14 - Jealousy

Professor Slughorn purposefully strode from his office, up the staircase, and toward Gryffindor Tower. His little "meeting of the minds", as he called them, hadn't lasted as long as he had hoped. Many of the regulars begged off claiming they had to study, and only a few of the senior die-hards made an appearance, staying just long enough to remain in the Potions Master's good graces. This gave Horace an unexpected opportunity to surprise Albus and maybe convince the man to go for a walk. They had been cooped up in the castle far too long what with revisions and then the commencement of exams, the beginning of corrections, Albus' ongoing experiment, and his subsequent late nights researching in the library. Albus preferred to do the work alone, which left Horace to himself far too often. Slughorn frowned as he hoisted his weight up the last flight of stairs, beads of perspiration beginning to form on his brow. He'd forgotten how far it was from his quarters in the dungeons to Albus' chambers. Blast, why was Albus avoiding him? They needed to talk. Summer was coming, and it was time to make decisions and begin preparing. Puffing down the corridor to his friend's room, Horace stopped to wipe the sweat from his brow. Raising his right hand, he knocked loudly and waited. There was no answer. Hmm, Albus had said that he'd be in his room tonight. He knocked again. Still no answer. Pausing for a moment, then making a bold decision, he gave the password and turned the handle to enter. Taking a step forward, he ran into the closed door with a thump. Puzzled, he stepped back and tried again. Again, the door remained sealed. With indignation brewing in the pit of his stomach, his cheeks flushed as he spun on his heel. He was locked out. Striding through the corridor and stomping his way down the stairs, he shouldered past students without seeing. Rounding a corner, he ran into young Miss McGonagall sending her stumbling backward into the wall. Snapping his head up, he glared at the flustered student.

"Are you all right, Sir?" she asked, straightening her robe and readjusting the book bag in her hand.

Horace glared at her for a moment then snarled, "Have you seen Professor Dumbledore?"

Minerva McGonagall nodded sharply, "I saw him head toward Black Lake about fifteen minutes ago. Is everything all right, Sir? You seem upset."

"Fine, fine." Horace waved her off when he realized how he must have appeared. He forced a false smile. "Just need to speak with him for a moment," he continued as he moved down the hall.

Watching the Potions Master stride away, Minerva was joined by Gemma Clearwater and Ignatius Prewett.

"What's with him?" Gemma asked curiously.

Minerva shrugged. "He wants to speak with Professor Dumbledore."

Ignatius snorted with a smile, and the two girls turned to him with puzzled looks. "Oh, please. You haven't noticed how he chases Dumbledore around? You can't find Dumbledore half the time without Slughorn tagging along behind."

"What are you implying?" Minerva sniffed. She rather liked the older professor and was a bit defensive for him.

"I'm not implying anything, just making an observation, but I've also noticed, especially in the last few months, that Dumbledore is almost avoiding him. I guess Sluggy's only noticing it now. A bit dense if you ask me," Ignatius finished with a shrug.

The students watched as the walrus-like professor disappeared down the last staircase, then they turned to resume their path to the library. The Transfiguration exam was tomorrow, and Minerva wanted to do some last minute studying of some of the more complicated procedures.

~~~***~~~

"I'm glad you were able to get away for a while," Elizabett purred as she snuggled into a bushy auburn beard, tenderly brushed her lips against Albus', while her hands gently clasped the front of his coffee-coloured robe.

With Elizabett's head tipped back and Albus' tipped forward, they stood nose-to-nose, Albus leaning to warmly return the gesture. "I needed a break," he smirked, the corners of his eyes crinkling merrily. "Besides, Horace has his little club tonight. No fear of him intruding."

Elizabett rolled her eyes with a grin remembering the last time she and Albus had snuck away. It had been agreed that their growing relationship would remain discrete, as they didn't want to be fodder for the gossip mill that the school could be. Secrets were difficult to keep here but not impossible, but somehow, Slughorn's bloodhound sense had sniffed them out in the far recesses of the Restricted Section of the library. He had not been pleased to find them together, but warily accepted the excuse that they had merely run into each other while doing individual research. Apparently, Albus and Horace had a nasty row later that night. Albus had stormed back to his quarters and immediately changed the password to his room. That was over a week ago. Now, it was the evening before an exam, Horace had a meeting with his club, and most students were otherwise occupied studying. Stepping out from behind the drooping willow, Elizabett ran her hand down Albus' sleeve and led him to the path by the lake. Releasing his arm, she took a step away to keep a modest distance.

"So, what plans do you have for the summer?" Elizabett asked curiously as they began their walk.

The gravel crunched underfoot as they slowly strolled the trail. Albus' hands were clasped behind his back as he moved, his head down, watching the path. "I have some work to do for the Ministry, and plan to go abroad for a bit. Armando has mentioned a young lad in an orphanage in London who has shown unusual magical power. He has asked that I investigate the situation and possibly offer the boy a place at Hogwarts."

"Really? That sounds wonderful." Elizabett grinned, looking over her left shoulder at her friend.

"Which part? That I'll be away or that Hogwarts is inviting a young orphan?" Albus teased.

"The boy, of course." She playfully batted his arm. "It's so generous."

"Hogwarts does have funding to make such offers on occasion. I'll investigate the boy's family history when I'm at the Ministry."

Their easy conversation continued until they reached the edge of the forest. Turning to climb the rocky trail that led from the Groundskeeper's hut back to the castle, they noticed Og, a distance away, emerging from the boundary line of trees. He didn't detect them as he headed for the Care of Magical Creatures compound where Professor Kettleburn waited anxiously by the fence. As Og approached the professor, he tipped the contents of a large sack into a trough-like bin.

"He really does enjoy his job, doesn't he?" Elizabett chuckled as she glanced over her shoulder to see Professor Kettleburn clap his hands excitedly and picked up the oddest-looking creature that she had ever seen.

Albus' lips twitched upward in agreement as he held his hand out to help Elizabett up the uneven slope. Holding on for an extra minute, Albus gave her fingers an affectionate squeeze before releasing them. Warmth flooded her and a light quiver rolled in her stomach. She never would have believed that she could feel this way. Those other women had been right after all.

"I hope I'll be able to see you this summer," Albus bravely stated as they continued on their way. "You said that you'd be visiting you're grandmother again, but would be home for most of the holiday. Would you permit me to call on you?"

Elizabett's cheeks grew warm, and the quiver increased. "Of course," she heard herself say. "I would like that very much."

Albus smiled a satisfied smile, and they walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence. When they reached the entrance of the courtyard, Albus tugged Elizabett into a small alcove, unseen by the few students that had finally emerged for an evening stroll. Running his hands down her sleeves, he affectionately caressed her arms.

"I am so looking forward to the summer." He gazed down at her, his cobalt eyes twinkling happily.

"As am I." Elizabett beamed back. "No looking over our shoulders to see who's watching."

Albus nodded as he tipped his head to meet hers. Their lips met in a tender kiss that stoked a fire in Elizabett's heart. Stepping forward to deepen it, she timidly wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him close. Albus returned the favour and encompassed Elizabett's slight body with his six-foot frame. The top of her head only reached his shoulder, and she felt so small in his arms, but it felt so right, like it belonged, like they belonged. Their bodies just seemed to fit. As they broke the kiss, he held her close, bending to nuzzle his face in her soft hair, hiding the silly grin that he knew he wore. He couldn't remember ever being so happy, so at ease with someone. It felt so good.

Elizabett was the first to pull back, and she cupped Albus' chin with her right hand. Giving his lips an affectionate peck, she smiled and left him standing alone in the alcove. He would emerge in a moment, so it would not to appear that they had been out together. She had a merry lilt to her walk as he watched her leave, and the silly grin returned to his face.

~~~***~~~

"With her, were you?" Horace stood in the archway of the dungeon corridor that led from the Main Entrance. His arms were crossed, and he was fuming. "She said she had no intentions. Hufflepuff," he snorted, "but oh, so Slytherin. So, where were you?" Horace demanded, falling into step behind his friend as Albus ignored him, continuing to stride up the steps toward Gryffindor Tower. "I went to your room, but the password was changed. When did you do that? Am I no longer welcome? A little explanation would be in order. I think I deserve that." By now, Horace had caught up with Albus, and grabbed hold of his arm, spinning him around. "Well?"

Albus' face was stony, a storm brewing under the surface that he fought to control. "I will not have this conversation here," he replied firmly, glancing around the nearly empty corridor, and shaking off Horace's grip. He turned to resume the path to his chamber, while Horace trailed behind.

At the entrance of Albus' room, he silently gave the password and allowed the rotund Potions Master to follow him in. Once inside, Albus' fury broke forth.

"How dare you," he raged stepping toward the other man who retreated with surprise. "Since when do I have to explain myself to you? We are friends…colleagues, nothing more. I have the right to choose my companions without your interference."

"But I thought…" Horace sputtered weakly.

"You thought wrong." Albus' eyes pierced the man. "You have become an overbearing, possessive, bloody pain in my side. I know that you have confronted Elizabett and warned her off. What gives you that right?" he angrily waved his finger in the other man's face.

"Didn't work, did it?" Horace sniffed, finally beginning to regain composure.

"No, it didn't, because she had no intention of being anything but friendly. She demands nothing of me and accepts me for who I am. She's a sweet, gentle woman with a kind heart."

"And a wicked ability to curse away someone's voice," Horace muttered under his breath.

"Really?" Albus glared. "I would have done worse," he warned.

Horace raised his eyes to meet his friend's. "You? You took the initiative?" Horace's face showed a combination of surprise and hurt. "But…she's a…woman," he sputtered. "I always thought…I mean…you always seemed to be…there has never been a woman…has there?" Horace struggled to gather his thoughts.

Albus let out an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes as he turned away. "My private life is none of your concern," he said in annoyance. "Elizabett is special. Unique," he said more softly. "She's worth getting to know."

"Well, for what it's worth, I think there's definitely more to her than anyone thinks. I don't trust her. She's too nice. No one is that naïve."

"I don't think it's naïve, but more an open-mindedness. She's intriguing."

"How long has this been going on?" Horace asked to Albus' silent stare. "Fine. Have your secret. But, I warn you;" he shook his finger at the older man, "no one raised in that circle is ever completely innocent."

"The only innocent being is one who has not been tainted by the world around him. None of us are innocent, Horace. None of us," Albus quietly replied.

Horace's anger had lessened, but he still eyed his friend cautiously. "Fine. Get to know her…but when you grow tired of the female snare they call a mind, you'll know where to find me." He backed toward the door. Pausing with his hand on the handle, he snorted lightly at a memory. "Rather off topic, but I received an owl this afternoon from my niece. She has asked that I once again relay her thanks to the person who procured her the new post at the Ministry. She's quite happy with the change. Seems she's met a young man."

Albus gave a satisfied half nod as Horace left. Getting Kalina the transfer had been easy. People owed him favours and would remain silent. His lips twitched upward as he remembered being with Elizabett earlier in the evening. This promised to be a good summer.