Dear Reader,

Hope everyone liked chapter one. This one is also MM and AD's problems in their teacher/student relationship. However, someone we all know very well as the man with pale skin and a high, cold sneer is introduced. Enjoy!

Just to clarify: I know that AD is 70 yrs the senior to MM, according to some chats with JK Rowling. Yet, I like the idea of this 'ship, so I've designated their ages to be only 10-15 yrs apart. Also, the story takes place in 1944-1945.

LunarLitLover

Chapter 2: Fear?

Minerva showed up for Transfiguration class three minutes early, as she always did, on Monday. Today though, her routine earliness felt odd instead of ordinary, for the silence in the room reminded both Professor Dumbledore and Minerva of the previous week's disastrous lesson.

Professor Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall spent a lot of time together, and Minerva had liked him, as far as teachers go, when she'd met him. She'd considered him a fine teacher for her previous six years at Hogwarts, but her opinion of him changed when this final year rolled around. What determined this change in opinion is obvious: Minerva's own success.

Advanced transfiguration and Animagism was what Minerva spent most of her spare time practicing. She wanted to become an auror, but to be selected to train in the program, one needs to stand out. Advanced Transfiguration and the ability to be an animagius was something Minerva figured would give her an upper hand with the Ministry scouts who selected trainees. But the auror program worked a lot like how Minerva imagined a prestigious muggle college would; you've got to be exceptional to get in. Unfortunately, the subject she'd chosen to be exceptional in was not one in which she possessed an aptitude.

She struggled to learn the necessary skills to transform into an animal and found herself lacking in progress. And the words lacking and struggled were words never before used in the same sentence as Minerva McGonagall's name. Therefore, to deal with her anger and frustration about her lack of improvement, Minerva blamed Dumbledore's teaching ability. This was what muggle shrinks would call designating a scapegoat, or using a defense mechanism. Minerva had studied a lot about muggles. She'd studied a lot about everything.

She only wished she could study transfiguration solely out of a book.

Monday's uncomfortable mood between the professor and perfectionist continued until a second year Slytherin stopped and peeked in the classroom, seeing whom occupied it. Dumbledore, pouring over his desk of papers, appeared not to notice the dark-haired youth leaning in the doorway. The Slytherin, noticing the lack of being noticed, sniggered at Minerva. Pointing at Dumbledore, the boy raised his wand to write in the air:

McGonagall + Dumbledore

The Slytherin sneered as he muttered, "Your lover angry with you for because you sleep around like mudblood filth you are?"

Minerva coolly replied, "Beat it, Riddle, or I'll get to use my Prefect privileges to deduct points from Slytherin."

"Like I care," he said with an indifferent shrug. "But say goodbye to your nighttime partner for me. Bet you think you can do anything once you bed 'em all, right?" Riddle sniggered again as he continued on his way, down the hall. Minerva pushed the incident out of her mind; Tom Riddle teased her constantly, despite the fact that she was a seventh-year Prefect and he an immature second-year. By now, though, she was used to it; no big deal.

Once Minerva had focused her thoughts again, the room filled with her class mates, and class started as usual.

After class, however, Minerva approached the Professor. He did not seem surprised by her gesture, as she had thought he would. Dumbledore, after nodding to acknowledge her presence, continued to scribble with his quill onto one of the millions of papers on his desk. She didn't really know how to begin. So she simply just did.

"Excuse me, Professor Dumbledore, but I wanted to apologize for the way I acted last week. I was wrong to criticize your teaching and was out of line. You have taught me a lot in the last six years and I don't wish to deny that. I hope I can continue to learn from you. I would also like to continue with the private lessons, if you wouldn't mind. Again, I'm sincerely sorry."

Dumbledore smiled to himself. He had been looking down at his documents during Minerva's mini-speech but now looked her in the eye. "Minerva, I accept your apology. Yet, it is not what I wanted to hear form you in the first place. I am not concerned about your criticism of my teaching methods."

Minerva stood rooted to the spot, mouth closed. She really didn't know what to say. She hadn't expected this, but then again, Professor Dumbledore was the only professor who ever caught her off guard.

Dumbledore continued, "You are good at the technique of dodging the root of a problem." If only I could harness that into something useful!, he thought. Continuing with Minerva, he said, "Any other teacher would take you back immediately for that beautiful, tactful speech of subordination. But I myself am not sure if I am ready to teach you again unless you come to grips with reality. What you have said is flattering, but not what needed to be said. I asked you to come back when you were ready to deal with your fear of failure and put it aside. You have done nothing of the sort. I cannot teach a student who is not capable of handling the truth. I'm sorry to put it so bluntly, my dear, but it must be said if you are to learn about Animagism."

Minerva stood with her head downcast, starring at the stone floor, for a moment, thinking. Her anger towards Dumbledore's bluntness brewed inside of her. Yet she had listened, too, and was contemplating what her young but wise professor had said. It was true; she didn't like having to work extra hard to understand Animagism, and she certainly would die if she didn't merit an invitation to the auror training program. But what did that have to do with fear?

"Professor, in what way am I afraid of failure?" Minerva finally retreated from the security of her hard shell.

Dumbledore's eyes flickered with an emotion that was a mix of excitement, glee, happiness, and pride; he was glad she asked. "Minerva, you like to succeed. That is what makes you such an amazing student. Yet, because you perform perfectly on almost everything, you are not used to failing. This has led you to fear messing up or failing or making a mistake. You will probably make a mistake or two while learning to become an animagius. This is unavoidable, since you are not in complete control of the transformation. It will happen. I guarantee it. But you're too afraid to even try."

Minerva opened her mouth to protest, but Dumbledore cut her off, "Whether or not you physically trying is not what I'm talking about. You have a mental barrier that won't let you dispose of your fear. You must mentally remove it somehow."

Minerva was again silent, thinking. He's right, I guess. I am afraid to loose control of my transformation, so I hold back. I guess it's one of those all-or-nothing type things. Quietly, but out loud, the student said, "Your right." She stopped to let it sink in and continued, "I can't complete anything unless I'm positive that I have complete control. This time I will try harder. That's a sincere promise. No risk, no reward. I suppose that not taking chances is no way to practice magic"

Dumbledore's young, twinkling blue eyes finally looked into Minerva's and said, "Or to live."

Minerva was a bit confused by that statement, so she responded by asking if this week's lesson was on. Dumbledore said it was. "See you then, Professor," Minerva said as she began to exit.

"Wait, Minerva. To make things more casual and less… well…intimidating…please call me by my first name, Albus. Also, Professor Dumbledore makes me feel as if I'm living during last century's Goblin wars." He smiled.

"Ok, well then, I'll be seeing you Thursday, Albus." Minerva grinned back as she passed through the doorway.

At that moment, any and all of the barriers between Albus and Minerva came crashing down, to stay down forevermore.

Preview: Next chapter will probably be about Grindlewald and his magnificent uprising with the Goblins, and his brilliant plan to dominate. Maybe. Stay tuned.