Blessings and Heartache.
A/n: Sorry it's taken me a while to update, things got in the way but here is the next update. This isn't the longest chapter ever because it is more of a filler chapter to help things tie in together but it does lead up to something big. This hasn't been beta read because Miss Ang has guests this weekend and I don't want to bother her.
Chapter Eight: The morning after the night before.
Albus Dumbledore looked at his reflection in the wall length mirror that had been a gift from his dear friend Armando Dippet when he had taken over as Headmaster, he was planning to give it to the next head teacher of Hogwarts when the time came to hang up his robes. Albus wiggled his eyebrows and chuckled, he had to admit that he did look rather good for his age though he would never admit to that to anyone apart from Fawkes. He was wearing deep purple robes with a splash of red around the cuffs and the hem, these robes were Minerva's favourite and were bound to make her smile for long enough so he could convince her that he was deeply sorry for his actions.
Last night, Albus had had to explain to his employees that they were mistaken in their congratulations and that he had simply been pulling Rita Skeeter's leg when he had said what he had. At one point of his explanation he was saw he had seen a look pass between Poppy Pomfrey and Xiomara Hooch and then Poppy gently placing her hand on the Quidditch mistresses arm to prevent him her drawing her wand. Albus couldn't help but think that hexing him because he had wasted their time rather harsh but then Xiomara had gone to a lot of trouble. Severus Snape had arrived soon after Minerva had left; he had looked at Xiomara with a triumphant glare and sat down. He shook his head as he heard Albus explain and then carried on reading the book he had brought into the staff room. The mood in the room had changed considerably and Albus had felt like an outsider, he bid his farewells and thanked them all for caring enough to believe rumours and put a party together for him. He apologised for any trouble he caused and told them to enjoy the party anyway since they had gone to all the trouble preparing it in the first place.
He had left the staff room and had pressed his ear against the door; he had heard mumbles and the mention of Minerva's name several times. He had also heard Xiomara curse him loudly while Poppy tried to calm her friend down. He smiled when he heard the nurse tell Xiomara that if she didn't quiet down, she might be out of a job. Albus had been perplexed by Xiomara's reaction to what he had said, she was angry with him that was for sure and she showed it more visibly than Minerva had.
Fawkes flying by brought into Albus' thoughts of yesterday, Albus turned to watch his familiar land on his perch and turn his back to him. Fawkes had been behaving strangely for the last few days and Albus didn't have a clue what was the matter, it wasn't near his burning day and Albus hadn't forgotten his birthday. Not even a sherbet lemon could convince the phoenix to acknowledge Albus. The only time he would do something was when Albus had pulled out the tin of ginger newts that he kept in his desk draw for when Minerva popped by for afternoon tea.
"Fawkes?" asked Albus as he approached the gold perch that Fawkes was sat upon, "Are you ill?"
Albus knew that the phoenix wouldn't answer him as a human would but for a long time now they had been able to converse through a series of looks, soft coos and shrill squawks.
"Fawkes, this attitude does not help us get along," started Albus, pointing a long finger at his phoenix and trying to look stern "now what is the matter with you?"
The phoenix cocked his head to one side and regarded the wizard who he had been with since the day he was born. Albus couldn't help but feel that Fawkes had been spending too much time with Minerva because he was now mimicking the infamous glares that she was known for. Fawkes ruffled his feathers and then tucked his head under his right wing and promptly fell asleep leaving a very disgruntled Albus staring at him. Albus threw his hands up in frustration and walked away, mumbling something about phoenix's being worse than women.
The large gothic style grandfather clock that dominated the far left hand corner of his bedroom chimed loudly through the room. Albus brushed his robes down and checked himself one more time in the mirror before heading along the corridor. He was going to see Minerva, he was going to set things right with her and then write to the newspaper and put Rita Skeeter right. He had dared go after Minerva last night, he knew that it was best to let her cool down before attempting to apologise. He had wanted to go to her rooms last night but an impromptu visit from Alastor Moody had held him up. He hoped that because she had, had chance to sleep on it then she might be more willing to talk to him and let him explain a few things. He knew he had completely mucked things up, he knew this had happened because his courage had failed him again and so the mess he was in was down to him and no one else.
As h walked along the corridor, he spotted Severus Snape sweeping down the corridor with his black robes bellowing out behind him as he walked. It was rare to see Severus along this part of the school; he usually preferred his dungeons and the occasional visit to the staff room.
"Good morning headmaster!" greeted Severus with a curt nod
"Ah Severus," replied Albus "morning to you as well. A rarity to see you in this part of the school."
"I was merely collecting on a small wager I made with Madam Hooch yesterday," answered Severus with a small smile, "she wasn't overly happy, I managed to escape without being hexed. I doubt I would say the same for you, if you should happen to bump into her."
Albus chuckled and nodded his head; he had no intention of bumping into Xiomara Hooch just yet and would do anything to avoid such a confrontation with her.
"Thank you for your warning Severus." Albus responded gratefully
The potions master simply nodded and then continued along the corridor, away from Albus and away from the sparks that would bound to fly in the next few minutes. He turned slightly to see the headmaster continuing on his way to were the deputy heads rooms were. Severus couldn't decide whether Albus Dumbledore was a very brave man or a very stupid man.
Albus reached the portrait of Hogwarts at night and stood before it, he had loved this picture when he had been a student and had asked Armando if it could be moved to guard his rooms when he came to teach at Hogwarts. Minerva had kept it there as well and a magnificent portrait of Godric Gryffindor guarded the other entrance to her rooms.
He looked around and once satisfied that no one was lurking in the corridors, he spoke the password to her rooms.
"A cat by any other name!"
The portrait sprung open and Albus stepped inside, this entrance led to her living rooms while the other entrance led into her small study that was crammed with books and all sorts of practical bits and pieces. He found himself in her rooms and privy to a sight he thought he would never come across.
A man with brown hair was sat at Minerva's table fixing breakfast; he looked like a distinguished wizard with his greying around the temples and manly features. Albus couldn't help but stare at the man who was dressed in a blue dressing gown, Albus had never come across this man before and Minerva hadn't mentioned anything about a man in her life.
"Minerva!" called the man, still unaware of Albus' presence "breakfast is up."
"Just coming Gray," came the enchanting voice of Minerva McGonagall from out of the bathroom "nearly done."
Albus began to back slowly out of the room, he didn't want to draw attention to himself but unluckily for him, Minerva chose this time to appear from the bathroom and she noticed him immediately. He watched as her eyes darkened and her body stiffen slightly at his presence.
"I am sorry for intruding!" he said quickly before exiting the room before she could say anything.
TBC….