Love Among The Ruins

[tayryn]

damn! go Minerva!!

i'm not a violent person... and i know she's already hexxed him, but please... let Minerva get in a good solid hit on the ass!!

wonderful update! looking forward to the next one!

[JKMcGonagall]

Somebody, Albus preferably, needs to put a Full Body Bind on Micheal and send him by one way portkey to Siberia. Maybe that would cool him off some.

Great story, as usual. I am enjoying it very much. Can't wait till Albus catches up with Micheal. Armando might just want to get in a few hexes too.

Kay

[Trulyamused]

Go Min. Hex the bastard again and again. There's no fooling a scottish witch twice. (grin)

Wonderful. I hope to read more very soon.

Truly

[Herzele]

Oh ... Wonderful update !!

And Min's completely right - how dare he impersonate Albus ... Somebody really has to put him in his place !! Preferably Albus or Min !!

[furandfeathers]

YAY for Minerva! Wonderful update, I can't wait to read more

[Tabby67]

Whoa!!

10 Minutes later....

Whoa!! Great job, you two!! *does dance* GREAT chapter. This story is absolutely woderful. Update soon! I wanna see Alby's reaction.

~Branda~

[lemonygingersnaps]

Oh My! Great Update!

[kankulex]

OMG.... grrr... I hate Michael!... I really enjoy your story and I'm looking forward to another update!

[Hogwarts Duo]

Chapter 5

Albus had left Armando in the mediwitch’s capable hands. She had told him that the Headmaster had a mild concussion but that his wounds should heal quickly. After a quick conversation with his mentor and friend about their next course of action, Albus had decided to hurry back to Minerva’s chambers. With Michael on the loose and obviously quite dangerous, he did not want to leave her alone any longer than was necessary.

As he neared her chambers and was about to knock, her door was thrown open and a man came tumbling out. It only took Albus a few seconds to discern what had happened as a likeness of himself took off down the hall. He was about to run after Michael with a determination to put all of this to an end when he caught sight of Minerva lying on the floor, motionless.

Instantly, Albus was by her side. He started to cast several charms to determine her wounds when he heard the sweetest sound on earth, her voice. “Albus, Michael was just here. You must go after him.”

Albus sighed in relief as he helped Minerva to sit up. “I must do no such thing until I know you are safe.”

Minerva huffed as she stood, swaying just slightly on her feet. “I am perfectly fine. He only pushed me over the sofa. The important thing is to catch that bastard before he gets away again.”

Albus looked at her incredulously. Just pushed over a sofa. She had just gone through another traumatic experience, one of several in the last few days and yet she was willing to dismiss it so carelessly. He could see in her eyes and stance that she was still a bit unnerved and he felt his anger grow exponentially as he caught site of the faint bruises that were forming around her neck. He reached up and grasped her shoulder in an attempt to get her attention.

Minerva flinched as Albus’ fingers made contact with her bruised skin. Reflexively he dropped his hand, until he noticed the pain radiating in her eyes. As gently as he could he pulled the material of her gown away just enough to show the formation of deep purple bruises in the shape of a hand. His finger traced the outline, his emotions raging between fear for Minerva and absolute anger at Michael.

A warm magical breeze began to blow lightly around them as Albus’ powers radiated from within. Despite all of his efforts to ensure her safety, Minerva had still been vulnerable to Michael’s devious intentions. It wasn’t until Minerva’s delicate hand cupped his cheek that he was able to once again focus all of his energies on the witch before him and the breeze dissipated.

“Albus, I’m fine, really. You need to go after him quickly. The longer he stays free, the angrier he will become and…”

The real Albus looked at Minerva and she felt the familiar pull of his eyes, nothing like it had been when she looked into the eyes of Michael disguised as Albus. “I’m scared, Minerva. I’m scared of what I’d do to him if I found him right now. He’s long gone and my chances of catching him are slim so I’d like to stay here, with you.”

His words tugged strongly at her heartstrings as she felt the full impact of his words, coupled with the calming feeling of his fingertips across a portion of her skin, still red from her attacker. A single nod from her head was all it took for Albus to draw her slowly into his arms, reassuring both himself and her that she was safe and basically unharmed. Guiding her to the sofa, he settled down and pulled her into his arms.

Telling Armando could wait until tomorrow. Having Minerva looked over by the mediwitch could wait as well. The only thing Albus wanted to do was feel Minerva’s body pressed against his as he held her tightly, ensuring her safety and protecting her from the madman who had pretended to be him. “Minerva, how did you know that wasn’t me earlier?”

She thought about telling him how his touches made her tingle or how his gentle voice warmed her soul. “I looked into his eyes and what I saw there did not reflect what I’ve come to cherish within your blue ones. His eyes were cold and calculating while yours always hold a twinkle, a glint of mischief, and maybe something more.” Minerva yawned and rested her head against Albus’ chest, gripping him tightly as she summoned a blanket from the bedroom. Covering them both with the fabric, she slipped off to sleep as Albus mulled over her words and their possible meanings in his mind.

Minerva woke early feeling extremely well rested. She stretched her languid limbs and pulled herself into a sitting position. As her toes touched the cool rug covered floor, a hint of lemon wafted to her through the air. Her thoughts wrapped around that familiar scent and the events of last night came rushing back to her. Especially the part where she fell asleep in Albus’ arms. She could still remember the warm feeling that stole over her as she had reclined against him.

A rosy hue tinted her cheeks as she remembered her parting words to him, just before she fell asleep. She had been a bit circumspect but Albus could always read her so well. She wondered what he thought of her partial confession. She ran a hand through her dark hair and headed toward the restroom, her mind still wrapping around all of the events that had transpired last night.

As she opened the door, a cloud of moist heat caused her to halt mid-step. Minerva blinked as her vision adjusted to the bright lighting. Her hand, which had recently been untangling her hair, flew to her mouth and her eyes widened. She found that her limbs would not obey her brain’s command to flee. Before her, Albus was hastily covering his naked form with one of her fluffy towels.

“I’m…so sorry,” she stammered out. “I didn’t realize…I forgot…oh no.” And with that final stammering attempt at an apology, Minerva flung herself out the door and slammed it shut before rushing back to her bed.

As she sat down, she realized that her hands were trembling. So many thoughts and emotions were swirling through her head. What would Albus think? Was he upset? Was she truly upset? He did cut a rather fine figure, better than she had ever imagined. Shaking her head to remove that line of thinking before it even started, Minerva took a deep breath. She would have to confront Albus sooner or later, and perhaps sooner would be better.

But no matter how hard she tried, she could not shake the image of a naked Albus Dumbledore standing before her in all his glory. His well-defined muscles did not reveal his true age, nor did the rather exciting sight of his manhood. She had only caught a fleeting glimpse of him before the towel hid him from her roving eyes but it was more than enough to create a definite stirring within Minerva’s own body. She giggled as she briefly contemplated how different he would look under another set of circumstances and with a much better greeting than the one she had given him only moments before.

Albus wasn’t sure whether to be embarrassed that she had seen him or deeply apologetic for taking such a liberty as using her shower without asking first. A prominent gleam in his eyes, however, showed that he was leaning towards neither of those options. While he had been profoundly sorry that he had given Minerva such a start and so early in the morning, he chuckled to himself as he remembered her face. There was a mixture of shock and shyness in her face but her eyes…those emerald green eyes which held the key to her emotions…they showed something more. He was nearly certain he had seen appreciation for his form and that put a new spring into his step. Perhaps he wasn’t such an old man after all.

With the towel securely wrapped around his waist, he eased open the bathroom door. He half expected Minerva to be seated on the sofa where they had spent the previous night cuddled together but instead all he found was an empty room. Fearing he might have offended her, Albus summoned his wand and quickly set out to make amends.

On the desk in one corner of the room was a bright red quill Minerva often used for marking her seventh year essays. With every intention of replacing the quill on his next trip into Hogsmeade, Albus summoned the writing utensil and transfigured it into a stunning rose. Then, with a broad smile, he waved his hand over the fragrant flower and watched as it replicated until the entire room was filled with hundreds of the most amazing flowers. Surveying his work, he was certain that the herbology professor would most assuredly stand in awe of the delicate flowers he was creating for Minerva.

“Albus, I….” For the second time that morning, Minerva got a shock. She had anticipated seeing Albus, fully dressed and no doubt angry or embarrassed by what had just happened. Instead, she walked back into her sitting room to find it filled with hundreds of flowers, which had not been there before, and Albus standing among them. She could not see his entire body for the numerous flowers protecting his waist and legs but from what she could see, he was still only partially dressed. An intense heat flooded her veins as she locked eyes with him, rooting her to the spot where she stood as he slowly crossed the room to her.

“I owe you an apology, my dear. I thought I could catch a quick shower before you woke. I had intended to be finished and dressed earlier but I couldn’t tear myself away from you. I rather liked holding you in my arms and from the way you groaned when I did break away, I dare say you enjoyed the feeling too.”

“I…you…what do you mean I groaned?” she asked, remembering a particularly vivid dream she had been having shortly before she woke.

Albus laughed. “Just what I said. I started to untangle myself from you and when I went to move your arms you tightened them around me and mumbled something about…mmmm…Albus…so close… or something along those lines.” He watched as her eyes flashed with a multitude of emotions. As he retold the events from his perspective, he watched as her eyes darkened, just as he had imagined they might when she was aroused. He had neglected to tell Minerva that he had brushed her hair back from her neck and shoulders and was lazily trailing his fingertips across her pajama-clad skin for several moments before her mumbled words escaped her pink lips. He had tightened his grip on her and pressed a soft kiss to her temple only seconds after her sleeping declaration. In fact it had been a particularly stirring moment in more ways than one and he was nearly certain that Minerva would not appreciate his member waking her up with its’ insistent nudging. Hence, the shower and the resulting unannounced but certainly not unwelcome visitor into the bathroom.

Minerva still hadn’t responded and Albus chuckled softly. “I intended to be dressed and out the door to see Armando before you found my gift. I hope you can forgive my state of undress.”

Minerva tried to tear her eyes away his form. Her mouth had gone dry and her mind couldn’t seem to form a coherent thought. “You are more than welcome…I mean, I should be the one to apologize. It seems that I keep barging in on you. If you will just excuse me…”

As Minerva turned to hurry back through her bedroom door, Albus’ hand caught hers. With a startled jump, Minerva looked up into his eyes. She at once felt lost in the blue that seemed to delve into her soul. She watched as his gaze searched hers and unconsciously she moved a step toward him. His thumb brushed across her lips and a warm tingling sensation assaulted her senses. Minerva felt his breath flutter across her cheek and her eyes closed in pleasure.

His lips, warm and soft, pressed across her mouth and before she could respond, the contact was broken. She allowed herself to live in the moment for a few more seconds before she opened her eyes. And when she did, she was dismayed to find that she was alone. Minerva sighed and picked up a beautiful red rose. She allowed the heady scent to fill her senses before she turned and headed to her bedroom, her mind swirling as she contemplated all that had transpired that morning.

Albus was walking down the hall, his feelings in turmoil. He should not have taken such liberties with Minerva. Only a few days had passed since she had been spoken for and here he was pushing his intentions upon her. But the sight of her that morning among the dozens of flowers and looking so beautiful, well he couldn’t help himself. He only hoped that she would see it in her heart to forgive him.

All was not happy in the world, however. There was one wizard who had spent the better part of his waking hours brooding and devising plan after plan, none of which seemed suitable for his type of retribution. Minerva had scorned him. Albus had mocked him. And as a result, both should pay dearly. The only question now was how and when they should meet their fates.

The small shack Michael had found in an obscure area outside of Hogsmeade held none of the creature comforts he had grown accustomed to during tenure at Hogwarts. Just thinking of Minerva and Albus enjoying all the things he had been forced to leave behind made his blood boil. What was worse was the fact that they were no doubt enjoying them together while he suffered unjustly in his opinion.

His mind raced with scenario after scenario, devious plan after devious plan. None of them seemed fitting for the amount of anger he held in his heart for them. Minerva had been his for so long and how she could easily replace him in her heart and eventually her bed was beyond his comprehension. In his demented mind, he found it unfathomable that Albus could even come close to giving her the kind of satisfaction that a younger lover could. Even if that younger lover was taking pleasures elsewhere along with whatever Minerva had to give.

No, he had been caught in their bed with another woman but Minerva should understand that she just wasn’t meeting his needs. Yes, it was all her fault that he had to look elsewhere to have his needs attended to and if that hurt her in the end, then she should have been more diligent about performing her duties as his fiancée.

Now, nothing short of absolute humiliation, begging for him to return to their bed, and a vow to never stray from him again would suffice. All of that hinged upon one man…Albus. Once he was out of the picture, Minerva would be too scared to resist him again and he’d have his woman and his dignity back. And that could not happen soon enough.

“Enough of this nonsense! I have a school to run and I can’t do it from this bed.” Headmaster Dippet was growling at the resident mediwitch who was forcefully pushing him back onto the bed as Albus pushed through the doors to the infirmary.

“Armando Zachariah Dippet, if you do not get back in that bed…oh, hello Albus.”

“Hello Jean. Armando.” Albus nodded his head as he came closer to the bickering couple. “How are you feeling today?”

“I am perfectly fine.”

“He is not perfectly fine. He suffered a concussion and is too weak to go back to his duties. What he doesn’t realize is that the school can be left in your very capable hands for one day.”

Albus chuckled as he took in Armando’s scowling face. “If I were you, I would do as she says. I have everything under control. Now if you very lovely wife would allow me just a few minutes of your time, I will take my leave so that you can rest properly.”

Albus’ eyes twinkled as he watched Armando give a deep sigh before shrugging his shoulders. “I suppose it is just as well. If I really did leave, I would most likely have to stay an extra night here as I would be thrown out of our rooms.”

“It is nice to see that you are finally coming around to my way of thinking.” With a kiss on her husband’s head, Jean warned Albus that he only had fifteen minutes and then he had to leave.

“If I didn’t know she loved me…”

“But she does, and a great deal. You know she would not make you stay here unless she felt it was vital to your health.” Albus sat in the sturdy chair next to Armando’s bed.

“She is quite a woman.” Albus watched as Armando’s eyes gazed in the direction his wife had left. But his attention was soon back on his Transfiguration professor. “Now, I can tell you have some news.”

And so Albus shared with Armando the events which occurred on the previous night after he had been taken to the infirmary. “She is fine, only shaken. I took care of the few bruises myself. However, I think it is time that we informed the Ministry of what has happened and I will start the process of finding a temporary Charms instructor, with your permission of course.”

Headmaster Dippet nodded his consent. “Yes, the ministry must be informed. I feel that Michael has not made his last appearance here and if possible I would like to find him before that happens.”

Albus stood, taking Armando’s hand in his own. “I had better take my leave before Jean appears. I would not wish to be on the wrong side of her temper. I will send word as soon as I know something.”

A swirl of green robes flew rather quickly down the corridors towards the previously unused room near the transfiguration classroom. Minerva prided herself on never being late but the events from this morning had certainly caused her mind to wander in so many different directions that it was hard to focus on any one small thing. At that thought, Minerva had to stifle a giggle. There was nothing small about Albus Dumbledore. In fact, he seemed to be just perfect. As the heat from her thoughts settled upon her cheeks, Minerva took several calming breaths before entering her classroom.

“Good Morning. I trust you all are here to enhance your skills should you ever need to defend yourselves. I should not have to warn you that while I will try to make our sessions as enjoyable and as interesting as possible, there will be a lot of hard work. If you are not up to the challenge, then perhaps now would be a good time to find other things to occupy your time.”

[Hogwarts Duo]

After pausing for a long moment, giving any student a chance to make a hasty exit, Minerva began her class with a few demonstrations of blocking spells and counter measures for safety.

“Professor, can you show us the moves you put on Professor Grady?” a rather brash Slytherin student dared to ask from the back of the room.

At first Minerva was unsure how to take his comment. This particular fellow had given her problems in the past and no doubt he was attempting to get a rise out of his professor.

“No I cannot. While you are all quite talented in your own ways, I dare say that none of you are a match for that kind of display…yet. But that’s something I hope we can change by meeting as often as the schedule permits. Now, I need you all to pair off and we will begin our practical lessons.”

Albus stood at the edge of the door and watched Minerva intently. She always held such a command over her classes and while giving them the necessary information and guidance she tried to make her classes somewhat fun and interesting. But the longer he stood in the doorway, the less interested he became in the actual lesson being taught. Rather, his attentions were focused on the woman teaching.

The way the sunlight streamed through the windows and danced across her hair caused it to shine brilliantly. Her curvaceous body moved gracefully about the room, her hips swinging only slightly as she walked. The emerald green robes she wore clung to her womanly figure, teasing and taunting him with every swirl of the fabric and he felt a stirring beginning within him as she looked his way and winked.

Having her in his arms when he woke this morning had been the best feeling in the world. Her warm body snuggled into his and the way her soft voice had protested when he went to move was something he never wished to forget. But he had to ask himself if it was too soon to be entertaining thoughts of a romantic relationship with her. While he wanted nothing more than to make her his own, he needed to ensure that she actually felt something for him and not just because of what had happened with Michael Grady.

The students were practicing throwing low-level jinxes at each other and Albus carefully picked his way toward the object of his thoughts. Just as he was nearing her he caught sight of a sixth-year Slytherin covertly throwing a curse at one of his Gryffindors whose back was turned.

“Mr. Kent, may I ask what it is you think you are doing?” Albus’ voice rang out in the room causing all eyes to lock onto him.

The guilty Slytherin looked wide-eyed and tentatively voiced a nothing sir.

“Since when is jinxing someone whose back is to you proper form?”

Looking abashed the student, one who was planning on pursuing a degree in transfiguration and who Albus had always thought rather highly of, answered in a wavering voice. “It is never appropriate sir.”

“That will be twenty points from Slytherin Mr. Kent and detention with me tomorrow.” Albus turned to speak to the class. “During a duel there are certain rules to be followed as Professor McGonagall stated. However, that does not mean that there are not ways in which you can surprise your opponent or take them off guard.”

Albus watched as Minerva stepped back, an obvious sign that he could take the reins. He looked around the room until his gaze rested on the boy who had just lost his house points. “Mr. Kent, since you seem so interested in learning these tactics, please join me on the platform to help in my demonstration.”

Albus did not wait for a nod of agreement as he climbed the steps at the far end of the dais. The nervous boy swallowed visibly and after straightening his back strode up the steps at the opposite end. They each took a position in front of the other.

“I will not throw a single jinx at Mr. Kent.” The boy visibly relaxed and Albus tried to hide his grin. “However, I will block anything he throws at me as well as creating an atmosphere to catch him off guard.”

The two bowed to each other and took the appropriate number of steps in the opposite direction. When they turned, Mr. Kent threw a disarming spell at Albus, which he blocked easily. His opponent’s face was screwed up in concentration as he hurled spell after spell at him.

Albus waited for the boy to pause in his onslaught and then he started his defense. He softly uttered a spell, waving his wand in a high arch. An icy cold wind whipped around the room causing several shrieks from the audience before it swirled around the Slytherin boy. His robes flew up to block his face and the young man struggled to push them down.

As the spell started to die, Albus uttered an incantation which caused a candy wrapper on the ground to turn into a giant hawk, which screeched in fury before hurtling toward the rafters and circling his opponent below.

Mr. Kent hit the ground covering his head with his arms and Albus used that moment to create a thick fog, which enveloped the classroom. Muffled shouts could be heard and Albus waited a few moments before he shouted finite incantatem.

All was silent, most of the student’s eyes were opened wide in wonder or fear. For a moment, Albus thought he had gone too far and he sought Minerva’s gaze. She smiled at him and nodded. Suddenly applause broke out from a group of his Gryffindors and it didn’t take long for the action to spread like wildfire around the room.

At the conclusion of the class, most of the students took a moment to comment on Albus’ tactics and how exciting the class had been. Minerva had to hide her amusement and enthusiasm when they eagerly asked when the next class would be held and if Professor Dumbledore would be there to assist.

“Seems you have quite the following among the younger generation,” she teased as the last of the students left the classroom. “It would appear that even the young ladies, who were here because of the boys they fancied, are even looking forward to the next class thanks to you.”

Albus shook his head as he looked down into Minerva’s amused face. “You give me too much credit, Minerva. They will be back but not because of me. It’s because of the lovely professor who initiated the club in the first place. Without her insight and boldness, none of this would have been possible.”

Minerva’s eyes took on a sad expression as he spoke. “You mean because of my rash behavior and my Scottish temper, don’t you? After all, let’s not forget the true reason this club was started. It was because of Michael and his whore in MY bed.”

Without giving it a second thought, Albus pulled Minerva into his arms and held her tightly against him. “He was a fool Minerva, as I’ve told you before. He had perfection in his grasp and he let you slip away far too easily.” His voice was now soft and soothing, making Minerva feel like nothing else mattered in the world except being in Albus’ arms.

“How do you do it? How do you always know exactly what to say to make me feel better?”

“I just speak from my heart and hope that your heart will listen to what I am saying.” Albus swallowed hard and then drew back from her a bit to look into her face. “Minerva, about this morning…I owe you an apology. I fear I overstepped my bounds in your rooms when I…”

“When you kissed me?” Albus nodded his head slowly, unsure if he was about to experience her wrath first hand. “You do owe me an apology. You didn’t even give me a chance to properly respond to your kiss one way or the other before you dashed from the room.” Minerva’s face was unreadable as he searched for answers. “Perhaps you should give a woman a chance to answer your heart when you make such a bold and wonderful move on her.”

Albus instinctively licked his lips as he felt the air around them grow thick with anticipation. His breathing had grown shallow and from the warmth spreading through his body, he knew this was the moment he had waited on for quite some time. “Minerva, I need to know that I’m not taking advantage of you and the situation. I wouldn’t want you to think I was trying to make advances upon you so soon after your break up with Michael.”

“Silly Albus. Have you not been listening to what I’ve been saying all this time? I realize that I’ve never truly loved him. There was always someone else who seemed to hold the key to my heart only he never knew it. And from the sounds of it, he still doesn’t seem to recognize it.”

Minerva took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his. Her tongue darted out to lick at her lips in anticipation and she smiled as she noticed that Albus’ gaze was drawn to that simple act. His eyes darkened in color as her lips neared his own. Her eyes fluttered closed as they met, a spark of need and want coursed down her spine as his soft lips slanted across her own.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, drawing him closer to her. She cherished the hardness of his body pressed up against her curves. She sighed in pleasure as his tongue asked for entrance to her mouth. She complied with his request and felt her body respond in a haze of fiery emotion. Her love for him, the powerful emotion which had always been there hidden from even her own awareness, was poured into every caress, lick and nip of her response to his searching tongue.

Laughter down the corridor caused them to break apart a little earlier than Minerva would have liked. However, she realized that they were in a compromising position and the last thing she needed was for Armando to get wind of his Deputy and Defense professor kissing in a classroom. Albus eyes seemed unfocused as he looked at her and Minerva had to hide the smile that threatened to take over.

Taking his arm in hers, she reached up with her opposite hand and trailed a finger along his moist lips. “Perhaps you would care to walk me to my rooms, Professor Dumbledore. I think our…discussion…will be best continued by a warm fire.”

Albus’ eyes cleared after a moment and his face took on a glow as his mouth curved into a smile. “It would be my pleasure, Professor McGonagall.”

The distance between the classroom and Minerva’s private chambers had never seemed greater than it did as they searched for privacy. Miles and miles seemed to stretch between the two points but with quick, lighthearted steps, they were soon standing at the threshold of something new and exciting. With a smile and a softly spoken phrase, the portrait moved aside, permitting them sanctuary from the outside world.

As soon as the outer door closed, Albus reached his arm around Minerva’s waist and drew her to him but was suddenly stopped by her hand on his chest. “Wards, first. I don’t want any interruptions,” she replied in answer to his unasked question. “I wasn’t ready to break that kiss but we had no choice in the matter.” Her voice turned husky, something he had never heard coming from her before. “And I was hoping we might try it again without the threat of intruders or prying eyes.”

Albus swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He couldn’t believe his luck. He was actually standing in Minerva’s rooms, listening to her tell him that she had enjoyed their brief interlude as much as he. Drawing his wand, he pointed it at the door and cast the strongest charms and wards upon the oak barrier, ensuring that nothing and no one could enter without their consent. As soon as the last syllable fell from his mouth, he felt her soft lips pressing against the side of his neck.

A powerful new feeling swept through Minerva as she listened to Albus cast the necessary spells on the rooms. She couldn’t remember a time when she had felt so many emotions all at once. Love, warmth, want, need, desire, passion, and understanding all blended together to create a new sexy being within her. Pulling him over to the large burgundy sofa she motioned for him to make himself comfortable as she snuggled up beside him.

“Minerva, I…” Albus lost all train of thought as he watched Minerva deftly remove the pins holding her hair in place. The firelight danced across the long tresses, bathing her features in the softest light as she shook the strands loose and ran her fingers through her hair. She noticed his sudden quietness seconds before her eyes locked with his, her hands dropping to rest on his broad chest.

“See something interesting?” she purred, her face mere inches from his.

His hand came up to her cheek, his thumb brushing easily over her rosy and slightly swollen lips. The softness and warmth of her mouth against his flashed in his mind and before he could think, he had pulled her into his arms. “I see something I want,” was his answer before his lips skimmed across hers teasingly yet with a hunger.

Minerva’s body tingled deliciously as his lips nibbled across her jaw until she could feel his breath blowing softly on her ear. Her breath hitched in her chest, as her heart fluttered maddeningly.

“Hmmm, as much as I would enjoy tasting all of you, and I do mean all of you…” Albus’ tongue darted out of his mouth and swirled across her lobe as she struggled to keep breathing. “…I think we need to take a moment to discuss our burgeoning relationship.”

Albus leaned back from Minerva and she felt her body ache at his parting. “Albus, I told you that you are not taking advantage of me. In fact, I rather think I would like you to take more advantage of me than you are.”

Minerva’s hand reached out to pull him back to her but Albus deftly caught her hand and pulled it to his lips for a kiss. “My dear, as enticing a request as that is coming from your lips, I am afraid I can not. You see, I care for you a great deal and I do not want to rush you into a relationship with me.” Albus held up his hand to forestall any of her arguments. “I know what you said Minerva but you have been through an emotionally turbulent time. And to be selfish, I have always wanted to court you, to woo you in a manner in which you deserve. You are perfection and as such, you deserve the best I have to offer.”

“Oh Albus.” Minerva felt her heart melt and she reached out and brushed her lips across his, which were still slightly parted from speaking.

Albus broke away reluctantly and stood. Twirling his wand, a single rose appeared in his hand. “Minerva McGonagall, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to dinner this coming Saturday?”

Minerva smiled, her face infusing with a blush. She was pleased, surprised and flattered by the attention. And although she didn’t find it necessary, she couldn’t help but want to be courted. “It would be my pleasure, Albus.”

TBC…but only one more chapter to go! Thanks for all of your reviews!

[zoeteproet]

Wonderful, your writing style is amazing. When I read these chapters I can only think of story, not even my cat could distract me, although he tried. As long as he doesn't jump on the keyboard I don't mind. ;D
Anyway, I hope Michael will leave Hogwarts soon and may Albus & Min live happy ever after.

[alison]

Very nice storyline...I like the way you've developed the complications. Your writing style is lovely as well-you include enough details to give the story life and make it seem real without slowing the pace of the action. Thanks again for sharing!

[Trulyamused]

Michael's comeuppance is on its way, I do declare. 'Oh yeah'

And you are about to get a bit true romance or Albus and Minerva. 'Yesss'

Terrific story ladies.

Truly

[furandfeathers]

This just keeps getting better! I can't wait for the next installment

*L

[Tabby67]

ACK!! One chapter left?! *tear* But I'm gonna miss it....lol Great job ladies. This is spanktaculous!! (very good) I can't wait to see what happens next.

Oh, a little something for Michael....

*beats with Albus' FULL sherbet lemon bag* hehehehehehe......Anyhoo, update soon!!

~Bradna~

[Jessabelle]

Excellent! I love that Albus is such a gentleman. I can't wait for the next update! This fic will be the perfect length to reread over and over!
- Jess

[Herzele]

Wow ! Another great chapter !! That is a wonderful story ! I'm sooooo sorry to hear that there's only one more chapter left ...

I loved it when Min walked in on him ... ;D

Now the only thing they need to do is catch Michael ...

[kankulex]

gasp! wonderful! I'm looking forward to the last chapter!

[tayryn]

mmm... kissage. i love kissage. i just get a nice happy feeling when there's kissage!!

yet another new chapter!!

[Hogwarts Duo]

Chapter 6

After days and days in hiding, Michael Grady was nearly going mad. He had schemed and plotted his revenge against Minerva and Albus a thousand times, each time finding a flaw in his seemingly master plan. Feeling particularly edgy, he decided to slightly alter his appearance and head into town for a stroll and perhaps a bite to eat. It was then that he stumbled across a rather intriguing bit of news regarding Minerva.

“So you see, Titian, I would like a nice table overlooking the loch. The best you have and spare no expense.”

“She must be special for you to go to so much trouble for one evening.” Titian had known Albus since their days in Hogwarts together and in all that time he had never known his friend to go to such great lengths for a woman. Sure he had been on his share of dates and outings with women, but there was something different, something special about this particular one and it showed in those famous blue eyes.

“Oh she is, my friend. She’s the kind of woman legends are made of. She…”

“Legends you say? That’s some woman, then. Are you sure you can handle her?” Titian gave his friend a teasing jab in the ribs. “Sounds like she’s a bit of a spitfire and you’re not the young man who left school ages ago.”

“Ah, but that’s just it. She can’t be tamed nor would I dream of trying. She’s amazingly beautiful and incredibly powerful in her own rite. But she has this rare ability to turn my world upside down with just a simple smile, a look, a touch.”

“A kiss?” The esteemed owner of the restaurant walked over to the best table in the house and extended his hand towards the waters dancing below. “It would seem that this woman, whomever she may be, has bewitched you in a way I’ve never seen before. And who am I to refuse the opportunity to meet such an incredible woman? Care to tell me her name?”

“Minerva…like the goddess.” Albus smiled to himself, thinking how appropriate her name was for her, at least in his eyes. “I can’t thank you enough. We’ll be here Saturday around seven. Make sure the best chef you have is working that night. I really want this to be perfect. I want to show her what it’s like to be cherished and wooed from the heart.”

Michael sat in a nearby corner eating a meager sandwich and salad from the lunch menu. He couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between the owner of the restaurant and Albus, his nemesis, and he took in all the details with great enthusiasm. A wicked smile curled upon his lips as he digested the new information and dreamed up a new way to create trouble in paradise for his Minerva and the man who was trying to take his place by her side.

Late Friday night Michael waited in the shadows of the shop across the street from the restaurant. It had closed a few hours earlier and he had watched as first the wait staff had gone home and then the owner. The only people left was the kitchen staff, probably staying late to make sure everything was in place for Albus’ visit the following day. He rolled the plan over in his head once again looking for any holes, any ways which he could get caught. He decided after several minutes that it was indeed as brilliant as he presumed it was when it first came to him.

Michael started to chuckle as he thought about the outcome of his plan. The eerie sound tumbled down the deserted street. As all became quiet once again, the door to the restaurant opened. A tall, scrawny boy who looked to be in his early twenties came out followed by a more distinguished looking wizard. The older wizard pointed at the boy after he had locked the door and cast a few wards.

“Don’t be late tomorrow Sean or Titian will have both our heads. Tomorrow must be perfect! Remember your shift starts at three and not a minute later.”

The boy nodded his head and skulked off in the opposite direction of his boss. He shoved his hands in his pockets with his wand nowhere to be seen. Michael could here him muttering to himself and smirked. This would be easier than even he anticipated. He followed the slouching boy always making sure to stay out of sight. As they exited the main part of town just a couple of minutes later, Sean took a sharp left and made his way to some small houses that were always up for rent in the less desirable section of Hogsmeade.

Finally deciding to make his move, Michael stepped out of the dark shadows and pointed his wand at the boy’s back. A flash of light was the only disturbance as Sean’s body crumbled to the ground. Michael quickly made his way to the boy’s side and once satisfied with his stunning spell’s effectiveness, he levitated his body to a hiding place in the woods.

Minerva sighed and threw her hands up in utter disgust. She had tried on several sets of robes for this evening and nothing seemed to look appropriate for her date with Albus. All he had told her was that they were going out to dinner and perhaps a little adventure afterwards but no matter how hard she tried he was giving no additional information, which both frustrated and excited her. She couldn’t help but feel giddy about her date with him. Never before had she been treated so wonderfully by a man who had made every effort to take into account her feelings and preferences on every aspect of their relationship. Albus had always been there for her and now she knew why. It was love, pure and simple, the kind that blossomed from friendship into something so much more meaningful and deeper than anyone could fathom.

Stealing a glance at the clock by her bed, Minerva jumped up in a startled rush. She only had half an hour to get ready. Deciding to finish her hair and what little make-up she used, she raced to the bathroom, leaving behind her robes decision for a little later.

Back in his own rooms, Albus was whistling a jolly tune to himself as he combed his beard and dabbed a little cologne onto his hands then his cheeks. He gave his reflection a wink, thinking that in a very short while he would be standing at the threshold of Minerva’s door ready to embark on a new chapter in their friendship. For so long now, he had longed to court her and show her just how romantic life could be and now was his chance.

With a spring in his step, Albus made his way back into his bedroom to finally dress for the occasion. Deciding what to wear hadn’t been a difficult task at all. Recently, he had ordered a new set of plum colored robes with silver lining around the sleeves and the hem and Minerva had been in his office when they arrived. As soon as he pulled them from the box, her eyes had lit up and she had practically gushed over the color and the designs on the sleeves. Since then, he had waited for a special occasion at which to wear them and nothing was as special to him as this first date with her, making them the obvious choice of attire.

Earlier in the day he had stopped by the greenhouse to gather a bunch of flowers of all varieties and assembled them into a bouquet. Thinking of how much Minerva loved her beloved Scotland and her family heritage, he conjured a silky ribbon with her family tartan and tied the stems of the flowers together. Picking them up from the vase filled with water, he cast a nourishment spell on the flowers so that they would stay beautiful much longer than a normal arrangement and set off to Minerva’s rooms.

Minerva looked at her reflection in the mirror, finally happy with what she saw in the glass. At the last minute, she had remembered a set of robes tucked away in the back of her wardrobe, ones she had never worn before since they seemed much too flamboyant for her everyday attire. But tonight was different. Tonight she wanted to knock Albus Dumbledore’s socks off, not that she really needed to go out of her way to grab his attention. A familiar knock on her door caused her heart to beat faster. Albus had arrived and he was not a minute early or late. Even in courting her, he was perfection.

Minerva sprayed a wisp of her favorite perfume on her neck and wrists and darted to answer the door. When she opened it, her eyes lit up at the sight of the handsome wizard standing there with the prettiest bunch of flowers she had seen in quite some time. Michael never believed in spending money on flowers or little tokens of affection, saying it was merely a waste of his hard earned galleons since the flowers would die, the candies would be eaten and any trinkets would merely collect dust.

“Albus, they’re beautiful,” she exclaimed. “And you certainly make a handsome date tonight. Those robes look splendid on you. I knew they would.”

Albus’ eyes twinkled happily, knowing that he had already brought some small amount of joy to Minerva’s face this evening. “And might I say how ravishing you look? That color suits you perfectly, my dear,” he said leaning forward to press a soft kiss to her cheek. “And your perfume is intoxicating. I don’t believe you wear that often, do you?” She shook her head. Michael was not overly fond of perfumes either, or so he said, so she had rarely been given a chance to wear the fragrance.

After much deliberation and frustration, Minerva had settled on a set of dark blue robes which molded perfectly to her body. They were so blue in fact that they almost looked purplish black if caught in just the right light. The fabric was a special blend of material that seemed to shimmer as the soft light danced around the fringes, only adding to the overall appeal of the attire. With Minerva’s long, dark hair loosely flowing around her shoulders and down her back, she looked stunning and the happiness in her heart shone easily in her emerald eyes.

After the initial compliments had been exchanged and Minerva had seen that her flowers were put into a vase of water beside her bed, they walked arm and arm into Hogsmeade village leisurely. Albus had planned everything down to the very last detail, leaving nothing to chance. And as they strolled towards the restaurant, their conversation was lighthearted and playful, something they had grown to appreciate in their long friendship.

Little did the happy couple know just how close they were to the dangers lurking nearby. Michael had managed to slip into the kitchen at Titian’s restaurant and was quietly biding his time waiting on Albus and Minerva to enter. He had worked through this plot so many times his mind had gone numb. He had calculated every move, every step, every possible outcome and to him, they were all to his advantage. All he needed to do was remain calm and try not to draw attention to himself before the appointed time. It wouldn’t be long before he was being sought after by everyone in Hogsmeade and possibly London but by the time they found him, Minerva would be history and he would be long gone to parts unknown, leaving the arrogant Albus Dumbledore to wallow in pity, guilt, and abject sorrow.

When he saw Minerva enter the restaurant, his breath caught in his throat. Suddenly, he remembered just how lucky he had been to share her life, her home and even her bed. Memories of quiet nights spent together as well as passionate days flooded his mind as he stared at the woman he had once loved beyond all others. The way her robes clung to her shapely figure caused his mouth to go suddenly dry and he felt a long forgotten twinge at the base of his spine as it began to radiate to other parts of his body. A wicked smile curled upon his lips. If he was careful, he might just have time to enjoy her delights once more before the final deed was done and he had to leave her body behind. Yes, he thought, one last taste of Minerva’s sweet treasure and something else for Albus to mourn when he learned the truth of her final moments.

As soon as Titian saw Albus and Minerva enter, he made his way towards them and promptly introduced himself to the lovely lady on Albus’ arm. “I must say, old chap, she’s much too good for you and you’d better hold on tightly to this one,” he teased while jabbing Albus’ in the ribs.

“Oh I intend to hold on to her with all my might. I worked too hard to win her love and trust and I’ll not let anything or anyone come between us. Now if you don’t mind, I believe you have a table waiting for us in a very secluded corner where we can relax and enjoy the wonderful food and atmosphere.”

“Indeed I do. Best table in the house but I have bad news. Seems the chef you requested didn’t show up for work today and he hasn’t been seen since last night when he left. But not to worry, I hired someone just this morning. He’s new in the area so I’ll let you give me your honest opinion after the meal.”

“If there’s one thing Albus knows, it’s good food so I’m sure he won’t hesitate to give you his honest opinion,” Minerva added teasingly. “And as long as the chef can make a decadent dessert with lots of chocolate, he’ll receive nothing but rave reviews from our connoisseur of all things sweet.” Minerva smiled at Titian as she slid her leg along Albus’ calf beneath the table in a seductive and rather bold move.

“Indeed. You seem to know young Albus here rather well and you still agreed to come out with him in public. This must be love,” he joked as he started to walk away, chuckling to himself. “I’ll send Hyacinth over with a bottle of our finest wine…compliments of the house,” he called back to them.

When Titian was a safe distance from the table, Albus leaned across and kissed Minerva softly on the lips. “Mmm, best appetizer on the menu,” he added as he returned to his seat and moved his leg against hers. “I could go home right now and never once think of dinner.”

“Ah, but the longer you wait for it, the better it will be. Anticipation is half the fun of getting something, is it not?” Minerva’s tone had turned husky, something which started a fire deep within Albus’ body. Her voice was low and held so much promise of an evening filled with passion and love.

“Agreed but why should one wait on the best part of the meal? Shouldn’t you start with the crème de la crème and work your way backwards?” He took her hand in his and used this thumb to begin rubbing sensual circles along her palm. “One can always make time for real food but the food for the heart and soul is spontaneous and unpredictable. It must be cherished and protected, nurtured and explored, encouraged to grow while forming deep, lasting roots.”

His voice has started out playful with a tinge of seriousness but by the last syllable, there was no mistaking the sexual tension between them. Minerva was finding it hard to tear her eyes away from his, yet knowing if she didn’t they would never make it through dinner. The pad of his thumb working tirelessly on her palm was setting every nerve in her body on edge, something she knew only he could do. She was just about to reply when a lovely waitress, a few years younger than Minerva, approached their table with two glasses and a bottle of wine.

[Hogwarts Duo]

“Albie, dear. Where have you been?” she asked as she slid up next to him and used her hip to bump into him. “I thought you were going to owl me with the time and place for our next little…ahem…escapade? I waited for days and days, hoping you’d floo or owl. You know how frisky I get after having a taste of you. You left much too quickly last time and I wasn’t nearly finished with you.”

Hyacinth set the wine bottle and glasses on the table, completely ignoring Albus’ dinner companion. She took Albus’ face in her hands and was about to lean forward in the hopes of obtaining a kiss when he grabbed both of her wrists and pushed her away.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about! I have never…we’ve never. What’s gotten into you?” he all but bellowed at the young woman still trying to slither into his lap. “Minerva, I swear…I’ve never so much as laid a finger on her. We’ve never shared…well, what she’s suggesting.”

“Don’t lie Albus. You know as well as I that you were insatiable that night….begging me to never stop. Calling my name as you lost all control. Promising me the world and all its’ riches.”

Minerva could feel the anger bubbling up inside her. Hyacinth reminded her of the woman with whom Michael had spent his latest romp and it brought all of those feelings rushing to the surface. Fortunately for her and for Albus, she could see the surprise and absolute horror in Albus’ eyes at what the woman was suggesting. Also having the privilege of knowing Albus as she did, she was confident that he would never treat a woman in such a manner as was being suggested.

“HOW DARE YOU? HOW DARE YOU EVEN SUGGEST SUCH A THING…” she began to rant as Albus jumped to his feet. By this time, everyone in the restaurant was staring intently at the commotion and craning their necks to see what was happening.

Michael was lurking in the background, smirking to himself as he watched his master plan unfold. He had not counted on Minerva jumping so quickly to Albus’ defense, though in hindsight it should have been glaringly obvious. Still, his concentration never wavered enough to break the Imperious curse he had placed on Hyacinth.

With everyone else gawking at the scene unfolding and the loud shouts and protests coming from the once romantic table in the corner, Michael began to make his move. As Hyacinth lunged forward and forcefully tried to kiss Albus, he managed to snake his arm around Minerva’s waist and activate the portkey he had planted in his pocket. By the time Albus had pushed Hyacinth to the floor, Minerva was gone and onlookers began shouting that someone had taken her away by portkey.

Immediately Albus’ heart sank. There could be no question as to the culprit and there wasn’t a moment to lose. Titian promised to take care of Hyacinth while Albus summoned his phoenix to him and hastily contacted Armando Dippet and the Ministry officials.

“Tell them Michael Grady has her and I am not coming back without her, even if it means killing him in the process. He had to have placed the Imperious curse on Hyacinth. I don’t believe she would ever do something like this on her own so don’t let the aurors take her to Azkaban. She’s to go to the Ministry and wait!” Titian nodded his head in agreement as he grappled with the events rapidly unfolding before his very eyes.

In a burst of orange and red flames, the phoenix appeared and Albus cast the incantation which would take him straight to Minerva. With one last look at his friend, he suddenly disappeared and was whisked away to an abandoned house in the outskirts of Hogsmeade.

Albus knew the house well. It had been vacant for some time and the villagers had often talked of removing it and placing a garden in this very spot. It was far enough out of town that no one would bother him and it would serve as the perfect hideout for someone who did not wish to be found quickly. As he neared the shack, he could hear Minerva’s voice, yelling at the top of her lungs at her captor.

“Sick…demented…obnoxious…egotistical…son of a…” Minerva spat out a list of expletives as she struggled to free her hands from the magical binding keeping her from hexing him into a million bits.

“ENOUGH!!! You’ve made me suffer for too many days. Now it’s your turn to repay me and trust me, it will be rewarding for me and unfortunate for you. I hope your beloved Dumbledore will appreciate the way I leave your body.” His chilling voice fell on Albus’ ears, causing a rage like none other he had experienced to flood his entire being. “Yes, I wonder how he’ll feel when he sees that we shared one last intimate coupling before you became violent and I was forced to defend myself?”

“He’ll hunt you down and kill you with his bare hands…if I don’t do it first,” she spat back vehemently. “You thought you were so much better than Albus. Hell, you’re not even half the man he is. You had your chance with me and what did you do? You squandered it with another woman…many women probably. And you know what…you did me a favor! I might have actually married you and been forced to live with your barbaric behavior. And to think I actually gave myself to you. It disgusts me…”

“Oh that’s rich coming from you. You never loved me. It was always HIM! I heard you whisper his name in your sleep. I saw the way you looked at each other. And talk of disgusting…Minerva he’s old enough to be your grandfather yet you would easily warm his sheets and give your glorious young body to him. That’s beyond nauseating to me. What could he ever give you that someone young and attractive like me couldn’t?”

Albus made himself invisible and boldly peered through the broken window pane, surveying the scene before him yet listening intently to the argument between Minerva and Michael.

“He gives me something you never could. He gives me his heart, his love, his devotion. He gives me a sense of self worth and he isn’t afraid to let me be myself. He treats me as an equal, a partner, not some plaything to be paraded about upon a whim.”

Michael’s anger boiled over as he slapped Minerva hard across the face, leaving a visible mark. Never one to give in easily, Minerva merely smirked. “And that’s something else you two don’t have in common. Albus would NEVER hit a woman…ever! You two are worlds apart…in and out of the bedroom.” A bit of malice shown in her eyes. “He’s so good in bed. He makes me moan and scream his name by simply touching me. He does things to my body you only dream of doing and it feels so damn good to have him hold me against his naked body. Yes, he might be older than both of us combined, but bloody hell he knows how to make love to a woman. You…you just have sex with them for your own sadistic pleasure, making you a shell of a man. You should take a few tips from him. Hell, it would do you a world of good and I’m sure your whores would appreciate the upgrade in your techniques. They might actually be satisfied…halfway…for a change!”

“You bloody bitch. You want technique? I’ll show you who’s the better man. You’ll beg me to never stop touching you once you’ve had a taste of a younger man again.” Albus saw Michael strut over to Minerva and raise his wand, ultimately slicing through her beautiful gown to reveal her creamy skin, scantily covered by a delicate lace camisole. He raised a hand slowly, drawing out the tension as he neared her chest. Just as he was about to roughly grab her breast, Albus burst into the room and immediately began shouting hexes and spells in the direction of Michael Grady.

Caught completely off guard, he stumbled and stammered about, hoping to deflect the spells until he could effectively cast one at Albus. But Albus was too intent on saving Minerva, too intent on making Michael pay for all the harm he had caused to the most amazing women he had ever known.

Pausing instantaneously to try and release Minerva from her bondage gave Michael enough time to cast the cruciatus curse at Albus. Fighting with all his might against the effects, he refused to let the man hear his painful cries. Instead, he focused his eyes on Minerva and willed himself into another place and another time, when they were together and happy. Wave after painful wave washed over him as Michael held the curse. But just when Albus didn’t think he could stand another second, Michael stopped and his shrill laughter pierced the air.

“See Minerva…your lover isn’t all that he’s cracked up to be, now is he? You should have stayed with the better man but it’s better this way. Now he can watch as I take you one last time…as I make you beg for my touch. Then, when I am satisfied, I’ll kill you and leave him to explain the rest…perhaps.” Turning his attentions back towards Albus, Michael glared at the man struggling to his feet, his wand clutched tightly in his hand.

“Lay one finger on her and I’ll kill you with my bare hands.” The determination in Albus’ voice was clear, as was his intent on protecting Minerva…even if that meant his own death.

“You can’t even stand up without the aid of a cane, much less harm me. And they call you a powerful wizard. You’re pathetic!”

“Power isn’t all in the wand or the skill. It’s knowing your opponent and knowing how to outwit him. You…you’re an easy one to outwit. You are your own worst enemy, though Minerva and I thank you for that.”

Just as Michael was about to cast another Cruciatus on Albus, a brilliant ball of fire appeared in the room, along with a dozen aurors all clinging desperately to the phoenix tale. Michael was surrounded by angry men with wands pointed directly at him.

“I told you that you were easy to outwit.” Albus released Minerva’s bonds and she flew into his arms, helping him stand and seeking solace in the nearness of him. “Minerva’s bracelet…the one I gave her for the dueling club…I charmed it. At any moment in time, Fawkes would know exactly where she could be found. After you tried to attack her the first time, I asked her to wear it daily just in case she should need to defend herself from the likes of you. Thanks to her bracelet and willingness to compromise with me, you are going to Azkaban…for a very long time.”

“You could have had it all, Minerva. We could have been great together. I hope you’re happy with your old man! I’m sure he’ll get all he can from you then dump you by the wayside for someone prettier and younger who can satisfy his carnal needs!”

“Michael Grady you are charged with two Unforgiveables. You will be taken directly to Azkaban prison to await your sentencing. I’m sure the dementors are going to love having a new guest,” quipped one eager auror.

With Michael transported to the wizarding prison, Albus and Minerva were left alone in the dismal shack.

“Let’s go home, please Albus. You need a soothing potion and I need your arms around me.” Minerva held out her hand to Fawkes and asked him to take them back to Hogwarts. Before she could blink twice, they were safely back in Albus’ chambers.

“I’m sorry Minerva. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you better. You should never have had to face that man again and certainly not hear those awful things he said to you.”

“Stop that right now! You did the right thing. You gave me my independence yet you did all you could to protect me. The things he said…none of them are true. I don’t see you as old or unable to satisfy me in any way. You’re the only man I’ll ever need in my life and I will be faithful to you. I know now that all this time I was with him, it was you I wanted. It was you I fantasized about at night…your face I saw when making love to him.”

Albus felt warm tears prickling in his eyes as he listened to her declaration. “I love you too and I swear I will remain faithful to you. You are my world and I’d gladly give my life to spare yours.” Despite the after effects of the unforgivable curse, Albus pulled Minerva into his arms, kissing her soundly on the lips. When they pulled apart, Minerva rested her forehead against Albus chest and took a long, deep breath.

“I’ll contact the mediwitch and have her send a potion to calm your muscles and relieve the lingering effects. Then we’re going to curl up together in bed and spend the rest of our date just holding each other.”

“You mean you’re sending me to bed without my dessert?” His eyes twinkled furiously as a sly grin formed on his mouth.

“Oh quite the contrary. I am one step ahead of you. If you’re a cooperative lad, I’ll contact the kitchens and have them send up your favorite chocolate dessert. And when we’re done with that, we’ll see about other types of desserts,” she teased as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him again. Without waiting for him to make a move, Minerva deepened the kiss, letting him know exactly what she had in mind for later.

True, it wasn’t an ideal first date but it was certainly memorable. Despite all of Michael’s conniving and devious acts, Albus and Minerva found each other, forming a bond which could never be broken.

As they lay together among the tangled sheets of Albus’ large bed, Minerva rested her head on his chest while her nimble fingers toyed with the auburn hairs of his chest. They had been laying there for quite some time, enjoying the comfortable silence and letting their bodies recuperate from their strenuous displays of affection but Minerva had something on her mind.

“Albus, have you ever had a dream that seemed so real that you felt you had actually lived it?”

He thought for a moment then smiled. “Once, I had a dream. I was quite a bit younger. In fact, I was still a student at Hogwarts and I dreamed a beautiful raven haired woman appeared out of nowhere. I was the only one who could see her yet she was as real as the castle walls.”

Minerva gasped slightly as Albus told her of his vision from his youth.

“I have known it for decades but I was afraid you wouldn’t remember the encounter. I recognized you immediately when you entered the school but it would have been highly inappropriate for me to say anything. And I wasn’t even sure if you would want to fulfill that part of your destiny, though in my heart, I had hoped that one day perhaps you’d find it in your heart.”

“I had the dream the first night I stayed in your rooms…the night I hexed Michael. I thought at first it was only my mind playing tricks on me but there was a familiarity to it and it felt so right…so real. I woke up and I could still feel my cheek tingling from where you kissed it.”

“I meant what I said to you that night. I told you I’d wait until you were part of my world and that is exactly what I tried to do. I didn’t want to pressure you, in case you didn’t remember. You had to come to me because you wanted our futures to blend together. You had to desire the same thing for our lives before I would even impose the past and present upon you.”

“I want it, Albus. I want our lives to be forever entwined and to grow together. I can’t remember a time when I’ve felt happier after a dream than I did that next morning. It was beautiful.”

“You were beautiful. You ARE beautiful, in ever sense of the word.” He leaned down and kissed her softly, starting on her cheek then working all about her face and neck teasingly as the minutes slowly morphed into the wee hours of morning.

A few days later, Michael was sentenced to a lifetime in Azkaban for casting not one but two unforgivable curses at Albus Dumbledore, for kidnapping Minerva McGonagall with malicious intent, and for attacking Armando Dippet.

Meanwhile, Albus and Minerva continued to nurture their love, watching it blossom into a beautiful and irreplaceable bond.

The End.

[furandfeathers]

oooh, excitement! I get to review first

This was FANTASTIC! I loved this story and I'm very sad that it's over. Great job!

*Lizz

[Herzele]

I'm so sorry to see this story end ... It was wonderful !!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad that they caught Michael ...

Perfect end to a fantastic story !

[Trulyamused]

Beautiful end to a wonderful story.

Excellent work.

Truly

[kankulex]

go Min! Tell this bastard what you think... yay! And then there's albus to save the fair lady! Great end to a brilliant story!

[lemonygingersnaps]

Very nice!

[Jessabelle]

Michael's plan certainly did seem fool proof, but I had forgotten about the bracelet altogether. Excellent work! Thank-you so much for sharing the fic!
- Jess

[tayryn]

oh... that was beautiful! just beautiful!!

yet another wonderful story from you, ladies!!

i am a little sad that Minerva didn't get to deck Michael... lol... but all in all... i loved this!

[Tabby67]

Wonderful job ladies!! I love it! Never have I hated a man like I did Michael. Grr...*smacks him* Sorry, eveil Branda right there.

Wonderful job, as always. I hate to see end, but....All good things must come to a close.

~Branda~

[zoeteproet]

Amazing story, ladies, I'm sad this was the last chapter.