p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Authors Note: All characters are the property of JK Rowling. Sorry for the long time between updates. I'm a teacher. 'Nuf said. For the sake of this story, Albus Dumbledore is bisexual. (You'll see.)/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Chapter 3/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Once Severus had left, Hermione cried herself to sleep on her sofa. The poor girl's tear-stained face finally looked peaceful in slumber. Something had to be done. Hermione's spouse could not be left to some random chance pairing with how many Voldemort supporters there were. She emaccio/emed a blanket from her cupboard and threw it over Hermione before departing her quarters. She needed to talk with the Headmaster./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Walking down the corridors deep in thought, she almost missed seeing the dark figure of the potion's master disappearing into the Forbidden Forest. She stared after him, worried about how thin and haggard he had been looking recently. Summers were a much busier time for him with Death Eater duties. There were more revels and recruitment events, and she knew it put a lot of strain on him. And now, with this new Marriage Act, she wanted him to find someone to keep his cover but also care for him. If he would allow it. She sighed and continued to the Headmaster's office./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"As she approached the stone gargoyle, she said, "Bertie Bot's Every Flavor Beans" and the gargoyle stepped aside. The revolving staircase brought her directly to the Headmaster's office but before she could knock, the door gently opened. Albus Dumbledore looked up for the bits of parchment scattered across his desk and his eyes twinkled over his half-moon spectacles as he smiled at her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Ah, Minerva. Come in, come in!" He stood up and walked around his desk to a steaming tea service on a small table next to a worn and comfortable settee. "Tea, m'dear?" he asked while pouring himself a cup. She nodded and took a seat. He made her tea, just as she liked it, and took a seat next to her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""To what do I own the pleasure?", he asked as he blew over his tea in a futile attempt to cool it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm worried about Severus", she began. "With his increased duties during the summer and this new Marriage Act, I'm concerned about his capacity to endure this time around. There were many fewer factors pulling at his attention during the first war." Albus set his teacup down on the coffee table in front of the settee and walked over to his desk. He returned with a piece of parchment and handed it to her. She read it quickly and looked up at him waiting silently for an explanation./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He looked at her with soft eyes, the twinkle dimmed. "She is the best choice", he began. She will keep his cover, care for him, and remain safe. She is intelligent and already understands more about his role in this war than we give her credit for." He started gesticulating wildly. "I know she is a favorite all around and is one of your treasured cubs, but she is the best choice. Oh, I did think of Tonks, but she is a bit too much of a hot-head and it would not end well."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but Minerva caught his hands with her own and held them gently against her knees. Her left hand raised to gently cup his cheek and his breath rushed out all at once as he leaned into her palm./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I agree", she said gently. He merely nodded his head. "It is not what I would have wanted for either of them, but in this situation, it is the best possible outcome. She is mature and intelligent and, I believe, will be good for him. If I am not mistaken, I believe it will be easier to get them both on board if we have them marry before the law goes into place." His eyebrows raised at this. "Hermione is currently in my quarters in a tear-induced sleep. It seems Ronald Weasley, thanks to his mother's encouragement, if you can call it that, attempted to propose to Hermione, but she stopped him before he could."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I fail to see how this could help our plan, dear." Albus was looking more confused as she continued her story./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She took another breath. "Ronald told her horrible things and said that he never would have proposed if it wasn't for his mother and friends encouraging him to. When she arrived in my quarters, distraught, she interrupted my weekly tea with Severus. Let's just say she saw a less jagged side to him, a more real side of him." Albus nodded, the confusion in his eyes clearing. "She also mentioned that she would want to marry someone before this law is finalized so that she can finish her schooling and not be forced to have children right away. I immediately thought about Severus, and I believe I may have unintentionally communicated that through a 'look' I gave him before he left my quarters. What if he thinks I'm addled?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Albus gave a small chuckle and grasped the hand still resting on his cheek with both of his, now, more calm ones. "It will work out if it is meant to be, but I believe she is important to this war effort and she will become a faithful, much-needed companion for our surly potion's master. He may not see it now, but I believe it will all become clear to him in time." He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Minerva's lips. If any man knew what a faithful woman caring for you in the worst of times could do for you, Albus Dumbledore was that man./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Chapter 3/span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strongspan style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Once Severus had left, Hermione cried herself to sleep on her sofa. The poor girl's tear-stained face finally looked peaceful in slumber. Something had to be done. Hermione's spouse could not be left to some random chance pairing with how many Voldemort supporters there were. She emaccio/emed a blanket from her cupboard and threw it over Hermione before departing her quarters. She needed to talk with the Headmaster./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Walking down the corridors deep in thought, she almost missed seeing the dark figure of the potion's master disappearing into the Forbidden Forest. She stared after him, worried about how thin and haggard he had been looking recently. Summers were a much busier time for him with Death Eater duties. There were more revels and recruitment events, and she knew it put a lot of strain on him. And now, with this new Marriage Act, she wanted him to find someone to keep his cover but also care for him. If he would allow it. She sighed and continued to the Headmaster's office./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"As she approached the stone gargoyle, she said, "Bertie Bot's Every Flavor Beans" and the gargoyle stepped aside. The revolving staircase brought her directly to the Headmaster's office but before she could knock, the door gently opened. Albus Dumbledore looked up for the bits of parchment scattered across his desk and his eyes twinkled over his half-moon spectacles as he smiled at her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""Ah, Minerva. Come in, come in!" He stood up and walked around his desk to a steaming tea service on a small table next to a worn and comfortable settee. "Tea, m'dear?" he asked while pouring himself a cup. She nodded and took a seat. He made her tea, just as she liked it, and took a seat next to her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""To what do I own the pleasure?", he asked as he blew over his tea in a futile attempt to cool it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I'm worried about Severus", she began. "With his increased duties during the summer and this new Marriage Act, I'm concerned about his capacity to endure this time around. There were many fewer factors pulling at his attention during the first war." Albus set his teacup down on the coffee table in front of the settee and walked over to his desk. He returned with a piece of parchment and handed it to her. She read it quickly and looked up at him waiting silently for an explanation./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He looked at her with soft eyes, the twinkle dimmed. "She is the best choice", he began. She will keep his cover, care for him, and remain safe. She is intelligent and already understands more about his role in this war than we give her credit for." He started gesticulating wildly. "I know she is a favorite all around and is one of your treasured cubs, but she is the best choice. Oh, I did think of Tonks, but she is a bit too much of a hot-head and it would not end well."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but Minerva caught his hands with her own and held them gently against her knees. Her left hand raised to gently cup his cheek and his breath rushed out all at once as he leaned into her palm./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I agree", she said gently. He merely nodded his head. "It is not what I would have wanted for either of them, but in this situation, it is the best possible outcome. She is mature and intelligent and, I believe, will be good for him. If I am not mistaken, I believe it will be easier to get them both on board if we have them marry before the law goes into place." His eyebrows raised at this. "Hermione is currently in my quarters in a tear-induced sleep. It seems Ronald Weasley, thanks to his mother's encouragement, if you can call it that, attempted to propose to Hermione, but she stopped him before he could."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;""I fail to see how this could help our plan, dear." Albus was looking more confused as she continued her story./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"She took another breath. "Ronald told her horrible things and said that he never would have proposed if it wasn't for his mother and friends encouraging him to. When she arrived in my quarters, distraught, she interrupted my weekly tea with Severus. Let's just say she saw a less jagged side to him, a more real side of him." Albus nodded, the confusion in his eyes clearing. "She also mentioned that she would want to marry someone before this law is finalized so that she can finish her schooling and not be forced to have children right away. I immediately thought about Severus, and I believe I may have unintentionally communicated that through a 'look' I gave him before he left my quarters. What if he thinks I'm addled?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"Albus gave a small chuckle and grasped the hand still resting on his cheek with both of his, now, more calm ones. "It will work out if it is meant to be, but I believe she is important to this war effort and she will become a faithful, much-needed companion for our surly potion's master. He may not see it now, but I believe it will all become clear to him in time." He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Minerva's lips. If any man knew what a faithful woman caring for you in the worst of times could do for you, Albus Dumbledore was that man./span/p