Chapter 1-Minerva's Nightmare

Author's Note: These are going to be a bunch of little stories in the lives of Albus and Minerva. I'm going to try to keep them in the 400-500 word range. I do not own Harry Potter.

Minerva McGonagall was chained up in a dungeon, forced to watch the painful scene in front of her. Albus Dumbledore was on the floor, writhing in pain. The most feared and evil wizard in the world, Lord Voldemort, was taking pleasure in torturing him.

"Crucio," he cried.

Albus was crying out in pain, and begging Voldemort to kill him.

"Stop, torture me instead," Minerva pleaded. She hated seeing the man she loved in pain.

Voldemort did not pay attention to her. He continued to torture Albus for what seemed like an eternity, before he said those two fatal words, and a flash of green light ended Albus' life.

Minerva screamed just as she woke with a start. It was the third time she had that nightmare this month, and she was starting to fear going to sleep. She was starting to think that the nightmares wouldn't end until Voldemort was dead. The tears started falling before Minerva could stop them.

"Minerva, what's wrong?" Albus asked. She had woken him up when she screamed.

Minerva didn't answer him. She was embarrassed that she was sobbing over a dream. But it had felt so real, and it kept reminding her of her worst fear. She rolled over so that her back was to him. She didn't want Albus to see her crying.

"Minerva, did you have that dream again?"

Minerva nodded. Albus rolled over so that he was facing her, and snuggled up against her. Albus knew that she was crying, because she wouldn't look at him, and she was shaking slightly. Albus gently rubbed her back, hoping it would help calm her.

"I'm right here, my dear. It was just a nightmare," he said softly.

"I know," she replied, her voice cracking. She still didn't look at him.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone gets nightmares, and everyone gets scared."

Albus wrapped his arms around Minerva and held her tight. He could feel her start to relax, and slowly the tears stopped. Albus planted kisses along the back her neck and shoulder, and then kissed up and down her jawline. He then gently nibbled on her earlobe, and smiled when she sighed contently.

"Try not to worry too much," he said softly. "I won't let anything happen to you."

"I know you won't," she replied.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear.

Minerva rolled over so that she was facing Albus. She lightly trailed the backs of her fingers against his cheek. "I love you too," she whispered back.

Minerva knew she would have the nightmare again, many more times. But she knew that everything would be alright as long as she was in Albus' arms.