A/N: I’d like to thank everyone who reviewed this story, especially those that stuck around for it to be completed. It took entirely too long, and I do believe I’ve learned my lesson: have the long stories written before I post!
Chapter Twelve: Just the Beginning
“Minerva!” Albus called as he let himself into the young woman’s home. “Are you ready? I don’t want to miss any of the concert.” While waiting for Minerva to emerge from her room Albus fiddled with a figurine on the fireplace.
“The only reason you want to hurry up is because the Boxer Sisters are the first to perform, and I for one have no issue with delaying your drooling over the non-existent robes they wear.”
“They happen to be well trained musicians, and very good at what they do. Besides you cannot tell me that the reason you wish to stay until midnight isn’t that group of young men who were unfortunately asked to attend the festivities.”
“Their music is splendid: perhaps you need to fine tune your ear so that you may notice talent when you hear it,” Minerva replied as she walked from her bedroom to Albus’ side by the fireplace. Standing on her tiptoes she gently kissed his cheek. “I’m ready.”
“You look breath-taking, my dear.” Albus’ eyes took in his date’s appearance appreciatively as he rubbed her upper arms. The dress fit snugly, and hung in all the right places showing off Minerva’s curves, legs, and was that a hint of cleavage? “Just ravishing, but are you sure you should wear that in public? I mean maybe you would be more comfortable in trousers and a nice white blouse?”
Minerva opened her mouth to retort, but she chose to laugh instead. The past three weeks had gone well for Albus and Minerva, but she was still wary of saying too much. Albus had taken to holding her hand, or laying a hand on the small of her back when he was feeling protective but excluding kisses on the cheek the physical side of their relationship had not progressed any further. However everything else seemed to falling into place and Minerva was elated when Albus called her one night before bed. Since then they spoke every night via floo, alternating between who was the caller and who the call-e.
Returning to the present Minerva brushed past Albus, throwing him a look over her shoulder. “Aren’t you coming?”
“Don’t worry I have no intentions of straying far from you tonight.”
Softly Minerva replied, “Good.” Smiling Albus took her small hand in his and kissed the back of it before closing the door behind them.
The park was already packed full of people varying in ages. Minerva noticed small children with their parents, older couples, and teenagers mingling together waiting for the concert to begin. Meanwhile Albus used his height to scope out a good place to stand so he and Minerva could have a good view of the stage.
“There’s a small clearing that looks good up ahead; if we push through we might be able to nudge nearer the center of the stage.” Just as Albus was leading Minerva toward the spot he had spotted he heard his name being called. Turning Albus spotted his cousin Andre.
“Let’s go, my dear, no time to dally.”
“But Albus that man is calling your name. I know you saw him.”
“Precisely why we need to hurry up, and maybe we can loose him. It’s my cousin, Andre, and I can assure you we don’t need to stay and chat.” Albus pulled Minerva after him, and quickly he jutted through the crowd toward the spot he saw earlier. Finally they reached the spot, and Albus sighed as he thought he had lost his cousin.
“Albus I haven’t seen you move that quickly since we dueled when we were in our teens. You did always have to run from my brilliant spells.”
Albus shut his eyes before turning around, “Yes well normally the incorrect wrist movements coupled with the wrong incantations can result in some dangerous situations.”
“He was always such a perfectionist,” Andre complained to Minerva. For her part Minerva was highly amused at the exchange, and was using most of her concentration to stifle her laughter.
“Andre Clout may I introduce Minerva McGonagall. He’s from my mother’s side.” Andre looked nothing like his cousin, a short dumpy man with slicked back black hair Minerva briefly wondered if Albus’ mother had looked like this man.
“It is nice to meet you Ms. McGonagall. Word has reached the family that Albus had finally found another woman, and I admit I had to see for myself.”
Albus looked at Minerva apologetically when he noticed the stiffening of her spine. “Well Mr. Clout,”
“Please, call me Andre.”
“Well, Andre, any relationship Albus and I may or may not have is our business and no one else’s. If something develops that we feel needs to be shared we will come to you, but there is no need for you to come to us.”
“Whew always liked the one’s with spirit, didn’t you Albus and a Scotswoman no less.”
“That will do, Andre. I suggest you get back to Melissa and the kids. It looks as if the show is about to start.”
A moment later Albus and Minerva had finally gotten rid of their unwelcome guest, much to their relief.
“I apologize for my cousin, my dear; I do hope he did not upset you too much.”
“You should be more upset than I. It wasn’t your fault, Albus; you did try and loose him. Let’s just enjoy the show, and forget all about your cousin.”
For the most part the acts scheduled to perform that night did excellent jobs, so Albus and Minerva easily blocked out all in their life except the concert and each other. Albus was a little too mesmerized by the Boxer sisters, so Minerva had to accidentally step on his foot twice during their performance. For Albus’ part he feigned tiredness and old age in order to leave the concert half way through the last act, lest Minerva loose her sense like some of the women surrounding them did.
“I enjoyed the evening, Albus, though I must say you seem considerably more awake now that we have left the concert.”
Albus moved nervously on his feet, and cleared his throat, “Funny how that works, isn’t? I think it was the noise, and the crowd.”
“Oh yes, of course. The crowd…” Minerva couldn’t help but teasing him a little for their early departure.
Suddenly Albus changed the subject, “He was right you know, Andre I mean.”
“About what,” Minerva asked surprised his cousin had crept back into the conversation.
“Your spirit; it was your spirit that made me accost you. It just seems to exude from you, of course when you open your mouth it tends to burst forth as well.”
Minerva smiled softly as she redirected her gaze to the ground, “Well everybody has to have something.”
“You have so much more…” Albus’ voice seemed considerably closer and Minerva lifted her head as Albus’ hands reached to cup her face. “So much more,” he repeated as his face moved closer to hers. Minerva’s breath hitched in her throat, but cautiously she closed the distance between their lips. It was everything a first kiss should be, Minerva hazily thought. Their lips moved softly, applying more pressure as the kiss went on. Albus broke away to trail small kisses on Minerva’s jaw line, down her throat, and then back up to recapture her lips.
*
Two days later Albus’ head appeared in Minerva’s fireplace. “Minerva!”
“Hello! To what do I owe this afternoon pleasure Mr. Dumbledore?”
“I was calling to invite you to dinner tomorrow night at the castle. We are allowed guests as long as things are kept from the students. I intend to slave away at the stove all day.”
“You mean give the house elves more to do? I’d love to, darling, but that’s our girls’ night and I’ve already promised to be there. Can I take a rain check? What about Thursday?”
“I’m the professor in charge on Thursday evening, I’m afraid tomorrow was the best night of the week for me.” Albus’ face dropped at his disappointment.
“Don’t worry Albus, why don’t we just have dinner at Hogwarts on Saturday instead of going out somewhere?”
“That should work. I’ll run it by Armando, and call you later with details. Have fun tonight. Who’s hosting this time?”
“It’s Laura’s turn.”
“Don’t have too much fun then, and you can escape here at any time.”
Smiling Minerva blew Albus a kiss, and bid him adieu promising to check in that evening before collapsing into bed.
The typical setting for a girl’s night was all four women sitting around a pile of sweets with a drink in their hand. The attire is always casual as comfort is the only fashion style allowed; however tonight Laura was trying her new muggle record player and 45s so the four women were up dancing around her flat while trying to drink at the same time.
“So Minerva,” Sarah called out, “how are things with you and Albus?”
The warmth of a few drinks had loosened up Minerva’s tongue making her a more liberal with her answers, “Wonderful as far as I know. We kissed after the concert, and it was just divine!”
“Do tell!” Laura shouted as she danced with Emily.
“He’s quite talented; very soft lips. I stumbled once or twice as I tried to get back into the house. He wanted to cook me dinner tonight, but you know I couldn’t leave you girls!”
“So you haven’t ditched all your friends for your guy?” Emily teased Minerva.
“Never, ducks.”
“Ducks? When did you start using that?”
“I heard someone on the street the other day say it, thought I’d try it. You’ve been rather secretive with your men lately, Laura, your turn to tell.”
“Remember the guy that spilt his drink over my dress? The one he sent me to replace it was rather nice, so I went out with him again. We’ve been seeing each other exclusively.”
Minerva giggled as Laura blushed. “I have news!” Emily suddenly said, “I had a date last night with a guy from work and he was quite charming. He’s already called for another date.”
“Oh and Sarah’s seeing someone too!”
“Sarah!” Minerva and Emily yelled at the same time.
“He’s so dreamy.” Smiling at each other the four women broke out into a fit of squeals and fell laughing into each other. For the first time in years it seemed each of them was happy and moving forward in their individual lives. Though unlikely all details would be remembered the next morning each woman was content to let loose, and revel in their happiness.
I've really liked this story from the beginning and can't believe you've already written ten chapters! Albus needs to get his butt in gear! Nice job.
. This was a very good chapter, oh oh oh now who could that be at the door 
! Hope to see more soon ;D.
