Albus Dumbledore made his way back to his room. He wanted everything to be perfect when his beautiful wife came over for their "date." He knew how hard it was for her to keep their marriage a secret, it was hard for him too. But, in order to keep things safe at Hogwarts for the students, it was nessecary. If Voldermort found out about the relationship, the students and teachers would be in serious danger. Dumbledore, being the most powerful wizard and Minerva, one of the greatest witches of her time, were too strong for Voldermort. He would probably try and take Minerva first, as well as the students, in order to hurt Albus. Albus shook the horrible thoughts from his head and tried to get in a better mood. He wanted everything to be special for Minerva. She had been working so hard and he had noted her exhaustion as of late. He started a roaring fire and sat down with a book, waiting for Minerva to get back.

"Sit down Minerva."

Minerva sat down in a chair across from Poppy's desk. Poppy looked at her quizically.

"How are you feeling today?"

Minerva sighed. "I'm fine. I'm just tired Poppy. I told you that yesterday."

"I don't believe that. Minerva look at me." Minerva looked up slowly, meeting a very upset Poppy.

"Poppy, please...."

"Minerva stop!"

Minerva quickly shut her mouth as Poppy came over and sat beside her friend. "It is high time that you learn to listen to me. You have to start taking care of yourself Minerva. You're tired, dizzy, nauseous, and....well...."

Minerva looked at Poppy quickly. "What Poppy? What else? What did the tests say?"

"Minerva, you're two months pregnant."

Minerva was shocked. She sat back in her seat, unable to speak. Tears flooded her eyes as she thought about what she had just been told. Pregnant...a baby?...a baby! She didn't know what to say until she looked back over at Poppy whose smile said it all.

"Congratulations Minerva!" She threw her arms around her friend and squeezed her gently. Minerva hugged Poppy tightly, excited and afraid about the future. Minerva felt a rush of fear engulf her and she let go of Poppy, grabbing on to her shoulders.

"Is everything alright with the baby?"

Poppy smiled. "Everything is fine. You just have to take better care of yourself. Don't work so hard. And I want you to come see me at least once a week until the morning sickness subsides." Minerva silently agreed. She was worried. Her age couldn't help in this matter and then she thought of Voldemort.

"Poppy! What am I going to do? No one knows that Albus and I are married except for you and the rest of the staff! When the children find out I'm pregnant...what do we tell them? And what about Vol...oh no..." She put her head in her hands and tried to make the throbbing go away. Poppy put her arm around Minerva's shoulders.

"Minerva, dear, everything will be fine. Your robes are enough to hide your pregnancy until you are at least 6 months along. When that time comes, we'll figure out something. I'm sure your husband could help in this sort of situation." Poppy winked at her and a small smile crept on to Minerva's face.

"You think he'll be happy?" Poppy laughed and grabbed Minerva in another hug.

"Of course he will be! But, I'll be on hand just in case he decides to pass out from shock or utter joy!"

Minerva's smile grew as she realized that Albus' dream would finally come true. He would have a child of his own, not just the students of Hogwarts. Poppy gave Minerva some medication to help with the dizziness and nausea. She let her go with a warning to take it easy and not overdo it. Minerva left the hospital wing, stopping at her room to put the pills safely in a locked desk drawer. She locked her office and walked down to Albus' room. She said the password, "Lemon drop," and walked up to the door. She knocked softly and heard him from inside.

"Come in darling."

She opened the door and gasped. The fire was roaring in the fireplace and there were roses in vases everywhere she looked. Albus came over and quietly shut the door behind her before taking her in his arms.

"Relaxed yet?"

She smiled up at him. "I believe I'm getting there." He kissed her lightly and then led her over to the couch.

"I believe that tea and a massage were ordered correct?" She gladly took the tea cup in her hands and thanked him. His hands began to gently knead the knots in her back, causing her to almost fall asleep. A half hour later, he sat beside her on the couch and pulled her close.

"You want to tell me something?"

Her eyes popped open and she almost dropped her tea cup. "Had Poppy already told him?" she wondered. "No, she wouldn't do that."

"Um, why do you ask?"

"Well, you just seem to have a lot on your mind lately. And I figured if you could talk to Poppy about it, then why not me?"

She saw the genuine concern in his face and put down her tea cup. She took his hands and kissed each of them.

"I...I don't know how to tell you this Albus. I didn't really plan it out yet."

"You can tell me anything, Min, you know that."

"I know, I know. It's just...not that easy." She slowly stood up and walked over to the window. He followed her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Is it something bad?"

Minerva quickly turned into his chest and he hugged her tightly.

"No, it's nothing bad. It's actually quite good. But, I don't know if you will be happy about it." Albus let her go and studied her for a moment before responding.

"If it's something good, then why wouldn't I be happy?" Minerva turned back towards the window, trying to hide her fear.

"It will take a lot of hard work and unfortunately, more secrets."

"More secrets? Min, what exactly is going on? Are you in some kind of trouble?" Minerva smiled. Always the protector, that was her Albus.

"No, I'm not in any trouble. Just a different situation than the ones we're used to."

"I hope it's nothing to do with the students. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Potter are always getting themselves into predicaments. They haven't, have they?" He turned her back around, with a questioning look on his face. Minerva reached up and touched his cheek.

"They're all fine. Everyone is fine." She kissed his cheek and hugged him tight. She didn't want to let him go, didn't want this moment to ever end. Albus was surprised at the force with which she held him. He knew something was wrong; something was different about his little Tabby. He just couldn't put his finger on it. Though he was the wisest and most powerful wizard in the world, when it came to dealing with his wife, he was one of the weaklings it seemed.

"Tabby, please, tell me. Would it help if I promised not to be upset?"

"I guess it would a little. You'd better sit down. This may come as a shock." They walked back over to the couch in front of the fireplace. Minerva took his hands in hers and took a deep breath.

"Well, you know that I have been very tired lately...."

"I always tell you that you've been working too hard. Is that what Poppy told you?"

"Yes but..."

"I knew it! I knew I was right! See, at least someone else is agreeing with me for once. You have to slow down Min! If you don't...."

"Albus! Let me finish!" He shut his mouth and allowed her to continue.

"I did go to Poppy tonight and she did tell me I was working too hard and that I needed to slow down. But, it was for a reason other than my own health, though she feared for that as well. It's for the health of someone else as well that I need to not work so hard." She saw that Albus was not understanding what she was saying.

"But, whose health is in danger if you keep working too hard? Certainly, not your students, and not the other staff, or me....Who could it possibly be?" Minerva sighed. "Sometimes he can be such a dimwit," she thought.

"Albus, dear, we're going to have a baby."

BAM