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Beware-Our Parchment Has Been Charmed To Ward Off Flames.

A/N: First of all, we'd like to say a special THANK YOU to all of those who took time to review our story: Stee Parker, Kemenran, Freelancer, LinZE, isabelle3, Palanfanaiel, Jestana, petriebird18, Griselda La Fey, Tartan Tabby, Cranky Cauldron, uber grasshopper. We're extremely pleased that you liked our first chapter and we can only say...keep those reviews coming! It helps feed our muse and let's us know how we're doing. We hope you enjoy chapter 2 as much, if not more, than the first! Secondly, things written in italics are meant to be either the thoughts of the individual or, in some instances, letters written on parchment. We hope we have made it clear enough in the story so that you can easily distinguish between the two. Happy Reading!

When Forces Collide

Sheer disbelief was etched on the faces of Albus and Minerva. Dippet had managed to shock them both by sentencing them to an entire day spent in the company of the other. Neither one could think of a worse punishment than having to waste an entire Saturday pretending to be civil. Minerva started to speak in protest but Albus had the same idea. Raising a hand to quiet them both, Armando gently reminded them that this matter was not up for debate and the discussion was closed. Rising from their chairs, each nodded and made their way to their separate rooms, without another syllable being uttered between them. Once inside the safety of her own rooms, Minerva began to really fume over the decision of the Headmaster. She knew that he was a fair man but his solution to the supposed problem between her and the overbearing Transfiguration professor had been above and beyond the realms of reasonability. How dare he suggest that I waste an entire Saturday trying to better understand a man with the mentality of a child and the social graces of a flobberworm! I am sure he'll want to do something utterly childish and I will just have to put my foot down and refuse. I will not let him drag me down to his level of behavior. What if a student sees us? Oh Merlin! I hope they will not assume that we are a couple! That would be the worst insult imaginable. Storming about her chambers, Minerva began to straighten things on her desk and dust the various bookshelves, which any observant person would realize didn't need dusting at all. She knew that she needed to be in bed but she was too upset to even consider the possibility of sleeping. Then the full magnitude of Armando's suggestion hit her like a bludger. All of my hard work on these lesson plans will be for nothing! Because of Albus Dumbledore, I will now have to spend all day Sunday adjusting them to accommodate his teaching style. I'm sure he will waste no time at all in telling me the 'correct' way to teach the finer points of the necessary skills of Defense Against the Dark Arts. I should just let him teach my classes as well as his own. Especially since they both think that I'm so naïve. They seemed to feel that the youngest professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would make a total mess of her first few years of teaching and therefore needed a guardian! Well, Albus Dumbledore, we'll see who has the last word on this matter. You may think that because you have been friends with the Headmaster for years that you can manipulate this situation to your advantage but obviously you've never faced a McGonagall temper before. Bubbles are just the beginning of your problems! Several hours passed as Minerva tried to occupy her mind with anything other than Saturday's upcoming events and the drastic measures Dippet had taken to ensure that their behavior was not repeated. After reading the third article on her favorite quidditch team, she decided that she would need all of her strength these next few days and that a sleeping draught was in order. Climbing into her bed and taking the potion brewed to induce sleep, a wily smile graced Minerva McGonagall's face. Her last thoughts were focused on how to skillfully yet tactfully get even with the thorn in her side.

It was the next morning and Albus was still somewhat in shock at Armando's announcement. However, he could see the wisdom of his actions. Forcing them to spend an entire day together was the least of it. Teaching in the other's style would necessitate ongoing contact throughout the week since they would each have many questions. Although he had been friends with the Headmaster for years, Armando still managed to surprise him every now and then.

Spending all day tomorrow with Minerva would be quite challenging. He decided then and there that he would not bring up anything work related until the afternoon. Perhaps that would allow a greater chance of putting their differences behind them.

He had never spent much time with Minerva in a social setting since she had arrived as the newest professor. It just wasn't in the normal routine. There were always so many things to keep one occupied when classes were in session. During the breaks, Albus stayed at Hogwarts since he was the head of Gryffindor but Minerva, having more freedom, always went to visit her family.

No matter what happened, he would try to keep his temper. He was the more mature of the two in both age and temperament so he needed to act as such. He knew well enough that Minerva was perfectly capable of keeping a tight reign on her temper around anyone but him. She was completely insufferable in a professional setting so he could only imagine what she would be like in public. Perhaps he would be lucky and she would realize the error of her ways. The ruffling of Fawkes' feathers as he awoke interrupted Albus' train of thought and he decided to not worry any more about what the future held for him.

Saturday morning came all too soon for the professors and by the looks on their faces, sleep had not been their friend the previous night. However, as she descended the staircase to meet her companion for a day in Diagon Alley, Minerva McGonagall took a deep breath and tried not to let her anger from the last two days show in her actions or expressions. She was sure that spending an entire day with Albus would be absolute torture but she would try to put on a game face and let him worry for a bit. However, in the back of her mind, she knew that ruining the day early on would only make them both more miserable and she tried to force a smile as her vivid green eyes met his blue ones upon reaching the bottom of the stairs.

Albus also knew that he must be very careful not to give this explosive witch a reason to verbally abuse him so early in the day. During dinner on Friday night, Minerva, in her normal indifferent voice and with her cool eyes, had suggested that it would be best to spend the day on neutral ground. Albus had agreed and the bustling wizarding community seemed like the perfect place. However, as he had watched her make her way down the large staircase, he had noticed something different about her. It was almost as if his obstinate colleague had opted to leave her sarcastic attitude behind for the day. But Albus was sure when she spoke, her voice would still contain those sharp tones he'd grown accustomed to hearing.

In an attempt to break the ice and start the day on a good note, Albus gallantly offered her his arm and she reluctantly accepted. Silently they made their way to the edge of the grounds and apparated to the busy wizarding hub of activity.

What should have been an easy decision almost caused a scene in the middle of the street when they arrived. Minerva, being an avid quidditch fan, had already expressed a desire to pop into Quality Quidditch Supplies to inspect the latest racing broom. Albus, on the other hand, was determined to visit Gambol and Japes Joke Shop. He had heard several of the students bragging on the quality of their products as well as the quantity of choices.

"Dumbledore, I absolutely refuse to waste my time in such a childish manner. Honestly, you would think that you're as young as the students you're supposed to teach! What on earth could you find appealing about a shop that caters to the youngest of our world?" Crossing her arms over her chest and raising her eyebrows, she braced herself for the outburst she knew was headed her way.

"Well Minerva, if you weren't so uptight and serious all of the time, you might actually enjoy life. As it is, you spend all of your waking moments perfecting that strict façade we see daily at Hogwarts. And if I am remembering Dippet's instructions correctly, we were told to spend the day together so perhaps it would be a good idea for you to have a quick lesson in compromise. I'm sure even the formidable Professor McGonagall is adult enough, given our current situation. After all, this is the last thing I wanted to do with my Saturday!"

Minerva could feel her cheeks flush crimson with anger and it was becoming harder and harder to keep her voice level to a minimum, although she was sincerely trying not to draw any more attention to them than necessary. "Dumbledore, how can someone so respected in our world be so blind? Do you honestly think that I live a life void of any fun and adventure? Contrary to your beliefs, I do have a life outside of Hogwarts. I have friends, family, and interests that you know nothing about. Just because a grown witch or wizard has chosen to put away their toys does not mean that they stop having fun. By judging others based on your own habits, you perceive the rest of us to be lacking in some way or another. And I don't know about the rest of the wizarding world, but I am becoming extremely tired of being under your constant scrutiny."

Albus bristled at the verbal attack. "How dare you accuse me of judging others based solely on my own lifestyle. Is it a crime to want to see people experience a little bit of fun each day? I realize that you have a life away from school but you are at Hogwarts most of the year and you never go out with the other professors. Every time I have seen you outside of the classroom, you always have that scowl on your face that makes people want to run in the opposite direction. Is that really your goal, Minerva? Do you honestly want the rest of the world to fear and stay away from you…or do you want them to see the side of you that your friends and family seem to love? Believe me, if you are aiming for the former, then you are doing an excellent job."

After several moments in utter silence, but with stern expressions haunting their faces, each realized that they had reached an impasse. They were forced to spend the entire day together and Armando had warned them that he would be watching to make sure they abided by the rules he had set forth.

Albus' words had been harsh but they caused Minerva to think. She didn't want to push anyone away but how could she make him understand that life is not all fun and games? She knew that he was waiting on a response from her and her instincts told her to let him feel her wrath. After all, she had promised herself that she would get even with him. However, her head told her that part of what he said was true. That realization alone caused her to refrain from speaking what was running rampant in her thoughts. Instead, she met his steely gaze with her own and tried to quickly think of her next move. In an effort to draw attention away from his biting remarks and to attempt to salvage the bulk of the day, Minerva came up with a suitable solution.

Since they both thrived on a good book, she suggested that they head to Flourish and Blotts. This seemed like a safe and logical way to waste some time. Sensing her efforts at making a slight recovery from his wounding observations, Albus pushed his anger away and tried to move forward with an attitude of cooperation. He had not intended to hurt her feelings but she just seemed to frustrate him so. He could not understand why someone so young always acted so cold and indifferent to life. Since her arrival at the school, he could not recall seeing her smile, and in some small way that pained him. Agreeing to her suggestion, they walked briskly towards the bookshop in a deafening silence.

Upon entering the establishment, they decided to go their separate ways for a small amount of time. Upon deciding they both needed time to regain their composure, Albus and Minerva split up briefly to inspect the various shelves lined with books. They were astonished to bump into each other half an hour later in the history section. And what was even more amazing was that they were each holding a copy of the same book, picked up from the muggle studies section. Sharing an awkward laugh, Albus offered to buy the book, let Minerva read it first, then add it to his collection. With a sparkle in her eyes that he'd never seen before, Minerva agreed to his proposition with the understanding that she was going to buy lunch as a form of repayment.

Lunchtime in Diagon Alley was always busy. Mothers and their children usually arrived in the crowded street, along with those not accustomed to rising early on a weekend. It was Albus who suggested purchasing some sandwiches and butterbeer at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. However, they were certainly not prepared for the attention they received.

Ollivander, who took immense pleasure in outfitting each new witch or wizard with their first wands, stopped by their table. A look of delight crossed his face when he congratulated Albus on finally bucking up the courage to ask a young lady out on a date. At the mere mention of this ridiculous idea, Minerva bristled and wasted no time in informing Mr. Ollivander that they were not now, nor would they ever be, an item. "Mr. Ollivander, you certainly cannot believe that I would waste my time on someone as childish and overbearing as Albus Dumbledore!"

Not willing to let this personal attack go unnoticed, Albus chimed in with his own thoughts on the idea. "Surely, you will give me more credit Ollivander! How could you even entertain the notion that I would find Miss McGonagall appealing in any sense of the word? We are complete opposites and are only here at the request of Headmaster Dippet. Now if you would excuse me, I would like to see about getting a cone of ice cream before continuing with this horrifically long day!" Sensing a hornet's nest being stirred, Ollivander quickly made his excuses and ventured off even more confused than ever.