A/N: Some more fluff for everyone! Hope you all enjoy.
Chapter 14: Friends and Family
August 1st, 1956
"Poppy, where do you want this?" Alastor Moody questioned gruffly. At only 25, Moody had already become the best auror at the Ministry of Magic. He was on his way to becoming a legend with the number of dark wizards he had captured. He bore the scars of a battle-hardened warrior. And now he was moving furniture.
Minerva watched from the doorway of the infirmary as her dear friend, Poppy Pomfrey, directed Alastor and the luggage around the nurse's quarters. Minerva was happy to have a friend in the castle with her. She and Poppy had kept in contact after they left school and became very close when they were both living in London. But Moody's presence intrigued her. Minerva decided that now was the proper time to say hello.
"How are you settling in, Madam Pomfrey?"
"Oh Minerva! There you are! I wondered when we'd be seeing you. We're just unpacking. Shouldn't take too much longer. You remember Alastor, of course."
"Of course! It's nice to see you again."
Moody walked over to shake her hand. "So you're a teacher now, are you?"
"So it seems. After three years of being a librarian, it will be nice to do more than shush students from a desk and put away their books."
Moody nodded. "Well you'll be fine. Never woulda understood Gamp's Laws if it weren't for you. But those kids better watch out. You aren't soft like Dumbledore."
"Are my ears burning?" came a voice from the doorway.
The two women laughed and Moody suddenly became very interested the floor beneath his feet. Albus walked in with a smile. "It's nice to see you, too, Mr. Moody. How are you settling in, Matron?"
"Oh just fine, Headmaster. Alastor is helping me unpack and Minerva just came by to say hello," Poppy replied.
"I'm glad everything is to your liking. Will Mr. Moody require overnight accommodations?"
"No, sir. I'll be takin' Poppy out for dinner in the village and then return to London," Moody awkwardly answered.
Albus did not acknowledge Moody's discomfort. "Very well. Madam Pomfrey, if you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. Minerva, could I speak to you for a moment?"
Minerva followed Albus into the hallway. He glanced left and right before slipping his arms around her waist, kissing her gently and smiling. "Hello."
She returned his smile. "Hello."
"I wanted to let you know that I'll be with my brother, Aberforth, this afternoon to celebrate my birthday but I'd like to spend my evening with you, if I may."
"Albus! Why didn't you tell me it was your birthday?"
"I didn't want you to go to any trouble on my account. So will you come to my office at six?"
She sighed, her mind racing with what she could do for his birthday in the next eight hours. "Of course. Have a nice time with your brother, darling." She kissed him sweetly and went to rejoin her friends in the Hospital Wing.
An owl appeared at the window with a message for Alastor soon after Albus left. He read the letter with a scowl and wrote a quick response.
"Where's that damn bird?" he growled as the owl flew out the open window. "Fine. I'll go to the owlery. Be back soon."
Once he had gone, Minerva asked Poppy the question plaguing her mind. "So…you and Alastor?"
Poppy giggled and blushed. "I was his nurse when he was at St. Mungo's last year before I started in the Children's Wing. We got to talking quite a lot and he took me out once he had been discharged. It's nothing serious. He's so busy saving the world and I'm busy my own work. But we try to see each other when we're both free. He's wonderful when he has the time to be."
"Well we know he's a good lad. As long as you're happy, Poppy."
"Oh I am. And how about you? Have you and Dumbledore gotten married yet?" Minerva skeptically raised her eyes at the silliness and impertinence of the question. "Oh please, Minerva! I know you've always had a bit of a thing for him. And the way he looked at you just now? He lit up! He obviously cares for you."
"Yes, well we are very good friends. I know he cares for me as I care for him."
At that moment, Alastor returned and Minerva left them to the unpacking. She smiled as she walked up to Gryffindor Tower to her new rooms. She shouldn't have kept the truth from Poppy. But the relationship was so new. She just wanted Albus to herself for a while. She would tell Poppy eventually, when they had more time together in private.
After wracking her brain for nearly an hour, Minerva finally decided what to do on Albus' birthday. She smiled to herself and went down to his office to prepare.
She gave his password ("Fudge Toffee") and rode up the stairs behind the gargoyle. His office was a mess. There were dozens of letters waiting to be read, schedules to be finished, and papers simply everywhere.
She wandered over to pet Fawkes for a moment, examining the room like a battlefield. "I think our favorite wizard could use some help, don't you?" The phoenix cooed in agreement.
Minerva moved to sit behind Albus' desk. Part of her didn't want to disturb his desk without his permission, but she also knew that he trusted her, both personally and professionally so she decided to use her best judgment with all his scattered work.
She spent a few hours drafting responded to most of his letters, organizing the piles of papers, and writing some notes to him with suggestions for the scheduling.
While trying to find some ink in a drawer (she did not find violet to be a proper color for official business), she came across a file with MMM written in red ink. Curious as a cat, she opened it. Inside it were clippings from newspapers and journals. Every single one was written either by or about Minerva. All the articles she had written and all the mentions of her in the Daily Prophet. The last page was a photograph of her from the profile about her career in Transfiguration Today eight years earlier. Minerva picked up the picture and looked at her younger self. She didn't look much different. She wore a sly smile and a fierce determination in her eyes. Present-day Minerva smiled at her former self and went to replace it when she noticed something written on the back.
In elegant green writing, Albus had composed a poem:
Her eyes like emeralds, precious gems so dear
Her form with its curves, I long to hold near
Her mind so sharp surpasses all others without fear
Her lips full and red, I fantasize to kiss
Her slender hand in mine, a feeling I miss
Her heart full of love for me, that would be bliss
A tear fell down Minerva's cheek. The words were so simple, but the sentiment was beautiful.
Just then, she heard footsteps outside the door and quickly put away the file. She looked up just as Filius Flitwick walked in.
"Oh, Minerva, I'm sorry to interrupt you."
"No interruption, Filius. I was just tidying Albus' desk and drafting some letters for him. Although I should apologize, as this sort of thing is your job, I suppose."
"Actually, Minerva, it's your job. Well not officially, but it should be. Albus wanted to make you his deputy, but the Board of Directors wouldn't approve a deputy so young. So I agreed to take the position, knowing that Albus is going to give it to you when the Governors think you're ready."
Minerva was aghast. "Really? He was going to make me Transfiguration professor, Head of Gryffindor and Deputy Headmistress if he had his way?"
"Of course. He knows better than anyone else how capable you are. You are much more organized than I am, and you and Albus work wonderfully together; I've seen it," Flitwick smiled.
"Well I'm flattered that you both would think so highly of me," Minerva blushed.
"It isn't flattery when it's true. Now I must go and welcome our new matron. Would you see that Albus gets these budget reports when he returns?"
"Of course, Filius."
With that, Flitwick left. Minerva finished organizing and then went up to Albus' private rooms to prepare his birthday surprise.
Albus arrived back at Hogwarts a little after six. He was wary from a tense and rather awkward afternoon with Aberforth. Neither really enjoyed himself, but they were the only family each of them had. Aberforth knew just as Albus did how important family was, even if you didn't like them.
Albus trudged up to his office, more eager to see Minerva with every step. Part of him hoped she had planned something for his birthday, as he could use some fun, but the more noble part of him knew that he didn't tell her about his birthday just so that she wouldn't fuss about him.
Albus Dumbledore was not a man who liked being taken care of. He greatly enjoyed taking care of others—Minerva especially—but not the other way around. But knowing Minerva, she had probably come up with something in that wonderful head of hers.
But when he reached his office, it was empty. He walked over to feed Fawkes and noticed that his desk was miraculously clean. Upon closer inspection, he saw neat piles, each of which was labeled with a note from Minerva. It seemed that she had not only organized his desk but drafted responses to all his letters, finished his scheduling, and even made suggestions regarding Filius' budget report. She is a marvel. How could I ever survive without her? he thought with a smile.
"Minerva?"
"Up here!" she called from his private rooms.
Albus hurried up the stairs to find the sitting room lit by dozens of floating candles. Minerva was stretched out on the couch in a spectacular red dress, her raven locks cascading down her back.
Albus stood for a moment, staring at the vision before him.
"Happy birthday, Albus."
He made his way to her without a word and kissed her squarely on the mouth.
"You're wonderful." He kissed her again. "I love you." He leaned forward for another kiss but Minerva stopped him.
"I've made plans for us, and you'll spoil them if you get yourself too excited."
"So your plan is not to excite me?"
Minerva smirked devilishly. "Oh of course it is. But later. Now is time for supper."
They ate a lavish meal of all Albus' favorites. They chatted about their day while they ate.
"So did you have a nice time with your brother this afternoon?" Minerva asked.
"I suppose so. We've never really gotten along, but he is my brother. I'm much happier here with you."
"Can I meet him sometime?"
"Of course. He's the barman at the Hog's Head. Frightful place. Perfect for Aberforth, actually."
"That sounds…delightful."
Albus chuckled, his eyes sparkling.
They finished dinner and Minerva vanished the plates. Albus looked disappointed.
"No dessert?"
Minerva suppressed a smile and said, as seriously as she could, "Patience is a virtue that ought be treasured."
Albus pouted and Minerva laughed with delight.
"Oh alright. Come sit down." She led him to the chess board, her crimson gown swishing as she moved.
"That dress is beautiful, my dear."
"I'm very glad you like it. I got it especially for you. Admire the gown later; I have something else I think you'll enjoy." With a wave of wand, the chess pieces were turned from marble to candy. The white pieces were now lemon-flavored and the black were cherry. They played a good-natured game full of laughter and conversation until Albus got fed up with only being able to eat the candy when he captured one of Minerva's pieces. He reached over and grabbed her king and bit it in half. She laughed at his childishness. "I suppose that means you win."
"Well it is my birthday. You were letting me win anyway."
"I beg to differ!"
"Well either way, this was a very clever and fun way to spend the evening. Thank you, Minerva."
"I'm pleased you enjoyed, Albus. Now the next thing I have planned…"
He interrupted her. "I'm sorry, my dear, but right now I have a plan of my own." He scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
She laughed. "What a coincidence! This was my plan as well!"