Lead me not into temptation Complete 26.02.09

[ginger newts]

That was an excellent chapter! I could feel how terrified Minerva was at the idea of Albus' assasination. I hope she'll be able to bring him around before Friday. And I can't wait to see how the bonding and the search into the future goes for the other Albus. Do update again soon!

[Jessabelle]

Please post soon!

[TartanPhoenix]

AN: I am soooo sorry it took me this long to update!! I've been mulling over this chapter for a week and a half, but I think it's finally right. Hope everyone enjoys.

Severus hurried through the heavy dungeon door as he felt the wards surrounding it fall away. Albus was leaning heavily against the wooden workstation, preparation causing his face to shimmer in the torchlight, but he looked positively gleeful. “Headmaster, did it work? Was the potion successful?”

The smile blanketing Albus’ face grew almost impossibly larger as he faced Severus. “I could feel her Severus. The bonding is complete; the connection is secure.” His eyes became wistful. “You were right, we did need her to complete the last stage.”

He held up her hairbrush, a few loose strands sticking out from the edges. Severus’ eyes grew big, his lank hair swaying as he shook his head violently, comprehension falling over him like a ton of bricks. “You cannot be serious? Do you know what could have happened? This isn’t a bloody Polyjuice Potion Albus You could have killed her, or worse, blown up my lab What if the connection hadn’t been enough? What if the hairs hadn’t given you a strong enough base? There’s a reason bondings occur with both people present. The potion was meant to bond you to her. It’s too unpredictable otherwise!!”

Albus was too excited to truly hear what Severus was saying. He could still feel her within him, surrounding him. It was a warm, contented feeling he could never remember experiencing, and he never wanted it to end. Despite their separation, he could feel almost an echo of her, like the faintest of whispers dancing along his consciousness. They were bonded, in every sense of the word. He could feel her worry, her confusion, but he could also feel the overwhelming love she held for him. He wondered if she was having the same experiences.

Albus was brought out of reverie by a steady, but insistent, tapping sound. He looked over to see Severus standing, his arms crossed firmly over his chest, his foot tapping away. Albus simply raised a silver eyebrow in his direction. “Now that I have your attention,” Severus said snappishly, “what’s the next step? Assuming the connection is strong enough, how do you plan on retrieving her?”

“Magic Severus,” Albus said softly, running a finger across the wooden handle of the brush, “magic.”

---

He was hovering over her, his warm breath dancing across her half closed lids. They moved together, hot, slick, and utterly irresistible. She could feel his heartbeat thud against his chest, pumping in time with her own. She clawed at his broad shoulders, trying to bring him closer, make herself a part of him as the coil within herself tightened.

Understanding, his lips crashed into hers,
taking what little breath she possessed away in a soul touching kiss. His swollen lips left hers and came to rest beside her ear, whispering, leading. Tender words of love, devotion, reassurance flooded her senses as she fell over the edge, gripping him tightly, calling out his name into the darkness.

She could feel her self falling away, being pulled from his arms, and she did all she could to fight, but it was of no use. He looked back at her, his eyes filled with determination and devotion. “I’m coming Tabby,” he whispered, but she heard, felt.

Minerva’s eyes fluttered open, despite her best efforts to remain in the dream. It had to have been a dream, she reasoned, but everything had seemed so real. Pulling herself out of bed, she padded softly across the cold stone floor and into the bathroom. She felt different. The worry and confusion from the past few days was still present, but there was now an undercurrent of reassurance and calm the flowed through her. Turning on the taps, steam began to fill the large room as she turned toward the mirror and let out a gasp.

Her hand flew to the side of her neck. There, sitting at the base of her slim neck, was a deep red mark. Her fingers traced it gently, unable to understand just what she was seeing. She flushed as she remembered the dream. He had left his mark upon her, claiming her as his own, and she had loved it. The feel of his lips, his hands, stroking her, bringing her farther away from herself. But, it had only been a dream, hadn’t it? There should be no way for this to be happening.

She slipped out of her nightgown and stepped under the hot spray. As she washed, she noticed other marks. A small scrape here, a new bruise there, all where he paid special attention. It was odd, even a little disturbing, but perhaps the saying was right. It could be simply a case of mind over matter. The reasoning seemed weak, even to her bewildered mind, but what other explanation could there be?

She shook her head, trying to dislodge the feeling of something just out of reach. She had more important matters to attend to, and they would need her full and complete attention. She had two days, two days to turn her very own Fudge back into the purring lion she remembered. “Damn stubborn man,” she mumbled to herself, patting her hair dry as she walked back into her bedroom.

The possibilities turned over in her mind, each as unlikely as the next. She could tell him of the plot, but that would only put Harry and other’s in danger. It would also confirm his fears, and they would never convince him otherwise. She could attempt a coup of her own, knocking him out and dragging him away. ‘Fire bad, tree pretty,’ suddenly popped into her mind before she pushed it aside. Violence rarely solved anything, even if it was a little satisfying. No, there was only one decent choice, and even that was difficult. She would have to find a way to remind him of himself. It was time to draw Albus out of his cave. She just needed something to start the fire under his omnipotent behind.

Dressed and ready to face the day, Minerva returned to her bedside table to gather her glasses and stopped. Not believing her eyes, she tentatively reached out and almost wept with relief as her fingers curled around it. The familiar warmth spread up her arm, almost competing with the sensations she had yet to shake from the night. Her wand looked no worse for wear, perhaps even a little better. The wood was solid, polished from years of use. It fit perfectly between her slim fingers, an extension of her arm, her very soul.

The magical community was so in use with carrying their wands, she had never realized what it would be like to live without it. Almost reverently, she tucked the wand into her robes, fighting with herself to keep from stroking it as she walked down the halls. She didn’t see a reason to advertise this latest development, but it did give her a piece of mind. She nodded her greetings to the various portraits as she walked, not truly paying attention.

It wasn’t until she turned the corner and walked straight into something warm and solid that her attention returned to the present. Two arms held her gently, steadying her, and a now familiar smell flooded her senses. She struggled to reign in the sudden flood of heat that enveloped her. Her mind and heart understood the difference, but her body still remembered the feel of those hands and craved more. “Good morning Minerva,” he said softly when she was finally able to look up at him.

“Good morning Albus,” she replied, pulling away slowly. “I’m sorry; I wasn’t watching my step. That seems to be happening more often lately.”

He smiled appreciatively at her attempt to lighten the mood. “I was actually on my way to see you,” he began, “I was wondering I you would do me the honor of joining me for breakfast this morning?”

He extended his arm and waited on baited breath for her response. For a moment, just a moment, Minerva allowed herself to be reeled in by the normalcy of it, the natural way her arm fit in his. And, as soon as it appeared, the moment passed. “That would be lovely Albus. I was just heading toward the kitchens myself.” She allowed herself to be steered through the buildings and out into the street.

They moved in silence, one unsure of what to say, and the other too afraid to disrupt the luck that seemed to be favoring him. It was still early, the sun was barely making an appearance above the rolling hills far in the distance, but signs of life were already beginning to make themselves known. Small sidewalk cafe’s were opening, the smell of strong coffee and sweet rolls filled the air. Birds dove between the buildings, filling the air with their song. They stopped beside a small café.

Minerva would have missed it if Albus hadn’t pointed it out, and she wondered if that wasn’t the intention. “I discovered this spot about two years ago,” he whispered, afraid to dispel the calm that surrounded them. “I just couldn’t take sitting in my office for another day, so I went for a walk one morning. They make the best scones I’ve ever had. It’s almost as if they melt in your mouth.”

His hand was warm on the small of her back, and he made to lead them forward, but she hesitated. He looked at her questioningly, and she gave him a crooked smile in response. “Albus,” she paused, not exactly sure of what she wanted, no needed to say. So, she simply said, “thank you,” placing her hand against the outside of her robes, just above her wand.

His eyes flickered with recognition and acceptance, the hand on her back curling affectionately. “I trusted you once, I was a fool not to now. Forgive me?”

She understood the double meaning behind his question. “Always,” she said reassuringly. “Now,” she added quickly, trying to dispel the tension that was beginning to build between them again. “I’m famished and I insist on trying these scones. With a sweet tooth like yours, I’ll probably lapse into a coma.”

Albus laughed outright, a rich full sound he hadn’t heard in some time, but it brought an answering grin to Minerva’s face. They were about to enter with a shift and a crash came from the alleyway, startling them both. In the blink of an eye, both had their wands drawn and were moving toward the source of the sound.

[TartanPhoenix]

Stopping to allow their eyes to adjust to the dark, neither were surprised to see an overturned trash can rolling haphazardly along the ground. IT was what sat behind it that caused the breath to catch in Minerva’s throat.

A small girl sat huddled against the wall, rocking back and forth slightly. She was filthy, covered in clothes not fit to be called rags, and painfully thin. Minerva was the first to lower her wand and step forward. She moved slowly, trying not to frighten the child, but the little girl still attempted to push herself through the wall behind her, her eyes wide and fearful. “Shh,” Minerva crooned. “No one is going to hurt you little one. Everything is alright.”

She reached out her hand, and was relieved when the girl stopped trying to move away. “My name is Minerva; what’s yours?” The little girl looked at her, her eyes occasionally darting behind Minerva to stare at Albus.

“Argante,” the little girl said softly.

“That’s a lovely name. This is Albus,” Minerva said, turning to face Albus. He had lowered his wand and was simply staring at the two. When he heard his name, however, he stepped forward and knelt beside Minerva.

“Hello there.” The little girl curled herself into a tighter ball, and turned her attention back to Minerva.

“Argante, where are your parents?” Minerva watched as a single tear slipped down the girl’s cheek, leaving a trail of clean skin in a sea of filth.

Argante shook her head. “I don’t know where Papa is. He left for work one morning and never came home. I was five.”

“How old are you now?” Albus didn’t like the hallow acceptance he saw in her eyes. She was far too young to know that sort of pain.

“I’ll be eight in two months.”

“And where is you mother?” Minerva asked as she took off her cloak and wrapped it around her shivering frame. Argante grasped the edges of the warm cloak, pulling it tightly around her, relishing in the soft texture and instant comfort it brought.

“She died last week. There was an accident at her job, and she got stuck under a beam.” Minerva’s heart broke for the little girl and carefully wiped the girl’s tears from her cheeks.

“Don’t you have any other family? Where have you stayed?”

Argante shook her head again, burrowing further into the cloak as a gust of wind swirled around them, kicking up a clump of loose leaves. “I’ve been here. There is nobody else.”

Through it all, Albus hadn’t said a word. He simply stared at the little girl, his clear blue eyes compassionate and thoughtful. “Argante,” he paused, trying to choose his words carefully. “Where did you live with your mother before? Where did you come from?”

Minerva shot him a look; she knew exactly what he was asking. But, he ignored her. Instead, he watched Argante suddenly begin to squirm, looking everywhere but at them.

“My mother said I’m never supposed to say,” she finally answered.

“It’s alright little one,” he said, leaning
forward slightly. “You lived in the green sector, didn’t you?” Argante nodded sadly, ashamed for something she couldn’t truly understand. Albus leaned back on his heels and stared at the girl. He could literally feel the waves of contempt emanating from the woman beside him.

He turned and caught her attention, desperate to convey his thoughts, but he couldn’t understand them himself. Reaching out, palms up, Albus scooted toward Argante. “There’s no reason to worry little one. I won’t let you go back there. Come with me; I want to take you someplace safe and warm. There are plenty of warm clothes and lots of children to play with.”

Minerva’s head shot back around to face him, shock written plainly on her face. Silently, he mouthed, ‘later’ and turned back to the small girl in front of them. She was trembling, whether from cold or trepidation, he couldn’t decide. “It’s going to be alright Argante. It will all be okay,” he said soothingly.

Without another word, she launched herself into his arms, grasping the front of his robes as she sobbed into his chest. He rubbed gentle circles into her back, rocking gently, whispering nonsense words that Minerva couldn’t understand.

He lifted her into his arms and walked back into the street. He whispered Hogwarts to Minerva before disappearing with a faint pop. A split second later Minerva joined him, and the two made their way up the slopes toward the castle.

Twenty minutes later found Argante firmly ensconced in a bathtub, Poppy doing her best to clean the filth away. Albus’ grip was firm but pleading on her arm as he led her into the small office she had visited just the day before. She half expected to see Harry dive behind the desk as they entered.

The door shut behind them and Minerva spun to face him. “What are you going to do with her now Albus? You can’t return her back..there! She would be alone.”

Minerva’s hands were balled at her hips, and very stance demanded satisfaction. Albus raised his hands, and to both their horror, she flinched.

Albus quickly lowered his hands again as well as his eyes. “No, I won’t send her back Minerva. I’m hoping she will be staying here.”

Minerva was confused and grasped his arm to draw his attention and comfort him. “But who will take care of her? She needs a family Albus, not a fleet of house elves.”

“Severus.” Albus said, his eyes glittering. “He and Hermione have been unable to have one of their own. A curse she was hit with during the final battle has had..unexpected and irreversible consequences. I can image no two better people to look after her. I just have to convince them.”

Minerva stared in disbelief as true emotion played out behind his eyes, drawing her in. Letting her hand travel up along his arm, she stood on her tip toes and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Thank you Albus,” she whispered before turning and walking back into the ward. She left a confused but pleased man in her wake.

It was an hour before Argante was cleaned up and Severus and Hermione were able to meet them. For Hermione, it was love at first sight. Cleaned up, Argante was adorable. She had soft chocolate brown hair and blue eyes to rival Albus’. But, there was also a sadness there that crushed the heart’s of everyone there. “What’s to become of her Minister?” Hermione asked, never taking her eyes off the girl who was busy staring out in wonder over the school grounds.

“I was hoping I could persuade you and Severus to watch over the girl. She has no other family, no future without our help.”

Slowly, almost painfully, Hermione turned to face them, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Us,” she whispered, turning to face Severus. Her voice was hopeful, disbelieving.

He was staring at Albus, his face unreadable, but there was a flicker that crossed his eyes, invisible to everyone but those who knew what to look for. He turned to face his wife, a hand coming up to catch a falling tear. He let a smile saved for only her cross his face as he nodded. “Us,” he confirmed before he found himself with an armful of witch.

Hermione leapt from his arms and into Minerva’s. Minerva pulled the other woman against her tightly and looked at Severus over her shoulder. He had an eyebrow raised questioningly, his eyes flickering toward the Minister. Almost imperceptibly, she shook her head and was rewarded with a curt nod. “Go to her,” Minerva whispered, and soon she and Albus were again alone.

They stood in a companionable silence before he again put his hand along her back. “I believe I owe you breakfast,” he said calmly.

“I believe you do,” she replied, and they left, no one else in the room noticing.

AN2: I did a little digging, and Argante is the Queen of Avalon who is supposed to restore our fine King Arthur. It seemed to fit. Also, I'm sorry if I confused everyone in my last chapter. The potion and bonding will be explained by the end, I promise.

[Alesia]

Alright! Another wonderful chapter. You aren't going to make Minerva's choice of which Albus easy are you? Excellent Excellent Excellent!!!!!!

[QuillofMinerva]

This line made me chuckle, totally something Severus would say

Do you know what could have happened? This isn’t a bloody Polyjuice Potion Albus You could have killed her, or worse, blown up my lab

Great chapter and I loved the use of the little girls name, very fitting! I like the fact that Albus and Minerva are bonded now and she is having dreams, realistic ones at that. I wonder if she will confuse what she is feeling for her real Albus and the man she is with now. Nice to see that he is changing though but is it too late?

Looking forward to more of this story. Keep up the great work.

Clayre xx

[JKMcGonagall]

I liked that line about blowing up the potions lab too, but my favorite one was when Severus asked Albus how he was planning to retrieve Minerva and Albus replied "Magic, Severus...Magic." Well, of course it will be by magic. After all, it is a whole magical world. I just loved that line because the answer was so obvious that Severus just couldn't see it.

I really liked your use of the little girl to show how much Albus is changing. Argante is a very strange name but after reading your author note about who she is, I think it is a very fitting name.

Great Update. Alesia is right. You aren't going to make Minerva's choice of Albuses an easy one, are you. The new Albus seems to be coming around, but there still has to be a confrontation between him and Harry, I assume.

I will be eagerly awaiting your next update. Please, make it soon.

Kay

[tayryn]

wow!

this was a great chapter!!

loved Albus' response to Severus about how they were going to get Minerva back.

But, it had only been a dream, hadn’t it? There should be no way for this to be happening.

and i pray it was a dream... or a result of our Albus and Minerva's new bond!!

looking forward to more!

[angeldust]

I love the way everyone of your chapters leaves me with questions! I thought the name was beautiful that poor little girl! Looking forward to the next update!

[Jessabelle]

That was excellent! Each chpater keeps getting better and I too liked Severus' line! And I agree with JKMcGonagall, Alesia was right in saying that Minerva's choice won't be easy. I felt sorry for both Albus and Minerva when she flinched as Albus raised his hand, but after all of this how could she not. I really like that she is beginning to draw more of the old Albus out and yet she is still being cautious and aware that there has not yet been a complete transformation. This is all coming together quite nicely! Please update really soon!
- Jess

[Catwoman99]

Bloody fantastic!! You never disappoint me with your updates. I agree with everyone else's comments. I can't wait for more.

- April :-)

[amandahleigh]

Another awesome, wonderful, intriguing, beautiful, funny, dramatic and poigniant (sp?) chapter!


Wow.

I wish this story was a book so I could just keep reading it, cover to cover, b/c I am dieing to know what happens next!

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

wow great chapter. Gets more exciting each time i cant wait for more

[ginger newts]

This chapter was well worth the extra wait...though I do hope we won't wait so long for the next one.

I loved seeing what the bonding spell did to Minerva and watching Albus slowly become more compassionate is wonderful. I can't wait to find out what happens when the other Albus comes looking for her.

[HappyReader]

I'm really enjoying this. Please update soon!

[Jessabelle]

Please update soon!

[TartanPhoenix]

Here we go..

“That was kind of you, what you did for them,” Minerva said over the rim of her tea cup. They were seated at a comfortable table in a quaint sidewalk café. They nibbled on scones and drank their tea, the meal filling with easy conversation and easier silences. So much of the tension of the last couple days had faded away, even if a small flicker still remained. Albus just shook his head, putting his own tea down. “It was nothing special Minerva. The little girl couldn’t be expected to live on the street, and our young Hermione has wanted a child of her own for some time. I simply killed two birds with one stone.”

He spoke matter of factly, but the tips of his ears had turned an endearing shade of pink with her compliment. Minerva placed her hand over his, doing all she could to ignore the warmth that flowed between them as they touched. “It was something Albus,” she said emphatically, “even if you don’t believe it.”

Her eyes shone with determination. “And another thing, I don’t care how often you..what are those people staring at? ”

Turning slowly, several people came into Albus’ range of vision, and each did their best to pretend they hadn’t been caught. It always amused him how quickly shoes could become the most interesting things in the world. “You would think people have never seen you have breakfast before,” Minerva complained bringing him back to the present.

“They haven’t,” he countered. He put up his hand to stop her protests. “I rarely leave the Ministry anymore. In fact,” he said, stroking his chin, “this is probably the first time I’ve been out in public in over a year. By now, most people have forgotten exactly what it is I look like. They still remember the flowing beard and glasses.”

Minerva stared at the man across from her, and once again wondered just how much pain he had gone through to change him so. For all of his protests, no one in her many years had enjoyed a party as much as Albus. The man could dance and talk until the wee hours of the morning, and then some if he was allowed. “If they don’t recognize you, than what exactly are they staring at?”

Albus’ lips curled at the end slightly, almost ironically. The affect was more sad than amusing, and it made knots form in Minerva’s stomach. “You,” he said. “Don’t forget Minerva, you’re dead. Wouldn’t you stare if someone from the past simply sat down for a cup of tea in the middle of town?” He looked at her dropped eyes and obvious embarrassment. “If they’re bothering you, I could make them go away.”

Before Albus could even lean back in his chair to signal the waiter, Minerva had his arm in a vice grip, her emerald eyes pleading. “No I mean..it’s no problem Albus. They aren’t bothering me at all. I just..I hadn’t thought..they would recognize me. It’s just a little odd that’s all.”

Albus felt a flicker of guilt at her reaction. Even despite the events of that morning, she still saw him as a monster, or so he thought. “Nothing was going to happen Minerva,” he assured her, pulling her hand off his arm and wrapping it protectively within his own. “I was simply going to ask the waiter to move them along. I wouldn’t have harmed them.”

He was hurt, she could see that much, and his eyes begged for her trust. Unfortunately, all he asked for was something she couldn’t afford to give. “You’ve already done more for less Albus,” she whispered.

He recoiled as if struck. “I know why you’ve done it Albus,” she added quickly, “but knowing why doesn’t make it anymore palatable. Pain is still pain, no matter how you describe it. Look at me Albus,” she said, and waited until his eyes met hers. “If I went into the heart of London today, surrounded by everyone, and called your removal, your..overthrow, would I make it through the night? Would anyone remember my words in the morning? Or, would I simply disappear as others have, only to be seen in a green glow?”

He continued to stare at her, his hands twisting around the teacup, but it was obvious he no longer saw her. His lips were moving, speaking to someone only he could see, his eyes truly vulnerable for the first time.

“So this is what you think of me,” he said, breaking the silence. “A heartless monster, a beast who only cares for himself?” He closed his eyes and waited. He heard the scrape of her chair, and he waited for the sound of her footsteps, leaving him alone once again. He was surprised when instead, he felt two warm hands cup his cheeks.

He brought a hand up to steady her as she leaned on the arm of his chair, hovering over him, a tender look shining back at him. “Not a beast,” she contradicted, “simply..lost. This morning, I saw the man I remembered, the one who would move heavens and earth to make a crying child laugh. The kind, gentle, loving man who stole my heart all those years ago. I know he is still in there,” she said, brushing her hands over his heart. “You just need to find him again. You lost yourself in your grief Albus, and you destroyed everything we loved in the process. I want trust you again , to be able to once again call you friend before I return home, but you’re not there yet.”

His hand fisted in the shirts at her waist as he nodded. “And what do I need to do?” She brushed a stray hair out of his eyes, smiling sadly.

“That’s something only you can answer Albus. When you find it, you’ll know.” She looked up and glared at another couple she caught staring in their direction, now more to protect Albus then from her own discomfort.

“I need to return to the Ministry,” he said, “will you come with me?”

Minerva shook her head, smoothing out invisible wrinkles in her robes as she stood. “There are still some things I want to do today, and..” she hesitated, flicking lint from his shirt. “I think we need a little time to breath. Go, I’ll be back in time for dinner, and we can talk then.” She leaned up, hands resting on his shoulders for support. She kissed his cheek gently, chastely. “Come back to me Albus,” she whispered for him alone before turning and walking
away.

Minerva walked through the various streets, nodding at the few brave souls that approached her, doing her best to ignore the others. She was now acutely and painfully aware of what Harry must have suffered through upon his reentry to the wizarding world. She was the goldfish, forced to watch as horrific things pressed their distorted faces up against her bowl, and there was nothing she could do to stop them.

It was with these thoughts that she found herself walking down a narrow, deserted street, finally able to breath easily. That breath hitched and quickened however, as she picked up the faint sound of a second set of steps following close behind her.

Doing her best to remain calm, Minerva slowly reached into her robes, wrapping her hand around her wand. She continued walking, and soon, she noticed an odd pattern to the other steps. There would be one step, and then an abnormally long pause before the next slightly heavier step sounded.

Exhaling the breath she didn’t realize she was holding, Minerva loosened the grip on her wand slightly, smiling all the while. She should have known it couldn’t be true. From personal experience, she knew he would, by all rights, outlive cockroaches.

She stopped in the middle of the street, never turning around. She knew how to catch his attention, now she just had to hope he hadn’t forgotten. “There once was a young girl from Rabat,” she called out.

“And you’re still too young to say such things,” he called back. Minerva’s grin grew and she turned around.

“So you’ve heard,” she said casually.

He continued to walk forward, his unruly gait still amusing to watch. “Obviously,” he drawled, “how have you been lass?”

Laughing and forgetting everything else, Minerva wrapped her arms around his neck, surprising them both. But after a moments hesitation, he returned the gesture, managing to lift her off the ground. “You’ve no idea Alastor. Everyone’s a mess, the world is bloody backward, and they keep telling me you’ve ‘disappeared. They all think you’re dead.”

His hair was stark white and shorter than she remembered. And, he was wearing a patch over his eye, the swirling blue ball was apparently missing, but, in that instant, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. “There’s a simple reason for that Min. To almost everyone else, I am. There was an accident in the coal mine, and I managed to get free months ago. I’ve been working on a few things amongst the ‘respectable’ people left. Potter filled me in on your deal,” he said, suddenly serious. “Will it work?”

‘Always blunt,’ she thought. They had known each other since she was five years old, but some things never change. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “Our Albus is still in there Alastor. I know you probably don’t see it, but he’s in there. I just don’t know if I’m enough, or if I have enough time to bring him around. He’s just so..” she struggled for the right word.

“Crazy,” Alastor supplied.

“This is not the time for the pot and the kettle Alastor,” Minerva chided him. “Speaking of crazy men, does Poppy know you’re still alive?” The quick shadow that darted across Alastor’s face spoke volumes. Minerva’s eyebrows hit her hairline in disbelief and she smacked him none to lightly on the shoulder. “You git The woman must be beside herself. She loves you to bits, although right now I cannot understand why for the life of me. You have to tell her Alastor.”

He reached down and scratched his leg just above the wooden stump. “I will Min. After Friday. It would be too dangerous for her right now. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to her because of me. Those damn guards he has running all over the country would love to get their mitts on her. They never could understand why he left her in the school.”

Minerva looked at him skeptically. “I promise, on Friday, no matter what happens.”

Minerva stared him in the eye, and he could tell she didn’t believe him, but thankfully, she let it drop. “We’ve been together too long,” he said suddenly. Alastor wrapped his cloak tightly around his shoulders, turning to look around. “Get him to go Minerva. I don’t care how, or why, but make it happen.” His single grey eye was ablaze, intense in a way she could hardly remember. “He was my friend, but right now, given the opportunity, I would rip him apart with my bare hands. Don’t give me the opportunity. I would hate to have you come after me.” With a quick kiss and another quick glance, Alastor was gone.

Minerva just stood there, looking dully at the place where he was just standing. Thrusting her hands back under her cloak, she shook her head. “Damn.”

[TartanPhoenix]

When Minerva arrived back at the Ministry later that day, there was a small envelope sitting on her bed. She grinned as she read the short note.

Don’t know how you managed it, but thank you. S

Quickly pulling away the wrapping, Minerva’s eyes misted as she gazed at the photograph. It appeared Hermione had taken little time to settle into her new role with the first official family photo. She even managed to make Severus smile as they each wrapped their arms around the grinning girl.

Putting the photograph beside her bed, she spent the rest of her afternoon trying to find a way to convince Albus. She needed to find something, anything, that would make him see reason. It was doubtful he would simply step down, and any sort of power transfer would only leave him vulnerable to the masses. He would be swinging from the trees by nightfall. For all of her supposed intelligence she still hadn’t come up with anything. And, it was with these maudlin thoughts that she made her way to the dining room for dinner.

What she found when she stepped through the high doorway stole her breath away. The long formal dining table had been removed, and in the corner sat a small table for two. All the lights, with the exception of a few candles floating aimlessly through the air, had been extinguished. The soft scent of wild flowers filled the air and a soothing jazz wafted through the air.

Stepping out of the shadows, Albus looked larger than life in magnificent blue robes and polished black boots. She was flushed with warmth from head to toe as he smiled at her, and that odd feeling of contentment washed through her as him image, her Albus, walked toward her. He was still missing the long beard, but she could overlook it. “Albus..what’s all this?” she asked bewildered, accepting his outstretched hand.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as they danced slowly to the gentle music. “I thought a quiet dinner, without onlookers, would be nice. Are you hungry Minerva?”

She blushed again as the warmth from his body seeped into hers, and the memory of her dream entered her mind. Doing her best to suppress the feelings welling up inside her, she looked up at him and smiled. “Famished.”

With a hand along her waist, he led her over to the table, and delighted in her gasp as dinner appeared before them. Conversation and laughter flowed easily between the two, each doing their best to avoid the unavoidable discussion that loomed in the corners. The hours breezed by like seconds, and before she knew it, Albus was again on his feet, reaching for her hand. They spun around the small room, the music switching to gentle waltz. At least he hadn’t forgotten how to dance as they moved, never seeming to touch the ground.

It wasn’t until the song stopped that they did. Panting slightly and rosy cheeked, Minerva looked into his eyes to thank him for the dance but stopped. His soul was laid bare before her, all his love, devotion, and guilt plain as the crooked nose on his face. “Minerva,” he whispered, his hand coming to rest against the base of her neck.

He leaned forward, his breath caressing her face. But, an instant before their lips could touch, Minerva turned her head and he kissed her cheek instead. “I’m sorry Albus, I..I can’t,” she whispered, afraid to see the rejection in his eyes. For the second time that day she walked away from him, only this time both had tears in their eyes.

The line Minerva called out to Alastor came from this amusing site. So, if you'd like to read the rest of the limerick, or others, here's the site. freewebs.com/limericks/

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

wow great chapter! cant wait for an update, it just gets better and better

[amandahleigh]

Awesome!

It's so sad, for both of them...and for everyone else involved too.

Wow.

[Jessabelle]

Great update. I am so glad that Severus and Hermoine are happy and that Alastor is still around. I hope that Minerva can continue working on Albus and that the other Albus is making good prgoress on bringing her back. Update again really soon, please!
- Jess

[Alesia]

Oh, Min - you are on such thin ice at this point, Albus could go either way good or bad

[Catwoman99]

*jumps up and down at the update* You have me on the edge of my seat and I'm loving every minute of it! I liked how you introduced Moody. I'm gonna go read the rest of that limerick now.

Eagerly awaiting your next installment,
April :-)

[robinfawkes]

You got me biting my nails here, so you better update quickly!!! Great story; can't wait for more... ;D

[angeldust]

I actually feel kinda sorry for this new Albus (dodges the rotten fruit that is being frown my way ) I loved how she got Alastor's attention and yay for Alastor!!! (waves the I love Alastor banner)

[Alesia]

angeldust - I agree with you. The new Albus is a victim of his own grief. I worry what will happen to him when Min returns to her Albus. It is bad enough he lost her the first time but to lose her twice, especially after realizing what he did to himself and his world, how overwhelming.

[palanfanaiel]

Yay.. I'm actually doing my happy-jiggle now... It's amazing how you make every chapter more exciting everytime... YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!
Agree with Angeldust, I LOVED the way you introduced Alastor, and i'm sooo glad he weren't all dissapeared...
Hugs P

[ginger newts]

This chapter was sweet and sad all at the same time. They seem so close and yet so far away, but the way you write the moments between Albus and Minerva are truly touching. I just hope everything works out. Please update again soon, I'm so anxious to know what happens and how all the many characters resolve their situations.

[Jessabelle]

Please update again soon!

[QuillofMinerva]

Hope you update soon because this story is fantastic and there are so many twists and turns in it, it's like a rollarcoaster ride