Disclaimer in part 1
A/N: Again French used here, but only a little bit. I can't translate
into English because I'm afraid I haven't done French for 3 years, so I used a
free translator. I'm sure the verbs and words are all wrong, but meh.
Looky! The chapter's been Betad and my lovely Beta
Cait always manages to make this story shape up so much better!
Please review at the end, I plan to keep writing and finishing soon. Your
encouragement keeps me going!
Chapter 4: Meeting Minerva
She was in a hospital bed, sleeping so soundly. Already the
Parisian healers had healed most of her body. You'd never know what she had
looked like when she came in. All she needed now was rest.
Her eyelids fluttered open momentarily. It was so warm here, she didn't feel
like waking up, but she sat up bolt upright and stared fearfully at the man who
was staring intently at her.
Minerva groped around for her wand and found that it wasn't there. Where the
hell was it?
Looking around she realised she was somewhere very white. Memories came crashing
back as she remembered casting a curse only to have someone curse her when her
back was turned.
She was in a hospital she realised. Ah yes, the smell of the antiseptic invaded
her nose.
But who was it that was staring at her looking amused? Was he a healer?
"Where am I?" she asked, her voice raspy from disuse.
"Rue. L'Hôpital de Etienne pour les Maladies Magiques" said the mysterious man.
"I had hoped to meet you in more pleasant circumstances Ms. McGonagall but your
line of work made that a fleeting dream"
She pulled the cover tightly around her body, she didn't recognise him and
wondered who he was.
"Forgive me, my name is Albus Dumbledore. I teach Transfiguration at Hogwarts
School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you would prefer to see a healer before
speaking with me, then I shall summon one." said Albus looking at her with
worry.
"Yes please" she said.
Albus walked to a nearby healer and whispered something; the healer nodded and
made her way over, smiling at Minerva.
Within moments Minerva was checked and dressed. A spell was done and she was
cleaned as well. The healer fluffed up her pillows and magically ordered some
food. Minerva greedily took the water and after smelling the food declined
saying she wasn't that hungry.
The healer chuckled and went on to the next patient.
Albus came back and took up his previous post in the chair beside Minerva's bed.
"Are you comfortable Ms. McGonagall? I can come back when you are well rested
and more comfortable," he said gazing at her worriedly.
"First of all please call me Minerva. I didn't catch your name. Secondly, this
is as good as I'm going to be for a while, you'd be better off' talking to me
now" she said chuckling quietly.
Albus stared a moment longer and then said, "My name is Albus Dumbledore. Please
call me Albus. My employer, Julius Germaine, is the current Headmaster of
Hogwarts. He has requested that I try to persuade you to take up the post of
Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, next term."
He stopped waiting for her reaction.
She closed her eyes. Was this the best opportunity? Teaching? She'd never
thought about it, but she couldn't keep doing this the rest of her life. It was
hard enough recovering from this as it was.
"Very well, I shall think about this carefully. Thank you for the offer" she
said.
Albus nodded and turned away. But before he left his eyes twinkled mischievously
and in front of her appeared a plate of fish, chips and some tea.
"Get well soon Minerva" was all he said before he left her to tuck into some
real food.
She tucked into her plate of fish and chips. Maybe teaching was the best thing
to do.