A/N - thanks for the reviews etc. Disclaimer in Ch 1

A Convenient Fiction – part 2

Minerva couldn't help thinking that for a brilliant man Albus was being painfully slow in seeing the benefits of – well, her proposal. Perhaps just springing it on him like that hadn't been the most strategic of approaches. But, he had been so dispirited and she'd wanted to help. However, once he'd got over his shock at her suggestion he had adamantly refused to consider it. She sighed – wishing that he wasn't being so incredibly stubborn and that there was an easier way to overcome his pride.

With the tone she usually reserved for her most recalcitrant and challenging students she stated her position again, ticking the points off on her fingers while trying to remain as calm as possible.

"The fact that you're married and the identity of your wifemust remain a secret from most people. Neither of us have any other relationships to consider, so there are no third parties who could be hurt. We already spend a great deal of our free time together, which will make it easier for those who need to know about our relationship to be convinced by it. We're friends, so it will be much less awkward for us to pretend to be in love when we need to. This situation isn't going to effect my life in the slightest – frankly I don't understand why you won't let me help you become Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"As always your logic is unassailable my dear." He'd been gazing into the depths of his teacup while he spoke – as though he expected there to be answers there. And though she held divination in low regard, she supposed if anyone were able to get a message out of the remains of a cup of tea then it would be Albus. "Our friendship is important to me – have you considered that this charade might destroy it?"

"Do you have so little faith in our friendship?" She countered, slightly hurt by his comment. "I understand why a marriage of convenience with someone you don't know wouldn't be acceptable to you, but surely our friendship is the reason we could make this work?"

"I don't know." She could sense that he was wavering and was quick to follow up with the next part of her argument.

"If not for yourself, will you at least consider the greater good? I believe that after Armando's," she paused, searching for a word that would not be too critical of Hogwart's current Headmaster, "frailty, this school needs your leadership. We need to look forwards, not backwards, we need to modernise the curriculum, make sure that our pupils are prepared for whatever they may face in the outside world. Only you can do this."

His expression said that he wasn't comfortable with her flattery, but crucially he didn't dispute her analysis. He had spent too many nights, over chess and hot chocolate, telling her of his plans for the school if he were ever to have the opportunity to take over from Armando. With a heavy sigh he looked at her for the first time since she had made her suggestion.

"You're still young Minerva, I worry that by tying you into such a marriage I may be denying you the opportunity for a family, a more normal relationship." She knew that at his words her face had revealed her feelings, if only for a split second. And she knew that he had seen it. Resolutely she pushed away the old pain and made sure that her voice was completely steady when she spoke.

"I don't anticipate any romantic developments in my future Albus. But, if it will make you feel better, then I suggest we agree that if either of us meet someone we feel seriously about, then our marriage will come to an end. Since it won't be consummated an annulment shouldn't be a problem."

There was no doubt that she was determined and he couldn't fault the logic of her solution. He knew that she had been badly hurt when her previous relationship had ended a number of years before – and he believed her when she said she wasn't interested in meeting anyone else. Her businesslike approach to the whole situation was both amusing and reassuring and Albus felt a flicker of excitement for the first time since Armando had told him of the Governors' decision. Optimistically he decided that if anyone could make this work then it was the two of them.

"Very well Minerva, I accept your proposal, with thanks."

For a moment she was stunned, not sure she had really expected to succeed in persuading him. But then she nodded with familiar briskness.

"I think, unless you object that it would make sense if we were married before the new school year starts. That way we can make sure the Governors' have their concerns appeased and we will have a little time to get used to our, arrangement, before the students arrive. That gives us a little under 2 weeks, not much time, but since we are planning a very small wedding – not impossible. As I see it, the main difficulty will be finding someone we trust to perform the ceremony." He shook his head, trying to keep up with her – after all this was not how one usually planned a wedding.

"I believe I know of someone – I will owl him immediately and see if he is willing."

"Very well – shall we say next weekend?"

"That would be acceptable." There seemed to one final thing left to discuss, "Minerva, I think it would be wise if no one but you and I knew the true nature of our agreement. Other people will need to know that we are married, but I would prefer it if they thought that our marriage was, genuine."

"I would prefer that as well." She held her hand out to him – offering it to seal their bargain. As he took it he decided that a handshake was not quite appropriate under the circumstances and instead raised her hand to his lips and brushed a light kiss across her knuckles.

"There are no words to express my gratitude," he murmured, still bent over her hand. She blushed, pulled her hand away and told him not to be so foolish. But she seemed momentarily uncomfortable, making his realise that despite their years of friendship he really didn't know Minerva McGonagall at all.

TBC