XXI: Dinner and Decisions
"Sir, why do we need to consult Wilspy about dinner? Don't the house-elves just serve it like normal?" Minerva asked as they approached the double oak doors leading to the Entrance Hall.
"If we wish to eat this evening, we must consult Wilspy. All of the other house-elves have been confined to the kitchen and other house-elf-appropriate places for the day; in addition, as we are the only residents of the castle until tomorrow morning when Headmaster Dippet will return and the rest of the staff will begin trickling back from holiday, it seemed foolish to have the house-elves serve their normal dinner."
"You mean we're the only people at the castle?" Minerva asked incredulously as they entered the cool entry way. "Is that exactly safe?"
"Oh, yes, my dear, quite. We renewed the wards just a few weeks ago, as I mentioned earlier, and now that we have finished our conversation, I can tell Wilspy that the other house-elves have the freedom of the castle again."
"It's just, just, well, creepy, sir, this huge empty castle, and just the two of us and the Hogwarts house-elves."
Albus stopped midway up the stairs, and turned to Minerva, who had been walking up beside him. "I am sorry, Minerva. I had not thought. I am so used to so many things that I have forgotten, perhaps, what it might be like for you," he said gently. "If you would like to return to your parents for the night, or even for the rest of the weekend, I would be happy to escort you there after dinner – or sooner, if you are bothered."
"No, no!" Minerva did not want to have to go home like a little girl who had cried when left with her aunt and uncle for a few hours. "I didn't mean it like that. I want to stay. Really, sir."
"Are you sure, my dear?" asked Albus, still not moving from the stair on which he had stopped. "Would you feel more comfortable if Wilspy stayed with us during dinner? She could even spend the night in your room, if you like."
Minerva suddenly understood Albus's concern. "Oh, no, that would be even weirder. I don't mind it if you're here, Professor. What I mean is, it wouldn't matter where we were, I'd feel safe if you were with me. Even if we were in the middle of Grindelwald's camp," she said.
"Hush, now, don't even think such things," responded Albus.
"All I'm saying is that it's just the castle that bothers me, not being here with you. In fact, if I had to be alone in the castle with a bunch of house-elves, I'd rather you be with me than anyone else." Minerva felt slightly embarrassed at the sentiment she expressed, but she didn't want him to feel uncomfortable being alone with her, either.
Albus started back up the stairs to the Transfiguration classroom. "Well, that's settled, then. I don't think I had ever been at Hogwarts when it was this empty until after I'd come here to teach. I stayed over Christmas holidays one year, and there were only three students staying in Gryffindor Tower, but that was practically crowded, compared to our current, though highly temporary, situation."
"Professor, what about the ghosts? What I mean is, Headmaster Dippet had everyone leave the castle and grounds, and the house-elves were confined – although I don't understand why; I thought they had to be loyal to their House or family – what did you do with the ghosts? And what about the portraits?"
Albus chuckled as he let them into the classroom. "My, I suppose that after hours of listening to me talk, and saying so little, the urge to ask questions has asserted itself again. Well, the ghosts have willingly bound themselves to the wards and its Keeper, with the exception of Peeves – who, it turns out, is one of the unintended by-products of those 17th century wards meant to keep the children in check – and the portrait network is also tied into them. Although you may have noticed a distinct lack of portraits in our picnic area! The elves, although bound to be loyal to Hogwarts, can interpret that loyalty in whatever way they wish. They do have their own internal structure for dealing with miscreants," Minerva thought of Fwisky's discipline when he said this, "but I thought it best to take the added security measure of eliminating the possibility of being overheard by them, or the portraits, which, although a part of the ward structure, are not completely controlled by it. Does that answer all your questions?" he asked with a slight smile.
"Yes, but why is Wilspy free?"
"Do not let her hear you say that she is free, my dear, although she has the freedom of the castle, of course. It is because she is a Dumbledore house-elf; she has a deep-seated loyalty to me personally, not just to the school and its ever-changing population. Besides, she packs a lovely picnic basket!"
Minerva smiled broadly at that.
"Well, Minerva, why don't you avail yourself of the washroom, and I will ask Wilspy about dinner. Do you have anything you'd particularly care for? No?"
Through the closed door of the loo, Minerva could just hear Dumbledore speaking in low tones to Wilspy, presumably releasing the other elves from their confinement – they must have been driven to distraction without being able to "serve" – and ordering dinner. She walked out of the office just as Wilspy Apparated away with a gentle crack.
"I have ordered a light supper for us. I hope that suits you. If you are hungry later, or anytime this weekend, call Wilspy, and she will be at your service."
"Thank you, Professor."
"I also had an idea that I spoke with Wilspy about. If it meets with your approval, she can make the arrangements necessary. As Deputy Headmaster, and, of course, in my other roles here at Hogwarts, I have somewhat grander quarters than most of the other teachers. They include a small guest room with its own loo and a separate entrance to the corridor. If you would feel more comfortable there than in Gryffindor Tower tonight, you are welcome to make use of it. There is no bath, only a somewhat cramped shower, but it is at your disposal," Albus finished.
"That's very generous of you, Professor, but I don't want to disturb you, or have Wilspy go to extra trouble."
"You know that Wilspy would be glad to serve, as would I. Please stay wherever you feel most comfortable. I would suggest the library, but my recollection is that one's slumber is never particularly restful there." Albus grinned at her.
"I really don't know. I am used to my room in Gryffindor Tower, but, well, I hate to admit it, it sounds so childish, but it feels different when there's no one else there. Can we eat supper first, before I decide?"
"Of course; and I understand. Why don't we stop by the guest room on the way to Gryffindor Tower, that way you can see it and decide then."
Wilspy appeared with their supper at that moment, which consisted of some kind of pickled fish, bread, cheese, tomatoes, a bowl of grapes, and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. Minerva thought she'd avoid the fish, as it looked rather disgusting, but Albus helped himself to it and ate it with such a relish, that she tried a little and decided it wasn't too bad, but she wasn't going to be calling Wilspy for more.
After finishing their meal, Albus walked with her along the first floor corridor to one of the narrow flights of stairs she'd always thought led nowhere, which they climbed upward past several landings, until they reached one that opened onto a wide corridor. Finally, they turned into a narrower hallway with large windows along one side and several portraits along the other. Stopping at the third portrait, Albus clearly said, "Chocolate Frog," and the portrait and the door it was guarding swung open.
"'Chocolate frog,' Professor?"
"Mmm, a new sweet. They have them at Honeydukes. You should try one! Don't worry, no frogs involved. They just look like them and have a tendency to try to hop away until you bite their legs off." With that explanation, he gestured for her to enter.
The room was almost a precise square, which was quite surprising for any room at Hogwarts. There were two windows along the opposite wall, with a typical Hogwarts four-poster bed between them. There was a small desk along the wall to the right and a wardrobe across from it. Each of the two side walls featured a door. Albus stepped in behind her and opened the door on the left, showing her a small but efficient bathroom, with toilet, shower, and sink. He went to the door opposite the bathroom, and explained to Minerva that it led to his sitting room and that his bedroom was beyond that.
He opened that door for her, and she peeked through to see what appeared to be a combination study and sitting room decorated in deep burgundy, moss green, gold, and cream, and furnished with a desk, a few chairs, a couch, a small table, and a fireplace. Along the walls were bookcases; they even stood in front of the windows, blocking out what light was left in the evening sky. There were also stacks of books and parchment everywhere, although they were in neat piles, and it seemed that they had been placed in some kind of order.
"My bedroom is through the door on the other side of that rather crowded room," Albus said. "It would only be for the one night, but if you suddenly needed me, I would be close at hand. Of course, if you stay in Gryffindor Tower, you can always call Wilspy, and she will come."
Minerva was torn. On the one hand, she didn't want to seem a little girl who couldn't spend one night alone in the dormitory. On the other, she thought she would feel a little more at home in the small bedroom next door to the comfortable, Dumbledorish mess. On the third hand, if she had a third, she was used to the Tower room, but on the fourth hand, she felt honoured that he would allow her to stay in his guest room.
"Well, do you mind if I fetch a few things, then? If it's really all right for me to stay here?"
"Of course, come, we will walk to Gryffindor Tower together; and then you won't have any trouble finding your way back. After you're settled in, we can have some tea, and you can tell me your decision."
Soon, Minerva was sitting comfortably in an armchair in Albus's study, drinking chamomile tea. "I've decided to help you, Professor. And not just because you asked, but because it's important for the future safety of Hogwarts, even if there's no immediate threat. From what I've read in the Daily Prophet, Grindelwald has only conducted a few attacks here in Britain, and seemed to focus on specific people, rather than on places. But if he ever were to launch an attack in Britain, Hogwarts might be a target. Even if he only did enough damage to lower the morale of the wizarding world, people – children – might still be hurt. And if one of the holes in our security is the Animagus identification problem, then we must address that. Even if he does not know of or exploit that weakness, someone else might, someday. I am willing, Professor, and will put all of my efforts into achieving the Animagus transformation." Minerva gazed earnestly at her professor.
Dumbledore smiled at the end of her speech. "Thank you, Miss McGonagall," he said softly. "But you must put some effort into your other schoolwork, as well. Do not forget your NEWTs are less than two years away!"
Minerva furrowed her brow. "Of course not, but isn't this more important than how well I do on my NEWTs?"
"It would be only if I thought you were disposable, Minerva, only if I valued your life solely to the extent to which you might benefit me in this moment. Even then, a longer view might prove that wrong. But your life is important; whatever we may be able to accomplish with the wards, with your help, is not to be compared with all that you may achieve throughout your life. Your NEWT-level classes are the foundation for that life. I also want you to be happy, my dear. Once your part in the warding project is over, do you think you would be happy to find that you have lost the opportunity to study subjects other than the Animagus Transfiguration? No, my dear, you must apply yourself to your extra credit project, to be sure, but not to the exclusion of all else."
Minerva thought about what her mentor had just said. It made sense, and it warmed her heart, as well, to know that he appreciated her, Minerva McGonagall, not just some useful, trustworthy potential Animagus. She smiled at him then, her affection for him bubbling through, and said, "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I will follow your advice. But I am still honoured to be able to help you."
Shortly thereafter, he managed to convince her to retire for the night, pointing out that yawning three times in as many minutes was probably an indication that she needed her sleep. He reminded her that he was just one room away and that she could call Wilspy at any time.
Next: An unexpected, ill-timed arrival.