Chapter Four: June 1972
"Thank heavens this year is over," Minerva murmured. She stood with Ro as they watched the students leave on the Hogwarts Express. "I feel that I need more than two months to regain my sanity."
"Hear, hear!" Ro agreed. She swung an arm around Minerva's shoulders. "I feel like you are deserving of more than a few drinks tonight. Come to ours for the evening. It's been a difficult year for you, and you've made it through. I'm proud of you, Min."
Minerva felt rather touched by the sentiment from her oldest friend. "Thank you for saying that, Ro. And, while I would love to spend the night with you and Poppy, I'm afraid that my niece already has demands on my time."
"Which one? Iolanthe or Aoife?" Ro asked. They began walking to the castle from the train station.
"Aoife. Iolanthe is still in France. From what I gather, she and Charlus are not eager to return to Britain this summer. They're worried about the war, and apparently, the political climate isn't so terse in France as it is here."
"That would be because Riddle is English, and his two most hated foes are you and Albus," Ro muttered.
"Ro, honestly," Minerva said exasperatedly.
"You know I'm right, Min." Ro gave her friend a look. "I don't like it, but I'm not wrong. So, why are you visiting with Aoife tonight?"
Minerva grinned. "She and Alice have finally adopted a baby. A little baby boy, in fact. They picked him up from the Ministry's care two weeks ago. Now that the term is over, Albus and I finally have the time to go and meet the little one."
"Are you going to Peverell Manor?"
"Yes." Minerva nodded. As Callum's wife Lucy was the last remaining Peverell, the couple lived in her family home for most of the year. They vacationed in France when they could, choosing to spend their free time with Iolanthe and her family. "I'm sure you'd be welcome if you wanted to join us."
"Oh, no." Ro shook her head emphatically. "No, I want a child-free night. It's our first night without children in ten months. Poppy and I can finally leave the castle without feeling guilty. If you already have plans, we'll head home to Wales tonight." She smiled wistfully. "Finally, a night without my wife needing to tend to sick or injured students. We've been interrupted far more than I would have liked this year, if you catch my drift."
"I always do, Ro," Minerva said drily. "Trust me: as head of Gryffindor, I am all too familiar with the situation."
Ro laughed heartily. "I bet. Living at Hogwarts doesn't do much for our sex lives, now, does it?"
Minerva arched an eyebrow. "Seeing as our spouses are required to live in the castle with us, I'm more inclined to believe that my sex life would suffer more if I lived outside of the castle."
"I wish you would come out to a club with us," Ro grumbled. She nudged Minerva's hip with her own and lowered her voice. "Sex clubs are much more fun than you give them credit for."
Minerva laughed gently. "I'm sure they're fun. I simply prefer to limit my partnerships to Albus. I'm happy for you and Poppy if these clubs are a meaningful part of your relationship. They're simply not what I want in mine."
"And Albus would probably lose his mind," Ro agreed. "He is possessive of you. Not in a bad way," she added quickly when she saw Minerva was about to remonstrate. "I mean, you two are bonded. It's one thing for me to see or think about Poppy with someone else, but if I had to feel it..." Ro shuddered. "I don't think I could handle that."
"Why are we even discussing this?" Minerva wondered, laughing. "You've made remarks about my sex life over the years—and Merlin knows you've shared many a tale with me—but I did not think we'd be talking about this today."
"Hey, you asked us to join you tonight. I was merely telling you why we would be unavailable. We might be able to go to a few of our favourite destinations, now that we have the time to spare." Ro grinned. Her voice softened. "Do let us know what Aoife and Alice need for the baby, though. We'd love to spoil the little lad."
"Of course you would. You're family."
"Let the girls know that we'll visit them sooner rather than later—if they have the time, of course. I've never been a parent, but newborns seem to be a hell of a lot of work."
"Aoife and Alice will put you to work if they need help," Minerva chuckled. "Being a parent to a newborn is difficult, obviously, but I remember how relieved I felt when I handed Dalton off to someone else. Sometimes, you just need a reminder that you're still your own person—or someone to watch the child while you take a well-earned nap."
"Speaking of Dalton," Ro asked carefully, "how relieved are you that this year is over?"
Minerva sighed. "Very. Very, very relieved. I need time away from him to remember that I'm not his mother. Honestly, he's such a troublemaker! It's as though he somehow inherited more of Callum and Aidan's prankster genes this time around."
"It's nurture versus nature, Min," Ro commented thoughtfully. "Think about it. Dalton was always predisposed to mischief—as you said, look at his uncle and his father. But, with your nurturing, you stamped it out. You knew it could be a bother, so you did your best to impress upon him your disapproval of troublemaking. Plus, he knew his mother was at Hogwarts. Dalton didn't want to risk getting caught by his mother whenever he stepped over the line. Now? James Potter has been spoiled, no doubt, and he is not afraid of punishment because no one seems to stay mad at him for very long."
Minerva snorted. "No, just me. That's not a nice feeling, either. Knowing that I am the only one who gets annoyed."
"Oh, you're not the only one. He's in the Hospital Wing more often than not. Poppy tends to come home and rant about his exploits. In fact, she has dubbed him one of the Marauders."
Minerva snorted. "Who else is in this little club?"
"The quartet consists of your son, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and James' partner-in-crime, Sirius Black."
Minerva groaned. "What a funny little group. My son, who doesn't know he's living through his Hogwarts career a second time; a poor werewolf who always seems so tired; an outcast who the others seem to pity; and a mischievous young boy who takes pleasure in upsetting his family—and his teachers."
"They'll sort themselves out," Ro reassured her. "I'm sure at least James will try out for the Quidditch team next year. Maybe if one of them is busier, they'll have less time for all of their extra-curricular nonsense."
"As long as it isn't their schoolwork that suffers," Minerva scoffed. "Lupin is smart enough, and at least he takes his scholarship seriously."
"Most likely because he knew he was close to not being here at all," Ro said softly. With Albus' permission, Poppy had eventually told Ro about Remus Lupin's condition.
After all, Ro was a forgiving person, but she did find it odd that her wife snuck out of their quarters once a month.
"I agree." Minerva nodded. "James and Black have the talent; they just don't have the dedication. Pettigrew, on the other hand...he needs some help, the poor lad. He seems to trail after the other boys."
"What about Lily?" Ro asked, her voice curious. "Albus never talks about her."
"That would be because he misses her to the point of envying my relationship with the girl," Minerva said quietly. "Not that I blame him."
"That makes sense," Ro responded sagely. "Albus felt he wasn't the father he wanted to be the first time around, and now he has to watch his ex-fiancée parent her, along with you."
"I don't parent her!" Minerva protested. "Honestly, you sound like Albus."
"You may not be her parent in name, but us teachers are the only parents these kids have whilst they're at school."
"You have a point," Minerva relented. "Honestly, she's a very smart and capable girl. Lily has some problems with her Muggle sister, but they will surely be overcome in time. She is just as stubborn and brilliant as I remember her."
"No wonder you still get along with her," Ro teased. She hugged Minerva as they finally approached the castle. "Now, we'll see you in a few days. We'll have you over once...well, once we've had enough alone time to make up for the last ten months."
Minerva laughed. "All right. You know how to reach us. I'll wait for your owl—I'd hate to interrupt anything." She winked. "Enjoy your time at home!"
"Say hi to the kids for me!" Ro called as she walked away.
Minerva shook her head as she made her way back to her quarters. Ro knew Minerva better than anyone—perhaps even better than Albus. She was a wonderful friend, even if she was sometimes blunter than one would like.
"Al?" Minerva peered into her sitting room and saw her husband. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes!" Albus stood from the couch with a groan. "I am ready to coo over a baby."
"I'm so excited," Minerva admitted. "I know Iolanthe has two of her own, but with them in France, it's hard to play the doting aunt."
"True. Especially since I doubt Aberforth will be fathering any children any time soon," Albus said, only a hint of disdain in his voice.
Minerva shuddered. "No, I can't imagine your brother would suddenly develop a fatherly instinct." She frowned as she caught sight of two suitcases packed in the corner. "Are we going somewhere?"
"Ah, yes. I know this year has been difficult for both of us, and consequently, it has been difficult on our marriage." Albus flushed. "I wondered if you would like to take a week off and retreat with me to my little cottage. I know you normally don't like surprises, but..."
"This is a brilliant one," Minerva finished. "I'd love to go with you. On one condition."
"Which is?"
"Can you promise there won't be any Order business?" Minerva inquired, arching an eyebrow. "No one coming or going?"
"Just us," Albus promised. "I have handed all Order duties to Alastor and Elphias. They are under strict orders to handle all things in-house, as it were. Unless, of course, Tom starts slaughtering people in the streets. That would put an end to our little getaway, I'm afraid."
"Indubitably," Minerva scoffed. "Well, let's shrink these suitcases and be off to Cal's, shall we?"
"Do we even know the little lad's name?" Albus asked. He Summoned the gifts Minerva had purchased and put them in her purse. "This is an awful lot of gifts for a baby with no name."
"Babies need a lot, even if we don't know their names," Minerva said defensively. "Besides, Alice and Aoife have waited so long for a baby of their own. Forgive me for spoiling the wee thing."
Albus held up his hands in surrender. "I'm not criticizing, my dear. You head in the Floo first, and I'll follow."
Minerva stepped into the fireplace, called out her destination, and felt herself be thrown around until, finally, she could step into her brother's living room.
"Aunt Min!" Aoife bounced on her toes excitedly. "I've been waiting for you!"
"Clearly," Minerva said amusedly. "Come here, you." She held out her arms and clung to her niece. "Oh, darling, I'm so happy for you."
"We both are," Albus declared, making his presence known. "Where is the little boy?"
"With Alice and my parents," Aoife answered. She moved to kiss Albus' cheek. "Hi, Uncle Albus."
"It's still so strange to be called that," Albus muttered, and the ladies giggled.
"What, Uncle? You never thought your siblings would have children?" Aoife teased.
"If you knew my brother as well as I do, Aoife, you wouldn't be surprised," Albus said. "Now, can we see the baby?"
"Follow me to the kitchen." Aoife smiled and wrapped her arm around her aunt's. "Oh, and we have a surprise guest here, too."
"Who?" Minerva frowned. "Who else knows about the baby?"
"That would be me." A familiar voice rang out from the kitchen. "I know it's been a while, but surely you remember me."
"Oh, hush, Lavinia, of course we do!" Minerva exclaimed. "Give me a hug!"
Lavinia Prewett was Poppy's predecessor as Matron in the Hospital Wing. She had served there for a long time, and had healed Minerva many a time as a student. Lavinia was Alice's great-aunt and the wife of the late Armando Dippet. Minerva looked at Lavinia as a motherly figure, and Albus considered her one of his closest friends.
"Only teasing, love," Lavinia said in her usual no-nonsense tone. "You'd be facing the wrong end of my wand if I thought you truly had forgotten me."
"You should leave Manchester more often," Albus said. "Come and see us."
"Now that Armando's gone, and most of the children have come home, I see no great reason to leave—especially in dangerous times such as these," Lavinia shrugged. She pulled Albus slightly away from the group. "Now, after you see the baby and before we leave, could I ask to speak with you privately?"
Albus looked at her searchingly. "Of course, if you have something you need to say."
"I do." Lavinia nodded. "And we'll need Minerva."
"Colour me intrigued," Albus murmured. He heard Minerva gasp, and he turned to see Alice carrying a tiny bundle wrapped thickly in blankets.
"This is our son, Stephen," Alice announced. She looked around the room. "Who wants to hold him first?"
"Oh, me!" Minerva squealed. She rushed over to Alice and carefully took hold of the baby. "He's precious. Absolutely precious."
"He rarely cries, which is nice," Lucy chuckled as she entered the room.
"Especially since the girls have decided to stay here for the next little while," Callum added. He grinned. "It'll be so lovely to bond with my grandson."
To her disdain, Minerva felt a rush of sadness at the thought of her own grandson, who had only lived for minutes.
"You are a darling, aren't you?" Albus cooed as he extended a long finger for the baby to latch on to. As he did so, he kissed Minerva's temple. He felt their mutual loss as keenly as she did.
"Do you both have some time off now that you have him?" Minerva asked.
Aoife nodded. "Yup. I have until mid-July, and Alice has a few more weeks after that."
"Let us know if you ever need help, or if you're ever in the mood for visitors. I'll pop by whenever you want," Minerva promised.
"I like the sound of that. It's nice when you don't have to be up at Hogwarts all the time," Aoife admitted.
"Yes, but just think of how funny it will be in eleven years when Stephen here gets detention from his Great Aunt Minnie!" Callum said, laughing. "It will be worth it, then, Aoife. You'll get a more detailed report than you otherwise would."
"Did you report back on us, Aunt Min?" Aoife demanded.
"I wouldn't say I reported anything, dear. I simply advised your parents of anything they needed to know," Minerva said airily. "Come, let's go eat, and then I will shower you and your baby with gifts."
"How much did Minerva tell you?" Alice whispered to Lucy.
"Oh, almost everything." Lucy laughed and winked at her daughter-in-law. "We knew quite a bit. Don't worry, you were never mentioned."
Alice blushed. "Oh, good."
After dinner, Lavinia pulled Albus and Minerva aside into the small study. As she was wont to do, the Medi-Witch got straight to the point. "I am here to make the Unbreakable Vow with one of you."
"Which one of us?" Albus wondered.
"Either of you. It doesn't particularly matter to me. I just need one of you to make it with me, and the other to preside over it."
Minerva and Albus exchanged looks. "May I ask what this is about, Lavinia?" Minerva inquired.
"You two. I want one of you to make the Vow with me, promising that I will never reveal what I know of your relationship."
"I appreciate what you're offering, but Lavinia, we haven't asked anyone who knows about our relationship to make a promise of this magnitude. This would be a very unfair ask of you," Albus protested.
"I know—that's why I'm not asking. I'm telling you." Lavinia looked at them imploringly. "I love you two. We may be family by marriage, but Albus, you've been in my life since our days at Hogwarts. And you, Minerva, are like a daughter to me. I would like to protect you two in whatever way I can."
"I don't think this is necessary," Minerva said quietly.
"It is," Lavinia replied firmly. "Listen, you two: I'm a target of this Lord Tom-Voldy-what's his name. I might not be as big a target as the two of you, but a good chunk of my extended family is helping you fight against him. After living in the castle for so long whilst married to a former headmaster, I know lots of Hogwarts' secrets. Add my knowledge to the fact that some of my relatives would risk their lives for me, and well, I'm a target ripe for the shooting."
"And you believe they would somehow torture knowledge of my relationship with Minerva out of you?" Albus asked. "What would that serve? Besides, Tom already knows some of it."
"He knows you're married. He suspects you were having an affair while Minerva was a student." Lavinia paused. "What you don't know, Albus, and what I suspect Lord-what's-his-name does know, is that I have the knowledge to prove the existence of this affair."
"Minerva and I did nothing wrong when she was a student!" Albus yelled angrily. "There was no affair."
"That's not exactly true, now is it?" Lavinia asked apologetically. "Minerva knows what I'm talking about."
"Minerva?"
The disbelief in Albus' voice hurt Minerva, but she shook it off. "I do know what you're talking about, Lavinia. But you and I both know I had finished my exams. I had graduated."
"And you know that the Board won't care about such semantics and will sack one or both of you," Lavinia said not unkindly. "I refuse to be used against the two of you. Please. Let me do this for you."
Minerva knew Lavinia was right. "Fine, yes. This is a good idea. I agree."
"Min, we can't let her do this!" Albus exclaimed. "This isn't right."
"Whether it's right or not, it's necessary," Minerva said. "I can explain it to you later, Albus, but Lavinia has proof of our first night together. She is quite right in saying it could be used against us. I don't particularly care about myself, but I will not have the leader of our resistance ripped from Hogwarts."
"Now you simply sound irrational," Albus muttered.
"I don't want my husband in Azkaban, either; how's that for irrational?" Minerva snapped.
"Before this devolves into a screaming match, which one of you will be presiding?" Lavinia asked pleasantly. "I would like this over with before one of our family members interrupts us."
After a moment, Albus said, "Fine. I'll make the Vow if Minerva will preside."
"Are you sure?" Minerva asked quietly.
"Well, as you said, it would be my life in Azkaban, so it only seems fitting that I make the Vow," Albus said drily. "Lavinia, your hand, if you please."
Minerva watched with wide eyes as Lavinia and Albus clasped hands.
"Minerva, your wand, dear," Lavinia said, snapping Minerva to attention.
"Of course." Minerva withdrew her wand and pointed it at their joined hands. "I'm ready when you are."
Albus spoke in a low voice. "Lavinia Prewett, do you promise to never reveal that Minerva and I were intimate whilst she was still a student?"
"I do."
"And will you promise to destroy any evidence you have of the fact, ensuring that no one can find it?"
"I will."
"And, if ever under duress at the hands of an enemy, do you promise that you will never reveal any knowledge about the relationship between Minerva and myself, including our continued relationship after Hogwarts, as well as our marriage?"
"I do."
And with that, the third and final bit of smoke curled around Lavinia and Albus' hands.
"Now that that's over, could someone help me to the Floo?" Lavinia asked cheerfully. "I should be getting home."
Still rather dumbfounded at the night's events, Minerva nodded and escorted Lavinia to the fireplace.
"You didn't have to do that, Lavinia," Minerva said quietly. "We're not worth that level of promise."
"Oh, my dear, but you are." Lavinia cupped Minerva's cheek. "You two are extremely important—not only to this war effort, but in rebuilding the world that's left behind. Compared to all of that, my life is worth nothing."
"Your life is not nothing," Minerva countered. Her voice was fierce with emotion. "Not to me, not to Albus, and certainly not to your children."
"Perhaps, but I could not live with myself if I let the side down, as it were," Lavinia said. "Now, let's end this unpleasantness and give me a kiss goodnight."
Minerva smiled softly and kissed the woman's cheek. "Good night, Lavinia."
"And to you, dear." Lavinia winked, and then she was gone.
"I must say, our night took a very unexpected turn," Albus said, coming up behind Minerva.
"That's putting it mildly," Minerva sighed.
"What would you say if we bid farewell to the rest of the family, and then headed to the cottage?" Albus asked. "You can tell me all about how Lavinia gained that particular bit of knowledge."
Minerva groaned. "Are you angry?"
"Not angry," Albus said, and to Minerva's surprise, he laughed. "No, I'm just rather shocked. Shocked and curious."
"Well, let's make our getaway, and then I'll tell you all about it."
The couple made their goodbyes and headed to Albus' cottage in Mould-on-the-Wold. They snuggled onto the couch and Albus wove his hand through hers.
"Now," he said with a laugh, "please tell me how Lavinia knows of our first night together."
"You know just as well as I do that I was only staying with you because Lavinia was concerned about my magic."
"And she was right to be. You expended a lot of energy during the Triwizard Tournament," Albus reminded her.
"Yes, well," Minerva huffed, and then blushed. "You know what happened next."
Albus laughed gently. "You seduced me, if I recall correctly."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes. The next morning, we woke up and were informed of Charlotte's death. After I spoke with the Minister alone, I went to the Hospital Wing. Lavinia caught me before I could see my friends."
"Ah, she did a medical exam on you," Albus realized. "I should have put two and two together."
Minerva nodded. "Yes, that's what happened. She saw a spike in my magical energy—which we can now presume was so prominent because of our bond. To confirm her suspicions, Lavinia found that my contraception potion was actively working. The day before, it was dormant, so she knew there must have been a reason for it to spring into action."
"So the secret that we tried so hard to keep—one of the secrets that helped to drive us apart—was no longer a secret twelve hours after we first made love?"
"That's the long and short of it," Minerva admitted. "Lavinia has the memory of my medical results. She has the only proof that anything happened while I was still a student. As much as Riddle wants to prove we were intimate, he can't."
"Unless he somehow manages to find Lavinia," Albus said, sighing. "I must say, I'm happy we made that Vow tonight."
"I agree. I couldn't imagine a life where we both weren't at Hogwarts."
"Oh, my dear, dear, Tabby." Albus kissed her affectionately. "While I will admit to loving our home, I could handle being banished from Hogwarts. However, I could not handle a life where you were not my wife."
"How sweet," Minerva whispered. "I love you, my love. For always and forever."
"And I love you." Albus kissed her again. "Now, what should our plans be for this week?"
"I happened to like your original plan: no work, no visitors. Just us and the space to be a normal married couple."
"I also like that plan. Are you certain you don't want to invite any of the gang up here?"
"I share enough of you with the world during our regular lives, Albus Dumbledore. I refuse to do so during the one week we're designating as our vacation." Minerva arched an eyebrow. "Do you suddenly have qualms about spending a week with only myself for company?"
Albus laughed. "No, and you know it. I merely know how hard it is for you to have relaxation time with your friends. I wondered if you would like to spend some time with Callum and Lucy, or perhaps Ro and Poppy."
"I love you for thinking of it, but I highly doubt Cal and Lucy will want to leave their new grandchild."
"Ah. What about our dear Quidditch instructor and her Medi Witch wife? At work, you're always discussing, well, work."
"It would be nice to talk to Ro and Poppy about something other than Hogwarts, but our friendships haven't suffered for all living at the castle. We manage to discuss various aspects of our lives well enough while there."
"Oh? Would I like to know what you talking about?" Albus asked. "Or will I be worse off for asking?"
Feeling more mischievous than she had in a while, Minerva said, "Our last conversation focused on the fact that Ro and Poppy would be too busy to visit with us for a while. They wanted some alone time."
"Busy? With wh—oh," Albus murmured. "I'm not sure I needed that level of detail about their lives."
"Well, now you have it. And don't claim to be worse off for knowing it," Minerva added.
"I'm not sure I'm interested in the sex lives of others," Albus remarked. "I prefer to limit it to my own affairs."
"Affairs plural?" Minerva asked amusedly. "Oh, do tell."
"You know what I mean."
"Who else have you been seeing? I'm sure I would have felt it through our bond, but you never know. You can be rather secretive," Minerva teased.
"You know I'd never make love to someone else when I'm married to you," Albus said seriously, and Minerva realized she had perhaps taken it a step too far.
"Understood, my love." She kissed him quickly. "I was only joking."
"I realize that. But I need you to know that I love you more than anything."
"Al, I do." Minerva searched his face. "Whatever is going on with you?"
He sighed and tugged his beard. "I've been talking to Poppy about how I have felt over the past year, and how I have treated you. She said I must express my gratitude and love for you more often."
"Well, I won't disagree with that." Minerva smiled gently. "I'm rather touched that you confided in Poppy."
"I felt like I needed to try to help you, somehow. We may be in the same situation, but you are experiencing much more of it." Albus paused. "I suppose this week is meant to be me offering to support you, in whatever way you wish."
"Whether that's our friends visiting us, or just a week alone," Minerva realized. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm more than happy to stay here with you."
"Then I am happy," Albus said. "And if you ever wish to talk, I promise I'll listen. I'll even do my best not to criticize."
"Even if I divulge what Ro and I spoke about earlier?" Minerva felt she wanted to tease her husband again.
"You already told me it was about their sex lives," Albus grumbled good-naturedly.
"We also discussed our sex life."
"You and Ro have a sex life?" Albus asked, smirking.
"No, you twit!" Minerva hit his shoulder gently and laughed. "No, ours. Yours and mine."
"Dare I ask what you said?"
"We were talking about how life at Hogwarts can lead to interruptions when one wishes to be alone with one's partner."
"Ah," Albus chuckled. "Yes, we do pay quite the price for the luxury of living where we work."
"We do indeed," Minerva agreed.
"I have the feeling you're not telling me something."
"It's silly," Minerva protested. "It really is very silly. And, it says more about Ro than it does about us."
"Now I really must know."
"Fine," Minerva groused. "Ro said she wished she could get me to go to a sex club with her."
"Are you telling me because you want to go?" Albus asked, his brow creased in a frown.
"I'm telling you because you asked!" Minerva exclaimed. She had a smile on her face despite her tone. "Honestly, Albus. Ro and I have talked about it for years!"
"Have you really?"
"Yes." Minerva shifted slightly. "It's something Ro and Poppy do, on occasion. Ro is always trying to convince me to go, with or without you."
"With or without me?" Albus guffawed. "What, do they want you all to themselves?"
"Nothing like that...I don't think." Minerva coloured slightly. "Ro seems to believe I'd enjoy it. Although," she added quickly, "Ro concedes that our bond would make it difficult."
"Indeed," Albus mused. "We certainly couldn't frequent one of these establishments during the war. We couldn't risk it, even if we are Transfiguration masters. With our bond, you never know what might happen. It could cause us to lose control of our magic after we've spent so many years together."
"Are you actually considering this?" Minerva asked, dumbfounded.
"You'll have to forgive me, my dear. You may have had years to consider the notion, but you've only just brought this to my attention." He smiled at her. "It's fun to tease you every once and a while. Although, I don't believe I would be able to share you. I like you all to myself."
Minerva put her head in her hands. "I can't even believe we're having this conversation."
"Why, are you embarrassed to flirt with such an old man?" His hands trailed up her arms.
"You know I'm not," Minerva mumbled. She tipped her head to the side, knowing he would kiss her neck once she did.
"We haven't flirted like this in a long, long time," Albus murmured.
"Have we ever done this? I think I'd remember." She moved into his lap. "Besides, I know we've never, ever talked about going to a sex club before."
"Then it seems we must make the most of the conversation," Albus said, and he Apparated them to their bedroom.
"Albus!" Minerva laughed. "Give me a warning next time. You're lucky I'm not vomiting."
"Oh, I am sorry," Albus apologized. "Now, let's stay in the mood."
"The mood?"
"Well, we certainly aren't going to actually attend a sex club. What would you say to pretending?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow. "I'd say I should have mentioned this conversation to you a lot earlier."
Albus grinned and waved his hand, silently dimming the lights.
