Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

The topic of the fourth guest did not come up until they dressed for dinner Saturday night. Albus was helping Minerva into one of her maternity robes, when he suddenly asked:

"So who is our mysterious guest, my dear?" He grinned, intrigued, "Obviously, it's someone you trust, if you are willing to forgo the concealment charms, and so blatantly showcase our relationship. Is it some member of the extended clan I have yet to encounter? Or someone from work? I do enjoy the suspense!" His eyes danced.

"I invited Aberforth." Minerva blurted out. She had felt slightly guilty about the dinner arrangements. But Albus had not bothered to ask and they had been too busy to talk about it. So Minerva had consoled herself that she wasn't lying to him. Thus guilt made her instantly cave to questioning.

"What?" Albus gasped softly, turning his wife to face him, "But how? He knows I will be here?"

"He confronted me in Hogsmead. He knows we are married. I thought it best to meet with him." She sighed, "And yes, he knows you will be there."

"And yet, he is still coming?" Albus wondered.

"Yes," Minerva blushed, and looked down as she repeated his words. "He said he is only coming because I asked him." She looked back up. Her husband's smile had been stolen away by shock and his twinkle washed out by a storm brewing in his eyes, "Can it be that bad, Albus?" She was worried by his expression.

"Aberforth has held no respect for me in years. I am simply anticipating an ulterior motive for his presence at this dinner. I fear unpleasant words may be exchanged, my dear. May I assure you, I have no intention of ruining our dinner conversation, my love."

"Albus, I didn't want to stir dissent! I merely wanted to meet him, have him as part of the family. If this little child is going to make it, they will need the support of every trusted family member and friend we can muster." Minerva sat heavily back down on the bed, mow dreading the results of her reckless invitation.

!*!*!*!

Dinner began smoothly. Aberforth arrived a few minutes late, but graciously hurried to his seat. Neptune and Diedre had fascinating stories from their honeymoon in Madagascar. And Poppy appeared to be very excited by the attention of a young wizard who worked in potions at St. Mungo's. Aberforth made admirable contributions to the evening's conversations. He and Albus were civil with heach other. Minerva breathed an immense sigh of relief as they stood to retire to the drawing room. Unfortunately, this was when all hell broke loose.

"Oh, Albus, you didn't…" Aberforth froze as they lef the dining hall. "Minerva, tell me that thing is not my brother's."

Minerva blanched and then red rose to dawn her cheeks. The party abruptly halted. Albus and Minerva were closest to the offender, with Poppy Neptune and Dierdre shifting uncomfortably some meters away. "What do you mean by that, Aberforth?" Her tone was quiet, gently. She knew a fight was coming, but tried to sidestep it, "This child is absolutely Albus'."

"More's the pity. I would never cast aspersions on your fidelity, Lady McGonagall, only your sanity." The younger Dumbledore quipped.

"Aberforth, the time for these words was at the wedding, over a year ago." Albus warned, a terrible darkness gathering behind his voice.

"Ah yes, must have missed my invitation to that," Snapped the scraggly auburn-haired barkeeper. "Did you not want your younger brother there, stuffing things up and blabbing about your murderous past? I received no announcement of this newest Dumbledore's impending arrival. What's wrong, Albus? Did you not want to involve the one person who knows your record as a guardian?" Minerva gasped at the overt provocation.

"Aberforth, that was years ago. I have had decades to grow and change." Albus' eyes burned with angry tears.

"Yea, and to accrue a body-count of loved ones." The feisty man returned, "I don't want nieces and nephews to be brutally murdered as casualties to your dreadful form of celebrity. And Minerva, she may be an adult, perhaps she can make her own decisions. But you decide as well, Albus. How badly do you want her to live and breathe? And the child... how badly do you want that child to reach adulthood? Do you honestly believe they stand a chance with you?"

Minerva had a tight grip on her husband's arm the entire time. Expressionless, she alternated between the spectacle of the declaiming Dumbledore and studying the man at her side.

"Albus, don't listen to him! This is absolutely absurd!" She pleaded, "We discussed this months ago! I want this! I am powerful enough to take care of myself, and together we protect the baby!" He refused to look away from his brother, his agony pouring down his face. "Please, Albus!" Minerva sobbed, shaking his shoulder.

"Admit it, Albus!" Aberforth spat. "You knew all along you would be an unfit guardian for a child and that you are too unstable to give Minerva the security and love she deserves. And for Merlin's sake, man, have you looked in a mirror lately? You are far too old for her!" Albus remained silent, "Stings, doesn't it? When you know it's exactly what you've ben thinking all along, in the back of your sick, twisted, ego maniacal mind!"

"Stop it! Stop, right this instant! You are to say no more!" Minerva screamed, rushing between them. She had a hand clutching her stomach, and the other pointing a wand at her brother-in-law.

"I'll leave quietly," He grunted, "I've said all I need say. Albus knows what needs to be done." And he was gone.

"Albus, my love," She whispered, charging back to his side, "it will be all right! Grindelwald is locked away, we are safe! Out baby is safe!" he was still staring where Aberforth had stood, "Say something!"

"He is right." Albus whispered. "I was a fool, I am so sorry I did this to you." He turned to look her in the eyes. His gaze was now entirely professional. "If you need financial support, I can work something out. Poppy will help you deliver the baby safely. She will alert me of its arrival. Otherwise, I will have a house elf deliver you belongings from Hogwarts to the Mansion tomorrow. Please, do not attempt to contact or visit me. This is for your own safety. I love you too much to endanger your life carelessly."

"No!" Minerva gasped, and then she fainted straight to the hard marble floor. Albus caught her just before she hit the ground, and swept her off to her rooms. The stunned observers in the hall stood flabbergasted for a moment before they charged after him, protests foaming from their mouths.

But when they arrived at the scene, their words evaporated. Albus had laid Minerva on their bed, and was whispering in sobs over her hand. Her wedding ring disappeared, and her face relaxed as the pained look slid to a blank expression. He came out of the room to see them.

"She will remember nothing of our marriage. Her child's father died in the war. This is all she needs to know." His voice was final and solemn as an epitaph, "I beg your compliance on this matter. It is better this way."

And with those tragically resigned words, he departed the McGonagall estate.