The Parent Trap Continued

[Alesia]

I have to agree what an evil place to stop.

But really what could the greatest witch and wizard of the age expect of their children except some really powerful kids? Abigail obviously has some type of empathic power with the ability to tap the power of the family - scary at such a young age and I can understand why Albus and Minerva want to discuss this first.

I did like the flow of this chapter, you covered alot in a little space.

[TartanPhoenix]

Alright, that's just an evil spot to stop. I must admit, I'm curious. How did she channel their power like that? Hurry and update again soon.

[Jaya]

EVIL EVIL EVIL!!!!!!

More soon, please!

Jaya ;D

[rogueinker]

Wondering about the "especially twins" phrase. Is Albus afraid that this is only the tip of the iceberg as far as their powers are concerned? Or that together they can harness a heck of a lot and if they are undisciplined or uncontrolled with themselves that it could lead to bad things down the road? Is Albus speaking somewhat from personal experience? I would think, based on the books, that kids that young exhibiting that mucn power is quite rare, powerful parents or not.

Great place to leave it hanging with lots of possibilities.

[Herzele]

Great update !! But I have to agree : That's an evil place to stop ! I hope you update soon !!

[ginger newts]

Bah, another cliff hanger! Can't wait to find out what that "especially twins" comment means. Update soon.

[Alesia]

I have always thought there were too many twins in the HP universe for there not to be something "special" about the magic of a twin. We don't know if Albus and Aberforth are twins do we?

[Jessabelle]

Ohhh why did you stop there?
Good update though! I really enjoyed and I cannnot wait to hear what this conversation will reveal about them. Post again soon!

[fatedromance]

I agree with my predecessors.. that was a very mean place to stop!

[Lady Lavendar]

That was a great chapter! Update soon!

LL

[JKMcGonagall]

Really great chapter, enjoyed it a lot, and I agree, that was a mean place to stop. Well, Albus and Minerva are supposed to be the greatest wizard and witch of the age, so I would expect their children to be powerful, yet I hadn't expected power like Abigail showed where she drew on her parents power. That has to be unusual. I'm not surprised that she felt her twins fear and pain. A lot of twins are empathic and can share feelings and thoughts. Look at the Weasley twins, they finish each others sentences. I think these girls could probably have done that if they had grown up together, and they may still be able to do it someday. I can see why Albus wants to discuss it with Minerva. They both need to be on the same wavelength when they talk to the twins.

Someone above this post wondered if Albus and Aberforth are twins. Good question. All we really know is that Albus is the older brother and Aberforth did something strange with goats and he may be the bar man at the Hogheads. It would be interesting if they were twins.

Yea! Professor (if you really want to call her that) Cline is out the door. Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!

Please update soon, I will be waiting.

Kay

[QuillofMinerva]

The Parent Trap

Chapter 27: Explanations and Reconciliation’s

Albus leaned back against the headboard and pulled Minerva into his arms. To the surprise of them both, she went willingly and seemed to mold herself into his embrace. “Remember meeting my mother when I first brought you home?” Minerva nodded that she had remembered the day. In fact, she couldn’t remember ever being so nervous in her entire life. Her entire future seemed to hinge on whether or not Mrs. Dumbledore approved of her son’s choice for a mate.

“She made me so nervous that day. I knew when I left the house that night that she’d never approve of our relationship and that scared me.” Minerva shifted so that she could look into his eyes. “I always wondered what she said about me after you went back home that night. You never did tell me.”

“Ah, that’s because you never asked my dear,” he chuckled, trying to add some levity into the situation. “Mother thought you were perfect for me and she could sense the amount of love and devotion you seemed to radiate when I was near. You were more than she had hoped for and so much more than I ever deserved,” he added in all sincerity.

“Then why did I get the impression that she wasn’t overly fond of me?”

“It was never that she didn’t love you like a daughter but your powers set her on edge.” Minerva’s furrowed brow spurred Albus into continuing his story. “It seems that when I was born, an old seer visited my mother and told her many things, some of which came true and some which did not. One of those things involved me and my future with the women of my dreams. I was to marry a powerful witch, one the likes of which our world had yet to see since the Founders. Any children we conceived had the potential to be amazingly powerful, drawing strength from myself and my bride.”

“I still don’t see how that affects our girls, unless of course you believe in all that rubbish!” Minerva had never been one to tolerate the less skilful are of divination and made no efforts to hide her distaste for the subject.

"Minerva my dearest, look at what our girls just told us!" he advised.

"But that doesn't necessary prove that so-called seer right," replied Minerva.

Albus smiled softly. She had never had much time for the art of divination and he was glad to see she still held on to that view. He didn’t have much time for it either but he was aware of true seers and their correct predictions. From what Abigail told them, Albus could see no other explanation but he knew that he would have a hard time convincing the woman who was currently snuggled against his chest.

“Think of it this way my dear. It has been said that I am the most powerful wizard of modern times and with all my heart, I believe you to be the most powerful witch. Logically speaking, we had two choices. We could either produce amazingly powerful children or squibs.”

“Albus, that’s absurd! Just because we’re powerful doesn’t mean our children will have an advantage over any others.” Minerva had to admit that even as young girls things always seemed special about them. Things in the nursery would levitate into the cribs, especially Abigail’s. When Evie cried forcefully, the air would crackle around her. And Merlin forbid they both become upset at the same time. It took her two weeks to mend all the broken objects that one time when they were eight months old.

“I’m merely saying that I believe we somehow passed on more of ourselves to our children than even we were aware of at the time. If we can determine their eye colours, hair tints, and even their creamy complexions, why is it so hard to fathom that maybe we passed along other things as well?”

Minerva had to admit he made a strong argument. Even being separated for all those years, Abigail had developed certain tastes and interests that only her father held and the same could be said for Evelyn. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Have you forgotten how we used to communicate sometimes, my love?” he asked running his hand up and down her arm. “We used to spend so many speechless hours in front of a fire or snuggled together in bed and yet I could hear your voice as plain as day in my mind. We have never really needed any other means to communicate other than our head and hearts,” he finished softly. “Maybe our children have that same sort of bond with each of us and it just goes to prove that some bonds can’t be broken.”

"I suppose what you are saying is true," she said softly. "I know it has to be true. Look at their arms and look at what happened. I am just worried about them Albus. They are so young." She closed her eyes and sighed to herself. They were only eleven years old and needed to be children. They would have to be so aware of themselves in certain situations. They would have to hold back from their friends and what sort of childhood would that be for them?

Albus felt Minerva grow tense in his arms and he feared that she would become uncomfortable with the new developments between them. “Now, now. I can still tell what you’re thinking at times too Minerva and the girls will be fine. We’ll be here for them and together we can teach them how to harness their powers and use them for their benefit.”

Minerva got up from the bed and walked over to the window. She wasn’t sure she was quite ready for this conversation but it was one that needed to occur. “Albus, yesterday and this morning were wonderful and I felt like we were a real family. Waking in your arms this morning was more than I ever thought possible after so many years and yet there are so many years between us.”

Albus walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Feeling you against my body was like tasting heaven again, Minerva. I never realized just how much I needed you until you were gone. And by ‘need’ I do not mean to do things for me but just to be by my side, to hold me at night, to share in the joys and pains of our days together, to know that in your arms I can be myself without worry. I made grave mistakes in the past and I am more than aware of where I went wrong.” He turned her to face him as he cupped her face in his large hands. “Believe me, if you walked out that door today as you did all those years ago, I’d move heaven and earth to get you back. I wouldn’t waste a single second at the Ministry or with anyone else until I was assured that we were together and you were happy.”

Minerva turned around and looked at him. His eyes were twinkling again and she quickly found herself lost in the blue pools that were his eyes. She could see that there was love in them as well as warmth but also sadness. She believed him when he said he was sorry and she would do anything to replace the ten years she had lived without him. So many years had passed between them and they were bound to have changed in that time. What would happen if they couldn't make a go of it and it ended how it did last time? Minerva wasn't sure she could go through that again. The pain in leaving him had never eased through the years and her love for him never diminished.

Over the years she had carefully and secretly collected a scrapbook, placing every article that she had found with him inside it. She had told herself that she was doing it for Abigail so she could know her father through that but she was also doing it for herself. It helped to remind her that he was okay. Each day she had dreaded the arrival of the newspapers just in case they told of Albus Dumbledore's latest love. There was never any mention of his love life, though. In fact, most the papers thought he was a bachelor.

"Albus I want us to give it another go," she said softly "but I am scared!"

For the first time in ten years, Albus finally felt hope. He knew it had taken a great deal for Minerva to willingly admit a fear to anyone but this one time she had spoken it and he felt the full impact of her words. “I’m afraid too, Min. Afraid you won’t love me as you once did. Afraid that one day you’ll realize that you enjoyed your life without me more than the days with me. But what scares me most is the possibility that you might walk away from me again. I know how that felt the first time and I’m willing to do everything in my powers never to let you feel the need to leave me again.” Albus pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

“Those were the hardest years of my life, Albus, and ones that I never wish to relive. I know some part of me has been changed by those ten years but deep down, I think I am still the same woman you fell in love with all those years ago. And I can see that you’re not the same man I married.” Albus pulled back and was frightened by her words. “No, sweetheart, that’s a good thing,” she was quick to answer as she cupped his cheek in her warm hand. “It shows me that you’ve changed for the better. Instead of putting us last in your life, I get the feeling that you’re ready to make us your top priority, which is all I ever wanted to in the first place, darling.”

"So are you saying what I think your saying?" he asked. He didn’t want to get his hopes up only to have the dashed. He needed to hear her say those words again.

"Yes, love," she said as she cupped his cheek with her hand and ran her thumb across his cheekbone. "Let's try again!"

Albus felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. He hadn't felt so light and happy for years. He smiled brightly and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He twirled her around the room and her laughter echoed in his ear. He had his wife back and he was going to make sure that he never lost her or his daughters again. He was going to prove to them all as well as himself that he had changed for the better.

"I love you Minerva!" he whispered in her ear, causing a tingling sensation to ripple down her spine.

“And I love you too, Albus. Now how about a proper kiss to show me,” she laughed with bright eyes as she clung to him as if her very life depended on it.

“With pleasure, my dear, with pleasure.” Albus set Minerva firmly on the ground but held her flush against his body. His thumb brushed slowly across her lips, remembering the softness of them and how sweet they tasted. Lowering his head, they shared the same breath for what seemed an eternity before the distance between them was closed.

When his lips first touched hers, Minerva felt as if she had finally come home again. After years and years of longing, she felt young and alive again. His touch was gentle and yet insistent as his tongue eagerly begged for entrance. Her lips parted in a silent invitation as her hands threaded through his long hair, seeking the one spot on the nape of his neck that she knew would ignite his passions. As their tongues waged a most provocative and pleasurable war, their bodies grew more and more aroused with each second until Minerva heard a small giggle behind them. It took all of her willpower to break the heated kiss but she knew she needed to before things went too far.

Abigail and Evie were now standing in the doorway, clutching each other’s hands and smiling brightly at their parents. Both looked slightly embarrassed at catching their parent in such an intimate embrace but they also looked overjoyed at the prospect of their parents getting back together.

The nudged one another, urging the other to say something so that the silence was broken. But neither of the girls wanted to say anything. They simply looked at their parents with wide eyes and waited patiently for them to speak.

"Hello you two troublemakers!" said Albus, who felt the need to help his daughters out.

"Hello Papa!" they answered in chorus and then looked at their mother who was blushing slightly. "Hi Mum!"

"So would you like to tell us how long you have been standing in the doorway?" asked Minerva, amusement evident in her voice, which made the girls both relax.

"It was Abigail's idea to listen..." started Evie

"No it wasn’t," jumped in Abigail quickly. "It was your idea, Evelyn Dumbledore!"

Albus and Minerva looked at one another and shared a smile. It was bound to happen at some point and now the girls seemed like proper sisters.

“No matter whose idea it was, you were both caught spying on us and while your intentions might have been good ones, it was still an invasion of our privacy,” Albus interjected.

“So in the future, if you know that we are discussing something private and have asked you not to interrupt, we would appreciate it if you would knock first before entering. You are both old enough to understand that parents sometimes need a little quiet time alone,” Minerva finished with a wink and a smile.

“Yes, Mother,” Evie quickly answered.

“Wait…you…you said in the future! Does that mean? You were kissing so you have to….” Abigail was finding it hard to put her thoughts into words, a habit her father sometimes had when he was thrilled beyond all words.

“Albus, she is definitely your daughter,” Minerva teased. “And yes, that means that we’re going to give it another try. But we’ll need help from both of you if we’re to make this a proper family again. Lots of love and kisses. You’ll be expected to spend some nights with us, even after you start school. Holidays will be spent as a family and most importantly, we’ll both be here if you need us. Well your father will during the school but I’ll only be an owl away.”

Both girls ran and hugged their parents. “Mum, can’t you stay here with us? I mean, you and Papa are married and it should be okay with everybody else,” Evie asked quietly. “Besides, we all lived here before you went away.”

“She has a point, my dear. And I have just become aware of a vacancy in the Charms department which needs filling immediately,” he finished with a mischievous wink. “Think you’re up to the task of teaching a bunch of headstrong lads and lasses the fine art of Charms until the Transfiguration professor retires at the end of this coming school year? Armando did instruct me to find someone I trusted and thought could do the job.”

Minerva didn’t have to think twice. She had been given a new lease on life, the life she had dreamed of for so many years. After spending a few fun filled hours with his family, Minerva took both girls back to her home and began packing up some of the more desperately needed items. In the meantime, Albus wrote a long and very detailed report to the Ministry detailing the events surrounding Nicholette Cline’s resignation from the school and offering Minerva’s name as the sole candidate for the position. Once he had received word back that his arrangements had been accepted, Albus hurriedly set about making plans of another variety involving the only woman who had ever mattered in his life.

[Herzele]

Yay !!!!!!!! They got back together !! Wonderful update !!
Is there more to come ?? *tries to hide eagerness of this question*

[Nerweniel]

Ohhh ohhhh ohhhhh what a WONDERFUL chapter ;D! An enourmous load of applause from me, great work!

Love,

Lies

[Jessabelle]

that was sooooooooo great! oh i loved it .. cant wait to hear more! post again soon!

[ginger newts]

Yay for kissing!!! I'm so happy that things are finally going the way they're supposed to again. Looking forward to more.

[TartanPhoenix]

Now, this is the way to wake up in the morning!! Can we say yay for kissing! Can't wait for more.

[tayryn]

KISSAGE!!

woohoo!!

this was a great chapter!! i loved Minerva and Albus cuddling and talking, and working things out!

and of course... the kissing! *swoons*

i also very much liked the girls watching them! i used to do that with my folks when i was little. *g*

very very nice!!

[Kamdra]

I always say kids are working against adults. Talk about bad timing but I'm glad they are going to work things out. Kammie

[Sola]

Yesssss!
Finally! ;D

[QuillofMinerva]

The Parent Trap
A/N: Warning…lemon alert…

A/n2: This is the final chapter of this story and we can’t thank you enough for the reviews you have given us over the chapters. We hope you enjoy this final chapter and it is slightly different from the one posted on ffnet because there is a lemon included in this copy. ENJOY”

Chapter 28: Starting Over
Aberforth Dumbledore had been only to eager to have both of his nieces stay over at the estate for the weekend. He had jumped at the chance to get to know Abigail more and to spend one last weekend with Evie before she began to prepare for school. And the way things were looking with his goats, the girls would be there when the new kids were born and could pick one for themselves as a pet. Of course he knew Minerva would never allow them to have goats as pets but no matter. The lovely animals could stay with him and they could visit as often as their schedules permitted.

Minerva had gone into Hogsmeade to pick up a few things she felt she might need for teaching. She would never admit it to another person, aside from Albus, but the idea of imparting knowledge to children not her own was quite a daunting task. Still, it was one she accepted with her entire heart and mind, for herself, for Albus, for her children, and for the school which had given her so much in her lifetime. While Minerva was away, Albus contacted Aberforth and the girls squealed when they learned of their weekend visit to the estate.

“Thanks, Abe. We’ll come by on Sunday afternoon and pick up our little girls. It means a great deal to me that you’re taking care of both of them this weekend. Plus it will give you a chance to interact more with Abigail and for the two of them to bond more before school starts.”

“I don’t mind at all, Albus. The girls are going to be a breath of fresh air at the house and I have lots of fun things planned for us to do. Don’t you give either of them a second thought. I’ll take really good care of them…just like I do my very own goats!”

Albus hugged and kissed each of his girls goodbye and shook Aberforth’s hand. “If, for some reason you should need us, send an owl, please. I don’t want your head popping through the fire this weekend,” he told his brother with a wink.

“Say no more. We’ll be just fine. Enjoy your weekend alone with Minerva.” Aberforth nudged his brother in the side and left with a smirk on his face.

Albus and Minerva had been truly reunited two days ago but aside from the occasional deep kisses and the cuddles at night, they had not truly professed their love for one another in a more intimate way. With the girls always under foot and Minerva beginning to work on the lesson plans for her new profession, they had very little time to really spend as a couple. But that was all about to change.

For the next two hours, Albus worked diligently to transform their living quarters into a masterpiece from his memory. After saying their vows and enjoying the party thrown by their family and friends on their wedding day, Albus had produced a portkey to whisk them away to a romantic cottage on Loch Lomond. It had always been a favorite spot for Minerva and he wanted to make their first few days of married life the happiest either of them could ever remember.

Today was no different. He felt as if he had married Minerva all over again, only this time he had the wonderful knowledge of what he stood to lose and he had no intentions of ever giving her up again. Spell after spell. Charm after charm. Transfiguration after transfiguration and Albus was finally satisfied with his work. He had done his best to remember every single detail from the inside of the cabin. From the sheets on the bed, to the bathroom tile, even down to the plush rug in front of the fireplace, their rooms resembled the romantic cabin by the lake.

Taking care to dim the lights and finding a soothing program of music on the Wizarding Wireless, Albus slipped into a more comfortable set of robes and waited for his beloved Minerva to return from her excursion.

Minerva made her way up the stairs of the Entrance Hall. She was in her own little world as she climbed higher and higher to the level that led to the rooms she was sharing with her husband again. She was setting out lesson plans in her head, thinking what she was going to teach on her first day of the new school term. She was also thinking about her name. Would she be known as Professor McGonagall or Professor Dumbledore? When she and Albus had married, she had taken his name secretly because they had decided that it would be best for her safety. She had wanted to be known publicly as a Dumbledore but it hadn't been possible at that time. She wondered if things were different now. She would have to speak to Albus about it and they also needed to discuss the surnames of their children. They were both different despite how obviously like sisters they were.

Her thoughts drifted back to what Albus had said this morning. He told her that he was planning a surprise for her and that she would be delighted. She wasn't sure what he had planned but she didn’t miss the mischievous glint in his eyes as well as the knowing looks their daughters had shared before she had left for Hogsmeade.

She reached the large portrait of Godric Gryffindor that covered the door that led to the rooms that the head of Gryffindor lived in and gave the password, 'Together, forever'. She smiled as she said the password. It had been Albus' idea last night to change the password and she had to admit that it very romantic of him to change it to the inscription that was on their wedding rings. For the past ten years she had missed the familiar feel of the ring on her finger. When she left it behind, she thought it would only be for a few hours. Never did she realize it would take ten years to get it back. But with a smile and a new commitment to their marriage and love, Albus had placed it back on her wedding finger before kissing her deeply.

The portrait swung open and Minerva stepped through the walkway before opening the door. When she did open the door, she was taken back by what she saw. It was as though she was walking into the cottage at Loch Lomond where she and Albus had spent their honeymoon.

"Albus!" she gasped

“Welcome home,” he answered softly as he held both arms open to her. He crossed the room quickly and took her packages, dropping them unceremoniously on the floor. His eyes had locked with hers and he still held her gaze. “A second chance deserves a second honeymoon, no?”

Minerva giggled. She had forgotten how playful Albus could be when he was in one of his romantic moods. Every nerve ending in her body seemed to quiver with delight at the memories that flooded her mind of night spent making passionate love. “It’s just like I remembered. Our little cottage by the loch…this must have taken you hours.”

Albus slipped his arms around her waist and kissed her softly, once again thanking the heavens above for giving him a second chance with Minerva. He pulled back just far enough to slip her outer robe from her slender frame. “Our daughters are with Aberforth for the weekend. The floo network has been disabled. The Ministry has been informed that I am not available until early next week. So, Mrs. Dumbledore, I am all yours.”

“Indeed you are, my love. And I can think of so many things we can do together,” she answered with raised eyebrows. “A good game of chess, redecorating our rooms, shopping for the girls, putting my things away,” she said as she sauntered suggestively towards their bedroom. When she reached the door, she dropped her inner robes which she had been unbuttoning while gliding across the floor. “Or we could test a theory of mine. One that has plagued my thoughts for years.”

Albus found it difficult to swallow and breathe but somehow he managed. “Oh, and what would that be?”

“I wondered how easily it would be to remember what turns the other on. I wondered if your touch would still cause me to tremble in anticipation and burn with desire.” She turned her head and looked at him over her shoulder, her back still facing him. “And I wondered if I still had what it takes to make you melt in my arms and cry out my name.”

“Ah, Professor, I think it’s time we proved just how the mind works. I remember every single touch and caress from you, every curve of your body. And maybe I flatter myself, but I believe I still have what it takes to satisfy you as no other man could.”

"Then why are you still standing there?" she asked as she disappeared into the bedroom, casting a lingering look over her shoulder.

Albus didn’t need to be asked twice. He immediately followed her into the bedroom and locked the door with a powerful charm. There was no way that anybody was going to disturb his second honeymoon and he had ten years to make up to his beautiful wife.

Minerva sat on the edge of their bed, wearing a cream negligee that plunged down deep between the valley of her breasts and gave Albus the most wonderful view of her assets. He had always been a keen admirer of her perfect sized breasts. They fit perfectly in his hands and he loved to massage them as he looked into her eyes.

She looked up when Albus entered the room shortly after her and she was delighted to see that the sight of her in a cream negligee had brought him to a standstill in the middle of the room. She hoped that he still found her desirable after ten years. She felt relatively the same as she had all those years ago but child bearing had changed her body slightly. Yet for most part she liked the way she looked.

"See something you like Mr. Dumbledore?" she questioned, her voice low and sultry.

“I see plenty of things I like. The problem is in deciding where to start.” He crossed the room and knelt down before her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His hands splayed across her back and his head rested on her slight tummy as he closed his eyes and savored the moment.

Minerva had not expected that sort of movement from him but it was one she would cherish till the end of her days. Her hands threaded through his hair as she held him tightly to her. Several moments of quiet and peace reined in the room as they became caught up in the powerfulness of what was to come.

“I love you so much and I’ve missed you,” he found the voice to say. His hands had started a slow trek across her back, occasionally slipping around the sides of her hips to tease the skin hidden beneath the cream colored material. When he looked up into her eyes, he saw them clouded with heat and desire.

“Make love to me, Albus. Remind me of what it’s like to be the desirable woman in your life again. It’s been so long…” she whispered with desire laced around every word.

Albus moved his hands from her back and cupped her face with them. He looked deeply into her eyes and watched the tears flow freely from her emerald green eyes. He leaned forward and kissed the salty tears away from her creamy cheeks before speaking.

It's been too long baby and I am sorry," he said softly, never tearing his eyes from hers. "I’ll prove to you that I am worthy of your love once more."

"Albus," she replied, "I don't need you to prove your love for me. Just love me the way only you can please!"

For a moment, Albus considered the possibility that this was all some sort of fantastic dream. Days ago he would never have assumed any of this could be possible but now, in this moment, he felt more passion than he had in nearly a decade.

His hands slipped from her cheeks and down to her bare shoulders where only the small straps of the silky material stood in his way. With skilled and practiced ease, he hooked his fingers around each strap and pulled them halfway down her arm, leaving her shoulders bare and only the tops of her breasts exposed. Slowly, he lowered his head to the hollow of her throat, teasing her with his tongue and nips with his teeth before moving across to her shoulder to feast on her newly exposed skin.

Minerva’s eyes fluttered and finally closed at the first touches of his hands on her warm body. So many nights she had fantasized about a moment such as this but never in those heated yet lonely moments did she even come close to how he was making her feel. No longer in control of her movements, she raised one hand to the back of his head, pressing him closer to her, while the other supported her body on the bed. A soft sigh followed by a delicious moan was the only sound to be heard inside the bedchamber.

Torn. That’s how Albus felt. He wanted to make love to Minerva. He had to have her and with each passing minute, it was getting harder and harder to control himself. He wanted to ease her back onto the bed and remind her of their first year of marriage when he would ravish her body with such intensity that it took both of them by surprise. Yet on the other hand, he wanted to savor every touch, every movement, every stroke, not to mention the groans and sighs of pleasure he could entice from her petal soft lips.

In his moment of hesitation, Albus lost all control of the situation and the decisions were taken out of his hands. Minerva guided his head to hers and captured his lips for a searing kiss as she made quick work of removing his clothing. Before he had a chance to say another word or repay the favor of ridding her of her garments, she had pressed him back onto the large bed. A silently uttered phrase had vanished her clothing and as Albus looked up, his eyes landed on the creamy skin of body, her pebble hard nipples, her smooth, lean legs, and the center of her passion, glistening and ready for him.

He reached out his hand to touch her, to feel her silky body beneath his fingertips but Minerva stopped him. Pinning his hands above his head, she lowered her body to his and teased him as only she could. She heard him moan as her nipples brushed across the sensitive area of his chest mere seconds before her skilled tongue stole the very words from his lips by bathing him in desire.

Albus couldn’t hold on any longer. He summoned all his strength and rolled Minerva onto her back, grinning seductively at her as he eagerly latched onto her breast and began to tug on her dusty peak. His hands roamed over her body, remembering all the places that drove her over the edge. When her legs eagerly wrapped around him, pressing him closer to her center, he breathed I love you into her ear as he slowly entered her and felt the years melting away.

Heated and sweaty bodies pressed against each other, taking pleasure in proving to the other that some things a person never truly forgot. The way Albus moaned when she rocked her hips against his or the way he varied his strokes inside her were too important to be forgotten easily. As the two lovers rolled and tumbled across the bed in various positions, each more erotic and exciting than the first, they lost themselves in love. As they neared the peak of their passions, Albus reached out and entwined his hands with hers, taking her over the edge with him.

Breathing heavily and completely spent, Albus pulled Minerva to him, pillowing her head on his chest as his long fingers continued to trace patterns lightly over her skin. In an all too familiar move, Minerva’s soft hand snaked across his chest, across his shoulder and up into his hair. Her gentle touches lulled him to a much needed sleep, but not before confessions of love and new promises were made.

The next two days passed in a whirlwind. Periods of gentle lovemaking were intertwined with lazy afternoons before a heatless fire as Albus read to Minerva. Even bathtimes were seductive and enjoyable adventures as they took turns bathing the other, which only lead to more expressions of love. Chess games weren’t even safe pastimes for the two reunited lovers. It was all too simple to tease and taunt the other underneath the table. But all too soon, their quiet weekend came to a close and it was time to bring their girls home.

With one last passionate kiss and a vow to never lose sight of his priorities again, Albus opened the floo network and contacted Aberforth. Soon, the girls were back in their parents arms with all sorts of wild stories about their weekend at the estate. While Minerva made certain her children were bathed and in clean pajamas, Albus contacted the house elves to bring up a dinner for four.

Laughter rang through the rooms as the family shared tales of when the girls were young, which led to both Albus and Minerva telling stories on the daughter they had raised for ten years. Hours passed as the family sat together on the large sofa, just enjoying the comforting feelings of being a family again. Staring into the fire, neither noticed that their girls had dozed off to sleep until Minerva began to yawn.

“You take Evie and I’ll take Abbie. Then I’ll personally tuck you into bed, Mrs. Dumbledore.”

“Mmmm, I thought you’d never ask,” she whispered as she levitated Evie towards the girls’ bedroom. When both girls were tucked in safely and snuggled deep beneath their blanket and clutching their identical unicorns, Albus wrapped his arm around Minerva’s waist as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Come, my dear. It’s time we went to bed too. It’s still early and now that the girls are asleep we can slip into our bed and enjoy the rest of our evening.”

As the lights went out in the bedroom, Minerva moved into Albus’ arms, feeling the safety and comfort offered by his strong arms around her. “What’s next for us, Albus?”

“We’ll get up tomorrow and raise our daughters together, just like we had always planned. Then, when the school term starts, we’ll watch them grow into young women from a close distance. But the best part of it all is that we’ll be doing it together, just as it was always meant to be.”

“I love you, Albus.”

“And I you, my dear. More than I can ever express.”

“I can think of a few ways and I’m not as tired as I thought I was,” she giggled before climbing on top of him and straddling his waist.

“Hmm, I think you have my undivided attention. Now, what exactly did you have in mind?”

It was well past midnight before they finally succumbed to sleep, sated, happy and home at last, in each other’s arms.

THE END!!!

[Kegan]

What a delightful ending. I enjoyed the story ladies.

[mugglemin]

That was a mammoth effort girls. Congratulations on finishing. I'm glad I read the last bit here and not on ff.net - I'd have missed the lemon!!

It's very easy to tell who wrote which chapter. Your styles are very different. Clear as daylight who wrote what!

I really enjoyed this story, and I think it was definately a feat to have finished it so soon after HBP came out and tipped us all into mourning. Well done.

mugs.x

[Herzele]

Wonderful ending to a wonderful story !!
I very much enjoyed the lemon ... And the whole story !!

[Kacie]

I'm sorry to see it end but what an ending. Great story! Kacie

[TartanPhoenix]

I'm sorry to see this story end, but what a way to go out!! This was great. ;D ;D

[tayryn]

this was a WONDERFUL final chapter!! just wonderful!

for a story, i will honestly admit to not being sure about when i read the first chapter... i love this story!!

you ladies did a marvelous job with every part of it... from the girls discovering each other... to Albus and Minerva finally coming face to face then to the incredible lemon i've just read!!

He crossed the room and knelt down before her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His hands splayed across her back and his head rested on her slight tummy as he closed his eyes and savored the moment.

Minerva had not expected that sort of movement from him but it was one she would cherish till the end of her days. Her hands threaded through his hair as she held him tightly to her. Several moments of quiet and peace reined in the room as they became caught up in the powerfulness of what was to come.

this... was the most touching part, and the part i truly loved the most!!

definitely a story i will reread!!

thank you for writing it!!

[ginger newts]

A perfect ending to this wonderful story. I'm so glad you decided to go ahead with the lemon, it was well worth 27 chapters of waiting. I enjoyed this story a lot and I'm so glad they had a happy ending.

[Lady Lavendar]

This was a great story! You both did such a great job on it!

LL

[Jaya]

That was a truly great ending to a really wonderful story.

As sad as I am to see it end I am glad the family Dumbledore is back together again.

Jaya ;D