*snip*

Her hands carded through his hair, short and slicked back in the Muggle way. Distracted as she was, it took her two tries before her "Finite Incantatem" released the charm and his long hair and beard shimmered back into being to flow in auburn-and-silver waves over his back and chest.

*snip*

 Oh yum!

Dear lord this is delicious ... and they BROKE THE BED? HA! Classic! Oh this whole chapter is just pure YUM! I so love how Albus is so casually IN CHARGE via sex ... its so freaking sexy I can't stand it.

One of my little fantasies ... to have a long travel by train with a lover ... *sighs* I shall have to live vicariously through Albus and Minerva.

Oddly ... like Minerva I am one of those types who can not sleep just anywhere ... in fact, I have a great deal of trouble sleeping at all .. however the two places I can sleep almost anytime, anywhere, are on a boat and on a train ... I think its the rocking motion and some deep crinkles in my primitive brain that enables me to do so. OH - also hammocks ... so I was surprised that Minerva couldn't sleep ... but she surely managed to fix that situation, via feline form!

And as I wrote on ff.net when I reviewed this chappie there, I was pleased to see Albus letting Minerva take care of the narrow-minded fella at their dinner, rather than dashing in and rescuing her. I like how much confidence he has in his ... wife!

Bravo autore! You may not prefer it, but your fluff is absolutely lovely, and as usual, I loved this chapter. The tour sounded breathtaking. I do hope I get to see Venice someday.

She was just tight enough to feel no shame as they kissed in the middle of the street with evening strollers looking at them as they passed. His lips were warm and sweet, and she felt positively wanton as she pressed her tongue into his mouth.

It's nice that they get to act like any other couple, but somewhat sad that she needs a drink to relax that much. After all, they are on their honeymoon! But it is hard imagine Minerva McGonagall just letting go in public otherwise. In private, on the other hand... oh my! I'm still giggling about the bed. The part that made me smile though (as opposed to LOL), was when they smiled at each other, then laughed, at the end.

This is just adorable. I really liked their afternoon in Paris, and Albus conjuring luggage in the closed trunk of the tax was pretty impressive. The driver had to be very confused, though.I loved the train trip. So romantic, and so fifies. It made me think of 'North by Northwest'. I've always wanted to take an overnight train trip, but have never managed to do so.

I liked Albus splurging on the honeymoon (Minerva is sometimes too practical) and the bit about Filius was interesting. It was good to see Albus admit to her that he thought of her everday while they were apart. I can understand her being embarrassed to admit she bought the dress to match his eyes, but I think she should have. Of course they might have missed dinner if she had!

I did enjoy Mary and Drum--well, Mary more than Drum. His opinions seem fairly typical for his time, but he's obnoxious as well. I liked that Albus immediately mentioned Minerva's brains as the reason he is lucky to have married her, and dinner arrived just in time.  

As the couple retreated, Albus leant across the table and said quietly, “I’m rather surprised at you, Minerva.” “As far as I’m concerned, that dreadful man was asking for it. He’s lucky I didn’t hex him.” “Perhaps, but your tongue can be just as dangerous as your wand, you know.” “Why, thank you.”

LOL!

OK ... can I just say right now that you made me cry when I read that little ditty at the top? Yeah .... you did ... and .... *SQUEALS* More AD/MM fluff??????? I just KNEW you still loved Albus! *grins wide* Can't hide it from meeeeeeeeeeeee! *snip*“No complaints, Professor McGonagall. Certainly not,” he said. “I have adored you since I met you, you know.”“When did you first fall in love with me?” she asked.“Oh . . . when you were about seventeen, I suppose. It was very wicked of me.”“I fell in love with you at my first Transfiguration lesson.”“You were only eleven.”“I was precocious,” she said, rubbing her hand over his chest.*snip*Laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs ... I can SO see Albus giving the "seriously" look .... cheeky thing she is!

Another chapter! This was a lovely treat, thank you! I especially love the way you connect actual paintings with Minerva’s reflections on her own life. It feels much the same as a real woman would, very truthful. So well done. And the Nabokov popping up again was a nice touch. I am glad to see them getting comfortable with the less than ethical start of their relationship. Great lovemaking, that was. The comment Minerva made of Albus overthinking was a nice touch. It is indeed not always about that...

Author's Response: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed Minerva's musings on the paintings. Yes, I definitely think Albus overthinks things sometimes...
Best,
Squibstress

Oh, how wonderful it is to see you are still around and continuing! Since your stories were finished so long ago, I thought you'd left the world of fanfiction. But it's great you are still here, and I would like to say I enjoyed all of your work very much. I love how the characters are so very rounded, full and with a darkness that is rarely found (or, at least, rarely found coupled with good-honest 'normal' motives.) I love the details you throw in, the story of the squid, the ww2bar and the Italian. Thank you ever so much for writing and sharing! 

Author's Response: I was quiet for a long time, so it's lovely to know that someone will read updates to my stories! Thanks so much for reading, and for the kind words. 

LucyRoger's response: I will most certainly read your stories! I’ve just stumbled onto the whole Albus-and-Minerva fanfiction, because I wanted to read about a more adult relationship. As I said, your stories are very carefully crafted and make them truly adult and real-life in their interaction, the complexity and nuance of more mature thoughts and patterns in their mind and emotions. So yes, I ‘ll be here to read them! 

Oops, I forgot to rate this -- 5 stars, of course!

Ah, lovely, lovely fluff.Loved Albus staring at Minerva, trying to memorize how she looked.Loved Minerva singing to Albus.Loved both of their shyness, and Albus's worry about making love in her father's house.

"Your father is right down the hall.""Surely you're familiar with Silencing Charms?""Yes, but it feels odd to be doing this right under his nose.""We're hardly 'right under his nose'.""Yes, but I don't want him thinking I'm ... well ... abusing his daughter under his roof."She was glad he couldn't see her amused smile. "You don't plan to abuse me, do you, Albus?" she asked. "Besides, I have a bit of news for you: it's our wedding night. He's going to assume we're doing it whether or not we actually make love."

Ha!Loved the history lesson about consummating marriages in front of witnesses -- and I have heard that one before, and wondered how anyone with any sensitivity at all could manage it (maybe with a bucket or two of whiskey?).I would love to see Albus find out what 'Lolita' is about!But I really, really loved Katherine's present, not just for everyone's reaction, but because she's treating Albus and Minerva like any other bride and groom, and it will perhaps help the family get past 'Albus Dumbledore' and see the man underneath.