Chapter Thirteen
April 15th, 1945
The weeks had passed quickly as the term wore on. Minerva had her routine of classes, study groups, and other academic tasks to sustain her while Dumbledore was in France for days at a time, always returning a little more worried and haggard. She no longer needed to ask him how the war on the continent was progressing. She could see it in his eyes. Grindelwald would never be defeated. It would require something of a miracle.
Then, one morning as Minerva made her way toward the Great Hall for an early breakfast, she heard raised voices in the staff room. She paused and listened as she recognized the voice of Headmaster Dippet.
"This is final, Albus. You cannot return to the continent until the school year is over. It has become much too dangerous."
"But, Armando, they are close, very close, to locating his stronghold. They will need every possible resource to defeat him. If I remain here ..." said Dumbledore, the barest hint of desperation in his voice.
"You are only one man, Albus. I cannot spare your talents any longer. You have students taking their tests soon. You must be here for them. Your friends must simply make do." said Dippet with a note of finality in his tone.
Minerva frowned. Was the headmaster a fool? Albus should go where he was needed. That was imperative. He had supported his friends and colleagues aboard for a long time. How could he be expected to abandon them at this juncture?
"You don't understand the magnitude of the conflict ..." Dumbledore started to say.
"That is quite enough. You have a future here, Albus, and everyone knows that. Don't say anything rash, anything that you might regret." Dippet warned him sternly.
There was a short silence. Minerva strained to hear what was said thereafter.
"And everyone else on the faculty concurs with your decision?" Dumbledore questioned.
"I am the headmaster of this school. I don't need their support in this matter. Remember that you were granted an extraordinary amount of latitude this year, Albus." said Dippet.
"And for that I am grateful." said Dumbledore resignedly.
"Thank you, Albus, now I am going to have a spot of breakfast. Don't you have a bit of business to take care of?" inquired Headmaster Dippet conversationally.
"In just a moment."
Minerva ducked around a corner as the staff room door opened. She listened as she heard the sound of retreating footsteps, Dippet going to have his breakfast, not at all bothered by the fact that his actions might condemn many on the continent to death. He might believe that Albus Dumbledore was only one man, but Minerva knew that he was a powerful ally to the forces of good and a wizard to be reckoned with, though he often chose to exhibit a certain modesty and humility that belied his greatness.
When she was quite sure that Dippet had gone, she walked to the staff room door and peered cautiously inside. Professor Dumbledore was standing behind the high backed chair that stood before the hearth. The chair where Professor Binns had died, she noted, stepping into the room. Dumbledore glanced over his shoulder and smiled rather sadly.
"I knew you were around." he said to her. "Knowing that helped me to keep my temper."
"I certainly would have lost mine." said Minerva.
"You heard all of that then?"
"I heard ... enough." she nodded.
"As did I." he agreed laughing quietly.
"What will you do now?" she asked, noticing only as he turned toward her that his nose had been broken and that his left arm was in a sling. She gasped aloud and asked, "What the devil happened to you, Albus?"
"Which question to answer." he mused.
"Albus, you must go and see Madam Plummer straight away. Your nose ... You should have something done." she said, reaching out to touch his face.
He leaned down slightly as she stood on tip-toe to examine his face, cupping it in her hands very gently. His eyes twinkled softly.
"It has healed of its own accord, Minerva. I think I shall consider it a souvenir from the war."
"It ... doesn't look so bad really ... I suppose." she said hesitantly.
It was difficult for Minerva to say. She had always believed that his long nose was very regal and noble looking, making him appear all the more wise and learned. Now it was rather crooked and skewed.
"But weren't there any mediwitches or wizards over there?" she questioned.
"Precious few, Minerva, and none who could waste the time to treat such trifles as this. And I trust you understand the difficulty involved in doing myself." he said.
"Quite." she nodded. Most witches and wizards would balk at the idea of trying to heal their own broken nose. The aim required was a bit too precarious to attempt cross-eyed.
"My arm is another matter. I intend to have it look at." said Dumbledore.
"May I walk with you to the hospital wing then?" questioned Minerva.
"I imagine that you were on your way to have breakfast."
"Yes, but it can certainly wait."
"Thank you, Minerva. You are always a great comfort to me." he said.
"Rubbish." she muttered, taking him by his uninjured arm and leading him out of the staff room. "Now, are you going to tell me how you wound up in this sorry state or must I guess?" she questioned.
"It was a particularly violent disarming charm cast by an overconfident Dark Wizard during yet another ambush. I dare say that he planned to have some fun using one or two of the Unforgivables, but Thibault caught him from behind rather nicely with a petrifying spell." explained Dumbledore as they walked.
Minerva shuddered involuntarily at the thought and at her mentor's easy-going, nonchalant description of the incident.
Albus squeezed her hand, adding, "It wasn't so bad, Minerva."
"But it could have been."
"Well, you won't have to worry about me until summer now."
"So you will be abiding by Headmaster Dippet's decision then?" she questioned.
"I have a responsibility to my students, about that there can be no mistake. I do not think the headmaster would hesitate to let me go, future here or not. He has the authority and the will to use it. For now that is enough to keep me here and out of trouble, though there may come a time ..."
"Yes?"
"I have said too much perhaps on this matter." he said.
"If they find him, you will go?" Minerva questioned quietly.
"Thibault will owl me when that happens, and, yes, I shall probably answer the summons." he nodded.
Minerva said nothing. She could almost sense what Albus was thinking. When Grindelwald was found, he would go and face the Dark Wizard himself. She knew he was considering that course of action. He was a Gryffindor, and she knew him well. But she merely tightened her grip upon his uninjured arm and said nothing. There was nothing to say in the matter. Only time could tell how it would be resolved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Warning long review responses ahead.
Serenity Raye: I really appreciate your comments about Dumbledore's conduct. I have to admit that I briefly considered him taking care of her there, but the characters would not cooperate (and for good reason!). Hmm... Who is teaching Dumbledore's classes? Well, unlike Care of Magical Creatures, finding a good substitute for Transfigurations' is probably a bit difficult, so difficult in fact that even the author could not neatly resolve the dilemma. Technically, judging by the constantly mentioned study group, one must picture an incompentent assistant professor of some sort (though in my experience these sort of people, 'incompetent' and 'assistant professor', do not exist in real life - or I was very lucky). I thought about creating an OC for the position, but decided that I had reached my limit. Good question though. Krohn is a different story too. He has the ability to make her angry like no one else alive. It's that little bit of temper that we see at the end of GoF (mellows over time like with most people). As for the other professors, I assume you mean the exchange with Dippet and Binns, I think she acted like a regular student, considering the circumstances. (The first chapter of the sequel should be posted in a day or so.) Thank you very much for reviewing!
MK: You like Voldemort? It's the eyes, isn't it? Thanks for the review!
Freelancer: Don't worry about it. I love your stories, but my reviews are usually also influenced by the amount of caffeine/sugar I have had, so I doubt they are all that helpful. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the Ravenclaw Quidditch win (I'm a Slytherin, so they never lose to Gryffindor in my stories, but Ravenclaw is my second favorite house). I wonder about Olive Hornby a lot from her being mentioned in CoS. She makes a good Slytherin in my opinion. As for the orphan thing, Tom is the consummate Slytherin and would say or have his 'followers' say anything necessary to bully or manipulate Minerva. He's a strategist too, I imagine, very calculating. And I wonder if everyone knows about his origins (the professors, of course), but did his house mates know everything? I see Tom as waiting for the day that Grindelwald comes to England with great anticipation (maybe he saw Grindelwald as a role model). Meh ... Too much speculation. I'm hoping for a horrible death for Voldie too. Your comment about going somewhere with Krohn ... in the story was very amusing. Certainly not in real life. He would never go anywhere with me *sulks* not that I would want him to. Long story. Good luck with Romeo and Juliet! And thanks for reviewing!
Whisper: I admit the end of chapter ... um, eleven was lacking a little clarity or consistency or something. I was trying to convey a sense of Dumbledore not knowing exactly how Minerva feels about him. (Does anyone ever know exactly what someone else feels?) Meh ... Maybe I could have been more clear. You do psychology? Cool! That was my major in school. Tom Riddle is seventeen (7th year). I'm almost certain his timeline is correct. Actually Tom has already gotten away with the Chamber of Secrets incident - that would have been during the 1942-43 school year, right? I took the fifty years between him opening it and HP & CoS literally. I'm glad you liked the appearance by Olive (it was going to be either her or Sybill Trelawney and I kind of like Sybill, so ...). Thank you very much for the reviews!
April 15th, 1945
The weeks had passed quickly as the term wore on. Minerva had her routine of classes, study groups, and other academic tasks to sustain her while Dumbledore was in France for days at a time, always returning a little more worried and haggard. She no longer needed to ask him how the war on the continent was progressing. She could see it in his eyes. Grindelwald would never be defeated. It would require something of a miracle.
Then, one morning as Minerva made her way toward the Great Hall for an early breakfast, she heard raised voices in the staff room. She paused and listened as she recognized the voice of Headmaster Dippet.
"This is final, Albus. You cannot return to the continent until the school year is over. It has become much too dangerous."
"But, Armando, they are close, very close, to locating his stronghold. They will need every possible resource to defeat him. If I remain here ..." said Dumbledore, the barest hint of desperation in his voice.
"You are only one man, Albus. I cannot spare your talents any longer. You have students taking their tests soon. You must be here for them. Your friends must simply make do." said Dippet with a note of finality in his tone.
Minerva frowned. Was the headmaster a fool? Albus should go where he was needed. That was imperative. He had supported his friends and colleagues aboard for a long time. How could he be expected to abandon them at this juncture?
"You don't understand the magnitude of the conflict ..." Dumbledore started to say.
"That is quite enough. You have a future here, Albus, and everyone knows that. Don't say anything rash, anything that you might regret." Dippet warned him sternly.
There was a short silence. Minerva strained to hear what was said thereafter.
"And everyone else on the faculty concurs with your decision?" Dumbledore questioned.
"I am the headmaster of this school. I don't need their support in this matter. Remember that you were granted an extraordinary amount of latitude this year, Albus." said Dippet.
"And for that I am grateful." said Dumbledore resignedly.
"Thank you, Albus, now I am going to have a spot of breakfast. Don't you have a bit of business to take care of?" inquired Headmaster Dippet conversationally.
"In just a moment."
Minerva ducked around a corner as the staff room door opened. She listened as she heard the sound of retreating footsteps, Dippet going to have his breakfast, not at all bothered by the fact that his actions might condemn many on the continent to death. He might believe that Albus Dumbledore was only one man, but Minerva knew that he was a powerful ally to the forces of good and a wizard to be reckoned with, though he often chose to exhibit a certain modesty and humility that belied his greatness.
When she was quite sure that Dippet had gone, she walked to the staff room door and peered cautiously inside. Professor Dumbledore was standing behind the high backed chair that stood before the hearth. The chair where Professor Binns had died, she noted, stepping into the room. Dumbledore glanced over his shoulder and smiled rather sadly.
"I knew you were around." he said to her. "Knowing that helped me to keep my temper."
"I certainly would have lost mine." said Minerva.
"You heard all of that then?"
"I heard ... enough." she nodded.
"As did I." he agreed laughing quietly.
"What will you do now?" she asked, noticing only as he turned toward her that his nose had been broken and that his left arm was in a sling. She gasped aloud and asked, "What the devil happened to you, Albus?"
"Which question to answer." he mused.
"Albus, you must go and see Madam Plummer straight away. Your nose ... You should have something done." she said, reaching out to touch his face.
He leaned down slightly as she stood on tip-toe to examine his face, cupping it in her hands very gently. His eyes twinkled softly.
"It has healed of its own accord, Minerva. I think I shall consider it a souvenir from the war."
"It ... doesn't look so bad really ... I suppose." she said hesitantly.
It was difficult for Minerva to say. She had always believed that his long nose was very regal and noble looking, making him appear all the more wise and learned. Now it was rather crooked and skewed.
"But weren't there any mediwitches or wizards over there?" she questioned.
"Precious few, Minerva, and none who could waste the time to treat such trifles as this. And I trust you understand the difficulty involved in doing myself." he said.
"Quite." she nodded. Most witches and wizards would balk at the idea of trying to heal their own broken nose. The aim required was a bit too precarious to attempt cross-eyed.
"My arm is another matter. I intend to have it look at." said Dumbledore.
"May I walk with you to the hospital wing then?" questioned Minerva.
"I imagine that you were on your way to have breakfast."
"Yes, but it can certainly wait."
"Thank you, Minerva. You are always a great comfort to me." he said.
"Rubbish." she muttered, taking him by his uninjured arm and leading him out of the staff room. "Now, are you going to tell me how you wound up in this sorry state or must I guess?" she questioned.
"It was a particularly violent disarming charm cast by an overconfident Dark Wizard during yet another ambush. I dare say that he planned to have some fun using one or two of the Unforgivables, but Thibault caught him from behind rather nicely with a petrifying spell." explained Dumbledore as they walked.
Minerva shuddered involuntarily at the thought and at her mentor's easy-going, nonchalant description of the incident.
Albus squeezed her hand, adding, "It wasn't so bad, Minerva."
"But it could have been."
"Well, you won't have to worry about me until summer now."
"So you will be abiding by Headmaster Dippet's decision then?" she questioned.
"I have a responsibility to my students, about that there can be no mistake. I do not think the headmaster would hesitate to let me go, future here or not. He has the authority and the will to use it. For now that is enough to keep me here and out of trouble, though there may come a time ..."
"Yes?"
"I have said too much perhaps on this matter." he said.
"If they find him, you will go?" Minerva questioned quietly.
"Thibault will owl me when that happens, and, yes, I shall probably answer the summons." he nodded.
Minerva said nothing. She could almost sense what Albus was thinking. When Grindelwald was found, he would go and face the Dark Wizard himself. She knew he was considering that course of action. He was a Gryffindor, and she knew him well. But she merely tightened her grip upon his uninjured arm and said nothing. There was nothing to say in the matter. Only time could tell how it would be resolved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Warning long review responses ahead.
Serenity Raye: I really appreciate your comments about Dumbledore's conduct. I have to admit that I briefly considered him taking care of her there, but the characters would not cooperate (and for good reason!). Hmm... Who is teaching Dumbledore's classes? Well, unlike Care of Magical Creatures, finding a good substitute for Transfigurations' is probably a bit difficult, so difficult in fact that even the author could not neatly resolve the dilemma. Technically, judging by the constantly mentioned study group, one must picture an incompentent assistant professor of some sort (though in my experience these sort of people, 'incompetent' and 'assistant professor', do not exist in real life - or I was very lucky). I thought about creating an OC for the position, but decided that I had reached my limit. Good question though. Krohn is a different story too. He has the ability to make her angry like no one else alive. It's that little bit of temper that we see at the end of GoF (mellows over time like with most people). As for the other professors, I assume you mean the exchange with Dippet and Binns, I think she acted like a regular student, considering the circumstances. (The first chapter of the sequel should be posted in a day or so.) Thank you very much for reviewing!
MK: You like Voldemort? It's the eyes, isn't it? Thanks for the review!
Freelancer: Don't worry about it. I love your stories, but my reviews are usually also influenced by the amount of caffeine/sugar I have had, so I doubt they are all that helpful. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the Ravenclaw Quidditch win (I'm a Slytherin, so they never lose to Gryffindor in my stories, but Ravenclaw is my second favorite house). I wonder about Olive Hornby a lot from her being mentioned in CoS. She makes a good Slytherin in my opinion. As for the orphan thing, Tom is the consummate Slytherin and would say or have his 'followers' say anything necessary to bully or manipulate Minerva. He's a strategist too, I imagine, very calculating. And I wonder if everyone knows about his origins (the professors, of course), but did his house mates know everything? I see Tom as waiting for the day that Grindelwald comes to England with great anticipation (maybe he saw Grindelwald as a role model). Meh ... Too much speculation. I'm hoping for a horrible death for Voldie too. Your comment about going somewhere with Krohn ... in the story was very amusing. Certainly not in real life. He would never go anywhere with me *sulks* not that I would want him to. Long story. Good luck with Romeo and Juliet! And thanks for reviewing!
Whisper: I admit the end of chapter ... um, eleven was lacking a little clarity or consistency or something. I was trying to convey a sense of Dumbledore not knowing exactly how Minerva feels about him. (Does anyone ever know exactly what someone else feels?) Meh ... Maybe I could have been more clear. You do psychology? Cool! That was my major in school. Tom Riddle is seventeen (7th year). I'm almost certain his timeline is correct. Actually Tom has already gotten away with the Chamber of Secrets incident - that would have been during the 1942-43 school year, right? I took the fifty years between him opening it and HP & CoS literally. I'm glad you liked the appearance by Olive (it was going to be either her or Sybill Trelawney and I kind of like Sybill, so ...). Thank you very much for the reviews!
