Scene Four: Explanations
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"Dumbledore!"
Armando Dippet needed all strength left in his aging body to hold the younger man back from actually attacking Albus. He managed, though, to his great surprise.
"Marcus, calm down and explain before you do something rash. What's the matter?"
He asked this, though he very well knew what was the matter. Or at least- he thought he did.
"My daughter- my daughter…" the tall man stammered, casting dangerous glances at Albus.
"My daughter- she's…"
"Dead?" guessed the Minister calmly. He almost smiled. The next stage of anger would probably be smoke coming out of Marcus' nose and ears. And that, well, even the old, crooked, wrinkled ex-Headmaster of Hogwarts recalled that was quite a funny idea.
But as Marcus McGonagall turned his glare now at Armando Dippet himself, the thought immediately lost quite a lot of its appeal.
"No, she isn't- or, well, to me she is! She's abducted, stolen from me, corrupted! He must have used magic, that's for sure!"
"And who, pray tell me, Sir Marcus, who has done all this? Who has beguiled your daughter of herself and her from you? Who?"
He knew the answer.
And indeed, Marcus didn't say a word, but one finger, shaking with deep-rooted anger, pointed very clearly at Albus Dumbledore.
"He." he managed to utter, and turned to Albus
"Dumbledore, you filthy- you filthy thief. Where have you hidden my daughter? What have you done to her?"
Almost literally purple with rage, he looked at Armando again.
"They say- I have been informed he- he had- plans with her. I have been informed he and my daughter… Well- you get my point. They say-"
His voice, still trembling, was now barely more than a whisper/
"They say he likes her- amorously."
He'd muttered the last word as if it had been an Unforgivable Curse. To him, it apparently was one.
A slight shock ran through Armando's veins. Amorously? Albus hadn't mentioned… He sharply inhaled.
"Amorously?" he repeated, more addressing Albus than Marcus now. He slightly raised his eyebrows, looking sternly at his auburn-haired friend.
"Amorously?"
Albus sighed, knew it was true and lowered his eyes in acknowledgement.
"It is true, Armando. But please allow me to explain."
Armando Dippet nodded, sat down again and crossed his arms.
"Yes, Albus, I indeed think an explanation is needed here."
Albus sighed once more and sat down as well.
"Good," he began, ignoring Marcus' still violent peers at him.
"Marcus, here, and I were friends."
"With a clear emphasis on "were"!" Marcus growled, yet a warning look from the Minister made him shut up.
"I often visited him- I then told him many stories about my life. Mainly about the defeat of Grindelwald, some years ago now. But also about what I did before that. About my travels as a young man, and my encounters with magical creatures, some dangerous. About the times I only scarcely managed to escape. Minerva then always used to listen as well- all these things clearly interested her. After a while, she then had to go, of course, to study or to arrange the house-affairs. But she'd always return to listen and talk to me. On one of those occasions, I think, I fell in love with her. To my great surprise, Minerva fell in love with me too- for the dangers I had passed, for my story, but also- as I flatter myself- for the person I am. At least I hope so. And I fell in love with her because she was such a lovely listener, I guess. This is the only witchcraft I used. Now please, I ask you, Armando, call for the lady herself. Let her tell the story. And if she condemns me- then I will be punished as you wish. But let her speak first."
His eyes sincerely pleaded, and Armando cleared his throat. His friend had lied to him, true, but now at least he was honest and, now he thought about it, Albus hadn't exactly *lied*. He had mentioned marriage after all, though Armando had been to deaf to understand what he meant. Plus: Albus loved the girl. Armando knew Albus Dumbledore very, very well, and he'd known him for a very long time, but never, never ever had he seen such a light shine from those twinkling, blue eyes.
He loved the girl.
"Alright." he then said, ignoring Marcus McGonagall's rather noisy remarks.
"We'll use Floo Powder and get her here right away. Where is she, Albus."
"Hogwarts." Albus answered, giving his friend a grateful smile.
Marcus McGonagall stood up, though, and was now quite literally fuming.
"Armando," he uttered. "Am I correct in assuming you are now actually on this villain's side? Arrest him! Lock him up! Hang him for heaven's sake, I don't care!"
Armando shook his head and rested his hand on the upset father's shoulder. This was, in fact, a really brave deed, because Marcus very much looked as if he was going to bite. He didn't, though, and only wee moments later, a slender, female figure appeared out of the slightly smoking fireplace.
Albus started to move towards her, but as Marcus took a step forward as well, he just cast a glance at the young woman.
And Minerva stood there, looking taller than she was, her long, black hair curling loosely down her back. She answered his glance with a comforting nod.
"My noble father," she then spoke, softly yet clearly, as she turned towards Marcus.
"I know why I am summoned her and I know it was inevitable. My duty here is a divided one, because you have given me life itself and I will be forever grateful for that. And I am hitherto your daughter, but here…"
She slowly stepped towards Albus, until she stood next to him and felt his thin fingers reassuringly squeeze hers.
"Here is my husband, father." she said
She noticed the sudden grey color of her father's face, as he exclaimed
"Husband? Husband for heaven's sake? Husband?"
Armando must admit he was equally surprised. Married? Married without him, the Minister of Magic, knowing of it?
Minerva faintly smiled, yet put a hand on her father's arm to calm him.
"Yes, father, we are married. Since this morning, in fact. We have been married by priest in a little church- only we and Rolanda Hooch and Aberforth Dumbledore, who were our witnesses. We are married before God, and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."
Minerva slowly inhaled as she stroked Albus' hand. She hated it to be like this, but it really had been necessary. She had always been over-protected by her father, and this had been her only chance to- yes, to escape. Yes, she had felt it that way. Her father was a wonderful, wise, warm man, but, though her cage had been a golden one, it still had been a cage.
And this had been her escape. Marriage. She loved Albus of course- from the moment she'd seen him there, in her dad's sitting room, she'd known it was him. And it would always be him. She had been taught by Albus, but only then, as she'd looked at him, sitting there, telling stories of his youth and his adventures, she'd really seen him.
Now, she was his wife. It was perhaps cruel to confront her father with such a fait accompli, but it had really been the only way. Dad had always had much respect for religion, so this, a well-respected church marriage, and the fact that Albus had at least made a honest woman of her, would perhaps make it easier for him to accept.
But for the moment present, Marcus was almost speechless.
"Minerva- Minerva…"
She sighed and sat down next to her father, carefully embracing him.
"I am sorry, father, but I do love Albus, and he's given me a job at Hogwarts and all. I am sorry. Will you ever be able to forgive me?"
As Marcus spoke again, his voice was different- softer, older.
"Minerva, there is nothing I would not forgive you. And I know I have been protective about you, but I have made a vow to your mother…"
He sobbed- proud, noisy, great Marcus sobbed, and Minerva just nodded and hugged him.
"I know, daddy, but I am not a child anymore. I am a woman, father, and I am married to Albus now."
The man nodded and sighed.
"I know, Minnie…"- oh, that nickname of her youth!
"And I will accept it. I am still shocked, very surprised, and I am glad I have but one daughter, because a second one would probably injure me with a heart attack, but you have chosen him and I accept it. Albus-"
The tall, auburn-haired man now suddenly looked very much like a schoolboy as he stepped towards his father-in-law.
"Take care of her, lad. That's all I say. Take care of her."
And as that night, Minerva McGonagall contentedly rested her head on her new husband's shoulder and as, later, her lips, timidly yet eagerly, found his, one thought nestled in her mind.
Perfect.
But there were much less perfect things to come…
============================
"Dumbledore!"
Armando Dippet needed all strength left in his aging body to hold the younger man back from actually attacking Albus. He managed, though, to his great surprise.
"Marcus, calm down and explain before you do something rash. What's the matter?"
He asked this, though he very well knew what was the matter. Or at least- he thought he did.
"My daughter- my daughter…" the tall man stammered, casting dangerous glances at Albus.
"My daughter- she's…"
"Dead?" guessed the Minister calmly. He almost smiled. The next stage of anger would probably be smoke coming out of Marcus' nose and ears. And that, well, even the old, crooked, wrinkled ex-Headmaster of Hogwarts recalled that was quite a funny idea.
But as Marcus McGonagall turned his glare now at Armando Dippet himself, the thought immediately lost quite a lot of its appeal.
"No, she isn't- or, well, to me she is! She's abducted, stolen from me, corrupted! He must have used magic, that's for sure!"
"And who, pray tell me, Sir Marcus, who has done all this? Who has beguiled your daughter of herself and her from you? Who?"
He knew the answer.
And indeed, Marcus didn't say a word, but one finger, shaking with deep-rooted anger, pointed very clearly at Albus Dumbledore.
"He." he managed to utter, and turned to Albus
"Dumbledore, you filthy- you filthy thief. Where have you hidden my daughter? What have you done to her?"
Almost literally purple with rage, he looked at Armando again.
"They say- I have been informed he- he had- plans with her. I have been informed he and my daughter… Well- you get my point. They say-"
His voice, still trembling, was now barely more than a whisper/
"They say he likes her- amorously."
He'd muttered the last word as if it had been an Unforgivable Curse. To him, it apparently was one.
A slight shock ran through Armando's veins. Amorously? Albus hadn't mentioned… He sharply inhaled.
"Amorously?" he repeated, more addressing Albus than Marcus now. He slightly raised his eyebrows, looking sternly at his auburn-haired friend.
"Amorously?"
Albus sighed, knew it was true and lowered his eyes in acknowledgement.
"It is true, Armando. But please allow me to explain."
Armando Dippet nodded, sat down again and crossed his arms.
"Yes, Albus, I indeed think an explanation is needed here."
Albus sighed once more and sat down as well.
"Good," he began, ignoring Marcus' still violent peers at him.
"Marcus, here, and I were friends."
"With a clear emphasis on "were"!" Marcus growled, yet a warning look from the Minister made him shut up.
"I often visited him- I then told him many stories about my life. Mainly about the defeat of Grindelwald, some years ago now. But also about what I did before that. About my travels as a young man, and my encounters with magical creatures, some dangerous. About the times I only scarcely managed to escape. Minerva then always used to listen as well- all these things clearly interested her. After a while, she then had to go, of course, to study or to arrange the house-affairs. But she'd always return to listen and talk to me. On one of those occasions, I think, I fell in love with her. To my great surprise, Minerva fell in love with me too- for the dangers I had passed, for my story, but also- as I flatter myself- for the person I am. At least I hope so. And I fell in love with her because she was such a lovely listener, I guess. This is the only witchcraft I used. Now please, I ask you, Armando, call for the lady herself. Let her tell the story. And if she condemns me- then I will be punished as you wish. But let her speak first."
His eyes sincerely pleaded, and Armando cleared his throat. His friend had lied to him, true, but now at least he was honest and, now he thought about it, Albus hadn't exactly *lied*. He had mentioned marriage after all, though Armando had been to deaf to understand what he meant. Plus: Albus loved the girl. Armando knew Albus Dumbledore very, very well, and he'd known him for a very long time, but never, never ever had he seen such a light shine from those twinkling, blue eyes.
He loved the girl.
"Alright." he then said, ignoring Marcus McGonagall's rather noisy remarks.
"We'll use Floo Powder and get her here right away. Where is she, Albus."
"Hogwarts." Albus answered, giving his friend a grateful smile.
Marcus McGonagall stood up, though, and was now quite literally fuming.
"Armando," he uttered. "Am I correct in assuming you are now actually on this villain's side? Arrest him! Lock him up! Hang him for heaven's sake, I don't care!"
Armando shook his head and rested his hand on the upset father's shoulder. This was, in fact, a really brave deed, because Marcus very much looked as if he was going to bite. He didn't, though, and only wee moments later, a slender, female figure appeared out of the slightly smoking fireplace.
Albus started to move towards her, but as Marcus took a step forward as well, he just cast a glance at the young woman.
And Minerva stood there, looking taller than she was, her long, black hair curling loosely down her back. She answered his glance with a comforting nod.
"My noble father," she then spoke, softly yet clearly, as she turned towards Marcus.
"I know why I am summoned her and I know it was inevitable. My duty here is a divided one, because you have given me life itself and I will be forever grateful for that. And I am hitherto your daughter, but here…"
She slowly stepped towards Albus, until she stood next to him and felt his thin fingers reassuringly squeeze hers.
"Here is my husband, father." she said
She noticed the sudden grey color of her father's face, as he exclaimed
"Husband? Husband for heaven's sake? Husband?"
Armando must admit he was equally surprised. Married? Married without him, the Minister of Magic, knowing of it?
Minerva faintly smiled, yet put a hand on her father's arm to calm him.
"Yes, father, we are married. Since this morning, in fact. We have been married by priest in a little church- only we and Rolanda Hooch and Aberforth Dumbledore, who were our witnesses. We are married before God, and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."
Minerva slowly inhaled as she stroked Albus' hand. She hated it to be like this, but it really had been necessary. She had always been over-protected by her father, and this had been her only chance to- yes, to escape. Yes, she had felt it that way. Her father was a wonderful, wise, warm man, but, though her cage had been a golden one, it still had been a cage.
And this had been her escape. Marriage. She loved Albus of course- from the moment she'd seen him there, in her dad's sitting room, she'd known it was him. And it would always be him. She had been taught by Albus, but only then, as she'd looked at him, sitting there, telling stories of his youth and his adventures, she'd really seen him.
Now, she was his wife. It was perhaps cruel to confront her father with such a fait accompli, but it had really been the only way. Dad had always had much respect for religion, so this, a well-respected church marriage, and the fact that Albus had at least made a honest woman of her, would perhaps make it easier for him to accept.
But for the moment present, Marcus was almost speechless.
"Minerva- Minerva…"
She sighed and sat down next to her father, carefully embracing him.
"I am sorry, father, but I do love Albus, and he's given me a job at Hogwarts and all. I am sorry. Will you ever be able to forgive me?"
As Marcus spoke again, his voice was different- softer, older.
"Minerva, there is nothing I would not forgive you. And I know I have been protective about you, but I have made a vow to your mother…"
He sobbed- proud, noisy, great Marcus sobbed, and Minerva just nodded and hugged him.
"I know, daddy, but I am not a child anymore. I am a woman, father, and I am married to Albus now."
The man nodded and sighed.
"I know, Minnie…"- oh, that nickname of her youth!
"And I will accept it. I am still shocked, very surprised, and I am glad I have but one daughter, because a second one would probably injure me with a heart attack, but you have chosen him and I accept it. Albus-"
The tall, auburn-haired man now suddenly looked very much like a schoolboy as he stepped towards his father-in-law.
"Take care of her, lad. That's all I say. Take care of her."
And as that night, Minerva McGonagall contentedly rested her head on her new husband's shoulder and as, later, her lips, timidly yet eagerly, found his, one thought nestled in her mind.
Perfect.
But there were much less perfect things to come…