Trouble 17

Racing through the now so familiar corridors of Hogwarts, Harry soon reached the office of his adoptive father. He had always trusted the formidable headmaster with his fears, thoughts and feelings and the older man had always been kind to him and even confided some of his own thoughts to the much younger boy, trusting him in turn to keep them safe and understand them partially.

Now that they were an actual family, it had only increased the trust in each other. Harry knew that he could tell Albus everything now because he was on a whole new level. He was the son of the formidable headmaster and could say everything that came to mind without fear of ruining his school career but only risking a minor falling out with his father.

And Albus felt free to discuss private matters with Harry now ... matters he could never trust a student with and of which Harry was a part now. Before the disastrous breakfast after the Champions for the Triwizard Tournament had been chosen, nobody in school except the fellow teachers had known that both Dumbledore and McGonagall were married and moreover were married to each other.

For the umpteenth time Albus got out of his chair and moved to his Pensive. He needed to see the scene again which ended his marriage. He needed to see the moment his heart was overruled by his mind and mercilessly trampled.

Sighing deeply, he bent forward but didn't touch the shimmering, silvery liquid. To be honest he was afraid; afraid to see the heartbreak in Minerva's eyes again. How could he have allowed that? Why had he never told her about the prophecy and Harry's fate? The answer was simple and yet not so simple. He had wanted to protect her from heartbreak and worries but he ended up causing her to worry more about Harry since she didn't know what had become of him. And her heart had broken further due to his betrayal.

Again he turned away from the Pensive. He wouldn't be able to stand Minerva's accusing eyes and then the hurt in them when he had agreed with Severus. Why had he done that? Because it was the logical thing to do, supplied his mind helpfully. His heart, on the other hand, cried out, 'but is it the best thing to do for Harry?'

Sighing yet again, he turned back around to the symbol of his worst decision. For the first time ever, Albus felt real regret.

Harry opened the door connecting the Headmaster's private suite with his office and spotted his father pacing the round room with aggravated strides. He could easily guess what was on Albus' mind. It was probably the same as was on his mind. Without preamble Harry placed a hand on Albus' shoulder, causing the older man to stop his pacing, and began to talk, "Listen, Dad, I know you're a little upset with Mom right now, and I'm probably out of line in saying this, but you might wanna think about cutting her some slack. She's really missed you lately, even though she goes out of her way to avoid you. I mean, you usually don't confine in anybody and then you're expecting their help without asking questions. You shut yourself off from us all, which is understandable sometimes, but still, it's hard. As much as you have our best interest in mind, it tends to be a little rough on Mom, and I think Mom just kind of snapped. She'd never do anything like that intentionally. You do know that, Dad, right?"

Albus nodded gravely. Harry was voicing out loud what he had accused himself of. He had shut out his wife, not only out of his plans for Harry, or the details about his travels and why he left Hogwarts so often. He had deliberately shut her out of his mind and heart ... out of his life.

After over thirty years of marriage, Minerva had become more of a stranger than a wife to Albus, and that by his own accord. Their lives were like two circles, spinning independently of each other, coming together only when the circles touched, at a staff meeting or a feast here in Hogwarts. At such times Minerva and Albus would act the perfect employer and employee, solicitous of each other, laughing at each other's jokes and complementing each other – Albus with his extravagance, Minerva with her natural elegance. Then the two circles would spin away from each other again, and Albus would go to his office, creating new plans for the maybe-return of Lord Voldemort, Minerva to hers, grading papers and preparing her classes.

Albus couldn't stop the tears from escaping his eyes and sliding down his cheeks before quickly disappearing into his beard.

"Dad? Are you ok?" Harry asked concerned, tightening his hand on his father's shoulder.

"Do you really think she would forgive me?" Albus hung his head, feeling ashamed that he had to rely on his son to safe his marriage ... and so soon after he had entered their family. 'Not a very sound family,' he thought wryly.

"I don't ..."

"Well, I wonder if I would forgive myself in her shoes!" Albus burst out.

"I wanted to say 'I don't doubt it'. She loves you and I'm sure you could make it work again. It's never too late, isn't it?" he assured him.

"I guess I'm not a good new daddy," Albus mumbled apologetically.

Harry sighed, then shook his head forcefully. "Now stop it, Dad! You are a good dad and husband ... if you would start trusting in your family and stop thinking that you have to be the lone rider ..." 'Wow, walked right into that! Isn't that what Hermione always tells ME? Oh man, why must she always be right?'

Minerva walked into the room as silence settled between father and son.

"What are you two up to?" she asked with a smile.

'A rather forced smile but a smile none the less,' Albus thought, but he said aloud, "Oh, nothing."

Harry almost at the same time replied, "Yeah, nothing."

"Well, don't stop on my account. I'm just passing through," she assured the boys and swiftly moved to the opposite door.

"Where are you going?" her husband asked.

"I need more trunks. We're planning to go to Scotland, remember?" she answered rather coldly.

Albus sighed to himself then glanced over to Harry. As soon as Minerva had left the room, he leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, "Still think I can charm her into forgiving me?"

"Yeah, Dad. Come on, just get that famous Gryffindor bravery rallied up! It's ok, I'll help you win her back."