Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

A/N Timeline will be a little confusing for the next couple of chapters but should make sense in chapter 3 when all our beloved characters return.

Chapter 2 The Argument over a Future

17 Years Later

The day was a blur to Ann Marie Dumbledore. Her seven years at Hogwarts as a student had come to a close. She hadn't seen her parents since graduation that morning. Her father had been called away to a meeting at the Ministry of Magic. She had a feeling that it might make what she had to discuss with her parents that afternoon much more difficult. She did have one thing on her side though; she had grown into a beautiful young woman with long Auburn hair and Crystal blue eyes. She was, in her mind, capable of making her own decision and if it turned into a screaming match she did have her mother's temper along with charm. Her father could not resist that. She took one more look around the Seventh year, Gryffindor dormitory to make sure she had everything packed.

"Ready, Anne?" someone asked from behind her.

"For what… leaving or getting my butt kicked into next week?"

"I was talking about leaving. Are you ready?" Zoë Hooch asked.

"Yeah, everything is packed. Ann Marie replied as the girls made there way out of the dormitories, down the spiral staircase into the common room.

Zoë and Anne Marie stopped and took one last look around. "There are a lot of memories in this room." Zoë commented

"Yeah, that's for sure. I can't believe it's over." The two of them stood in the center of the room, silent for a moment looking around. Anne Marie was the first to move toward the porthole, "Come on Zo, you have to meet your mother. The girls walked through the Gryffindor porthole one last time and headed toward the entrance hall on the way to the quidditch pitch and locker rooms.

"So, how exactly are you planning on telling them?" Zoë asked as they stopped outside entrance to the locker rooms and Zoë 's her mother's office door.

"Very gently" Ann Marie replied. "I really hope I get a chance to explain it before they find out from someone else."

"You think your dad is going to find out before you get the chance?" Zoë asked as Madeline Hooch open her office door.

"He was called to the Ministry this afternoon for a private meeting. He was talking to the Minister after Graduation." The dread was clearly written on Anne Marie's face.

" Annie don't worry about it you are a fighter and they both love you. It will be fine. I'm not saying it will be easy but it will be fine in the end." Mandy said when she finished on the field and met up with her daughter a pseudo niece. "Zoë are you ready?"

"Yes, Mum." Zoë replied giving Anne Marie a hug.

"Zoë, you'll see each other soon. Annie your parents are no doubt looking for you."

Anne Marie broke the hug and thanked Madame Hooch "Make sure you owl me."

"I will." Zoë replied "Good luck."

"Thanks, I'm going to need it."

After saying good-bye to Zoë, Anne Marie made her way to her father's office. She mentally prepared herself for the fight that was sure to ensue. She stopped in front of the tall gargoyle guarding the headmaster's office and took a deep breathe before saying the password. "Pixie stix" she said calmly. The gargoyle slid open obediently hearing the latest muggle candy password. She climbed the spiral stairs slowly. When she reached the top she could already hear her father talking loudly to her mother inside the office. She stood frozen with fear. Her father very seldom lost his temper with Minerva and Anne Marie suddenly had no desire to proceed at that moment. She stood quietly and listened.

"Minerva, I will not allow it!" Albus was pacing behind his desk.

" Albus, you are being unreasonable!" Minerva shot back with her trademark Scottish temper.

"Am I now. She is my daughter. I can protect her here. I cannot protect her out there."

Minerva McGonagall's temper was on its last thread. "She is our daughter, Albus! We understood the risks when we decided to build a future together. She is a very talented witch. If this is what she wants then who are we to stand in her way. She's seventeen Albus, an adult in our world. if this is what she wants we should accept it. We need to support her.

Albus sat down in the tall chair behind his desk. He removed his hat and threw in heap on his desk. He rubbed his hand over his face and look up at his wife. Once again Minerva became the voice of reason is the relationship. She was always very good at that especially when it came to their daughter. "She not my little girl anymore Mina.

Minerva came up behind him and knelt down next to him. "She will always be your little girl, Love...always our little girl. Minerva caresses his face and kissed him softly on the lips.

"I would have preferred to hear it from her, is all, Mina." Minerva stood up and leaned against the desk. "Instead I heard it from the Deputy Minister of Magical Law enforcement."

"I know, Albus." Minerva was interrupted by a tap on the outside of the office door. The door opened and they saw Anne Marie cautiously enter the office and approach her parents. "You would have heard it from me if I got the courage to talk to you sooner."

Minerva turned to face her daughter who took the seat on the other side of her father's desk.. "How much of that did you hear?" Albus asked standing up and helping Minerva over to the sitting area in the office

"Almost all of it." Anne Marie admitted following them to the sitting area.

"Anne Marie" Albus began in a soft gentle tone, unlike the one she head moments before. "You have to understand that given your status, being an Auror may not be a safe pursuit for you.

Minerva looked at her husband and then continued where he left off. "That said, little one, we will support your decision. We love you, never forget that.

"Thank you. I understand the risk, for normal witches and wizards and for me with my status as you put it Dad. That said I believe that I can make a difference. I appreciate your concerns and wouldn't expect anything less from you ,but my decision is made.

Albus listened intently to his daughter speak. She had grown up to be and extremely beautiful, smart and charming young woman. She looked just like her mother aside from her crystal blue eyes. She most definitely had inherited her mother's stubborn streak and zeal.

Before Minerva could say anything Albus spoke up. "Thank you, Sweetheart. We love you and will respect your decision." Albus smiled at his daughter.

What was it about his eyes and smile that made people melt Anne Marie thought.

"When do you leave?" Minerva asked.

"Tonight, I start training tomorrow morning."

Well then. Albus said getting up and taking Minerva's hand. He extended other to his daughter shall we go to the Three Broomsticks to celebrate."

The two most important women in Albus Dumbledore's life nodded in agreement and the family headed down the spiral staircase and to the front entrance hall for their trek to Hogsmeade.