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Albus Quest

Chapter 1 - Secret Revealed

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, his room in the Gryffindor Tower which he was head of, pondering why Minerva McGonagall had changed since her return to Hogwarts. She had graduated five years ago and had not really done anything since then but oversee her family business. When the position of Transfiguration Professor opened, she quickly applied and secured it. She arrived a month ago and had been distant ever since.

Albus was confused by the distance she seemed to want. He considered her one of his closest friends ever since her sixth year, they had exchanged owls over the years and now she started distancing herself from him and everyone else. It just didn't fit, she was doing it purposely and he wanted to know why.

He secretly observed her for a week learning her routine. She would arrive a few minutes late to breakfast each morning and have a mug of coffee and piece of toast. She would teach her morning classes and have a small lunch in the Great Hall then leave early in order to go to her rooms. She spent the remainder of lunch as well as her planning hour there. She would rush to her afternoon class and remain there until dinner which she spent in her rooms. She would stay in her rooms until the next morning then start the entire process over.

Albus wondered why she spent so much time cooped up in her room and sought to find out. One night after Albus was making his nightly walk through the castle, he knocked on her door unannounced. She was surprised to say the least but did the courteous thing and allowed him in. They settled down on the couch in front of the fire and talked. Hour by hour passed while they were talking. Neither cared about the time, it had been so long since they enjoyed each others company, it felt so right. A small cry from Minervas bedroom startled the two.

Minerva jumped to her feet and rushed towards her bedroom. Albus watched and then followed suite. When he peeked through the doorway he saw Minerva rocking a small girl with curly raven hair and green eyes. Minerva had calmed and lulled her to sleep within minutes then resettled her back into the small bed. She then fixed her worried eyes on him, walked back into the living room, sat on the couch and patted the seat next to her. Albus obediently sat next to her and waited for her to speak.

Minerva sighed loudly and then asked, "I guess you're wondering who the little girl was?" She waited until he nodded before continuing, "That is my three year old daughter Michaela."

If he was shocked it didnt show on his face. He simply stated, "I didn't realize you had a daughter."

She smiled then answered, "Not many know, I try to keep her a secret."

"Why?" he asked intrigued.

Minerva was quiet for so long that Albus thought she wouldn't answer. "I'm afraid people will find out the circumstances surrounding her conception," she replied in a soft whisper.

"What circumstances?" Albus asked.

Minerva frowned and then sighed in frustration. "Almost four years ago my grandparents were killed and I was left in charge of their estate. It had been deteriorating for a while and I was attempting to revive it. I spent all of my time working on new products hoping to uphold our magical toy making standards. I was actually doing fairly well at it, so well I allowed the defenses around the manor to weaken and didnt notice my lack of judgment until it was too late."

She paused a while trying to gain the courage to finish her story. "One stormy night I was relaxing in the sunroom, you know how much I enjoy a thunderstorm, when someone grabbed me from behind. I did not get a chance to grab for my wand but I did struggle to get free. I twisted and turned trying to escape his clutches but he was too powerful for me. When I realized I couldnt escape, that I would be raped, I sought to make my objections known. I scratched and clawed at him until I brought blood and then I screamed out for help I knew would not come."

Her voice broke as she continued, "When he had finished and left, I just curled up and lay defeated on the floor. I cursed my lack of judgment, strength and anything else I could think of. I just wanted to disappear from sight but my prideful ways would not allow it. I managed to pull myself together during the following weeks and then I found out I was pregnant."

"Not having the baby was not an option so I decided to keep my pregnancy a secret and then give the baby up for adoption. When Michaela was born, I took one look at her and instantaneously fell in love. I knew I would not be able to give her up so I kept her a secret with the hope that I could protect her from the circumstances surrounding her conception."

Albus was shocked. He had expected an ill-fated romance with some young wizard and an unplanned pregnancy but he never expected this. She had been through the most devastating experience a woman could ever have and somehow managed to keep her senses about her. She kept her daughter a secret, not from shame but to protect her. He always thought she was a wonderful person but more so now.

He was lost in his thoughts for a few more minutes then realized he hadnt said anything. He shifted towards her and compassionately said, "I'm sorry that happened to you, no woman should ever have to go through that."

"I did not tell you to get your pity," she said hoarsely.

"I do not pity you Minerva. I remember how hard it was for my sister to deal with."

"I was not aware you had a sister," Minerva interrupted.

"Yes but only a few people know about her. Shes twenty-five years younger than me and was raised in America."

"What happened to her?"

"She was raped by her professor on the night of her graduation. She was devastated and it took nearly three months before she would allow me out of her sight."

"I cannot imagine what kind of wizard would take advantage of a student. Was he punished for his crimes?"

"My sister Abigail did not report the crime but he did not get away scot-free. He apparently had a fascination with young ladies and was killed by a vengeful father."

"At least she will have peace now knowing he will not come after her again."

"Do you have peace Minerva?" he asked concerned.

She sadly shook her head no. "I did not even get a good look at his face," she said softly.

"Are you afraid he will come after you again?"

She was quiet for a long time and Albus thought she wouldnt answer but she did. "Yes, but that's not what scares me the most Albus. Now Im afraid he will discover Michaela and come after her."

"She's safe here at Hogwarts Minerva."

"I hope so Albus."

He started to respond but it was interrupted by the whimpering of Michaela. She came in carrying a ragged stuffed lion and sucking on her thumb. She slowed her pace when she noticed Albus and watched him closely as she made her way to Minerva. She crawled in her mothers lap and said, "Time to eat."

Minerva smiled then shook her head no. "It's bedtime, not time to eat."

"I hungry mum," the little girl replied.

Minerva stared eye to eye with Michaela before asking, "You're not going to allow me any sleep until you eat, are you?" The girl smiled sweetly and then shook her head no. "Very well but after you eat you are going straight to bed wee one."

"Okay mum." She looked over at Albus and then smiled sweetly. "Mum whos that man?" she asked pointing at Albus.

Minerva laughed at Michaela's question then answered, "This is Professor Dumbledore. He teaches here at Hogwarts too."

Michaela looked at Albus cautiously until he winked at her. She smiled sweetly at him before she walked to him and pulled on his beard. Minerva was about to scold her daughter but was distracted by Albus laughter. Michaela laughed then crawled into his arms and hugged him. Albus smiled and said, "Kitten I believe you are a charmer."

"Kitten," she said trying it out. After a few moments of considering it she said, "I like it." Then she asked, "Pofesr Dumdo, you eat with me?"

Albus and Minerva burst out laughing at her pronunciation of his name. Michaela didn't know what was going on but she laughed too. She bounced excitedly on Albus knee until he spoke. "Kitten do you think you can say Mr. Albus?"

She nodded and then repeated slowly, "Mr. Albus."

He smiled at her then said, "I would love to 'eat with you' Kitten."

She smiled, jumped off his lap and pulled on his hand. He reluctantly gave in and allowed her to lead him to the table. He sat down in the chair beside her and watched as she turned to Minerva. "Mum, time to eat," she said rather loudly.

"Alright Michaela," Minerva replied as she sat herself at the table. With a flick of her wand the table filled with pancakes, muffins and all the fixings that went with them.

Michaela screamed in excitement and then started to dig in the plate that her mum had just fixed for her. Minerva and Albus soon started to fill their plates and eat. After they had finished eating and clearing the table, they started for the living room. Minerva settled into the couch beside of Albus as Michaela settled on his lap. She held her lion close to her and plopped her thumb in her mouth. Within minutes she was sleeping peacefully. "Do you want me to carry her to her bed?" he asked Minerva.

She nodded her approval and walked in front of him to pull the covers down. He laid her into the bed and brushed a few curls away from her face. Minerva pulled the covers up and kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams my love," she whispered before quietly following Albus out of the room.

Albus and Minerva were walking towards the door when Albus commented, "She's quite the charmer Minerva."

"That she is. I wasn't sure how she would respond to you," she said thoughtfully then added, "She hasn't met a wizard before."

"Surely she has met a few," Albus replied shocked at the thought.

Minerva merely shook her head no and said, "No she hasn't. She has met a few med witches but no wizards. I only wanted to protect her but now I am worried I may be causing damage to her."

"Are you afraid if she doesnt interact with others she will not be able to later?"

She nodded solemnly. "I'm still not ready for the world to know about her," she confided.

"It will take time for you to tear down the walls you've built Minerva," he said as he walked out the door.

"I know," she whispered to his fading footsteps and softly closed the door.