A/N I don't know specific dates but I'm working out that Phineas as Albus's headmaster seems likely and also this is a challenge from a mate of mine. She was dared me to write this fic to a stimulus title we received in drama which was "Is he worth it?" I just had to use that line somewhere in the fic. So I did! ) We had been making all these jokes and she felt I should do some writing so I wrote it for Albus and Minerva who she hates as a ship just to annoy her. I love the ship but it gave me hell trying to think up something unusual. I have had this idea kicking around for a while unfinished so I just decided to make a few adjustments.
Now on to the fic.
"Is he worth it?"
"Yes he is."
"Why?"
"Because… he's good, he's the best in fact."
Phineas Nigellus shook his head in disbelief at Armando Dippet the newly appointed headmaster of Hogwarts was fighting with him over the appointment of the transfiguration professor. Phineas did not want Albus Dumbledore who had been to school while he was headmaster and had been hell.
Albus was the original troublemaker and charmer. He had found every secret passage and knew everything there was to know about Hogwarts although he would all deny it. Albus had excelled in everything he did he was the brightest they had ever had. He had gone on to become an Auror though he had left soon after completing training. He had gone into research with his old friend Nicholas Flamel. They had made some groundbreaking discoveries and were both held in high regard.
Albus was flamboyant and the most eligible bachelor apparently. The wizarding world may be more advanced in social expectations than the muggle world, who was still struggling with the idea of a kiss in public to your husband/wife.
Albus was held in high regard by the wizarding community and he had traveled the world and had expanded his already vast knowledge. Hot gossip was that he was involved with someone ten years younger than him. The world had been shocked by that especially the ladies. Albus and his new girlfriend obviously didn't care.
Armando was sure he would be perfect; he was young, enthusiastic and bright.
"I don't care what you think Phineas; I'm hiring him and Minerva McGonagall as DADA professor."
The portrait sighed and looked at looked at Armando's predecessor who shrugged. Armando sat at his desk and wrote Albus and Minerva's acceptance letters.
The man who had cause debate was in fact being bored out of his brain at a ministry dinner. He had been asked to give a speech on his and Nicholas discoveries and he had given it; but he wasn't allowed to leave. He was seated with the minister, his wife and some delegates from another country. He had long since lost track of the conversation. He and his love Minerva McGonagall were having a far more interesting conversation on the backs of their hands. They thought what they wanted to say and it appeared on the receiver's hand. A handy trick Albus had picked up at Hogwarts.
Do you think we can leave yet?
Not a chance Albus, you only just said your speech and there is dancing afterwards how you could deprive all these women a chance to dance with such an esteemed man as yourself I will never know!
Easily my dear easily and I will only dance so long a gorgeous witch with beautiful emerald eyes with accompany me.
She might, just to annoy the simpering witch's I'm sitting with, what the hell is a Hermes?
It's a muggle designer brand of jewelry or suitcases I think.
What the hell, I'm so lost with these witch's. Hey dancing! Come and save me please.
Albus chuckled and looked around and saw the musicians striking up a tune. He excused himself and wandered over to Minerva's table. She saw him coming and got up to meet him. Much to the disappointment of the other occupants of her table, who had been looking hopefully in his direction? Minerva smirked and wandered casually over to him. He smiled softly down at her and commented "Not up with all the rages of fashion and gossip?"
"I hate how our society while very forward in our views on relationships, women etc; and yet the women of our society want to live like muggles in high society just because we can."
Albus chuckled and said "Well let's shock our society even more and dance"
"I thought you'd never ask!" Minerva quirked and followed him out onto the floor.
They danced for a few songs before Albus was whisked off to dance with some other ladies. Minerva danced with a few of her acquaintances before she collapsed at table with her old friend Poppy Pomfrey at it. She was with a few of their other Hogwarts friends, Rolanda Hooch, Pomona Sprout and Aurora Sinistra. They all squealed when they saw Minerva and immediately stood and hugged her in turn.
"You lucky thing!" Rolanda exclaimed. Minerva pulled away from Aurora after giving her a hug and frowned at her over excited friend.
"What are you on about Rolanda?"
Rolanda growled and motioned for them to follow her; they all followed her out onto the balcony.
"You and Albus, Min, that's what I'm on about."
"What about me and him?" Minerva asked pertly playing dumb.
"I know it's you he's dating; it's been all over the gossip columns. Mystery girlfriend he met in his travels. As it were you were both in France at the same time"
Minerva smirked and said "This goes no further"
The girls squealed and hugged their friend ecstatically.
"We met in Italy actually but yes we did go to France together. I knew him from social circles and you guys but I didn't know him really well but I by chance met him in a bookshop" Her friends rolled their eyes at each other. Typical they meet in a bookshop of all places. Minerva grinned catching their look.
"He invited me to lunch and well the rest is for me to know, you to guess but never find out the truth."
The girls squealed their imaginations immediately going into overdrive. Minerva rolled her eyes and smiled. They returned to the hall. Minerva saw Albus was talking with his good friends Alastor Moody and William Potter.
They then spent the next hour catching up and taking trips down the memory lane. Minerva enjoyed herself immensely, she was glad the whole party hadn't been full of airheads. Albus was moving around meeting and greeting all the right people and dancing with all the appropriate women. He finally made it to her table and her friends.
Minerva's companions stood and crowded around their friend. Albus obliged with the customary hug and a kiss on the cheek. Rolanda giggle and whispered to Minerva "You have quite a gentleman there."
Minerva growled at her and swatted her arm before smiling up at Albus. He smiled at her eyes twinkling.
"So my dear, are you prepared to dance one last time with this barmy old codger?"
"Not yet but I will" Minerva assured him. He smiled at her and was about to move off when Rolanda got and said "Well if your eager to dance how about you dance with your girlfriends best mate?"
Albus raised his eyebrows at Minerva who shrugged; Albus bowed with a flourish and said "It would be my pleasure to dance with such a fine lady."
Minerva snorted causing Albus to chuckle and Rolanda to blush. He escorted her out onto the floor and they started a stately waltz. Minerva and her remaining friends giggled and made jokes as they watched them. At the end of the dance Albus bowed and was about to leave the floor when Minerva strolled up to him. Albus's eyes lit up and he and Minerva swept around the floor. They moved gracefully ensuring everyone in the room noticed them. As the music ended Poppy and Alastor Moody came over to them; Alastor and Minerva moved away to dance as Poppy and Albus danced.
"Thank-you Poppy" Albus said as they danced. She nodded and commented "The others wanted to see if you were good enough for her and I can happily say you have proved yourself worthy and you two were getting a little obvious."
"Thank-you on both counts then." Albus smiled in relief, her friends approved sometimes that was the hardest thing. Alastor and Minerva stopped next to them and they all walked out onto the balcony. Alastor clapped his old friend on the shoulder "You have a fine girl there but I wouldn't be brave enough to date her so I salute you."
Albus chuckled and said "She's a pussycat when she wants to be."
Minerva and Poppy grinned as Alastor snorted. Albus smiled and leant over the railing to look out across the minister's garden.
"Minerva, do you think we can leave now?" Albus asked hopefully.
"I think we can manage it." Minerva smiled and they turned to go inside.
"We'll come with you" Alastor said quickly. Albus smirked and the four of them left after a few interruptions from people wanting them to stay. They finally managed to leave and say their goodbyes at Hogsmeade. Albus and Minerva walked to their house on the outskirts of the small village and collapsed into bed not noticing the two letters sitting, waiting for them.
A/N 2 I decided to change the fic heaps and now its multi chapter. Any other ideas are welcome and I will acknowledge them I'm not entirely sure where this is heading but I have a vague idea but all input is welcome. I'm good at making stuff up as I go along. Anyways R&R please.