Disclaimer: Not mine
Chapter Seven: Respite
"And you're sure that you can check on her?" Minerva asked Poppy for close to the tenth time. It was Saturday, and Minerva was just finishing some last minute duties before leaving for the cottage.
"Positive, dear." Poppy reaffirmed.
"I should stay. It's not responsible for me to be leaving at a time such as this."
"You need to go." the mediwitch argued. "It will do you good. You will come back refreshed and much more capable of performing at your maximum potential."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Minerva asked. "Are you implying that I have become slack in what I do?"
"Um, no. Just that you could use a day to relax." Poppy reasoned.
"I am not uptight."
"Of course not, dear." Poppy said, turning away to roll her eyes at Albus, who had just entered the room.
"Are you ready, my dear?" he asked his wife as she walked back to her desk in the sitting room.
"Almost." Minerva responded. She grabbed a stack of essays and packed them away. "Poppy, are you sure you will be able to check on Lily? She has been so distracted and my four troublemakers, well really two, have been giving her a hard time. They mean well, but without knowing the entire story, it comes out wrong. And-"
"Minerva, go." Poppy insisted. "Spend time with your husband. Relax. I will check on Lily this evening."
"Are you-"
"GO." shouted the mediwitch as Albus popped a lemon drop in his mouth. He used the empty bag to make a portkey and walked to his wife. Minerva gave one last hesitant look before taking the bag.
Moments later, the couple stood in their cottage's sitting room. Moxy, an Hogwarts's elf, immediately appeared to take their luggage to the bedroom. She reappeared after only seconds to escort the two onto the patio, where lunch had been arranged.
Albus and Minerva sat, eating sandwiches and taking in the view. The cottage sat atop a small hill overlooking the sea. Waves lapped at the rocks below, gently relaxing with their rhythm. The sun was hidden behind a cloud, leaving the sky a pale blue that accentuated the paleness that Minerva's skin now possessed.
Minerva sat nibbling on her sandwich and staring at the sea. Her thoughts were everywhere except for where they should have been. Movement across the table finally snapped her out of her reverie.
Albus reached over the table and took her hand. He gently squeezed, which she returned weakly.
"What are you thinking about, my dear?" he serenely asked.
"Everything."
"That is indeed quite a lot to ponder." Albus said. "It is no wonder you look so overwhelmed."
"I'm just worried." she responded.
"As am I; though I believe we are concerned about very different things."
Minerva finally looked at her husband, only to find eyes full of anxiety. "Whatever do you mean, Albus?"
"I am speaking of you, my dear. You look sick and have lost weight. I know you are overcome with worries right now. However, your health must take precedence. If you allow yourself to become ill, that will make all of your concerns worse. I do believe that was the point Poppy was trying to make before we left this morning."
Minerva quietly listened to her husband. She knew he was right, but a small part of her didn't care. Even the strongest, wisest wizard since Merlin couldn't understand completely.
Albus knew what she was thinking without Legilimency. Her silence told him that she was not totally receptive to what he was saying.
"Minerva, I love you. I am asking you to take care of yourself for yourself. If that is not enough, then do it for me." At this, Minerva again returned her gaze to the man she loved. "I am currently fighting the Ministry over the rise of Voldemort. I quite possibly am going to have to lead the fight against him. It might be selfish of me, but I am going to need you. All of you."
Albus knew that he wasn't being completely fair. However, he also knew Minerva would do anything for him. He would indeed need her support, and she would continue to need his. He just wanted his beloved wife to realize that they could get through anything together, as they had already proven in the many years of their marriage.
"Oh, Albus. I don't know what to say." Minerva said.
"You need not say anything, my dear. Just know that I love you."
"I love you, too."
The couple remained silent, both watching the clouds move across the sky. Albus began to gently massage Minerva's hand, starting with her fingers. He continued up her hand to her wrist, rubbing in small circles.
"I believe you are supposed to be relaxing, dear. What would you like to do?"
Minerva sighed. "I have some essays to grade and, did you just roll your eyes at me, Albus Dumbledore?"
"You are a very wise witch, Minerva. How is it that you do not know the meaning of the word relax?"
"I do." she responded curtly. "However, there are still things that must be accomplished."
"Would you allow me to do the grading? That would free you to do something enjoyable, perhaps take a long, hot bath."
"Are you sure you wouldn't mind? I don't want you to be responsible for my duties."
"It is no problem, my dear. I wish very much to help you."
Minerva headed through the bedroom and into the bathroom. There she filled the tub with lavender scented bubbles. She soaked for what seemed like hours. She also had time to do more thinking. When she had been in school, her friends had teased her relentlessly about all the thinking she did. Even now, Poppy claimed Minerva would one day rival Albus as the greatest thinker of their world. Minerva severely doubted this; she doubted anyone would ever by able to match her husband in any area.
Her husband. Minerva's thoughts once again turned to the only man she had ever loved. The man who, even now, was busily working so she wouldn't have to. He had so many things to be worried about, not including her.
Minerva thought over the last time they had experienced difficulty in their marriage. It seemed a hundred years away, even though it had most definitely not been nearly that long. She remembered the fear whenever Albus had left her to fight the war against Grindelwald. Even when she was older and fighting alongside her husband, she was still afraid. Now, a new era of fear was beginning. Minerva thought about what Albus had said over lunch. It was possible he would have to lead the fight against Voldemort, too. It took all Minerva had to squelch the feeling of terror that inspired. Even though Albus was the most powerful wizard alive, it still frightened Minerva to think of him having to battle the dark arts again. It just wasn't fair. He was old and had already saved the world once. Wasn't it someone else's turn?
Minerva shivered, suddenly realizing that her water had gone cold. She rose and wrapped a towel around her. Looking around, she also realized that she had neglected to bring any clean clothes with her into the bathroom. Opening the door, she ran into Albus, who was just preparing to knock.
"I'm sorry, my dear." he said.
"It's alright." Minerva responded, very aware of her lack of clothing. "Did you need something?"
"No. I did think it best however to come check on you. I was afraid you had accidently fallen asleep."
Minerva blushed as she saw Albus eyes drift down her body. The towel was clinging to her trim body, showing all of her curves. It was also short, which left all of her legs and most of her thighs exposed.
"I wasn't asleep, just thinking." she murmured.
"Merlin, she's beautiful." thought Albus. He knew by her blush that she was aware of his staring, but he was having a hard time making himself care. The logical part of his brain was telling him that he shouldn't be putting his wife in a situation like this. She might not be ready and the gentlemanly thing to do would be to leave the room so she could dress. This did not make him move, though. Luckily, Minerva made it a moot point.
As she stood there, Minerva thought again of her fear of losing him. The fear of him never being by her side again. This propelled her to move the few steps between them.
The first kiss was really only a peck on his lips. The second held infinite love between the two, but did not seem to last nearly long enough for either of the lovers. The third finally seemed to last forever, and only paused for both to draw a ragged breath and then to deepen it. Albus eventually heeded the logical voice in his head. Pulling back, he observed his wife.
"Minerva-"
"No talking." she interrupted, placing a finger on his lips to silence him. From there, she moved her mouth to his ear and nibbled gently on the lobe.
Albus' sharp intake of breath only led her on. Her hands moved from around his neck, down his back and came to rest on his buttocks.
"Minerva." he groaned. "Wait."
Minerva stopped her ministrations on him. "What is it, dear?" she asked patiently.
"I- you-" Minerva smiled. A flustered Albus was a very unusual sight. It secretly gave her a thrill to know that she had inspired it.
"Don't worry." she said, taking pity on him. "I have no intention of starting something without finishing it." This comment was punctuated with a firm squeeze to his backside that made him groan again.
"Are you sure, my dear?" he asked, though his speech was slightly incoherent due to the fact that Minerva had resumed her nibbling.
"Positive." she whispered against his neck, making him shiver. He retaliated by reaching for her towel, which quickly dropped from her body.
The two stumbled to the bed. Minerva laid down, while Albus let his robes join the towel on the floor. He laid down next to her and began stroking her body. She wasn't content to simply lay there either; her nails were gently scratching up and down his back.
"Albus, please." Minerva begged. He pulled back and studied her. He saw no fear or hesitation, only love and desire. He moved so she was under him and entered her slowly. Minerva arched up to meet him, desperate to feel all of the man she adored.
Albus had been determined to hold back and not intimidate her. Minerva had other ideas though, and the two very quickly lost themselves in the feeling of being together.
A/N: Yeah, it's been a long time. I don't really know what to say about that except that it most definitely will not be so long for the next chapter. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed and still has an interest in this story. Lots of love to you all:)