'Albus lay in the cavity beneath the rock, hoping that he hadn't dug himself his own grave'...what a horrible situation: to find yourself a place of protection that can easily turn out to be a trap, but obviously he didn't have much choice. Minerva is, once again, wonderful here, trying to reassure, clean and heal Albus, while at the same time planning ahead. Multi-tasking before the word was even invented I love to see how they are comfortable with each other, whilst trying to minimize the embarrassment of the situation they have to cope with. Very interesting and revealing (no pun!) how you've described the scene of the urinating: such situations will occur in certain disastrous circumstances and it is better to simply deal with it than make a drama out of it or try to endure it just to avoid the embarrassment. Good that Albus was a bit more warm and comfortable in the end, so that he could doze of a little.I really love this chapter for the warmth and deep and easy friendship which I could feel between Albus and Minerva and of course also for the  angst combined with hope. 

Oh my...what about trusting someones own judgment! This Auror Sprangle treats Minerva as if she were a child, in full need of guidance and protection. Utterly insulting and impractical! And even possibly dangerous. The discussion they have before leaving, sounds very believable and natural to me, I think you've caught the right tone. In other words: very well written! Indeed, that couldn't have gone much worse...poor Frankel! I hope he'll live and escape, somehow, from German captivity (though his chances look slim) Very bad that Minerva has no Portkey now, I wonder how she'll manage to get her self and Albus and Carson out, if she'll be able to locate them. Engaging chapter!

That was most peculiur - but, i was actually wondering if something like that was going to come up - hehehehehe... interesting.Well - i've read through all of RaM and loved it - just loved it, and now i will move foward wtih Act of love i think - thank you again, write to me! keep in touch! HAd a blast talking to you through this whole read - and enjoying the sexiest wizard in the world!

That was a fun chapter! I especially liked the new special door and floo connected for the two of them! WOO HOO! I also enjoyed seeing all the students return - though, I know that's a bit silly of me, but it always seems like a fun time, the begining of the year!

“No, well, not really. I couldn’t sleep. I thought . . . you said once that if I couldn’t sleep . . .”*snip*I think they should sleep together when ever they can... silly wizard!

Holy cow, what a chapter! First the Silent Knight and his unusual tale, which was sad and kind of creepy and then weird and then neat - and then, the wards, I really enjoy the way you describe magic - and then the ceremony to Minerva for being added to the wards - that was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo yummy - that's all I'm saying about that - and I am guessing the package Albus gave Minerva was a music box, though it was never stated - that was neat and finally, they get to snooze together... YAY! Snuggle bunnies!Favorite part was the Hogwarts Heart and the ribbons of magic, neato!

Looking down into his eyes, Minerva smiled softly and said, “You know, there have been a few things you have done that I have especially enjoyed, Professor Dumbledore – one thing in particular for which you seem to have an impressive talent, in fact, and then there was something else you did last night that, well, I have never felt anything quite like it before.”*snip*Starting with this paragraph and extending down - I just have to say that might be one of the most erotic scenes I've ever read/seen/heard of anywhere - the foreplay talk, the teasing, the formality, and the complete honesty - as well as the erotic talk, is sooooo entoxicating and I can so easily see these two characters trading these words back and forth with breathless passion - I know I've left about 100 reviews and likely you are tired of reading them all, but I keep coming back to this part of the story and rereading it - it is just that enjoyable - had to mention it specifically - very well written!

Describing fantasies... undressing for your lover... out in the open... Thunderstorms! GOOD GOD WOMAN! I think I was completely lost once Albus took charge after Minerva described her fantasy to him... yes... I'm still blind and can't find the light switch.... *blinks*

A Most delicious and adventurous and exciting chapter.... so glad these two are movinng foward, wish Albus didn't have a hang up about felatio - but ahh well - Minerva will have to help him with that - and I love how they role play mock seriousness, so yummy!

*snip*“I will be very glad to get out of these Muggle clothes,” Minerva remarked, “and into something more comfortable.”Albus grinned at her. “Would you require any assistance in that area, Professor McGonagall?”She returned his smile and said, “I just might, at that, Professor Dumbledore.”“Well, then, shall I accompany you to your rooms and lend you a hand?” Albus asked.“Indeed, that would be most appreciated,” Minerva replied. “And you might also assist me in selecting something appropriate for this afternoon’s outing, if you would be so kind.”“I shall endeavour to be of some help in whatever you may need, my dear Professor,” Albus said with a twinkle. “Let’s take the Floo from my office, then, Professor Dumbledore, so that we may embark upon this activity as soon as possible,” Minerva said, barely restraining a mirthful grin.“A very sound suggestion, Professor McGonagall,” Albus said, not restraining his own grin and giving her a wink, as well.The two hastened up the stairs to the large oak doors, eager to reach Minerva’s office and her Floo and even more eager to attain the privacy of her suite.*snip*That was especially fun!

*snip*“How is he supposed to be related?” Minerva asked, feeling slightly unsettled. “It is rather peculiar.”“Oh, a lot of people call relatives ‘uncle’ or ‘cousin’ when it would be too hard to call them by whatever they really are – can you imagine introducing someone by saying, ‘this is my second cousin, once-removed, on my mother’s side’?” Melina giggled giddily. “You can just be a vague sort of relative like that. Maybe by marriage or something. Anyway, I doubt anyone will ask. If they do, just say something about the family tree being complicated, or something.”*snicker*

“I would bring you to your rooms, my dear, but I would rather that I were the only one to enjoy this particular vision of you,” Albus murmured into her ear. “Mmm,” was the only response that Minerva could manage as the motion as Albus walked up the stairs was stimulating her again, and despite having felt as though she had reached the peak of arousal and surpassed it, and that she was now past being aroused, her body was responding to the sensation of Albus still inside her and her breasts gently rubbing against his beard.*snip*Oh dear lord..... *falls over breathless* I think I have seen Heaven... in that glorious beard.

“Don’t you . . . don’t you want me, Albus?” she asked softly, drawing her hands down, parting his outer robe, then lightly caressing his chest. “Is there something I can do . . . so that you want me? Something that would make me more desirable?”*snip*And everything below that....... OMFGGGG........ *falls backwards on couch in bliss* Did I mention that Albus is the sexiest living thing on this earth?

Minerva raised her face to him and said, “Kiss me, Albus, please. It’s been hours since our last proper kiss.”Albus grinned at her. “Hours? Has it been hours? And you would like a proper kiss? Let me see if I can manage a proper kiss.”Albus raised one hand to cradle the back of her head, then he very slowly approached her, his lips coming a breath away from hers. “Minerva,” he said in a low voice, his lips just brushing hers as he said her name. “Minerva.”His lips brushed hers again, just for a moment, then he softly kissed her. He repeated his soft kiss, this time taking her lower lip between his and simply holding it between them before he kissed her full on the mouth again. Then Albus gently sucked her lower lip before stroking it with a feathery touch of his tongue. Minerva moaned, and Albus moved his lips over hers, softly and sensuously, then he deepened the kiss, pulling her toward him, and Minerva’s embrace tightened. Finally, he ended the kiss much as he had begun it, with soft brushes of lip on lip.Albus looked down at her and said in a warm voice, “Was that a proper kiss, my dear?”Minerva opened her eyes. “Mmm.” She could barely think, but she said, “If a proper kiss makes you melt, that was a proper kiss.” Minerva let out a breath and lay her head against him. “I love you, Albus.”*snip**chuckles and clears throat* That was sublime. *winks*

Minerva sighed and nodded. She opened her mouth to reply when there was a large flash, startling both witches.“Fawkes!” Minerva cried, astounded by the bird’s sudden fiery appearance.The phoenix landed on the bed beside Minerva and held out his leg, offering her a large rolled parchment. As soon as Minerva took it, Fawkes trilled happily, then disappeared in the same manner in which he had appeared.“A phoenix!” Egeria said, having regained the power of speech.*snip*Did I mention how awesome Egeria's reaction was? I didn't think I had, so I wanted to make up for that - AWESOME! I am seeing her sitting there, eyes huge, not sure what the hell happened.... and opening and closing her mouth.... such a perfect image just from one sentence - the last - by Egeria.

*snip*Albus’s smile grew. “Oh, very decadent, indeed, and so early in the day, too! But I will be happy to oblige you, my dear!”I think now that I've read Obliging Minerva I'm going to have a very hard time seeing that word used in a sentence, especially between these two, and not thinking about that particularly tantilizing one-shot..... yumms

“Now, do you remember the rules for the day, dearest?” Egeria asked, turning back to Merwyn.“Yes, um, mention his advanced years at every opportunity, accuse him of stealing my baby away – ouch!” Merwyn cried in mock distress when Egeria tapped his arm with her open hand. *snip*LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

“Refill?” Malcolm Summoned two more bottles of cider and uncapped them with a flick of his finger. As he refilled their glasses, he said, “She loves you fiercely, Dumbledore. Practically took my head off, she did – almost literally – when I dared to say something a bit uncomplimentary of you.” He took a long drink of his cider, then set the glass down and looked at Albus quite seriously. “It turned out to be a test of her, as much as of the openness of your relationship and of what she knew of you. She really does love you. Don’t do anything to betray it or to hurt her – I don’t believe you would do so deliberately, nor do I believe you are likely to do so. But if you do, I am just giving you warning that she would not suffer it easily. She is a McGonagall and a Tyree. You are more powerful, but . . . her temper might overcome your caution. That’s all I’m saying.” He touched his cheek briefly. “And if her temper didn’t, mine certainly would. And I don’t cool off as quick as she does. But that isn’t really what I wanted to talk to you about today. Let me be blunt. Very blunt. You may decide you don’t want to offer me the job, I’m so blunt. She says you’ve been a perfect gentleman to her.”Albus, somewhat at a loss at the sudden turn the conversation had taken and unsure of where Malcolm was heading with it, shrugged slightly. “I have certainly endeavoured to be.”“Don’t ‘endeavour’ so hard is my advice, for what it’s worth. As I said, Minerva is a McGonagall and a Tyree. She is fiery. Buttoned up much of the time, but still, it’s there. She didn’t go into detail – she was very circumspect, in fact – but you have been too much of a gentleman. That much she did say. Minerva likes romance as much as any witch, I am certain. And she assuredly deserves romance and to be treated well and with respect . . . but . . . well, not to put too fine a point on it, don’t treat her like a delicate flower all of the time. I don’t know what you’ve been up to over the last several . . . decades, but if you are nervous about the, um, the warmer aspects of romance, just” – Malcolm took a deep breath – “just get over it. You defeated Grindelwald after more than two days of torture – I knew Katherine Fellows rather well at one time, so I know about that – and if you could do that, you can get over your nervousness. Make her happy, Dumbledore. You can make her happy. Romance is more than flowers and pretty speeches. Don’t try so hard to be a gentleman with her. Just be yourself. That will be enough. She loves you.” Malcolm drank off the rest of his cider then looked at the clock on the wall. “I said I’d have you back by two. It’s getting on toward one-thirty. So, am I fired?” Malcolm asked, turning back toward Albus, not looking in the least bit worried.*snip*Malcolm - how in the hell does he know all this? Well - however he does, and what ever gall he has to stick his head in where it doesn't belong - which of course, is just my personal opinion - I just love Dumbledore's reaction....Albus laughs.... *grins* I love that bearded wizard.

“Aye, more powerful, but you have the same feel. Whatever you send me will be similarly tuned – gives me a bit of an advantage, really, over a confrontation with a stranger,” Malcolm said.“We have the same feel?”“Yes, your magic. Very similar. His is richer, more powerful, but very similar. Noticed it when I met him, in fact. Couldn’t put my finger on it at first, but every time he cast a spell, there was something familiar about it. Then it hit me, his magic reminded me of my little sister.” Malcolm walked out to the middle of the pitch. “Come on, now, we haven’t all day!”*snip*Well that's interesting.

Albus seemed amused. “You told me that Malcolm is the one McGonagall who tends to hold a grudge. I would rather diffuse any troubles that may remain. I had sufficient misunderstandings with another McGonagall this summer; I don’t need to have any new ones with Malcolm.”*snip**chuckles* I love how sublimely he puts things, sometimes...

“What, that you and the Headmaster of Hogwarts are shtupping?” Minerva had never heard the term before, but she knew immediately what he was saying, and it angered her, but before she got another word out of her mouth, Malcolm continued. “Is that why you were so eager to take this job, then? To make it easier for the two of you? And how long has this been going on? Years? Does anyone know of it? Or is it just your little secret? Gertrude wouldn’t tell me a thing – just kept saying, ‘speak with your sister’! Wouldn’t even give a hint of what she might know or guess!”*snip*For a wayward brother who seems to have very little to do with his sister, let alone the rest of his family, just WHERE in the bloody hell does he get the gall to impune such questions upon Minerva?!? He's fortunate he's not asking ME that.... I'd do far more than she did. *grumps**snip*“It’s just that . . . I’m a bit older than you are, remember, and I’ve heard things about Dumbledore, during the war, you see. A few rumours, you might say. But rumours with foundation. You don’t hear them any more – defeating Grindelwald does tend to make people think twice about saying anything uncomplimentary about a person.” Malcolm held up a hand, forestalling Minerva’s protest. “Please, let me finish. There were scarcely any rumours even at the time I heard them, myself, and I didn’t particularly care about them. It had just been a little talk and some chuckling among a few of the old timers. I ignored the rumours. It didn’t matter to me at all whether they were true or not. Not at that time. Now, though – after seeing the two of you together last night, I began to remember some of them. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, little sister. This wizard apparently screwed his way across half of Europe, pretty indiscriminately, too. Young, old, married, unmarried, he kept the witches entertained. He was a good-looking young man, and he traded on his looks for his keep –”*snip*Okay - right there, if I were Minerva, he'd be reeling in unquestionable pain, likely from more than one particularly sensative area... tha GIT! *snorts*

Albus chuckled. “That was a nice piece of wandless magic, Minerva.”Minerva grinned. “I was highly motivated.”“I shall have to find other opportunities to motivate you, then!” Albus said, his eyes bright.*snip**just grins*

She did hope that Albus felt some sexual passion – Minerva remembered her speculations earlier in the summer about his love life and any urges he might have, and she began to worry that even though Albus was still capable of sexual activity, and even though he clearly did become physically aroused with her, perhaps his passions had died away to a bare simmer. He had, after all, led what he had described as a “retired life.” Minerva assumed that he had spent a long period of his adult life, perhaps most of it, in abstinence. It could be that either the abstinence came easily to him because he was not particularly sexual – she did know some people like that, after all – or possibly the abstinence itself had extinguished any passion he had once had. It could be that there was some . . . not truth, but some cause for Valerianna’s nasty words – if Albus had found it easy to be a gentleman with Valerianna and not press his advantage with her, and she was used to rutting with every wizard who caught her fancy, it could be that she sensed his lack of desire. Although if that witch had sensed a lack of desire, it had been a lack of desire for her, not necessarily a lack of desire in general. Nonetheless, Albus had been very restrained. Minerva did hope that it was merely out of a desire to be a gentleman, and perhaps because of a little lingering insecurity or nervousness, and not from a lack of sexual desire for her. She did want him to want her and to . . . well, to find sex with her more than just a pleasant pastime on the same order as a game of chess.*snip* While I can sympathize with Minerva here, I think she's completely off base... I don't think she has anything to worry about, once she gets him over his hang up, and shows him that being open with his emotions and desire is a good thing, he'll be far more responsive, and hopefully.... *crosses fingers* more initiative with her. I'd hate to think she has to initiate everything - or even MOST - lets hope Albus isn't that daft.

“You seemed to require some of the Headmaster’s time and . . . personal attention, Professor McGonagall. I thought perhaps rather than wait, we would come . . . straight . . . here,” Albus said in a low voice that sent shivers of pleasure through Minerva, and he raised one hand and touched her arm very lightly, a mere grazing touch, but it caused her to take in her breath sharply.Minerva swallowed and looked up into his eyes. They seemed a deeper blue than ever, and his pupils were dilated as he gazed down at her. She licked her lips, then said, “I did require your personal attention, as you say, but I could have waited.”“Could you, indeed?” Albus said, quirking a slight smile. “Well, then, would you care to show me your classroom, Professor? Or would you prefer to begin with your office?” He made no move away from her, however, and continued to gently caress her arm with his fingertips.“I think that it is more in the way of personal attention that I am needing from the Headmaster,” Minerva said. “Really?” he asked with a playful twinkle in his eyes. “Something in the way of this sort of attention, then?”Coming no closer to her, nor ceasing his tantalising caresses, only moving them to the side of her breast, he bent his head and kissed her lips softly, lingeringly, then he whispered, his words a breath against her lips, “This sort of attention, Professor McGonagall?”“Yes,” Minerva breathed, “that sort is a start.”“A start?” Albus asked before gently pulling her lips between his own. He licked his lips and hers, too, then asked in a low voice, “And would this be the proper way to proceed from there?”Albus brought his fingertips around to circle her nipple, hidden though it was beneath her robes, as he continued his gentle, seductive kisses of her lips. He moved her over-robe aside as he caressed her breast, eliciting an intake of breath from Minerva. Albus chuckled in pleasure and delight at her reaction as he resumed his tantalising touches to her nipple, covered in cotton and silk though it was. Minerva raised her hands to rest them on his upper arms, not wanting to obstruct Albus’s movements, and when Albus brought his other hand up to caress her other breast in the same way, she moaned. Albus made an answering, low sound in his throat, and deepened his kiss, parting his lips further, bringing hers with them, and beginning a slow, languid caress of her mouth with his tongue, as though learning and treasuring its every contour.Albus slipped his arms around Minerva and held her close to him, allowing her to feel his arousal. Without thinking, Minerva put her arms around his neck, then she pressed herself against him, arching her back slightly to increase her contact with his erection. This time it was Albus who moaned, and when Minerva rolled her hips slightly, he broke from their kiss in a gasp and buried his face in her hair, his lips coming to rest near her ear, where they reflexively kissed the gentle curve of her ear. He let out a shuddering breath, and Minerva pressed against him harder and brought one hand down to caress his shoulder and back.He took a steadying breath, then he kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her lips, before drawing back to look down at her with a smile. “Was that the sort of personal attention you were requiring, Professor McGonagall?” he asked teasingly.“Precisely, Professor Dumbledore,” Minerva responded, and the sound of her pleasant burr brought a wider smile to his face, and he kissed her forehead again lightly.*snip*That about undid me.... *groans* talk about dead sexy... Minerva has far more restraint than I certainly posess... and Albus was being terribly wicked, knowing just how badly he was teasing her... and he certainly did!

“Believe me, Albus, believe me,” Minerva said softly, still gently running her hands over his back. “You are extremely handsome, immensely attractive, and your touch warms and excites me. I love to hear your voice, to feel your hands touching me, to feel your lips on mine, your lips over my skin, your tongue touching mine, and,” she continued even more softly, “feeling your desire for me, your very physical desire, it quickens my own need and desire. Touch me, Albus, touch me, and you will see and feel how much pleasure you bring me, how you awaken my desire, and how my desire is for you and for you alone.”*snip*I just love that... I am so in awe of how Minerva can place herself in such vulnerable positions for Albus' sake - and be so completely honest, and still so tender with him. So beautiful.