Albus, I've Got Something to Tell You...

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter Eleven: The Doppelgangers


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I dropped everything I was holding on the floor – the baby pyjamas, a shopping list and quill, and my cloak. There was Albus and his wife, Janet, standing in front of me. I was mortified. Not only was I pregnant out of wedlock as far as he knew, I was wearing very shabby and threadbare robes, as my new ones from Madam Malkin’s were still being altered. And I was alone. Well, Poppy was there, but it was not the same. I wanted my Albus with me! Janet, however, looked the picture of well-groomed perfection in blue silk robes and a fur coat, with Albus’s hand protectively around her swollen abdomen. Oh, how I longed to be back with my own Albus!

“Pro-pro-fessor Dumbledore – Mrs. Dumbledore – I…” I kept on stuttering, not knowing what to say. After all, it isn’t every day that you run into the father of your child and his pregnant wife, is it?

“Miss McGonagall,” Janet Dumbledore said coolly, inclining her head ever so slightly. “Or are you married now?” she asked snottily.

My face flushed red. “I – that is to say...”

“Well, dearest, she is wearing wedding and engagement rings,” Albus inserted. “Who are you married to?” he asked, sounding as if he could not care less.

What was I supposed to tell him? I could not say I was married to him with his wife there! What can I do, what can I tell him?

Luckily, Poppy appeared at that moment. As she did a double take, I closed my eyes and sent a brief prayer to whichever gods existed to get me out of this situation. Unfortunately, nothing happened to save me, for although Poppy’s arrival shifted Albus and Janet’s attention off me, Poppy was somewhat of a blabbermouth. That was her one shortcoming as a friend – she could not keep secrets!

“Oh, hello Professor and Mrs. Dumbledore!” Poppy chirped brightly.

“Hello, Poppy. How are you?” Albus inquired. Albus and Poppy had been very close during her own school days – he always seemed to be getting into scrapes, and as her mother was the School Healer at the time, they formed a strong friendship. She had even recently begun to see his brother, Aberforth, on a social level. Albus had introduced them, of course. Poppy never could understand why I was not comfortable around Albus – in fact, she always believed that I hated him. I did not hate him, of course, I loved him – but he felt the exact opposite way about me.

“Very well, thank you. Janet, when are you due?” she asked, turning to the other woman. Poppy had introduced Janet to Albus – Poppy and Janet had lived next door, and although Janet was significantly older than Poppy, they had always been close friends.

“The end of May or beginning of June,” she replied. “We’re having a boy.”

“Oh, that’s when Minerva’s due as well!” Poppy exclaimed. I could have kicked her. Why was she telling them this? Didn’t she know the pain it would cause me later?

“Really, do you know if you’re having a boy or girl?” Janet asked, a bit more politely because Poppy was here.

“She’s having a boy, and naming him Odysseus!” Poppy said.

At that name, Albus went completely ashen-faced. “Odysseus? Why?”

How could I explain the truth? The only possible way to extricate myself from this situation was to pretend I had a prior appointment. Glancing at my watch, I exclaimed, “Oh, is that the time! I’m late for my appointment at St. Mungo’s!” Quickly replacing the tiny Gryffindor pyjamas, I hurried over to the cash register to give my address so that the items I had purchased could be delivered to my home. Then I rushed out of the store and flooed back to McGonagall Manor.

It was only after I arrived there that I remembered about my new robes, so I promptly dispatched an owl to Madam Malkin’s to explain for my absence and to request the robes be sent to my home. Then I lay down on my bed and sobbed my heart out for what would never be.

I made a decision – I needed to get the time-traveller back from Albus. My child’s father deserved to know about his son! If I only stayed a few hours in the other time, I would not get sick. The problem was how to get the time-traveller. I could never sneak in to Hogwarts and steal it – even if I did know where he had hidden it, I would be incredibly foolish to try to steal it. The only other option I could think of was to tell Albus the truth. I knew that just telling him would do no good, as he would probably believe I was crazy or a stalker. No, I would have to show him my memories, no matter how painful it would be for me to relive them. Moreover, I could not edit the memories, either, because Albus would think I was hiding something, although I would only be protecting my privacy. Making up my mind once and for all, I removed my Pensieve from the mahogany cabinet near my bed and shrunk it small enough to fit in my pocket. Noticing it had been several hours since I had seen the Dumbledores in Diagon Alley, I gathered my courage together and walked over to the fireplace.

Taking a handful of Floo powder, I threw it onto the flames, which immediately became emerald green. “Hogsmeade!” I said, and stepped into my fireplace.

[KristaMarie]

I never thought I would actually not like Dumbledore, but I have to say I really cannot stand him or his wife. Fantastic story-- I am anxiously waiting for more!

[Lady Lavendar]

I hvae a feeling that this is not going to turn out as planned. I don't think he is just going to hand over the time turner. I am really enjoying this even though it's a little fast paced!

[McGonagallsGirl]

This is deliciously evil.

[tartanmin]

I have been away for a while so good to come back to so many updates love them..
bit it's getting abit tricky for min..
pregnant with a man who hates her.. not good..
update

[tabbykit]

Poor Minerva! I hope things turn out ok....I know, I know, this is an angsty fic....but still!!! I just had to see what all the fuss was about....this thread has so many replies! I'm glad I read it! Also......I don't like this times Albus! Grrr....meany...Update soon!

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter Twelve: Don’t Look a Gift Goat in the Mouth


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I stepped out of the fireplace at the floo stop in Hogsmeade and began to slowly make my way up to Hogwarts. Although I used to walk the half-mile from the main gates to the streets of Hogsmeade quite easily, it was extraordinarily difficult now that I was six months pregnant. As I reached the hill that ended at the great gates of Hogwarts, a man in a horse-drawn cart filled with – goats? – approached me. I only knew one man who would take such care of those specific animals – Aberforth Dumbledore. We had been seeing each other with some regularity a few years before I began working at Hogwarts. Even when we broke up, we remained friends. Aberforth had even proposed, and when I turned him down (because I was in love with his brother), he told me that the proposal would always be open, because he loved me and would never marry another.
“Minerva, is that you? What are you doing here?” Aberforth asked, surprised.

“Hello, Aberforth,” I said wearily, because I had exhausted myself walking from Hogsmeade, “I have to meet with your brother.”

At the mention of Albus, his expression darkened, although it was obvious that he was headed to Hogwarts himself. Why else would his goats be wearing baby bonnets? However, Aberforth leapt out of his cart and solicitously helped me in, even laying down a handkerchief in order for me not to get my robes dirty.

“I’m taking these goats up to Janet and Albus,” he said, his expression souring again as he mentioned his brother and sister-in-law. “Janet’s insisted that their child have all the advantages in life, and she read somewhere that goat’s milk is best for the baby, so she wanted me to give her some of mine. She even wanted them a few months early so they could get used to Hogwarts!” Aberforth finished with some incredulity at his sister-in-law’s behaviour.

By this time, we had reached the great gates of Hogwarts, and Aberforth got out of the cart to open them. When he returned, I had decided to ask him to come see Albus with me – no doubt Janet would want to view my memories as well. Without Aberforth’s presence, I would have no one on my side.

Coming out of my thoughts, I heard Aberforth ask me, “So, when did you get married? Anyone I know? And when’s the kid due?”

I sighed, and, skirting the issue a bit, asked, “Aberforth, how much did Albus tell you about why he fired me?”

Aberforth’s face was that of complete surprise and indignation. “Fired you? He told me you quit!”

I was livid, but by that time, the cart had pulled up to the castle gates.

“Aberforth, would you come up with me to see Albus, please? I need someone on my side, for once.”

He readily agreed, and handing the reins off to Rubeus Hagrid, the assistant groundskeeper with strict instructions on handling the goats, he took my arm and we started towards Albus’s office.


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Author's note: Sorry for the short chapter, everyone, but I've been visiting colleges and babysitting, thus I haven't had any time to write today! However, I wanted to get this brief chapter up. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed - I've really appreciated it!

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter Thirteen: Silvery-White Thoughts

Aberforth and I finally reached the gargoyle guarding Albus’s office.

“Chocolate truffle,” Aberforth said, and the gargoyle moved aside. He helped me up the steep staircase that led to Albus’s office and private quarters. Aberforth rapped sharply on the door with the brass griffin knocker, and I was seized with a wave of panic. Aberforth sensed my unease and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before opening the door as Albus called, “Come in!”

Aberforth entered Albus’s circular office first, and wrapped a protective arm around my waist before Albus could order me out of his office. He and Janet were sitting on a dark burgundy couch – identical to the one my Albus had in his office as well. There was another couch, this one a deep purple, facing it. It was covered in old photo albums. Their daughter, Helen, was snuggled between them as they looked through an album full of photographs.

As Albus noticed me, he bent down to tell Helen to go play with a house-elf while he talked with us.

“Okay, Daddy!” she said, and rushed past me, headed, I assumed, to the kitchens.

I had never seen Helen up close before – something about the way she ran reminded me of Penelope. I shook my head as an attempt to rid my mind of those sad thoughts and focus on the here and now.

“Miss McGonagall, what are you doing here?” Janet demanded angrily. “You have no business being on Hogwarts property! You were fired!”

“Now, now, Janet, calm yourself down. We’re all mature adults here,” Aberforth began, “so let’s act like it! And stop it with the titles! Just address each other by first names! So, I’m Aberforth, she’s Minerva, she’s Janet, and he’s Albus,” he said, pointing to each of us in turn.

“So, Miss – I mean, Minerva – why are you here?” Albus asked curiously, but for once, not as cold as he normally sounded towards me. Janet, I noticed, glared at him.

“Well, Albus, I’ve got something to tell you…” I started, and then paused. “Can we use your Pensieve?” I asked, “I think you’ll understand the situation better if you see it.”

Albus nodded, and Aberforth removed the Pensieve from the cabinet where Albus kept it. Putting it on a coffee table between the two couches; he cleared off the purple couch and helped me be seated.

I rummaged through the pockets of my robes and found what I was looking for – a small glass flask filled with my silvery-white, glistening memories. I poured them into the shallow stone basin, and re-pocketed the flask. I looked up and swallowed nervously before nodding at Janet, Albus, and Aberforth. As there was not enough room for the four of us to plunge our heads in my memories, we each stuck a finger into the Pensieve, and were pulled into the best and worst moments of my life.
___________________________________________________

I had just finished my time traveller, but had yet to come up with a name, when a knock sounded at my door.

“Come in!” I called, feeling triumphant for accomplishing a project that had taken me five years.

Albus Dumbledore walked into my workroom with a stern look on his face. As I looked up, he frowned, causing my triumph to vanish immediately.

“Professor McGonagall, it has come to my attention that your latest project has violated Ministry time-travel regulations. I must insist that you halt this experiment immediately and destroy all information on your project, as it violates time-travel security regulations.” Albus said, in a chilly voice.

I was stunned. Five years of my life had just been wasted, and for what? Everything to be destroyed because of a Ministry regulation! Albus rarely ever listened to the Ministry, and here he was telling me to stop my research because it broke one of their regulations

“No, Headmaster.” I replied. I will not destroy all information regarding my project. I have spent five years of my life on this, and I will not destroy it because of a Ministry regulation!!”

Albus’s eyes narrowed. “You will, Professor, or else you shall find yourself charged by the Ministry.”

I grabbed my completed time traveller, and flung the chain around my neck. “Sorry, Headmaster, but you see, I’ve just completed it. I will not destroy it until I at least test it. Destroy all my work, but don’t expect to figure out what my project does.” At that, I closed my eyes and turned my time traveller around twice. As the room began to spin, I opened my eyes slightly and saw Albus’s shocked expression. As the speed increased, I was forced to close my eyes again and wrap my arms around myself. Suddenly, everything was still, and as I cautiously peeked out from under my closed eyelids, I saw a dark, yet very recognizable office.

“Who are you?” hissed a familiar voice. “Why are you here?”
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Continued in second post!

[dianahawthorne]

I froze hearing that oh-so-familiar voice. I heard someone snap their fingers, causing all of the lights to turn on at once. Closing my eyes against the blinding light, I was unable to verify the identity of that voice. Slowly opening my eyes a few moments after being blinded, I looked up into the most astounded and shocked face I had ever seen. I gasped, just as shocked as he was. It was Albus Dumbledore.

“Min-min-erva?” Albus stuttered. “Is it really you?” He took a few steps forward, almost involuntarily, and touched my face.

“Yes, Headmaster…but I’m not from this time. I made a device to allow me to travel sideways through time, and it obviously worked.” I explained rather awkwardly.

He seemed taken aback by my use of his title. “Headmaster, my dear?” he questioned, seeming to be gradually getting over his shock. “So formal…why?”

“If…if you’d prefer I address you as Professor Dumbledore, or sir, then I will.” I replied, confused.

“I suppose things really are different in other times. You obviously do not like me. The Minerva from my time never addressed me in such a formal manner- at least, not as an adult.”

“Sir, in my time, you had told me to always address you formally, even though you address all other members of the staff by their given names.”

“I do like you…in fact; I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember. However, friendly feelings have never been returned by you- after you helped me to become an Animagus, you didn’t talk to me until I began teaching at Hogwarts.”

“Please, my dear, call me Albus.”

“All right…Albus.”

“Daddy? Who’s there?” I heard a tiny voice ask. A young girl, around the age of six or seven, perhaps, was standing in the doorway.

“Mummy?” she whispered, and flung herself onto my lap, burying her head in my hair.

“Penelope,” I heard Albus say. “It’s late, dear heart, and time to go to bed.”

“Can I tuck her in, Albus?”

He nodded, almost imperceptibly, while I gently gathered the girl into my arms and followed him as he led the way to her bedroom.

As he opened the door leading to his private quarters, I was rendered speechless. In the place of honour above the fireplace was a large family portrait, with Albus standing beside a very pregnant version of myself. I looked toward him questioningly, but he mouthed “Later” and continued leading the way to Penelope’s bedroom.

As we finally reached the room, very girly, yet with a Gryffindor sense of pride in the deep pinks and golds, Albus turned down the covers of the bed. I placed the now-sleeping girl between the sheets and kissed her on the forehead. He followed suit, and after I took one last look at the girl, he led me back to his sitting room after dousing the lights in her room.

“Albus…” I began, only to be halted by his raised hand.

“Don’t ask any questions yet, my dear, because I don’t think I can get through this story after being interrupted.”

“I began teaching at Hogwarts as the Transfiguration professor after defeating Grindelwald, my one-time friend. Several years passed, and a most talented student named Minerva McGonagall arrived at Hogwarts. She was a very talented witch. By the time she had begun her sixth year, she was already an Animagi. I fell in love with her when she came back to Hogwarts as Head Girl in her seventh year. I began courting her after her graduation, and a year later, we were wed. She began teaching at Hogwarts as the Transfiguration professor after Armando Dippet died and I became Headmaster. Before she could officially start her duties, however, she became pregnant. I refused to let her start teaching, so I covered her classes until she gave birth. On March 15th, our daughter, Penelope McGonagall Dumbledore, was born. Minerva died in childbirth. Obviously, Penelope has never met her mother. I never remarried- how could I replace the love of my life? When you showed up here tonight, I thought I was dreaming. But when Penelope came into the room, I realised that it was real. You were really here. I’ve missed you, ever so much.”

Albus quickly crossed the room from where he was pacing in front of the fireplace and grabbed me in a passionate kiss.

“Are you all right, dearest? Is this moving too fast for you?”

“We’re not going too fast, darling.” I replied. “I just wanted to memorise this moment, as I’ve dreamed of it for so long.”


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We woke up the next morning wrapped in each other’s arms. Even before I opened my eyes, I knew he was awake and watching me. As he noticed me stir, he leaned down and kissed me. I began to deepen the kiss, but ended it quickly as my cat-like hearing picked up the faint sound of a child running towards our room. As a grief-stricken Penelope flung the door open, the sadness on her face turned into joy as she leapt onto the bed and immediately snuggled between Albus and myself.
“Sweetheart, why were you crying?” Albus asked her as I stroked the hair that was so similar to my own.

“I thought Mummy coming back was a dream, so I was sad,” Penelope said, her reply a bit muffled as she was pressing her face into my shoulder.

“I thought it was a dream too, sweetheart,” Albus responded, as he draped his free arm around my shoulders, tightening his grip as I wiggled closer to him.

As Penelope fell back asleep, we noticed the clock only said six in the morning, so we let her go back to dreamland. Albus and I watched our daughter sleep.

“Albus?” I asked tentatively, reluctant to break the silence that had fallen over us as we watched each other and our daughter.

“Yes, dearest?” Albus responded.

“Why did you name our daughter Penelope? Did you pick it out by yourself, or…” I could not bring myself to ask him if his Minerva had picked out the name, or if they had picked it out together. Luckily, he understood my unasked question.

“I thought of the name. I always called Minerva my goddess, and when she conceived, we were thinking up names, and I suggested Odysseus if we had a boy, and Penelope if we had a girl. When Minerva asked me why I chose those names, I told her that they were our ‘demi-gods’, because she was a goddess and I was only a mortal. I personally thought that in the Iliad and the Odyssey, the goddess Minerva was a little too fond of Odysseus, so I suggested that we name our children after the hero and his wife.”

By the time he had finished recounting the story behind Penelope’s naming, we were both in tears, and she had begun to stir.

Albus had followed me into the bathroom and held my hair as I vomited up my breakfast. After I had finished, he lifted me up gently and carried me into the living room.

“What’s wrong, dear heart?” Albus asked, a concerned look in his eyes.

He noticed my reluctance to respond and followed my gaze to Penelope, who was standing in the doorway looking at us.

“Penelope, dearest, can you run to the Hospital Wing and fetch Madam Pomfrey, please? Tell her to come back to our rooms,” Albus said, prompting a nod from Penelope before she ran out the door and down the hall.

“Oh, Albus,” I groaned, resting my head on his chest. “I’ve been feeling sick ever since I arrived in this time- I don’t know what’s wrong with me! I’ve never been so happy in my life, so why don’t I feel well?” I asked piteously.

Before Albus could respond, the fire in the grate crackled and turned emerald. Madam Pomfrey and Penelope stepped out onto the carpet.

Madam Pomfrey gasped, and turning to Albus, she asked, “Albus- is that really Minerva?”

“Later, Poppy. Right now, we need to find out what is wrong with Minerva. She travelled sideways through time using a time-traveller of her own creation. Ever since she got here yesterday, she says she has been feeling nauseous. This morning she began vomiting, so I sent Penelope to fetch you.” Albus explained.

“You travelled sideways through time?” Poppy asked.

I nodded.

“Can I see it, please?” Poppy requested. I unfastened the chain from around my neck and handed the time-traveller over to her. After watching her examine it for several minutes, I had to dash to the bathroom again before I became sick.

As I returned, shaking slightly from the exertion, Poppy and Albus had solemn expressions on their countenances.

“Minerva,” Poppy began timidly, “I know why you’re sick. You cannot stay in this time- it is not meant to be. You have to return to your own time immediately, or else you’ll die.”

I collapsed, sobbing.

Albus had been stroking my back as his own tears dripped onto my hair. Penelope had wrapped herself around Poppy’s legs, burying her face in the nurse’s apron.

“When do I have to leave?” I asked.

““As soon as possible. The longer you stay here, the sicker you'll get." Poppy said.


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Continued in third and final post for this chapter!

[dianahawthorne]

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“There must be another way!” Albus yelled frantically, startling all of us. “What about the Sorcerer’s Stone?”
She shook her head.

“Why won’t it work, Poppy?” I demanded, “The Stone is supposed to make you immortal, as long as you drink the Elixir of Life!”

“That is true,” she began, “but in this case, you would slip into a coma. You are still technically alive, but your mind wouldn’t be here.”

I buried my head in Albus’s chest again, once more letting my sobs overtake me. Penelope had let go of Poppy’s leg and flung herself onto my lap, where she was crying as well.

“Minerva, you need to go back to your own time. I’m afraid you are only getting sicker by the minute.” Poppy said.

“Oh, Albus, darling, I love you more than anything!” I sobbed, kissing him one last time.

“Darling, I will love you forever and ever,” Albus responded as tears ran down his own face. He took off a chain from around his neck and unfastened the clasp. Slipping both the diamond engagement ring and the plain gold band onto my left ring finger, he said, “keep your rings, dearest, and never forget!” He burst into the sobs that he had tried so hard to keep from releasing.

Next, I said goodbye to Poppy, urging her to take care of Albus and Penelope.

Finally, there was only Penelope left to say goodbye to.

“Oh, Mummy, I don’t want you to leave us!” Penelope bawled, squeezing my waist so tightly I almost could not breathe.

“Oh, sweetie, I don’t want to leave you either,” I said, choking on the tears I tried to suppress, “but I have to go. I love you so very much, my dearest. Take care of your father, honey, and always remember that I love you!” With that last pronouncement, I removed the bracelet given to me by my grandmother before her death when I was seven. Slipping it onto Penelope’s wrist, I whispered in her ear, “this was given to me by my Grandmother McGonagall, sweetie, and I want you to have it. I’ll always love you, no matter where I am.”


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As the last memory finished, we exited the Pensieve. I did not dare look at anyone – not even to judge their reactions to the memories I had just shown them. I looked up, however, when I felt a warm hand on my knee.
“Minerva, dearest, I have a confession to make…”

[lemonygingersnaps]

Ohhhhh what an evil cliffie!!!!!!! This is a wonderful story! I just love it!

[KristaMarie]

I'm literally on the edge of my seat here While the cliff-hanger is evil, I'm sure that what is coming will be worth it!

[Lady Lavendar]

Why did you have to end with a cliff-hanger? That is so mean! I am looking forward to the next installment!

[revolutionaryetude]

That was a very evil cliff hanger. Say that Janet has never existed and that he only loves Minerva PLEASE? OOOH can't wait until the next update.

[tabbykit]

You can't leave me hanging....I've never done rock climbing!!!!!! Oh.........PLEASE Update quickly.....*is hitting the refresh button every second hoping for a new chapter* PLEASE!!!!!

[dianahawthorne]

Chapter Fourteen: Vérité Sans Peur

I looked up into the blue eyes of the Dumbledore who was kneeling before me.

“No!” Janet shrieked. “I refuse to let you tell her!”

“Shut up, Janet,” Aberforth said, “You can’t stop the truth from coming out.”

“I will not have my son’s father’s name dragged through mud before my son is even born!” Janet cried. “He made his decision seven years ago!”

“What decision?” I yelled, in order to be heard over everyone’s shrieking. “Don’t I have a right to know?”

“Yes, you do,” Albus said, from where he was kneeing at my feet. “Everything is not how it seems.” As he spoke, he extracted a long chain of memories from his mind, placing them in the Pensieve. Gripping my hand, we plunged into the Pensieve again – this time, to view Albus’s memories.
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Minerva was sitting on the desk in Albus’s classroom, while Albus was standing right in front of her, cradling her face in his hands.

“Minerva,” he breathed softly. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Yes, Albus,” she whispered seductively.

“We can’t do this – what if someone finds out?”

“No one will find out, Albus, if we use your rooms.”
He thought the proposition over, then picked Minerva up and cast an invisibility spell on them both. When they reached his quarters, he whispered his password, “Ginger Catnip.”

She giggled quietly at his password. “Ginger catnip?” she asked, amused.

“Yes!” he said defensively, “it reminds me of you,” he added, in a gentler tone.

As they made their way to his bedroom, Albus whispered, “I love you, Minerva McGonagall.”

“I love you, too,” she whispered back.

They did not hear a gasp from the corner, nor did they see a tear-stricken Janet pull off an invisibility cloak.

________________________________________

“Miss McGonagall, may I have a word?” Albus asked after a Transfiguration class.

“Of course, Professor,” she replied, and made her way up to his desk as the rest of the class filed out. As he closed and locked the door, she placed silencing charms on the room. As they both finished warding his classroom, they began to kiss.

“Albus, I’ve got something to tell you,” Minerva whispered. “I’m pregnant – we’re going to have a baby in six months!”

Albus let out a whoop of joy that would have been heard in Hogsmeade had there not been silencing charms on the door. As it was, Albus could barely restrain himself from opening the window and screaming out to the world, “I’m going to be a father!”

“Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?” Albus asked when he had calmed down.

“No, I don’t. I’d rather not know in advance,” Minerva said.

“I think we should name them after Helen of Troy and Odysseus, because they were ‘demi-gods’, and our children will be too.”

“Why will our children be ‘demi-gods,’ Albus?” she asked.

“Because you are my goddess, and I am but a mere mortal,” he replied, kissing her.

________________________________________

Minerva and Albus were in his classroom again. He got down on one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket. “Minerva, will you marry me?” he asked, opening the box to reveal a gorgeous ring set with rubies and a diamond.

“Oh, Albus, we can’t get married! I am only a student – you will lose your job! We have to wait until after I graduate to get engaged – and we only have a month left!” she said.

Albus’s face fell, but perked up as he asked, “Will you marry me after you graduate, then?”

“Of course I will! You’re the only man I could ever love.” She replied, and they kissed.

________________________________________

Five months after Minerva graduated; she went into labour, with only the house-elves to help.

“Twindy, can you get Albus, please? I need…ahh!” she cut off her sentence as she screamed. Seven hours later she was resting comfortably with her daughter in her arms. Twindy appeared in the room.

“Twindy cannot find Professor Dumbledore, Mistress Minerva,” said Twindy, “Twindy has looked everywhere!”

Minerva began to cry – she had not heard from Albus since her graduation.

“I guess it’s just you and me, Helen,” she whispered.

A pure-white owl with blue eyes had been perched on the window, and he flew in after Twindy left. Pretending to deliver the Daily Prophet, Albus transformed from the owl and Obliviated all of the house-elves, as well as Minerva. Placing her into a deep sleep, he gently took Helen from her arms and Apparated back to the gates of Hogwarts, where his wife, Janet, was waiting for him.

________________________________________

Albus laid Helen down in a carved, wooden crib, and cast a Glamour on her, so she would look more like Janet and himself. He took one last look at her – she had her mother’s features, but her father’s eyes.

Janet entered the room, and watched as Albus cast the Glamour.
“Just because you’ve blackmailed me into marrying you, Janet, does not mean that I will tolerate any disrespect of my daughter.” He said menacingly.

“I’ll treat your daughter as my own – on one condition.” Janet replied.

“What condition? I already Obliviated her and all her house-elves! What else do you want?” he asked angrily.

“If you ever become Headmaster, I want you to hire her as the Transfiguration professor – and not be nice to her. Ignore her, be cold to her, and act as if you hate her.”

“No!” he yelled, “I will never do that to my Minerva!”

“Well, then,” Janet replied, “I guess I’ll have to tell the world you slept with your student. Did you know that Daddy taught me everything about torture before he died? Yes, all this blackmail is revenge for killing my father, Gellert Grindelwald, so I will not hesitate to use Daddy’s methods on little Helen. Maybe then you will see how much you took away from me when you killed my father!” Janet said triumphantly.

Albus looked horrified, and said, “I did not know that Grindelwald was your father, Janet, but I’m not sorry I killed him.”

“Cru-” Janet began, but was prevented from casting the Cruciatus curse by Albus flinging himself on top of her.

“Don’t you DARE try to harm my daughter!” he yelled, cold fury emanating from his very pores.

“Then do as I say,” Janet countered.
Albus nodded sadly, and then began to cast every protective spell he could think of on his tiny daughter.
________________________________________
The last memory ended and Albus and Minerva emerged from the Pensieve – and almost tripped over a paralysed Aberforth and an unconscious Janet.

“What happened here?” I gasped, turning to grip Albus’s arm.

He pointed at Helen, who was sitting on the couch.

“Daddy, Mummy yelled at Uncle Abe and paralysed him, and I got mad and she fainted.” Helen said sadly, “I’m sorry.”

Albus joined her on the couch, motioning for me to sit on her other side.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Albus said.

“Daddy, Mummy isn’t really my mummy, is she?” Helen asked Albus, although she was looking at me, “this lady is my Mummy.”

Albus looked startled. “How did you know?” he whispered.

One day I saw a memory in your Pen-sil, and I heard you and her,” pointing to Janet, “arguing. Also, she,” pointing to Janet, “was always mad at her,” she said, pointing to me, “so I knew this was my Mummy.”

Albus took the Glamour off Helen, and I began to cry. She was the exact image of Penelope. I tentatively opened my arms to give Helen a hug, but she threw herself onto my lap, just as Penelope had.

Meanwhile, Albus, after performing the counter-jinx on Aberforth, flooed the Auror Department of the Ministry of Magic and had Janet taken into custody.

“So,” I began, “what do we do now?”
________________________________________
A/N: The chapter title is French, and means "Truth Without Fear." Thank you to all my reviewers - I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my story! This is the last chapter besides the epilogue, which will probably be posted tomorrow, if I don't have time to post it tonight.

[revolutionaryetude]

Well at least I was half right. OOOH I really don't like Janet. Poor Albus getting blackmailed. Did Janet make Albus take the baby away from Minerva?

[dianahawthorne]

revolutionaryetude said:

Did Janet make Albus take the baby away from Minerva?

Yes, Janet did. Isn't she evil?

[McGonagallsGirl]

Great. I can't wait to read the end.

[KristaMarie]

I had an inkling about this-- and I am SO happy! I can't wait for the epilogue! What a fantastic story from a great writer

[lemonygingersnaps]

Very nice - I cant wait for the epilogue!

[dianahawthorne]

Epilogue: Is síoraí é an grá

June 14th, Eleven Years Later
I am so proud of my children – Odysseus is starting at Hogwarts in the fall, and Helen has just graduated. She was in Gryffindor, and was Head Girl as well as Captain of the Quidditch team. Albus and I are celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary tomorrow, and our third child will be born in October.

Janet never was pregnant – she cast Illusion charms to make it appear that she was, because she knew that she’d always have a claim to Albus through their supposed child. She has been serving time in Azkaban for forcing Albus to kidnap Helen, blackmail, and numerous other charges, including torture of Muggles.

The time-traveller I had created never worked again, and although I tried to create another one, it did not work. It seems its sole purpose was to reconcile Albus and myself.

Not a day goes by that I do not think of Penelope and her father.

Isabel Worthdall, the Hogwarts Matron, retired, and my old friend Poppy Pomfrey replaced her. It turned out that Janet had placed her under the Imperius Curse in order to fool Albus about being pregnant.

This morning, I remembered something that was very significant – the bracelet I had given to Penelope had magical powers that could be used to send messages to the wearer. I hurried over to the desk in Albus’s office, pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, and began to write,

Dearest Penelope and Albus,
I know it has been eleven years, but I just realised that part of the magic in the bracelet I gave to Penelope would allow me to write to you both. My time-traveller has not worked again – I even attempted to make a new one, but I cannot leave my own time. I hope you both have dealt with life without me – it took me quite a long time to feel like myself again.

Albus, your counterpart in my time did love me – and we had a daughter, named Helen (after Helen of Troy) who is the exact replica of Penelope. Also, during my time in your world, I became pregnant, and gave birth to a son, whom I named Odysseus.

He is eleven years old now, and today is his birthday.

The Albus of this time was forced by Grindelwald’s daughter to take Helen away from me and to Obliviate me – as well as showing no sign of recognition of what we had shared. However, all that has changed, and Janet is in Azkaban.

I do not mean to depress you both with such thoughts, but know that while I am as happy as I can be in this time, I think of you both every day.

Odysseus sends his love.

You both can write to me by drafting a normal letter on a piece of parchment. Instead of giving the letter to an owl, tap the paper with your wand and say, “Is síoraí é an grá,” which is Gaelic for “Love is Eternal”.

I love you both so much,
Minerva

I said the incantation, and sighed as the parchment disappeared.

“Mummy!” I heard Odysseus shout from the sitting room.

“Coming, dear!” I replied, wiping away a tear before joining in my son’s birthday celebration.

I was happy with my life, but I could not stop myself from wondering what could have been…

THE END

[KristaMarie]

What a great thing to wake up to before work! I loved this and I'm sad it's over! All good things must come to an end I guess... I hope to see more MMAD from you in the future!

[revolutionaryetude]

Ahhh Minerva had a rough time finding what was happiness. Nice story!

[McGonagallsGirl]

That's a bit bittersweet, eh?

It feels a bit hastey, but you got the message across

[prodigyviolin101]

This was a wonderful story...that made my day.

[tabbykit]

Yay! Happy times now....sorta. Still, Wonderful!

[Mandy McGonagall-Dumbledore]

Really wonderful!! Amazing story!! I LOVE IT!! My favortie story by now!! <3333