Disclaimer: Read the disclaimer at the top of the other pages.. .. I'm not writing it out again.~~
Headmaster Armando Dippet listened attentively as Minerva McGonagall sat in front of him, hand in Dumbledore's for support, and reported the incidents of Tom Marvolo Riddle's violation. It was difficult to believe… just last year Riddle had discovered who had opened the Chamber of Secrets… he was a hero…. it hardly seemed like the behavior of the 5th year prefect who had saved lives by reporting Hagrid. On the other hand, Minerva McGonagall was the ideal student. She had served as a prefect for two consecutive years before becoming head Girl… she had gotten Outstandings on all of her O.W.L.s and had always been at the top of every class. She never got in trouble… she wouldn't make a story like this up.
He now looked at the girl, who was in morbid tears. He could tell from the way Dumbledore looked at her that she had not wanted to come forward and had done so only at his plea. He watched her as she sat and cried, her story finished. Dumbledore put his arm around her for support. He had been her legal guardian since Minerva was six, when her mother had died, leaving her an orphan. Her father had died when she was four.
Dippet knew that Minerva wasn't lying… he didn't know how, but he knew she wasn't lying.
"Tell me again… you said your memory was erased, right?"
"Yes, sir… when I woke up, I remembered being in the corridor and blacking out and then I woke up".
"How do you know it was Mr. Riddle then if your memory was tampered with?"
She had hoped that Dippet wouldn't ask her that.
"Well, you see sir", she started, choosing her words carefully as to not reveal the fact that she was an Animagus, "I couldn't sleep, so I went for a stroll… and I overheard him talking about it to Lucius Malfoy and some other Slytherin."
"Did they see you?"
"No sir… they didn't see me. They were talking about doing it again, as a matter of fact".
"Very well".
Minerva sighed.
"You did the right thing coming forward, Ms. McGonagall; even if you don't feel comfortable now, you will once Mr. Riddle gets his sentence."
Minerva nodded.
"Of course, veritaserum will be administered…"
"Understandable".
Dumbledore sent Dippet a message with his eyes.
"You've shown true Gryffindor courage, Ms. McGonagall… and now that you're here, I might as well take advantage of that…"
Minerva looked at him attentively.
"I've served as Headmaster of Hogwarts for most of my life… but it's time for me to move on. I'm old… heck, I'm ancient… and I'm appointed Professor Dumbledore as the hew Headmaster of Hogwarts".
He paused.
"wonderful as that is, it leaves me in a bit of a tight spot… you see, now I need to find a qualified Transfigurations professor… and I was wondering if you'd be interested in the position".
Minerva's eyes widened.
"Interested? But of course!"
Dippet smiled at her.
"In that case, I'll need to see you tomorrow morning so we can finish this discussion, Professor McGonagall".
Minerva was ecstatic. She didn't know what to say.
"I'm speechless, sir…"
Dippet laughed.
"We'll talk tomorrow then… about the position itself and your responsibilities as Head of Gryffindor House…"
Minerva nodded once more.
"I do have a question, sir… I haven't even taken my N.E.W.T.s or filled out my application—"
"Your qualifications are no issue, Mc. McGonagall…. And I know you'll do fine on your exams".
"Thank you, sir".
As Dumbledore walked Minerva back to her room, she stopped and turned to him.
"You knew, didn't you?"
"About the position? Yes… for a few days now… I also have another offer for you… Dippet insists that I have a Deputy and there's no one I trust more, but I'll tell you more about that tomorrow."
She nodded.
"So that's why you said I needn't forget anything…"
She fell silent.
"How did you… how long… how did you know… Daddy, how did you know about Tom?"
Dumbledore sighed.
"I just knew, Kitten… I've been with you since you were six… I just knew. I am, however, a bit disappointed in that you didn't at least seek out Poppy's help… have you ever considered the other outcomes of that night?"
"I did… no need to worry, everything's normal… it's been three months Daddy, I would have notice by now if I was off… but even if it had worked out that way, I would have loved that child with all my heart and soul".
"I know you would… Kitten, were you really going to keep it a secret forever?"
"That was my intent, yes… but now I guess that's all been changed".
"Minerva, Remus loves you."
"Huh? How did this turn into talking about Remus all of a sudden?"
"You're not listening, Kitten… he loves you…."
"Yes, I know…".
"Kitten, I'm not talking about some fly-by-night Broadway romance…"
"I know Daddy… and I love him just the same."
"You're of age, you know… and you'll be graduating soon… have you ever considered the possibility that Remus might ask you to marry him?"
"Why? Daddy, you know something I don't, what do you know that you're not telling me?"
Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling beyond belief.
"I know what you know, Minerva… that he loves you… I see the way he looks at you…. It's pure love Minerva, and nothing else".
"Actually… I have given the matter some thought… and nothing would make me happier than to marry Remus, but… for now, I can't rush into anything".
They talked for another solid twenty minutes and then they finally parted. So much had happened that day. Who knew what tomorrow would bring.~