Part 7 Up: Albus and Minerva's Murder Mystery

[amandahleigh]

I adopted a lonely little plot bunny today, and I wanted to post part one (which is short) of my response to the idea. Enjoy!
Rated PG currently, though that could change, I suppose.
Oh, and for the disclaimer, I know it's really hard to believe, but I'm not JK Rowling. Honest.



-- -- --
I had this idea awhile ago and haven't been able to think it through. Minerva writes a murder mystery in a journal... in first person! Albus or whoever, finds it. She leaves it in his office or in the staff room where someone sees it. One possible way is for a professor to find the book and turn it in, worried, to Albus. Anyway would be cool to read. I don't have time to write updates to my own stories so this one's out for me. Have fun- tabby

-- -- --
Albus awoke very, very early Tuesday morning and decided to take a walk around the castle. Up stairs, down corridors, through passageways, into rooms… He wandered about aimlessly, thinking about a great many things. These walks were often beneficial to Albus, for they helped him to clear his head and therefore focus better, allowing him to think more clearly. For example, two weeks after the current school term began, Albus was thinking about lemon drops, and who invented lemon drops, and why lemon and not orange or strawberry or grape drops, when suddenly he remembered where he had left the green and purple socks he loved so much and had recently lost. Well, not lost, more like, misplaced. And upon discovering their absence he had racked his brain trying to recall their whereabouts, to no avail, but now, walking around with a clear head and thinking of lemon drops, he knew exactly where they were! Under Minerva’s couch cushion! This made him happy.

And now he was trying to think about what to get Minerva for Christmas. They had only begun dating in April, so it was their first ‘real’ Christmas together. He imagined her reactions to each gift he considered, but none of these were ‘just right.’ He was contemplating perfume or jewelry (the old but appreciated clichés!) when he happened into the teachers’ lounge. It was empty, save for a new-looking leather bound book on the end table by his favorite chair. He picked it up and flipped it open, fully intending to find out the owner so as to return the property when the first sentence caught his eye.

Regardless of how much it pains me, he is going to have to die.

More bothersome than that was the fact that it was obviously handwritten. He continued to read.

It is not that I am heartless, or cruel, it is simply a matter of necessity. I know what I need, and he is simply standing directly in the way. And I do not take kindly to those in my way.

We were lovers once – well, more than once, but for a time is what I mean – and I think a part of me will always love him. But this is not about love, or even hate. It is not about emotions at all. It is about practicality, and decision, and power, and choice. And I will choose power over an old flame any day of the week.

Albus’ eyes widened. The page was dated just three weeks ago.

He recognized this handwriting.


But why would Minerva want to kill him?

[Alesia]

Oh this sounds like it is going to be really cool.

[Isabelle]

Intriguing! I look forward to see where this will go. Update soon!

Liz

[JKMcGonagall]

Different. I can't wait to see where this goes. How can Albus really think Min wants to kill him. Silly man.

Kay

[TabbyMin]

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! That is amazing! just a wonderful twist to the story when he finds it's min's handwritting. Continue please- tabby

[amandahleigh]

Different. I can't wait to see where this goes. How can Albus really think Min wants to kill him. Silly man.

Unless she DOES really want to kill him! mwahahahaha...

kidding!



I'm going to try to post the next part (a long er part) within the next couple of days, but I have two exams and two news articles and three papers due this week. It's a crazy week!

[pinkie]

Oh my word! I am already loving this! Next to being a huge HP fan, I also love Agatha Christie and this does remind me of that... a nice little mystery to spice up my day! Thank you!!! Oh and good luck with all your papers and articles and examns!

[TartanPhoenix]

How could Albus think she would want him dead? He should know better. This story has me interested, and I can't wait for the next update.

[Orion's Guard]

Lol. This seems quite funny, I can't wait to read what you do next.

[Miss Q]

I love mystery stories! And this showed a very promising start! I can not wait to read more!!

Good luck with the exams and papers!

M

[Jessabelle]

Hmmm .. Where is this going to go? Lol. I am intruiged. Post again soon!

[amandahleigh]

Albus and Minerva's Murder Mystery, Part Two:

It took Albus less than an hour to read the rest of the obvious work-in-progress. And in reading, he grew more and more suspicious of the woman he loved, and trusted. There were several suspicious lines, pages and paragraphs, though some stood out as more glaring bits of evidence than others. For example, on page six:

It is not easy, to stay so deliciously incognito. He has no idea, not a thought, not a clue. I nearly slipped up this morning, nearly made a grave mistake that could have cost everything, but when I realized he was growing suspicious, I simply challenged him to a game, and he accepted, not another thought to it.

‘That must be about the chess game we played two weeks ago. We were having a serious discussion about…something…and she suggested the match to ighten the mood. Oh, but what were we discussing? What could she been about to reveal? I cannot recall.’
And on page eleven:

He looks so innocent when he is asleep. So sweet, so young and pure. How can I possibly go through with this? But I have my orders, I have my intentions, I have my goals… Oh, but when he sleeps this way…

And worst of all, page seventeen:

I must not grow too fond of him! This thing I feel, it cannot be love! I must stick to my work, and be diligent, and driven…I cannot let love take control, not again. There can be no love, only power. Remember that. There is no love. Only power. And those who are willing to seek it.

He had just closed the book and slipped it into the pocket of his midnight blue robes when the door to the staff room opened.

“Albus, darling!” He heard a voice say behind him, and immediately his body tensed. It was her. The one he loved. The one who was plotting to kill him.

“Uh, Minerva, yes.” He said, turning slowly around. “Good afternoon.”

“Are you alright, love?” She asked, taking several quick steps toward him. He tried to back up, but the table was right behind him. He suddenly felt trapped. ‘But why?’ He asked himself. ‘Why be afraid of her? You have faced dragons, dark wizards, werewolves…’

“You look awfully pale, Albus,” said Minerva. She was right in front of him not, She reached a hand up to his flushed cheek and then, in a typically motherly fashion, felt his forehead. “Perhaps you should go back to your chambers and lie down. I’ll fix you some tea.”

“No!” Albus shouted, and Minerva jumped. “I mean, er, no thank you, Minerva. I will…I am fine. I think I will retire to my chambers for awhile, though. Yes. Well, good day.”

“Shall I accompany you?” she asked quietly, with obvious concern. But Albus shook his head.

“No, no, no. I am fine, Minerva. Just…fine. In perfect health, actually! As good as ever! As a matter of fact, I am feeling the best I have ever felt, unbeatable, definitely not weak!” He exclaimed. ‘Ha,’ thought Albus, ‘Maybe she will think twice of trying to murder me, knowing just how healthy I am!’ But then another, more awful, idea entered his brain. ‘Maybe she likes that I am healthy. Maybe it will be more of a challenge that way…’

Minerva raised an eyebrow. “Albus?” When he said nothing, she kissed him quickly on the cheek (he flinched) and she advised him to get some sleep. ‘All this talk of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named must be wearing him down,’ she figured. This figure, once Tom Riddle of Hogwarts, was calling himself the Dark Lord, and apparently rising up, causing death and destruction all over. She knew that Albus had been very busy in trying to stop the dark wizard from reaching Grindelwald-level status and causing wide-spread panic in the Wizarding World.

“I have to go, Minerva!” Albus said loudly, and hurried from the room, leaving a confused but understanding Transfiguration professor alone in the staffroom.

That was when Minerva recalled what she was doing in the staffroom in the first place. She had come to retrieve her notebook; she had forgotten it on the table that morning.

But the notebook was gone.

“Ahh,” whispered Minerva McGonagall aloud. “No wonder my dear Albus has been acting so oddly. He must have found – and read – my notebook.” Minerva chuckled. “And they say curiosity killed the cat, don’t they?” Suddenly, she had a second realization. ‘He thinks it’s about him! Albus must think…’

Slowly a smile found its way to Minerva’s lips. She had told Albus a million times about where his curiosity (and often outright nosiness) would get him, but perhaps it was time to teach him a more…practical…lesson.

“Alright, Albus,” she said to the empty room. “Let’s play.”

[JKMcGonagall]

"And they say that curiosity killed the cat." Oh, I can just see the evil smile on Minerva's face when she decides to teach Albus a lesson about his nosiness. Boy, if he thinks he is nervous now, wait till she really starts in on him. Hahahahahahahaha!

You really captured the nervousness that Albus was feeling at being around Minerva now so perfectly.

This reminds me of one of the old I Love Lucy episodes where Lucy believes that Ricky wants to kill her. That was one funny episode. I think your story will be even funnier.

I am looking forward to finding out what Minerva does to teach Albus a lesson. Will she involve other professors in the castle (I can just picture Albus being suspicious of everyone), or is it going to be a private lesson.

Kay

[amandahleigh]

I hadn't thought of including other professors in on teh "game" but what a great idea!

thanks!

[Alesia]

I love that you had her figure it out what was wrong with Albus right away. Her "playing" with him is going to be much funnier then if she was confused. he he he This is going to be really good.

[amandahleigh]

PART THREE

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Minerva’s initial response was to start a new notebook…but how to make sure that he found this one, without letting it all be too obvious? She could not forget it again in the staff room. And she wanted to keep adding…

Suddenly Minerva had an idea, a revelation, really. She knew just what to do. Albus was not a nosy many, usually, but he was both curious and cautious. All she would have to do is make sure that the notebook was with her at all times, especially in his company, and then… Out loud Minerva laughed, imagining the looks that must have plagued his finely distinguished (and not to mention handsome) features upon realizing that she had written all those pages.

“Oh, darling Albus,” she whispered quietly to air around her. “You should be able to trust me.”

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Meanwhile, Albus hurried down the corridors to his private chambers. Upon arriving, he decided to change his password to something entirely random, as a precaution, after all, Minerva knew of his love for sweets and would surely guess if he discarded “Candy Quill’s” for “Chocolate Frogs” or “Sherbet Lemons.” “My new password will be ‘Necessary Longevity,’” he said, with a twinkle in his eye. Oh, the cleverness of Albus Dumbledore!

Once inside his chambers, he settled on the couch to comb through the notebook again. He even made notes of the more upsetting and unsettling entries.

But the one thing that was not properly explained anywhere on the parchment was the motive for this apparently premeditated upcoming murder. Something to do with power, this he could tell, but what power? Why? Did Minerva simply want to rule over Hogwarts? And why? She always seemed happy with his decisions, and if she was not content with one of his calls, she would be quick to whip out her most eloquent extemporaneous speeches, accompanied by her fiery Scottish temper.

And what was with this, “We were lovers, once…well…for a time.” For a time! They had only begun courting a few months ago! “An old flame?” Old, because he is many years her senior? Or old as in former? But how could he be a former lover? Albus couldn’t help but blush when he considered the fact that they had consummated their relationship a mere four months ago. And four months before that they had shared their first official date!

“Perhaps this book is about some other former lover, someone I know nothing about,” Albus pondered aloud. “But if that is so, why would she plan to kill him now? And for what purpose? ‘There is no love, only power…’ What does that mean, exactly? Oh, my Minerva, what has happened to you?”

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Minerva grinned as she put the finishing touches on the first entry of her new notebook. She imagined how Albus would look when he read it. Then she imagined his expression when she explained that she was entering a mystery writers contest that she had read about in that other-wise rubbish paper, The Daily Prophet.

I am afraid that my notes have gone missing, my journal could potentially be in the hands of another! The enemy, perhaps! But will he know it is I who is writing? He was acting rather peculiar today. Rather peculiar indeed.

I must stop procrastinating and get this done. They will want it done in a timely fashion; they have already complained of my slowness. I explained that I needed more time to plan, to prepare. This will not be easy, and he must not suspect.

But what if he suspects already?

Perhaps it is time for a change of plans.

[Steph]

I really like this one. It's different from most of your others... more playful perhaps? It's light, but it's captivating.

[Alesia]

You have put a smile on my face. I love the way Minerva is playing with Albus. How cute.

[JKMcGonagall]

This is kind of like the cat playing with the mouse. I love it. Update as soon as possible, please.

Kay

[amandahleigh]

PART FOUR

(this is the last kind of introductory type chapter. I'm going to get a lot more 'into it' starting with Part Five. Any ideas/suggestions/requests?)

and please don't forget to review! Thanks!

___


The second notebook was Minerva’s first stroke of genius. Her second involved Filius Flitwick.

Minerva decided right away that she wanted to get another professor or two (or more!) involved in the little mystery game. She would find a way for Albus to overhear Filius and someone else—Pomona Sprout, perhaps – discussing their murder conspiracy plans. She would have Poppy or Rolanda let a few things slip to Albus at some point… She would set up a real ‘whodunit’ situation. And then someone would have to disappear. Albus would suspect them all!

Perhaps Slughorn could suddenly vanish? That would make quite a few people happy.

Minerva grinned at her own cleverness. But could she pull it off? And how?

Minerva recalled a game she and Albus played a few months back. He bought it at a Muggle shop and was certain it would be great fun for both of them. It was called Clue. He thoroughly enjoyed figuring out that the murderer was Miss Scarlet in the Study the Lead Pipe. Minerva did not tell him, but she had actually figured that out about ten minutes earlier, only she knew how badly he wanted to win so she let him realize it on his own and solve the puzzle. Afterwards he bragged about his amateur detective skills for days. Even more reason for her little game of –a-hem—cat and mouse.

Minerva flooed to Flitwick’s office.

Meanwhile, Albus was still pouring over the first notebook, looking to clues. He was wearing a long tan trench coat over his robes, a strange black hat on his head, and a pair of sunglasses. The perfect ensemble for a number one investigator, an authentic private eye.

He had started a notebook of his own, in which he was jotting down theories and quotes and observations. He would get to the bottom of this, or his name wasn’t Albus Dumbledore!


Once in Flitwick’s office, Minerva explained the situation. Filius laughed when she reached the end, and agreed straight away to be of assistance.
“But why not just ask Poppy or Rolanda?” he inquired, and Minerva shook her head.

“He knows that they’re my best friends, it would be far too obvious.” She explained, and he understood.

“Okay,” he said, “Just tell me where and when and what to say, and I’m your man!”

It took only two hours to get Poppy, Pomona, Horace, Rolanda and even Cicely Sinistra in on the game. Or, as Minerva preferred to refer to it, “the lesson.”

Sprout and Flitwick would be planning a murder of their own. Horace would go missing. Pomfrey would ‘find’ Sinistra and take her to the hospital wing, only to find her memory drastically modified, and Hooch would find a way to strike up a conversation with Albus about how odd everyone is acting.

It couldn’t fail.

Now to figure out how to sneak a revolver, a rope, a knife and a candlestick past Madam Pince in the Library.

[Alesia]

Oh that is VERY FUNNY it is Hogwarts Clue!!!!!! This is going to be great.

[JKMcGonagall]

Oh! We're playing Clue at Hogwarts. How fun. I love the way she is getting the other professors and staff to help her in her game of cat and mouse. Albus isn't going to know what hit him. The question now is when, where, and how?

Minerva going to Filius for help with the plot is pure genuis. They know each other well, but are not best friends, so Albus won't suspect anything.

Cool story. Keep it coming.

Kay

[LadyJolly]

Whoa!! That was be so much fun for Minerva. She's one clever gal! So funny. play Clue but Hogwart style or at Hogwart! ahhaha anways keep on writing more and updating them. Loving this story

Lady Jolly

[amandahleigh]

Albus walked unnoticed down the hallway, lost in thought about Minerva and the upcoming murder. Not only did he not want to be killed, but he certainly did not want Minerva to end up in Azkaban. Someone must be pushing her, forcing her to want to…

Were those voices he heard? Shouting? They were coming from an unused classroom on the third floor south side corridor. Hardly anyone ever came down there. Albus crept closer, and pressed his ear to the door. He could hear Flitwick’s tiny voice, screeching at someone unseen. Albus knitted his brows together, concerned. He did not know Fillius to get so overly emotional.

“Of course not, woman! My sources tell me that he found her notebook, the very one we’ve been trying to get our hands on all this time! Who knows what she wrote in there? We need to find him, and take care of this! And you just want to let it run it’s course?”

“But don’t you understand, F-Squared? She keeps that thing with her everywhere, I bet it has all of her plans in it!”

‘A woman’s voice. Very familiar. But who?’ pondered Albus.

“Exactly! Which is why we need it so as not to be incriminated, Hedge-Green!”

‘F-Squared? Hedge-Green? These must be code names!’ He realized. ‘Hedge-Green, Hedge-Green…’ Albus gasped. Pomona Sprout!

“You are so thick sometimes,” Sprout was saying. Albus hoped they had not heard his gasp. “She does not know about us, of this I am sure. So the only one incriminated in her notes must be her.” Flitwick tried to interject, but Pomona cut him off. “And if she’s the only one he knows to be plotting, then after the murder is complete, who will he assume is guilty?”

“But the Sinister One swears that MinMc’s target and ours are not the same. And she is our most reliable source.”

“Not the same? You bumbling idiot, did you tell her who OUR target is? You did, didn’t you?” She scolded. Albus could not believe how cold and mean they both sounded. He HIRED these people!

“The Sinister One is helping us!” Fillius yelped.

“The Sinister One could be playing both sides!”

There was a pause, and then, so quietly that Albus almost did not hear it, Flitwick whispered, “Do you think so?”

There was no response from Sprout; Albus figured she nodded, for then the Charms teacher said, “Well. Then perhaps she needs to be taken care of as well.”

Albus eyes widened. Who is The Sinister One? Should he warn her? Or would it be even more dangerous to admit that he knew about the plots? That he knew about…

The notebook!

If they know that he’d seen the notebook, maybe Minerva knows too! Albus went suddenly pale. That was when he realized he heard only silence. Cautiously, he peered into the room thoguht the crack in the door. Flitwick and Sprout were indeed in there, seated side by side at the smaller of the two tables. They were leaning over a notebook of their own, writing back and forth to each other. Suddenly, Pomona nodded and they both stood up. “I bid you good day, F-Squared.” She said, moving towards the door.

He nodded in return, and said only: “Tomorrow.”

Albus quickly turned himself invisible and silently scolded himself for not thinking of that earlier. He might have slipped through the barely-opened door unnoticed! He watched as the two exited in opposite directions, and he slipped into the classroom, becoming visible again, and began his search for clues, anything they might have left behind. It took ten minutes, but finally he hit pay dirt! Under a cabinet there was a slip of parchment that looked as though it had just fluttered down, as it was not dusty at all. He picked it up, and was disappointed to see that it was ripped and part of the words were missing. It said:

orrow evening. Hora
mbers. Part One Mi
o effect. Notify The
AP! Speak to no on

Albus stuck the note into his notebook, fully intending to study it further upon arriving back at his private chambers immediately, but when he turned around, he saw that he was not alone.

Minerva was in the room!

“Albus, love, what in Merlin’s name are you doing on the floor?”

His eyes widened. “Uh, nothing! Nothing at all! I was just, er, looking!”

She smiled and walked over to him, reaching down a hand to help him up. He took her hand, but winced in doing so.

“Looking for what, dear?” she asked, and he shrugged.

“Nothing in particular! Well, I have to go. See you around, Minerva!”

Minerva grinned as Albus exited. She called after him, “Yes, I’ll see you around!”

--

A/N So, what do you think? Not much ADMM in this one, but eh…sometimes you just gotta have a little Sprout/Flitwick action! (lol) so, does anyone know who The Sinister One is? Or what that note says? Go on, guess! Hahaa… And leave me a review…please?

[Alesia]

well I originally thought The Sinister one is Snape but then when Sprout and Filitwick referred to The Sinister one as female it has to be Sinistra.

Still working on the note.

[amandahleigh]

I didn't mention it before, but I'm setting this the first time that Horace Slughorn works at Hogwarts, like, back in the day (lol) so Snape isn't actually working here yet.

But that's all I'm gonna say about that! hahaha...

;D

AL

[Alesia]

well if it is that long ago then the Sinister One could be Merrythought! Wouldn't that be funny? Her code name the exact opposite of her name.

[amandahleigh]

What a cool idea!

haha

You're awesome, Alesia!

;D

[amandahleigh]

PART SIX

“Oh, Albus,” sighed Minerva. “I should not be having so much fun at your expense.” With that, she stepped into the floo and seconds later stepped out into Pomona Sprout’s personal chambers.

“What do you think?” Little Flitwick squeaked excitedly.

Sadly Minerva shook her head and their faces fell. She said, “He bought every last word!”

“A-ha!” shouted Flitwick, and Sprout laughed. “I was sure he would! Did he find the note?”

“That,” Minerva assured her, “was a stroke of genius. What did it say? I was only there long enough to see him pick it up and read it.”

“I made a copy,” said Pomona as she handed it to Minerva. “See? I say we give him a little time to figure it out, don’t lay anything else on him for now, and then, tomorrow… Bye-bye Horace Slughorn.”

“You two are incredible,” Minerva said and they beamed. “Oh, you should have seen him!” She continued. “The way he’s dressed! Ridiculous! And that silly black hat, and carrying his own notebook. Patrolling the corridors for clues, I suspect.”

“And he found some,” said Flitwick, and the trio chuckled. He sure did.

Meanwhile, Albus was back in his room thinking hard about the note. “Orrow evening. Sorrow, borrow, sparrow, marrow, morrow…Morrow… Tomorrow… Yes! Tomorrow evening!” Albus had figured out line one! He also figured that the last part of the last line should read, “Speak to no one.” But what could the rest mean? “Mbers. Members? Timbers? Decembers? Limbers? Sombers?” He looked around his chambers and bit the end of his quill thoughtfully. He’d go back to that one later. Now, Part One Mi--. “Mice? Mickey? Mine? Minor? Miss? Mischief? Mistake? Missal? Mission? Missionary? Minerva? Ministry? Might? Mist…” This was not easy. “Tomorrow evening. Horace…” Albus stopped. He realized that he had read that word to be ‘Horace,’ but in reality, it said only ‘Hora.’ But Horace made sense! Everyone else was involved, why not Slughorn? Perfect! “Tomorrow evening, Horace –mbers. Part One Mi—O effect. Probably ‘into.’ Into effect. “Notify the…Sinister One? –AP. Speak to no one.” Albus grinned. The door to his chambers opened then and Minerva entered.

“Hello, handsome,” she practically purred. “What are you doing?”

“Just answering some ministry letters, Minerva. What are you up to?”

She grinned. “Just looking to spend some time with my favorite man.” Slowly she made her way to his desk and sat on the edge of it, facing him. “You’ve been acting odd lately, love. Is something bothering you?”

Vigorously he shook his head. “Nothing’s wrong,” he lied.

“Good.” She climbed off of the desk and into his lap. “Then perhaps we could spend some time together?” She brushed her lips to his.

Against his better judgment, he kissed her back, passionately, and before either of them knew it, they had moved from the desk to the bedroom.

“Oh, Albus,” she moaned about an hour later. “I love you, you know.”

It was these words that reminded him of his mission and he tensed.

“Albus?” she whispered, and he held her a little closer. “I love you, too, Minerva. I really do.”

“Good,” she said, and kissed him. “I hate to cut this short, love, but we should probably be heading down to the Great Hall for lunch.” She slipped out of bed, dressed, freshened up a bit in his bathroom, and kissed him. “See you at lunch,” she said.

It was not until after she left that he realized she had let her self in.

And he hadn’t told her his new password.

--
A/N
I dropped a few clues about what the note really says...anybody catch them?

Please revieew, thoughts, suggestions, critiques, flames, whatever, I appreiciate anything!

[LadyJolly]

How did she find out? Well she is a clever gal. This is so exciting. I really like reading this. I'm usually not a stickler for mysteries but this is really cool! update soon please!

Lady Jolly