A/N # 1 – Well not 2 of 2. Not so fluffy any more. My noble attempt at writing a short, fluffy piece was sabotaged by a certain character. (Glares at Albus). But the end is in sight! Penultimate chapter.
A/N # 2 - AD/ED, AD/GG and AD/MOC
Albus softly inhaled and attempted to settle his racing heartbeat. Fawkes detected his unease and woke. His familiar opened his beak to sound his concern, but Albus put gentle pressure on Fawkes' beak to keep it closed.
Don't wake, Malcolm, he silently pleaded.
Fawkes the chick nodded his head in agreement.
I need to return to Hogwarts immediately. I can't wake him, explained Albus.
You can't just leave! Protested Fawkes. You'll hurt Malcolm's feelings!
This was a business arrangement, Albus reminded his familiar. He got paid and quite well for entertaining me. I need to get back to Hogwarts. Come along, Fawkes.
He whispered a quick spell so Malcolm would slumber until the end of his shift. That way, hopefully, Malcolm might believe that Albus had left when his time ran out, rather than sneaking away in the middle of the night. Fawkes was carefully placed in Albus' satchel and they returned back to Hogwarts.
Whatever is the matter, Fawkes questioned after Albus carefully placed him in his nest. Something is disturbing you. Tell me, you'll feel much better after you share it with me.
Some matter has come to my attention, Albus explained. It will be resolved later today but I just needed to prepare for it.
Why aren't you telling me what's going on? I'm your familiar! Just take a deep breath and sit down. Tell me everything that's happening and you'll feel much better after sharing it.
No, Fawkes, I can't share it with you. You're rather young, Fawkes, and this weekend has proven that you're sometimes overly enthusiastic about putting your pointed beak into matters that do not concern you. This issue does not involve you, it is not necessary to for you to get involved. In fact, it would be better for me if you didn't concern yourself with this.
Dumbledore didn't mean to be curt with Fawkes, but his familiar whimpered once and began to anxiously tremble.
But! But! I'm your familiar! You're my mage. We're supposed to share everything!
Fawkes? Please! It's not necessary for you to be spellotaped to my…
He didn't complete his thought, but Fawkes gave him a long, considering look. Whatever the Phoenix saw in Albus caused the familiar to hide his face under his wing. His trembling increased to full body shaking.
Fawksy? Albus used his special name for his familiar, but Fawkes refused to answer him. Fawksy? I didn't mean it that way. You just need to relax and stop being so proactive with regards to me.
You did! You did mean it! I felt your emotion! A strickenFawkes informed his mage. I'm such a terrible familiar! You deserve better! I'll dissolve our bond right now so you can find someone suitable.
Fawkes was in a right proper state. The mage had never seen Fawkes so emotionally undone except for the first few days after Albus had rescued the chick. The orphan Phoenix Chick had been overwhelmed by the lost of his feathery collective and all that was familiar with him. Those first few nights together, Albus had slept in an armchair with an inconsolable Fawkes nestled close to his breast. Perhaps, the Phoenix had bonded too deeply with Albus, seeking in him the flock he had lost due to the rampaging dragon. And Albus, a rather solitary soul, had been in a particularly rough patch in his emotional life as he had been debating his role in Gellert's rise to power.
The Phoenix had picked up on Dumbledore's insecurity and had anointed himself as Albus' brother. It was genetic; a Phoenix covey was a very social unit as it cared for all their members, irregardless of lineage. The Phoenix had possessively cosseted and groomed Albus and a rather bemused Albus had let him. Considering how strained his relationship was with Aberforth, Albus had foolishly promoted a brotherly relationship with Fawkes. It had been pleasant…to have a slightly cheeky, little brother with whom he got along... someone who wanted to do everything and anything as long as it was with Albus, but he now had an undersized, big brother with feathers who simply didn't comprehend humankind because Albus didn't understand humanity.
Yet Fawkes struggled to be the best familiar he could be to Albus. Hadn't he stayed with Albus when he confronted Gellert? Hadn't he saved Albus' life? Hadn't he brought Elphias, Leah and Galatea to the hospital when he was recovering? Hadn't he sung an on edge Albus to sleep many a night?
I should have given you to Leah. She would have been so much better for you!
He had created this situation so he needed to take full responsibility.
Foolishly, he reached to stroke the devastated Fawkes but he was rewarded with a vicious peck and a scratched hand for his trouble.
Not my mageling, the distraught Phoenix hissed. Not my covey. My flock is dead and I have no one. I am alone.
Fawkes, a desperate Albus protested. Phoenixes were social birds and a solitary Phoenix was prone to flambéing itself in a stunning suicide. Please, not now. I can't deal with this right now. Let me get this matter resolved and then we can spend a great deal of time together. You'll like that, as you say you miss me during my classes.
Albus didn't feel the Phoenix's mental presence. Where once Fawkes' high spirited and irrelevant mental voice had been, there was nothing but a dead silence. He attempted to talk to the Phoenix, but all he got was a glimpse of Fawkes' tail.
Talk to the tail was what Albus heard loud and clear.
I have to speak with Galatea, a rather verklempt Albus informed the mute Phoenix. When I get everything resolved with regards to the other matter, you and I will settle this. But I bought you a new busy box. I was waiting to give it to you, but let me hang it here.
It's got perches and hanging spots, play rings and everything you enjoy! Fawksy, there's even a mirror! You can admire your pretty self in it!
The Phoenix was not impressed in the slightest with Albus' peace offering. Instead, he burrowed deeper into his silken nest and nuzzled the soft silk. The Phoenix wasn't making any noise, he was just quiet and still, which was NOT a good sign for the irrepressible Fawkes.
"I'll be back after my meeting. We'll get everything as right as rain," Albus informed the trembling Phoenix. "Don't do anything drastic while I'm gone. You are NOT alone as you're my familiar and I'm not letting you go. Don't you even think of immolating yourself. I would be truly devastated if anything happened to you, Fawkes."
Fawkes couldn't self-immolate as he had just Burned. But he might try Translocating out in the Quidditch field where he'd fall to his death due to his immature wings. Albus cast a quick spell so Fawkes couldn't hurt himself.
Fleeing the scene of the crime, Dumbledore cursed himself for his irritablity. Fawkes was an adolescent Phoenix and Albus dealt with teenagers every day. He needed patience, not short temperedness with Fawkes, especially as the Phoenix was notoriously emotional during a growth spurt. There was a drum pounding in his head and Albus knew that he had a headache of massive proportions looming on the horizon.
He reached Galatea Merrythought's quarters and he quickly murmured a soft spell. It was just to inform him if Galatea was there or if she was 'entertaining' the Charms Master. There were no heartbeats in her quarters, so he sent the spell upwards to the Ravenclaw's suite. The answering silence informed him that neither of them was there.
Where might they be? In an act of desperation, he sent the spell to the Room of Requirement. Perhaps, they were having their tryst there.
Nothing.
Bloody hell, had they gotten a room in Hogsmeade?
The drumming in his head increased and Albus forecasted that he'd be flat on his back from the pain by the time Dippet's inquisition started. He was in need of the Matron's care, something just to cut the pain to a manageable level so he could think of a defence.
He was on the way to the infirmary when he saw someone in the halls. Tom Riddle's eyes were expressionless when he saw Albus Dumbledore.
"Is there a problem, Professor?" Riddle asked. His tone was cool and, unconcerned but Albus couldn't help but feel that an inwardly gleeful Tom Riddle knew far too much about Albus' employment status.
He'd love to get rid of me as he views me as a personal threat. A threat to what? I do not know but a sensitive Fawkes intensely dislikes Riddle.
"You're out in the halls awfully early, Mr. Riddle," Albus answered.
"Your hand, it's bleeding," the student offered.
His hand was throbbing and yes, it was sluggishly bleeding from Fawkes' scratch.
"Just a scrape," was the professor's reply. He whispered a simple spell and it healed itself.
The casting was nothing, yet Riddle seemed to view it otherwise. There was a flash of unease in his dark eyes, as though he had underestimated Albus Dumbledore and had decided not to do so again.
"Good morning, Mr. Riddle," Albus announced. It was a dismissal, and Riddle knew it.
"You have a headache," the matron decisively announced when a staggering Albus finally made it to the Infirmary. "Go the private ward on the left, I'll be there shortly."
"Have a meeting… at ten…" Albus protested. "Need to be able to think…"
The mediwitch arrived with a small vial. "Drink."
"I have a meeting…" Albus repeated.
"At ten. I heard you the first time. Drink," she firmly repeated. "You must be in agony if you're here. Fawkes wasn't able to sing it away? Where is he? I'll find something for him to perch on."
"He burned…early… tired.. couldn't ask him…he's sleeping it off," muttered Albus. "In room."
His headache was crescendoing to a new level of agony. Quickly, he quaffed the potion and Matron Maloney handed him a sleeping mask.
"Put it on," she tersely ordered. "You need to block the light."
"I can't sleep… have a meeting…" he protested. Exhaustion was crashing down on him and he could barely spit out the words.
"At ten," the Matron repeated as she closed the drapes in the ward, plunging them into complete darkness. "I'll wake you at half past nine if you're not up by them."
I have… to prepare… a defence… was the last thoughts Albus had before he woke. It was slightly before ten o'clock.
"I'm sorry I didn't wake you earlier. I had an emergency. Had to remove a broom splinter from someone's arse," the matron informed him. "Actually, I had to remove an entire tree's worth of splinters from someone's bottom. Someone's first year flying class went to hell. That's why I had to move you to a different ward as I was inundated with wounded. I'd thought you'd sleep sounder here."
He heard the witch's snarky denunciation on the Flying Instructor's lack of broom care but he didn't listen to it. His mind was focused on the inescapable fact that he was wearing the same clothes he wore on Saturday. He had freshened and Transfigured them on Sunday but he still knew that he was wearing them for the third day.
"Do you have a mirror? I need to straighten up," Dumbledore questioned.
She pointed him in the right direction and he quickly Freshened up and Transfigured his clothes into something … presentable. Dark, solemn colors and he turned his waistcoast into a dark, muted checked pattern.
"I don't look like a poof," he said to his reflection. "I look like a respectable professional. Someone who can be trusted to teach impressionable young minds. My appearance is of someone who would never dream of sexing a student."
"No, you don't look respectable, you look like you're being laid out," his reflection retorted.
"I should have gotten a haircut," Albus murmured.
"Too late for that, it's almost ten!" His doppelganger gleefully informed him.
"Bugger!" Albus growled. It was such an immature reaction. But still, it summed up everything perfectly. "Bugger! Bugger! BUGGER!"
He barely made it to the Office of the Governors by the required time. The Governors were sitting at their seats, Armando Dippet was in his position as Headmaster and there was a curly, dark haired man was in the midst of an energetic discussion with several Governors.
"I'm his representative. That's why I'm here," the stranger said. "Since I was not given time to converse with my client on this situation, I beg the Governors' indulgence for fifteen minutes. Setting up a meeting at five in the morning for an instructor's dismissal? Truly, the Headmaster of Hogwarts is a sleepless job."
"Agreed," Morgan Moody announced. Bill Weasley chimed in an agreement.
The other Governors were about to respond in the negative when Morgan Moody inserted, "We have to do this right. The Quibbler picks up on the fact that the Board wouldn't give the defeater of Gellert an adequate time for defence and we'll never hear the end of it from them. Then the Prophet might get involved. Fifteen minutes is a reasonable request."
The Board agreed and the curly haired man took Albus by his elbow to a small room.
"Hello, I'm Finn. I'll be representing you today," the curly haired man announced. He was a quite attractive man with an easy, self assured grin. Finn was also quite a snappy dresser, Albus noticed. While he had no idea on Finn's skills as a representative, Albus felt a little better than Finn had a sense of style.
"Finn?" Albus repeated.
"Finn as in Finnie," he explained even as his smile broadened. For some reason, the grinning man's features looked familiar to Albus.
"I didn't hire you," protested Albus.
"A friend of yours did. That's all I'm allowed to say. I don't really need to talk to you; your defence has already been devised. I'm just stalling for time to get your witnesses here. Your headache better?" questioned his defence representative. "I understand that it was quite severe and that you were in the infirmary for the last twelve hours sleeping off that dose."
"How did you know about my headache? Twelve hours? I was only in there for four or so," questioned Albus.
"Time is mutable, especially with your rather dangerous friends," dismissively explained Finn. "But you're feeling clearheaded? Rested? Head isn't achy? Don't wish you to have brain storm."
Actually Albus was feeling quite chipper, as though he had slept the full twelve hours that one of the Matron's headache potions normally required.
"Yes," a rather perplexed Albus agreed.
"Your defence will be slightly unorthodox, but then again, you've got a reputation for being a bit barmy, haven't you?" Finn quipped. He then looked up and down at Albus before he shook his head. "Why are you dressed like a funeral director? This farce will vindicate you, not bury you."
"I thought I should look presentable," explained Albus. "That I recognize the severity of the charges."
"Dippet is being a raving nutter," Finn said. "No matter what you do, he'll read something into it. You should have dressed like you normally do. At least you would have been comfortable. Tell me, Albus, did you nail that Minerva wench? How many times? Was she lively?"
Albus' wand was in his hand and pressed into Finn's jugular before Albus' mouth got up to speed.
"That is… disgusting… I am gay… not a paedo," growled Albus. "I have never, ever touched Miss McGonagall in such a way. I will not let you besmirch her reputation. I am giving her additional classes as she's such an exceptional student."
Finn pushed the wand away from his neck and swallowed once.
"Like the honest intensity, but try not to pull your wand on me when I ask you that question. You did defeat that Teutonic madman recently and you waving your wand around like that will get people nervous. Afraid that you might accidentally wipe out a small town," quipped Finn.
"Who hired you," Albus demanded. "Tell me."
"I'm not allowed to tell you though I'm permitted to inform you that several of your friends hired me. Do try to Legilimens me, Albus. You won't get far as it's all Blocked. I suggested that they do it, in fact. The other side is playing games, Albus. You needed someone who can play with the big boys and not let them know that they're being made into quite the fools. That's why I've been Compelled not to even think about who hired me. They must not realize that they're being sized for motley even as we speak."
Finn then straightened out Albus' suit and brushed off some imaginary dirt from his shoulders.
"Just to let you know, if the other side does mentions your little date with al-Hamal, his occupation will not be made known. He's related to the majority of the Governors, and our little black sheep enraged? Could prove to be quite embarrassing for many of them."
"Malcolm? al-Hamal?" Albus questioned. "That's Arabic for sheep. That's also Arabic for Alpha Arietis of the constellation Aries."
Oh no, Albus was beginning to have an idea who Malcolm really was. But he seemed so… reasonable… normal… personable… so un-Black-like.
"What some people name their children," Finn disapprovingly stated. "If you had a name like al-Hamal, wouldn't you prefer something sane like Malcolm?"
There was a knock on the door, saving Albus from answering that question, and Morgan Moody, among with two other Governors, entered the room. He looked at both men, gave Albus a serendipitous wink and then informed Finn that his time was done.
"Governor Moody? Have my witnesses arrived yet?" Finn jovially questioned.
"Yes, we're having difficulties sitting them all," Moody admitted. "We've also had an unexpected guest arrive to witness the proceedings."
"May I ask who?" Finn innocently asked. He wore a smile as though he knew who the guests were.
"Theresa Vance," Abraxas Malfoy growled.
"The Minister of Magic? Truly a good thing you allowed time for our defence," the curly haired man said. "Ms. Vance is a stickler for protocol and the legal system. Very well, let us go, Albus."
"Theresa Vance?" Albus repeated. "The Minister of Magic?"
"I invited her, but I wasn't sure that she'd show. Rather busy these days, what with the rebuilding."
Albus wasn't sure what to expect when he entered the Governors Room, but he wasn't expected to see Filius and Galatea front row and center, along with Horace and Herbert Beery and the rest of the teaching staff of Hogwarts. The one eyed Silvanus Kettleburn was dwarfed by Rubeus Hagrid who was sobbing uncontrollably. The Magical Creatures Professor was unsuccessful in comforting Rubeus. There was Leah and Elphias Doge sitting next to Matron Maloney who had escaped from the Infirmary. Aberforth had even arrived and Albus had to quickly blink and rub his eyes to confirm that Abeforth had a small black sheep with him. The lamb was being given a bottle and seemed the only one not interested in the circus unfolding around him. Minerva McGongall and her parents were there and they were stationed next to the various Weasleys and Moodys.
The door to the Governors' Room open and in walked the Minister of Magic, Theresa Vance and she was being escorted by Malcolm St. Rhys. The courtesan was being quite the tease and Theresa Vance was seemingly not impressed with his behavior.
Albus' heart did a flippity flop and landed in his toes as Malcolm was not only upright and conscious, he was deliberately ignoring Albus.
"Malcolm, you didn't tell me Phineas would be here," Theresa loudly protested.
"I didn't know, Auntie Tessie," the courtesan insisted.
Neither Albus nor the Minister of Magic believed his innocent routine.
"Malcolm, Aunt Theresa. I do not like it when you call Aunt Tessie. Makes me sound like a House Elf," the Minister crisply informed Malcolm. "I raised you and Phineas both so I think you should honor my request."
"Phineas?" Albus asked the curly haired man. "I thought you said Finn was short for Finnie."
"It is," Phineas answered. "It's also short for Phineas. What some people name their children."
He dramatically shuddered.
"Phineas Nigellus Black, don't I get a kiss?" The Minister demanded. "I'm so sorry, Armando. I know you want this settled before lunch, but I rarely get my two hooligans together."
"Must kiss Aunt Tessie. Be back," Finn whispered to Albus. "You better sit down. Wait until you see the next group. They should be arriving shortly. This discipline hearing will go down in the annals of Hogwarts as a complete Governors circle jerk by the time I'm done with them."
"Is that supposed to reassure me?" Albus questioned to Phineas' back.
Theresa Vance was warmly greeted by Phineas Black, prodigal son of the late Phineas Black, Headmaster of Hogwarts.
"I thought I saw your father in that portrait when I came in," Theresa announced to her boys. "I don't see him now. I believe our Phineas is in hiding."
Malcolm and his half-brother looked at each other with identical looks of unsurprise.
"I feel like a bastard at a family reunion, especially with Dad running scared," Malcolm whispered loudly. "Speaking of which, Finn, did you get your invitation to Ursula's latest reunion?"
"Didn't," Finn sadly assured Malcolm. "No Christmas card either. I sent her one, so I expect that she Incendio'd it."
Another crowd entered the room. There was Esmeralda Windsor in the lead, the infamous Madame Esme, harlot and Malcolm's employer, leading several other people. Albus had to calm himself when he realized she had brought several of the local stable managers with her.
"I don't see my seat," she announced.
Bill Weasley and Morgan Moody both stood up and politely offered their seat to Esme.
"You don't attend meetings," Armando protested. The indisputable fact that he had lost whatever tenuous control he had over the meeting was slowly dawning on him.
"My friends and I are granted a perpetual seat on the Governors Board of Hogwarts due to the money we put into the school. Oswald? How much were we contributing? Percentage wise?" Esme questioned.
"Watch this. It's going to be so good," Finn whispered to Albus.
"We were contributing seventy five percent of the scholarship funds for indigent students. We also are involved in the maintenance support, the capital improvement account and the House Elf retirement endowment. We also pay most of the faculty's salary," Oswald announced.
"Well, it's just the man I need to speak to about a raise," Filius Flitwick quipped. "I'm not getting what I was promised."
There was a round of appreciative laughter from the Hogwarts Faculty and even Albus had to smile.
Oswald pulled his glasses down his nose and peered over them. "Filius Flitwick, Charms Master, I presume?"
"Impoverished Charms Master," Filius retorted.
"We've been attempting to increase the salary but they want us to foot the entire increase," Oswald explained. "Yet Armando Dippet won't tell us when the meetings are. They just want us to open our purses wide while they spend, spend, spend. I'm sorry, we agree that you're quite underpaid but we need to be involved with the finances as it is our money we're spending."
"Oswald," Emse dryly inserted. "This meeting is about Albus Dumbledore, alleged social deviant and supposed Pied Piper of our impressionable youth. Finance meeting is next week."
Therese Vance attempted to turn her laugh into a cough. She failed miserably and Armando's eyes narrowed.
"The Courtesan Guild is sponsoring Hogwarts?" Albus whispered to Finn.
"Not really. The Courtesan Guild Heads have a Financial consortium on the side. They invest here and there based on information. They're very tight with the Goblins but they have a few charity projects that they support from part of their profits. Orphan relief, advancement of magical creatures' right and I think they sponsor some of the magical animal reserves. Education is very big among the Guild as you need to have a brain to work for them. Not just looks. Emse's gotten involved as you were a client… actually… are a client as you've paid until three this afternoon. She'll try to be polite but she'll use her financial hammer on Dippet's dangly-bits if necessary."
Albus winced at that mental thought.
"Listen to me, you didn't do anything wrong. Hiring from the Courtesan Guild is a legal transaction as you're both consenting adults. Homosexuality is also legal as long as not in a public place. You've done nothing wrong, nothing at all, Albus. I've only just met you, but I refuse to believe that you're a paedo. If you are one, well, I'll throw you under the Hogwarts Express myself."
"Any more witnesses, Black?" Morgan Moody requested. As he was head of the legal committee, he had taken charge of the proceedings.
"I think they're all here, Governor Moody. Does Headmaster Dippet have any witnesses? They all seem to be for the defence."
"The Governors were at the various events of this weekend. They'll be called to testify," Morgan explained. "Normally, it would be a cause for recusal, but since that would leave us with no one to vote, we decided to overlook that. Shall we begin?"
As Albus feared, the Governors Malfoy, Crabbe, Judgson and Wilkes were quite virulent, spinning tales about how Albus had flaunted his homosexuality at the various weekend events. Finn didn't protest, didn't offer any crushing cross examinations, just a "Thank you for that rather lurid tale. I quite enjoyed it."
Moody, acting as the Lead Governor, warned Finn to behave after Black quipped that Wilkes should write fiction for a living, and Finn easily agreed. There was a brief recess and Finn motioned for Albus to stay at the table.
"I thought you were here to help me," Albus protested.
"I am, but it would be foolishness to cross exam them. They don't like you and they want you out of Hogwarts. Now this Hagrid fellow… is he particularly… giantish?"
"He has a kind soul," Albus growled.
"I've seen his school records, Albus. He seems a very… literal… fellow," Finn explained. "He does know about boys and girls and the beautiful differences between them?"
"Yes. He wanted to know so I sat him down and explained to him about boys and girls and babies," was Albus' response. "As a Hogwarts Instructor, I have to teach that particular class."
"Dippet hasn't remarked once on any overtly homosexual agenda in your classes?" was Finn's next question. "It's an excellent time to recruit for your Quidditch team."
"No. Kettleburn was suspended twice over his talks so he's no longer allowed to give it. I follow the guidelines of the class. I don't… promote… my lifestyle," Albus said.
"Oh yes, the mating hypogriffs. It's amazing that any of that year's students will reproduce," quipped Finn. "I understand that mating hypogriffs are rather… exuberant and… physical."
"I wouldn't know, I'm not into bestiality," was Albus' prim response.
For his opening argument, Finn handed out copies of the two days' worth of The Daily Prophet. He handed out enough copies for Albus' supporters and then he sat down on the edge of his table.
"Kindly turn to page four in the Sunday edition," he instructed. The papers rustled as they turned to the page. "Kindly follow as I read the paragraph beginning with, 'I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected appearance of Albus Dumbledore to the concert.'."
He had a pleasing reading voice but that didn't mean that Albus wanted to listen to him.
"I fail to see any comments, direct or anecdotal that might imply that Albus Dumbledore was not perfectly well behaved. Yes, his Phoenix decided to break out in a spirited descant during 'Ode to Joy' but I often find myself humming along at concerts. Sadly, I don't have the voice that Fawkes does, so I try to contain my enthusiasm. I spoke to the various musicians and they are all quite willing to appear here today to confirm that they hold no ill will towards Fawkes and his impromptu sing-along."
"Truly not necessary," Morgan Moody announced. "Though I speak for the Board when I assure you that we appreciate their willingness to testify. I was hoping that this would be resolved within an hour. Classes have been canceled at Hogwarts today because the faculty decided they needed to be here to bear witness, and I would prefer not to have tomorrow's classes given up for lost."
"What is the point behind you reading The Daily Prophet to us? We all can read," Malfoy inserted.
"Not only can we read, but we can also look at the pretty pictures. I don't see al-Hamal Arietis Black Vance St. Rhys in any of the pictures with Albus. I had Gregory Greengrass, the photographer, send over all his photos of the evening, and I can enter them all into evidence. There is exactly one picture of al-Hamal and Albus and that picture was a special request by Albus. He wanted the picture of them together with the understanding that it wasn't to be published. He merely desired the picture for personal reasons. There is nothing in these pictures that seems close to being the raree show that Governor Malfoy described in such lurid details."
There was a mutter from several Governors and Finn sadly shook his head.
"He didn't want the picture published because of who el-Hamal is. Must I remind you who he is?" Finn asked. "It's a lovely picture."
He slid it toward Albus who gingerly picked it up. He hadn't realized that Greengrass had gotten a candid picture of the three of them. Fawkes was perched on his shoulder and Malcolm had been holding a flute of champagne for the Phoenix to take a sip. Albus was grinning in amusement at his familiar as Fawkes had been mentally bemoaning the lack of strawberries in the fizzy drink. It was a wonderful picture, a moment that Albus could look back upon and realize that he had been completely and utterly… happy.
The photo-Fawkes stopped drinking long enough to rub his face against the photo-Albus. That loving gesture caused Albus' eyes to fill with tears.
We are mage and familiar. I will never leave you, the chick Fawkes had assured him.
"No mention of Albus kissing, sexing, or otherwise misbehaving at the concert or at William Weasley's party afterwards. There is a report of a scandalous tango, but not from his particular Hogwarts professor. Miss Merrythought, if you need me to defend you for breaking your moral contract, I'll gladly defend you for free. All I ask…. is for a tango with you," Finn requested. He gave Galatea a suggestive look and then announced that perhaps he needed clearance from his Heart Healer before he tangoed with the witch.
Galatea said she'd talk to him later about it and Black laughed.
"William, how would you describe Albus' behavior this weekend?" Finn questioned.
Albus simply couldn't concentrate on the trial. It was a farce anyway, as Dippet wanted rid of him.
He continued to stare at the photo, admiring Malcom's easy way of being Malcolm. How happy Fakwes had been to be there with him…and Albus repeatedly swallowed.
He had nothing. No familiar as Fawkes had repudiated him, a rightfully vexed Malcolm was pretending not to know him, his career was in shambles and his sexuality was about to become front page fodder. Albus Dumbledore had no faith in the whimsical Phineas Black who seemed to be more interested in dancing with Galatea.
"Thank you very much for your time. Do you have any questions for William?" the barrister asked.
A small piece of paper appeared in front of Albus, and he automatically read it.
Don't get discouraged. We're here for you. Much love, Leah.
Then in Elphias' scrawl there was, Finny's unorthodox but he's the best at what he does. After the circus is finished and the tents are torn down, you and Fawkes need to come for a nice, quiet dinner. Bring Malcolm also. It's wonderful to see you blushing. Love ~ E.
"I'd like to question Rubeus Hagrid,"
Albus blinked and continued to stare at the photo.
"Mr. Hagrid, I'm sure you understand the severity of the charges of which Professor Dumbledore is accused."
Silence. Hagrid said not a word as Finn's bombastic verbosity had bludgeoned him into silence.
"Lad, Albus is in a lot of trouble right now," Finn softly explained. "You know what they're saying about him."
"Yes," Hagrid sniffled.
"You know about boys and girls, right?"
"Professor Dumbledore told me all about that stuff," admitted Hagrid.
"You like girls, don't you?" Finn questioned. "For example, Ms. McGonagall is quite pretty, isn't she? It's alright, Hagrid, women don't mind if you think they're pretty."
Hagrid looked at where Ms. McGonagall was sitting and he blushed.
"Yes," Hagrid softly confessed. "She is."
"Now, Hagrid. Some people are a little concerned about your closeness with Albus Dumbledore," Finn explained.
"He's like a father to me," Hagrid rumbled. "Since my father died… he's been there for me."
"You two are close?" Finn asked.
Hagrid nodded his head once.
"Are you physically close?"
The teenager who was bigger than most grown men stared at Finn in confusion.
"They said that you and Albus are close like boys and girls are…."
Black never got a chance to finish his question as Hagrid leapt from his seat and grabbed him by his throat.
"You take that back! You take that back, right now!"
The barrister was struggling to remove Hagrid's thick hands from his throat and he even managed to land a few kicks on the half-giant.
"He's like a father to me. When my dad died, he said he'd keep an eye on me. You take that back! Now! NOW!" The giant roared.
William Weasley. Morgan Moody, Elphias Doge and Malcolm St. Rhys sprung to defend the besieged barrister Black but Albus was already there. He held out his hands in a beseeching manner.
"Hagrid, please… put him down," he softly requested.
"You heard what he said about you!" the tearful half-giant wept. "It's not true!"
"Let him go, Hagrid, please," Albus repeated. "Your father wouldn't want this."
"My dad's dead," sobbed Hagrid. "You're the only one I got and he's saying…LIES!"
"Let him down, Hagrid," Albus softly ordered.
The boy let loose, and Phineas Black collapsed. He was breathing shallowly and he grabbed Malcolm by his shoulder.
"Request a recess…." The barrister gasped. "Saw my life… flash before my eyes… Saw Father…"
"He popped into the landscape to see what the ruckus was," Malcolm chirpily informed his half-brother. "Then ran."
Meanwhile, Albus was soothing the frantic Hagrid.
"Just settle down, my dear boy. He knows that I've never touched you like that… he had just had to ask you…" Albus assured Hagrid.
"I did wrong again, didn't I? But they were talking rubbish about you!" Hagrid sadly announced. He roughly embraced Dumbledore in a bear hug and wept copious tears on Albus' black suit. "If anything happens to you, I won't have no one!"
"Request for recess has been approved," Morgan Moody announced. "Reconvene in one hour. Armando? The Hogwarts House Elves will be able to accommodate us for lunch?"
Albus was unable to eat his meal as he was far too busy consoling Hagrid. Matron Maloney had finally taken Hagrid to the infirmary for a Calming Draught but by then lunch was cold. A House Elf offered to make him a new meal, but Albus just shook his head. He was too tense to eat and he had finally decided to hide from everyone. His nerves grew more and more shaky and he kept taking deep breaths to calm himself.
He had to stop himself from mentally reaching for Fawkes as Fawkes wouldn't be there to answer.
When the trial reconvened, Minerva McGonagall was next on the stand. She looked like a cat that had fallen into a vat of cream and Albus' nerves were even more on edge.
"Good afternoon, Miss McGonagall," Finn warmly greeted her. "Now, I don't want you to be nervous, and please, whatever you do, try not to assault me if I ask you a too personal question. Once a day is enough for me. Do you promise not to hurt me?"
Minerva nodded her head once in agreement.
"Professor Dumbledore and you have been spending a great deal of non-class time together," Finn prompted. "There is a concern that perhaps Professor Dumbledore has taken advantage of your youthful infatuation with him."
Minerva tittered. She quickly composed herself and murmured an apology.
"As I was saying, Albus Dumbledore is apparently quite the Lothario and they fear that you two are quite…. Physically… close. Why are you laughing, Ms. McGonagall? This is a serious matter! Your parents are here, determined to seek justice on your loss of innocence!"
The Head Girl guffawed. Loudly. Her parents laughed just as hard in the audience.
"Please tell me, what is so funny about Albus Dumbledore taking advantage of youthful, vulnerable female such as you?"
"He's gay as goose," Minerva stated between her peals of laughter.
"Did he tell you he was gay?"
"He's got a Phoenix for a familiar. He likes to wear purple and high heeled, dragon skin boots with buckles on them. What part of flaming, don't you understand?" Minerva quipped. "I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore. I've known for years. I mean, Annabelle Malfoy hiked her skirt up to here, unbuttoned her blouse and threw herself at him to get a better grade in Transfiguration, repeatedly offered to do ANYTHING to pass, and he told her to study! He's never looked at any of the students that way."
Albus had long since forgotten to breath and in fact, was close to swooning. That's why Annabelle Malfoy had kept haranguing him about a passing grade? Governor Malfoy was loudly protesting Minerva's slandering his daughter, but no one else was defending him. Annabella Malfoy was renowned as a world class tart.
"Miss McGonagall, I'm rather disappointed that as Hogwarts' Head Girl you have nothing better to do than to gossip about your professor's sex life," Finn announced. "So, who on the staff is dating?"
"Well," Minerva looked nervously at the row of teachers that were sitting just behind Albus. She swallowed once and then whispered, "Must I?"
"Yes, Miss McGonagall, you must. Tell us all the tawdry details about what happens in Hogwarts. If Albus hasn't taken your virtue and Mr. Hagrid's innocence, there must be something you don't wish to reveal. Come now, don't tell me that he sits in his suite afterhours, after all his papers are graded, knitting socks and listening to chamber music?"
Why, that was exactly what his normal, restorative night entailed.
"Who is Albus Dumbledore sleeping with, is he's not sleeping with his students?" Finn questioned.
"I can't say!" Minerva insisted. She looked pained as though she was keeping a horrible, horrible secret.
Armando Dippet rose from his seat. "Tell or face expulsion, Ms. McGonagall."
"I'm not…." Albus weakly protested. No one heard him as a piping voice announced.
"Oh bloody hell, I'm sleeping with Albus," Filius Flitwick loudly announced. "He lets me top him every night. It's the only reason why I'm finishing out the year at Hogwarts. Merlin knows it's not because of the pay as Armando Dippet wants the instructors to all take a vow of celibacy. I told Albus that I simply couldn't deal with being celibate for the entire school term and he explained to me how the sexual benefits are wonderful here at Hogwarts."
"No!" Armando Dippet stood up from his seat and roared. "You can't be… you're a dueling Master."
"I'm just a gay wand," Filius admitted with a lewd smile.
Armando Dippet sat down with a loud thunk.
"Well, yes, Albus does love how I flick and swish my wand," Filius purred. For added bonus, he made a rather obscene flick and swishing motion. He blew Albus a kiss and being a Charms Master, Albus FELT the wet kiss on his cheek. To his horror, Albus knew he was blushing.
Albus gasped, his heart pounding in his chest. "No… no… no…We've never! Filius, I know you're angry because I never spoke to you, but Dippet harangued me until I agreed not to talk to you. I agreed so to protect your reputation."
"I don't have any problems with my reputation. I'll tell The Daily Prophet that we're lovers," Filius loudly exclaimed.
"At least he lets you sleep, Filius. I'm not in the best physical shape, does that stop him?" Horace Slughorn chimed in. "Merlin's beard, the stamina on him and he's thirty years my senior! Fortunately, he takes turn with Beery and me; else I'd be quite dead from exhaustion."
Beery chimed in with an agreement that all together too graphic for Albus. Kettleburn then made an even ruder comment about Albus' supposed wand length which earned him yet another suspension of unknown duration from an apoplexying Armando Dippet . The other instructors, male and female alike all voiced their appreciative comments about having had sex with Albus. Then Galatea Merrythought smiled. Her grin made Albus' blood run ice cold.
"No… no… Galatea…" Albus tearfully pleaded. "It's bad enough as it is. Don't feel the need to assist in my abject humiliation. I thought we were friends, Galatea. Merlin's beard, Armando, I'll cheerfully resign if I can only escape this insane asylum. Have you all gone mad? I've never bedded any of you! I've been celibate for over forty years!"
"Albus lets me watch him and the boys," the senior professor at Hogwatts loudly announced. "And sometimes, when I've been very good, we…."
She winked at Albus and then blew him a kiss. He felt it on his lips and there was a bit of tongue involved.
"In the Quidditch field, under the stars… in the Great Hall, when we're supposedly playing ten-pin bowling….In the library in the restricted section…After he defeated Gellert…"
"What is this place? Is this a place for educating our young? Or is Armando Dippet completely unawares of the fact that Hogwarts is in fact, a Roman Bath House?" Phineas Black loudly announced. "If you wish to suspend Albus Dumbledore for breaking Dippet's rules of propriety, then you need to rid yourself of every single professor at the school!"
Albus hadn't eaten at all that day and he was feeling a might dizzy. The world rotated on its axis, and Albus Dumbledore did not gaily swoon, no, he attempted a manly face forward plant. While everyone was attending the stricken Albus, Aberforth, as per the plan, let loose his little black lamb who then ran straightway to his favorite playmate, Algar Crabbe, Hogwarts Governor.
"It's alright, love, I've caught you. Just close your eyes," Malcolm whispered to the ill Albus. "Close your eyes and rest."