Matter of Relativity

Chapter 2

Albus stood in shock as Minerva's words echoed over him. What would she do now? Why, she would tell him and then he would be able to propose to her. He reached into the pocket of his scarlet dress robes and checked to see that the heirloom ring was still there. Ah, there it was, near his small pouch of Muggle candies. Today's selection had sourballs in cherry and cinnamon. He had to be color coordinated, after all.

Albus started to clear his throat, then stopped. He wanted to hear what Minerva had to say and that, unfortunately, meant that he would have to remain until noticed by the women. Only when armed with the knowledge that he needed would he have the clearest idea of how to proceed.

He watched as Poppy leaned in close to the distraught young Transfiguration teacher. "Minerva, what do you mean; what do you do? You would not consider doing anything rash, would you?" This was not the reaction that she had expected from Minerva, the woman in love, the woman that Poppy had seen blossoming under the constant watch of the Assistant Headmaster.

Minerva stared at the ground, unable to answer the simple question for now. "This is such a shock," she whispered. "Such a huge shock."

Poppy leaned in close. "Surely you knew the consequences." She said gently.

Minerva sighed and raised her head to meet Poppy's kindly eyes. "Of course, I knew the consequences, but I did not think that we would find ourselves in this place. Albus will be..." her gaze swept toward the door and to her horror she saw him standing framed just inside the doorway. A small smile touched his lips as he moved closer slowly, almost timidly.

"A baby." His tone was tender, tinged with wonder and happiness, a huge difference from the steely tone that he adopted with the students. Minerva now knew that she was by far the less sensitive of the couple. "I wish you had confided in me that this was a possibility."

Minerva blushed and glanced at Poppy who now stood a discreet distance away. "Albus, it was a possibility from the first time that we were together, " she said softly. "I never investigated a potion to stop what nature had intended. I never thought that it was needed."

Albus laughed softly and pulled her stiff form into his embrace. "Never mind that now, Minerva. What a wonderful surprise for us! We have so many plans to make."

Minerva squirmed out of his comforting embrace. "Plans?" She would not have this situation wrenched from her control if she could help it, but she truly did not know what to do.

Albus peered into her face curiously. "Yes, my dear, plans. We are to have a child!" The dull expression that she favored him with surely had to be a product of her shock. She would soon warm to the idea; he knew it!

Minerva shook her head firmly. "No, Albus, we are not going to have a child. This is just an unfortunate incident."

Minerva's heart broke as Albus' expression turned from one of wonder and happiness to one of shock, dismay and pain. "What do you mean, Minerva?" he asked in a hoarse tone.

She closed her heart off, trying desperately to ignore his pain and the anguish that welled up inside her. "I am not having this child."

Sudden comprehension crossed Albus' features. "No no, Minerva, you misunderstand me. I would never ask you to do this alone." He sank to one knee and pulled out a small glowing box. "Will you be my bride?"

Whatever Minerva had expected from Albus, she could never have imagined that he would propose marriage to her. The idea was so outrageous, so incomprehensible, yet so right on some level. But of course....the child. He would want to raise the child and she would lose herself exactly as her mother had all those years ago. Tears rapidly filled her eyes as she clapped her hands over her mouth and hurried out of the room.

"Minerva..." Albus was a sad figure in his current position. His head rested in a hand and the ring box was extended into nothingness. In a rare gesture of affection, Poppy Pomfrey reached over and rubbed his back. She had no idea what had occurred, but she knew that it this couple appeared to be cursed. Instead of this miracle solidifying their relationship, it appeared to be tearing them apart right in front of her eyes.

"Give her time, Albus. This is a huge shock for her." Poppy couldn't bear to watch her superior as he got to his feet. Defeat was in his every move. The normally commanding presence was reduced to this, and it deeply disturbed the school nurse to see Albus so different from his normal state.

"It is a happy occasion for me, Poppy. Why is she not sharing these feelings of joy?" He didn't have to confirm that Minerva had confided in Poppy about their relationship. The school nurse seemed unsurprised about any of this, and her words made him aware that she had been Minerva's confidant at some point, perhaps even at the beginning of their relationship.

Poppy patted his shoulder awkwardly. "Give her time, Albus. She will adjust in time." Even as Poppy said the words, she was unconvinced. Albus and Minerva's relationship would be arduous at best and at worst, why they might not even share togetherness in the face of such stresses. She watched Albus slowly depart without another word and sent a silent hope to the heavens for them both and the baby that they had created. "May they all find their path to happiness." She said quietly to her now empty room.

~*~

Sibyll Trelawney watched her Divination class as they attempted to read their tea leaves. Lucius Malfoy was, of course, trying to cause trouble, and young Arabella Figg and Molly Benson seemed bored. She was just preparing to go around to the students individually when she froze in place.

The trance was back! These trances were unlike any that she had known, both in their ferocity and realism. She began to rock back and forth in her chair, drawing the shocked gaze and criticism of her more vocal students.

The words were spoken without conscious thought or understanding by the teacher. She was helpless to do anything but repeat the phrases that came to her without understanding them.

"Two lives stand at a crossroads. Before one is a dark path. Before the other, the pathway of light. The darkness shall consume the light, sparing only the flickering flame of new life."

Poppy Pomfrey had to see to Sibyll once again, as she forgot her most basic needs and existed only the repeat the prediction again and again.

~*~

Albus gave Minerva a wide berth for a week or more. The situation with the Divination professor had occupied most of his free time, and if he admitted it, he was worried over Minerva's reaction and needed time to piece together his feelings on the blessed event. He was overjoyed that he was to be a father, yet Minerva's reactions cut him most deeply.

As he passed by her Transfiguration classroom, he could not resist the urge to look inside. Minerva looked drawn and grey; an air of loneliness settling around her shoulders much like a cloak. She had been avoiding him since his proposal, and despite his need to see her, to be with her, he gave her the space that she so obviously craved. Giving Minerva time to deal with the situation was the only thing that he could do.

As he lingered at the doorway to her classroom Minerva turned as if she could sense his presence there. Their eyes met in a moment of longing before the Transfiguration professor's expression closed. Albus winced. Would she ever open herself to him or were they destined to keep at arm's length and leave so much vital unsaid?

He took a step into her classroom, carefully noting how pale she became at his intrusion. Albus flushed as he realized the scope of her unease. "Professor McGonagall, I should like to have a word with you." He called out from the threshold of the room.

Minerva's lips thinned and she shot him a look of extreme displeasure. "Yes, sir." She directed her class to a beginner's task before striding out of her classroom. With a flick of her wand, the door closed firmly, leaving them in a quiet and empty corridor.

"Yes Albus, what do you need?" There was a note of near irritation in her voice, as if she was thoroughly annoyed with him. She also wouldn't meet his eyes.

Albus sighed before speaking to her. "I just wished to inquire about your condition. How are you feeling, Minerva?"

She sighed and turned away from him. "I have no symptoms yet," she confessed after a few moments of silence.

"Good," Albus replied. "I should like to discuss options with you later today, if you will allow me to. We have a great many plans to make in preparation."

Minerva started to reply, but thought the better of it. "Please do not discuss this with anyone." Her voice was thick to Albus' ears and he knew without a doubt that she was choking back emotion.

"I have not said anything to anyone, Minerva, and I will continue to keep this a private matter between us."

"Thank you," she replied, and hurriedly fled down the corridor.

Albus sighed and turned to the closed door and her classroom. It appeared that he would have to finish teaching her students. "I wish I knew how to reach you, my dear," he sighed before turning his attention to her students.

~*~

After dinner, Albus found himself wandering the many corridors of Hogwarts Castle while he tried to gather the strength to approach Minerva. Her responses not only worried him, but they confused him and he was left with a feeling of utter helplessness. He had no idea how to approach her, much less how to convince her that the miracle did not change the core of their relationship.

After an hour or more of contemplation, Albus took a deep breath before knocking upon Minerva's door. She opened it slowly and focused on the figure that stood before her.

Albus looked older to Minerva's eyes. He stood looking at her for a long moment, his figure framed by a green brocade robe. While his expression was sad and mournful, his blue eyes met hers in a long and hungry gaze that sent her stomach fluttering.

"May I enter?" His voice was at the same time tender and firm, and Minerva quickly ushered him inside lest someone see him at her door and begin gossiping. She did a quick Nullourus charm to keep their conversation from being overheard and then sank onto her bed, arms folded firmly over her chest.

"My dear, you've been ill." Albus took in her pale expression and the thin sheen of perspiration dampening the loose tendrils of hair curling against her cheeks and placed a hand against her face. Even her robes looked washed out, the watery pale pink silk lying limp against her frame.

Minerva nodded, though her expression and body language stayed closed. "It was not unexpected."

Albus closed his eyes slowly and nodded. Pregnancy maladies crossed wizard/muggle lines and sometimes wizards even developed more serious morning sickness as a result of the magical child they carried. "I trust that our conversation will not be too taxing." He paused a long moment. "But it must be done, Minerva." He reached into his robes and again removed the small glowing box, sinking to his knees much as he had done the day they had discovered her pregnancy. "Will you marry me, Minerva?"

Minerva looked at the box and then into Albus' eyes. A large part of her just wanted to surrender and say yes. Things would be so much easier for her then. She'd be married to a man who was a rising star in the wizarding world and their child would be guaranteed every opportunity in life. She couldn't surrender herself to that, though. Even though Albus was indeed a wonderful man, she could not allow herself the slightest possibility of being treated as her mother was. A small voice inside her pleaded with her, explaining that Albus was a different and better man, and that she would be treated fairly and well. That voice was no match for her uncertainty and fear, which finally won out as she shook her head.

"I cannot marry you, Albus." Minerva started to touch his hand, then pulled away as their fingers brushed and heat exploded in her fingertips. It traveled a slow languorous journey to her soul before she squelched it.

Albus said nothing for minutes, but just looked into her eyes. He didn't even shift positions though Minerva knew that he had to be uncomfortable. "Please say something?" She finally broke the now oppressive silence.

"When I can, my dear. I am still adjusting." Albus' voice was that of an older man, and for the first time Minerva realized that he was one of the more aged of her peers.

"Adjusting?" Minerva drew the word out.

Albus nodded and slowly pocketed the box. "Why have you turned me down? I know that you care very much for me. Do you think me unfit for fatherhood? Do you think me too old to be your husband and a father to our miracle?" He rose to his feet slowly and moved a half-dozen paces away while Minerva sank to a wing chair across the room.

Minerva's eyes widened when he spoke of his age. She did not know his chronological years and had no desire to acquire that knowledge. "No, Albus. I think that you would be a wonderful father. It has nothing to do with age."

Albus did not seem to listen to her. "Minerva, while our age difference would be a problem for mortals, we are wizards. We age much more slowly. I have barely entered middle age and intend to live a great many years. I can be a father to this child."

"Albus..." She started to reach toward him, but then pulled back, as if becoming aware of their position again. "Your age is no issue. I know that you are much older, but I do not see that as an issue in this instance. It has nothing to do with you."

Albus flinched. Her rejection was as apparent to him as her fervent denial of what was obvious.

"If not my age...what is it? Why am I unsuitable? Why deny me the chance to be your husband and a father to our child? "

Minerva stood and began pacing. "This is not our child, Albus. This is a tragic mistake. I will not have a child. I will not..." Her voice trailed off and broke. "I cannot."

Albus thought a moment before composing an answer. Her tone of voice spoke of long held pain and he suddenly realized that he was not the problem. Minerva was fighting demons of her past and reacting as a result of her negative memories. "You have no choice here, Minerva," he reminded gently. "Even if you and I do not marry, the child will still come. It does not care if you want it or not. We must find a way."

"Albus, there is no we. I am alone in this. I caused this." When his sad gaze continued to focus on her face, Minerva knew that she owed her dear friend a more thorough explanation. "I am not ready to have a child. I am not ready to be a wife. I do not know if I will ever want to be a mother or a wife. I care about you more than I ever wanted to, Albus. You have awakened a great many feelings inside me." She closed her eyes against the happy memories that flooded her with warmth. Soon the warmth gave way to the deep-seated ache of loss, but still she struggled onward.

"Albus, I do not wish to marry anyone. I created this problem alone and I will find a way to rectify this situation alone."

He crossed the room to touch her shoulder. "We did this together, Minerva. I will try..." His voice wavered. "I will try to put my disappointment aside. Let me help you. Let me help you as a friend."

Minerva's eyes filled with tears as she watched Albus. His heartbreak and pain were clear to see in his drawn features and gray expression. "What would you have me do, friend?"

Albus drew the chair to her bedside and motioned her to settle onto her bed. "Please, Minerva, rest. You will need your strength." She hesitated for a moment, unnerved by his proximity and the feelings that arose inside. Finally, she moved to the near edge of the bed and sat down, pulling a thick blanket over her lap.

Albus nodded, satisfied. "You must take care of yourself, Minerva. You have a growing life that you must nurture."

"But I am not ready," Minerva admitted quietly. She leaned in close and extended a trembling hand to touch his.

Albus took comfort from her touch. She had given him openings and allowed discussion to flow forth. That was an encouraging start. He took a deep breath and focused his attention on their options. He grasped her hand gently, stroking her fingers.

"We have some decisions to make, my dear."

Minerva's hand tightened around his. "What are our options?" Her voice trembled, but her hand stayed firmly in his and her eyes never strayed from his.

"I know that you feel, as I do, that ending the life within you is unthinkable. Thus, we must either keep the child or release it to others. If we choose to give the child up, it could become a ward of Hogwarts or perhaps be raised by a childless wizarding family. This is so infrequently done..."

"I could not endure that," Minerva broke in. A forlorn expression had dulled her eyes.

Albus leaned in close and silently cursed himself for hurting her even more. "You cannot face giving the child up?"

Minerva considered his words carefully as she searched for answers within herself. "I could not support a decision to keep the child at Hogwarts. The child deserves a family environment, two parents to watch over it."

Albus nodded. She was so very wise in ways that he was unable to consider at the present moment. Of course, the child deserved both a mother and father. "It would be too hard on you to see our child every day. You are not a cold-hearted woman. I can see the pain in your eyes." He wondered if he should speak his heart to the woman that had broken it. "It would pain me greatly as well. I should want to be a father to the child, not simply an assistant headmaster."

"So, we have one choice before us." Minerva measured her words and tone. "We must find a family to care for the child. Are you able to do that without arousing suspicion, Albus? Are you strong enough to live without the child, or will you ignore my wishes and keep the child nearby, unloved and alone?"

Her words hurt him, but he could understand why she spoke them. She well knew that he was a soft touch in ways that she simply was not. "Yes, Minerva. I promise you that I will find a suitable family." Albus sighed heavily. "Let me do some research and we will speak again tomorrow. We both have much to think about, Minerva. I will not go against your wishes, but you must understand that a life lies in the balance between what you wish and what I need." He swallowed hard and gave her the ghost of a smile. "Rest for now, my dear. As soon as I have return owls with news, I will come to you. Until then, please do not tax yourself."

As Albus looked beseechingly at her, Minerva wrapped the blankets more tightly around the growing life within her. She had never felt a kinship with the little life that she nurtured, but now she could see to its comforts and health, secure in the knowledge that Albus would help her rectify the situation. "Thank you, Albus. You are a kind and compassionate friend. If circumstances were different, the child could only benefit from you as a father."

He started to reply to her, then shook his head briefly. With a sad expression on his face, Albus Dumbledore made a mournful sound and moved to the door. "Rest. I will come to you when I have information to report." His voice sounded thick to her ears.

Minerva was able to hold her tears back until the door closed behind him, but as soon as he was gone, tears flowed unchecked down her face and into her lap. She was so caught up in her emotions that she did not see how the tears crystallized into tiny silvery threads that wrapped around her. Slowly, the bands thickened until the distraught woman was wrapped in a cocoon of love. At last, she was all cried out. Minerva fell into a deep sleep, never knowing that the magic of her unborn child's love was at work in her own life.

~*~

The Next Day

Albus had spent much of the day in his office. A fitful night led to a surprisingly quiet day. Headmaster Dippet perceived that Albus had his mind elsewhere and gently offered to give his new assistant some time to himself. Albus had given the situation much thought since last seeing Minerva, and while he did not understand all of her motivations; he could support her ultimate decision.

Finally, a soft but insistent pecking and the sound of beating wings signaled the answers he sought. Opening the window to admit an owl, Albus pulled a parchment from its leg and motioned the owl to the owlery. He scanned the note quickly and started for Minerva's room.

"Minerva?" He knocked gently upon her door. Albus knew that she had taken to her rooms after her last class some time ago.

"Yes?" her voice sounded reedy and breathless. Albus pushed the door open, somewhat fearful of what he might find. His heartbeat slowed when he took in the scene before him. Minerva was in her bed, the curtains parted. Her face still had a paleness about it, but she looked somehow more healthy, more accepting.

"I have news," Albus shared without fanfare. "I have a family willing to take our child. Would you like to discuss it? I am certain that you must have a great many questions."

Minerva took in a deep breath and held it, aware that her life had just irrevocably changed. The decision that seemed so definite mere hours before started to gnaw at her conscience. How could she give her child away? How could she give up this man and this child because of her fears?

"No," she finally told him in a trembling voice. "I just want to be left alone. Thank you for the information, Albus. I support any decision that you make, but I am unable to handle the details of it right now. "

Albus nodded. "I will write to them immediately, Minerva. Thank you." He took a few deep breaths before leaving. He longed to speak out. He had so much to say to her, but she was too fragile both emotionally and physically to handle his pleas. He settled for sharing He settled for giving her the most pertinent information. "Rest assured that the family is from excellent wizarding stock and is known to me personally. I will see to it that you are not involved in any ways beyond what you must be and I promise utter discretion. I shall have Poppy stop by with a cloaking charm to help you conceal your pale complexion. Make sure that you see her every day. As you begin to show your condition, she will be the one to see to it that no one suspects. I assume that you will be using Poppy as your attendant when the time comes?"

At Minerva's nod, he half bowed in respect. "I will leave you for now, my dear. If you require anything at all, please do not hesitate to see me. I distinctly hope that we will be able to keep our friendship and working relationship strong."

"I also," Minerva echoed. "Thank you, Albus."

~*~

June 1, 1960

Albus paced the halls of Hogwarts outside the hospital wing. He had been waiting for this moment for such a long time now, and the fact that it had come with such little fanfare lent a surreal quality to the day. They had been expecting the baby to come any day now. Albus had been preparing for the event in many ways over the last month. A student teacher in Transfiguration on loan from the Merlin Academy had been shadowing Minerva's classes and would assist in her classes for the first few days following the birth. While Poppy promised to immediately heal Minerva, she would need some time to recover and deal with the decision that they had undertaken some months ago.

Albus' thoughts turned to the young couple safely ensconced in Hogsmeade. He would bring the child to them. He had known Alexander and Clarissa Devon since their childhood and had taught them when they were students at Hogwarts. Alexander worked at the Ministry in the Department of Overseas Relations in London, while Clarissa had stayed at home in anticipation of a large family. Their attempts to have children had been unsuccessful thus far and Alexander had subtly put the word out that they would be interested in adopting a child of magical parents. They had been waiting for a few years now, as wizard adoption was not a common thing. Dumbledore smiled thinly. At least someone's dreams would be answered with the birth of this most special child.

He continued to pace for hours, stealing tastes of Muggle candy and drinking sips of butterbeer. He had not confided the pregnancy to anyone, not even Hagrid. To Hagrid, he simply explained that Minerva was unwilling to hold a relationship within the confines of work. Hagrid had seemed to understand that, and even though it greatly saddened him, he didn't push Albus for more information or for them to reunite. Hagrid seemed to understand the gravity of the situation even though he had not been provided with the most critical details.

Hours passed. As Albus paced, his sense of nervousness increased. He did not dare enter the room, being forbidden to do so by both witches. He fully understood that Minerva wanted to preserve her sense of modesty and dignity. He was, however, quite disturbed that he had no way to get more information and was unwilling to disturb Poppy. He might distract her at a critical moment and most assuredly would cause her more upset.

Poppy Pomfrey mopped Minerva's damp brow and chanted soft incantations to her. It had been a long and arduous labor, as if the child had been punishing her mother for not wanting her. Poppy did not know the details of the baby's fate, but she did know that Professor Dumbledore and Minerva would never hurt the child. Truth be told, she did not want to possess the details, as that knowledge could endanger the vow she had given them months ago.

Poppy took a deep breath and sipped some now warm Pumpkin juice. She eased a spoonful into Minerva's mouth. "The baby is almost ready to come out," she encouraged. "Just maintain your strength for a few more minutes."

Minerva was straining too hard to reply. Poppy sank to her knees to assist the other witch as her labor reached its climax. "You can do this, my friend. Just one more push."

Some minutes later, Minerva cried out, her energy gone. "It is soon over," Poppy's voice soothed her and with one last giant push the silence was broken by a tiny, yet ferocious cry. Poppy chuckled and did a quick spell to remove the umbilical cord, clean the newborn, and swath the child in warm blankets. "She's a beauty Minerva! What beautiful blue eyes she has and such blond hair."

Minerva nodded, her eyes on the child, then cried out again.

"What is it?" Poppy placed the child in a magically rocking cradle.

"Hurts..." Minerva managed.

Poppy nodded knowingly and began to gently massage Minerva's abdomen. "That will be the afterbirth. It is perfectly normal."

"No..." Minerva cried out again.

Poppy hesitated for a moment, frozen between wanting to help her friend and see to the baby. The baby appeared to be healthy, though her friend was in rising distress. She crouched again; slightly annoyed that Minerva was not listening to her.

"What is this?" she asked in shock. Another scream, another tiny cry. "It is a miracle, Minerva. You have birthed another daughter. This little one is as healthy as her sister, but is a redhead instead of a blond, with brilliant green eyes, where her sister's are blue."