Part 7
Unfortunately for Poppy, Albus Dumbledore was not so easy to get rid of as she thought, and as he claimed.
"I think you highly embarrassed her," Paulettina said at dinner, "To speak so openly in such a private setting was a breach in protocol."
"It was the infirmary, and she was attending me!" Albus exclaimed, spearing his beans, "It was not a private rendezvous or a romantic meeting between secret lovers, or anything anyone makes it out to be. Jackson Dalaf practically blew my head open and she was healing the wound!"
"Even so, you should not have discussed such things with her," Paulettina's voice was severe, as it always was when she lectured Albus or Nicholas, "I think you should apologize to her."
"Apologize!" Albus cried, his eyes wide, "Why?"
"It is the proper thing to do," Paulettina returned, "And as a gentleman and Head Boy, you have no right to be indecent."
Albus looked at Paulettina with loathing and pleading both in his eyes. Paulettina looked straight back at him without blinking.
"Fine," Albus sighed, and began slicing his meat.
On Saturday evenings, the Great Hall was turned into a ballroom, for, at that time, it was only proper to have entertainment after dinner. During the week, that was not possible, as the students all had homework, but on Saturday, there was a quintet to play music and they all went down to play cards, chat, and dance. These nights were greatly enjoyed by all the students, as well as the faculty, for it was a chance for them all to let go. The girls dressed in their finest and fought over the vanities and mirrors to check their hair dozens of times over, the younger ones looking forward to the Butterbeer and sweets that were provided, the elder ones hoping and praying that the boy they fancied would write his name in her book. The boys all came down in packs, usually by house and year, the younger ones...Looking forward to the Butterbeer and sweets that were provided, the elder ones trying to work up the nerve to write his name in the book of whatever girl he fancied.
Albus Dumbledore was never nervous about these dances. While, as was pointed out before, no girl had ever paid much attention to him, he was an excellent dancer, and when he finally started dancing with girls (in his fifth year), he was a prefect, and therefore very sought-after. Now, of course, every girl smiled at him as he passed by, and he obliged their fancies and danced with everyone. Of course, his favorite was Paulettina, who was light and graceful on her feet, and was always ready to dance some more. Nicholas was a good dancer as well, though he lacked the spring that Albus had, he certainly did not lack grace, and he, too, was sought-after.
Albus looked at himself in the full-length mirror in their dormitory, adjusting his jacket a little, and straightening his handkerchief in his pocket.
"How do I look?" He said, turning to Nicholas.
"What does it matter?" Nicholas replied, "You will dance with every pretty girl in the room and they will all fall madly in love with you."
"Nicholas, do not be sarcastic," Albus exclaimed, "How do I look?"
Nicholas sighed and surveyed Albus, "You look decent, respectable, hard-working and clever. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Albus said, though he was highly unsatisfied with Nicholas' answer. He had hoped for words like dashing, bold, handsome. Of course, he couldn't expect these sort of answers from his best friend, much less a man.
They made their way from the dorm and down to the Great Hall, from which a lively air was coming. As they entered, Albus looked around at the hundreds of people, and then up at the sky, which was very dark and clear, the stars freckling it lightly.
"Come on," Nicholas tugged at his sleeve, "Go find someone to dance with."
As they wandered among the many groups of girls, stopping occasionally to write their names in a book, Albus could not help but be very distracted from the small talk. Nicholas was more alert and polite on these occasions, though he did not much like society, and covered for Albus in particular that night.
The seventh-year Hufflepuff girls entered and, immediately, several young men swarmed over to them, to fill out their books. It was Albus' last chance.
"Excuse me," Albus said to the group of Slytherins they were talking to, "I must attend to someone I promised a dance to tonight."
He bowed, and walked hurriedly over to the group of boys that was gathered around the Hufflepuffs. As he pushed his way through, he saw Gabriella, in a dark blue dress, flirting with a Ravenclaw, and the other girls from his Herbology class. He did not see Poppy, however, and was just turning, when he heard Gabriella call out shrilly, "Poppy! Poppy dearest! Come here!"
Albus turned back and saw Poppy, wearing a deep red dress that looked stunning on her, smiling politely as she entered into the group. Immediately, her book was taken, and Albus watched in despair as it slowly began to fill up with names that were not his.
When he finally managed to grasp it, they were quite alone.
"Mister Dumbledore!" Poppy said in surprise.
"Miss Pomfrey," Albus replied calmly.
"What are you - How are you this evening?" She recovered quickly. She eyed her book in his hands, as though she wanted to snatch it back.
"I am quite well," Albus returned, and promptly filled out his name on three waltzes in which the dancers did not change partners, so that he would have all the time to speak with her. He handed it back.
"I must attend to Miss Hallings, if you will excuse me," He bowed, and walked swiftly away.
"Miss Pomfrey?" A handsome Slytherin approached her, "It is our dance?"
"What? Oh, yes, forgive me," Poppy bowed, and then took his arm.
Throughout the dance, however, she watched Albus, who was dancing with Miss Virginia Hallings of Ravenclaw, the same red-haired girl who Nicholas had ignored. Virginia Hallings batted her eyelashes a lot, and seemed to think that everything Albus said was funny, and he seemed charmed by it. Poppy sighed, hoping that he did not fancy her, for they were not suited for each other. Albus Dumbledore needed someone clever, handsome was not enough, someone like...
"Thank you, Miss Pomfrey," The Slytherin bowed, and Poppy was soon swept away into another young man's arms.
After eight dances, Poppy was feeling very worn and her hair was drooping, so, after making sure that she did not have a name down for that particular dance, she retreated to the powder room to freshen up. Inside the powder room it was loud, crowded, and uncomfortably hot. Poppy was pinning her hair up again, when someone reached over her and snatched her book away.
Poppy whirled around, "Gabriella!"
"Yes?" Gabriella looked very sour indeed.
"You frightened me."
"Oh?" She did not seem to care. She was too busy looking through Poppy's book, "Hmmmm...How interesting."
"What is it?"
Gabriella handed her back her book, "Nothing. I just noticed that you have three dances with Mister Dumbledore."
"Is something amiss, Gabriella, dearest?"
"I just thought you found him rude and offensive."
"I do."
"But you are still going to dance with him?"
"Well, I can not refuse, that would be insolent! I did not ask him to fill out my book, he did it on his own!"
Gabriella gave Poppy a calculating look, a suspicious look, and then turned and left the room. Poppy felt her stomach contract. Though Gabriella was often upset with her, she hated it, and now she wished that she had never allowed Albus Dumbledore to fill out her book. Having Gabriella upset at her was not worth having Albus Dumbledore dance with her, even if it was three waltzes. Blinking back tears, she fixed her hair again.
All the chatter stopped, however, when there was a knock on the door. The girls all looked at it. The Ravenclaw closest to it opened it slowly.
"I am truly sorry to bother you, ladies, but I am looking for Miss Pomfrey of Hufflepuff, for the dance?"
Poppy stood hurriedly, knocking over the powder dish. She smoothed her dress, and, all eyes on her, walked to the door, where Albus was waiting for her. He offered his arm, and escorted her out onto the dance floor.
There, they began to waltz, and Albus found that Poppy was an excellent dancer. They circled the floor, Poppy's skirts swishing, as she carefully avoided Albus' eyes, which were focused, unwavering, on her face. She passed Gabriella, who was dancing with a young man from their own house, who looked away from her quickly.
"Miss Patil is upset with you?" Albus asked.
"Yes."
"I feared she would be, however, she should not spoil our dance."
"Why did you sign your name in my book? You never have before."
"I wanted to talk to you. I hoped that I could apologize for my rude behavior in the
infirmary on Thursday."
Poppy finally looked up into his eyes, but she did not speak.
"I realize that, in such a private setting, my remarks on your personal preferences of acquaintance, more specifically, Miss Patil and the other ladies of your house, were...Quite a breach in protocol," He echoed Paulettina, "And, as a gentleman, I would like to apologize for my atrocious behavior. Sincerely," He added, for Poppy did not look as though she believed him.
"Your apology is accepted," She said softly.
Albus smiled, "Thank you, Miss Pomfrey. No we have two more dances to become better acquainted."
They bowed, as the first waltz was over, and then began dancing as the quintet struck up a
new song.
They did get better acquainted, in a friendly manner. They talked of their classes, which ones they liked and disliked, and of the teachers. Then Albus told her about his family's estate, Drakelane, which was on the sea, a grand manor house with an enormous stable full of handsome steeds. He spoke fondly of the many paths that wound around the green hills, leading to the seashore, and the trees which were always green, and the salty smell of the sea that he woke to every morning, as well as the fierce storms which raged over them during the winter time. In turn, Poppy told Albus of her family's cottage deep in the woods (keep in mind that, at this time, a cottage was usually a two- or three-story mansion with four to six bedrooms), which her great-great-great grandparents had built and her family had lived in ever since. She spoke of trees that turned the color of blood and sunshine and of soft rains that were warm and made everything smell like wet earth.
"A cottage?" Albus said, "We have a cottage on Drakelane. It rests, hidden between the hills, surrounded by trees, but it is very quaint indeed."
"It sounds lovely," Poppy returned politely, "Our cottage is just the right sort of cottage. It is overgrown with ivy and flowers, and sometimes the roof leaks a bit, but there is always the smell of something cooking and in the spring there are wildflowers right outside the threshold."
"It sounds positively charming."
"It is, and I love it dearly. You must come see it sometime, for I think it would suit you. We have a large study in which you could sit and do your research, if you did not like visiting with my family - " Poppy stopped suddenly. Had she just invited him to her house?!
"Is something amiss?" Albus asked, hiding his laughter.
"No, excuse me, I just tripped a bit over my hem."
"I should like that very much," He smiled, "And when I return to Drakelane, you must come with me, for I would like so much to return your hospitality."
"Oh, but, I fear I would be out of place in such a large manor."
"Do not fear!" Albus cried, "For my family would welcome you with open arms, for they love young, handsome people and you quite fit the profile. My family are very affable people, and very wise, as well as talented. You would like them, I have no doubt."
Poppy was about to answer, when the last note of the waltz was drawn, and everyone stopped dancing. She and Albus bowed, and then parted. Albus went off to find Nicholas, and Poppy found a house elf and took a glass of Butterbeer from her tray. Then, she stole out to the entrance hall, and into the front lawn, to sit on the steps, her glass in hand. It was very improper, but the night was so chilly that she was assured no one would find her.
What am I doing? She wondered to herself, Asking Albus Dumbledore, a man I hardly know, to come stay with my family at our cottage? He has a cottage...On his estate! He is rich, and though I myself am by no means lacking finance...Well, he is rich and from an estimable family! No doubt that he had never heard of the Pomfreys before he met me! And he wants me to go stay with his family! They would, without a doubt, despise me for not being part of respectable, Wizarding society. Well, we are not disrespectful, just not very well known. And what of those rumors about him and that French girl...But that supposedly was fruitless and in vain. Oh, but I would love so much to go to Drakelane and stay with him, he's so charming, I never would have thought - Oh, stop lying to yourself! He has been just as charming ever since your first year and you know that you are quite -
Poppy dropped her glass, and it shattered on the step below her. The pieces shone brightly in the moonlight. She nearly slapped herself. Albus Dumbledore was, without a doubt, very charming, but he was not interested in her for anything more than friendship. So there was no point in doting on him. Poppy pulled out her wand.
"Reparo," She said, pointing at the broken shards of glass. They were swept together and became a full glass again. Holding the glass in one hand, Poppy brushed off her dress with the other, and then swept up the steps back into the hall.
Unfortunately for Poppy, Albus Dumbledore was not so easy to get rid of as she thought, and as he claimed.
"I think you highly embarrassed her," Paulettina said at dinner, "To speak so openly in such a private setting was a breach in protocol."
"It was the infirmary, and she was attending me!" Albus exclaimed, spearing his beans, "It was not a private rendezvous or a romantic meeting between secret lovers, or anything anyone makes it out to be. Jackson Dalaf practically blew my head open and she was healing the wound!"
"Even so, you should not have discussed such things with her," Paulettina's voice was severe, as it always was when she lectured Albus or Nicholas, "I think you should apologize to her."
"Apologize!" Albus cried, his eyes wide, "Why?"
"It is the proper thing to do," Paulettina returned, "And as a gentleman and Head Boy, you have no right to be indecent."
Albus looked at Paulettina with loathing and pleading both in his eyes. Paulettina looked straight back at him without blinking.
"Fine," Albus sighed, and began slicing his meat.
On Saturday evenings, the Great Hall was turned into a ballroom, for, at that time, it was only proper to have entertainment after dinner. During the week, that was not possible, as the students all had homework, but on Saturday, there was a quintet to play music and they all went down to play cards, chat, and dance. These nights were greatly enjoyed by all the students, as well as the faculty, for it was a chance for them all to let go. The girls dressed in their finest and fought over the vanities and mirrors to check their hair dozens of times over, the younger ones looking forward to the Butterbeer and sweets that were provided, the elder ones hoping and praying that the boy they fancied would write his name in her book. The boys all came down in packs, usually by house and year, the younger ones...Looking forward to the Butterbeer and sweets that were provided, the elder ones trying to work up the nerve to write his name in the book of whatever girl he fancied.
Albus Dumbledore was never nervous about these dances. While, as was pointed out before, no girl had ever paid much attention to him, he was an excellent dancer, and when he finally started dancing with girls (in his fifth year), he was a prefect, and therefore very sought-after. Now, of course, every girl smiled at him as he passed by, and he obliged their fancies and danced with everyone. Of course, his favorite was Paulettina, who was light and graceful on her feet, and was always ready to dance some more. Nicholas was a good dancer as well, though he lacked the spring that Albus had, he certainly did not lack grace, and he, too, was sought-after.
Albus looked at himself in the full-length mirror in their dormitory, adjusting his jacket a little, and straightening his handkerchief in his pocket.
"How do I look?" He said, turning to Nicholas.
"What does it matter?" Nicholas replied, "You will dance with every pretty girl in the room and they will all fall madly in love with you."
"Nicholas, do not be sarcastic," Albus exclaimed, "How do I look?"
Nicholas sighed and surveyed Albus, "You look decent, respectable, hard-working and clever. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Albus said, though he was highly unsatisfied with Nicholas' answer. He had hoped for words like dashing, bold, handsome. Of course, he couldn't expect these sort of answers from his best friend, much less a man.
They made their way from the dorm and down to the Great Hall, from which a lively air was coming. As they entered, Albus looked around at the hundreds of people, and then up at the sky, which was very dark and clear, the stars freckling it lightly.
"Come on," Nicholas tugged at his sleeve, "Go find someone to dance with."
As they wandered among the many groups of girls, stopping occasionally to write their names in a book, Albus could not help but be very distracted from the small talk. Nicholas was more alert and polite on these occasions, though he did not much like society, and covered for Albus in particular that night.
The seventh-year Hufflepuff girls entered and, immediately, several young men swarmed over to them, to fill out their books. It was Albus' last chance.
"Excuse me," Albus said to the group of Slytherins they were talking to, "I must attend to someone I promised a dance to tonight."
He bowed, and walked hurriedly over to the group of boys that was gathered around the Hufflepuffs. As he pushed his way through, he saw Gabriella, in a dark blue dress, flirting with a Ravenclaw, and the other girls from his Herbology class. He did not see Poppy, however, and was just turning, when he heard Gabriella call out shrilly, "Poppy! Poppy dearest! Come here!"
Albus turned back and saw Poppy, wearing a deep red dress that looked stunning on her, smiling politely as she entered into the group. Immediately, her book was taken, and Albus watched in despair as it slowly began to fill up with names that were not his.
When he finally managed to grasp it, they were quite alone.
"Mister Dumbledore!" Poppy said in surprise.
"Miss Pomfrey," Albus replied calmly.
"What are you - How are you this evening?" She recovered quickly. She eyed her book in his hands, as though she wanted to snatch it back.
"I am quite well," Albus returned, and promptly filled out his name on three waltzes in which the dancers did not change partners, so that he would have all the time to speak with her. He handed it back.
"I must attend to Miss Hallings, if you will excuse me," He bowed, and walked swiftly away.
"Miss Pomfrey?" A handsome Slytherin approached her, "It is our dance?"
"What? Oh, yes, forgive me," Poppy bowed, and then took his arm.
Throughout the dance, however, she watched Albus, who was dancing with Miss Virginia Hallings of Ravenclaw, the same red-haired girl who Nicholas had ignored. Virginia Hallings batted her eyelashes a lot, and seemed to think that everything Albus said was funny, and he seemed charmed by it. Poppy sighed, hoping that he did not fancy her, for they were not suited for each other. Albus Dumbledore needed someone clever, handsome was not enough, someone like...
"Thank you, Miss Pomfrey," The Slytherin bowed, and Poppy was soon swept away into another young man's arms.
After eight dances, Poppy was feeling very worn and her hair was drooping, so, after making sure that she did not have a name down for that particular dance, she retreated to the powder room to freshen up. Inside the powder room it was loud, crowded, and uncomfortably hot. Poppy was pinning her hair up again, when someone reached over her and snatched her book away.
Poppy whirled around, "Gabriella!"
"Yes?" Gabriella looked very sour indeed.
"You frightened me."
"Oh?" She did not seem to care. She was too busy looking through Poppy's book, "Hmmmm...How interesting."
"What is it?"
Gabriella handed her back her book, "Nothing. I just noticed that you have three dances with Mister Dumbledore."
"Is something amiss, Gabriella, dearest?"
"I just thought you found him rude and offensive."
"I do."
"But you are still going to dance with him?"
"Well, I can not refuse, that would be insolent! I did not ask him to fill out my book, he did it on his own!"
Gabriella gave Poppy a calculating look, a suspicious look, and then turned and left the room. Poppy felt her stomach contract. Though Gabriella was often upset with her, she hated it, and now she wished that she had never allowed Albus Dumbledore to fill out her book. Having Gabriella upset at her was not worth having Albus Dumbledore dance with her, even if it was three waltzes. Blinking back tears, she fixed her hair again.
All the chatter stopped, however, when there was a knock on the door. The girls all looked at it. The Ravenclaw closest to it opened it slowly.
"I am truly sorry to bother you, ladies, but I am looking for Miss Pomfrey of Hufflepuff, for the dance?"
Poppy stood hurriedly, knocking over the powder dish. She smoothed her dress, and, all eyes on her, walked to the door, where Albus was waiting for her. He offered his arm, and escorted her out onto the dance floor.
There, they began to waltz, and Albus found that Poppy was an excellent dancer. They circled the floor, Poppy's skirts swishing, as she carefully avoided Albus' eyes, which were focused, unwavering, on her face. She passed Gabriella, who was dancing with a young man from their own house, who looked away from her quickly.
"Miss Patil is upset with you?" Albus asked.
"Yes."
"I feared she would be, however, she should not spoil our dance."
"Why did you sign your name in my book? You never have before."
"I wanted to talk to you. I hoped that I could apologize for my rude behavior in the
infirmary on Thursday."
Poppy finally looked up into his eyes, but she did not speak.
"I realize that, in such a private setting, my remarks on your personal preferences of acquaintance, more specifically, Miss Patil and the other ladies of your house, were...Quite a breach in protocol," He echoed Paulettina, "And, as a gentleman, I would like to apologize for my atrocious behavior. Sincerely," He added, for Poppy did not look as though she believed him.
"Your apology is accepted," She said softly.
Albus smiled, "Thank you, Miss Pomfrey. No we have two more dances to become better acquainted."
They bowed, as the first waltz was over, and then began dancing as the quintet struck up a
new song.
They did get better acquainted, in a friendly manner. They talked of their classes, which ones they liked and disliked, and of the teachers. Then Albus told her about his family's estate, Drakelane, which was on the sea, a grand manor house with an enormous stable full of handsome steeds. He spoke fondly of the many paths that wound around the green hills, leading to the seashore, and the trees which were always green, and the salty smell of the sea that he woke to every morning, as well as the fierce storms which raged over them during the winter time. In turn, Poppy told Albus of her family's cottage deep in the woods (keep in mind that, at this time, a cottage was usually a two- or three-story mansion with four to six bedrooms), which her great-great-great grandparents had built and her family had lived in ever since. She spoke of trees that turned the color of blood and sunshine and of soft rains that were warm and made everything smell like wet earth.
"A cottage?" Albus said, "We have a cottage on Drakelane. It rests, hidden between the hills, surrounded by trees, but it is very quaint indeed."
"It sounds lovely," Poppy returned politely, "Our cottage is just the right sort of cottage. It is overgrown with ivy and flowers, and sometimes the roof leaks a bit, but there is always the smell of something cooking and in the spring there are wildflowers right outside the threshold."
"It sounds positively charming."
"It is, and I love it dearly. You must come see it sometime, for I think it would suit you. We have a large study in which you could sit and do your research, if you did not like visiting with my family - " Poppy stopped suddenly. Had she just invited him to her house?!
"Is something amiss?" Albus asked, hiding his laughter.
"No, excuse me, I just tripped a bit over my hem."
"I should like that very much," He smiled, "And when I return to Drakelane, you must come with me, for I would like so much to return your hospitality."
"Oh, but, I fear I would be out of place in such a large manor."
"Do not fear!" Albus cried, "For my family would welcome you with open arms, for they love young, handsome people and you quite fit the profile. My family are very affable people, and very wise, as well as talented. You would like them, I have no doubt."
Poppy was about to answer, when the last note of the waltz was drawn, and everyone stopped dancing. She and Albus bowed, and then parted. Albus went off to find Nicholas, and Poppy found a house elf and took a glass of Butterbeer from her tray. Then, she stole out to the entrance hall, and into the front lawn, to sit on the steps, her glass in hand. It was very improper, but the night was so chilly that she was assured no one would find her.
What am I doing? She wondered to herself, Asking Albus Dumbledore, a man I hardly know, to come stay with my family at our cottage? He has a cottage...On his estate! He is rich, and though I myself am by no means lacking finance...Well, he is rich and from an estimable family! No doubt that he had never heard of the Pomfreys before he met me! And he wants me to go stay with his family! They would, without a doubt, despise me for not being part of respectable, Wizarding society. Well, we are not disrespectful, just not very well known. And what of those rumors about him and that French girl...But that supposedly was fruitless and in vain. Oh, but I would love so much to go to Drakelane and stay with him, he's so charming, I never would have thought - Oh, stop lying to yourself! He has been just as charming ever since your first year and you know that you are quite -
Poppy dropped her glass, and it shattered on the step below her. The pieces shone brightly in the moonlight. She nearly slapped herself. Albus Dumbledore was, without a doubt, very charming, but he was not interested in her for anything more than friendship. So there was no point in doting on him. Poppy pulled out her wand.
"Reparo," She said, pointing at the broken shards of glass. They were swept together and became a full glass again. Holding the glass in one hand, Poppy brushed off her dress with the other, and then swept up the steps back into the hall.