A/N: Well one thing was made very clear to us with this voting. You all love Alianora and you want to see more interaction between her and Minerva. And the votes this week were 10 for option A, 1 for option B, and 2 for both choices. So, we proudly give you:
Breakfast or Dessert?It was nearly one in the morning before Albus was able to put his papers and mind to rest for the night. He had worked diligently to finish the correspondence as well as any additional paperwork that had found its’ way to his desk. Thoughts of Minerva as well as his conversation with Armando were the only distractions he found as he tried to complete the tasks at hand.
Armando had given him some extremely valuable advice and Albus was smart enough to know his friend only had his best interests at heart. That coupled with the feelings he had experienced no doubt from Minerva’s thoughts of him were enough to push Albus into his work, if for no other reason than to see her in the morning. Vowing to see his Minerva in the fresh light of day just as she was waking from slumber, he threw himself into the papers and before long he was putting the final touches on the last owl for the day.
As he slipped beneath the cool sheets of the lonely bed his thoughts turned to Minerva. It felt awkward settling down for the night and not having her snuggled in his arms, not hearing her soft sighs or deep breaths as she eased into sleep. He missed the way her nails scraped gently across his chest and his flattened nipples as she lulled herself to sleep by toying with his chest hairs and listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart. It was a simple routine but one that brought them both peace and comfort, a closeness that no words could ever describe.
Pulling her pillow up to his nose, he inhaled the familiar fragrance of her perfume and the lingering scent of her shampoo. He wondered if perhaps she was snuggling with his pillow and reveling in memories of his body pressed against hers. Of course she was. He knew it just as sure as he knew his name because he could feel it in the very depths of his heart. Ever since that first wave of warmth had flooded his body, he knew Minerva was thinking, perhaps even dreaming of him. With that image in his mind, Albus began to plan his surprise for the morning as he eased into a light yet peaceful sleep.
Minerva had always been an early riser and Albus was more than aware of that. In order to surprise her, he would have to start his day long before the sunrise. But just seeing her again would be well worth the lack of sleep. So, before the birds had a chance to sing their first songs of the day or the rooster had even entertained thoughts of crowing at the sun, Albus was up and puttering around their rooms.
“Fawkes, my friend, I know you hate to be wakened this early but it’s important.” Albus stroked the feathers of his familiar, knowing the bird would most likely attempt to nip at his fingers. He had often taken a small bite out of Albus’ hand or arm to show his disapproval over one thing or another and this would certainly qualify. “I wouldn’t do it but you know Minerva gets up early and if I don’t leave now, she’ll already be awake by the time I get there.”
Fawkes studied his companion’s face then bowed his head in defeat. Turning once more on his perch to face Albus, he ruffled his feathers and sang a few sweet notes to show that he wasn’t angry, just a bit unhappy about the early morning wake up call.
Albus smiled and offered him a sherbet lemon and one of Minerva’s ginger newts, which were promptly eaten by the bird. “Thank you my friend. And on behalf of Minerva, she thanks you too. Now, all I really need for you to do is to make sure these owls are delivered and that Armando gets his owl first. It was his advice yesterday that spurred me in this direction and this is a note of thanks. After that, feel free to fly to the estate. I’m sure Minerva would love to see you and you can enjoy the fresh country air.”
Fawkes bumped his head against Albus’ outstretched hand and gave a soft coo. “I’ll take that as a sign that I will see you later then dear friend. Now back to sleep with you and I’ll be as quiet as possible as I finish getting ready.” Setting another two ginger newts and a few more treats on the table beside the outgoing owls, Albus had to smile. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that his familiar, the one who had once eaten an entire bag of sherbet lemons while Albus wasn’t looking, would be so fond of Minerva’s ginger newts. They had even taken to hiding the special biscuits, just so Fawkes wouldn’t eat them all while they were gone.
As quietly as possible, Albus finished in the bedroom and dashed down to the kitchens. The house elves were already busy preparing the morning breakfast and some were even starting on lunch preparations. The variety of smells that assaulted his nose made his stomach growl. In his effort to finish all the necessary paperwork, Albus had neglected to eat his dinner and by the time he remembered it, the dishes were already cold and he no longer had the appetite for them.
One by one, the house elves rushed over to Albus and offered up their services. Knowing he was pressed for time, Albus quickly explained that he wanted to surprise Minerva and he was asking for their help. Before he could offer up suggestions for breakfast items, he found himself being pushed into a chair in the corner of the room while a small picnic basket was levitated to a table nearby.
Busy little elves began packing the basket with food, more food than he or Minerva could eat in a week. Albus watched intently, making mental notes of the items going into the wicker basket. It seemed that the tiny house elves were quite proud of remembering the favorite foods of those living within the castle walls and with a broad smile dancing across his face, Albus had to admit that they had yet to put one thing into the basket that Minerva would not like.
Fresh strawberries and sliced peaches were the fruits of the day, followed by the croissants Albus had thought of earlier. The elf in charge of the bread danced about as the hot pastry bread was pulled from the oven and quickly packed away. A teapot full of Minerva’s favorite breakfast tea was next to be added into the basket, complete with a tartan tea cozy to keep it warm. No doubt that had been a personal touch from the house elf assigned to tend to Minerva’s needs.
Albus had to practically snatch the basket from the table and make a mad dash for the door before they ever stopped placing items in the basket. After thanking them all for their generosity and assistance, he darted down deserted corridors and out the main doors before he could be detained any longer. Once at the apparaition point, he closed his eyes and thought of Minerva sleeping snugly in their bed as he disappeared from Hogwarts and appeared on the front doorstep of his family home.
“I was hoping you’d show up, my son.” Alianora had taken up residence in a portrait near the front door, hoping to catch a glimpse of Albus before he reached Minerva.
“Mother. What are you doing down here? Shouldn’t you be with father somewhere until the rest of the house wakes?” Albus had already been to the kitchen and unpacked the multitude of food items from the basket and arranged them on a tray. Flowers from the Dumbledore gardens added a romantic touch and a splash of springtime color to the morning offering for his goddess.
“After talking with Minerva yesterday, I thought you might stop by this morning. Call it a mother’s intuition,” she laughed softly. Albus reached out and touched his mother’s hand on the canvas as he shared in her gaiety. “She’s a lovely woman, son, and she will make this family proud. We had a lovely time yesterday and no doubt we will become even greater friends as the years roll by.”
“She reminds me a lot of you, mother. Minerva doesn’t back down from a challenge yet she has this softer side to her that captivates me. She can hold her own yet there’s a part of her that longs to be cared for and protected. She’s the perfect woman to me and I love her with all my heart.”
“You are your father’s son, aren’t you my boy? I can see the love you hold for her in your eyes, just as I could always see it in your father’s eyes when he spoke of me.” She paused for a moment and stared at her son. He was so much like his father, handsome and strong yet with just a hint of childishness still living within him. And then there was the romantic side. That part of Albus came from both parents. She was sure of that just as she was sure the sun rose in the east.
Throughout their decades long marriage, Alianora and her husband had often surprised each other with little adventures or romantic gestures. Nothing extravagant or outrageous but always from the heart and completely unexpected. Breakfasts in bed were one of their favorite surprises as were little weekend getaways…things their son had already started planning for his lady love. “I assume you know where to find Minerva?” she asked, not really needing the answer.
“I think I know the way,” he quipped as he shot her a subtle wink. “Tell father I’ll catch up with him later today. But for now, I have this wonderful breakfast that I want to share with a certain green eyed witch who is no doubt very close to waking, if she hasn’t woken already.”
Albus tiptoed across the landing, mindful of the squeaky plank on the right hand side of the hallway. His eyes were trained on a single door directly in his path and his mind on the witch on the other side. “Alohamora,” he whispered softly and the door eased open to allow him to enter.
The room was still dark and the curtains were drawn tightly to forbid the sunlight even the tiniest sliver of a chance to peek through. Yet Albus had no trouble in making out the slender, curvaceous body of the woman lying on his side of the bed and clutching his pillow. A smile curled about his lips, thinking back to his night when he had held her pillow to him in a similar fashion.
Setting the tray on the bedside table, Albus quickly divested himself of his robes and slid into the bed behind Minerva. Being careful not to wake her just yet, he gently moved about until his warm body was barely a whisper away from touching hers. His long fingers ghosted across her neck and bare shoulder before traveling further down her arm. Clasping her hand in his, he slowly raised it to his lips where he planted a warm kiss first to her wrist and then to the very center of her palm.
Minerva began to stir in her sleep. The familiar warmth and scent of Albus seeped into her thoughts and for a few moments she thought it was all an erotic dream. But when an arm slid across her waist and up to her breasts, giving them a tender massage, Minerva moaned as her eyes fluttered open. There was no mistaking those hands and that touch or the way her body automatically responded. Albus was home and it felt wonderful.
Rolling over in his arms, Minerva did not wait for an explanation or even a hearty good morning greeting before her lips crushed Albus’ in a heated kiss. Her body molded perfectly to his as she savored the feel of his chest hairs tickling her aroused nipples. When the need for air became much too great to ignore any longer, the couple parted, resting their foreheads together as they each smiled at the other.
“Surprise!” His voice was soft yet held a husky undertone to it. He had planned this moment perfectly and so far things were going much better than he had imagined. “I thought it might be fun to surprise you with a little breakfast in bed. And a little cuddle from me to start your day.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Though I wouldn’t complain if I was granted the opportunity for more than just a wee cuddle.”
Minerva giggled as she pulled Albus down on top of her, wrapping one leg around his waist and drawing him flush against her. “I think that can be arranged. I missed you last night but this is a wonderful way to start the new day,” she purred into his ear.
Soft moans and sighs filled the early morning air as the two lovers were united. Despite only having been apart for a day, they shared caresses and touches as if years has passed slowly by. Lips traveled over heated skin. Hands roamed freely, igniting even more fires for the lips to quench. And when their bodies finally became one, heaven descended to earth for the couple as they moved to a rhythm all their own.
Sated and happy, they cuddled among the rumpled sheets while fingertips danced across tingling skin. “I wanted to surprise you this morning with breakfast in bed. How’d I do?”
“You, my lion, were amazing. Oh and the breakfast was a nice touch as well,” she teased. “I’ve worked up quite an appetite this morning already. Let’s see how well you did with the food items.”
Albus arranged the pillows behind them and levitated the tray over to the bed. Once they were settled, he removed the lids and gave Minerva a moment to survey the feast. “I had help. I went to get the food from the kitchens at Hogwarts and the house elves wanted to help. They shoved me to a corner and proceeded to pack all of this for you.” He waved his hand over the food by way of demonstration. “Seems they’ve taken quite a liking to you and I can’t say that I blame them.”
Minerva leaned up and kissed his cheek then fed him one of the freshly sliced peach wedges. The juice from the piece of fruit ran down her hand but was quickly lapped up by Albus’ skillful tongue and before long, they were taking turns feeding the other. But as breakfast in bed often happens, things once again turned heated and passionate as fruit slices became instruments for teasing. The warm croissants and cinnamon butter were fed to each other as lips met to share the delicate pastry. Everything took on new meanings as they laughed and sighed, moaned and cried out in passion…together.
“We should get out of bed soon.” Minerva murmured as she snuggled closer to Albus.
“Probably,” Albus whispered back as her hair tickled his nose.
It had been a very satisfying morning and the sun was already high in the sky. Minerva knew she needed to meet Alianora so they could continue to discuss the decorative changes for the house but she found herself disinclined to so much as put one foot on the floor. Albus’ surprise visit had brightened her whole day and she was reluctant to break the mood that had encompassed them since his arrival.
Albus shifted slightly and Minerva grew dismayed as she realized he was starting to get out of bed. She reached out and her arm encircled his waist before he could do more than sit up.
“Don’t worry my dear,” he said as a chuckle escaped his throat. “I will return as soon as I have visited the loo.”
Minerva relaxed and a happy sigh escaped her lips. She settled back into the mound of pillows behind her and watched as Albus’ gloriously naked body strode away from her and disappeared behind a door.
Her thoughts lazily circled around her morning and the coming afternoon, dipping briefly into what awaited her for work the next week. She hoped that Armando was recovering quickly so that Albus’ responsibilities would ease. While this would be their reality when the Headmaster retired, Minerva knew that the additional classes and responsibilities as Head of Gryffindor were stretching Albus much too thin. Perhaps she should offer to help him with classes if Armando’s illness was expected to extend a few more weeks. Or at the very least she could grade papers.
Her thoughts were broken by a quietly spoken inquiry from the end of the bed. With the sheets now yanked up around her throat, Minerva finally saw the large ears bobbing just above the top of the mattress.
“Bitsy?” Minerva questioned tentatively.
“Bitsy is not meaning to disturb you Miss but Master Aberforth has returned and is hoping to see you soon,” the little elf squeaked.
“That is quite all right Bitsy. Let him know that Albus and I will be down shortly.”
Minerva watched the little elf disappear and gave a grumpy moan as she put first one foot and then the other upon the floor. She supposed she should tell Albus and perhaps they could catch a quick shower before heading down. A wicked grin crossed Minerva’s face and she realized that a shower was indeed a very good idea.
She quickly made her way to the room Albus had entered and knocked. His muffled reply bid her to enter and she walked in to find him brushing his teeth. His smile brightened as she wrapped her arms around his waist and began to place light kisses across the back of his torso.
“Aberforth has arrived home and requests our presence.” Minerva’s eyes locked with Albus’ before she continued. “I thought we might take a quick shower to get cleaned up before joining him.”
A playful nip on his shoulder and Minerva left the warmth of his body in order to turn on the water and step beneath the steaming heat. She relished the feel of the hot water running across her skin. She kept her eyes closed, peeking as she leaned her head back and was pleased to see Albus eyeing her as if she were a second breakfast, or an early dessert perhaps. It wasn’t long before Albus joined her, the soap forgotten for quite a while.
“Cut that out Albus,” Minerva yelped as she quickened her pace down the hall. Her hand brushed at the spot on her neck Albus had just suckled.
The shower had indeed been a very good idea but she felt they had made Aberforth wait much longer than she had intended. Albus was in an exceptionally good mood if his playful pinches, nips and squeezes were any indication. He had told her not to worry and that after Aberforth’s debacle upon their arrival Friday he could stand to wait a while. Minerva however did not want to be rude, especially since she really wasn’t upset with Aberforth any longer.
“Now I see what was keeping you,” Aberforth quipped as the couple rounded the corner.
Minerva smiled at the warm tone in his voice as she watched him take a bite from a sandwich. She hadn’t realized it was so late and she eagerly took a seat in the chair opposite of him and gathered a plate of food for herself. Albus joined her without any encouragement and the room stayed quiet until the two of them were contentedly enjoying their own lunch just as Aberforth was finishing his own.
“Mother told me that you were still here Minerva,” Aberforth said as way of starting the conversation. “And the reason behind the extended visit.”
Minerva watched the nervous wizard and waited for him to continue. She might not be upset with him but she certainly wasn’t going to make his apology any easier for him either. He needed to squirm a bit, and who knew, perhaps it would help him to make more considerate decisions in the future.
“I must say that the place does need a bit of sprucing up,” he continued.
“Yes, some of the rooms may even need a complete gutting,” Minerva stated, a sly look crossing her face.
Aberforth reddened at her statement and his mouth opened and closed several times before any sound escaped. “Yes, I suppose some may need more work than others.”
“Oh for Merlin’s sake,” Albus groaned, “just get to it.”
Minerva tried to keep from smiling and smacked at Albus’ arm for good measure. Aberforth was obviously very uncomfortable and his brother had not helped as the pink tinge to his skin had darkened considerably.
“I’m so sorry,” Aberforth finally spilled out. “I didn’t know you would be here…not that I should have done it in the first place regardless,” he squeaked at the outraged look on Minerva’s face.
“I should think not,” Minerva intoned.
“I was just trying to impress Xia and make sure she was comfortable. Most of the rooms in the house are way to frilly for her tastes and my rooms, well I frequently have other guests, of the barnyard variety, who stay there and things can be quite messy. It isn’t exactly a romantic haven,” he admitted.
Minerva wasn’t sure whether to laugh or be completely horrified. However, she was spared from deciding as Aberforth continued forth with his apology.
“I mean the occasional sick goat can wreak havoc in a room and I try not to bother the elves with my upkeep, just taking care of the rest of the house and helping with the care of the animals is quite an undertaking in itself.”
“A dissertation is quite unnecessary,” Albus interjected. “We understand why you did not use your room.”
Minerva watched Albus’ eyes twinkling merrily and realized just how much he was enjoying his brother’s discomfiture. She decided that the torture had gone on long enough. As it stood, Aberforth was looking a bit ill.
“We forgive you,” Minerva stated softly.
“I wasn’t thinking and I promise I will never do anything so insensitive again…wait, what did you say?”
“I said we forgive you,” Minerva repeated.
The relief on Aberforth’s face was nearly comical. Obviously Albus thought it was because he started to chuckle. Minerva let herself smile as well and stood up to embrace Aberforth. They hugged tightly for a moment and Minerva kissed his cheek as they parted.
“I’ll apologize every day if this is the reception I receive,” Aberforth joked.
“If you ever do something similar again, I will hex you into next week,” Minerva quipped, only half joking herself.
“Point taken,” Aberforth replied as he retook his seat.
“Now there is just something I need to know,” Minerva said casually. “How did things develop with Xiomara so quickly?”
She was intensely curious to know the answer and obviously Albus was interested as well because he leaned forward in his chair to hear the answer. Minerva realized the question might be misconstrued by Aberforth. It wasn’t that she didn’t think either worthy of the other, but they were just so…different.
“I was wondering when we would get around to that,” Aberforth laughed. “Xia and I are merely good friends who are compatible in other ways. Very compatible in other ways.”
Minerva and Albus both sat up a bit shocked.
“You mean to tell me that neither one of you is serious about the other and yet you are…” Minerva didn’t finish her sentence but instead waved her arm in the general direction of the upstairs bedrooms.
“That’s not to say we didn’t fancy each other at first,” he amended. “We just decided we didn’t suit each other in a romantic sense. Obviously the two of you had similar thoughts about us.”
The look he gave each of them caused Minerva to shift in her seat, a bit discomforted by his accuracy.
“You’re correct, we didn’t see the two of you as romantically compatible,” Albus joined in. “However,” he added after the look Minerva gave him, “we would have been supportive even if the two of you had announced your engagement.”
Aberforth seemed to relax after that statement but Minerva’s head was still spinning with the knowledge of what Xia and Aberforth meant to each other. She could not really imagine herself making a similar decision and luckily she didn’t have to. She reached out and took Albus’ hand as the brothers’ conversation moved onto other topics.
It wasn’t long before Minerva was escorting Albus to the door. He had already stayed longer than he intended and Minerva needed to get to work on going through the rest of the house with Alianora. After a few soft kisses, gentle caresses and promises to see each other later that night, Albus apparated away leaving Minerva to walk into the house by herself.
Options for this week are:
A) Minerva stops by the infirmary to speak with Madam Dippet about her life as a wife of the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
B) Minerva runs into Poppy at The Three Broomsticks and they sit down together to have a drink, a first step in what will be a lifelong friendship.
Voting will end on June 22.
*And for all of you who wanted to see more of the Alianora/Minerva bonding, we will try our very best to include that in the next chapter! We’re thrilled that you are so captivated by her character. We really love her too.
A/N2: Many of you may have already seen the post but we wanted to remind you that we have contacted a local printer in our area and he has agreed to print ADMM Shipper shirts for us. However, in order for us to place the order we need at least 20 shirts. As it stands now, we have 9 definites and 2 maybe's. So, if you're thinking of getting a shirt, please let us know. If we don't get the minimum 20 shirts none of us will be able to get them. The deadline for ordering is
June 23 and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us! For full details we have posted prices, sizes, and sample shirts in the General ADMM section of the board.
xXx 
- I am new to this story - but I really have enjoyed it - Keep up the Fantastic work! and if I have to make a choice - make it - A!
