Post by esoterica1693 on May 15, 2007 3:31:27 GMT -5
This scene just kind of appeared in a much larger drama piece I'm writing. I figured it could stand alone.
Albus and Minerva are not yet romantically involved at this point, though they're clearly good friends.
Summary: One day Minerva learns just how Albus affords all those sherbert lemons, and Albus wins an argument.
The only lemons near here come from Honeydukes. Suitable for all ages.
- - - - - - - - -
November 1966
Minerva and Albus were working side by side at a large table in his office. The end-of- year reports were due to the Board of Governors and Albus was even more behind on his part of the paperwork than usual.
The Head and his Deputy had already had one significant disagreement earlier that day when she had seen his budget request for the upcoming year. He had awarded her a significant raise in consideration of her having been Deputy Head for ten years. She had objected strenuously but he had insisted the figures be submitted exactly as he had written them. She was still muttering about it several hours later.
“Minerva, could you do this one for me? It’s my Personal Financial Statement and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. All you have to do is copy last year’s narrative sections over exactly—nothing’s changed—and then just substitute the numbers from this year’s bank statements for last year’s. You’ll see my Gringotts statements on the top of that pile there. All organized, even, thanks to my accountant.”
Minerva started to wave her wand to do the copying, but then her curiosity got the better of her and she read over the materials. Two entries in the Conflict of Interest area made her laugh out loud. Silent Partner: Honeydukes Enterprises. Silent Partner: Hogs Head Pub and Brewery. A third, Full Partner, Flamél Products, intrigued her.
“Albus, you’re really a partner in Honeydukes?”
“Yup! Have been for 25 years. Ever since the first years of the War—customers were scarce and ingredients were rationed and very expensive, and they got themselves into a bit of a bind for cash. I couldn’t very well let them go under, could I? I invested purely out of self-interest! And it’s paid off well—I receive some of my dividends in cash but most in inventory. They rebounded nicely after the War. The sweets trolley on the Hogwarts Express was a bit of pure marketing genius, in my opinion. Care for a sherbert lemon while you finish that form? And you’ll see that I’m very careful about the potential conflict of interest stemming from my control over such a large part of their customer base. That’s why it’s always been your responsibility to schedule and oversee Hogsmeades weekends, not mine.”
“We always have wondered how you afford all your candies! This explains a lot. At least you don’t have to be so careful about the Hogs Head being a conflict of interest—not many students or faculty are ever seen in there. You don’t even go in there yourself more than occasionally—you generally favor the Three Broomsticks, like everybody else.”
“True enough. My investment in the Hogs Head wasn’t one of my more financially sound ones, but why I invested there is a long story which would bore you to tears. Let’s just say I appreciate having a diverse portfolio.”
“Well, yes, I see. Flamél Products more than makes up for the losses you take at the Hogs Head. Quite! I didn’t realize Nicolas was into manufacturing.”
“Only in a manner of speaking. If you will recall what you know of alchemy….the production of the Elixir of Life generates some valuable byproducts. Since I decline to receive any of the Elixir even though I play a significant role in the preservation of the Stone, Nicolas allocates 80% of the gold to me. The rest covers his and Perenelle’s living expenses. After all, they’ve had to stretch their retirement income for quite a few more years than they’d originally budgeted.”
“Very true!”
Minerva turned her attention to the financial statements. She had to stifle a gasp when she saw the balances in Albus’ personal Gringotts accounts. He had not been exaggerating at that welcome-aboard lunch so many years ago when he reassured her the cheque would not put the slightest dent in his money bag. Finances were simply not something he had to worry about. And no wonder he only took an annual salary of one galleon as Headmaster.
She began to copy the figures summarizing Albus’ expenditures and income for the year. In addition to his investment income he received quite a bit of money from something called The Myrrdin Trust. This had an address very close to his family’s estate, so she assumed it was some sort of inheritance. Plus he received a sizable annuity from the Ministry in consideration of his service in the War. In turn he seemed to have set up trust funds of his own and was a very generous donor to various causes.
One expenditure caught her eye. “100,000 Galleons. From Albus Dumbledore Trust, Sub-Account B-2, to Hogwarts School General Fund. Annual subvention.”
“Well. I think I now know just who that “Anonymous Donor” listed on the school balance sheet every year is, Albus. Am I right?”
“Mmm. I imagine the donor wishes to remain anonymous for a reason. Perhaps so he cannot be accused of using his gifts to influence policy or staff. ”
“You do know that this has potential to really hurt the School in the long term. That’s a significant portion of our budget. The Governors will come to rely on that money, and then when, umm, the donor, dies, or allocates his funds elsewhere, the school will suddenly have to make it up.”
“You’ve clearly done your homework on school funding and responsible development practices, Deputy Headmistress. But no need to worry. That donation is merely part of the income from a dedicated trust. I have been assured that it will continue in perpetuity. In fact it will increase after my death, because the donor presumes my successor will want to draw a full salary. ”
“Oh.” She really couldn’t object, though the idea of the Headmaster personally covering well over half of the school’s annual budget, even if anonymously, still left a slightly off taste in her mouth.
“Minerva?
“Yes?”
“Still mad at me about the raise?”
“I can’t really be, now, can I? Your subvention more than covers the entire faculty salary line in the budget,” she glowered. “But Albus Dumbledore, you are too much! You’re having me fill out this blimey tedious form just so you can truly seal the win in an argument and get your way again, as usual! But how’d you know I’d be nosy and actually read these personal documents, instead of just using copying charms?”
“I relied on some very old wisdom combined with my extensive knowledge of animagi behavior.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Minerva looked thoroughly confused.
“You know what they say, Tabby. ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’ “
Albus and Minerva are not yet romantically involved at this point, though they're clearly good friends.
Summary: One day Minerva learns just how Albus affords all those sherbert lemons, and Albus wins an argument.
The only lemons near here come from Honeydukes. Suitable for all ages.
- - - - - - - - -
November 1966
Minerva and Albus were working side by side at a large table in his office. The end-of- year reports were due to the Board of Governors and Albus was even more behind on his part of the paperwork than usual.
The Head and his Deputy had already had one significant disagreement earlier that day when she had seen his budget request for the upcoming year. He had awarded her a significant raise in consideration of her having been Deputy Head for ten years. She had objected strenuously but he had insisted the figures be submitted exactly as he had written them. She was still muttering about it several hours later.
“Minerva, could you do this one for me? It’s my Personal Financial Statement and Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form. All you have to do is copy last year’s narrative sections over exactly—nothing’s changed—and then just substitute the numbers from this year’s bank statements for last year’s. You’ll see my Gringotts statements on the top of that pile there. All organized, even, thanks to my accountant.”
Minerva started to wave her wand to do the copying, but then her curiosity got the better of her and she read over the materials. Two entries in the Conflict of Interest area made her laugh out loud. Silent Partner: Honeydukes Enterprises. Silent Partner: Hogs Head Pub and Brewery. A third, Full Partner, Flamél Products, intrigued her.
“Albus, you’re really a partner in Honeydukes?”
“Yup! Have been for 25 years. Ever since the first years of the War—customers were scarce and ingredients were rationed and very expensive, and they got themselves into a bit of a bind for cash. I couldn’t very well let them go under, could I? I invested purely out of self-interest! And it’s paid off well—I receive some of my dividends in cash but most in inventory. They rebounded nicely after the War. The sweets trolley on the Hogwarts Express was a bit of pure marketing genius, in my opinion. Care for a sherbert lemon while you finish that form? And you’ll see that I’m very careful about the potential conflict of interest stemming from my control over such a large part of their customer base. That’s why it’s always been your responsibility to schedule and oversee Hogsmeades weekends, not mine.”
“We always have wondered how you afford all your candies! This explains a lot. At least you don’t have to be so careful about the Hogs Head being a conflict of interest—not many students or faculty are ever seen in there. You don’t even go in there yourself more than occasionally—you generally favor the Three Broomsticks, like everybody else.”
“True enough. My investment in the Hogs Head wasn’t one of my more financially sound ones, but why I invested there is a long story which would bore you to tears. Let’s just say I appreciate having a diverse portfolio.”
“Well, yes, I see. Flamél Products more than makes up for the losses you take at the Hogs Head. Quite! I didn’t realize Nicolas was into manufacturing.”
“Only in a manner of speaking. If you will recall what you know of alchemy….the production of the Elixir of Life generates some valuable byproducts. Since I decline to receive any of the Elixir even though I play a significant role in the preservation of the Stone, Nicolas allocates 80% of the gold to me. The rest covers his and Perenelle’s living expenses. After all, they’ve had to stretch their retirement income for quite a few more years than they’d originally budgeted.”
“Very true!”
Minerva turned her attention to the financial statements. She had to stifle a gasp when she saw the balances in Albus’ personal Gringotts accounts. He had not been exaggerating at that welcome-aboard lunch so many years ago when he reassured her the cheque would not put the slightest dent in his money bag. Finances were simply not something he had to worry about. And no wonder he only took an annual salary of one galleon as Headmaster.
She began to copy the figures summarizing Albus’ expenditures and income for the year. In addition to his investment income he received quite a bit of money from something called The Myrrdin Trust. This had an address very close to his family’s estate, so she assumed it was some sort of inheritance. Plus he received a sizable annuity from the Ministry in consideration of his service in the War. In turn he seemed to have set up trust funds of his own and was a very generous donor to various causes.
One expenditure caught her eye. “100,000 Galleons. From Albus Dumbledore Trust, Sub-Account B-2, to Hogwarts School General Fund. Annual subvention.”
“Well. I think I now know just who that “Anonymous Donor” listed on the school balance sheet every year is, Albus. Am I right?”
“Mmm. I imagine the donor wishes to remain anonymous for a reason. Perhaps so he cannot be accused of using his gifts to influence policy or staff. ”
“You do know that this has potential to really hurt the School in the long term. That’s a significant portion of our budget. The Governors will come to rely on that money, and then when, umm, the donor, dies, or allocates his funds elsewhere, the school will suddenly have to make it up.”
“You’ve clearly done your homework on school funding and responsible development practices, Deputy Headmistress. But no need to worry. That donation is merely part of the income from a dedicated trust. I have been assured that it will continue in perpetuity. In fact it will increase after my death, because the donor presumes my successor will want to draw a full salary. ”
“Oh.” She really couldn’t object, though the idea of the Headmaster personally covering well over half of the school’s annual budget, even if anonymously, still left a slightly off taste in her mouth.
“Minerva?
“Yes?”
“Still mad at me about the raise?”
“I can’t really be, now, can I? Your subvention more than covers the entire faculty salary line in the budget,” she glowered. “But Albus Dumbledore, you are too much! You’re having me fill out this blimey tedious form just so you can truly seal the win in an argument and get your way again, as usual! But how’d you know I’d be nosy and actually read these personal documents, instead of just using copying charms?”
“I relied on some very old wisdom combined with my extensive knowledge of animagi behavior.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” Minerva looked thoroughly confused.
“You know what they say, Tabby. ‘Curiosity killed the cat.’ “
))
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