had even managed to convince Severus to make some punch but he only agreed to do it to stop Hagrid from making one and rendering the staff sick for days after.

The other members of staff had returned to their rooms to get changed for the party while Xiomara was on lookout for Albus and Minerva. She was also waiting for Severus to return with the punch. She was sure he was keeping her waiting to annoy her but she wasn't going to let him get to her, not after all the trouble she had been through to get this party arranged. The door opened and in walked Severus with the never-ending punch bowl. She watched as he looked around the room in horror.

"Woman," he cried dryly "have you opened Hogwarts up as brothel?"

"Good taste is wasted on the likes of you Sev," she replied with a grin. "Tell me, how do you know what a brothel looks like anyway?"

"That is for me to know and you to never find out," he answered, shooting her a glare to rival Minerva's. "Do you seriously think this is going to go down well with Minerva?"

Xiomara couldn't see why not. It was all a bit of fun and they were celebrating a happy event so Minerva was bound to let her hair down and enter the spirit of things. Xiomara knew that Albus would adore what she had done to the staff room. It matched his personality and his sense of fun. She knew that the Headmaster would not hold himself back. He was bound to be the life and soul of the party even more so since he was newly engaged.

"It's a party, Severus. It's about having fun and celebrating," she told him. "I know these concepts are foreign to you but must you spoil it for everyone else?"

"I am just saying that if you know Minerva as well as you say you do," he countered "then you know she wouldn't like all this! And what is that ugly thing?"

He pointed at a grotesque statue that stood beside one of the drape covered windows.

"It's a statue to represent love and fertility!" she told him proudly.

"It's pornographic!" he said looking at it "Minerva will hate it!"

"If you can't say anything nice," she snapped, "don't say anything at all. Go and put that punch over there."

Madam Sprout had walked in unnoticed while the Potion Master and the Quidditch mistress were snapping at another. She shook her head and smiled. They were nearly as bad as Albus and Minerva when it came to flirting with one another. Xiomara had admitted after too much firewhiskey that she was attracted to Severus Snape. Minerva had nearly fallen off her chair when she had heard her friend admit such a thing and had spent the rest of the night asking Xiomara, why?

"Have you two finished flirting yet?" teased Sprout.

"I don't like him!"

"She makes my skin crawl!"

"I'll take that as a no then," answered a bemused Sprout. "Where do you want these flowers, Xio?"

Xiomara swept past Severus without even glancing at him and showed Madam Sprout where she wanted the flowers put. She wanted an arrangement in every corner and one on the table where the food was. The flowers added the finishing touches to the room and Xiomara was very happy with how it looked. She couldn't wait to see Albus and Minerva's faces when they walked in. She suddenly remembered that she hadn't put the banner up over the fireplace. She dashed over and unrolled it. It was a crisp white sheet with red italic writing wishing Albus and Minerva congratulations and it even played the wedding march every time someone said congratulations. Pulling out her wand, she levitated the banner up and pinned it to the wall above the fireplace.

"It's crooked!" stated Severus.

"Shut up!" she snapped "Go and wash your hair for the party!"

"How are you going to get them down here?" he asked, ignoring her comment about his hair.

"I am sending owls with letters saying that I need to see them because you want the Slytherin quidditch team to practice everyday. Merlin they need it but it's not possible for them to practice so much but you won't see reason."

"I will have you know that my quidditch team could knock spots and stripes off the other teams," he said jumping to his houses defence. "And I refuse to be involved with this scheme of yours when we don't even know for sure they're engaged."

"They are my house team as well Sev," she replied "but they need to pull something sspectacular out of the hat this year and it's too late because the letters are on there way."

Severus stormed out of the staff room, mumbling something under his breath and it sounded like he was cursing Xiomara. Xiomara gave Sprout a triumphant grin and transformed her practical flying robes into something more in keeping with the rooms' theme.

"This is certainly fit for the King and Queen of Hogwarts!" Xiomara stated as she clapped her hands together excitedly "Minerva will definitely make me her maid of honour now!"

"Xio," asked Sprout, she didn't want to ruin her friends' excitement but she was concerned slightly by what Severus was saying. "Are you sure they are engaged?"

"Oh Sarah, don't you start," she replied. "It is the only possibly explanation. Why aren't people happy for them?"

Severus had frustrated her and now one of her closest friends was questioning her. She couldn't wait for the party to start and Albus and Minerva to confirm what she knew for sure. She didn't have much time to consider anything else because the staff room door opened again and in walked the rest of the staff. Severus wasn't among them but then she hadn't expected him to be because he was put out that he didn't come up with the idea himself.

"You all look wonderful!" squealed Xiomara, as she took in their outfits. "This is going to be a great night!"

"When are they arriving!" asked Filtwick who was dressed as a sultan.

"Soon," said Xiomara "now everyone in your positions."

Xiomara held her breath as the door opened again and Albus Dumbledore stepped into the staff room. He was taken back by what he saw and jumped slightly when they all shouted congratulations at him.

"Where is Minerva?" Xiomara asked in confusion.

"Erm, I don't know!" answered Albus, as he looked around the room and smiled to himself.

"Oh its all gone wrong," moaned the Quidditch mistress. "Go back outside and wait for her then come in together."

"Xiomara," began Albus holding his hands up as soon as he caught sight of the banner above the fireplace. But before he could say anything the door opened again and in walked Minerva.

Party streamers were let off again and everyone shouted congratulations. The banner started playing the wedding tune. Minerva stood in the doorway. She looked around the room and then at Albus before leaving the party before evening stepping into the room. Everyone looked at Xiomara and then at Albus who shifted uncomfortably on the spot.

"I am afraid there has been a misunderstanding," he eventually said.

To be continued.