Poppy hurried to Professor Dumbledore's room, saying the password breathlessly. She knocked rapidly on the door and Minerva quickly opened it.

"What happened Min?"

She rushed over to where Albus was lying on the floor. Minerva was soon at her side.

"I told him. One second I was holding his hands, the next, he was on the floor. I didn't think you were serious when you said he'd pass out"

"I wasn't!"

Poppy quickly cast a diagnostic spell over Albus, finding nothing wrong with him. He woke up about 5 minutes later. "Minerva?"

"I'm right here darling." She took his hand in hers while Poppy checked to make sure his bones weren't broken from the fall.

"Albus, are you feeling alright? Does it hurt anywhere?" Albus looked and saw Poppy sitting next to Minerva.

"No, I'm fine." He was trying to remember what had happened that put him on the floor. Then, he saw the look of concern on Minerva's face and knew. He sat up quickly.

"Albus, lie back down! I have to make sure you're alright." He didn't listen to Poppy's instructions. He put his arms around Minerva in a hug and looked at Poppy.

"Is it true? Is she pregnant?" Poppy sighed and gave up trying to check him out.

"Yes, it's true. I'm guessing it took you a little by surprise." He let Minerva go and looked her in the eyes. Tears had replaced the usual sternness and he knew she was happy.

"Yes, it did. But, it's something I've been waiting to hear for a long time." His eyes never left Minerva's. "Thank you for coming Poppy but I'm fine."

Poppy smiled. She knew they had a lot to talk about. The love between those two was inspiring. She just hoped she would one day find the same. She kissed them both on the cheek and saw herself out. Minerva looked back at Albus after Poppy left. Their eyes locked and he pulled her closer.

"A baby?"

Minerva smiled. "Yes, a baby."

"It's going to be hard to keep this a secret. You know how excited I am don't you?"

"I know it's what you've always wanted. It won't be too much for you to handle, along with all your other duties, will it?"

He kissed her passionately for a few moments. He hugged her tightly after the kiss ended. "Does that answer your question?" Minerva laughed and looked at him.

"I guess it does. Albus, what about Vol..." He put his fingers to her lips and hushed her.

"You let me worry about that. Come on, I think it's time for you to go to bed."

They both helped each other up. Albus put his arms around Minerva and held her close. "You let me take care of you, alright?"

Minerva smiled. "Maybe, but you know I can't stand too much fussing." Albus smiled back at her.

"Not too much, but you do deserve some. You are carrying my child." He kissed her cheek.

"Alright, if you insist. But, I do need to go back to my room, I'm afraid. Poppy has given me pills to take for the nausea and dizzy spells." His look turned to one of concern and she put her hands on his shoulders. "Calm down, it's nothing serious. It's normal for a pregnant woman."

"Well, alright. But, shouldn't I stay with you?" The twinkle had returned in his eyes.

"If you like, though you'll have to be gone to make sure the students don't suspect anything." He took her hand and slipped it through his arm as they started out the door.

"Now, why would they suspect anything Professor McGonagall?" She grinned at him.

"No reason at all Professor Dumbledore."

The next morning, Minerva awoke, finding Albus gone. She got up and put on her emerald green robes, walking down to the Great Hall for breakfast. She took her seat next to Albus, and he winked at her. She hid the smile that was growing rather large and waited for Albus to make his announcements. She hit her glass with her fork.

"May I have your attention please?"

The entire Great Hall quieted as Albus stood up to speak.

"Good morning students. As you all know, the annual Halloween Ball is tonight. So, as a special treat for the holiday, afternoon classes will be cancelled for preparations." He sat down as the cheers grew from the four tables of students. He reached under the table and found Minerva's hand. He squeezed it gently, bringing a smile to her face. He let go and clapped his hands twice as food appeared in front of everyone. As everyone started serving themselves, Minerva had a funny feeling. Food wasn't looking so good and the smell, well, that wasn't helping her stomach at all. Albus noticed she wasn't taking much food.

"Something wrong Professor McGonagall?"

"No, nothing's wrong. Why do you ask?"

"You haven't taken any food."

"I'm not very hungry this morning." She tried to look away but he caught her eye and stared at her.

"Minerva? What is it?"

"Nothing Albus, nothing. I'm fine."

Poppy also noticed that Minerva wasn't eating anything. She knew she had been having bad bouts of morning sickness, but in her condition, she needed to eat so the baby would receive a sufficient amount of nutrition. She hoped Albus would have a solution. He always seemed to.

"You're sure Professor?"

"Yes, Headmaster. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some papers to grade."

She got up and rushed out of the Great Hall, running straight to her room. Dizziness and nausea overcame her as she collapsed on to the bathroom floor. Albus was about to get up and leave but Poppy intervened.

"Let me go check on her Headmaster. I think it would be better, so the students don't suspect anything."

"Thank you Madam Pomfrey." He watched as she left the room and headed in the direction of his wife's rooms. He just hoped everything was alright. Hermoine also noticed Poppy going out of the Great Hall, only a few moments after Minerva.

"Ron, did you see that?" Ron looked up from his breakfast at Hermoine.

"See what?" He looked in the direction that Hermoine was.

"Madam Pomfrey. She just went out, right after Professor McGonagall went out. I really think something is wrong with Professor McGonagall." Ron rolled his eyes and looked to Harry for support.

"Hermoine," Harry said, "I'm sure she's fine. She and Madam Pomfrey are great friends. They're probably just talking about something."

Hermoine gave up reluctantly but the sinking feeling in her stomach told her she wasn't far from the truth. Poppy knocked on Minerva's door and after gaining no response, entered.

"Minerva? Are you in here?" Poppy rounded the corner to the bedroom and still saw no sign of Minerva. A light illuminated the room and Poppy turned in its direction. She rushed over and found Minerva, sitting down on the bathroom floor. She was leaning against the wall, pale as a sheet.

"Minerva! What happened?" She felt the witch's forehead, finding she had a slight fever.

"The smell of food was not a good one this morning Poppy." She tried to get up, but the dizziness made it very difficult. Poppy helped her up and led her over to the bed.

"Minerva, you need to eat something. Why don't I conjure up some soup for you?"

"No, no I'll be alright. I have classes to teach anyway."

"But Min..."

"Poppy, I'll be alright. Tell Albus that will you? I know he's worried."

"As he very well should be. If you do not slow down, I'll be forced to place you on bed rest." A look of anger crossed Minerva's face, one Poppy had seen many times before. Fortunately, she knew how to stand up to the stern Professor McGonagall. "I mean it. Now, go teach your classes and then I'll make sure you have something edible for lunch."

Minerva didn't want to admit it, but she was grateful for Poppy's concern. They reached her Transfigurations classroom and parted ways. Poppy found Albus in his office, waiting for word on his wife.

"How's Minerva?"

"She's fine, Albus. She just had a bit of a dizzy spell and some morning sickness. It's normal. I'm going to make sure she has soup for lunch. Now, if there's nothing else, I have to alert the kitchen about the change in food."

"Thank you Poppy. I appreciate it." He smiled gratefully at her and she returned it. She put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"She'll be fine."