Hey Everyone!
Chapter 10 here. I know it's completely expected and such, but the whole point of this was to understand how the characters developed into JKR's version of what happened, not to make up a new version. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!
As Always, THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed! You are all wonderful!
Disclaimer: James Potter is still not mine.
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Dear Professor Minerva McGonagall,
I request your company in my office tomorrow morning to discuss the matter of Head Boy and Girl appointments, as I intend to select both students from your house. I shall expect you for tea and crumpets at 10 tomorrow.
Good Evening to you,
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Well, this should be an interesting morning tea. No doubt he would choose to appoint Lily Evans and Remus Lupin as the Heads this year. Both were exemplary students and models in behavior.
That much would be a bore, of course, but I always love conversing with Dumbledore. He is, by far, the most quick-witted man I have ever had the fortune to meet. It is a comfort to think that I might be so vitally aware when I reached his age.
Of course, he is only one hundred and three, young for a wizard by any standard, but his accomplishments have given him such wisdom and appreciation of life that I cannot but help enjoying his conversation. He is such a lovely father-figure, and the students who know him love him like a grandfather. I don't know how I shall manage to stay at Hogwarts if he should ever leave his post as headmaster.
Best not to think of it now. There will be tea tomorrow, and many after that, where I will continue to enjoy his company.
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"Ah, my dear Minerva! Do sit down!" Dumbledore gestured enthusiastically. "I am most anxious to hear your opinion on my decision."
"Thank you Albus," I said, taking a seat. "Indeed I cannot be more thrilled. Nor can I say that I am surprised this year. I feel certain that Miss Evans and Mr. Lupin will not disappoint you."
Dumbledore smiled. But it was not a smile of agreement. Rather, it was a knowing smile, as though he was keeping something from me. I waited for a hint.
"Ah, I am sure they would not have. Or rather, I am sure that Mr. Lupin would not have disappointed me, Minerva. But I have not chosen him for Head Boy."
I attempted to sit up straighter before I remembered that I always sat up straight. My mother drilled that into my manners before she ever let me leave the house as a child.
"You have not chosen Remus Lupin?"
"I have not."
"I fail to understand, Albus. I thought your note said that both students were from my house this year."
"Indeed they are, Minerva. Do not fret," he assured me. His eyes were twinkling. "Please, do have some tea. Would you like a crumpet? I asked the house elves for cherry, especially."
I leaned forward, taking the crumpet he offered. A large kettle was sitting on the middle of his small table. He motioned that I should help myself to a large, steaming cup.
I glanced at him curiously. "Is there another of my Gryffindor boys that you feel appropriate for the post? My Marauders as they prefer to be called."
"Indeed there is."
"Oh? And pray, tell me which of them has your favor," I said dryly. "Is it Black or Potter, neither of whom can hold a wand without cursing someone with it? Or Pettigrew, whose only claim to fame is his inexplicable association with those two?"
I was quite enjoying this exchange, and, to a smaller extent, the suspense of the question. But really, which of my boys could Dumbledore want for the position if not Lupin? It was traditional, after all, to appoint prefects to the post.
"I intend to appoint Lily Evans and James Potter."
I laughed. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at the rare sound.
"I rather thought that would entertain you; however, I assure you that I do intend to appoint Mr. Potter to the position. I think you will find that he does indeed suit the post better than any of my prefects."
"Really, I hadn't even considered. Although he does carry a respect with the students, and Merlin knows that he receives top marks in my class. He is a bright boy."
"Exactly, Minerva, exactly. He will make an exemplary Head Boy, I am sure, and he has been hexing students in the halls much less as of late. I will have another talk with him about it."
"But really, Albus, what made you think of Potter? It still does not seem an obvious appointment to me. It is traditional thing, I am sure, to appoint prefects to the post."
"You will agree, Minerva, that none of the prefects carry themselves the way James Potter does. He has incredible respect among the student body. They will follow his example, and Miss Evans will insure that he sets a good one."
I caught another twinkle of his eye.
"I think you have an ulterior motive, Albus."
His smile turned mischievous.
"Really, Minerva, what could that be?"
"I'm sure it has nothing to do with match-making."
And then Dumbledore did something I rarely see him do. He grinned, ear to ear.
"I confess! Young love is my weakness. Although Miss Evans is entirely too stubborn. The Potter boy is obviously meant for her."
He was slightly dramatic at the end, although I was certain that he meant every word. I smiled slightly. They were a perfect match.
I hid a slight pang that no man had ever loved me that way.
"I daresay you've become a hopeless romantic, Albus. And what will you tell Filch when he finds them in his broom cupboards?"
"Oh, I daresay the brooms won't mind. Why, those cupboards are nearly useless anyway," Dumbledore laughed. "Do you approve of my appointment?"
I shook my head slightly in disbelief. "I will become accustomed to the idea. But really, Albus, James Potter?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "I've given you what the muggles call, 'fair warning.'"
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Okay, so that was a really short chapter. But I felt I that I had to share it. I was a bit bored with everyone taking it from James and Lily's point of view, and it just sort of came to me in McGonagall's voice. Anyways, I've gotten some questions about James's present. I promise you'll know in the next chapter. I didn't give it much detail though, it just didn't really fit, but if you guys ask for a description I'll give you one.
Anyways, I hope you liked this super-short chapter! I promise it will be longer next time.