What Comes From the Unexpected

Chapter One: Unexpected Birthday Gift--13 December 1954

It was a special day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Oh yes, today was a special day indeed. It was 13 December--a very special day for both Albus Dumbledore and his beloved.

He had something special planned for her birthday. She hadn't clue what it was. The staff of Hogwarts had been filled in about how he had planned to celebrate her day, but were forbidden tell her anything of what they knew. If they did let a small detail be vented, it would ruin the whole surprise for Minerva McGonagall.

It was Minerva McGonagall's birthday, but also the beginning of the twelve days of Christmas. Dumbledore had planned to give her a gift for each day of Christmas to go along with the old song he remembered singing as a child.

He had been married to Minerva secretly now, for almost fourteen years. They had married in 1942 during the war against Grindelwald. Only a select few knew of their marriage, Poppy Pomfrey, Xiomara Hooch, and Sylvia Sprout, being three of those select few. They had been Minerva's schoolmates during her time at Hogwarts and three of her most trusted friends.

Now, for Minerva's birthday, everything had to be perfect. Every year, Albus would make everyone who knew her feel as if her birthday had been declared a national holiday of rest and peace. He, in turn, would make her feel like the goddess of her namesake. Minerva, though, hated the idea of everyone fussing and making a big deal of it, but deep down, she could not ask for anything more or so she thought...

~*~*~

Minerva McGonagall had been grading papers all day in her office as it was a weekend--Sunday to be exact. She was marking a particularly interesting first year essay when she felt another sharp twinge of pain in her stomach. It was as though she had eaten something at lunch that did not agree with her. The pain made her feel as though she would like to vomit. It had happened all morning as well, but it had not been as persistent as it was now, in the late afternoon. She decided she would go see Poppy, to see if there was something to be determined about her condition.

She knew the signs of pregnancy, as it had happened to her once before. The child that had been growing inside her womb had not made through though. It had passed on before she reached one month into her second trimester. She wanted to see Poppy, though, to make sure that her mind was not playing tricks on her.

~*~*~

"Poppy, it really has never been this persistent before," Minerva was saying as she and the mediwitch walked into private room of the infirmary. "I know what the signs are but I just want to make sure I'm not dreaming up anything."

"All right, we'll see, but don't you think you should tell Albus first. I mean about the pain you've been having," Poppy quickly added when she saw the stern look in her friend's eyes.

"Of course not, Poppy. You know, Albus. He would start overreacting and making a big fuss about it. Come to think of it, he had been doing it all day today," Minerva added as an after thought.

"Well, today is your birthday and you know how he gets on your birthday."

"Yes, but I meant that he would start taking over your job and wouldn't let you do a thing. God save your soul if touched my wrist for my pulse."

"I suppose I could start to see him act that way around you, but come on if you want to get this over with," Poppy said ushering her to a small bed in the private room.

Minerva willingly lay down on the bed and waited while Poppy cast a diagnostic spell over her. When Poppy had finished she had the look of pure fulfillment and the look of a little girl etched into her features. Minerva looked at her apprehensively.

"What is it? What's wrong?" she said almost hysterically.

"Minerva nothing is wrong, nothing is wrong at all. Nothing could possibly go wrong. Not now at least."

"Okay, then, what isn't wrong with me, Poppy?" Minerva said sitting up and grasping her friend by the shoulders. "Poppy tell me."

Poppy reached her arms up and mirrored Minerva's gesture. She began slowly, "Minerva, you and Albus are going to have a baby."

Minerva looked at her friend in the eye, not believing what it was that she was hearing. "A- a baby?"

"Yes, Minerva, a baby, but not one. Two babies."

"Two?"

Poppy nodded her head in confirmation and with that, tears of joy sprung to Minerva's eyes and leaked out the corners of her lovely cerulean eyes.

"Oh, Minerva, I'm so happy for you!" Poppy said embracing her friend as they still sat upon the bed.

"Poppy, when should I tell Albus? Surely I can't tonight. He won't know if he had died and gone to heaven if I told him tonight." Minerva dabbed her eyes with a lace handkerchief she conjured out of the air.

"I think you should tell him tonight. It will make your night together more worthwhile."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

They stood and walked out of the private room and back to the entrance of the hospital wing. Poppy embraced her friend again.

"Poppy, how far along am I? I mean with my term."

"Just over three months, why?

"I was just curious because my stomach has been acting up now, for over a month."

"A month! Minerva, why didn't you come see me earlier?"

"Because, I told you, it was not a bad as it has been lately."

"All right," Poppy sighed in defeat, "well, I think you should go find Albus. I'm sure he'd like to know where you've been in case he has been looking for you for some reason or another."

"Thank you Poppy."

"You're welcome, Minerva. Now go!" she said pushing her out the door and into the corridor.

As soon as Poppy shut the door behind her, Minerva instinctively placed her hand upon her abdomen and smiled to herself. She was really going to have a baby again, after wanting so much after their first child had died. Only this time she was having two babies. She could not wait to tell Albus of this joyous news. What an unexpected birthday surprise, she thought to herself. Twins! Who would have ever thought I could have twins? When she reached her office, she found Albus there, sitting behind her desk and grading the first year papers for her.

"I hope this is not my birthday present, Albus," she said walking into the room.

"Oh, believe me, this isn't. I have been waiting for you so I decided to help you out a little by grading these first year papers for you."

"So sweet you are, Albus."

"Of course I am. Now I have something for you, my dear," he said coming around the desk to embrace her.

"Albus, not in here. It's too public."

"Minerva, I hardly think a student would decide to come to your office for no apparent reason."

"Well, at least let me shut the door then."

"All right, my dear," he said and let go of her. She went to the door and shut it tightly. She turned around to find Albus with a small bird in his hand.

"Albus, what is this?" she said gesturing towards the bird in his hand.

"This, my dear," he said gently placing it in the palm of her hand after he lifted it up, "is a partridge, one of your gifts for each day until Christmas."

"Albus, what on earth? For each day until Christmas? This wouldn't have to go along with that song you were humming to the other day, does it?"

"Perhaps," was his nonchalant reply. She playfully hit him on the arm.

"Albus, does it?"

"Yes, it does and you will have to wait until tomorrow for next gift also."

Minerva gazed lovingly at the partridge Albus had gently placed in her palm and slowly stroked its chest with her finger. She lifted it up so that it was level with her eyes. It had the clearest blue eyes she had ever seen; they reminded her so much of her husband's eyes. She couldn't help but see the resemblance between the two of them. They both were so gentle, so loving.

Minerva turned her attention back to Albus, who had been staring at her intently ever since he placed the bird in her thin hands. "It's beautiful Albus. I have something for you too."

"What could you possibly have for me, Minerva?"

Minerva transfigured a small cage out of thin air for the bird and gently put it in the cage. Then she walked over to Albus and grasped his hand in hers. Gingerly, she placed his hand on her abdomen. He could feel a slight swell underneath his fingertips.

"Minerva, are you...?" he started to say, but stopped when he saw the gleam in her eye. She smiled her glorious smile and nodded her head.

"Yes, Albus, I am, three months already. I only found out today when I went to see Poppy since my stomach had been upset for a while now. I figured it had just been a virus that was going around since it's so cold, but I never expected to come out of the infirmary pregnant with twins. Yes, Albus, twins," she added when she saw the astonished look on his face. "Can you believe, Albus? I think it will really happen this time. I can just feel it. Say something Albus."

Dumbledore stood there completely and utterly speechless. He could not believe his ears. Were they manipulating him? No, they couldn't be, could they? He embraced his wife and held her tightly.

"Oh, Minerva, I can't believe it, after years of wishing and hoping our prayers have been answered." He kissed her forehead as he held her. She lifted her head up and caught her lips with his in a tender, yet passionate kiss.

She pulled back and gazed into the great blue depths of Albus's eyes. "How are we going to hide this from the students, Albus? I'm sure that it will be quite noticeable after a while that I am pregnant."

"Minerva, we won't have to hide this joyous and precious event. We can tell the students of this. And I know that you hate keeping our marriage a secret as much as I do, so I think we should tell the students."'

"Albus, are you mad?"

"Not half as mad as I could be, Dearest."

"I really don't think they should know. I mean, won't it be enough for them to find out that their stern Transfiguration professor is having, not one, but two babies."

"But Minerva, they will be curious to know as to who the father is or if you were having a baby out of wedlock. Do you catch my drift in wanting to tell them?"

"Of course, Albus, I just wished it didn't have to be under these circumstances. I wish it could have been more simple, you know, less complicated to explain."

"Minerva, dear, they only know you as the stern Professor McGonagall because that is the impression you have given them of yourself, but that is not what I see. What I see is not so stern, it is love that I see in your eyes, Minerva, and thoughtfulness and everything in between. It will not be as complicated as you think, Dearest, since you have only been here a short while."

"But, it will be difficult for them to grasp the idea, since, outwardly, I look so stern and have a permanent scowl etched into my face. They will start asking for the truth, Albus..."

"Which is what we shall tell them. They cannot go through life always wondering what is going to happen next or have everything go according to plan. There must be some chaotic nuisances running around in their lives sometimes."

Minerva sighed in defeat. "I see your point Albus. Shall we announce it tonight or at the Yule Ball?

Dumbledore smiled at her with utmost appreciation. "Tonight. That way all your students can bombard you with questions tomorrow," he teased her.

"Your are cruel, Albus Dumbledore," she said with a fake squint of disapproval in her eye. Dumbledore's only response was to smile at her again and pull her to him in a warm embrace.

"I suppose that's why you agreed to marry me in the first place, right?" he said gazing down at her with his piercing blue eyes.

"I suppose so," she said closing the small remaining distance between them and kissed his lips softly.

~*~*~

The Great Hall was a buzz with the lively chatter of the students that night. Albus Dumbledore now sat in the headmaster's chair, as Armando Dippet had retired at the end of last year. He had been chosen as Dippet's Deputy Headmaster and thus, explaining why he was the Headmaster of Hogwarts. And since, the post for a Transfiguration professor was now available as was they head of Gryffindor House and the Deputy of Hogwart's post, Dumbledore expressed his interest in his wife. She was, by all means, more than qualified for the job.

During the time after Grindelwald and in between their fourteen years of marriage, Minerva had taught Transfiguration at a small wizarding academy in northern England. She had liked it there, but she was far from being content. She missed her husband greatly and longed to be safe in the security of his arms. When he had asked if she would like take over his duties as Head of Gryffindor House, Transfiguration professor, and Deputy Headmistress over the previous summer, she was only too happy to accept.

When they had walked side by side into the Great Hall, Minerva's arm linked through his, heads of some curious students turned to acknowledge their headmaster and deputy headmistress. Others simply continued to chat away with their neighbors or go on eating with their meals. Dumbledore had pulled out Minerva's chair for her and held her hand as he guided her to her seat at his right.

"Thank you, Headmaster," she said, gladly sitting down in the chair he'd pulled out for her.

"You're most welcome, Professor," he said, his eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles. He let his hand linger on her shoulder for a few prolonged seconds before taking up his place beside her.

They ate their meal, talking politely to one another and the other professors while doing so. When the time came to announce the one thing they had been anticipating, Minerva took a gold spoon and lightly tapped it against her water goblet. They students ceased talking immediately and the headmaster stood to address the whole student body and the professors.

"It is with my great pleasure to announce that I am to be a father." He paused to let his first statement sink in. the students stared at him dubiously but then began to hesitantly clap their hands together. He raised his voice over the students' clapping, "It is also with my great pleasure to announce that my wife, Minerva McGonagall, or better known to you, Professor McGonagall, will give birth to our children come the end of the term." He looked to right down at Minerva who was blushing furiously. The students, again, looked confused. Had he said children? "And yes, I did say children, as Professor McGonagall and I are having twins. Now, as I see this has come to you all as quite a shock, I will let you sleep on it and keep your question until tomorrow. With that said, the only thing left for all of you is to head up to your dormitories to get ready for bed."

The students obediently stood and followed the prefects to their dormitories. Minerva, cheeks still flushed, rose to leave as well, but was cornered by all her female colleagues congratulating her. And some scolding her.

"Minerva McGonagall, why did you not tell me the moment you heard?" Xiomara Hooch said as she hugged her friend.

"Because, Mara, I only found out today, myself," Minerva told her innocently.

"I'm so happy for you, Minerva," Sylvia Sprout said as, she too, hugged Minerva.

Dumbledore watched as all the female professors surrounded his wife and hugged her and told her how happy they for her and Albus. Albus smiled to himself. Minerva was literally glowing from head to toe and she had been smiling this whole time. Some of the male professors came up to Albus and clapped him on the shoulder, saying, "Albus, you old chap, good luck with two babies!"

After what seemed like an eternity, Albus and Minerva both finally broke away from their fellow professors and walked back to the direction of their rooms. Minerva held Dumbledore's arm as he escorted her to her rooms. They reached a small portrait concealing her quarters, close the Fat Lady's portrait. She quietly spoke the password and it swung aside for her and Albus to enter.

"Albus, this truly has been a memorable birthday. Truly so wonderful I could not have asked for anything more special, than to be blessed with knowing that I am finally going to be a mother." Minerva threw her arms around and hugged him tightly. "Oh, Albus, thank for this wonderful, wonderful day!" She kissed his lips firmly as she held him tightly.

"You're welcome, Tabby," he said before kissing her again. He pulled back and looked into the great depths of her deep cerulean eyes and caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. "I should leave you to get ready for bed tonight, my dear."

"No, Albus, I don't want to be alone. I want you to stay with me tonight," she said leaning closer to him. "I want to share this night with you."

"And so you shall, my dear, if you wish," he said enveloping her in his arms and kissing her forehead.

"Oh, Albus, I wish, I wish. Now come to bed with me," she said taking his hand and leading him to her bedroom. They each transfigured their day robes into the proper night attire and Minerva unwound her hair from the usual bun she wore it in. They did this all with out the use of words, but then climbed into bed with another and whispered words of adoration to each other before falling asleep in the arms of one another. They slept peacefully, Albus's arm draped protectively around Minerva, sheltering their two unborn children from the evil around them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liked it? Hated it? Want me to keep going? Please, tell me what you think. I already have a second part in mind if you want me to keep going. I have all time in the world for two whole weeks of Christmas vacation.

Happy Christmas to all of you fellow fanfictioners out there!

~Liz