Chapter 1: Bewitched
Albus supposed that it was nostalgia that led him to take the train to Hogwarts for his first year teaching there. He certainly had money and talent enough to travel by many other means. But he longed to observe the camaraderie of the students and found that he couldn't wait for the ride before the opening dinner. He felt so honored to be asked to replace his own Transfiguration teacher, and he was eager to make as positive an impression on the students as Professor Kookaburra had on him.
He had boarded the train before it reached Platform 9 ¾ because he wasn't really interested in chatting with the parents and grandparents of the students. Instead, he silently watched the activity from his dark corner of a compartment at the back of the train. Children who appeared far too young were being cried over and kissed goodbye. Friends were being reunited. It brought back fond memories of his own years at school, three careers earlier.
After a few minutes, he realized he had become transfixed by the loveliness and expressions and motions of one particular witch with jet black hair pulled back from her shrewd, pointed face, which was softened only by her radiant eyes, and occasionally graced by a smile.
When he saw her board the train, he realized what a horrible confluence of fate had caused him to leave the Aurors and take a job at Hogwarts now, teaching a witch who had already unwittingly bewitched him. He felt his heart drawn to her as to no other before. Yet one of the cardinal rules at Hogwarts was that no teacher could ever become involved with any of their students, even after graduation. He had thought that a more than fifty year age difference would render this unimportant. He could not have imagined her.
He was distracted from these thoughts by a boy's face that peeked in and quickly disappeared. He then heard a girl's voice just outside, "Don't be ridiculous."
And then she was standing in the doorway, her eyes bright and mouth turned up in a friendly smile. "Good day, Professor Dumbledore. My name is Minerva and these are my friends Sam and Tommy." At this point she turned, realized her friends were shrinking back, frowned at them and rolled her eyes, then turned back to Albus with a smile. "Everywhere else is full, sir. May we join you?"
As Albus struggled to contain his amusement at her expressions towards her friends, covering with what he hoped was a pleasant smile, he replied, "Yes, of course. Please do." He hoped that this time spent in the compartment would inoculate him against her allure and make the coming years of seeing her in his classroom more bearable.
Minerva entered promptly, followed by a cat, and the two of them sat opposite Albus. Trying not to stare at her led him to look at her cat and follow the tabby's eyes up to the large, tawny owl on the shelf over his head. "I beg your pardon. Minerva, this is Ari."
The friendly smile on Minerva's lips and in her eyes rose to consider the owl and then fell to her cat. "And this is Sophie." With an affectionate expression, she warned the cat, "Sophie, Ari is larger than you are." Sophie turned closed eyes towards Minerva and purred.
Albus smiled, appreciating the obvious bond between them. So far spending time with her had only revealed more endearing traits: independence, boldness, leadership, friendly politeness, affection for her pets.
His thoughts were interrupted when apparently she realized the boys had still not appeared, and she rose. "Excuse me, please."
"Of course."
Minerva exited and Albus heard hissing whispers, then the sounds of shoes scuffling the floor before the two boys burst into the compartment, clearly having been pushed by Minerva. Once they were all seated, Minerva addressed Albus. "Professor Dumbledore, this is Sam and this is Tommy."
"How do you do, boys?"
Albus was amused and somewhat discouraged that the boys seemed to be able to do no more than mumble at him, not even meeting his eyes. Their reserve toward talking in his presence soon dissolved, though they were still very reluctant to talk to him.
And so he began hours of listening to the lilt of her voice and listening to Tommy and Sam doting on her. A few times she tried to lure the professor into their conversation, and he did make some effort, but watching her be watched by the boys made his stomach turn, and he had little interest in talk, instead watching the scenery pass. Familiar rolling hills, some with sheep clinging in the green, were as soothing as anything could be. Though the voices and reflections of the students didn't allow Albus to forget who he was with. Or the unfamiliar feelings of desire and envy.
Every moment Albus spent in the compartment with Minerva further captivated him. He soon realized that she was not merely beautiful. Her intelligence, good humor, and ready wit fairly radiated from her with every word, every smile, every joke.
About two hours into the journey, the conversation he was listening to revealed that these students were all in their last year at Hogwarts. This placed a desperate plan in his mind, and after what he hoped was an appropriate period of time, he drew out quill and parchment. His note to the headmaster was brief and direct: he asked to have one more year for other pursuits before taking up teaching at Hogwarts. He could think of no good reason why his request should be granted, and so he offered none. Instead, he rolled the parchment, called Ari down from the shelf, and sent him with the note. After closing the window and sitting down, he noticed the concerned looks he was receiving from the students.
"Just a bit of business with the headmaster," he explained with a smile. "Nothing to worry about." He thought Minerva's expression was one of sizing him up and understanding more than she should, but he tried to shake off the feeling.
The remainder of the trip passed more pleasantly as Albus allowed himself to watch and talk with Minerva. He even laughed a bit when Sophie jumped onto his lap and began playing with his beard.
To everyone's surprise, Headmaster Dippet was at the station when they arrived. Pushing past the students, he headed to take the hand of his most recently hired professor. "Dumbledore, I think you must have the Sight, no matter how much you deny it." He squeezed Albus's hand as his brow furrowed. "You need to go to the Ministry of Magic as soon as possible to be briefed on the recent attack. I've been besieged by owls begging me to let you off to help. Just for one more year, Professor Kookaburra will teach Transfiguration."
"Of course, Headmaster," Albus agreed eagerly, ignoring the comment about the Sight. "I'll go at once." As he turned to leave, he caught flashing eyes, a perceptive look, and a tight smile from Minerva as she turned to follow Sam and Tommy. Albus smiled briefly at her back, hoping they would meet again at a more appropriate time.
Over the next ten months, Albus had little time to think about bewitching eyes, and when he returned to Hogwarts, the students were gone. He had missed the opening and closing feasts, and only a few of the faculty were at the castle – most surprisingly, Professor Kookaburra. They were still raving about "The Trio," three students who had each earned Outstandings in ten O.W.L.s and eight N.E.W.T.s.
Professor Kookaburra shook his head. "Not that any of us are surprised by their success. But they've been through difficult times this year. First Minerva McGonagall dated Samuel Hedlund, and shortly after they broke up she dated Thomas Davis, too, and somehow they all remained fast friends."
Given the way Sam and Tommy had been looking at Minerva on the train, Albus wasn't all that surprised that they had dated. In fact, he was somewhat relieved that they had dated and broken up.
"She also dated Gregory Askew this spring," Professor Flitwick added. "That had us worried about her study habits. Mr. Askew was not a very serious student. But they broke up soon. Now he's going to try professional Quidditch."
"Miss McGonagall and Mr. Hedlund have gone to work for the Ministry of Magic," Professor Kookaburra added. "And Mr. Davis is at the bank."
Albus was glad to hear that all three were on their way to good careers, and the Ministry of Magic would put Minerva in a place where Albus might run into her.
"It was a joy recommending Miss McGonagall to evaluate new spells, and I expect Mr. Hedlund will do well with the Aurors," Professor Flitwick enthused. "I'll miss The Trio – it's not often we have a group like that all in one class."
"As you'll soon find out." Professor Kookaburra grinned at Albus. "There's no other group currently in the school like them."
Ancient Professor Acitest finally spoke, "I talked to Miss McGonagall about teaching. She'd like to, so I hope Dippet will get her when I retire."
This sounded even more promising to Albus. If Minerva did come to teach at Hogwarts, they would see each other frequently.
"She would do well teaching Potions," Professor Flitwick agreed. "But I think her greater talent lies with Charms. Or perhaps Transfiguration."
Professor Kookaburra opined, "I'd like to see her teach Transfiguration someday. And Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Albus sat back, thoughtfully listening to all this, content to let time take its course.
Albus supposed that it was nostalgia that led him to take the train to Hogwarts for his first year teaching there. He certainly had money and talent enough to travel by many other means. But he longed to observe the camaraderie of the students and found that he couldn't wait for the ride before the opening dinner. He felt so honored to be asked to replace his own Transfiguration teacher, and he was eager to make as positive an impression on the students as Professor Kookaburra had on him.
He had boarded the train before it reached Platform 9 ¾ because he wasn't really interested in chatting with the parents and grandparents of the students. Instead, he silently watched the activity from his dark corner of a compartment at the back of the train. Children who appeared far too young were being cried over and kissed goodbye. Friends were being reunited. It brought back fond memories of his own years at school, three careers earlier.
After a few minutes, he realized he had become transfixed by the loveliness and expressions and motions of one particular witch with jet black hair pulled back from her shrewd, pointed face, which was softened only by her radiant eyes, and occasionally graced by a smile.
When he saw her board the train, he realized what a horrible confluence of fate had caused him to leave the Aurors and take a job at Hogwarts now, teaching a witch who had already unwittingly bewitched him. He felt his heart drawn to her as to no other before. Yet one of the cardinal rules at Hogwarts was that no teacher could ever become involved with any of their students, even after graduation. He had thought that a more than fifty year age difference would render this unimportant. He could not have imagined her.
He was distracted from these thoughts by a boy's face that peeked in and quickly disappeared. He then heard a girl's voice just outside, "Don't be ridiculous."
And then she was standing in the doorway, her eyes bright and mouth turned up in a friendly smile. "Good day, Professor Dumbledore. My name is Minerva and these are my friends Sam and Tommy." At this point she turned, realized her friends were shrinking back, frowned at them and rolled her eyes, then turned back to Albus with a smile. "Everywhere else is full, sir. May we join you?"
As Albus struggled to contain his amusement at her expressions towards her friends, covering with what he hoped was a pleasant smile, he replied, "Yes, of course. Please do." He hoped that this time spent in the compartment would inoculate him against her allure and make the coming years of seeing her in his classroom more bearable.
Minerva entered promptly, followed by a cat, and the two of them sat opposite Albus. Trying not to stare at her led him to look at her cat and follow the tabby's eyes up to the large, tawny owl on the shelf over his head. "I beg your pardon. Minerva, this is Ari."
The friendly smile on Minerva's lips and in her eyes rose to consider the owl and then fell to her cat. "And this is Sophie." With an affectionate expression, she warned the cat, "Sophie, Ari is larger than you are." Sophie turned closed eyes towards Minerva and purred.
Albus smiled, appreciating the obvious bond between them. So far spending time with her had only revealed more endearing traits: independence, boldness, leadership, friendly politeness, affection for her pets.
His thoughts were interrupted when apparently she realized the boys had still not appeared, and she rose. "Excuse me, please."
"Of course."
Minerva exited and Albus heard hissing whispers, then the sounds of shoes scuffling the floor before the two boys burst into the compartment, clearly having been pushed by Minerva. Once they were all seated, Minerva addressed Albus. "Professor Dumbledore, this is Sam and this is Tommy."
"How do you do, boys?"
Albus was amused and somewhat discouraged that the boys seemed to be able to do no more than mumble at him, not even meeting his eyes. Their reserve toward talking in his presence soon dissolved, though they were still very reluctant to talk to him.
And so he began hours of listening to the lilt of her voice and listening to Tommy and Sam doting on her. A few times she tried to lure the professor into their conversation, and he did make some effort, but watching her be watched by the boys made his stomach turn, and he had little interest in talk, instead watching the scenery pass. Familiar rolling hills, some with sheep clinging in the green, were as soothing as anything could be. Though the voices and reflections of the students didn't allow Albus to forget who he was with. Or the unfamiliar feelings of desire and envy.
Every moment Albus spent in the compartment with Minerva further captivated him. He soon realized that she was not merely beautiful. Her intelligence, good humor, and ready wit fairly radiated from her with every word, every smile, every joke.
About two hours into the journey, the conversation he was listening to revealed that these students were all in their last year at Hogwarts. This placed a desperate plan in his mind, and after what he hoped was an appropriate period of time, he drew out quill and parchment. His note to the headmaster was brief and direct: he asked to have one more year for other pursuits before taking up teaching at Hogwarts. He could think of no good reason why his request should be granted, and so he offered none. Instead, he rolled the parchment, called Ari down from the shelf, and sent him with the note. After closing the window and sitting down, he noticed the concerned looks he was receiving from the students.
"Just a bit of business with the headmaster," he explained with a smile. "Nothing to worry about." He thought Minerva's expression was one of sizing him up and understanding more than she should, but he tried to shake off the feeling.
The remainder of the trip passed more pleasantly as Albus allowed himself to watch and talk with Minerva. He even laughed a bit when Sophie jumped onto his lap and began playing with his beard.
To everyone's surprise, Headmaster Dippet was at the station when they arrived. Pushing past the students, he headed to take the hand of his most recently hired professor. "Dumbledore, I think you must have the Sight, no matter how much you deny it." He squeezed Albus's hand as his brow furrowed. "You need to go to the Ministry of Magic as soon as possible to be briefed on the recent attack. I've been besieged by owls begging me to let you off to help. Just for one more year, Professor Kookaburra will teach Transfiguration."
"Of course, Headmaster," Albus agreed eagerly, ignoring the comment about the Sight. "I'll go at once." As he turned to leave, he caught flashing eyes, a perceptive look, and a tight smile from Minerva as she turned to follow Sam and Tommy. Albus smiled briefly at her back, hoping they would meet again at a more appropriate time.
Over the next ten months, Albus had little time to think about bewitching eyes, and when he returned to Hogwarts, the students were gone. He had missed the opening and closing feasts, and only a few of the faculty were at the castle – most surprisingly, Professor Kookaburra. They were still raving about "The Trio," three students who had each earned Outstandings in ten O.W.L.s and eight N.E.W.T.s.
Professor Kookaburra shook his head. "Not that any of us are surprised by their success. But they've been through difficult times this year. First Minerva McGonagall dated Samuel Hedlund, and shortly after they broke up she dated Thomas Davis, too, and somehow they all remained fast friends."
Given the way Sam and Tommy had been looking at Minerva on the train, Albus wasn't all that surprised that they had dated. In fact, he was somewhat relieved that they had dated and broken up.
"She also dated Gregory Askew this spring," Professor Flitwick added. "That had us worried about her study habits. Mr. Askew was not a very serious student. But they broke up soon. Now he's going to try professional Quidditch."
"Miss McGonagall and Mr. Hedlund have gone to work for the Ministry of Magic," Professor Kookaburra added. "And Mr. Davis is at the bank."
Albus was glad to hear that all three were on their way to good careers, and the Ministry of Magic would put Minerva in a place where Albus might run into her.
"It was a joy recommending Miss McGonagall to evaluate new spells, and I expect Mr. Hedlund will do well with the Aurors," Professor Flitwick enthused. "I'll miss The Trio – it's not often we have a group like that all in one class."
"As you'll soon find out." Professor Kookaburra grinned at Albus. "There's no other group currently in the school like them."
Ancient Professor Acitest finally spoke, "I talked to Miss McGonagall about teaching. She'd like to, so I hope Dippet will get her when I retire."
This sounded even more promising to Albus. If Minerva did come to teach at Hogwarts, they would see each other frequently.
"She would do well teaching Potions," Professor Flitwick agreed. "But I think her greater talent lies with Charms. Or perhaps Transfiguration."
Professor Kookaburra opined, "I'd like to see her teach Transfiguration someday. And Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Albus sat back, thoughtfully listening to all this, content to let time take its course.