Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, this would be canon.
Author's Notes: I guess I'd have to call it AU... oh well. I was in a weird mood when I wrote this. But it was fun. So there. Enjoy! And reviews are much appreciated.
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"Check and mate."
"Argh, I don't believe it. Play you again?"
Ron and Remus Lupin sat hunched over a table in Number 12, Grimmauld Place, playing chess. (Ron, of course, was winning.) Everyone else in the house had already gone to bed - Molly's parting threat being, "If you stay up too late again tonight I'll serve you for dinner tomorrow. You hear me?"
But they had long since forgotten that, and were still playing to their hearts' content.
The front door opened quietly, startling them both. It was Arthur returning from yet another late night at the Ministry.
"Merlin's beard, are you two still up? Molly is going to throw a fit."
Ron looked guilty, like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Dad, we- "
"Are both not able to sleep. It must have been the eclairs, all that chocolate just before bed, you know."
Arthur nodded his head tiredly. "All right then, but don't expect me to help you when you tell Molly why you didn't get any sleep," he called as he ascended the stairs.
Ron waited unti lhis father was out of earshot, then whispered, "Bloody brilliant! I had no idea you could lie like that!"
Remus was amused. "Let's just say it comes in handy.
At this moment there was a loud POP.
A long silver beard was lying on the floor.
"What the bloody h-" began Ron.
But Remus held up his hand for quiet.
"Merlin's beard, what - It's Merlin's beard!"
Ron looked at him funny. "Are you sure you haven't had too much to drink, Professor?"
"I'm sure," Remus shook his head.
The front door flew open. There stood Dumbledore. But he was -
"Beardless," murmured Remus.
"I'll thank you lads if I can have my beard back. After all, it is one in the morning, and one does need his beauty sleep," grumbled Dumbledore. He snatched up his beard and reattached it to his face.
"B-but sir, you're not Merlin!" Ron spluttered.
"Actually, I'm Merlin twice reincarnated." Looking around at their shocked faces, he added, "Keep that to yourselves, please and thank you. Tata for now."
He turned and Disapparated with a loud CRACK, which mercifully woke none of the house's other occupants.
Ron and Remus exchanged glances, shrugged, and resumed their chess game
