Is That My Daughter?

[Jestana]

Yay, Brianna knows! *cheers* I just wish she hadn't gotten sick. *sniffle* I think Albus and Minerva being a little nervous about Brianna's reaction is perfectly understandable. I'd be worried myself in their positions. Oh, smoochies! Yay! *giggle* Good job!

[QuillofMinerva]

Oh now that was an interesting chapter, completely unexpected twist with Brianna’s illness.

Im glad that Albus and Minerva are not uncomfortable around each other now but I can't wait to see Brianna's reaction to the news....i wonder if she will be angry with Minerva and refuse to see her and then Albus makes her see sense, or something completely different

Thank you again for taking up my challenge, you are doing a great job

Clayre xxx

[TabbyForever]

Awwww bless them both!!!!
I'm with christy i think....it'll be ver interesting to see how she reacts!!!
I like very much the way your dealing with the two of them coming to terms with the situation!!!
Its a fab story!!
Welldone mate!!
J

[griseldalafey]

Yay! An update I like the way you're taking this. I hope they managed to work things out.

[Nerweniel]

I should sooo be asleep right now but well, screw piano classes, this was wonderful ;D! I'm so glad they finally kissed, three squees for you for such a believable, somewhat sad yet nice chapter! Squee squee squee!!

Love,

Lies

[Lady Lavendar]

Love the new chapter! It's fab! I wonder what the kid's reaction will be. Hope 2 c the next chap up soon!

LL

ps. Happy late turkey day to all u americans out there! And the rest of u have a peachy or splended day !!! Your choice on which 1 to have.

[Isabelle]

This is awesome! I didn't get a chance to review the last one but it was just a great as this one! I'm so glad that Brianna knows now. I hope her reaction won't be too extreme although I will understand if it is.

Liz

[max]

<makes puppy eyes> I want more! You know, I was a good girl, working all day. And now I think I'd deserve a little more of your wonderful story.

Yours
Max

[ginger newts]

Chapter 4

After a few moments Minerva looked up slowly to see Albus watching her. She had never witnessed such intense emotions as she could see shining in his eyes now, intense and conflicted. He leaned down to kiss her again, but Minerva pulled back just before his lips made contact with hers and looked down.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

She didn’t realize that somehow their hands had joined until Albus removed his left hand from her right and used it to raise her chin so she was looking him in the eye again. “What do you want, Minerva?” he asked calmly, but seriously. “I have to know before anything else happens.”

There was a pause while she collected her thoughts, “I want you, Albus, in my heart and in my life, but we can’t have any negative feelings between us. We have to start this with complete understanding.”

He waited for her to continue and after another pause she spoke very quietly, “You’ve said you love me and I believe that, but I have to know all your feelings. Do you resent me for not telling you and for waiting so long to tell Brianna?”

“Honestly?” She nodded. “I did at first, I was angry that you had deprived me of the chance to be a father. But now I realize that we can’t take back our actions in the past and that I behaved foolishly as well. It’s partly my fault that I never got to know my daughter. I would like very much to start again and build a life together as a family.”

“I’d like that too,” Minerva said. “Brianna needs a father and I’ve spent nearly twelve years missing you.” She paused and let her confusion show in her eyes, “Somehow, I feel like we should take this slowly, but on the other hand we’ve got a lot of time to make up for.”

Albus smiled, “Well now that we know we both want the same thing we can at least move forward. I can’t spend much time away from the school, but maybe you and I could spend some more time together talking about something other than Brianna.”

“That would be nice.” Minerva thought for a moment, “Albus?”

“Hmm?”

She pulled herself up on tiptoe and pressed her lips tentatively to his. Just as she was about to pull back Minerva felt Albus’ arms encircle her. One around her waist as the other supported the back of her head. Her arms found their way up his chest and around his neck. They both poured twelve years of love and longing into the kiss, but could tell the other was holding something back. It would still take time and a lot of work to make this relationship work out.

When the kiss ended, Minerva leaned her head against Albus’ shoulder, reluctant to leave their embrace. She felt warm and safe and fairly comfortable in his arms, it was exactly where she had always wanted to be.

“I’ve missed you,” she murmured honestly.

His hands started rubbing absent mindedly over her back. “And I you,” he whispered back.

Before they had a chance to say anything more, Fawkes burst into the room. Minerva’s heart skipped a beat, Brianna was ready to talk. Albus moved toward the door and then realized that Minerva was frozen to the spot looking scared. He walked over and gently wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders, guiding her toward the door.

“It will be alright,” he said.

Minerva nodded and walked a little closer to Albus, she was so afraid of what her daughter’s reaction was going to be. Long before she was prepared for it, they reached the hospital wing and Albus led the way inside. Brianna was sitting up in bed, wearing her school robes and fidgeting with the edge of the sheet.

She looked up when they walked in, “I want to talk to you both, but not here. Madam Jacobson said I could go as long as I take it easy.” She turned to Albus, “Prof – er – dad, can we go to your office?”

“My sitting room might be more comfortable if you’re both alright with that,” he suggested.

Minerva and Brianna nodded and let Albus lead the way to his rooms in Gryffindor Tower, all of them thankful that they didn’t meet anyone along the way. Albus opened the door and let the two women precede him into the room. Brianna subconsciously took the chair that would give her a sense of authority over the conversation and Albus joined Minerva on the couch. Her fingers were laced together so tightly that her knuckles were turning white, but she tried to hide her anxiety as she met her daughter’s gaze.

Brianna glanced at Minerva and then turned her attention to Albus, who suddenly realized that his heart was pounding in his chest. This was the moment when he would find out if he could be a father to his daughter or if he would have to watch her from afar as a professor. Both adults were eerily silent as they waited for her to speak.

Still focused on Albus, Brianna began, “All my life I’ve wondered who my father was and what he was like. I already told you that the first time I saw you I thought I was dreaming because you looked exactly the way I always pictured my father. Then I got to know you and I really liked you, you were so kind. Sometimes when I came to your office I would pretend that I was going to see my father instead of my professor and now I find out that you really are my father. I suppose I should be very happy because all this time I thought that you were exactly the kind of father I wanted.”

She paused and took a deep breath, “But I can’t believe you’ve known for almost three months and never said a word. I don’t know how to feel.”

Minerva interrupted, “That’s my fault, baby. He wanted to tell you the minute he found out, but I made him wait. I was scared and I’m sorry. I know I’ve hurt you both and I can only ask that you forgive me.”

Brianna looked at Minerva while she spoke and now she tried hard to control her voice, “What was there to be scared about? Why would you keep this a secret for so long? You knew I would be in school here one day, you had to have known this was coming. Why didn’t you tell us both eleven years ago so that we could have known each other? Because of you I haven’t had a father and I didn’t know my grandparents until I was five years old. Yes, I understand why they wouldn’t have anything to do with us before then,” she added when Minerva looked surprised.

“I spent most of my life feeling like nobody wanted me. Even you sometimes, mum, because you almost cry every time you look at me. It’s not my fault I look like him!” she gestured to Albus. “You’ve hurt all three of us for years for no reason. I’m not sure I can forgive you.”

There was a long silence after that and Albus could feel the way Minerva had tensed up next to him, he could tell she was struggling not to cry. He thought he understood now why she had been so reluctant to have this conversation. Brianna had just said exactly what Minerva feared she would. She had been afraid of losing her daughter and he knew that if she let herself be pushed away now she would.

“I know I’ve hurt you, but never ever think that I didn’t want you. Brianna, you have been the biggest joy of my life and I love you more than words can say. I won’t lie, it’s been very painful for me all these years to see how much you look like your father. My heart was broken when I never heard from him again after — well, after you were conceived and you reminded me of that. But even with that pain I have never for a moment regretted having you or wished that you weren’t in my life. You have to believe that, baby.”

Brianna didn’t acknowledge any of this, but instead turned her attention to Albus to hear what he had to say. Minerva had started to cry silently and before he spoke, Albus reached over and covered her still locked together hands with one of his own. Brianna noticed the gesture and her eyes narrowed.

Albus began speaking calmly and slowly, “Brianna, I had no idea that you even existed until you came to Hogwarts, but if I had known nothing would have kept me out of your life. Nothing. I’ve watched you these last few months and I’ve been so proud of everything you’ve accomplished already. Just knowing you and seeing you made me happy, but it wasn’t enough. There have been so many times when I’ve wanted to take you in my arms and tell you the truth, but I had to wait until your mother felt ready to cope with your reaction.”

He paused, not wanting to place anymore blame on Minerva, “We’ve been getting to know each other again for the last couple of months and talking about the best way to tell you. You have to understand that when you were born your mother was very young, we had been friends who secretly loved each other and unfortunately only had one night together. Before I could work up the courage to send her a letter, Minerva disappeared and we never spoke again until September of this year.” He looked Brianna squarely in the eyes and spoke very seriously, “We both made mistakes and are both to blame for you not having a father. Nothing can change the past, but we would like very much to make it up to you and to try to become a family.”

“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I would like to get to know you. Maybe we can work on a father-daughter relationship. I’m kind of tired again now and I’d like to think about everything you’ve both said. Can I go up to my dormitory now?”

“Of course,” Albus looked a little sad as he walked her to the door.

[ginger newts]

As soon as he closed the door, Albus heard Minerva’s sob. He crossed back to the couch and drew her into his arms, rubbing her back as she cried. It took a while for Minerva to pull herself together enough to speak and even though her sobs ceased her tears did not.

“I’ve lost her, Albus,” she said into his beard. “She wouldn’t even look at me. Merlin, how could I be so foolish! I should have foreseen this, it was my own damn pride that kept me from telling her who you were.” She sat back and wiped her face with her hands, “She was right, there was no good reason not to tell her. I just hope I haven’t ruined your chance to know her.”

Albus tightened his arms around Minerva as she started to cry again, “Minerva, it’s not all your fault. Life is hard, it’s very hard. There will always be something you wish you could do over again, but you can’t. When you make a mistake you just have to do your best to rectify it and move on.”

“How can I do that if she never wants to have anything to do with me again,” Minerva cried in despair. “Albus, she’s been my whole life ever since she was born. I’m not prepared to let her go.”

“Then don’t let go, Minerva. I’m sure she will come around in time, but just don’t let her pull away from you. Stay close to her, let her know you’re not going anywhere.”

She sat back again and glared at him, “That’s going to be difficult considering she’ll be here and I’ll be at home.”

“We’ll think of something,” he said, “but right now I think you need to get some sleep. This has been an emotional week and you haven’t slept much.”

Minerva nodded, she had just begun to realize how exhausted she was. “You must be tired too, though.”

“Yes, I am, but I’ll get you settled first. You can use my bed.”

Albus led Minerva into the bedroom and helped her take her shoes off and get into his large four-poster bed. He pulled the covers up over her and made to leave the room, but she caught his hand and he turned back to look at her.

“I don’t want to kick you out of your own bed,” she said but Albus just gave her one of his piercing looks so she sighed and said, “Alright, and I don’t really want to be alone right now. Would you...I’d like...please stay.”

Albus took off his own shoes and his heavy outer robes and crawled into bed next to her. Minerva groped around under the sheets until she found his hand again and lacing her fingers through his she soon fell asleep. Albus fell asleep not long after that and didn’t wake until the sun was rising the next morning. He felt a warm weight pressed against him and looked down. Sometime during the night Minerva had found her way into his arms. Her head was resting on his chest and their arms were wrapped around each other’s waists, it felt nice.

Albus realized with a start that he was aroused. He tried to shift so that Minerva wouldn’t notice if she woke up. Unfortunately, when he moved away from her Minerva made a noise of protest in her sleep and shifted closer to him, sliding one long slender leg across his hips. That certainly didn’t help the situation and when she yawned and stretched a moment later Albus could already feel the blush spreading up his neck to his cheeks. He was thankful that his beard would cover the color on his face, but there was no way to hide his other predicament.

Minerva woke up slowly and before she opened her eyes she registered the fact that she was in Albus’ arms and a feeling of happy contentment enveloped her. Then she realized that her leg was crossed wantonly over his hips and she felt his erection pressing against her thigh. She blushed and carefully withdrew herself from his body as she opened her eyes and looked up to meet his gaze.

“Good morning,” he said quietly with a small smile.

“Morning,” she replied shyly.

“Minerva, I um –“ he shifted nervously and sat up.

“It’s alright, Albus, you don’t need to explain anything to me,” she gave him an amused smile and watched as the twinkle grew in his blue eyes.

Minerva sat up as well and rubbed her eyes. Her long hair was disheveled and she had a large red spot on her cheek where it had been pressed against Albus’ shoulder. He thought she looked beautiful and he told her so.

She blushed again, “I’m not beautiful, Albus, but thank you.”

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, Minerva,” he replied.

She looked down at her hands and changed the subject, “Thank you for letting me stay last night...and for staying with me.”

“You’re more than welcome, my dear.” Albus paused for a moment, “Minerva, whatever happens with Brianna I want you to know that we’re in this together now. We need to support each other and I want to be sure you know I’m here for you.”

“I know,” she murmured, “and I’m more grateful for it than you could ever know. I was afraid that you would hate me if she chose not to get to know you. I – I want to be there for you too, Albus.”

“I know you do,” he pulled her into his arms again. “I do think she’ll come around, Minerva, I really do.”

“I hope so,” she whispered.

She leaned her head against his shoulder and they sat that way in silence until the sun had fully risen. Then Minerva asked what day it was.

“Friday,” Albus answered.

“You have classes to teach,” Minerva commented, sounding somewhat sad about that fact. “I guess I should leave, but I’d like to see Brianna again.”

“Stay here today...unless you have something you need to do?” She shook her head no so he continued, “I’ll try to arrange a time for the three of us to meet in my office later. I’ll have the house elves bring you up some breakfast and you can just make yourself at home in my rooms.” He paused, “I have a free period this afternoon, maybe we can go for a walk around the lake.”

“That would be nice,” she answered flatly.

Albus had gotten up and started to dress as he had been speaking and now he walked back over to the bed and kissed Minerva lightly. It was a reassuring gesture, he could sense her impending depressed mood.

“I promise you we will find a way to make all of this work out. We will be a family.”

He sounded so certain, but Minerva could tell he was concerned about how their daughter would behave toward him today. She fell in love with him all over again for the way he was trying so hard to be a rock for her.

“Thank you,” she whispered and she knew he understood for what.

“I’ll see you soon,” Albus said as he left for breakfast.

A few minutes later, Minerva got out of bed and drew herself a bath after locating the bathroom. When she emerged she found that a house elf had left a tray with breakfast on the coffee table in the sitting room. It suddenly occurred to her what people would think if they found her in Albus’ room. ‘Not that it matters, though,’ she reminded herself. ‘This situation can’t get any more complicated.’

to be continued...

[Jestana]

Aw, poor Min! That's got to hurt, having your own daughter mad at you like that. *sniffle* I'm glad Albus is there for her.

‘This situation can’t get any more complicated.’

Whenever anyone says that, it certainly will. *grin*

[Mellypoo622]

Great story! I really love it! Very original idea! Update soon!

[Isabelle]

Oh, poor Minerva! Brianna will come around soon won't she? It's a good thing Albus is trying to force them all to be a family and Minerva's rock! Great chappie!

Liz

[TabbyForever]

ummm why do i get the feeling that this situation will get complicated??!!
Another great update!!
I like the way this story's going!!!
I hope you know where you want it to go, its fab!
J

[QuillofMinerva]

Wow that was a powerful chapter !
Poor Minerva...but I can understand Brianna's feelings and I hope she comes around soon.
I love how you are writing the blossoming relationship between Albus and Minerva

[Nerweniel]

I really love the realism in this- though I do think Brianna is not doing her mother justice... poor Min .
Congrats on this fabby chapter (just nicked Jem's word there muahaha)... hope to see a next one soon!

Love,

Liz

[angeldust]

why do i have the sudden feeling it is going to get mroe complicated.... ;D Brilliant fic please update soon!

[Sensiblyquirky]

very nice chapter, meredith. I do hope Brianna will forgive her mother, and Albus and Minerva can forge a new relationship. I do so love it when they fall asleep together!!

Keep it up,

CC

[griseldalafey]

Me too. Love it when they fall asleep toghether, I mean.

Good chapter, although Brianna's words were hurting. But very realistic. I think every child would react that way.

Wonderful story I can't wait until the next part.

[ginger newts]

Chapter 5 (Warning for a little bit of lemoniness at the end of the chapter)

After she ate breakfast, Minerva felt restless. She needed to stretch her legs so she stepped out into the hallway and transformed into a cat. She spent the morning dodging students who tried to pick her up, or in some cases kick her, and reacquainting herself with the castle. It had been a long time since she had been inside Hogwarts, but the layout came back to her quickly and she enjoyed her four-legged exploration of the familiar corridors. Many places brought back memories, some happy and some sad, and she wandered around thinking back on her own student days. A few minutes before lunch Minerva found herself standing in the Transfiguration corridor and she slipped quietly into the back of Albus’ classroom. He was teaching a group of third years to turn tortoises into teapots and Minerva enjoyed watching their attempts.

Albus noticed the small black and silver tabby that had slunk into his classroom and he smiled and shook his head. Realizing she’d been spotted, Minerva made her way to the front of the room and jumped up on his desk. Albus tentatively reached out to pet her and she purred as he scratched her head. The bell rang a few moments later and once the students had left Minerva transformed back, she ended up sitting on the edge of Albus’ desk with her feet dangling over the side.

“I couldn’t just sit around in your rooms all day,” she explained. “So I’ve been roaming around the castle. Tortoises into teapots – third years right?”

“You wrote the book,” he chuckled.

“Yes, but you were doing that in third year when I was a student,” she replied with a smile.

“Reminiscing?” he asked with amusement.

“Twelve years is a long time, I had to make sure everything was still where it was supposed to be,” she gave back. Then she sighed, “There are a lot of memories in this place.”

“Mmm,” he nodded in agreement. “Gryffindor is playing Slytherin tomorrow, do you want to stay for the game?”

“That would be wonderful, I haven’t seen a good Quidditch game in years,” Minerva smiled. “Is the Gryffindor team any good this year?”

“They’re not bad,” he said thoughtfully. “We lost two Chasers and a Beater last spring so they’re sort of in a rebuilding year, but the Seeker is good. We beat Ravenclaw last month.”

“That sounds promising, but I suppose Slytherin still plays just as dirty as ever?”

“Of course,” he sighed. “Come to lunch in the Great Hall, I’m sure no one will mind.”

Minerva shook her head, “I don’t want to call any attention to myself. Are you sure the headmaster is alright with me being here for so long? Maybe I should spend part of the afternoon in Hogsmeade.”

“I don’t think Armando minds, you’re not causing a distraction for anyone.” Albus smiled, “Well, as long as you don’t sit in on my classes as anything other than a cat.”

“Behave yourself, Professor Dumbledore,” Minerva said sternly, but she was smiling. “I think I will go into the village for a while. When is your free period, I’ll meet you by the lake.”

“Three o’clock, I’ll see you then.”

“Until later,” Minerva slid off the desk and walked away.

Albus leaned against the door frame, enjoying the sight of Minerva walking away, until he couldn’t see her anymore and then he went down to lunch. Minerva changed back into a cat as soon as she turned the corner away from Albus and ran down to the gates, transforming back into her human self just before she entered the village of Hogsmeade. She ate lunch in the Three Broomsticks, complete with a large fortifying whiskey for her nerves which had been given a work out all week, and then spent two hours window shopping her way through the high street. At quarter to three she was back on the Hogwarts grounds and sitting by the lake waiting for Albus. He appeared about ten minutes after three and smiled as she stood up to meet him.

“How was the village?” he asked in greeting, taking her right hand in his left as they began their walk.

“It’s hardly changed since I left,” she answered. “How was class?”

“Just fine. No mishaps today, luckily.” Albus paused, “I caught up with Brianna after lunch, she’s going to meet us in my office before dinner.”

Minerva tensed and nodded, “Thank you.”

“You don’t have to keep thanking me for everything,” Albus said gently.

“I guess I just don’t know what else to say,” she blushed. “And I really do feel thankful for everything you’re doing. I haven’t had anybody in my corner in a long time, I’ve gotten so used to dealing with everything alone that I forgot what it’s like to have someone there.”

Albus stopped walking and Minerva turned to face him. He squeezed her shoulders and then moved his hands up to her face, his thumbs brushing across her cheekbones. “I’m here now, Minerva, and I’m not going anywhere, so you’ll have to get used to it,” his voice was low and calm, but filled with emotion.

Minerva leaned against him, wrapping her arms around his waist, “You may have to help me get used to it.”

She felt Albus’ voice rumble through his chest as he answered simply, “Gladly.”

They continued their walk in silence until it started to get dark and then headed inside the castle to meet Brianna. She was waiting for them outside of Albus’ office when they got there and the three of them walked inside without speaking a word to each other. Albus took a seat behind his desk and summoned tea from a house elf, which Minerva poured and handed around before each looked at the other two expectantly.

“Well, the two of you asked to see me. What did you want?” Brianna asked impatiently.

“Don’t take that tone with us, young lady,” Minerva scolded. “I know this has been upsetting for you, but I did not raise you to behave rudely.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled to her knees.

“We wanted to know how you’re feeling about things now that you’ve had some time to think about all of this,” Albus explained. “Your mother was very upset when you left last night and I hope you’ve had a chance to rethink some of the things you said.”

Brianna sighed, “I don’t want to fight with you both, but this is all really confusing. Sometimes, I think I’m angry and then I’ll feel sad, but at the same time I’m very happy to finally have a father who wants me. I just...I’m so confused.”

“Come here,” Albus said and Brianna looked at him in confusion. “Come here,” he repeated, “please.”

She got up and crossed to his side and Albus carefully wrapped his arms and her. “I love you, Brianna,” he said and she started to cry.

Throwing her arms around his neck, she said the single most beautiful word Albus had ever heard: “Dad!”

There were tears in his eyes as he continued to hold his daughter, eventually pulling back to look into her eyes. “You know you look more like your mother than you do like me,” he said. “You have my coloring, but her face. You’re beautiful.”

Brianna laughed and blushed, “Dad, stop.”

Of course, Albus could only think of one reaction to that and with a mischievous look in his eyes he reached out and tickled Brianna. After a few minutes she was laughing so hard she could barely breath and he stopped. They both turned to look at Minerva, who had been watching them with tears in her eyes. Albus smiled at her, but Brianna’s face fell.

“What did we do now, mum?” she asked dispiritedly.

Minerva smiled, “Nothing, baby, I’m crying because I’m so happy.”

She walked over and hugged her daughter and Albus’ arms soon found their way around his small family. Things weren’t perfect yet, but they had made progress. They all went back to their respective seats and talked about tomorrow’s Quidditch game while they finished the tea.

[ginger newts]

Brianna left after about an hour to meet her friends for dinner and Albus decided to eat in his office with Minerva.

“Well, dad, how do you feel?” she asked with a smile.

“Like I could fly without a broomstick,” he answered, grinning widely.

“I’m so glad she opened up to you a little. The two of you are going to do well by each other, I can tell.”

“I hope so,” Albus answered. “What about you, do you feel better?”

Minerva nodded, “We’re not quite back where we started, but we made a huge advancement today. It was mostly thanks to you, you’re just so irresistible she had to love you.”

“Irresistible?” he raised an eyebrow.

“And charming,” Minerva replied with a small smile. “She’s not the only one who can’t help loving you, you know.”

“Well, I know many of my students are fond of me...” he teased her.

“You crazy old coot,” Minerva laughed.

Albus faked an affronted look and placed his hand over his heart, “Old? You wound me, my dear.”

Minerva couldn’t help laughing at his dramatics and Albus smiled widely. “It’s nice to hear you laughing and wonderful to see you happy at last.”

She blushed and her smile faltered for a moment, he had such an uncanny ability for making her flustered with the simplest of sentences. “I don’t think I’ve been this happy in a long time,” she admitted. “I know there’s still work to be done, but I feel like I can see the light on the other side.”

“I think we’re close to stepping out of the woods, my dear.” It was the second time in a row he had called her “my dear” and Minerva decided that she liked the sound of it very much, it sent shivers up her spine and made her want to smile broadly for no reason.

“How about a game of chess before we turn in for the night?” Albus suggested. “I just have to make sure all my Gryffindors are in the common room by curfew and then I’m yours for the night.”

“A game of chess would be nice, shall I wait here for you?”

“No, no, my sitting room is the only place for a proper game of chess. I’ll meet you there soon,” Albus smiled and opened the door for Minerva. “Oh, and the password is sugar quill.”

She shook her head, “Your daughter inherited your sweet tooth you know.”

With those words Minerva swept off toward Albus’s rooms, leaving him to do a brief hallway patrol and check the common room. Unfortunately, she was seen entering his rooms, by the last person either she or Albus would have wanted to see her if they had known his intentions.

Hogwarts’ Potions teacher Alistair Crouch had always been jealous of Albus’ accomplishments in potion making, especially his skills in alchemy and his work with dragon’s blood. He knew Albus was a better Potions Master than he was and the fact that he was also a Master of Charms and Transfiguration greatly irritated Alistair, but it ran deeper than that. Alistair was one of the youngest teachers on the Hogwarts staff and considered himself to be handsome and charming, as such the former Slytherin was always greatly admired by his female students. He had had many illicit affairs throughout his years as a teacher.

However, there had been one student he’d wanted and not been able to have. Minerva McGonagall had been one of the most beautiful students he had seen in many years and she had returned for her sixth year having developed a very lovely and womanly figure. The fact that she had no idea she was beautiful and was completely oblivious to the looks she got from most of the male students and several of the professors only made her more desirable. Alistair had wanted her, badly, but she had never given him a second thought. He had seen the way she looked at Albus and the way he returned her completely smitten gaze when he thought no one was looking. This had frustrated and angered Alistair, Minerva was one more thing he wanted that Albus would have. He began paying attention to how much time they spent together and had tried his hardest to cause trouble for them.

Alistair had gone repeatedly to the headmaster with accusations, but Dippet trusted Albus completely and believed him to be above reproach. Alistair’s attempts to have him fired or at the very least put on probation and publically denounced as a lecherous old man had all failed and Minerva McGonagall remained the one student he wanted and could not have. He had seen her in the castle this week and all of the old jealousy had come rushing back. When he saw her entering Albus’ private rooms he decided to get to the bottom of the matter.

While Albus and Minerva were engaged in their chess game and the headmaster was at a meeting with the school governors, Alistair snuck up to the headmaster’s office and started going through the files. He knew, as did most of the school because she had missed an entire week of classes, that Brianna McGonagall had been sick and that Albus had spent the week at her bedside. That seemed like more than typical head of house concern to Alistair and he quickly found Brianna’s file. His eyes lit up with feverish excitement when he saw the names of her parents, unfortunately the date of her birth meant that Minerva had no longer been a student when she got pregnant. Alistair replaced the file, his brain working overtime on a plan.

Perhaps he could still insinuate that the affair had begun during Minerva’s school days. Even though most saw Albus Dumbledore as too noble a man to take advantage of students that way, Alistair strongly suspected they may have been together during her seventh year. Failing that, there was still the fact that Albus was the father of a child by a woman he was not married to and he was obviously sneaking her into the castle to continue the affair. That was also against Hogwarts by-laws, the staff were to keep their personal relationships strictly outside the school. He would go to the headmaster first thing in the morning. No, there was a Quidditch game tomorrow. Well, right after the game then, he decided. And if Dippet wouldn’t listen he would go to the governors, they would most likely go crazy when they found out what he knew.

[ginger newts]

The chess game lasted until after midnight, when Minerva finally defeated Albus he suggested going to bed. She readily agreed and walking into the bedroom Albus transfigured one of his long white nightshirts into an emerald green nightgown for Minerva. She smiled when she slipped into it and saw that it hugged her curves but was still completely tasteful. Albus had let her go first in the bathroom and when she emerged wearing the nightgown with her long black hair brushed smooth and hanging softly down her back he forgot how to breath for a moment because she looked so enchanting.

He hurried through his nightly routine, reminding himself to be a gentleman and not rush into anything. Exiting the bathroom, Albus slipped quickly into bed next to Minerva, who automatically rolled onto her right side and into his arms. He smiled and tightened his arms around her slim frame, kissing the top of her head.

“You know, I do believe I could get used to this,” he mused.

“Mmm, you’re not the only one,” Minerva answered, looking up at him. “I didn’t realize how lonely I was until I woke up in your arms this morning.” She leaned up on one elbow and kissed him lightly, “Good night, Albus.”

He pulled her back down for a slightly more intense kiss and said, “Good night, my dear, sleep well.”

“How could I not?” she murmured, laying her hand on his chest just over his heart and snuggling happily into his embrace.

Minerva fell asleep fairly quickly, but Albus was too distracted to sleep. Distracted by the feeling of her smooth leg, exposed from the knee down, resting against his; distracted by her hand over his heart and her warm breath on his neck; but most distracted by her firm breasts pressed against his chest. He was dangerously aware of every point where her body was in contact with his. Eventually, Albus fell asleep and the hand that had been softly stroking Minerva’s arm stopped it’s movements.

He fell into a familiar dream. Minerva was lying pinned beneath him, writhing as his hands and lips attacked her heated skin. Her breathing was labored and she was moaning out his name, begging for more. He ached with his need to be inside her and gladly obliged her desire to feel him filling her. Their union was exquisite and their bodies, shining with perspiration, moved together in perfect rhythm. It was all he could do to hold himself back until Minerva gained release, her fingernails digging into his shoulders as she screamed out his name. Albus gave himself up to the wonderful sensation of it and crashed over the edge of passion, murmuring her name into her hair.

Minerva was on fire, she could feel Albus’ heated touch with every cell of her body. She needed more, needed to feel him inside her, filling her warmth. Reaching down for his throbbing erection, she guided him to her entrance and moaned out “Please, Albus.” A moment later she gasped in pleasure as he began to move inside her. Their rhythm was slow and gentle until they neared the breaking point and then it grew quicker and more erratic until they gained release at nearly the same moment, calling each other’s names into the night before collapsing into the soft bedding still tangled together.

Albus and Minerva both woke up gasping for air, their bodies tingling from their dreams. They were lying on their sides facing each other, one of Albus’ hands still massaging Minerva’s breast, her nipple hard against his palm. One of her hands had found its way under his nightshirt and was resting on his thigh, the side of her thumb just touching his achingly hard member.

“Minerva,” he breathed huskily.

“Albus, I...”

She didn’t get to finish because his lips landed on hers for a passionate kiss that left them both even more breathless than before. When his tongue gently pushed her lips open, Minerva gladly welcomed it into her hot mouth and she moaned deep in her throat as he took his time tasting every inch of her, his hand never leaving her breast as he rolled her onto her back.

to be continued...

[Jestana]

Yay! They've made progress! *growls* I knew it would get more complicated! *rips Alistair Crouch to shreds so he can't speak to Dippet* Wow, those were some spicy dreams! *fans self* Good job! I'm almost afraid to ask what's next.

[Sensiblyquirky]

most excellent update! You have done it again, what else can I say? This rocks!!

C

[Isabelle]

Oooh, you had to leave it there didn't you? This was lovely! They're finally becoming a family. Yay!

Liz

[TheEmeraldRose]

Oh! I am loving this story! It's too bad everything seems to be going wrong for our lovely couple...

Here's hoping Alistair Crouch suffers an....accident....*grins evily*

-<3- LC

[max]

And people said I'd write evil cliff hangers! Your's is evil too and I want more and I want lemonade and I want it now! ;-)

Max
"I'll be a good girl, I promise. I only want to get some more ..."

[delenndumbledore]

Ohhhaaaaa.....it should be forbidden to make cliffhangers during romantic parts of a chapter ;D.

Who is thinking about the poor readers?

But it is indeed a very interesting and lovely story...I'm convinced that Albus is a wonderful dad.

And the nasty Alistair Crouch (I assume that was the father of Barty Crouch) will be kicked of Hogwarts soon. Bad boy and a bad family....grrrrr....

or in some cases kick her,

The kids kick a little cat? They need a few lessons in treating other creatures with respect

Greetings very upset Delenn Dumbledore

PS. I don't need a "lemonade" but a hot and strong coffee

[QuillofMinerva]

wow what an excellent chapter...loved the almost lemon...hope it continues in the next chapter

now im worried about this Alistair Crouch character, i dont like him and already i want to hex him

[TabbyForever]

Blimy, are you and Max fighting for the award for cliff hanger of the year??!!!
Hehehhee wow...what a pair of dreams!!!

Grrr want to rip that horrible potions master to shreads!!!How dare he threaten them!!!!
I hope he meets a really nasty ending!!!
Well done mate, another fabby update,
Your getting them oput well quick at the mo, is always good!!!
J