A/N: Yep, I'm evil. I'm not telling you now, if and how the potion worked. But I thought, since I have Albus as the second character in the search pattern, I might as well write something about him…For the timeframe, I follow canon, thus this conversation takes place in 1959.

Mucho, many thankies for the reviews: assassinatorgirl, petriebird18, Elayne Sedai, PrincessWitch, Jestana

Tetris: Thanks. Yi think I got your songs. They are the ones I uploaded recently, right?

The SilverWitch: Severus is not over it yet…certainly not. We'll see, if and how he and Meli get together

LauraKay: The potion is to make her animagus form look different.

Athenia McGonagall: I'm afraid, just like the others, you have to wait a bit longer

LinZE: Phoenix? Huh? Could you explain? Thanks

Chapter 10 – A Conversation in the Past

"I have to admit, I am very glad to have you on my side.," the man said with a sigh.  "It seems so ridiculous to me that our people not only start to openly offend Muggle-borns and Halfbloods, but also involve themselves in this Muggle Cold War."

"It is certainly very unwise to separate our community from those on the continent.  The Dark Side would profit greatly from our discord."

"That is what I try to hammer into their heads, but all they do is shrug at the stupid ideas of a 'crazy old man'"

"Did somebody insult you?" 

"No Albus, nobody went that far yet.  However, I think it is only a matter of time until they try to silence me.  And my history as well as my personal situation undoubtedly gives them ammunition."

"Don't worry, Horus.  I am on your side.  We need to cooperate and include ALL magic people into our society.  I do think you are right and I will speak up on your behalf."

"I thank you so much, Albus.  If you – the hero and victor over Grindelwald, renowned alchemist and Deputy of Hogwarts – publicly voice the same opinion as mine, I am sure people will be more inclined to listen."

Both men leaned back in their armchairs sipping their tea in silence.  Dumbledore took the opportunity to study his companion, the Minister of Magic.  Even at 110, Horus McGonagall looked as youthful and handsome as ever.  He was a tall and broad man, and his severe features were still unsoftened by wrinkles.  With slight envy, Albus also considered that while his own hair had turned completely white already, the older man still retained his original light brown color.  Albus also realized that none of Horus' eight children had inherited that color - all of them being raven-black like their mother – and only some of them had the trademark dark green eyes.  Only those severe features seemed to be obvious in all the children, though especially in Minerva's case they were softened with Delina's. 

The thought of his young colleague brought a smile to Dumbledore's face.  Minerva had been teaching at Hogwarts for three years now and he had grown very fond of her, maybe fonder than was good.  If he wasn't careful, he could easily fall for her. 

"What is on your mind?" A voice interrupted his reverie.

"Pardon?"

Horus looked at him curiously.  "You seemed miles away.  What were you thinking about?"

Albus felt a blush creeping over his face.  If the other man could read his thoughts, he would be in for one 'hell' of a time. "Oh…uhm…I was thinking about the school."

The other man eyed him suspiciously, but didn't comment on that.  Instead he said, "Ah yes, Hogwarts.  That is another thing I am really indebted to you for.  You have been so kind and supportive with Minerva in her first teaching position…"

"But that is hardly a reason to be in my debt for, since it was no bother at all" Hogwarts' Deputy interrupted.

"No no, my daughter said so herself.  She is eternally grateful for your help.  Whether you believe it or not, Minerva was so afraid of failing as a teacher and you made it quite easy for her.  She said that your support and friendship was such a help and she is so happy to have you as a friend."

So much for not thinking about the woman, Albus thought.  Aloud he said: "She didn't need to worry.  Minerva is a natural in teaching, and besides who could have been better suited to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts than such a successful Auror as she was."

"Actually, she would have preferred Transfiguration, but as that position was taken…"

Both men chuckled, then Horus turned wistful.  "And since she had no interest in potions…None of my children had."

"Maybe one of your grandchildren will show a talent in the art." Dumbledore soothed.

The other man replied gravely: "It remains to be hoped for…"  Then he turned more energetic.  "Speaking of Minerva, however, it is such a relief to me that you are watching over her, Albus."

The man in question cringed slightly.  He had hoped to stir the conversation away from this dangerous topic.  The older McGonagall was a perceptive man, and any man who came into close contact with one of his daughters was treading on a very thin line.  Horus didn't take any messing about with his daughters very kindly, as Albus had once witnessed.   Nevertheless, he was curious as to what Horus was hinting at.  "Why should I be watching over her?  Minerva doesn't need any attention of this kind.  She can very well take care of herself." He paused.  "It is a pleasure though to spend time with her.  Your daughter is one remarkable woman."

"Just like her mother." Horus replied with a very tender expression on his face, that made Albus almost envious.  He wished there was a woman who would make him feel this way. A woman who was as remarkable as…  "Still, Minerva is by far the most powerful of my children, the one with the most obvious Gryffindor traits."  Both men chuckled again.  To say that Minerva was devoted to her former house was the understatement of the decade.  "All this makes me worried that she could become the first target in case some dark wizard wants to strike.  There are too many things she can do.  Minerva and Hogwarts – that is a combination which can make a lot of things happen…and many of them fail…."

"Dear Merlin, Horus, what do you mean?" Dumbledore asked in alarm.  But the other man dismissed the topic with a wave of his hand.

"Another time and another place, maybe."

Albus was confused.  He knew that the other man had had quite an influence in Hogwarts during his stay as a potions teacher.  He still retained it as the Minister of Magic.  But what was McGonagall hinting at?  Had his powers been directly tied to the school?  Were Minerva's?

"Albus, I need you to promise me something!"  The older man's pleading voice broke Dumbledore out of his musings.

"What shall I promise, my friend?"

"I don't know how much longer I will be around…"

"But…"

"No buts, Albus, this is important." Horus said with force.  "I need you to promise that you will watch over Minerva.  There isn't anybody I trust more than you.  Therefore, you are the only one I would entrust with one of my most precious possessions – my youngest daughter.  I entrust you with Minerva."

"I entrust you with Minerva."

"I entrust you with Minerva."

The words were spinning in Albus Dumbledore's head as he jerked out of his dream.  He looked around in confusion.  He had all but forgotten about this vow made 37 years ago.  Funny that it would haunt him tonight.  If he told Minerva about this dream she would probably smile that lovely indulgent smile she usually had for him, when he gave his inner-child another go.  That smile he loved so much and which was for his eyes only.

Albus battled with himself as to whether he should wake his love, but realized quickly that he was alone in the bed.  And this wasn't their bedchamber at Hogwarts.  The fire in the fireplace gave him enough light to realize that this was the bedchamber of one of the Ministry apartments.   
In spite of having stayed in those apartments a number of times throughout the years, he could not account for the luxury surrounding him.  None of those flats was exactly five-star, apparently attempting to scare off long-time inhabitants.  This place however, was magnificent.  He had seen it only once, decades ago, when Horus McGonagall had been Minister.  This was the Minister's apartment and it was filled with his belongings.

Dumbledore was confused.  What was he doing here?  Did he live here?  Alone? His mouth went dry.  Where was Minerva?  This place didn't hold a single trace of her.  Where was she?  And what was going on?

He had to find out, he decided, snatching his dressing gown from the foot of the bed and getting up.  However, when he rose from the bed, a wave of dizziness swept over him and he had to hold onto the nightstand for support.  To clear his head he sat down again and took a swig of water from the nightstand.

Some minutes later his head was clear again, but he couldn't remember why he had intended to get up.  It was a cold night and what could ever possess him to wander around in the dead of the night, when his bed was so much warmer and much more comfortable?  Climbing back into the bed Albus was asleep within minutes.

~~~

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