A/N: All right, here's the next installment! Read and enjoy, Thank you to my faithful readers for all you wonderful reviews!!
Disclaimer: If my initials were JKR would I be sitting on a Pilates ball, drinking chamomile tea, and typing this story?
The next morning, Minerva felt no better. Her head felt the size of a beach ball, and she had not enjoyed the necessity of sleep for more than thirty-six hours. Albus told the staff he would be running errands for the day, and covertly slipped into Minerva's room to spend the rest of the day nursing her. Poppy had yet to return from her nuptial tryst with Alastor Moody, so Minerva was resigned to the somewhat amateur, but loving, care of her husband. Meanwhile, Dumbledore exuberantly expended all his energy trying to improve his Tabby's health. He constantly had a kettle of water on, and made her drink an exorbitant amount of tea. He brought her fresh, tartan-edged handkerchiefs every half an hour, and dutifully washed the old ones. What irked Minerva most was his insistence that she remain in bed. By the end of the day, McGonagall was so weary of his constant attention that she gave him an ultimatum.
"Either you sit down and rest, Professor Dumbledore. Or you'll experience first hand just how hard it is to move when you've been turned into a rock!" She growled, her scratchy voice grating from behind the twentieth handkerchief of the day.
"Now, Minerva," Dumbledore clucked, carefully securing her wand in his pocket. While Minerva had been known to do wandless magic on occasion, she was not quite practiced at it, and could never transfigure a human being without a wand. "You know you have to drink plenty of liquids and get lots of rest in order to get well! That's how the Muggles do it! And with Poppy on vacation (this was received with a smirk from the occupant of the bed), we have to live without a Mediwitch's aid."
"Albus, I hardly think gulping fifteen cups of peppermint tea in eight hours will cure anything but an obsession with peppermint. As for my health, I think it would be better for me to get up and move around. There are essays to mark and quizzes to grade. Besides, with the Halloween feast at the end of next week, I have less than seven weeks to prepare a review schedule for the end of semester exam!"
"Minerva, put aside the work, and simply enjoy being alive!" Dumbledore chided gently. "You know, you entirely avoided The Topic last night."
"Yes, well, it's a little hard to think about starting a family when your head is throbbing," Minerva croaked, scuttling back into the pillows and picking up a random book from the bedside table. Clearly, she wanted to avoid The Topic at all costs.
"Is the prospect of having a child with me truly that revolting, Minerva?" Dumbledore questioned softly. He had conjured one of his comfy chairs next to the bed. Her face riddled with horror and guilt, Minerva peeked over the top of the well worn book to see her husband's face. His face was aberrantly cheerless, and while his eyes still held the vestiges of hope, they glowed with hurt and sorrow. Remorseful that she had caused the pain, Minerva dropped the book on the tartan comforter and amended.
"Albus, darling, how could you ever dream that I wouldn't want to have your child? I've dreamed for years of having a family, but we've always agreed that it was too dangerous! You and I have both seen what happens to the families of those who oppose dark wizards. No child should have to born into a world where his life is constantly in jeopardy. And with our marriage a secret, there would be awkward questions to answer. I had never really thought of it as a reality, I suppose. And now that I'm faced with the possibility, I guess I'm just scared. What if something goes wrong? What if we were to lose the baby? What if he was killed by Voldemort? What if…" Minerva's speech crescendoed until her voice gave out on the last few words. Albus reached out to grasp Minerva's slender hand between his own.
"I know, Tabby. But there's risk in everything. And if you never risk anything, you'll never gain something in return. As for the danger, I think a child with such an amazingly talented witch for a mother…"
"The most powerful wizard of the age for a father," Minerva interrupted, smiling and squeezing Dumbledore's hand as he blushed.
"As you see, my dear, there is little else we could do to protect any child, even our own. Now, why don't you take a little nap while I go fill up the kettle?" Albus had returned to his usual cheery self.
"NO MORE TEA!" Minerva rasped.
The next day say the beginning of the week of Halloween. Minerva's cold had improved enough for her to go back to teaching. Poppy returned to her post that afternoon, looking slightly abashed when Minerva visited to get her cold cured.
Poppy explained, "Well, you see, Alastor and I got married on Saturday afternoon. And even though I told him I needed to get back to Hogwarts, he insisted on at least a one day holiday. We promised to spend Christmas holidays with each other as a Honeymoon."
"I'm very happy for you, Poppy," Minerva smiled ruefully, "But if you had seen the way Albus doted over me yesterday! It was enough to make any witch loose her temper!"
Poppy Pomfrey was one of the five people who knew of Albus and Minerva's marriage, Albus's brother and the warlock that performed the ceremony being the other two. It helped, when Minerva was frustrated with Albus's day dreaming, to have someone to vent with.
"I can just imagine! I hope he didn't try to feed you any Lemon Drops!" Poppy smiled wickedly, knowing Minerva detested most candies, "The sugar would only make it worse!"
Albus had departed for the Ministry, promising to be back by sunset. He had left Minerva under strict orders to take a nap that afternoon, because he was convinced she wasn't completely well yet. Minerva ignored his concern until she was sitting in the teacher's lounge in the late afternoon grading homework. The massaging effect of the fire and the persistent softness of the chair she sat in had her eyelids sweeping lower and lower each time she blinked. Until Professor Slughorn exploded through the door with a huge grin on his face.
"Fellow faculty members!" He began, addressing the five or six teachers working there, "I have a wonderful announcement to make!" Minerva tensed. What unfortunate woman would be the catch of this curio seeking man? "In light of the recent Ministry decree, I'm holding a Staff Halloween Mixer party this Friday evening at eight, after all the students are returned to their common rooms from the feast. All staff members are invited and encouraged to bring guests. This will just be a little informal get-together to encourage healthy relationships between Staff. Looking forward to seeing you there!" He finished in his usual pompous manner, grinning wickedly; and popped out the room as quickly as he had entered it.
The atmosphere of the room flipped over backwards. The professors began taking notice of each other in a whole new, and not exactly comfortable, way. Minerva began to hastily gather her papers and walk toward the door. She was hoping to avoid the attentive eye of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Alexander Fortinbras. He was a handsome man, built like an oak tree, with jet black hair and beard framing his leather colored visage. His eyes, tempestuously grey-green, implied a stormy, proud temperament, which had not been curbed in his fifty years. He had started from his corner table when Slughorn entered the room, wand, as per usual, at the ready. When the announcement was finished, he started moving in Minerva's direction with a look of intent so focused, it frightened Minerva. Things were going to get very awkward, very fast.
"Wait, Professor," He interrupted her departure, his loud voice capturing everyone's attention. Minerva would have to acknowledge him now. "Minerva," He pushed her name out like a bullet from a Muggle gun, "I would like the pleasure of your company at the Staff Mixer."
"This is rather sudden, Professor Fortinbras," Minerva stood stiff as a rail, only turning halfway towards him, afraid to look into his eyes.
"Please, call me Alex," He smiled, and his eyes became a gorgeous sunset reflected on a calm sea, deceptively gentle and inviting, "And when I set my sights on someone so covetously beautiful as the fair Minerva McGonagall, boldness is required. I could never live with another man sneaking her away from me."
At that point, Minerva's heart stopped. No one but Albus had ever so blatantly called her beautiful. She knew she had the power to entrance the opposite sex since her seventh year at Hogwarts, but none of her suitors had been this bold. Now I'm really in trouble! She sighed inwardly. If only our marriage could be made public! It would have saved a lot of awkward situations. I have no legitimate grounds to refuse him! And where is Albus when you need him? Drat that man! Now, it will arouse too much suspicion if I refuse!
"I would be delighted to accompany you to the party…. Alex," she nearly chocked on his name, but forced a smile to cover it up.
"Splendid, I will see you at seven thirty this Friday, then, Minerva" Her name slid from his mouth this time as if he had just cast a spell. And he had, for everyone in the room eased back into their routine after the tension of the awkwardly outright flattery. But Alexander Fortinbras was never a man to do anything by halves.
Albus Dumbledore was not there to speak up for himself because he was, at that moment, setting foot in the Minister's office.
"Ah, Dumbledore," Millicent tensed, the ends of her grey hair swishing just slightly as her jaw became more determinedly set. "I was wondering when you would show up. So have you come with proof of your marriage? Or perhaps another "mysterious disappearance" story? Has Voldemort finally blown the world to smithereens?" She queried rather coolly. She had never had much tolerance for Dumbledore's airy, easygoing ways. It made everything seem so spur-of-the-moment. Millicent hated spur-of-the-moment. After all, she had worked years and years to become minister, it didn't happen on the whim of a second! Thus, she addressed Dumbledore with a snappish, anti-nonsensical grate that told him she meant business.
"Yes, sorry about our last meeting, Minister. I had to obtain someone's permission before I could satisfy your curiosity." Dumbledore began in a most gracious, assuaging manner, "But I now have evidence of my marriage. As for Voldemort, I regret to say that this current personal matter has prevented me from following him as closely as I would like to. But as far as I am aware, he has remained rather quiet lately, another cause for concern." Here he paused to withdraw the document from his robes, allowing his last allusion to sink in. Laying the license on the cherry wood desk before him, he continued, "As you see here, Minerva McGonagall and I were married twelve years ago. The document was signed by the proper witnesses, both of whom are still able to testify to the event, and was sealed by the Ministry official who performed the ceremony."
For several ungainly moments, Millicent Bagnold resembled a fish out of water. Her mouth opened and closed attempting form words, but no sound came out. Then she shut her mouth, pulled the document toward her, and examined it carefully. Finally, after several minutes of fruitless scrutinizing, Bagnold was forced to concede the document's validity. "But why the secrecy?" Her curiosity leapt out, "I mean, there were rumors, at first. Minerva McGonagall is reputedly beautiful, and to be serving so close to you, unmarried…. Well, there was quite a scandal. But then people realized you were far too old for her…" Here, Albus winced inwardly. "and … Oh, Merlin…. You really are married? I thought you were just stalling for time…. But you really…" Here the Minister drifted off into unbelieving silence.
"We had to keep it a secret for several reasons, Minister," Albus decided that even though it was none of her business, it would help his case if the minister saw things from his point of view. "First, there would be, as you say, a scandal. I am eighty years Minerva's senior. And while that may make little difference to us, I'm afraid most people are blind to love's power. Second, it would be unprofessional; people would begin accusing Minerva of keeping her job because she slept with her boss. Minerva is an intelligent, highly skilled witch, we couldn't have people tarnishing her name because of her husband. Finally, Minerva and I have both fought dark wizards. We have seen the horrors of vengeance, kidnapping, and torture. Since we are both outspokenly opposed to dark wizards, either one of us would be prime targets for such hostility. We couldn't bear to have the each other tortured or killed, so we have kept our love hidden from prying, ill-intentioned eyes. That is why it is imperative that you guard this information with your life, Millicent. I cannot bear to think of what could happen to Minerva if this information left this office." There was a sincere pleading in his eyes that almost brought Bagnold to tears. To prevent them spilling out, she cleared her throat sharply, returning to business.
"Don't worry, Dumbledore," the Minister nodded solemnly. "The information will be guarded as the most careful of secrets. There is one detail I would like to highlight for you. Just because you can prove your marriage, does not mean I am excusing you from the full weight of this law. The law clearly states that all couples must bear two children within the next four years. You are not exempt from that clause, no matter how perilous your circumstances."
"Of course, Minister," Albus smiled in understanding, she was softening. "Now, during our last meeting, there was one thing I would like to clarify." The minister began to grind back into her tense, cautious mode again. Albus hurried to finish his supplication, "I presented to you my theory that fear is preventing the people from settling down. I also pointed out that I believe Voldemort to be the source of this fear. You, on the other hand, see no substantial evidence of this. If Voldemort were to blatantly attack someone, would you consider repealing the law until such time as Voldemort was vanquished?
"How you harp on this Voldemort nonsense!" Millicent shrieked, pounding the desk with her fist in exasperation, "All right, if it will placate you. I promise to repeal the law if you can prove with substantial evidence, that Voldemort is a serious threat." She sighed, weary of his hounding, "Now, is there something else you wanted to discuss?"
"Not at all Minister," Albus smiled, benignly.
"Well then, good afternoon!" She declared, abruptly rising from her desk and opening her door with a wave from her wand.
"Always a pleasure to meet with you, Minister," The Headmaster nodded, as he was unceremoniously rushed out the door.
After supper at Hogwarts that evening, he returned to his chambers to find a frantic Professor McGonagall pacing like a caged tiger in her Tabby cat form. Upon his entry into the library, the cat sent him a decidedly dangerous feline glare, and leapt onto the couch, transforming into her human form just before landing.
"Well, Albus, how was you time at the ministry?" She began, and by the angry bass-purr that resonated behind her words, Dumbledore knew he was in trouble.
"It went very well, Tabby," Albus smiled, hoping his attempt at cheerfulness would catch on. No luck, "She agreed to repeal the law if we could prove Voldemort dangerous."
"Prove…Voldemort…Is the woman blind?" Minerva shrieked as she leapt from the couch, changing back into her feline for she exerted her anger by leaping in rapid succession from chair back to chair back, making hissing noises every time she hit a chair. Albus was used to her loosing her temper like this, and, as it was better than her in her human form transfiguring everything in range (including him, on occasion), he simply settled on a stool in the corner and continued to converse as if she was sitting rationally on a seat opposite him.
"She also approved our marriage certificate, and promised to keep it as safe as possible," Albus winced as she hissed particularly loudly, "Don't worry, Tabby. Our marriage will remain a secret." At this, Minerva transformed back into her human form, returning to her former place to simply glare at him. "But enough about me," Albus gulped frantically, and welcomed the deluge he knew he would rue later, "How was your day, darling?"
"Oh, fine, Headmaster," Minerva spiked, "Considering a professor openly flirted with me today, and asked my to go on a date with him. And I was forced to accept. You know why," she paused here, casting another frightening glare towards to occupant of the stool. "Because my husband was away, and couldn't stand up for himself." Now she stalked toward the stool, Albus grew slightly uncomfortable, "No matter, even if he had been here, it wouldn't have made any difference. Do you know, I'm married to the most wonderful wizard in the world," she was so close, she leaned in and kissed him gently on the nose, pulling back to yell in his face, "AND I CAN'T TELL ANYONE!!"
"Oh, Minerva!" Albus stood and tried to pull her into his arms, hoping to find that spot on her back, that if you rubbed her just right, would cause her to surrender. But she was too quick.
"NO, ALBUS!" Minerva shrieked, jerking back and resuming her pacing, this time in human form, "Don't try to placate me. I'm sick of having to hide this! I'm tired of having this men coming up to me and deliberately flirting with me! It's embarrassing! You know what Professor Fortinbras said today? He called me "covetously beautiful" and said he could never live with another man stealing me away! How was I to respond to that? Knowing he had just made a fool out of himself, but also knowing I would look foolish if spurned such an ardent suitor! What am I to do, Albus?" she whorled around to face her husband. The look in her eyes nearly rent his heart in two.
"Minerva, I'm sorry I've been so selfish. Such a beautiful, talented witch as yourself is bound to attract suitors. I wish there was some way I could make it easier for you. I'm sorry we're forced into such secrecy." Minerva collapsed into his arms, spent after her recent tirade. "Someday, Tabby, I promise you all the secrecy will be over. We'll have an enormous celebration of our marriage. We'll tell the whole world that simple Albus Dumbledore is married to the inexplicably, unfathomably gorgeous Minerva McGonagall, whose beauty triumphs the very rose. And we'll have a house in the country. And we'll write lots of letters to people, and you'll write articles for Transfigurations Weekly, and you know how you'll sign them?"
"Minerva Dumbledore," Came the weary, dreamy reply from the face buried in his shoulder.
"Yes, Minerva Dumbledore, Tabby," He grinned, "And there will be a lot more Dumbledores, too. Yes, we'll fill the house with shrieking, happy, marvelous children. And when their old enough, they'll go to Hogwarts and finally, we can have a student of our own… someone to be proud of…"
"Albus, stop," Minerva moaned, "It's too perfect! And knowing it can never be makes it all the more unbearable. Let's just go to bed. At least here, in our rooms, I can be Minerva Dumbledore. And sleep will help me forget all the other dreams."
"Dreams aren't to be forgotten, darling," Albus sighed, as he leaned in to kiss her forehead, "They are to be lived," He bent a little further, and the next few minutes hung on a passionate void as more was said in actions than in words, "Speaking of living your dreams. I spoke to the Minister about a reprieve from a certain Claus in the law."
Minerva's eyebrows rose, "Oh?"
"She's adamant," Albus answered with a dramatically resigned sigh, "She says we simply must have children."
"Does she now?" Minerva purred stepping toward the bedroom.
"And well, since we only have four years… Well, I think we should start trying as soon as possible." He finished matter-of-factly, following Minerva's every step.
"Anything you say, dear," Minerva sighed, closing the door to the bed room as he surreptitiously cast silencing charms on their quarters.
A/N And that's it for now folks. Lemon-lovers, I don't write lemons, so that's as far as it goes. Otherwise, this is just another installment, a rather boring one, but more (and better) to come. Reviews are always treasured. I will update as soon as I am able.