A/N - thanks for the reviews.

Part 5

The start of term was almost upon them and for several days now Minerva had been far too busy to dwell upon the ramifications of her marriage. Actually she had scarcely seen her 'husband' for the last 48 hours; he had disappeared, as he was wont to do. The owl he'd sent had said simply, 'gone fishing,' and that he would try to be back before the term started. She thought she knew him well enough to assume that he hadn't literally gone fishing – but it was hard to be certain of anything when it came to Albus.

At last she had a few hours to herself and now that it was cooler, her plan was for a quick run around the lake in her other form. But when an apologetic looking phoenix appeared in the middle of her rooms with a distinctly half-hearted flourish she knew Albus was back from his travels and that the few hours to herself were going to have to wait. She touched the phoenix's head and said quietly, "tell him I'm on my way."

They'd agreed to use Fawkes as a signal for those rare occasions when Albus needed her to appear in his rooms and that, on such occasions, she would bring with her a few possessions; enough to make it look as though she spent a significant amount of her time in the Deputy Headmaster's private rooms. Since only Armando knew they were married, she assumed that he was planning to pay them a visit.

As Fawkes disappeared she collected a carefully packed bag from behind her sofa, shrank it to fit into the pocket of her robes and once outside in the corridor transformed into a tabby cat.

Her progress across the castle was rapid, she transformed back, enlarged her bag and tapped lightly on the door as she spoke the password that would allow her access to Albus' rooms. It still felt odd to be able to freely enter his private domain; this was very different from being able to gain entrance to his office. But he had deemed it necessary and she had reciprocated – giving him the password to her own rooms, knowing that she could trust his circumspection in using it.

She'd always thought that the rooms occupied by the Head of Gryffindor were very lovely, even given the current occupant's rather eccentric taste in décor. The bright, almost clashing colours weren't exactly to her taste and if she really were all but living here she would have had to find a way to tone them down – or else risk a constant headache.

Albus emerged from what she assumed was the bedroom and smiled, "that was impressively fast my dear – which is just as well. Armando owled me to say he will be here in a few minutes - I thought it well to make it appear he had interrupted a quiet evening together."

"The Governors?" she asked briskly, determined to be business-like, even in these circumstances. His eyes twinkled in amusement at her tone but all he said was,

"I assume so." He waved his hand and the lights went out – to be replaced by the soft glow of candlelight. Two glasses of wine appeared beside the sofa and a low table slid forward with a partially played game of chess set out upon it. Now to be outdone Minerva opened her bag and with a few quick spells one of her spare outer robes joined one of Albus' on a hook, some books and one or two photographs took up residence the mantelpiece. The final items she hesitated over. She thought it unlikely that Armando would venture beyond the living room, but in case he did, she had brought with her some things to give the impression she spent her nights here.

"Do you mind if I…?" she held out the bag so he could see what she had left to distribute.

"Be my guest," swiftly she passed into the other room, laying a robe on the bed beside the large, purple dressing gown. A hairbrush went onto the chest of drawers and a few toiletries into the bathroom. She had not intended to look around the bedroom – but never having been there before her curiosity got the better of her. The four poster was enormous, its hangings an elegant mixture of gold, red and burgundy. But what really drew her attention was the picture on the bedside table, where her own image smiled and waved back at her.

Feeling suddenly mischievous she waved her wand and the heavy coverings on the bed were pulled back, the pillows moved around, the robes slid to the floor and the sheets became rumpled.

When she emerged she found Albus leaning against the fireplace looking around the room one last time. "I see I have you in check," she observed, nodding to the chess game they had apparently been in the middle of.

"Well, it seemed best not to make Armando suspicious." She was prevented from replying by a knock at the door. As Albus went to answer it she curled herself into the corner of the sofa, he paused at the door and looked back at her; she saw his lips move and then felt her hair slip around her shoulders. She glared at him as she realised he had vanished her hairpins, but he was already opening the door to let the Headmaster in.

"It's good to see you back Albus," Armando said as he stepped into the room, "I trust your fishing expedition was productive?" At the question Albus glanced towards Minerva who was doing an excellent impression of someone who knew what they were talking about. In fact, Albus was certain she was dying to ask him what he had been up to – but was far too discrete and careful to come out and ask him directly.

"Actually the fish were frustratingly elusive," he replied before dismissing the subject and offering the other man a seat, "will you join us in a glass of wine?"

"That would be most pleasant," another glass was summoned and the wine poured, Armando settled himself into a chair while Albus joined Minerva on the sofa. "I hope I haven't interrupted your evening?"

"Not at all," Minerva replied, glancing down at the chessboard she added, "although the break may give Albus a chance to re-group."

"She's going to beat you again, isn't she?" Armando chuckled. Albus sighed, heavily,

"I haven't conceded defeat yet. Now, what can we do for you Armando?"

"I wanted to tell you both about the discussions I've been having with the Chair of the Governors. As you know he is due to step down shortly and he asked me to also talk to his designated successor. They both agree news of your marriage will not be something any of the other Governors will be informed of. Their suggestion is that the full Board is told that you have agreed to a morals clause being included in your contract. In effect you will be agreeing that should your personal life bring the school into disrepute you could be sacked."

"I imagine being secretly married to a fellow teacher could fall into that category," Minerva said, "I can think of circumstances when, if people found out, our marriage could be viewed as quite scandalous."

"Especially when the teacher in question is also one of my former students," Albus added.

"I thought of that as well," Armando produced 2 scrolls of parchment and handed them over, "this is the morals clause and this is a letter, signed by me and by both Governors, which states that the clause is rendered null and void for issues relating to your marriage. If the secret is discovered, it may still cause a scandal but it won't cost either of you your jobs."

Minerva leant over his shoulder to read the documents – which was sufficient distraction to require Albus to marshal his concentration. One of the reasons he'd gone away was to try to come to terms with his new awareness of the woman beside him. The faint scent of her perfume and his consciousness of her body, so close to his, made him recognise that the attempt had not been entirely successful.

"It seems fine Armando," he said at last handing the scrolls back.

"I'm glad you think so. However, I did realise that this situation had given us another difficulty, one I'm surprised neither of you thought of, or perhaps your minds were on other things." They exchanged glances, with no idea what he was talking about. "Albus – when we first talked about your becoming Headmaster we also discussed who would succeed you, you do remember that?"

"Of course. I am still planning to appoint Professor Craddick as my Deputy – at least until her retirement and to offer Minerva the positions of Head of Gryffindor and transfiguration professor – oh," finally he realised what the problem was, "she's perfectly qualified for both positions Armando, it isn't nepotism."

"I'm aware of that Albus, but 2 of the Governors know you are married to Minerva. They might well question your decisions with regard to her – even if they won't be able to raise them with the full Board. However, I am not married to Minerva, so I can recommend her appointment with no questions asked. You just have to agree, I assume you do?"

"Of course."

"Perhaps they'd like to put a morals clause in my contract as well," Minerva said, her tone and expression making both men very aware of how angry she was. "Thank you for your efforts on my behalf Headmaster, but there are other wizarding schools I can teach at. Perhaps it would be best for all of us if I wasn't here." Albus' yelp of protest was drowned out by Armando's laughter.

"And have our new Headmaster pining away because his wife lives in a different country. I don't think that would be a good solution at all, my dear. Please don't worry, I'm sure it will all be agreed – in fact you may wish to have the current Head of Gryffindor spend some time helping you to prepare for next year. I suspect that won't be too much of a chore."

Albus could tell that Minerva was controlling her temper. One day, he thought, he would find out why she found generosity so difficult to accept; he was sure it was allied to the reason she struggled to accept compliments. Someone, somewhere had caused her great pain – but now was not the moment to explore old wounds. In fact, if the frown that had suddenly shadowed Armando's face was anything to go by, there was one more thing he had to tell them.

"What is it Armando?"

"You see too much my friend," the Headmaster commented ruefully. "The Governors' I confided in are prepared to vow never to reveal the secret of your marriage – but they have both asked to share the news with their wives."

"It's too many people," Albus responded at once, "the greater the number who know, the greater the risk of exposure."

"And how could I have stopped them? What could I have said? Would your wife be happy to learn you keep secrets from her?" It was, under the circumstances, an unfortunate question. There was a long silence, Armando's eyes widened with the realisation that Albus hadn't responded, clearly implying that he did keep secrets from his wife.

It was Minerva who saved the moment – lying her hand on Albus' arm she said, "I don't imagine other men's secrets are of the same magnitude as yours, my dear." At her words he looked at her, startled by what she had said, how much she knew without him telling her, how much she seemed to understand. "But Armando is right – we can't sow marital discord amongst others in order to protect our own marriage."

"Fine. Just their wives though, no one else."

"Agreed, I'll see to it." Armando stood, "I'll bid you goodnight then," he took a step towards the door and then hesitated. "I am getting old," he said, almost under his breath and then, "Albus would you mind if…?"

"Be my guest." They were both too wary to say very much while Armando used the facilities – although Albus did wonder why when he returned from the bathroom he was bright red and bid them a rather hurried good night. Minerva looked distinctly amused, but he decided not to ask her about it. They waited for long enough to be sure the headmaster was safely back in his own rooms and then she collected the few items she had brought with her and slipped back out into the corridors.

Suddenly weary Albus decided upon an early night but, when he stepped into his bedroom, he realised what it was that had startled Armando – and what had amused Minerva so. The bed was very far from the pristine state he had left it in – in fact it was a riot of disorder, with pillows scattered, sheets tangled and two robes on the floor. It looked exactly as though two people had been enjoying themselves within it quite recently. He chucked out loud at the unexpected glimpse of Minerva's humour and at how embarrassed Armando must have been when he saw the bed and leapt to the inevitable conclusion.

He picked up his dressing gown and her robe, wondering if she realised that she had left some of her possessions behind. The material was soft and silky beneath his fingertips and for a moment his imagination supplied a picture of her clad in it. But then he blinked it away – annoyed with himself. Had he been celibate for so long that he was this easily affected by an unexpected burst of attraction – or was it something about her?

Whatever the answer it was an inconvenient, but not insurmountable problem.

TBC