A/N Thanks M

''''''''''''

It was Voldemort - of that Albus was sure.

He had to seal off the castle. He had to seal off Voldemort's chance of escape. He couldn't allow Voldemort to get out – not with their baby. If he did, they might never see the baby again. Albus knew he had to act and act quickly, but he found himself paralyzed.

Still standing over the crib, a part of Albus's mind seemed detached from the terror consuming him. That part found it curious that Minerva would get the baby another kneazle, given how completely she despised the one that he already had. One of the kneazles, the new one, moved toward him. It mewed pitifully as it nipped the hand that Albus had hanging over the crib.

For nearly an eternity, all Albus could do was stare.

He tried to keep his voice even as he called to Minerva in the next room. "Minerva, you had better see this!"

"Albus, I'm not falling for that again. Change the diaper yourself."

"Would you just get in here!"

Minerva entered, huffing. "Really Albus, could you be any more –"

Albus didn't get to find out what he could possibly be any more of. She let off abruptly as she got closer.

"Did you …?"

Albus didn't bother to dignify the question with an answer. Instead, he asked one of his own. "How certain are you that he wasn't conceived that night in your classroom?"

"At the moment…" Biting her lip, Minerva admitted "… not very."

The kneazle – or rather the baby - was still mewing. Seeing Minerva, he became more frantic. Even as Minerva began stroking his fur, the baby kept crying. He looked bewildered.

Feeling a bit bewildered himself, Albus wondered aloud. "You don't think he's … stuck, do you?"

"Probably." Minerva frowned. "Transfiguring back isn't nearly as difficult, but I recall having trouble the first few times. I was too excited to focus properly."

There was a spell to force a transformation back, but it was hardly a pleasant experience. Albus couldn't imagine actually using it on their child. "Should one of us …"

Minerva had other thoughts.

As she transformed, the hands that she had had clenched around the crib rail leveraged her over the side of the crib. By the scruff, she picked the kitten up in her mouth and leapt back over.

Watching her trot back to the bed in the next room and deposit the kit there, Albus shrugged. Transforming, he followed after.

With Minerva curled up around him, the baby soon calmed and returned to sleep. As Minerva planned – or at least Albus wanted to believe it was a plan and not that she was too tired to try to deal with the situation at the time – in his sleep the baby reverted to his previous form..

"""""""""""

First it was too hot.

Then it was too cold.

Finally, the temperature was just right … but there was too much.

Albus wanted to do more to care for the baby both to be more involved and to lessen Minerva's responsibilities, but it simply wouldn't do to scald the baby, nor to drown him. Albus let some of the water out of the tub.

Minerva had cautioned Albus not to take the baby's diaper off until the last possible moment. Holding the baby over the finally just right in every way water, ready to lower him in, Albus took it off. As soon as the cool air hit him, the baby made a contribution to the body of liquid beneath him.

Albus held the baby suspended over the water as he pondered the situation. In Alchemy, the introduction of even a trace amount of contaminant necessitated starting over. This, however, was not a delicate potion with a need for precision and exactness. Surely such a small amount of liquid introduced to such a greater body of water would have no influence on it.

He again commenced lowering the baby into the water.

"You aren't really about to do what it looks like you are about to do?"

Turning to find Minerva framed by the doorway, he vigorously denied the allegation. "Er…no?"

In response to her scathing look, he capitulated. "I'll draw a fresh bath."

He was more than a tad offended as rather than take his word, she stood watch until he waved his hand to banish the water.

Next time, Albus resolved, he would leave the diaper on until after the bath was over.

'''''''''''''''''''''

A 'coward' Minerva had once called him, and Albus was willing to admit that she was right. Entering her classroom and not seeing her, for once Albus didn't panic. He had long since given up on finding Minerva and the baby where he expected them to be. Instead, he experienced a measure of relief. While he found it odd that she would leave her students unattended – particularly during an exam – given the reason for this visit, being able to take the coward's way out and simply leave a note on her desk had a certain appeal.

No doubt little Waldorf was the cause of their nonattendance.

While Albus dearly loved their baby, he had more than a few qualms about Minerva bringing him along to her classes. The foremost of course being that the baby's presence was, if not a complete disruption to the learning that was supposed to be going on in the room, he was at best a distraction – both for Minerva and her students.

Minerva missing the exam was case in point.

They would need to have a discussion about making alternate arrangements and certainly he should proctor the exam until her return … but if he stayed, he would have to give her his news in person and as he had already oh so willingly admitted, he was a coward.

The discussion could wait. The students would simply have to remain on their honor as Minerva had left them.

With a wave of his wand he had the note in hand.

Almost to her desk, he realized his mistake – she was there. It was just that he had expected to see her seated behind her desk, not on it. The reduced size of her animagus form no doubt contributed to his having overlooked her.

The baby too was in his animagus form. By his gorged look and the way he was beginning to nod off, he appeared to have just finished a feeding. After herself transforming, Minerva helped the baby out of his animagus form. Abandoning him on the desk, she moved to a spot as distant as possible from prying ears, but still within sight to prevent wandering eyes.

In response to his inquiring look, Minerva offered. "The third years make Kettleburn seem a gentleman. They are at the stage where they want to look, but they don't yet know to try to be discreet about it."

Thus enlightened, Albus delivered his message. "I am leaving for the Ministry. Millicent has requested my legilimency skills in questioning some suspected Death Eaters."

"Doesn't the Ministry have trained Legilimens to do that?"

"Indeed." Albus nodded. "Unfortunately, as they are the people she wants questioned, it would seem counter productive to –"

Minerva waved him and the rest of his explanation off with her hand. He wished it was that easy. "There are a few matters that I will need you to attend to in my absence …"

Minerva waited expectantly.

"There is a meeting I will need you to cover …"

Her eyebrow went up as he finally began to elaborate. "… It's with the Board of Governors."

Albus was happy to have the students present as it required Minerva to temper her response. "That might be a meeting best rescheduled."

Albus remained apologetic. "It already has been … twice. When I attempted to reschedule again, Figg suggested the Board was capable of making the necessary decisions without my input."

Minerva pursed her lips, but held her tongue.

Happy to have made it thus far without injury, Albus continued. "There are also the monthly requisition forms. I've already been through the requests that were turned in, but I need you to track down the usual hold outs."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Merlin forbid Filius get his form in on time or manage to make the twelve dozen feathers he received this month suffice another month. What the devil does he do to go through so many?"

"Yes, well …" Albus shrugged as Minerva went on speaking.

"Even Kettleburn manages to get his requests in on time."

Kettleburn – as always – was the first to be ready with his list of wants. It was the only form Kettleburn ever could manage to get in on schedule. Albus had already taken it upon himself to deny all of Kettleburn's requests. "Yes, Kettleburn is very good at having his hand out."

Minerva snorted.

Going on, Albus cringed internally – not so much for the actual task, but for piling them up on her. "Speaking of Kettleburn, there also seems to be a problem with the house elves. Kettleburn claims they have been doing things to his food."

"And you would take his word over that of the elves?"

Having kipped a biscuit from Kettleburn's desk and had an elf appear out of nowhere to prevent him from taking a bite… "I haven't actually spoken to any of the elves about the matter yet, but yes, I do believe there to be a problem."

Minerva shrugged indifferently. "Any problem between Kettleburn and the house elves can easily be solved by telling Kettleburn to stop trying to look under their tea towels. Did I ever tell you what his idea of a romantic date was?"

Albus wasn't looking to change the topic – really he wasn't – but even if his earlier impression of the state of affairs in Minerva's classroom had been wrong, he still had reservations about Minerva bringing the baby along to her classes.

He really thought that he should say something as two girls approached Minerva's desk to turn in their exams and began to fawn over the again awake baby, but he held his tongue. Even as one picked up Waldorf and began rocking him cheek to cheek, he said nothing. However, when she articulated her desire for one to the other girl - well, Albus felt that he had no choice but to speak.

"There are certain things that the Board may have been right about. Your classroom is not the best –"

Giving Albus her most scathing look, Minerva flicked her wand ever so slightly.

The third year holding Waldorf screeched as both ends of the baby simultaneously erupted. Albus had to move quickly to keep Waldorf from hitting the ground as the girl decided she no longer wished to hold the baby and simply let go.

Reaching out to reclaim the baby, Minerva prompted him smugly. "You were saying?"

Lest he be the recipient of that same spell, Albus decided to say no more on the topic ... ever.

Feeling guilt-ridden both that he would yet again not be there to help with the baby and because he had yet again added on considerably to Minerva's undertakings for the day, Albus considered making a suggestion.

He hesitated, but after informing her that she would have to attend a Board of Governor's meeting, it wasn't as if he could put her in any worse of a mood. "I appreciate that you don't want any outside help with the baby, but what about with administrative tasks? Since you keep getting saddled with what would ordinarily be my responsibilities, would you consider allowing Filius to take on some of yours?"

Given her attitude up until then, Minerva's response was better than he could have hoped for. For a long moment, she met not his eyes, but those of the baby. Finally, she responded. "I'll think about it."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''

"Filius, I wanted to discuss something with you. I feel that Minerva is being saddled with too many responsibilities. Her classes combined with her positions as Head of Gryffindor and Deputy Headmistress are more than enough for one person to begin with. Lately with me being away so much of the time because of Voldemort, a number of my responsibilities have fallen on her shoulders as well. Then of course there is the new baby needing so much of her time.

"Short of a time turner, I'm not entirely clear how she has managed this long, but I fear if she doesn't start getting some assistance, my deputy is headed for a collapse. That is why I have come to you."

Filius stood tall…ish. "I would be delighted to offer my assistance."

Albus smiled. "Excellent. I had a few ideas on which administra-"

Ever excitable, Filius didn't appear to hear him. "- I can look after the baby in the afternoons."

Albus tried to interrupt, but Filius, busy detailing all his planned adventures, seemed not to notice.

"I can take him for walks on the grounds and the gardens. Teach him to fetch – er play ball. He can climb the whomping willow."

"-Filius-"

Flitwick's brow furrowed in concentration. "We haven't any real lawn gnomes in the gardens, but the house elves could pretend to be lawn gnomes!"

"Filius!" Having finally succeeded in getting the Charms professor's attention, Albus made himself more clear. "I want you to take over some of Minerva's responsibilities as Deputy Headmistress."

Filius looked ready for a fight. "You're trying to demote her again! I'll have no part of it!"

Again Albus had to struggle to regain the other man's attention. "No! I want you to be co-deputies! Just temporarily. Since Minerva has had to take over some of my duties, I thought that you could take over some of hers."

An unenthused, "Oh," was Filius's only response.

"You could run some of the staff meetings, handle some of the disciplining …" Albus saw that Filius didn't look nearly so enthralled with this idea. "… make the patrolling schedule, arrange the meal menus with the elves-"

"I could bring Waldorf with me to the kitchens! He could chase the elves there!"

"Ah … no."

Filius was still scheming. "Minerva already does all those things so well, so efficiently. I think it would be a far better, far more efficient use of everyone's time if I took Waldorf for a few hours each day to give her the time she needs to complete-"

Albus again interrupted him. "There is a stipend involved."

"When do I start?"

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Albus went off in search of Minerva to tell her the news. He found her in his bedroom nursing the baby.

Usually she was very discreet when she fed him; she parted her outer robes and lifted her blouse just enough for the baby to latch on. But not today. Today she wore no robes and the dress she did wear had been unbuttoned far enough down to slip from her shoulders leaving her entirely nude above the waist.

It was the first time that Albus had seen her this disrobed since … well since before the baby. Pregnancy and months of breast feeding had left their effects on her body. Her breasts were fuller, rounder in an almost Rubenesque way. That there were scars there, never even entered his mind. Her whole body had a more curved – a softer – look to it. He wondered if touching her, she would feel any softer than she had before.

The baby was in her arms, happily dozing at her breast. Together, they made for a breathtaking sight. If he were an artist it would have had him off in search of a canvas.

And yet, as much as the sight warmed his heart, it left a part of it wanting. They looked so content together, just the two of them. It was as if they had no need of him.

Taking notice of his arrival, Minerva hastily readjusted the garment.

Patting the space beside her on the bed, she played his part as the legilimens and gave him something to do to feel more involved. "Come tickle his toes to keep him awake."

Happily, he did as he was told. Albus adored the annoyed looks the baby gave his way as he kept trying to kick away Albus's hand. "I spoke to Filius. He's agreed to take on a few more responsibilities."

Minerva nodded, but said nothing. He knew agreeing to relinquish any of her duties hadn't been a light decision for her. And for that he was mostly to blame. Had he not made certain comments in the past …

Still, he was elated that she had agreed. Though he had lobbied the idea, he hadn't really expected her to consent. That she had so readily agreed had surprised him greatly. He suspected that what had convinced her was his request that she allow it for his sake. Minerva allowing someone else to take on her less critical tasks afforded both more time for her to take on some of Albus's tasks and simply more time for her. It helped to keep to a minimum his feelings of self-reproach for needing her assistance and of course any theoretical leisure time Albus gained was time that he could spend with her and the baby.

He was enjoying their quiet family time when Minerva again spoke. "Albus…"

"Mmm…"

"Albus, I want another baby."

"What's wrong with the one we have now?"

Minerva stared at him as if he were the dullard that he was. "I meant another baby in addition to the one we have now."

"Oh…"

Another baby? That wasn't possible. It would never work. She had to know that. It was far too dangerous. They had gotten away with it once, but how gullible could they really expect people to be? How did Minerva plan to explain another baby? She had already exhausted people's faith in and goodwill toward her with the first pregnancy. Any attempts at a similarly flimsy cover story would be summarily dismissed. To even attempt it would cast doubt back on to the first pregnancy. The revelation of Waldorf's marvelous new ability had silenced the last of her detractors. Things were finally settling down for them. Another baby would put the baby they already had under scrutiny again.

The truth would come out – he just knew it would. He could just imagine how betrayed their friends would feel. Hagrid, Filius, Poppy, Alastor – all of the people who had supported Minerva through her 'ordeal' would turn against them.

And there was Minerva's reputation to be considered - not to mention her career. The discovery of a Death Eater amongst them had, at the time, put an end to the Board of Governors discussion of discharging Minerva. Desiring to catch Minerva away from the protections afforded by the castle and tired of waiting for her to leave of her own accord, Voldemort had taken it upon himself to recruit someone in a position to hasten her departure from Hogwarts. Wanting to avoid coming under suspicion themselves, the remaining Board members had fallen over themselves trying to distance themselves from the idea. Even Stansworthy had tried to suggest that it hadn't been his idea. He was only pursuing the matter, unwillingly, at the Death Eater's request – or such was his claim. Only Figg had stood true to his beliefs, such as they were, and continued attempting to dismiss Minerva from Hogwarts. Another baby would certainly renew the interest of the others.

The threat of Voldemort was still hanging over them. Another baby would be one more person to worry endlessly for. Voldemort –

The baby again kicked him. "… All right."

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

It was said that when Alexander the Great and his armies set out to destroy a city, they would be so thorough as to leave no two stones touching – making it all the more difficult to rebuild. Looking about the room, Albus had to wonder about what titles the future might hold for his son. If not Great, perhaps Conqueror or Destroyer. Waldorf the Wicked also seemed to hold great promise.

Albus had taken it upon himself to arrange a Waldorf free evening for Minerva and himself. He thought that they could use the few hours of quiet, interruption free time to talk about Minerva's recent request – perhaps even to get started on it.

It had been so long since they had been together intimately – not since the night they had conceived Waldorf. That had been well over a year ago and though he was entirely enamored with the result, it could hardly be called one of his better performances. For Minerva, he wanted tonight to be everything that that night wasn't.

While Albus had foreseen that the baby's presence would not be conducive to his plans for the evening, he hadn't realized how unconducive the baby's presence would be to his making plans for the evening.

Having discovered that the limitations on his mobility weren't so limiting outside of his human form, the baby had lately taken to spending a greater part of his time in his half-kneazle animagus form. As Albus went about the room lighting votives at varying degrees of height, the baby gave chase both to Albus and the shadows flickering on the walls. Before finally giving up on the idea of the understated lighting, Albus had to extinguish the baby's tail - twice.

No sooner had Albus set a bottle of wine and glasses on the table; than the baby was there to knock them over. Thankfully, the baby managed to avoid the shards, but as for the wine – not so much. He seemed to take great delight in splashing his paws in the pooled liquid and even greater delight in trailing it about the room as Albus tried to catch him.

At least the flowers that Albus had collected from the green houses while Sprout was otherwise engaged had survived – in a form. Originally arranged in an elegant bouquet far out rivaling the one that Alastor had given to Minerva the year before, the petals were now stripped from their stems. The petals had been scattered about the room so thoroughly by the baby that once Albus discarded the gnawed upon stems, it almost seemed intended.

At last succeeding in catching the scampering kitten, Albus held him up to eye level to reprimand him. Immobilized anyway, the baby transfigured to his true state – or at least what Albus sincerely hoped was his true state.

Apparently not immobilized enough, the baby leaned forward to nip Albus's nose.

It wasn't the first time that the baby had done so. Minerva was forever trying to correct him. As the baby had no teeth yet and it didn't hurt, Albus, on the other hand, saw no reason to discourage the habit.

Instead, with a chuckle he planted a kiss on the baby's nose. "I certainly hope you will be better mannered tonight with Poppy and Filius."

Wanting to spend a little longer with the baby but hoping to do it in a place where he needn't concern himself over what else the baby might decide to conquer, Albus made a suggestion. "What say you to the idea of going out into the gardens for a bit before I turn you over?"

Albus wondered – if only briefly – whether his chuckling had sent the wrong message as in response to the question Waldorf again attempted to lean forward and bite him.

Banishing the broken glass and the wine prints, he waltzed the baby from the room.

Returning a short time later, he found the petals also banished and Minerva already at her desk, a sheaf of papers before her.

Looking up, she frowned. "Where's the baby?"

"Poppy has him."

Alarmed, Minerva stood.

Albus hastened to correct himself. "Actually, at the moment, Filius would still have him. I requested Poppy and Filius take turns looking after him for the night."

The degree of apprehension in her look lessened, but she still seemed puzzled. "Whatever for?"

"I just thought you could use an uninterrupted evening of …" Albus felt awkward. He had hoped that she would be enthused by the prospect. He certainly hadn't hoped that he would have to spell it out for her. "… sleep … or whatnot."

"You know that same end could have been achieved by you getting up with him."

"Indeed." Her words had come out slightly tart, but Albus didn't get the idea that she was being deliberately obtuse. Still, could one ever really tell with her?

He tried again. "About what you said yesterday – I thought that we might be able to use the time to talk … or whatnot."

Oh. Minerva's lips formed the word, but she didn't actually give voice to it. When she finally spoke, what she actually said was - "It's a bit early, don't you think?"

Not wanting her to see his expression, Albus turned to the still sunlit window.

Minerva must have mistaken the gesture for she continued. "That's to say, it's too soon. With Waldorf still nursing so much, it would be difficult to get pregnant again at the moment. We'll need to wait until he weans."

Albus was confused – about so many things. "Then why bring it up?"

Minerva sounded almost amused. "Well given how long it took you to come around to the idea last time, I thought you would take some time to convince."

Struggling to make his tone seem casual and unconcerned, Albus finally gave voice to the question that had been beleaguering him since even before Minerva's recent request.

"And would that be the only reason you would want to make love with me anymore?"

While Albus had once upon a time heard Minerva question Poppy on when it might be possible to resume certain activities, that had been many moons ago and certain activities had yet to be resumed. They shared a bed at night and certainly they were affectionate in private, embracing and sharing the occasional kiss, but that was the extent of their physical intimacy. With all that was going on in their lives – the baby, the school, and Voldemort to name but a few – Albus hadn't found many suitable opportunities to attempt to initiate more – times when the baby was sleeping or otherwise engaged and one or more of them were not in a state beyond exhausted - but the few times that he had, Minerva had always, ever so subtly, rebuffed his attempts. She, herself, had never made any attempts to initiate anything.

Turning back to look at her, Albus found that now Minerva was unable to meet his eyes.

Her eyes were closed, her expression seemed almost pained. The way she cringed and crossed her arms, it seemed very much as though she would like nothing better than to crawl out of her skin. It took several minutes for her to again find words and when she did, they came out alternatively halting and rushed. Given all that had transpired over the last year, Albus could hardly pretend that he was surprised by Minerva's answer – still, hearing her say the words was devastating.

"Albus, certain things aren't the way that they used to be and I've begun to fear that they won't ever be the same again."