Worthy Undertakings

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Summary: Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore have been at war with each other since she started teaching at Hogwarts and Armando Dippet is determined to put a stop to it. He's also hoping to do a little matchmaking in the process. Will these two highly skilled professors be able to push their differences aside in the hopes of finding something more?

Rated: PG

Disclaimer: We would like this to stay a splinch-free zone so please remember that the world, life and characters of Harry Potter belong solely to JKR. We are merely borrowing them to satisfy the muse that guides us.

Beware-Our Parchment Has Been Charmed To Ward Off Flames.

~~The Last Straw~~

Minerva McGonagall's eyes were flashing like green fire as she stalked her way to the teacher's lounge. As the door slowly swung open, the other occupants of the room could hear the muttered curses falling from her lips like poisonous darts. They gave each other knowing looks, each aware who was about to enter and who was the cause of such expletives. When Minerva finally entered the room, she regally walked over to her favorite overstuffed armchair and summoned a cup of tea hoping it would help her relax. Her gaze was serene and collected; she showed not a trace of the raging anger that the others were sure had been there moments ago.

Of course, that is what made Minerva so fascinating. She had a wild temper but rarely displayed it for others to see. Most only knew of the Minerva who was a calmly collected young witch. She was powerful and one of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers the school had ever seen. Between her friendly, professional demeanor and her fascinating beauty, she was on good terms with everyone at Hogwarts. Everyone that is, except for Albus Dumbledore. They had been fighting since Minerva had arrived at Hogwarts a couple of years ago.

Later that day, Headmaster Dippet looked at the witch standing in front of him. Her black, silky locks were wild and her emerald green eyes were an unusually bright color. He couldn't help but admire her regal beauty. She had pale, creamy skin and a tall, slender body. He had hated to call her into his office this late at night and it was rather obvious she had been getting ready to settle down for the evening.

"Thank you Minerva for coming. Please take a seat." Armando Dippet waved a hand at the chairs in his office area. He propped himself on the edge of his desk and leaned forward. "Let me begin this meeting by saying that you are doing a fantastic job. Better than any teacher we have had in the same position previously. But I have heard a rumor that you do not get along with all of your colleagues." Armando noticed that Minerva's hands that had been lying in her lap were now clutched together. "Normally that would not concern me and hasn't since you arrived here. However, when it starts to get out of hand, like it did today, then it becomes my problem as well and I have to deal with it."

"Headmaster Dippet, I would like to speak in my defense." Minerva's voice was as steady as always but her body language betrayed her nervousness.

"I will, of course, give you a chance to have your say, just as I will for Albus."

Minerva noticed that the Headmaster's attention was now being drawn to the area behind her. She turned around and a flush crept up her neck and into her cheeks as she noticed a furious Professor Dumbledore standing by the large oak door, which permitted entrance to the office.

"Professor Dumbledore, please take a seat next to Professor McGonagall. As I was saying Minerva, you will definitely have a turn to address your actions from earlier today."

Albus Dumbledore, in a quiet voice so only Minerva could hear, as the Headmaster was busy gathering some paperwork, made a remark that had Minerva's temper on edge. "Yes, Minerva, I am very much looking forward to you explaining to Headmaster Dippet all about how I provoked you into causing my voice to only come out in the form of bubbles. Which might I add, was the basis for me having to cancel a class."

Squirming a bit in her seat, more in an attempt to squash her raging temper than as a response to any apprehension, she stared into the cold blue eyes that belonged to the man she despised above all others. Banishing any further thoughts of cursing him into the next decade, she turned to face the short balding man before her.

"Headmaster, let me begin by saying that ever since my arrival, Professor Dumbledore has constantly felt the need to explain how things were done by my predecessor. He has shown me no respect as a colleague and has made it his mission in life to embarrass me in front of my students. Surely you will understand how critical the first years are to a teacher, and one as young as myself has an even tougher battle to gain the respect of her students." Pausing to let her words sink in and to throw a death dagger glare at the enemy seated on her right, she began again. However, this time her voice was sterner, reminiscent of the tone of voice she used to scold misbehaving students.

"This morning, on my way to class, I was approached by the Transfigurations Professor and was told for the thousandth time how my predecessor always arrived half an hour earlier to class and prepared several practical lessons for his students. After explaining that I did not wish to engage my pupils in this type of activity, I continued walking to my class. This type of conversation would not have been insulting if he had not taken a holier than thou attitude with me and in front of an entire corridor full of students. He has done more to undermine my authority with them than I care to imagine. My sharp reply was not enough to satisfy his curiosity and unfortunately, Professor Dumbledore decided that since his first class was not until later in the morning, he would pay me another visit during the lesson."

Shifting uncomfortably in his chair, Dumbledore nodded his head in agreement of the statements made up to this point. So far, she had managed to tell the unbiased truth, at least as far as the facts were concerned. He willingly admitted to stopping her in the hallway and yes, it was in front of the students. But she had misjudged his intentions and had, once again, proceeded in taking everything he said or did in the negative manner.

"As I was saying, I had already started my lesson when I noticed the auburn haired wizard sitting in the back of the class and engaging one of my students in a private conversation. To make matters worse, they seemed to be discussing a transfiguration matter rather than dealing with the subject of a boggart, which was the lesson for today. When I questioned his presence in my classroom, he replied that he merely wanted to observe my methods of teaching since they were so unconventional. Now, I admit that my response to his remarks was less than professional but considering the amount of stress and scrutiny that I'm constantly facing…especially from HIM, I felt that he needed to be taught a lesson. Normally I would not verbally berate a colleague but he has managed to push me beyond the realm of reasonable professional conduct. In short, I have had it with his constant interference in my daily life." Turning to Albus Dumbledore she shot one last barb. "Now, my dear colleague, would you like to tell him the rest of the story? Or shall I continue and let him judge for himself whether or not your bubbles were necessary? I must say, I liked you a great deal better when your voice could not be heard!"

Observing the occupants of the room, Minerva, to her immense pleasure, could not decide who was more flustered, the Headmaster or Professor Dumbledore. Perhaps she had finally made that meddling menace, Dumbledore, see the light or so she thought. She could not think of anything more satisfying than watching Dumbledore get what was coming to him. And she would be around to see it. With a look of cat-like satisfaction on her face, Minerva turned to see what Dumbledore had to say for himself.

Albus sat very straight in his chair before he started to speak. "Armando, I believe what happened this afternoon and what was said in the classroom are not as important as the intent behind it. After all, we must hit the root of the problem if we are to fix it. When Professor McGonagall had been hired, you came to me and we had a discussion which I hope you have not forgotten." At this, Headmaster Dippet reddened and seemed to be looking everywhere but at the two faculty members seated before him. Albus would not be deterred and continued on.

"If I remember your words correctly, you said although she is immensely gifted, she is also young. You were concerned she would have trouble fitting in here and would have problems with the students. I promised to help in any way I could by giving advice, showing her around and whatever else was required. From the first day, I have done what was asked of me, not in an attempt to undermine her authority as she stated but only as a means of helping her grow as a teacher. But Professor McGonagall, from the start, has looked at it all with no small amount of derision. She has always felt she knows best and that no advice or help from anyone could be of benefit. It seems to me that for all her high moral standards, she is suffering from a closed mind in the matter of her teaching skills which, I may add, are still in their infancy."

Albus felt his side of the story went rather well. Minerva's satisfied smirk had been wiped off of her face. He felt a twinge of guilt at having made so harsh a comment at the end but it could not be helped. If she was going to act in such a manner, she had to expect such a reaction. Certainly, Minerva had taken every word of advice he had given and scoffed at it.

Minerva could not understand why she was having trouble not only moving but breathing as well. It was the only thing keeping her from strangling Albus with her bare hands. Perhaps she was in shock. Yes, that had to be it. There was no other explanation for her inaction. The pompous windbag had certainly shown his true colors with that idiotic speech. His daring never failed to stun her. And now that she thought about it, she couldn't believe that Headmaster Dippet had thought she needed a baby sitter. If they didn't trust her to do her job, then why had they bothered to hire her in the first place? Before she could regain her composure, Armando Dippet started to speak.

"It is clear from listening to both of you that you are each at fault. This is some of the most childish behavior I have seen in all my years as Headmaster and I am including the numerous students as well. I see only one way to solve this predicament. First, I want you to spend this Saturday together. And I mean the whole day, whatever one does, both must agree to do. I would use this time as a way to get to know each other personally and professionally because the following week you are each to teach your classes in the style of the other."

Taking a deep breath, he continued before either one could interrupt. "Albus, I expect you to learn that there is more than one way of teaching and all can be of benefit. Even those new to the profession can have ideas and plans that are better than others who have given years of service. Minerva, I hope that you learn to listen to advice given by others. You do not always need to follow it but keeping an open mind and heart is very important in your position. I think you will find it is an asset dealing with the many students who will come to you for advice. We will meet again at the end of the week to see how you feel at that time. Dismissed."

Sheer disbelief was etched on the faces of Albus and Minerva. Dippet had managed to shock them both by sentencing them to an entire day spent in the company of the other. Neither one could think of a worse punishment than having to waste an entire Saturday pretending to be civil. Minerva started to speak in protest but Albus had the same idea. Raising a hand to quiet them both, Armando gently reminded them that this matter was not up for debate and the discussion was closed. Rising from their chairs, each nodded and made their way to their separate rooms, without another syllable being uttered between them.

To Be Continued…