CXXXIX: Lagniappe

Note: Not DH-compliant!

This is the penultimate chapter, but there will be a bonus epilogue posted to TPP. Still, we are close to the end. I hope that you have all been enjoying the story.

CXXXIX: Lagniappe

Thursday went quickly and Minerva was busy all day. She made one more tour of the Gryffindor common room and dormitories to make sure that everything was ready for the students' return on Sunday. That afternoon when he returned to the castle, Malcolm told her that Herbert had woken once in the morning, spoken briefly with Siofre, then appeared to slip into a coma. Egeria had arrived with Merwyn, and she would stay with them until the end, but she didn't believe that it would be long.

After dinner, Minerva knew that Albus would be busy with a few of the school governors who had come to discuss the Indigent Scholars' Fund and the increases Albus wanted to make in payments for books and supplies from it, so she agreed to meet Johannes in his suite to learn how to play Go. Minerva decided it was a peculiar game and not particularly to her taste...it either required more or less of her concentration than she was giving it, she wasn't entirely sure which...but she was a good sport and did her best.

"After you have mastered the game, I believe you will enjoy it more, Minerva," Johannes reassured her.

Minerva placed one of her black stones beside another, then she asked, "Is there anything I need to know about this party on Friday? Other than that the music has not been very good the past few years?"

"Not really. It begins early and goes late. People do generally invite a few guests, though I have not, myself, and they often arrive in the afternoon after lunch. Each of the school governors usually makes an appearance by dinner time, and the more sociable of them stay. Last year, Montagnon arrived in a carriage drawn by six Abraxans, as though it were nineteen-sixteen and not nineteen fifty-six. Hagrid was impressed, but I think everyone else was more amused. The permits he must have had to acquire and the spells he must have had to perform to hide them from the Muggles, all just to come to a Hogwarts party...rather ridiculous, everyone thought. He said it was because he was at his summer residence in Scotland." Johannes snorted in derision. "But he is not on the Board of Governors this year, so we will not have that entertainment tomorrow. It is generally an enjoyable affair, although some years, one or two people become rather too inebriated, and more rarely, there are indiscretions whispered of later the next day, but it is far from a Bacchanalia. Albus usually comes for a while. He didn't stay long last year. In fact, he rarely spends very much time at staff parties now that he has become Headmaster. He has never been very much for parties, but less so now. Declines invitations to all our little get-togethers." Johannes removed four of Minerva's stones. "I hoped that might change when he was not teaching all of the Transfiguration classes and had more time, but it has not. No, you do not want to do that Minerva. Here," he said, indicating a point on the board.

"Why?"

"It will place pressure on me...I will have to choose to defend here or attack there. The move you were about to make did absolutely nothing at all except make a longer chain."

"Oh. I see. I think." Minerva placed her stone where he indicated. "I will try to get Albus to stay at the party longer. I am surprised, actually, that he is not more sociable."

"He said something to me once about the dampening influence of his presence. That people would not feel as relaxed with him around. I assume it is because he is Headmaster, but Dippet always came to these things. He would arrive early and be one of the last to leave."

"Is there any truth to what Albus said? Do people enjoy themselves more once he has left?" Minerva asked.

Johannes shook his head. "I do not think so. I think people would like him to stay. We are fond of him. It is true that he drinks more slowly than some, and that might make others less quick to refill their glasses, but he hardly stands about monitoring what people drink or what they say...or whom they might be indiscreet with. Although he does not stay long enough to do any of these things." Johannes shrugged. "Perhaps you will have success in persuading him to stay. It would be good."

"I will mention it," Minerva said as she watched Johannes place another stone, encircling several of hers, capturing them. "I don't think I am very good at this game."

"It is too early to say that, Minerva. You must play more. I have a book on Go strategy. It seems a simple game, but it requires some skill. The book is in German, but if you would like, I could loan it to you."

"Thank you. I would like that," Minerva said with a smile. "I suppose I should learn the game better before I decide to give up on it."

"One more game, for practice?" Johannes asked.

Minerva cast a Tempus. "Yes, one more. I want to see if Malcolm has returned yet. He said he would be back tonight and wanted to see me."

"How is your grandfather?"

"Not my grandfather...well, not really my grandfather. He is Grandmother Siofre's second husband. My Aunt Maisie is their daughter and my father's half-sister," Minerva explained. "He is not well. I expect that he will die soon."

"And your grandmother? How is she?"

"She is doing well. She is a strong witch, and she has expected this," Minerva replied.

"It still cannot be easy for her. Even a strong witch, if she loves her husband, will be affected. She must at least be very tired," Johannes said soberly.

"I am sure she is. And I didn't mean to imply that she was unaffected. She is simply ... Siofre. She is strong, and she does have her family around her." Minerva smiled as she enclosed two of Johannes's white stones and removed them from the board.

"I am sorry she must attend her husband's passing. I wish to send her my greetings and my ... my sympathies, but I do not know if it is proper."

"Of course. Such a thing is always proper."

Johannes nodded. "I will write her a brief note, then, tomorrow, and hope that it is not a burden for her to receive it."

Minerva smiled and reached over and patted his arm then gave it a squeeze. "You are a good friend, Johannes. And I am sure it will not be a burden."

Twenty minutes later, with the book on Go under her arm, Minerva left Ravenclaw Tower and went down to the second floor to find her brother, stopping first at Gertrude's rooms.

Gertrude opened the door and smiled when she saw Minerva.

"Hello, Minerva! If you are looking for Malcolm, he has not yet returned, but I expect him soon. Would you like to come in?" Gertrude opened the door and stepped back as Minerva entered her sitting room. "I was about to have some vegetable broth. Would you care for some?"

"Um, no, thank you," Minerva said.

"Tea, then? Spoonie could bring whatever you prefer. I usually have a vegetable and herb broth before bed, but I realise that many find it an unusual choice," Gertrude said, quirking a slight grin.

"Some peppermint tea would be nice, thank you."

Gertrude called Spoonie, and the tiny house-elf Disapparated, discreetly returning a few minutes later with a small teapot, teacup and saucer, and a little earthenware crock of dark, bronze-coloured honey.

Minerva sipped her fragrant tea while Gertrude sipped her bright green vegetable broth, the silence between them, warm and comfortable.

Gertrude finished the last of her broth and set her mug on the drum table beside her. "Did Malcolm have an opportunity to speak with you before he left again this afternoon?" she asked.

"Only briefly," Minerva replied.

"So he didn't mention his idea for a special project?"

"Special project?" Minerva shook her head. "No, no, he didn't. What project is that?"

"I think I will let him tell you himself." Gertrude paused a moment, then added, "I hope you will not reject his idea out-of-hand. He is very excited about it."

"Something to do with the school? His classes? Wouldn't that be better brought to you or Albus?" Minerva asked.

"No, something in the way of a personal project. Be honest with him about what you think, of course, but he is very enthusiastic about it. I would hate to see him disappointed."

"Well, until I know what it is you're talking about, I can't say whether he will be disappointed or not. But I will keep in mind what you have said, and if I think it's a daft idea, I will be diplomatic about it."

Gertrude nodded. "You haven't seen his new quarters yet, have you? He can show you tonight. There's a door between our bedrooms, hidden in our wardrobes. We both thought that measure of secrecy a bit much, but Albus seemed very pleased with it. It is not very convenient to have to fight one's way past layers of hanging robes to get from one room to the other, but it was well-intentioned. You can enter more conventionally through his front door this evening. It has a rather peculiar portrait...not as odd as the Silent Knight, but I do question your brother's taste sometimes," Gertrude said drily.

"Who is in the portrait?" Minerva asked curiously.

Gertrude looked as though she was about to answer, but then she shook her head and said, "Description fails. You must see her."

Minerva laughed at that. "I look forward to it!"

"Did you enjoy your holiday?" Gertrude asked.

"Very much. I didn't want it to end," Minerva said truthfully, "but it was very good to get away for a few days."

Gertrude nodded. "I am glad. And Albus is more comfortable with himself?"

"Yes, I think so," Minerva replied. "I hadn't thought of it that way before. Comfortable with himself. I always thought of it in terms of his comfort with me, but I suppose that was only part of it."

"I am glad you are happy," Gertrude said.

"I can't imagine how I could not be happy. Thank you, Gertrude. You have been a good friend, even when I was unaware of it. Thank you."

Gertrude twitched a slight smile. "I was beginning to despair of you both. I thought perhaps I would have to enlist Wilspy's assistance and lock you both up together for a week!"

Minerva laughed at that. "I actually don't know if even that would have helped, but Quin's final push seemed to."

"I was worried about Quin for a while this summer," Gertrude said tentatively. "I am not sure even now whether my concern was misplaced."

"We are good friends, Gertrude. We have talked. He's fine. At least, he says that he is, and I believe him," Minerva replied.

"Good. You two might have been well-suited under other circumstances, but I knew where Albus's heart lay and I believed that yours was with him, and I didn't want to see Quin hurt. He is usually just a bit of a flirt, but remains aloof of any real attachments, so I was concerned that his affection for you might lead him to be hurt, or even that you would not be as persistent as you were and would ... 'settle' is such an unfortunate word ... that you would see in Quin an alternative, perhaps."

Minerva shook her head. "It would be nice, though, if he became more open to seeing another witch. I thought to fix him up with Poppy, but that didn't work out well. I suppose they haven't very much in common."

Gertrude shrugged. "After Reginald died, I truly did not believe I would ever be with another wizard again for the rest of my life. That changed, and now, completely unexpectedly, your brother has come into my life. I will always thank you for introducing us, Minerva, even if you had not a clue that we might find one another more than agreeable companions."

Minerva smiled at the final phrase, but she said, "I am glad for you both."

At that, the door opened and Malcolm stepped through. He looked tired, but his face lit up when he saw Gertrude and Minerva.

"My two favourite witches! A lovely welcome for a weary wizard!"

"I am sure you have said that to many a witch," Gertrude said drily, but with a smile.

"And meant it every time, though never more than at this moment!" Malcolm said with a grin. He bent and kissed Gertrude's cheek.

"How is Herbert?" Minerva asked.

"Hasn't regained consciousness. Mother thinks he has only a day or two at most, possibly hours. I would have stayed, but Grandmother Siofre insisted that I return to Hogwarts for the night. She doesn't want to interfere with my career, she says."

"It doesn't sound as though there is much more you can do, anyway, and Mother and Dad are with her, and I assume Maisie and Dorcas are, as well."

"Hmmph, those two witches are completely useless. Dorcas, especially. Just as well she only spends ten minute in the house at a time," Malcolm replied with a shake of his head. "And Maisie ... she alternates between carrying on in a manner that disturbs her mother and two minutes later being entirely oblivious to what's going on. I don't know how she sprang from Siofre and Herbert, to be honest. Completely daft, that one."

"Perhaps I should go back in the morning, then," Minerva said.

"You may have to if Herbert dies in the night," Gertrude said.

Minerva sighed. "I don't mean this heartlessly, but this is a particularly awkward time for him to die. I have to be here for the Sorting and the first day of classes. Even if Malcolm might be able to be absent and begin teaching a day or two later, I cannot. I hope that Siofre does not feel that I am neglecting her."

"I am sure she doesn't," Malcolm said. "She understands. And she was very glad for your visit last night. So, would you like to see my new home?"

"I would like that very much," Minerva replied.

"I have moved most of my things from the flat, what was worth keeping, anyway. I think I will feel quite at home," Malcolm said.

The two left Gertrude in her sitting room, Malcolm winking at her and saying that he would see her later. He led Minerva down the hall a short way, then stopped in front of a large portrait. Minerva managed to keep her jaw from dropping, having been forewarned by Gertrude that the portrait was unusual, but she did raise an eyebrow.

"Good evening, mon cher!" The woman in the painting greeted Malcolm with a wink and an appreciative look. Her accent sounded peculiar to Minerva, who couldn't place it. "You look trés délicieux ce soir."

The portrait was life-size, and the woman herself was impressive, and Minerva could easily guess what attributes had particularly attracted Malcolm to her. Her skin was the colour of dark chocolate, with reddish undertones, her nose was sharp, and her golden eyes were bright above high cheekbones. To have described her as "buxom" would have been an understatement, and she wore a very low-cut, bright yellow blouse and a long, colourful skirt. She had an equally bright scarf tied about her head and another around her broad hips. Once Minerva had overcome her surprise at the painting's resident, she noticed that the room the portrait inhabited was filled with shelves of jars and bottles with peculiar contents...potions ingredients, Minerva guessed...and a number of small cloth bags hung from hooks along the edges of the shelves. There was a live chicken walking about in the background, as well.

"Good evening, Jeanette!" Malcolm said. "May I present my sister, Minerva. Minerva, this is Madame Jeanette Reneaux."

Minerva nodded. "Good evening."

"Child," the woman said in greeting, nodding and looking at her with some amusement.

"Lagniappe," Malcolm said.

"A bientôt!" Jeanette replied as the door clicked open.

"A demain, Jeanette."

"Where on earth did you find such a painting?" Minerva asked after they had entered the sitting room and closed the door behind them.

"In one of the storerooms. She reminded me of an old friend," Malcolm said. He smiled, and his smile grew to a grin. "A very good friend, in fact. Anastasie Celeste Duprée. Mmm-hm. A very warm friend. Met her in Brazil through some mutual acquaintances."

"I didn't know you spoke Portuguese," Minerva said, distracted for a moment from the story of Anastasie Celeste.

"Oh, I don't. I tried to make do with a bit of Spanish, some French, and a lot of good will!" he said cheerily.

"So what was that password if it wasn't Portuguese?"

"Lagniappe. It means ... that little something extra. That unexpected extra. The good extra that life sometimes give you, you know? A bonus. Like Gertrude," Malcolm explained. "And it's not Portuguese. Don't really know what it is. But Anastasie was from Louisiana, so I think it's from there."

"It doesn't sound French or English."

Malcolm shrugged. "I don't know, but Anastasie was certainly something extra. A lot extra." He grinned again.

"That is most unseemly, Malcolm! I hope that you haven't told Gertrude that you chose this portrait because it reminds you of a former lover. She is most devoted to you," Minerva said reprovingly.

"Oh, no. I did mention that she reminded me of someone I once knew."

"If you leered like that when you told her, you gave away precisely how well you knew her," Minerva said, still somewhat disgusted.

"It was just a fling, you might say. We had fun, but it was absolutely nothing like being with Gertrude."

"Hmmph. Well, if you can live with your conscience, it's up to you."

Malcolm smiled softly, not seeming to have heard Minerva. "I'm going to marry her, you know," he said, almost in a whisper.

"Really? Gertrude didn't say anything about that."

"I haven't said anything to her about it yet. But I'm going to marry her. A bit of Charmed canvas and oil is inconsequential compared with that."

"Hadn't you better speak to Gertrude, then?"

Malcolm shook his head. "I should first tell her that I love her, I think. And then make sure she knows that I really do love her and that I'm not going anywhere. Then I can ask her to marry me, when she has faith in me."

"You haven't told her you love her?" Minerva asked, surprised.

Malcolm shook his head. "I think she knows. But things ... it has never been quite the right time. And I know that she has had other wizards before me who loved her and who were far more worthy of her than I am. I need to be worthy of her, Minerva. I don't want her to think that I am saying it lightly or in order to attain any gain from her."

Minerva took a deep breath and shook her head. "It's your relationship, Malcolm. But you were going to show me your new living quarters," she said, looking around her.

The sitting room was decorated primarily with Hogwarts furniture, but it was more sparsely furnished than most staff sitting rooms. Minerva recognised some things from Malcolm's flat, including his Chagall with its bright colours. There were a few things that she hadn't seen before, including a long, narrow tube leaning up against one wall, but she assumed he had brought them from his flat, as well.

Minerva nodded politely. "Very nice, Malcolm. I am glad you hung the painting here. It's very cheery."

Malcolm grinned at her. "Happy you like it. I had them remove half the furniture. The house-elves were quite disturbed that I didn't think it necessary to clutter the room with a half dozen chairs with lamps at every turn," he said. "Through here is my bedroom, likewise simplified."

Minerva stepped through the door to her left. There was almost nothing in the room but the bed, the wardrobe, a small table, and a bench, but there was a large potted plant, a small tree, actually, near the window.

"It's ... clean," Minerva said, trying to think of something polite to say about the Spartan room.

"I intend to have more decoration at some point, but I like it like this. Through here is the bathroom, and the loo is there. Not quite as posh as yours, but the nicest I've had," Malcolm said. "I have a kitchen almost identical to yours, so I'm pleased with that, as well."

"Have they assigned you a house-elf yet?" Minerva asked as they returned to the sitting room. She took a seat on the sofa and Malcolm sat across from her in the one armchair in the room.

"They were going to, but I'd just as soon do for myself most of the time, so Gertrude is sharing Spoonie with me just to take care of the routine housekeeping," Malcolm replied.

"That sounds reasonable," Minerva said, "particularly if you are going to spend most of your time with her."

"I hope so. She may grow tired of having me so close."

"I rather doubt that," Minerva replied. "Well, it's getting late. I should be going, leave you to Gertrude, who is expecting you back."

"Do you have just a minute first?" Malcolm asked, looking somewhat nervous.

"Of course."

"I just wondered if I could ask you a favour."

"Just ask. I'll let you know if I can't manage it," Minerva said.

"It's a rather large favour, actually. I've just been thinking. There's something I have wanted to do for a long time, and I've never had the opportunity. I also haven't really been in one place long enough, either." Malcolm shifted in his seat. "I was wondering if you could help me with a Transfiguration project."

"I don't know. I suppose I might be able to, depending on how busy I am. What sort of project?" Minerva had never thought Malcolm to be overly interested in Transfiguration, although he was perfectly competent in it.

"I want to become an Animagus," he said.

"An Animagus?" Minerva was very surprised, and she didn't hide it.

"Yes. I thought you could teach me."

"I don't know, Malcolm..."

"Please, Minerva? I will be here all year. And I know you think I lack discipline, but when I want to do something, when I'm motivated, it's different."

Minerva hesitated. "I am not sure. Part of it is simply that I have never heard of anyone out of their twenties being able to manage it. Quite frankly, it may be too late, no matter whether you are disciplined about it or not, or even whether you might have had the innate talent for it earlier in life."

Malcolm's face fell. "Oh ... I had really hoped ... but do you actually believe it's too late? Maybe it's just that no one ever tries it when they're older."

"Let me think about it and talk to Albus, too. He will know more about it than I do."

"That's not 'no,' then!" Malcolm grinned. "What kind of animal do you suppose I could become? A Hippogriff, maybe? Or a falcon? I've always liked kestrels, too."

"It doesn't work that way. You have a form inside of you...or you don't...but you have a form and it expresses itself. It's extremely rare for an Animagus to become a magical creature, so don't count on that, and often a person's personality traits are expressed in some way, though not always. For all we know, despite your normal level of energy, you could become a tortoise."

"A tortoise? That doesn't sound like much fun," Malcolm said with a frown.

"Why don't we both think about it, then, and I'll talk to Albus? In the meantime, read The Emergent Creature: Focussing the Human Mind to Evoke the Latent Animal Within. I have a copy that you can come by tomorrow and borrow. Even if you decide not to pursue this, it will probably interest you...and Albus wrote it, too."

"Really? I thought I'd read everything he wrote," Malcolm replied, "but I've never heard of that one."

"He used a pseudonym for some reason...I think because he didn't wish to advertise that he is an Animagus. He's not even registered in the public records at the Ministry, so don't mention it to anyone."

"What is his form?"

"I think you should ask him about that," Minerva said.

"You and Gertrude! You sound just like her sometimes, you know that, Minerva?" Malcolm said, throwing his hands up and pretending exasperation.

Minerva laughed. "There was a time when that suggestion might have offended me!"

"I'm glad it doesn't any longer," her brother replied, "or I would have to take offence in return!"

Minerva returned to her own rooms, making a mental note to find her copy of Emergent Creature and pull it out for Malcolm. She wondered briefly whether Albus would come to her that night, but decided not to think about it. She would prefer to be pleased and surprised if he did than to be disappointed if he didn't, which was the more likely.

She was in the bathroom getting ready for bed when she thought she heard something coming from the other room. She turned off the water. Yes, she had definitely heard something: Albus's voice calling to her.

Minerva went back out into the sitting room. There was no one there, but she caught just a glimpse of a green flash in the fireplace. She took a pinch of Floo-Powder, lit a tiny fire, tossed in the Powder, then stuck her head in and called out, "Headmaster's Office!"

A moment later, Albus was kneeling in front of his own fireplace.

"Hello, my dear! I just tried calling you myself. I was just headed upstairs, so I am glad you caught me."

"Why don't you just Floo through so that we can speak more comfortably," Minerva suggested. She hated Floo-Calls, especially making them.

Minerva pulled her head from the Floo and stood. She didn't have to wait long before he was standing in front of her.

"Mmm, I have missed you today, Minerva!" He bent his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. He repeated the kiss, reaching beneath her dressing gown and finding her breast. He didn't cease his kisses, moving his lips sensuously over hers as one hand fondled her breast and his other hand opened her dressing gown, which had only been loosely tied about her.

Minerva carded her fingers through his hair, the other hand resting on his shoulder, and when Albus began to push the gown from her shoulders, she lowered her arms and let it fall to the floor. Albus pulled her toward him, rubbing her back and caressing her buttocks as he continued his slow, sensual kisses. Pleasurable thrills coursed through Minerva's body as he repeatedly took her lips between his own and his hands moved over her skin.

Finally, Albus, somewhat breathless, looked down at her and whispered, "I had not thought to do that, but you are too enticing." He gazed down at her breasts and reached to caress them with one hand, the other still cupping her buttocks. His thumb brushed her nipple and he licked his lips. "So very enticing."

"Will I ever be able to properly seduce you, Albus?" Minerva asked with a smile. "You would make it much too easy."

"You did a very nice job of seduction in the stairwell," Albus reminded her.

"True ... and sometimes it is very nice to be seduced, as well," Minerva said.

"May I seduce you, then, Professor McGonagall?"

"I believe the fact that I am standing here nude in front of you after you removed the robe from my body renders seduction rather moot tonight," she replied, "however, you certainly may at some other opportunity. I believe I might enjoy it. In the meantime, I think you might simply like to continue what you have begun."

"I believe I would enjoy continuing. I do so love to see you nude, Professor, and to be able to touch you and kiss you everywhere." He kissed her lightly. "May I make love to you, Professor McGonagall, give you pleasure and take the pleasure of your beautiful body?" His thumb flicked over her nipple again.

"Please do, Headmaster. I am sure that after the long day you have had, you would benefit from some recreation before bed," Minerva replied.

Albus smiled somewhat naughtily. "I had a meeting with some members of the Board of Governors this evening, as you know."

"Yes. It sounded as though it was bound to be quite dull," Minerva said.

"Oh, it was, very dull. Especially when they began to argue amongst themselves." He continued to fondle one breast and brought the other hand around to touch her soft folds, one finger finding her clitoris. "When they do that, I always wait until they are done before moving the meeting along. Just let them burn themselves out. I usually occupy my mind with some other piece of Hogwarts business or ponder a problem posed in one of the recent journals, but this evening, I found other thoughts to divert myself with."

Minerva, her breathing growing heavier as he fondled her clitoris, swallowed and said, "You did?"

"I certainly did. I thought of you and of our lovely days on the island together, then I thought of what I would like to be doing with you at that moment instead of sitting there with them," he said, his voice low and his gaze intense.

"What did you think you might like to be doing with me?" Minerva asked.

"I thought I would like to have you there, sitting there beside me behind my desk, and I would charm open the front of your robes from the waist down and then banish your knickers. No one would know, no one would see you but me, and I would casually reach down between your legs and touch you, fondling your wetness, and no one would know."

Minerva's knees were going weak, and she backed up, Albus never removing his fingers from their caresses as he followed her. She sat on the couch and opened her legs to him, closing her eyes.

"I would fondle you and finger you, and you couldn't do anything to stop me without having everyone know that the Headmaster was pleasuring you there behind his desk," Albus continued, his voice deep and roughened with his own desire. "You would sit there, trying to control yourself, but finally, you would come, unable to even moan your pleasure, just holding yourself taut as my finger pleasured you just as I am doing now, stroking your sweetness and bringing you pleasure. But then you would drop your quill on the floor under the desk, and as you knelt to get it, you would fix your robes, then draw your wand and split mine open. You would see how excited it had made me to pleasure you, and before you returned to your chair, you would give me one teasing lick. Then you would sit and pretend to listen to what everyone was saying, but you would charm the feather of your quill to begin to brush against my erection. Someone would ask me a question, and I would have a very hard time concentrating on my answer because as you moved your fingers over the surface of the desk, the feather would move over my cock. Finally, they would all leave, and I would not be able to stand because my erection was emerging from my robes, the feather still teasing it. You would show them out, then as soon as they all left, you would come over to me, remove your robes as I stood and removed mine, and I would push you to the floor and fuck you until you came, right there on the floor of my office." He moved his finger from her clitoris to her opening, then said, "And that, my dear Professor, is what I thought about when they were blathering on about nothing."

He inserted his finger, lowered his head to her nipple, and began to thrust as he suckled. Minerva began to come almost immediately, his caresses and his words having already brought her to the brink of orgasm.

Minerva grasped at his hair and moaned, arching and lifting her hips to meet his thrusting hand. "Oh, gods, Albus, Albus, yes, yes ..."

As she collapsed back against the cushions, Albus gave her breast one more kiss, then he withdrew his finger, waited for her to open her eyes, then he licked his finger clean.

"You are such a naughty boy, Albus, first that fantasy...both its subject and having it while sitting in a meeting...then undressing me and touching me as you did, then that ... licking your finger. What a very, very naughty wizard you are!"

Albus grinned. "I enjoy being naughty with you, Minerva. Or even just being naughty thinking about you."

"Did you really have that fantasy while you were in the meeting, or did you make it up just now for my benefit?" Minerva asked.

"Oh, I did indeed have it while they were droning on. I didn't hear a word they said, though."

"Were you excited? Sitting there thinking about me like that?"

"Very. I had quite an erection by the time the discussion got back to pertinent issues. Fortunately, no one noticed, and it subsided some before I had to stand to bid them good night. But that was why I wanted to see you." He took Minerva's hand and guided it to his erection. "It came back quite quickly when I saw you standing there in nothing but your dressing gown. You are quite a temptress, walking about hardly clothed."

"I was in my own sitting room, Albus," Minerva reminded him, "and you're the one who removed the dressing gown."

"And aren't you glad that I did?" Albus asked with a grin.

"I suppose so," Minerva teased, "but only because you are such a naughty wizard, and I don't know what you would have done if I hadn't let you."

Albus chuckled. "Then I would have had to kneel and beg for your attentions. I would kiss you, everywhere I could reach while on my knees, and try to persuade you to allow me to remove your dressing gown, and if you would not let me, I would have to simply part it and begin to kiss you here," he said, touching her crux, "in hopes of convincing you to allow it."

Minerva spread her legs further. "Since you are such a naughty wizard, I think that you should do exactly that, right now, if that is what you want, to kiss me there. In fact, I insist on it. Kiss me there and bring me pleasure, you naughty wizard."

"Must I?" Albus asked, but with no protest in his voice.

"Yes, you must. It is your punishment for being so naughty and thinking such dirty thoughts during a meeting with respectable witches and wizards," Minerva said.

"Very well, Professor," Albus said, "if you wish. I will face my punishment."

He began to part her folds with his fingers, but Minerva moved his hand away. "Your lips and tongue only, you very naughty, dirty wizard!"

Albus placed a hand on either thigh and Minerva watched as he approached her crux. His tongue emerged and he parted her lips, licking first one side then the other, his tongue stroking her clitoris as he did so. He drew back a moment to look at her swollen nub, then he leaned forward again and kissed it lightly, then drew it between his lips. He began to flick his tongue rapidly across her clit as he held it between his lips, before opening his mouth wider and stroking his tongue over it, up and down, up and down, repeatedly, then stopping to kiss it again. He licked from her opening back up over her clitoris, and Minerva restrained a moan as he began to flick the tip of his tongue back and forth across it. She clenched his shoulders as he pleasured her, and her breathing quickened until finally she could not restrain her moans any longer.

"Yes, yes, you naughty, naughty wizard, yes, yes, gods, I'm coming, I'm coming on your mouth, yes! Yes, Albus!" Minerva kept crying out as she came, and when the pulsing pleasure began to wane, she urged him to place his head on her stomach.

"That was wonderful, Albus," she whispered, caressing his hair. "Truly wonderful. I hadn't even expected to see you tonight, so this was a treat. Thank you."

Albus, his eyes closed, smiled. "You are most welcome, my dear. It hasn't even been two days since we made love, and already I felt the need to touch you and to remind myself of the reality that you love me."

"Was it necessary to keep doppelganger-Albus away?" Minerva asked teasingly.

"I believe he is gone for good, but it is best not to take any risks in that area," Albus said with a little chuckle.

"Will you stay tonight?" Minerva asked. "I would like you to stay, and I would also like to continue this in the bedroom with a bit more participation on my part and more satisfaction on yours."

"We certainly can continue this," Albus replied. "But I did find this very satisfying, although I can imagine other kinds of satisfaction that would also be enjoyable."

"And can you stay?"

Albus nodded against her. "Yes, I can stay. I don't know how we will manage in the school year, though I have given it some thought. It would be nice if I could spend at least two or three nights a week with you, when circumstances permit...and if you will allow. In the meantime, I told Dilys that if I am not in the Tower at night, she should come down and get me here if there is an emergency of some sort. No one need know that she is coming here rather than my bedroom, but the trip to my bedroom takes some time, even with the hidden staircase so close, yet if there are people waiting for me in my office, or even just someone in the fireplace making a Floo-Call, I cannot very well Floo directly to the office. I must give this more thought," he said.

"I am glad you are. I was not looking forward to merely snatching a few minutes of intimacy every now and then...and I don't mean just sex, either, although I mean that, as well. I just like being with you, just the two of us."

Albus raised his head. "I will see what I can do to make it as easy as possible for us to spend time together like that. I found it very difficult to be apart from you last night...as you know from my late arrival in your bedroom. I hadn't thought that would be as hard as it was for me."

Minerva caressed his cheek. "I was very touched by that, Albus."

"I was glad you didn't think it silly of me."

"No, not at all. You sometimes are a silly wizard, but that was not one of those times." Minerva smiled at him affectionately.

"And sometimes a naughty wizard," Albus added, quirking a slight grin.

"Yes, and sometimes delightfully naughty," Minerva agreed. "I hope you don't mind that I said that or, well, told you what to do and said it was a punishment for being a naughty, dirty wizard," she said awkwardly. "I know that you sometimes are uncomfortable with certain things."

"No, I didn't mind. It was actually quite arousing. And I am completely aware you don't mean it in a negative way," he replied. "I know that you're worried because of what I said a few days ago, about worrying that I might feel differently about us, that somehow, one of our games would make me feel as I did when I was young...unclean, used, or even as though I was being manipulative myself. But it doesn't. It truly is completely different with you. And it could actually be fun at some point to ... to pretend."

"Pretend what?"

"Pretend that ... to pretend that you only want me for my body and what I can do for you sexually, that we don't really know each other. I don't know if I would want to pretend that just yet, but I think someday, it might be fun to play that way. If you think so, too, of course," Albus said.

"It might be. But not yet. We have a great deal of time to play together," Minerva said. She took his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it. "Let's go to bed, Albus, let's go to bed and just make love. And," she added, looking down and surveying him, "you should shed those clothes before we do. I want to feel your skin against mine."

"Yes, my dear, as you wish." He kissed her hand, and at her slight scowl, he smiled and added, "I love to feel your skin against mine, too."

The next morning, Minerva stretched as she woke, reaching out for Albus. Realising that he was no longer beside her, she sat up and saw him fastening up his robes.

"I am sorry, my dear. I did not mean to wake you. I was going to tell you before I left, but I wanted you to sleep as long as you could."

"Why are you up?"

"I need to change and begin the day," he said. "I thought that if you wished, you could join me for breakfast in about a half hour, unless you wish to eat with the rest of the staff later."

"No, I'll join you. I can always go down and have some tea and a slice of toast to be sociable."

"Very good idea, my dear," Albus replied, coming over and kissing her cheek. "It will be a busy day, with the party and various guests arriving. I understand from Gertrude that Poppy's guest this year is your brother Murdoch. We will have three McGonagalls here!"

"People will begin to think that we are taking over," Minerva said with a yawn. "I am looking forward to the party, although I'm wondering whether it will be awkward. It may be difficult to be at the party with you and not be together."

"I am sure we will cope. I don't plan to stay long, anyway," Albus said.

"You don't? You should. I think that people will be disappointed."

"You mean that you will be disappointed."

"No, not just me. People like you, and in addition, they like to know that the Headmaster wants to spend time with them. And it creates memories for them."

"I will think about it," he said, bending to kiss her once more. "We will see. In the meantime, I hope to see you for breakfast in a little while."

At breakfast, an owl arrived for Minerva, a large Eagle Owl with two black bands around his legs, and Minerva sighed, knowing what it was before she even looked at the letter.

"I think it's Herbert," she said as Albus tried to give the owl some bacon that neither he nor Minerva were eating, but the bird was more interested in his black pudding, so Albus somewhat reluctantly shoved his entire plate toward it, and the black pudding disappeared in a few gulps.

She broke the seal, and as she drew out the black-rimmed letter, a dirge emitted from the large envelope. Minerva nodded and handed the death announcement to Albus, who read it sombrely.

"The funeral will be Sunday, but it doesn't say when," Minerva said with a sigh, losing her appetite for the rest of her breakfast.

"Whenever it is, you must go, of course," Albus said. "I doubt very much that it will be in the evening, so you will be here for the Feast and the Sorting."

Minerva nodded and put her napkin on the table. "I think I should go now, see if there's anything I can do, though I doubt there is."

"Very good, my dear. If you are needed, stay as long as you must. If you are back later in the day, though, come find me. I thought we might spend some time together before the party. But only if you can return. Stay however long you need to, and do give Siofre my love and sympathy."

"I will go find Malcolm. We can go together."

Two hours later, Minerva was back, and she went straight to the Headmaster's Office.

"My dear!" Albus exclaimed as she came through the door. "I hadn't expected you back so soon. How is Siofre?"

"As well as can be expected. Better than I expected, actually. At least she seems better. She has more grace and strength than I think I could muster. They celebrated their forty-first wedding anniversary just a few weeks ago."

Albus had risen and come around the desk. He put his arms around Minerva and kissed her forehead, then held her as she laid her head on his chest.

"Mm, this is nice," Minerva said, relaxing into his embrace.

"Yes, it is. Very nice," Albus agreed. "Unfortunately, I'm expecting Filius in a few minutes. But I am free after lunch and I thought if you were back, we might spend some time together. I also have a little bit of a surprise for you, but that's for later...two surprises, actually."

"Surprises? I love your surprises!" Minerva said happily, looking up at Albus with a smile. "Can I guess?"

Albus chuckled. "You can try, my dear, but I doubt you will succeed. Meet me back here at two o'clock, all right?"

Minerva nodded. "I will look forward to it. I talked to Malcolm again, by the way, and told him what you said this morning about the challenges of becoming an Animagus at his age, but he still wants to try, so I said we could start next weekend."

"Very good. I think it is worth trying as long as he realises that it may not be possible," Albus said. He looked toward the door. "I believe Filius is on his way up, Minerva. Someone is, anyway."

"I think I may have felt the tingle myself then," Minerva said. "Or ... it could just be being so close to you!" She gave him one quick kiss then stepped back just as there was a knock on the door.

Minerva offered a few pleasantries to Filius, told him that she was looking forward to the music that night, especially, she said, if there were some nice lively dance tunes, then she left the two wizards to their meeting.

After lunch, Minerva brought Malcolm back up to her rooms and gave him her copy of Emergent Creature.

"It's the copy that Albus gave me when I was a student, so I would appreciate it if you were particularly careful with it. I don't normally lend it out. I have a few others that you can start after you've read this," Minerva said, handing him the book.

"Thanks, little sister! You are terrific!" Malcolm said excitedly.

"You're welcome to come in and check my shelves for other books that might interest you," Minerva offered, "but I do ask that you check with the Knight to see if I'm in and if I have a visitor before you let yourself in."

"Of course...wouldn't want to interrupt anything!" he replied with a wink.

"Yes, and I sometimes have a guest in my sitting room, if you take my meaning, so please do make sure that I'm really not in before you let yourself in."

Malcolm laughed. "Well, I am very glad to know that Albus isn't being too much of a gentleman anymore!"

Minerva blushed. "He is always a gentleman, Malcolm. He has just relaxed, that's all."

"Right!"

They spent the next half hour discussing his Animagus training, and as two o'clock approached, Minerva said that she had another meeting, but that she would see him that evening at the party.

Albus was waiting for her when she arrived in his office, dressed in her favourite close-fitting robes of sky blue with the matching over-robe with the puffy white clouds drifting across it.

Minerva greeted him with a hug and a kiss. "You look utterly delicious, Professor Dumbledore!"

Albus smiled and his cheeks went faintly pink with pleasure. "Thank you, my dear. You look lovely yourself. I like these mossy robes. And the nice lacing," he said, pulling gently on the top of the ribbon, but not loosening it. "It offers intriguing possibilities to the imagination."

"Mmm, I do hope you exercise that imagination, Professor Dumbledore. I look forward to it." She kissed him again.

"I thought that perhaps first we might have a little exercise. It is a beautiful day. Shall we take a walk in the gardens, Professor?"

Minerva smiled happily. "I would enjoy that very much."

Albus leaned forward and kissed her cheek, then his lips moved to her ear, and he whispered, "Have I told you recently that I love you, Professor McGonagall?"

"You have mentioned it, but you could never mention it too frequently, Professor Dumbledore," Minerva answered.

"And have I mentioned recently how very alluring your burr is and how it gives me a thrill whenever you say my name like that?"

Minerva laughed softly. "No, Professor Dumbledore, you had not mentioned that recently, and I believe I had forgotten that."

"Mmm-hm. Very enticing." He kissed her cheek again, then said, offering her his arm, "Shall we take that walk now?"

"That would be lovely," she replied, placing her hand lightly on his elbow.

"There is something of particular interest that I would like to show you, in fact."

"One of my surprises?" Minerva asked.

"Perhaps! We shall see," Albus said, smiling at her with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "We shall certainly see!"