Albus' Lucky Day

Summary: How could Albus have known that having his portrait painted would lead to so much more? AD/MM

The sound of chirping birds and the bright sunshine streaming through the vibrantly colored purple drapes in his chambers woke Albus Dumbledore from a sound sleep this particular spring day. A grumpy Deputy Headmaster rolled over in his bed, pulling the sheets over his head in the hopes of drifting back off to sleep for a few more moments of slumber but apparently someone else had other plans for him.

Just as he was about to slip back into dreamland, a caramel colored owl appeared at his window, tapping incessantly, until Albus gave in and opened the window with a wave of his hand. The eager young owl flew through the window, narrowly escaping the billowing drapes which were flowing freely with the cool breeze, and perched herself on the pillow beside Albus. With a soft hoot, she extended her leg and waited patiently for Albus to untie the parchment and offer her a treat.

"Well my little one, it would appear that I'm in popular demand this morning. Seems that our Headmaster wants a private word with me but I had already promised Professor McGonagall that I would accompany her into Hogsmeade." Albus read the note carefully and the last line bothered him a bit. It seemed that Armando wanted a very private meeting; one which would forbid him from telling Minerva exactly why he was going to have to postpone their departure time. But she was an understanding witch and he felt sure that as long as he informed her of his delay and that school matters dictated the change, she would be forgiving.

Summoning a quill, some ink and a bit of spare parchment from his sitting room, he wrote a quick note of apology to Minerva suggesting a change in their plans and he promised to meet her as soon as certain matters were dealt with on his end. After offering the owl another treat, sherbert lemons seemed to be a favorite of the owls he surmised, he politely asked the little owl to find Professor McGonagall and deliver his note. Seeing the owl out of the window and circling around the tower towards her rooms, Albus closed the window and flooed Armando to confirm their meeting time.

As Albus emerged from his shower, he was surprised to see the little owl back at his window and shivering slightly from the wind and the cool morning temperatures. Pulling his dressing gown tightly around him, he grabbed a towel and cast a warming charm on it before opening the window once more. Motioning for the little owl to hop into the soft towel, Albus smiled as the little bird snuggled into the warmth and hooted appreciatively at his thoughtfulness.

"Now what brings you back here this morning? Did you have trouble with Minerva or was she so angry that she sent a howler back to me?" Lifting her leg, almost as if she completely understood his words, Albus recognized the familiar neat handwriting of his best friend and nodded. "Yes, apparently she did have something to say about me postponing our plans." After wrapping the owl securely in the towel and giving her another sherbert lemon as well as one of Fawkes' treats, he opened the note.

Albus Dumbledore, you had better have an excellent excuse for changing our plans. I have been looking forward to this outing for over a week and you will not get out of this trip. After all, it's not my fault you lost the chess match and the bet so I will expect you to come by my rooms after your meeting. You owe me!

Minerva

P.S. For my troubles and disappointment, I think this calls for you buying me dinner this evening.

Albus' loud chuckle caused the tiny owl to jump and then hoot to show her disapproval of his actions. Sitting down on the bed beside the little bundle of feathers, he stroked her head softly and apologized. "Terribly sorry if I startled you. It's just that Minerva is such a wonder to me. She's everything I've ever dreamed of in a woman and we flirt so much. And yet, I am not sure exactly how she sees me. I'm not sure if she'd consider a relationship with me or if we are fated to remain friends only." He looked down at the owl, which returned his gaze attentively.

"You see, I bet my dear Minerva that I could beat her in a chess match and if not, then I would buy her the new chess board of her choice. It would seem that I bit off more than I could chew and we were heading into town today to select her new board. But, little one, it seems that I also win in this situation because not only do I get the chance to spend the entire day in her company, but I also get the pleasure of taking her out to dinner this evening. How lucky can I get?"

Albus finished dressing and hurriedly went to the Headmaster's office. It wasn't often that he was summoned into such a secretive meeting so he assumed that it was of some great importance. In the back of his mind though, Albus couldn't stop thinking about his other plans for the day and hoped that whatever the situation was, it could be dealt with swiftly.

"Armando, to what do I owe the summons this morning?" Albus remarked as he settled into the rather plush chair in front of the large oak desk used by the Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts for decades.

"Well good morning to you too, Albus. Forgive me for saying so but you seem in a bit of a hurry this morning. Did I choose a bad time for the meeting? We can always meet after dinner this evening."

"Oh no we can't! I was supposed to take Minerva into Hogsmeade this morning and I've already rescheduled, without giving her a reason other than school business beckoned. I dare say that the school would be minus one Transfiguration Professor if I had to cancel on her again." Both men laughed but deep inside they understood how her Scottish temper had a way of making even the boldest of men seem timid. "I'd prefer to keep my appointment with her this afternoon, if it's all the same to you, Headmaster."

"Yes, I can see your dilemma so I won't keep you for very long." Armando moved around his desk and casually leaned against the front of it as he surveyed Albus with deep admiration for his colleague. "Albus, what I'm about to tell you must remain in the strictest of confidence. It could be very disruptive should this information make its' way into the press or even the school gossip chains."

Albus' ears perked up as he listened to Armando stress the seriousness of their conversation. In the past, they had held several crucial meetings, which created the need for only a handful of individuals to be aware of the outcome. But never had he been denied the opportunity to share his burdens with Minerva. Armando knew how close they were and yet it seemed that he would be forced to withhold this particular problem from her. He knew he could never lie to her so his only hope would be that she would sense his hesitation and wouldn't pry into the matter at hand.

With a nod of his head to indicate his willingness to remain tight-lipped about their impending discussion, Albus sat and waited with baited breath. He wasn't sure why, but suddenly his stomach was full of butterflies and his hands had grown cold and clammy, as if every nerve in his body was on edge. Yet he managed a smile in return as the Headmaster grinned at Albus' sudden change in body language.

"Calm down, man. I'm not about to scold you for teaching your students how to transfigure buttons into lemon drops. Although the medi-witch has reported an increased number of those older students with stomach aches after your classes." A deep blush crept onto Albus' cheeks as he relaxed a bit, visualizing his students practicing their skills in their common rooms for their friends.

"Actually what I'm about to tell you is something wonderful. At least I hope you'll think so. Albus, I'm retiring at the end of this year and the Governors and I have decided that you are the man to replace me." He paused to let his words sink in and then he added to them. "Of course, you were the only man we really considered for the job. Your skills in diplomacy as well as your magical abilities make you the perfect candidate and we're sincere in our hopes that you will at least think about it."

A broad smile covered Albus' face as he listened to the Headmaster's glowing words of praise. "I can't begin to tell you how honored I am to have even been considered. Armando, I'd love the chance to shape the future of the school, if the Board and you think so highly of me. But I must ask, why all the secrecy involved? You'll have to announce your retirement soon anyway."

"I wondered if you'd pick up on that little fact. I don't want a lot of fanfare as I leave the office so I'm only informing those individuals who must know of my plans. The Board of Governors and you are the only ones I intend to tell, until closer to the actual date of my departure. However, I am asking you to keep silent because I know how the staff loves to talk. If word of this reached their ears, rumors would fly all over the wizarding world before sundown."

The Transfiguration Professor had to admit the truth behind his words. In fact, he had been the subject of more than one rumor in their little gossip chain and he had been none too pleased about that. He had been rumored to have a love interest in London after he had spent an innocent weekend at his aunt's home and as a result, Minerva had been hurt. She felt that he had been hiding someone from her and part of him wanted to believe that perhaps she was just a wee bit jealous. After assuring her that it was merely a vicious rumor with no truth to it at all, he introduced her to his aunt, who confirmed his story, and all was well. Although, for those few days, he had been somewhat boosted by the fact that just maybe Minerva felt something stronger than friendship for him.

"Albus, I know you have a busy weekend but there is one thing you must start to think about immediately. Each Headmaster or Headmistress is required to have their portrait painted before they assume the official duties. Since I'm leaving in a few months, it will be necessary for you to find a painter and get started on this as soon as possible."

Each distinguished witch or wizard who had been talented enough to hold the highest office at Hogwarts was granted a rare gift. They were immortalized in a portrait and should they so desire, upon their deaths, they could choose to reside among the other paintings that graced the hallowed halls. They would be free to roam the hallways through the other portraits and could even visit other places in the wizarding world. But most of all, they would still be available should the presiding Head of the most prestigious magical school in the world need their wisdom and advice. With a few simple charms placed on the portrait, it would be possible for the spirit of the dearly departed to remain alive, at least in the painting in the wizarding world. It was a centuries old tradition and one of the most impressive honors of the position.

"Might I suggest the man who was able to capture my best qualities while downplaying my faults?" Armando offered. It was true that the artist who painted Armando's portrait had done a wonderful job making the short balding man appear much taller but he had done nothing to capture the real man behind the job. While he would never tell Armando of his thoughts, Albus as well as many of his colleagues had been forced to think of creative ways to describe the Headmaster's portrait so as not to offend the man or his chosen painter.

"Thank you for your offer but I think I'd like to seek someone on my own. I appreciate your assistance but it's just something that I would prefer to oversee myself, if you don't mind." With a parting smile and another round of thanks, Albus headed towards the door, disappointed that he couldn't share his news with Minerva.

"Oh and Albus, please tell Minerva to keep this quiet," Armando called out as Albus reached for the doorknob. "You didn't honestly think that I'd prevent you from telling her this wonderful news, did you? Besides that, I need you to give her a message from me." A raised eyebrow was the only response Albus gave, aside from a broad smile, to his employer's words. "Please tell her that I am most interested in offering her the position of Transfiguration Mistress in the next school year. She'll have to take on a few more responsibilities I'm sure but that shouldn't be a problem for her at all."

A/N: Hey, glad to see you've made it this far. Did you like it? Do you want to see what happens next? Then please, tell us what you think. We'd love to hear from you.