Matter of Relativity

Prologue

August 28, 1959

Sybill Trelawney rocked back and forth as she gazed into her crystal ball. She had been looking for guidance at the beginning of this school year. As she studied the mysterious orb, her heart raced. Instead of the typical students getting into trouble on Hogwarts grounds, she was viewing something else all together.

The two figures that danced and moved inside their crystal prison were a both a familiar and outrageous sight to the professor of Divination. She was equal parts horrified and strangely thrilled by their circumstances and the consequences of their actions.

As time went on, Sybill forgot everything and everyone, rocking back and forth faster as the images rushed by. She was unable to tear herself away from the sight even as days passed.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Violet, the House Elf, stopped the stately man as he prepared his classroom for the new Transfiguration teacher. "Come quick like! Professor Trelawney is in a right state, she is!"

Dumbledore could never have prepared himself for the state of the Divination teacher. She appeared to be rooted in place and was rocking back and forth. Dehydration had nearly been the death of her and even in her weakened state; she would not budge without a large use of force.

"Sybill what has led you to this state?" Dumbledore asked after she was settled in with Madame Pomfrey and given food. "Had Violet not alerted me, you might have died!"

Sybill fixed wild eyes upon the new Deputy Headmaster of the school." Mistakes will come back to haunt them. One will be lost, another will slumber eternally. Two will be ripped from the comforting bosom of life. And the last will stand proud for all eternity."

Chapter 1

August 29, 1959

Hogwarts

Minerva McGonagall stood in the gleaming entrance hall of Hogwarts. She was alone, and in the momentary quiet of the place, she looked around with satisfaction tinged with awe. I'm home, she thought to herself. She was bemused by the fact that she was here again as a teacher after so many years of living here as a student. Hogwarts held so many memories for her. There were so many people here that were as family to her. And it was the only place that she had ever totally felt at home.

Within moments her pensive state was broken as she heard footsteps sounding towards her, and she looked up into the kindly eyes of her old professor of Transfiguration, Albus Dumbledore. Minerva felt an electric spark flow through her as she beheld him through adult eyes, rather than those of a student. He looked so calm and distinguished... yet could she have imagined the answering flash of interest in his own eyes?

"Minerva, my dear, it is so good to see you again!" Albus began. He stretched his hands out to hers and she started as his gentle handshake sent shockwaves up and down her spine. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I hope that you will enjoy your time here and remember if there is anything that you need, please do not hesitate to come to me or Headmaster Dippet."

Minerva had to give herself a mental shake before responding. She had never felt that strange tingle before and had no idea what it meant. "Thank you Professor." She began, but was silenced when the man put a warning hand up.

"Call me Albus please, Minerva. There is no need for us to be so stuffy. The students have not yet even arrived and we have much work to be done. If you refer to me as professor, think of all the wasted time that could be better spent going over lesson plans or...." He trailed off and rummaged in the pocket of his robes. "Lemon drop dear?" He procured a yellow colored orb that was nearly translucent.

Minerva looked at Albus in confusion. "Lemon drop?"

Albus nodded enthusiastically, his long hair and beard a red and silver blur for a brief moment. "Lemon drops. A Muggle candy, quite tart. I am afraid that I cannot get enough of them." When she didn't immediately accept his offering, he placed the tiny gift into her hand and curled her fingers around it "Try it."

"Try it." McGonagall repeated faintly. How could she concentrate on anything but the man that stood before her? He seemed to be expecting some behavior from her and it all became clear in a moment. The sticky confectionery seemed to be melting with her body heat. She reluctantly pulled her hand out of his and opened her palm. The little ball mocked her even as it slowly melted away to nothingness. She picked it up; looking at it at different angles as the light hit it then gingerly tasted it.

It was magnificent! As the tart sweetness burst over her tongue, she offered Albus a small smile. "Quite extraordinary, this Muggle candy."

Albus favored her with a near grin. He was personally pleased that she was enjoying one of his few guilty pleasures. "I have more in my office. I will have Hagrid get you some of your own as well." He paused for a moment. "This is the start of something special Minerva. Nobody else likes my special treat. "The headmaster has assigned me as your liaison, my dear. And to show you around the school, of course. I am quite sure you know all of the student areas, but the grounds offer a few surprises. For the staff as well. I am sure we will work, er... closely together". Minerva was enchanted to see a sparkle in the normally reserved teacher's eye. She blushed slightly as his double meaning penetrated her bemused mind.

"I'm sure we will, Albus. I suppose that you should show me to my bedroom now?" She blushed even further as the unintentional slip registered. "I mean, to my quarters!"

Albus Dumbledore smiled broadly and said, "Of course, my dear. If you will follow me" As they moved towards the staff residential wing, he mentioned to her that her quarters were quite close to his, in a manner of speaking, and that she should not hesitate to call on him if she wanted anything. Minerva wondered again if she was imagining the keen interest in his voice or the unspoken invitation that went beyond teacher to teacher courtesy. Yes, she *must* be imagining it. After all, she had not been at the school for 10 minutes yet. Surely, surely she must be imagining the new deputy headmaster would be interested in her other than as the newest teacher at Hogwarts?

They arrived at her chambers, a nice roomy place with views and an airy feeling about it. Prominent in the room was a huge four poster bed and a desk. Looking at the bed, Minerva blushed again, and noticed Albus watching her keenly. He smiled slightly, the twinkle in his eye increasing. "I shall leave you to get settled in then. Shall I return in an hour, to show you your classroom and go over the lesson plans for your classes?"

"Yes...yes that would be nice" Minerva replied faintly. Dumbledore bent and kissed her hand, his lips lingering for a fraction of a second longer than courtesy required. Minerva failed to notice this however, as the electric tingling in her body doubled at his touch. Dumbledore withdrew leaving her breathless, confused, and inexplicably excited. This is going to be an interesting year, she thought to herself.

All too soon, the hour was past and Albus Dumbledore was knocking on her door. Minerva had spent the hour unpacking and roaming restlessly about her room. She was also berating herself for allowing herself to get so worked up over what she was certain she had been imagining. This is stupid m she said to herself over and over again. Professor Dumbledore is merely being courteous to me, as he should be. All this firm resolution was swept away by his soft, inviting smile as he stood in her doorway waiting to escort her to the transfiguration classroom. HER classroom, now.

"Shall we?" he asked, offering her his elbow in an old fashioned gesture of gallantry. They proceeded down the corridor in stately progression, but they were both acutely aware of each other.

When they arrived at the Transfiguration classroom, Albus bowed Minerva into the room ahead of him. "The students arrive tomorrow. We need to go over the lesson plan for this week before that happens".

Minerva attempted to focus on the work before her, but she kept being distracted by Professor Dumbledore's kindly soft voice, his scent, his very presence. She gradually noticed that he seemed distracted also. He seemed to be spending a great deal of his attention on her. After a few minutes of listening to the sound and tone of his voice, Minerva walked over to a barely open window and looked out over the Hogwarts grounds.

"It's beautiful isn't it? Very atmospheric, with the lake and the Forbidden Forest?" His breath was warm against her neck and she shivered just slightly. It would absolutely not do for her to give in to this burgeoning attraction with her superior. She hadn't worked so hard at Cardiff University of Wizarding and Witchery to become caught in a situation that would damage if not ruin her professional reputation. She was an independent woman and would earn her own living. Never would she be like her mother Maura, dependent upon a father who loved his ale above all else and who used magic as a disciplinary measure. Lost in her thoughts of a miserable childhood, Minerva didn't even know that she had been making agonized noises until Albus guided her to a desk.

"Here, my dear. You sit here and relax for a spell. It can be overwhelming to be here in the early days. The transition from student to professor comes with it's own set of unique trials and you simply must adjust in due time."

Minerva shook her head firmly wondering if Albus thought of her as little more than a child, with an intense need to be coddled. "It is not the adjustment that troubles me, I was just reliving my past."

Albus gave her a look brimming over with sage wisdom. "And that was unpleasant for you?" His question was gentle, so gentle that she wanted his comfort whatever the costs.

"Yes." She admitted sorrowfully. "It has been a life without love and I wish only to know what that elusive emotion feels like. What is love, Professor?"

Dumbledore took a step back and regarded his fellow professor with a puzzled expression. "Minerva love cannot be explained. It must be experienced." Her words were confounding him, even as his body reacted in some elemental way and his mind screamed for him to halt in his tracks. He was headed down a path that could destroy both of them professionally and personally. When her expression turned wistful, his mind turned off and he was just a man, a man who wanted to comfort the sad young woman that stood before him.

Minerva met the blue sparkle of his eyes for a briefly tantalizing moment, then returned her gaze to some point above the Whomping Willow. When gentle hands brushed at the tightly done knot of hair at her neck, she turned to face her kindly mentor. His eyes blazed electric blue fire now, but were as inscrutable as always. They stood locked in a gaze for long moments as neither contemplated moving for fear of breaking the spell of emotion that wound around them.

"Minerva." Albus' heart broke at the lonely look on her face. She was so young to be so alone in this world. He had to show her the elemental magic of human passion. Albus drew closer, whispering her name again. Minerva's eyes widened and her breathing quickened but she did not step away. Leaning in closer still, Albus tenderly brushed his lips over hers.

Fire! Albus Dumbledore was fire to her. A brush of his lips barely warmed her. She wanted more of the special heat of him. Pressing closer to him, she brushed his lips at first tentatively, then as he responded with a soft moan gave herself over to his talented mouth.

Albus pulled away after a few timeless minutes of passion. She wasn't the innocent he had thought she was. Though her kissing technique was not that of a very experienced woman, her body had responded in ways that hinted that she was not a novice at kissing or the rest of it. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his trembling form. A woman had not effected him like this in a great many years.

He took a step back, fearing that his proximity to young Minerva would be their undoing. As much as his body wanted to give in to the emotions and desire swirling around them, he had to practice restraint. Giving himself over to Minerva would be the end of him and he well knew it. An assistant headmaster caught in a relationship with any of the Hogwarts staff would be immediate grounds for dismissal.

Even though he was aware of the danger, Albus couldn't break her gaze. "Are you all right, Minerva?"

She met Albus' concerned gaze and nodded slowly. She didn't trust herself to speak yet, afraid that her voice would belie her emotional turmoil. He seemed to require something more significant, so she finally tested her voice. "I am fine, thank you for asking." She looked at the giant teaching desk, her mind unable to focus on anything beyond the man in front of her. "But...it has been a long journey and I am quite tired. I should like a nap before dinner. Will we eat in the Great Hall tonight?"

The seemingly uninvolved tone of her voice bothered him greatly. Hadn't she been as moved by their kiss as he had been? "Dinner will be held in the small dining room off the main hall." He shook his head slightly as she walked out, the rustle of robes echoing down the hall as she departed.

~*~

Albus knocked on the door of Hagrid's cottage. He was mildly surprised himself, to be standing there on the doorstep of his former student. Why did he feel this need to talk things out with Hagrid? Ever since he had helped Hagrid after the unfortunate episode of the secret chamber they had maintained a warm friendship, but the subject on his mind was not something he would ordinarily have spoken of with any but his most intimate friends. On the other hand, none of his intimates would do to discuss something so potentially damaging to his career as his feelings for Hogwart's newest teacher. These circumstances were unique and Hagrid was the only person he felt could offer the honesty and discretion he needed.

Hagrid opened the door, looming like a huge, shaggy mountain in the doorway. "Albus! Come in! Come in! I'll put on some tea, shall I? And what can I do for yer today?" Hagrid shambled over to the stove, and put a kettle of water on.

Albus stared at the hard dry cake that Hagrid placed in front of him, wondering where to begin. "Have you met the new Transfiguration teacher yet? Minerva McGonagall?" He asked, uncertainly.

"Yeah, met 'er at dinner last night. Sweet 'lil thing, I'd say!" Hagrid boomed.

"Yes, she is that, alright" Albus whispered faintly. "What do you think of her?" He asked.

"Seems ok. Bright, like. A bit shy o' strangers though," was Hagrid's reply. "Yes, indeed. Aloof, don't yer think?"

Albus looked up nervously at the shaggy giant across the table from him. "That is what I wanted to talk to you about. I don't wish to burden you, but I must speak with someone if only to organize my own thoughts. I hope that you will listen with sympathy, and I trust you not repeat this conversation anywhere.

"Oh aye, I'll not be speaking of it with anyone, if that's what yer wanting, Albus. So, what's on yer mind?" Hagrid replied.

"It's about Minerva... I feel... drawn to her. In ways that are *decidedly* inappropriate for a senior member of the faculty. I feel unable to control the powerful urge to sweep her off her feet and ravish her! This is preposterous, unheard of and.... I cant seem to *STOP* feeling this way", he finished miserably.

Hagrid was touched to see the Professor, normally so calm and controlled, so stately, reduced to confusion. "Err, have you spoken to her about it?" he asked.

"Well, no. You see, adding to my confusion, she seems, on one level, to respond and return my affections. And on another, she seems to reject me completely. I cannot fathom her feelings nor her intentions!" Albus looked down at his teacup. "She talks and acts as if I am nothing more than her mentor, and yet... her eyes. Her eyes, Hagrid! They burn with desire, I can see it!" "And this must not be!" He declared fiercely. "To feel such emotions for a woman so young and inexperienced. To take advantage of her like this..."

" 'Ang on a sec," Hagrid said. "She's 'ardly a teenager, she's what, nearly 40? She knows 'er own mind, Albus!"

Dumbledore looked up at Hagrid keenly. "Yes, she is, but there is a quality of innocence about her that confuses me into thinking she is much younger. I find it hard to think of her in terms other than that of an inexperienced young woman. It's so difficult to think straight around her! Not to mention the consequences of actually *acting* on these impulses. The scandal would not bear thinking about!" Albus looked down again, lost in his inner thoughts. Hagrid could see that they were mostly black and depressing thoughts, at that.

Hagrid looked at his friend, so obviously torturing himself over his feelings. "Tell me somethin'", He said. "Are ye more concerned about the consequences, her feelings, or yer feelings?"

Albus looked up. "The consequences to her, firstly. Then her feelings. My own situation and feelings are of no consequence."

Hagrid's face split into a wide, toothy grin. "Well, there 'yare, man! You are in LOVE. And from what I saw of Ms McGonagall, she's a strong, brainy woman, she is. She bloody well KNOWS what the consequences are, and she can make up 'er own mind, right? So go and TALK to the woman, yer daft fool!"

Albus looked at him with horror. "Oh my goodness, I do believe you are correct. I DO feel love for her." He brightened visibly, and sat straight in his chair once more. "I have been refusing to accept this, in my concern for Minerva. She is indeed old enough to decide for herself if this is the right thing for her!" Albus collapsed into misery once again. "And then again, all this being so, she DOES treat me with aloof courtesy. Am I only imagining that my feelings might be returned? I'm probably fooling myself."

"You, fool yerself?" Hagrid laughed. "Yeah, right. Yer the smartest wizard I know. I think ye got it right. But you won't know unless ye TALK to her, like, right?" Hagrid got up, and lifted Dumbledore to his feet with one huge hand. "Now go find her and SPEAK to her, right?"

Albus looked at his gigantic friend bemusedly. "All right, all right, I'll do it!" He said. As Hagrid shoved him out the door, he threw back over his shoulder, "And nothing said to anyone, alright?"

"Sure, no trouble Albus" replied the Giant gamekeeper, as the Deputy Headmaster vanished into the gloom.

~*~

Minerva tried to nap but found that her mind was working far too quickly to allow any sort of physical relief. Her body was humming with tension and desire and her mind was whirring with the events of the last two days. She sighed in frustration; angry that she didn't have anyone she could speak with about the strange circumstances that had invaded her life. The only other female teacher was Sybill Trelawney and that woman could not be depended upon for any sort of serious advice or help.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, wondering if she had time to go to Hogsmede and apparate to a friends and be back before dinner when someone knocked on her door. "Hello?" Minerva asked slowly. She hoped that Albus wouldn't be back soon. She just wasn't ready to deal with him yet.

Her door swung slowly open and a friendly face poked itself into the narrow gap. "Minerva, you haven't come up to visit me yet!"

Minerva smiled warmly, the expression breaking into her stern countenance. "Poppy! I have missed you. It has been years hasn't it?"

Poppy Pomfrey crossed the room to hug her old schoolmate and friend. "It has. The last time I saw you the war was still on and your father was..." She trailed off.

"Yes." Minerva's face darkened. "He died in '46 and mother three years ago. After she passed on, I decided to take some teaching courses at the University. And here I am." She forced a small smile.

"I still know you, Minerva and I can see that something troubles you. Won't you share it with an old friend?" When Minerva hesitated, she leaned in close. "I know that we have not seen each other in quite some time, Minerva but I would like to help you in whatever troubles you."

"Can you promise me your full discretion?" Minerva asked suddenly. Poppy had been a friend to her for her entire Hogwarts career in addition to helping her father in the darkest days of his illness. Her devotion and help to the entire McGonagall family had extended to moving in to the McGonagall household where she and Minerva had further solidified their friendship through the stresses of the Muggle War that had taken a great toll on the wizarding world as well.

Poppy settled down on the other woman's bed and nodded firmly. "Of course you can, Minerva. We have a long friendship and I would never do anything to ruin that. You can trust me implicitly."

Minerva squared her shoulders and nodded. She sat in deep concentration for some minutes. "I have a problem, Poppy. I am attracted to someone who works here at Hogwarts."

Poppy gave Minerva an encouraging nod, signaling her to go on but when Minerva stayed silent, Poppy studied her carefully. The new teacher's expression was wistful and she seemed miles away, a secretive tiny smile tugging at her lips as she stared out into the distance. Suddenly, it all made sense to Poppy. "This has to do with a professor doesn't it?" She questioned as the silence lengthened.

Minerva's head shot up as if she had been startled. A light red flush started at the tips of her ears but gradually moved across her features until they were covered in a rosy blush. She watched Poppy for a few moments before confirming the suspicion with a small nod.

Poppy leaned in close. "Why not tell me what the problem is Minerva? It is obviously bothering you and you could certainly use a friend at this moment."

Minerva hesitated a short while longer, until Poppy stood up and started for the door. "You know where I am if you'd like to talk."

"Wait!" Minerva's voice was breathless. Poppy found herself wondering just what man was responsible for her friend's heightened color. She settled back onto Minerva's bed and leaned in close.

"Who is he?" Her voice was as breathless as Minerva's.

"Albus." Minerva said in a rush.

Poppy arched an eyebrow. "Albus? Albus DUMBLEDORE? Do you mean to say that you and Professor Dumbledore fancy each other?" Poppy's voice rose with each word. When Minerva just nodded, she clapped a hand over her widely opened mouth. "The scandal!" she gasped, eyes bright as she contemplated this piece of juicy gossip.

Minerva's expression turned from romantic to thunderous in seconds. "You will do well not to breathe a word of this Poppy. Not a word. To anyone." Poppy removed the hand and moved her mouth as if she was searching for words but Minerva rounded on her and stood very close, invading the other woman's space. "Not a word Poppy. You promised!"

"But surely Minerva, we must discuss this!" Poppy finally found her voice, the words tumbling out unbidden. "He is very old and well respected here, If anyone were to find out the scandal could very well ruin you both. Think of yourself, Minerva You are not getting any younger!"

Minerva nodded, sage wisdom in her movements. "I know that Poppy. I know that I am beyond a marriageable age and that I must care for myself. I know that this is my last opportunity for a career and that no man must ruin that, because should I fail, I will have no chance at security in my later years." Her voice softened first and soon her whole body sagged. "But my heart does not understand. It jumps at the sound of his voice. My heart races at the contact of his lips upon mine."

Poppy's eyes widened. "You've kissed?" Part titillated, part horrified at the risks her friend was taking, all the school nurse could do was to wring her hands anxiously as she waited for her friend's answer.

Minerva nodded and brushed a finger over her slightly swollen lips in remembrance. "Yes we did and it was...it was..."

"Wonderful." Poppy sighed dramatically. "But you must not pursue this. To do so would be to sacrifice everything that you value and your chances have run out."

"I know that, but my heart is unaware. I fear that it is already too involved with him and to break it off now will cause unbearable heartbreak."

Poppy gave her friend a sad look then rose to embrace her. "But you must forget him and move on, dear friend. There can be no other answer for you." Minerva didn't answer, but Poppy detected her emotions in the way that her chin trembled. She suddenly felt like an intruder. "I will leave you to it, Minerva but if you would like to talk, you know where to find me."

Minerva nodded. "Thank you." She said faintly as Poppy exited her room. She settled on her bed and drew her knees up to her chest in a pose that was more reminiscent of Minerva the old schoolgirl instead of Minerva the nearly forty year old teacher. "What do I do?" She asked quietly as she rested her head upon her knees. "I'm falling in love with Albus Dumbledore."

~*~

Albus spent some time organizing his office after speaking with Hagrid. Partway through his walk back to the castle nerves had overtaken him and by the time he had opened the heavy wooden door, he was petrified. He would see how Minerva was doing at dinner. There was absolutely no reason for him to go to her sooner. It could just lead to potential problems and Albus was having enough trouble staying away from her.

He stayed immersed in work for some hours until he heard the unmistakable sounds of dinner echoing down the hall and looked out the window to see evening quickly advancing. He changed his robes quickly without the usual fanfare, selecting a deep green one. He adjusted his hat and hurried through the corridors only to find that Minerva had not yet joined their feast. He nodded and greeted the other professors and the general staff members including his confidant Hagrid. He walked slowly to one of the two remaining open spaces and settled himself between Poppy Pomfrey and Rubeus Hagrid. They looked at him with twin expressions of guilt and he found himself wondering if Hagrid had broken his confidence. That was preposterous; Hagrid would never disrespect him in such a way!

"Wonderful evening isn't it?" Albus began, but it quickly became clear to him that Poppy and Rubeus were preoccupied. "Well then." He said faintly at a loss for words. "Bon appetit."

Conversation flowed around Albus and his dinner companions but he didn't feel like joining in. A part of him was sorely afraid that Minerva had taken great offense to their interlude and had fled the Hogwarts campus. As the meal continued his nerves turned to panic. "Excuse me please." Albus finally said, pushing his chair back quickly. "I have a great many tasks to attend to in anticipation of the students' arrival. I will see you all in the morning. Good evening." He gave Hagrid a most severe glance before leaving the room.

Hurried footsteps soon had him to Minerva's door. Flickering shadows beneath the door shone, hinting at candlelight within. He rapped gently upon the wooden barrier that separated them. "Minerva?"

Minerva's head shot up at the sound. She had been deep in thought since Poppy had departed and had lost all track of time. Darkness had wrapped around the castle; a comforting blanket that did nothing to allay Minerva's troubled state of mind. "Who is there?" she called out hesitantly. There was only one person that would call on her in the evening. With a sinking feeling, Minerva steeled herself for the onslaught of emotion and desire that she quickly associated with Albus Dumbledore.

"Minerva?" The knocking continued.

She stood swiftly and straightened her robes. Apparently, voices did not carry into the hall when the door was closed and that meant that she would have to face him. She composed her features and took a few deep breaths before opening the door. "Hello Albus." Her voice was soft, almost unsure.

"May I come in?" Albus studied her expression as his confusion deepened. She seemed unconcerned by his closeness and he flushed at the memory of changing into his best robe just for her. Their kiss hadn't meant anything to her.

Minerva wanted physical contact from him. Her arms ached to touch him and her lips tingled with the memory of their kiss. Yet she remained stoic. He could be he downfall and she well knew it. "Was there something you needed, Albus?"

Her voice held a tone of authority, which made one of his eyebrows quirk in surprise. "Well, I wanted to discuss what happened this afternoon."

Minerva met his eyes, the longing in her gaze colliding with his and radiating into the pit of her stomach. "Oh that?" She said offhandedly. "It is forgotten. It was just a mistake."

For a moment, Albus could have sworn that her eyes betrayed her, but as he puzzled over the soft longing in her eyes, they turned hard again. His ire rose steadily. How could she treat their kiss so insignificantly? "Is that all?" His eyes turned stormy blue with none of his trademark twinkle to be found. He clenched his fists at his side, a mixture of hurt and anger causing his heart to race.

Albus' curious expression caused Minerva to pause before answering. "Albus it was one incident. One kiss, a kiss very easily forgotten." She hated hurting him, but it was the only way that she could effectively protect herself.

Albus gave her a thoroughly penetrating look before whirling around. "Very well then, Minerva. It was a kiss easily forgotten so I shall not bother you anymore."

His confusion and hurt were evident in every precise word. Sudden tears sprang to her eyes. "Albus..." The plea and desire in her voice were all that he needed.

As he turned toward her, he was already moving forward. His mouth covered hers in seconds and she surrendered herself to him completely.

~*~

Six Weeks Later

Poppy Pomfrey studied a thick book. "What does it say? Can you find the proper spell Poppy?" Minerva's face was pale and drawn and it was obvious that she hadn't slept in days. If Poppy looked hard enough she could see the protrusion of her friend's collarbone through her thick robes.

"I found a spell." Poppy announced quietly. "But Minerva you must promise me that whatever the results are, that you will take care of yourself. I know that this is quite a shock to you but really, you must take care of yourself."

"Poppy, just do the spell." Minerva gritted her teeth. "I do not need a lecture. We both know how well your last one worked out. I would not be in this position if I had listened to you."

Albus had been looking for Minerva for quite some time. The house elves had told him that she was with Madame Pomfrey, so he made his way to her chambers. Minerva had been withdrawing from him for some days now and this development troubled him. They had had an idyllic though stealthy time together. Nobody knew about their affair and they managed to keep their feelings for each other masked in public. It was hardly ideal but it would have to suffice for now. Over the Christmas feast Albus planned to ask her to marry him. It would do both of them good to be able to relax and Headmaster Dippet wasn't likely to have any objections if they remained unobtrusive in their affections.

He knocked gently on Poppy's slightly opened door. When he received no answer, he rapped a little harder, the door opening under the force of his knuckles on the wood.

Poppy made a clucking sound. "But you have been so happy Minerva. It has been a joy to see you blossom within this relationship." She noted the tension and nerves in her friend and quickly did the spell. They both watched as a bright pink glow settled over Minerva's abdomen.

Neither of them noticed Albus move slowly into the room as his knocks had gone unnoticed by both. He gasped when he saw the glow then his face transformed into a brilliant smile. "I'm to be a father." He whispered to himself.

"So it's true." Minerva said dully as she stared at the glow. "I am pregnant with Albus Dumbledore's baby. And we are to have a little girl. She looked up with tears in her eyes. "Poppy, what do I do now?"