A/N: Okay, so by now, this is officially AU (in case you hadn't noticed). Here's the next part of the story, this is all I have for now, sort of. It's more a matter of gluing the ideas in the right order. (and then making sure that order makes since to someone besides me.)

Disclaimer: Last I checked, my initials still weren't JKR, and since her name is on the copyright, I'm just borrowing her characters.

That evening, the weather decided to remind everybody just how far they were into autumn. The wind put up a pompously grandiose racket, and the trees in the Forbidden Forest danced in time until their rust-stained leaves staggered off from sheer exhaustion. After a while, the rain felt left out, and decided to join in the racket. Starting out as a generous sprinkle mixing with the wind, it suddenly got bored with simple splattering things, and decided to really bring it down. In the end, the poor, tattered leaves huddled in sopping piles, while the wind cooled off. When suddenly, thunder and lightening decided to crash the party and came rolling in with a flash bang.

In the middle of all of this, Minerva McGonagall was out looking for Albus. True, he had sent an owl saying he had met with the Minister, and had come to an understanding. He also stated he wish to discuss something with her upon his return. The letter concluded with a warning that he had urgent business, involving the Ministry's latest decree, and would be home by seven. But it was now eight o'clock; Albus should have been back an hour ago. Professor Dumbledore was not one to keep regular hours, but with Voldemort becoming bolder every day, Minerva couldn't help but nurse the occasional worry. Granted, this time, she might become a bit hysterical. Braving an October rainstorm was probably a bit above the average mark of concern. But Albus said he wanted to discuss something with her. What had he learned at the Ministry? Was she going to be forced to have a sham marriage with someone else? All these worries were too ponderous to leave contained in one room, so Minerva decided to pace the grounds, waiting for her husband's arrival.

The tiny pocket watch she had slipped in her pocket told her Albus was now an hour and a half overdue. She glanced at the sky, it was getting darker, perhaps…. No, she would wait until he came. She jumped around abruptly (one of the unfortunate side effects of having a cat animagus, Minerva was exceptionally tense) when the customary popping announced her husband's arrival. Dumbledore had managed to withstand the storm and stay fairly dry; McGonagall was not so lucky.

"Minerva! You're soaked to the skin!" Albus froze at his wife's sopping embrace, "And with this cold weather, you'll probably catch cold! Let's get you inside!"

But Minerva was past caring, she was so glad to have her darling back in her arms, "It doesn't matter, Albus, just as long as you're here."

"See, you're delirious all ready! My Tabby would never greet me so warmly after having to wait in the…" but his words were cut off by a heavy, hot kiss. "Well, why don't we go up to the study, Tabby, maybe I could amend my last statement about a cordial greeting…"

They headed quickly back into Hogwarts and, carefully avoiding any prying eyes, slipped into their shared rooms. Once Albus saw Minerva off to change into dry clothes, he started a roaring fire. When he returned from doning his favorite purple flannel pajamas, he found Minerva curled under a quilt on the couch. Albus snuggled in next to her, pulling her in to pick up where they left off. To his surprise, Minerva pulled back.

"Albus! What happened with the Minister today? I've been nearly ill with suspense all day!" Minerva sniffed and pulled more of the quilt towards her.

"Ah, yes…." Albus cleared his throat, obviously reluctant to abandon his previous course. "Well, I gave her what I believe to be the reasons for the population shortage, as you know, my dear…"

"About lack of peace causing people to avoid getting married?" Albus nodded, "Yes, you've told me that, darling, What did she say?" Minerva's eyebrows were nearly creased together with concern.

"She still does not agree. Unfortunately, Millicent still refuses to believe that Voldemort is a threat at all. She even cited his 'pure-blood, anit-muggle' riots as being good for the wizarding community." Minerva shook her head in exasperation, Albus had been warning Bagnold for nearly a decade that this would happen, but she was busy with other matters thought Minerva disdainfully, "So, the Minister refuses to repeal the law, or even grant me a reprieve. She actually stated that if I could give her solid proof of Voldemort's malignance she would consider recanting, but not until then."

"He's all ready killed a dozens of people!" Minerva exclaimed in disbelief, "What more does she want?"

"Evidently some kind of open catastrophe," Albus sighed, and somehow, his eyes looked old in that moment, as if their usual spark had been doused with all the tears of those who would lose loved ones in the impending war.

"Then, the Order must take stronger action now, Albus," Minerva leaned in, lending him a world of support.

"I'm afraid so, my dear," suddenly, he remembered what he had acquired on his errand, "Speaking of action, Minerva, I have encountered a dilemma. You see, as I discussed my delicate situation with the Minister, she gave me her word that if I gave her solid evidence of my marriage, she guard my secret as tightly as legally possible. While I know the Ministry has a bad history when it comes to 'secrets' I think this may be the best option. But I will do nothing without your approval, Tabby, so what do you think?"

"Oh, Albus," Minerva sighed, "I wish it didn't have to come to this. I mean, if we hide it, our marriage is going to come out sooner or later anyway. If we tell the Ministry our secret, that would make things much easier for all of us, especially me! It's a good thing you weren't here today, otherwise, you would have probably gone into a jealous rage at the way Professor Fortinbras was ogling me. But on the other hand, if we tell the Ministry, there's a strong possibility our secret will fall in the wrong hands. Truly, I think we should tell the ministry and be done with it. If our secret gets out, we'll be no worse off than we were before. If it doesn't, we're safe. But if we don't fulfill the Minister's mandates, I will be forced to marry someone else, and I can hardly bear to think of that!" After this declaration, Minerva buried herself in Albus's wispy white beard.

Putting his arms around her, Albus smiled. He had hoped she would acquiesce, "Then, my dear, I hope you don't mind that I've taken the liberty of opening our Gringott's vault to retrieve this." With that he reached into the forgotten reaches of his jacket and pulled out the piece of parchment that contained their marriage license. "If you'd like, I can take I to the Ministry on Monday, and then we will have no more trouble from them."

"Oh, Albus! You're ahhhh…ahhh…Aaaaaccchhhooo!!" Minerva jerked out of her lover's arms to summon a large tartan handkerchief just in time to catch her sneeze, "Oh, dear," She sniffed as she rubbed her nose, "I think I did catch a cold, Albus. Drat you and your mysterious errands!"

"I'm sorry, Tabby." Albus's face was awash with chagrin, "You never know if an owl will fall into the wrong hands, and… well, actually, you look kind of cute with your nose all red like that…" He leaned in to give her a peck on the cheek.

"ALBUS!!" Minerva shrieked, and started to jump up after him as he skipped nimbly out his wife's aim. However, her head cold had begun to take full effect, and her ascent was impeded by the explosion of a monstrous headache. Minerva groaned, sinking to the couch with her head clutched in her hands.

During the next half an hour, Albus worked like mad to make his Tabby comfortable. He made an entire pot of good, strong peppermint tea, and conjured a box of tissues. Then he pulled a pillow from the bedroom and fluffed it up to help Minerva relax. After tucking the quilt more firmly around her, he sat at her feet and read articles from the latest edition of Transfigurations Weekly out loud to her. Eventually, they both settled into the comfortable silence that many years of marriage brings.

This was shattered when Albus leaned back against the couch and began pondering out loud: "You know, Tabby, darling." He began tentatively.

"Hmmmm," Minerva was halfway into somnolence.

"There was that tiny little clause in that law." Albus continued, haltingly.

"What did it say?" Minerva queried sleepily.

"Oh, nothing really. Just that, well, if we prove ourselves a legally married couple, well, according to the law… We have to beget two children in the next four years" Albus rushed through the last stretch in one exhalation. His wife snapped up from her pillow, all thoughts of an easy solution banished from her mind.

"WHAT??"

A/N: Don't worry this story is far from over. I still have a lot more to tell you. Thanks for all your smashing reviews. I truly appreciate each and every one. BTW this is set in approx. 1970.