A/N - thanks for the reviews. I'm glad people have enjoyed the story so far - let's see where the twists and turns take us!
A Convenient Fiction – part 4
Minerva stood in a shaft of sunlight, her arms wrapped loosely around her waist as she summoned calm and confidence from within. In just a few minutes Albus would be here and it would be time to face Armando. In these final moments she was going over the story they had decided upon, trying to make it sound convincing but not over-rehearsed.
Perhaps she was worrying unnecessarily. But for someone as naturally reserved as she, it would always be challenging to discuss her feelings with a third party. And then when you considered that the feelings in question were – well, fictional – it was hardly surprising that she was worried at her ability to carry off the act.
But she wouldn't be pretending with just anyone. Albus was her friend, the person she trusted the most. In her more optimistic moments she thought that would make it easier to persuade Armando that close friends had fallen in love. The rest of the time she wasn't so sure. If they could convince someone who knew them both as well as Armando did, then the few other people who needed to be told should present little difficulty. They simply had to make Armando believe.
She was still amazed by the way they'd pulled together the story of their relationship. They'd agreed to build as much as possible on the truth, which left them hoping that the Headmaster would find it all too easy to believe they had fallen in love over chess and quiet suppers.
Albus had done most of the making up. She couldn't help thinking it was a good idea that he was going to become Headmaster, since if the ease and enthusiasm with which he had concocted their fictional romance was anything to go by, he didn't have anything like enough to engage his mind at the moment.
"I hate it when you watch me from the shadows," she said when she felt a familiar tingle on the back of her neck.
"My skulking is never any match for your feline senses," Albus stood beside her and laid his hand on her shoulder. "Are you ready?" The comfortable familiarity of his presence was a warm, reassuring glow. The slight hint of nervousness she detected in him was a welcome reminder that she was not in this alone. Even his touch was a comfort of sorts – as well as a preparation. They would have to touch far more than they normally did if they wanted Armando to believe they were newly married.
"As much as I will ever be."
"There's nothing to worry about Minerva. We are married, even if Armando doesn't entirely believe our story, he can't dispute that."
"That's so – reassuring." He chuckled and squeezed her shoulder before turning her around to look at him.
"You've already done more for me than I can ever repay. I know that you hate dishonesty – I won't let you pretend more than you can bear. We don't need to become other people; Armando won't be expecting that. When people fall in love they don't lose themselves, they don't change, it isn't about possession – it's about loving someone for who they are." His words were meant as solace, but they also conjured up unhappy memories. She didn't need the reminder that her life had been a very long way from the picture he was describing.
"Minerva?" She looked away, but wasn't surprised that he'd caught a glimpse of her pain.
"What you describe sounds wonderful Albus – but it wasn't my experience. However, I appreciate the thought. Now, you shouldn't keep our Headmaster waiting."
"Are you all right?"
"Of course I am."
He didn't entirely believe her – she could tell that from the way his eyes searched her face. Pale, inscrutable eyes which were always so knowing, always so kind. His scrutiny had never disarmed her; it had never bothered her that he saw further into her mind and heart than other people. But her own vulnerability was something she was not comfortable with, even though she knew he'd never use it against her – even if sometimes she needed more than kindness, more than gentleness – something altogether more…
"Minerva?" She blinked; abruptly realising she had been gazing at Albus, thinking the most unlikely of thoughts.
"Sorry, I was miles away."
"Obviously," he turned to climb the staircase towards the Headmaster's study. "The flush to your cheeks is very becoming my dear – especially in a new bride. Do you think you'll be able to keep it there until I come to 'introduce' you to Armando?"
Damn him. His expression and voice made it almost impossible to tell if he was being serious. As her cheeks burned the one thing she was certain of was that when he returned, she would still be blushing.
"Albus," Armando Dippet smiled as his Deputy stepped into the study. He was relieved that he looked more cheerful than the last time they'd met and that had to be good. Summer at Hogwarts was always somewhat relaxed and several days had passed since he'd last spoken to his Deputy. The owl he'd received the previous evening asking for an appointment had intrigued him, he knew it couldn't be about the timetable or the arrangements for the start of term.
Now, he could see there was a twinkle in his Deputy's eyes once more – mischief and unholy glee waging a war with solemnity. He had accepted that he would never fully understand the wizard before him, he doubted anyone alive would. Whenever they conversed he was always sure that Albus, while paying full attention, was also simultaneously thinking about 4 or 5 different things. It was extraordinary how he sifted through information – finding the missing pieces to puzzles no one else even suspected the existence of. He would make a wonderful, if enigmatic, Headmaster and Armando was sure that was what he was here about.
With any luck he had found a way around the Governors' ridiculous suggestion. Perhaps a clause in an ancient document that would demonstrate they were acting outside their powers.
"Armando. I'm here to tell you that I was married yesterday."
Or, perhaps not. For several moments the Headmaster of Hogwarts was without the power of speech. In truth he knew he looked most undignified sitting there with his mouth open in shock. But what other response was possible?
"Married?" He repeated slowly when the power of speech returned. His brain jumped to the logical conclusion because, after all, arranged marriages took longer than this to – well, arrange. "But you said there was no one!" he accused.
Before him Albus shifted, looking a little sheepish. "Yes, I know I said that," he began slowly.
"Clearly it was a case of protesting too much." Armando concluded, enjoying his Deputy's momentary discomfort. "Well, I suppose congratulations are in order – will I get to meet the lady in question?"
"Actually, I believe you've met her already," but before he could speculate about that Albus continued, "my concerns about the risk to anyone I'm close to haven't dissipated Armando. I need your word that only a few people will ever know about this. Not even the full Board of Governors must know, it's just too dangerous."
"You have my word, I'll talk to the Chair myself, we'll find an alternative to put before the full Board. Only 2 or 3 people ever need to be informed."
"Thank you."
"So, you say I've met this brave and foolhardy woman? I must confess I'm keen to discover her identity, is she here?"
"She's waiting outside." As Albus slipped outside, the Headmaster schooled his expression. He had a suspicion about who was going to step through the door with Albus – but it was only that. If he was wrong, he didn't want anyone to realise he'd been speculating.
As it happened he wasn't wrong. Minerva McGonagall slipped into the office, blushing becomingly as Albus slipped his arm around her waist. "Armando – I believe I did say you'd met my wife?"
"My dear girl – have you taken leave of your senses?" But he was smiling as he kissed Minerva's cheek and offered his very sincere congratulations. "At least I was correct when I said anyone prepared to marry Albus was brave."
"You don't look surprised at the news," Minerva observed at last.
"I was surprised when Albus waltzed in here and told me he was married. But, once I'd recovered from my shock I have to confess you were the person who came to mind." He saw the worried look the newly weds exchanged, "I promise, you've never behaved with anything other than the impeccable discretion I'd expect. But we old men have a tendency to the romantic – and I suppose I was hoping that all the time you'd been spending together was filled with something more than discussions about transfiguration and games of chess."
They spent a little longer talking, he asked about the wedding and Minerva, rather dryly, explained that Albus had been responsible for organising the ceremony. "Once I was certain my fiancé was not leading me straight off a cliff, it was rather beautiful," she said dryly, shooting a look at the man standing beside her. "Clearly Albus has a flair for the dramatic."
"I am fairly sure you knew that already," her husband replied. For a moment they looked at each other and Armando was sure they had forgotten all about him. Then, the moment was over; Minerva excused herself and Albus started to follow her.
"Can I speak to you for a moment Albus?" Both men waited until the door was closed and then the Headmaster said softly, "she's good for you."
"Let's hope I'm equally good for her."
"I know how much you must want to protect her – but she isn't weak or helpless, she isn't anything like Penelope."
"You're right," Albus agreed, "she really isn't anything like Penelope." For a moment his mind flicked to another woman, another lifetime – but then resolutely he pushed the thoughts away. Armando clearly hadn't the slightest doubt that their marriage was genuine, which was what they'd wanted. Albus wasn't taking his claim that he'd suspected something between them too seriously. They had always spent a lot of time together and sometimes people speculated, reading too much into friendships; although, in this case that speculation had worked in their favour.
"Were you worried about the age difference?" Armando asked, "is that why you were reluctant to tell me you were involved with her when we first discussed the Governors' request?"
"About the age difference, the secrecy, about almost everything," he confessed, repeating the lines they had agreed upon. "We'd discussed marriage and decided it was impossible - but Minerva is, strong-willed. And when I told her about the Governors…"
Armando sighed, almost wistfully, "you're a very lucky man, my friend. I'm sure you'll be very happy – with such an intelligent, beautiful and young wife."
The innuendo was plain but Albus didn't hear it; he was dazed, suddenly seeing Minerva through another man's eyes. Was she beautiful? Armando clearly thought so. But for so long he'd viewed her as his friend, a familiar intelligence with an inherent grasp of logic that he respected. He believed he was privileged to see a side of her she concealed from others and he knew that beneath her rather frosty exterior there was warmth and compassion as well as the bravery of the staunchest Gryffindor. But, for how long had he viewed her as his friend, only his friend and not as a woman? He was married to her for Merlin's sake, someone else had just told him she was beautiful, implied that she was desirable – and he was surprised? What was wrong with him?
The greatest wizard of the age, he scoffed; clearly he had spent far too long with his head in books.
TBC