1Chapter Seven
Cloud nine. Yes, definitely cloud nine. That's exactly where Minerva was perched as she raced down the halls to her evening lesson in Albus's office.
Of course she had put up a fight, but later when she weighed the options in her mind the decision was clear. Albus was handsome, clever, brave, and he had a very secure job. She had every reason to be attracted to him. And yes, she was willing to admit her feelings went deeper than that, but before she could explore those feelings she had to rationalize her decision. Minerva was a very practical person when it came to things like that.
She had just turned a familiar corner when she slammed headfirst into a nervous student, who shrieked and fell to the ground, along with Minerva. Minerva shook her head. "Sorry, wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
"It's all right," said the girl, beginning to help Minerva with her books. "Where are you headed?"
"Professor Dumbledore's office," she said, trying to hide her excitement.
To no avail, obviously. "Ohhh...he's nice, not too bad looking either, for a professor." she said with a wink. Odd girl, this one, Minerva thought, But who am I to talk? The girl held out her hand. "I'm Myrtle. I'm in Hufflepuff. Who are you?"
Minerva shook her hand. "Minerva, I'm in Gryffindor," she said, "Well, I guess you could've told by my robes..."
"Oh, silly me!" she said, gesturing to her robes. "I forget about them often...well, see you around!"
"See you," Minerva echoed.
Strange, other people finding Albus attractive, Minerva thought. Should she be offended? In the end she decided that no, she would not. She had implicit trust in Albus and he of course, had brought up the subject of their relationship.
She came upon his office, determined to act natural. Yes, things could not go wrong between them. Things had to be kept...friendly, romantically friendly perhaps, but friendly nonetheless. If anyone found out...she couldn't even imagine the scorn they both would be forced to endure.
Like so many other times she entered his office, he was deeply transfixed in a book. Minerva quietly crept inside and opened her Transfiguration book and began to study chapter nine "Animagi Gone Awry." Become an Animagus was a future goal of Minerva's. A lofty goal, perhaps, but one she planned to begin obtaining upon her graduation from Hogwarts.
"Minerva, for once in my life, I am stumped."
"What has managed to stump as great a mind as your own?" Minerva asked with a tiny grin. Humor, humor is good.
"Grindewald. Yet again he has defeated me. Not physically, obviously, as I am still here, but he plays mind games and always comes out victorious."
"A challenge, then," Minerva said. "Surely you will be able to rise to the occasion." Careful flattery.
"Not alone, my dear." Minerva blushed at the name. "Help me."
"How can I help? Defense Against the Dark Arts has never been my best subject." Self-degradation…wait, this wasn't part of my plan…
"No, but you are clever," he pointed out, "And I do need a bit of cleverness to help me overcome this madness."
Minerva closed her book. "Tell me the problem."
"Grindewald is very old, yet so am I, so I cannot judge. But I do know this - he did not attend Hogwarts. He attended Durmstrang. Yet he knows much of Salazar Slytherin's roots - enough, I believe, to give a tip-off to Tom Riddle about the Chamber of Secrets."
"Has Tom Riddle really gone that bad?"
"I am not sure," Dumbledore said with a sigh, "We are in the realms of probability. Tom may not know what he's doing, or who he is dealing with. Grindewald is highly skilled with Legillimency."
"Do you believe the chamber exists, Albus?"
He took a deep breath that he released slowly. "I do not know what to believe, so I shall refuse to take one side or the other on the matter. I do know that if it does exist, this school is in grave danger."
"I think Grindewald fears you, or someone at this school." Minerva said, wheels turning in her head. "My guess is you, as you seem much more intimidating than Professor Dippet. I think Grindewald is using Tom to help bring down your school, if possible."
"I have had this selfsame thought," replied Albus. "But I am still unsure."
Minerva was quiet for a long time. An idea was forming, but she was afraid to suggest it. "You know - I could get close to Tom Riddle, and see what he's up to."
Albus looked up. "Are you willing to take that risk? He could be very dangerous. I know you sense it too."
"Albus, I would do anything for you," she declared adamantly. "And this could mean danger to Hogwarts, which you very well know is my home too."
Albus smiled and took her hand. "You are brave, dear, a true Gryffindor. If you wish to proceed in this, by all means do so. And please share your results...and do tell me if he tries anything improper, so I can properly decapitate him."
She laughed as she stood up to leave. "Really, I never thought you the jealous type." There, that was witty. You'll get the hang of this after all.