Back In Reality

Gently Albus picked Minerva up and carried her to the couch in front of the fire place. There he sat down and placed Minerva next to him. He wrapped her in a woollen quilt with her favourite tartan pattern, that of her family clan.

Minerva noticed the homely familiarity and smiled softly. Albus really tried to make her feel right at home. Then he wrapped his arms around him and Minerva shrank away a bit. The arm relaxed around her but wasn't withdrawn and Minerva relaxed gradually in the embrace. Albus smiled softly and his heart skipped a beat from joy.

After long moments Minerva fell asleep in Albus arms and slept soundly for the first time since her return. Albus was amazed by the feel of his wife in his arms. He knew that everything would be all right in the end. Of course it would still take her some time to come home completely. But right now he was happy. His wife slept peacefully in his arms. He had no desire to move away from the couch and wake his wife to go to bed. She would be scared and their progress would be destroyed. So he settled to wrap her tighter into the blanket and his embrace and lean back with her, half-laying on the couch with Minerva safely tugged into his side. Smiling happily, he relaxed further and hummed Minerva's favourite song, 'Wedding Bell Blues'. A soft smile curled Minerva's lips in response.

Albus fell asleep after long moments, in which he stroked his wife's hair and watched the fire.

----

It was 9 o'clock in the morning and breakfast time. The whole school was assembled in the Great Hall and enjoyed breakfast. For the first time Molly and Arthur joined the pupils at the Gryffindor table and laughed and talked with their children and their friends. Molly was not really comfortable in a crowd yet but Arthur sat close to her, his knee touching his hers. Ron sat at her other side and shuffled in his food. Molly smiled lovingly at her youngest son. He had always had a healthy appetite.

But Hermione and Harry stared at her worryingly. Molly saw Harry glancing up to the staff table and then back at her and Molly wondered what was going through his mind. Hermione frowned and counted all the teachers. The two chairs in the middle of the table were empty.

"Where is Professor Dumbledore? And don't you usually eat with Professor McGonagall lately?" burst out Harry. He couldn't hold in his curiosity.

At the staff table Dolores Umbridge's ears pricked up. She had thought Dumbledore was in his office and Minerva was said to be sick and at home so no children would catch it, too.

Was that not true and what were the Weasley parents doing here?

Dolores decided to investigate. She got up from the table and exited the Great Hall.

----

Minerva woke up, still lying on the couch with soft arms around her. She could remember everything that had happened last night. No nightmares clouded her mind. She raised her head a little and met Albus' eyes. He watched her lovingly, bending down a few centimetres to kiss her gently on her lips.

"Hem, hem."

Albus whirled around and groaned when his muscles and bones protested the long night on the couch with Minerva's weight on him. He was in no mood to suffer this woman.

"What do you want here? These are my private rooms."

"I know that, Professor Dumbledore. But you see that I act on the orders of the Minister himself and he wants to know the going-ons in Hogwarts. I don't think he will be pleased to find out that you entertain an affair with your Deputy. The morals in Hogwarts are far ..."

"Oh, do shut up, Dolores. He is not my lover but my husband. And if you don't believe my word you may ask in the City Hall of Inverness were we married the muggle way. Now if you'll excuse us", Minerva snapped.

She turned back to Albus and her cheeks were a little reddened. Albus laughed and bent down to kiss his wonderful wife again. Dolores stared at both of them, disbelieving what she had just heard. When Dumbledore's lips met McGonagall's, Dolores nearly fainted with indignation.

"I will verify that ..."

"Yes, yes, do that but leave us now."

As soon as Umbridge had left the room, Minerva moved to get up but was brought short by Albus' arm around her waist.

"You're still not really comfortable around me. I understand and be assured that I give you all the time you need, Minerva."

Minerva swallowed and nodded gravely.

"Thank you, Albus. For everything."

----

Harry was still a bit worried for his mentor and Head of House. He walked around the castle aimlessly. He would have Charms right now but his feet had carried him away from the classroom and led him to the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office.

Suddenly he bumped into something or someone.

"Po ... Harry, what are you doing here? I thought you had Charms."

Harry's head shot up and he looked Professor McGonagall in the eyes. Those were clear and regarded him almost as sternly as before her captivity. He couldn't help himself and, although he knew it was improper, hugged his Transfiguration professor tightly around the waist.

"You're back, professor. Finally! It's so good to see you up and about."

Minerva stared down at the untidy black head and couldn't believe he actually hugged her. Albus stood near her and smiled upon the scene.

"Harry, let go of my wife or I get jealous."

Minerva glared at him and her eyes said: 'he's only a boy'. Albus chuckled. Harry, though, disentangled himself from Minerva and beamed at her instead.

"I was so worried for you. When we saw you at Riddle Manor ..."

"WHAT?" screeched Minerva.

"I said I was worried for you ..."

"No, the other thing. Albus, please tell me you didn't send in children to rescue me. Please, I beg you!"

"Minerva, calm down ..."

"ALBUS!"

Harry watched the argument start between Dumbledore and McGonagall. He also saw the distress and anxiety in McGonagall's eyes.

"Professor, it wasn't Professor Dumbledore's fault. He hadn't planned on us coming with the Order. But we threatened the teachers to tell Umbridge. They had no other chance", explained Harry. He chuckled softly then continued. "You couldn't have stopped the twins if you had Filch hang them from their ankles in the dungeons. Mrs. Weasley is their mother and they would go through hell for her."

He ducked his head for a while but then looked up defiantly and added:

"And Hermione was heartbroken while you were gone. You are more than a mentor to her. And you mean a lot more to me than just a teacher."

Suddenly he understood what he had said and turned away but a gentle hand on the forearm turned him back around.

"Thank you, Harry, for my life and Molly's. You are a good boy. You remind me a lot of ..."

"Yes, I know. I remind you of my father. I look like him."

"No", Minerva smiled. "You remind me a lot of your mother. You have her sweet and caring nature. I love you like a grandson, Harry."

A./N.: So something sweet to lighten the mood. Next chapter ('Choices') will be more dramatic again. And I got a lot of reviews asking if that was the end. The answer is: NO!!! I don't know about you but I want to find out if Molly's child is Arthur's or Lucius' and if Minerva gets really back (if you know what I mean ;) ) with Albus. So please read and review and tell me which outcome you prefer.