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Beware-If flames are sent our floo powder is ready.

~~Unexpected Surprises~~

It was just as class was wrapping up that the idea came to her. Rushing to her office, she threw floo powder into the fireplace and called out.

"Hello, is anyone home?"

A tall slender woman with long blonde hair walked into the room and a look of joy lit her features when she spotted the head in her fireplace. "Hi darling, how are you? To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Minerva watched as her mother gracefully settled into a comfortable looking armchair. "Hi mother, I am doing fine. I have a slight problem and was hoping you could help."

Athena's green eyes, which were a shade lighter than her daughters, took on a very interested look. Minerva rarely came to her for advice and she was sure that this visit had little to do with the matter they were about to discuss. "I will help in any way I can. I hope it isn't anything very serious."

"Well, it could be serious but I really don't know yet." Minerva allowed her forehead to crease with worry. She had to convince her mother that she was genuinely concerned if her plan was to work. "On Sunday during my outing with Albus, I dropped off my remembrall which has been acting very peculiar of late." Minerva's trained eyes picked up on the slight tension that had infused her mother's body at her words. Her hunch had been right after all. "Dervish and Banges fixed it and sent me a letter yesterday saying a spell had been cast on it. Maybe it is nothing to worry about but I don't know what spell was cast or what the intended outcome was supposed to be. Do you think someone was trying to harm me?"

Athena's heart was beating a little faster. She cleared her throat before she began to speak. She knew Minerva would have figured her out eventually but this quickly was completely unexpected. "I can't imagine why anyone would try and harm you. Perhaps it is nothing. Maybe one of your students was trying to play a prank but you beat them to it."

"Even if it was something that simple, it could still have harmed me-depending on the spell of course. Children many times, as I am sure you are aware, act without thinking. Perhaps I should bring the matter to the Headmaster. If a student was playing a prank, we should try and find out who it is so they do not do it again." Minerva was pretty sure that this line of reasoning would bring her mother to the point of confession. Athena was very adamant about taking responsibility for one's own actions.

"This was devious even for you. And to use my own weaknesses against me…one day you will make a fine mother yourself." Her exasperation was not long lived and she chuckled before continuing. "You have figured me out! I put a spell on your remembrall. But I promise it was only for your own good."

Minerva looked triumphant as she listened to her mother. "I knew you had done it. It occurred to me that the only time I had left it alone and not within the protection of my rooms was when I visited you and Daddy at the end of the summer."

"I should have known you would figure it out sooner rather than later." Athena clasped her hands together. "When did you first notice the unusual activity?"

"Since the beginning of the term it has glowed nearly constantly so when Albus asked me to go to Hogsmeade, I decided to take it in to Dervish and Banges. I have no idea what the spell was but the weekend I took it in, it didn't light up once." Minerva was very suspicious of her mother. She had a very good heart and was sensible but she was always attempting to set her up or schedule her social life.

"That is very interesting. Isn't Albus the professor that you don't get along with? What were you doing spending the day with him?"

Minerva suddenly felt very self-conscious. How did she answer such a question without ending up in a long discussion with her ever-curious mother? "It is a long story but suffice to say we learned a lot about each other last weekend. We were ordered to spend time together to try and mend our differences and I am beginning to care for him quite a bit." Minerva felt her neck and face start to warm. "Now what was the spell? Distraction won't work with me."

"If you promise to come visit and tell me all about your new relationship with Albus, I will tell you." Straightening in her chair, she pointed one of her well manicured fingers in her daughter's direction. "But I don't want any lectures because I promise not to do it again."

With a long sigh, Minerva gave up hope. "Alright, I will stop by next week and tell you all about the weekend. But I want you to know that there is not much to tell, yet."

Athena noticed the coy smile Minerva was trying to hide and she was delighted to see her daughter interested in a man again. She had concerns about Albus Dumbledore's age and his past harassment of her only daughter but she would hear Minerva out. After all, it had been a long time since Minerva had been in such a good mood. "It was a spell that tracked the level of fun you were having. If you were unhappy or not enjoying life, it would glow as if you had forgotten something. And I am afraid to say that having fun is definitely something you have forgotten how to do." By the look on her dearest daughter's face, she knew there would be much explaining to come. She was grateful she hadn't mentioned the charm she had put on her own remembrall to mimic Minerva's in order to keep track of her.

The following day was one of the hardest that Minerva had ever faced as a teacher. No matter how hard she tried to impress upon the students the seriousness of the dark arts, there were some that found it a waste of time. There were also those that caught on quickly to the lessons and having completed the task set before them began to disrupt the rest of the class. Such was the case today.

"Can you believe the nerve of that cranky old bat?! I mean, she gave me a weeks worth of detention with her AND took 50 house points…and all because those stupid Slytherins can't seem to properly repel a grindylow."

"Well, um…you did cause quite a disruption with your taunts. But I think the real reason she gave you such a harsh punishment was because the grindylow actually managed to attack them as a result of your interference and the distraction you caused. I'm not taking her side, but she did warn us of the importance of complete concentration. Just be thankful she didn't sentence you to a week of detention in the dungeons. The last one to suffer that punishment was in the hospital for two days afterwards."

"How can you stand there and take her side? The Slytherins are far behind us Gryffindors when it comes to the practical applications of magic and Professor McGonagall should realize that. I was merely pointing out their weaknesses. That's nothing less than they deserve. Now, I have to spend an entire week with that mean, horrid woman. I bet you she's so mean and cranky, she doesn't even have a boyfriend. For that matter, I bet you there isn't a single person that could ever love her. She's just sour and nobody likes to be around somebody so bitter."

Albus Dumbledore was on his way from the library to his office when he stopped to adjust the stack of books in his arms. He was shocked to hear his Gryffindors verbally attacking a teacher behind her back. Just then, he rounded the corner to confront the boys.

"I had hoped that my ears were being deceptive but alas…they were not. Would you care to explain to me why you are standing in the hallway using such language about your professor?" Both boys looked away shyly as Dumbledore's eyes pierced right through them and caused them to squirm.

"Professor Dumbledore, I was merely expressing my opinion about something that happened today. You see, Professor McGonagall gave me a week of detention and deducted house points merely because I pointed out that Slytherins were slower in mentality than the Gryffindors. And…well…things sorta got out of hand."

Once again, Albus peered down at the gentlemen before him. Choosing his words carefully, he began to express his own views on this topic. "First of all, it sounds to me as if Professor McGonagall was a bit lenient on you. After all, she did warn you of the dangers and then you put another student at risk. I am sure it was an accident but that is why you must always pay attention to your teacher's instructions. You should consider yourself lucky that your punishment was not worse." Both students nodded and a slight hint of embarrassment crept into their cheeks. However, Dumbledore was not finished with his little speech.

"Now I wish to address your attack on a teacher. I am extremely ashamed of both of you. Professor McGonagall is strict because she fully understands the importance of what she is trying to teach you. She knows that the things you learn here, may one day save your lives and it is with a high sense of caring and compassion that she attempts to impress upon you the importance of learning." Thinking that the worst was over, the two boys started to walk away, with bowed heads, but they were in for one last little scolding. Dumbledore began to speak again but this time his voice had taken on a different tone.

"As for her personal life, there are many things about the teachers at Hogwarts, which you are not made aware of…and that is as it should be. You only see us during the school hours and therefore it is only a brief glimpse of our personalities. For instance, did you know that I love chamber music or that I own a phoenix?" Both boys shook their heads and listened more closely. "There are fascinating things about the other professors that you simply do not realize. Perhaps if you spent more time observing them or listening to their lectures, you might discover they are not mean, sour, or horrid." Pausing to let his words sink in, he could almost see their attitudes change.

"I am sure that your words about Professor McGonagall were spoken in the heat of anger but can you imagine how it might have hurt her feelings had she heard you speak them? She must be stern with you because of the dangers involved in teaching the dark arts class. I can assure you, there was nothing personal about her deduction of house points or your detention. It would have been the same for any Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw student. Of course, you will understand that your actions were uncalled for and therefore, I am deducting 10 points from Gryffindor for you lack of respect for a teacher.  Now, it is almost time for dinner so I suggest you both make your way to the Great Hall."

As the students began to quietly make their way down the long corridor, Albus made one last comment. "And please be more careful about speaking words in anger. You never know who might overhear you." Making his way to his own chambers, Albus couldn't help but smile. A short while ago he would have completely agreed with their opinions, but since he had spent some time with Minerva, his thoughts of her had dramatically changed. Now he could see beyond the stern façade to a fascinating young woman.

Minerva McGonagall silently stepped back into the staff room. She had been on her way to her private quarters when she overheard the students discussing the afternoon events. She was just about to confront them when she heard a familiar voice. It was Albus. As she listened to his reprimand of the young boys, she felt slightly comforted, and that surprised her. She knew that it hadn't been so very long ago that he would have expressed the same thoughts of her, both personally and professionally. But hearing him defend her teaching methods and then her, personally, she felt somehow vindicated. The pain caused by those hurtful words had been wiped away and she was left with a wonderful sense of contentment.

Albus was up early on Friday morning and was staring into a cup of morning tea when a trilling note broke his concentration. "Fawkes, I am sorry if you feel ignored. I am just having some trouble making a decision." A line of beautiful notes cascaded through the air in answer to his speculation. "Perhaps you are right. In that case, I will do it tonight. I am lucky to have such a wise friend." Fawkes flew over to the arm of his favorite chair and rubbed his head against Albus' cheek before flying out the window. Sighing to himself, Albus started to plan.

At breakfast and through the rest of the day, Albus Dumbledore was more reserved than usual. Even the students were speculating on what had upset one of their favorite professors. Minerva had tried in vain to discover what had upset him but he repeatedly told her nothing was wrong and instead gave her a mysterious smile. She was a bit nervous that she had offended him in some way but had quickly dismissed that thought. Albus was not one to hide his true feelings and would have told her if he was upset. Their meeting with Headmaster Dippet was only hours away so she decided to leave the issue alone and maybe it would resolve itself.

Armando Dippet sat across from Albus Dumbledore with a smile of immense pleasure on his face. The meeting between the two of them and Professor McGonagall had ended only minutes earlier and Albus had asked to stay behind for a private conference. Within moments, he had revealed his reasons and Armando could not be more pleased. It explained why Albus had been acting in such a strange fashion all day. With a few pieces of advice, he sent one of his beloved teachers on his way.

Minerva was very nervous. Not only had Albus' mood not improved in the least but he seemed to be worse when she met up with him before heading to Armando's office. The meeting itself had gone well but when Albus had asked to stay behind, she started to doubt whether her earlier dismissal had been in haste. All day, they had not discussed seeing each other this weekend or starting another game of chess. Entering her office to finish grading the rest of her class' papers before the weekend, Minerva noticed a single, beautiful red rose lying on her desk. Stunned, she gently picked it up and caressed the soft petals with her fingers. She felt his presence behind her even before he spoke.

"Minerva, both last weekend and this past week I have slowly been getting to know the real you. The experience has been wonderful and I find myself looking forward to each day and the new discoveries I will make. I would be honored if you would grant me the pleasure of escorting you to dinner tomorrow night."

Minerva's heart was fluttering with happiness. She slowly turned with the rose clutched in her hand. "Albus Dumbledore, are you asking me out on a date?"

A little flustered at the unexpected question, Albus turned a slight shade of pink. "Yes, I would consider this a date. But of course, if you would rather stay friends…" Albus' voice left him at that moment. He could not bring himself to say that he would be fine if that is what she decided. So he simply waited for a response.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Again, we would like to say thanks to all of you who took the time to read the story and review. If you're reading the story and haven't reviewed....what are you waiting for???