The Spoken Truth, Part 1

[mugglemin]

NEXT! Must have next sooooon...suffering from dearth of decent stories, too much time on my hands (when I should be doing other things) and need the next chapter asap. Am willing to beg. Do love rogueinker...

[ginger newts]

Hehe, I do love it when they end up unexpectedly sharing a room and I hope another one doesn't become available. *innocent whistling* Can't wait to see what happens in the morning!

[Sensiblyquirky]

Oh I cannot wait to see how the morning pans out, and I like how you are evolving their relationship.

Christy

[Inappropriate Goat]

I like it!!!

MM

[Miss Q]

Me likey very much!!!!!

Please up-date soon!!

M

[griseldalafey]

Great story. Albus writing his biography is a wonderful and original idea. I like how the relationship between Albus and Minerva is progressing in each chapter, without hurrying it too much.

And of course, welcome to the board.

Love,
Griselda
~eagerly awaiting the next part~

[HappyReader]

Excellent! I am loving this (and your other, earlier works). Update soon please?

Merry Christmas!

[rogueinker]

The Spoken Truth
Part 7
by rogueinker


It is said that the male of the species knows nothing of the true nature of the female of the species unless a male had actually lived in a female's stead for a measure of time. However, even the most fatheaded of males can glean some knowledge of the female psyche by close observation and attention to detail. If said male was sufficiently charming and patient, the object female would be of good humour and welcoming of his presence. Otherwise, the female would just as likely introduce him to the sharpness of her tongue and seek to enlighten him as to the universal meaning of the phrase "I am woman." So, it happened to Albus Dumbledore, the following day.

Albus lay curled on his side snoring lightly. Deep in slumber, he took no notice of the curtains of the sitting room being opened wide nor heard Minerva moving about. Minerva shook him awake. He murmured, "Too early, mother." There came another shake and a voice calling his name.

"Albus, wake up," Minerva prodded.

"Mmmm, ten more minutes. Be good today ... promise," mumbled Albus.

Minerva looked at the watch on the mantelpiece. They were going to be late at the panel they were to speak at - "Aspects of Transfiguration in Education." It would be rude, unprofessional and hardly flattering for them to be tardy, or worse, absent. She nudged the sleeper on the shoulder but still Albus slept. Strange, he's not usually such a sound sleeper. "Albus! Wake up! Wake up, now!"

Albus turned over on his side. He burrowed deeper under his blanket.

Minerva brandished her wand. "This will be worse for me than for you, believe me." She flicked and swished. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

She levitated the headmaster out of bed. His blanket slid off more and more parts of his body the higher he was lifted. Feeling the sudden draftiness, Albus' hands unconsciously felt about for his blanket. For propriety's sake, Minerva charmed his purple nightshirt to stay secure about his body. Once the blanket was lost, Minerva flicked her wand and Albus began to turn vertical. Shortly, upended in mid-air, Albus finally awoke cold, disoriented with a face full of his own beard.

"Wha - uh, phish ... whaz ... what is this?" Handful by handful, still upside down, Albus hauled up his heavy beard until his vision was clear. He found his view captured by two tiny lion's heads growling ferociously up at him. He blinked to clear his vision but the lions remained in sight. His realized he was looking at Minerva's slippers. His eyes swept up the rest of her nighttime attire - slippers, a long night robe of maroon and was that a piece of cream lace peeking through? He had little time to speculate as he became fully aware of his predicament and the blood rushing downward. A heady feeling it was.

"Now that I have your attention, Albus, I suggest you -"

"Was it truly necessary to resort to this?" Still upside down with one hand manhandling his beard aside and the other gesturing at his position, Albus was far from the image of a dignified man.

"I tried several times to wake you. You proved a sound sleeper."

"Did you give a thought to what a position like this could do to a man of my age?"

"You are as far from old and doddering as I am. You will not get any sympathy from me." With another swish of her wand, Albus began to turn upright and then descend. "We have our panel in an hour and half."

Albus' feet touched the ground while flashes of stars danced around his head. He closed his eyes for a few minutes to let the dizziness pass. "I may, just may, have recovered by then."

"I've ordered breakfast. That should improve your disposition." Minerva looked him over. He looked fine to her. "I always thought you to be a light sleeper."

"I was in the middle of a very good dream." Albus stepped towards her. "About you ... and me."

Minerva felt the signs - the rise in temperature, the quickening of breath, the tendrils of awareness coiling inside her. That awareness had grown in the last few months pushing aside her doubts and fears; attraction overshadowing their close friendship sometimes threatening to overwhelm her natural reserve. I want more. I need to know more. "At what point were you interrupted?"

Albus paused unsure if he had heard what he thought he had heard. "I was on a journey and I started here." Albus kissed her forehead. "I was sorely distracted by this." He ran one hand through her hair. "I found my trail once more." His other hand traced a line the length of her profile. "By some miracle I found this." He traced her lips.

Minerva got the word out, barely. "Then?"

"A cold, hard wind blew me off course," Albus chuckled. "Perhaps that was a good thing."

"Unfinished trips can be unsatisfying." Minerva kissed him lightly on the lips. "For both parties." She grasped his nightshirt pulling him to her. It didn't matter that his unbrushed beard was rough to the touch. It didn't matter that his hair stuck out in all directions. It didn't matter that he knew she had Gryffindor slippers. At that moment, nothing mattered to her but leaning into his strong, warm body and losing herself in him.

Albus deepened the kiss and wrapped her securely in his arms. They kissed. They nibbled. They tasted. As they broke apart, they both knew that they had both reached an emotional and physical point of no return.

Reluctantly, Albus stepped away from her. "A private dinner tonight. We need ... need to talk. Yes?"

Forcing calm and control over the tumult of her own desires, Minerva said. "Tonight."


A/N: One more part to go. How will he tell her? Will she find out about the last excerpt? Hmmmm ... and, of course, the book.

[ginger newts]

Yay for kisses! I really liked the beginning of this, the different style made a great lead up and added some depth to the chapter. Can't wait for the rest.

[rogueinker]

Why, thank you. That makes the agony <grin> of writing that intro worth it.

[Rikki]

What a great story!!! Please update soon.

Hugs, Rikki

[Jestana]

That was a great chapter! I loved how it led up to her waking him. *giggle* Bravo!

[Stoneygem]

why can't shake the feeling that h*ll will be raised once Minerva finds out about the exerpt?
Hopefully, she enjoys kissing Albus so much by then that she won't care about the rest of the book. Though with Minerva you never know...

Can't wait for that chapter...

[QuillofMinerva]

Oh how much did I laugh when he was mumbling in his sleep *giggles* and what a novel way of waking him up

I cant wait to read the final instalement and see what happens

Clayre xx

[Inappropriate Goat]

eeeek only onw more ! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
mm

[griseldalafey]

She has lion-slippers... *snort* Wonderful chapter, I wonder how he will tell her.

[mugglemin]

You ROTTER!!! I go away for nearly a week, and you've only posted ONE CHAPTER!!!! You may be responsible for my loss of sanity, you know!

It's Christmas...last chapter?..Please?

mugs.x

[Karlynne]

I tried so hard to save this story to read while stuck in bed but I couldn't wait any longer. I am so glad I didn't wait. I wish the story had more to go than one chapter but ah well, I'll savor what I can. karlie

[rogueinker]

The Spoken Truth
Part ?
by rogueinker


Pat, pat, twist, pat. "What do you think about her, Sachi?" The matronly witch pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Who, Natasha?" asked a petite, Japanese witch peering closely at the mirror. The mirror whispered a few choice suggestions.

"Minerva McGonagall, that is who," Natasha adjusted her hat. "Everyone is talking about her."

"A few articles in a paper and she's a celebrity." Sachi leaned in closer to the mirror. "She is not what I expected."

"Her level of power is unusual in a woman."

"I was talking about her person. She is so ... so plain." Sachi looked vainly in the mirror for any new wrinkles. She was so absorbed in her task that she did not take note of a slight thump coming from a bathroom stall behind her.

"You think so? She's more unassuming and very confident."

"Well, if I had Albus Dumbledore by the nose, I would be confident, too."

"The nose? My dear, you are being polite," Natasha replied

"Did you notice, during the lecture, the looks he was giving her. I swear he was panting after her and she knew it." The two women cackled and giggled. So loud was their merriment that neither heard the agitated rustling of robes coming from the stall.

"It's obvious how he feels about her, with or without the Daily Prophet's help," Natasha added. "But how does she feel about him? She's so ... so reserved ... so English."

"You are such a romantic," Sachi groaned. "He's old enough to be her grandfather. What could she see in him besides, a ... a trophy of power and position."

"Dumbledore seems like a nice man who is very much in love. I hope she doesn't hurt him."

The other woman snorted. "He has a woman more than half his age sharing his bed. He's getting as much out their situation as she is. I would not pity either one of them."

Bang! Minerva walked out with head held high. Her steely regard silenced the two chatterboxes and fixed them in their place more effectively than any spell. Minerva slowly perused each woman up and down, each in their turn. After a thorough review she said, "I would say that I am not the one in need of pity or sympathy." Minerva stopped just as she reached the exit and said. "I find that those who speak of sex and intimacy so openly, and in public, rarely enjoy enough of either in private."

Minerva walked quickly past the main lobby heading towards the gift shop. She looked at the stacks of newspaper until she found the Daily Prophet. There were several issues one and two days behind. She bought one of each. With the papers tucked under her elbow, she slipped out to a quiet corner of the lobby. The excerpts were not difficult to find seeing as they were on the front page.

After a few minutes, she wiped the tears from her eyes. With shaking hands she folded and smoothed the papers. In her mind repeated his sweet declaration. He loves me so much, so very much. The entire world knows it. In her heart, she wondered about her own feelings. What am I going to do about this?



George Henkel sidled to the hotel front desk. With great care he put his package on the desk. He asked the clerk, "Excuse me, can you tell me if Albus Dumbledore is in his room?"

"No sir, like many of our guests he is at the conference."

"I'd like to book a room please."

"Very well, sir."

"And if you would be so kind to inform me when Professor Dumbledore is in." George went up to his room and gave in to his exhaustion but not before hiding his package under the bed first.



Albus shook hands absently with a wizard from Bombay. Their panel discussion had been a great success. Afterwards both he and Minerva were mobbed, but he had always known where she was. A few minutes she disappeared. His eyes scanned the conference rooms for Minerva for the twentieth time in as many minutes. Where was she? His eyes went through the crowds again. He could not prevent the smile from gracing his face after he spotted her sailing back into the crowds. His smile grew wider as she made her way towards him while acknowledging well wishers along the way.

She reached his side. She stood on tiptoe and whispered, "My love, you shouldn't look at me like that. People will talk."

"There is nothing else worth looking at than you. Do you mean it?"

Minerva's eyes sparkled. She looked into his eyes and mouthed the words, "Yes, I love you."

Albus' ears filled with a roaring sound that drowned out all other sounds save for the pounding of his heart. Albus traced her jawline, eyes locked with hers. She LOVES me. She loves ME. He bent down and kissed her cheek. She hugged him back burying her face against his chest.

Around them, wizards and witches tried without success to not notice or stare at the naked display of intimacy between the two. Not that the two in the center of it all was even aware of the world outside of their own. Minerva cupped his face in hers and said, "You told the world how you feel about me. Now it's my turn." There, in public view, she kissed him on the nose before gracing his lips with a kiss that left no confusion about her passion for him.

Albus slid a hand up her spine deliberately enjoying the journey until he was cradling her neck. He returned the kiss in full measure. Minerva, senses reeling, toes curling, slid her arms around his neck eagerly abetting his voluptuous exploration. Her grip tightened even as she molded herself to his body. Albus let loose the self-imposed restraints on his nerves and spirit. His courtship was now complete. With his every brush of warmth across her lips, he committed himself more and more, longer, deeper, forever.

It was Minerva who found the will to break their kiss. Her arms slid down to her sides. "I think we should save some for later."

Albus chuckled. "Just when I think I know you, you do something surprising."

"Hold that thought," Minerva crossed her arms and tapped one foot. "We still have to discuss these excerpts of yours."

"Er, you found out." Albus said sheepishly. "I can explain and -"

Minerva nodded. "You can explain afterwards."

"After what?"

"After you show me, to my full satisfaction, just how sorry you are for deceiving me," Minerva turned around. "Excuse me, Albus, I'm utterly parched. I need a drink."

Albus watched her retreating form. He schooled his heart to calmness while his mind turned over the various positions of apology he could employ later. I'm going to tell her everything, speak the truth, and then make an apology she'll feel for days.

With that decision made, he went outside to get some needed air.


A/N: Merry Christmas to all. Short epilogue is next which I will think about on the airplane ride. I hope I have redeemed myself somewhat with this update.

[Jestana]

Whee! Me likey! Wonderful way to tell him. *giggle* Bravo!

[Inappropriate Goat]

You have been redeemed!!! Good Job!

MM

[Miss Q]

WOW..... I mean... WOW!!!

Thank you!!!

M

and Merry Christmas

[ginger newts]

Oh yay, what a perfectly lovely ending. I never would have pegged either of them for public displays of affection, but it was fantastic here. I'm so glad you've shared this story with us here and I can't wait for the epilogue.

[Isabelle]

Oooh, I like this. That was so uncharacteristic of Minerva to tell him that way. I'm glad she's decided to step out of the box a little. Maybe I should take my cue from her. Great job!

Liz

[rogueinker]

The Spoken Truth
Epilogue


The night was coolly invigorating inviting many couples and families to walk about. Minerva and Albus drifted down the sidewalk often times stopping to point out something interesting to the other. The conference would be ending tomorrow but tonight was theirs.

"Do you have any further surprises for me, my dear?" Albus teased. He held Minerva's hand fast in the crook of his arm. Ever since her uncharacteristic but not unwelcome display of affection, he had felt unbalanced. While she had refrained from further displays, she had continued to make her feelings for him obvious - a whispered endearment, a squeeze of his hand, a loving look, a smile just for him. He had found himself anticipating anything she might do. If this is what it feels like to be coddled and valued, it will not be difficult to become accustomed to.

He stole yet another glance at her. She had changed her appearance as they left the conference. Dressed in a light dress to the knee paired with a warm shawl over her shoulders and her hair loosened, she was far from the persona of the stern Transfiguration teacher and deputy.

"I daresay you are the master of surprises, Albus," Minerva replied. As they walked, Minerva found herself reveling in the new feelings of possessing and being possessed, of belonging. After she had kissed him, Albus had rarely wandered too far from her side. The rest of the day she had felt more than not his hand on the small of her back or resting lightly on her waist. I could get used to this. "Albus, why do we keep stopping? At this rate, it will be an hour before we reach the hotel."

"I cannot seem to help myself from stopping and looking at you, my dear. For my generation, a flash of ankle was considered the height of flirtation," Albus explained. "I find your bared legs distracting and most inspiring."

Minerva laughed. Flirting with a man with wit, humor and daring, a man like Albus, was a delight. "Every woman has them. I am quite sure that women have used them to attract your attentions."

"That may well be, however, I feel the need to point out that yours are the only ones I am seriously considering."

Minerva sensed the sudden tension between them. "How ... how seriously?"

Albus paused their walk and turned to face her. He brought her hand to his lips and bestowed a kiss upon her skin. "Very seriously and for the first time in my life. How things will go is entirely up to you. We have not discussed our -"

Minerva shushed him with two fingers laid across his lips. "Much as I seem to have been very forward today, that is a topic for which I would prefer some measure of privacy." She smiled. "I am eager to welcome you into my life, Albus, have no doubts on that, ever. Lifelong bachelor that you are are and set in your ways, are you prepared to take me into your life?"

Albus turned and they proceeded with their walk. There were no more stops, no more distractions.

An hour later, Albus Dumbledore was experiencing the worst case of nerves in his life. Room service had brought up their dinner. Minerva had arranged a lovely table by the terrace overlooking harbor side. The twinkling lights of boats and buildings by the water served as a romantic counterpoint to the candles on their own table. Minerva was breathtaking in a fitted dress that made him very much aware of his masculinity. Everything was perfect. Everything that is but him. Overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation, he had dropped a goblet and even spilled their wine.

"I've never seen you so clumsy, Albus, anything I can do for you?" Minerva sipped her wine and looked at him innocently. "Or on you?"

Minerva McGonagall, femme fatale. No one will ever know how fortunate I am. "I want this to be special ... for both of us."

"It will be. I know it will be."

Minerva nearly laughed at the worried look that came upon his face. "What if we're not ... not compatible? Can you still -. Do you, er, we need contraception charms?"

Minerva did laugh then. She walked to her nervous swain and sat down on his lap. "We are extremely compatible outside of the bedroom that I can only believe that we will be perfect for each other inside." She kissed him deeply pouring all her reassurance and love into the kiss. She ended the kiss. "I will take care of contraception."

Albus squeezed her waist. "Promise me you will let me know what you like."

"I won't have to tell you. You'll know." She traced the length of his nose and down across his lips. "Give me ten minutes will you."

Albus followed her with his eyes as she disappeared into the bedroom. A knock at the door interrupted his silent prayer of thanks to all the deities of the world for all his blessings. He opened the door to George Henkel.

"Professor Dumbledore, Robert Warden entrusted delivery of this to me. I now relinquish my duty." George held out the package. "A pleasure to meet you, sir."

Albus took the package and was surprised at its weight. "Rather fitting that it was done tonight."

George misunderstood the comment and said. "Mr. Warden has enclosed a letter regarding some final details."

"I see, thank you." Albus rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Mr. Henkel, will you be going back to England tonight?"

"Actually, I will stopping in New Delhi then Athens before reaching home ground again."

"Could you deliver a message for me?"

"Certainly."

Albus ushered George. Albus found some parchment and scribbled a quick note. "Please deliver this to Hogwarts, attention Filius Flitwick by owl post. W- I will be staying here a few days longer. I do not want anyone at the school worrying."

"Understood, professor. Australia is beautiful country." George pocketed the note. "I'll take my leave of you then."

"Thank you, Mr. Henkel." Albus closed the door. He opened the book and quickly read Robert's letter.

He heard Minerva calling him from the bedroom. "Albus, I will catch a cold in here all by myself."

"On my way," Albus placed the book on the secretary desk in the sitting room. He took off his outer robe and draped it on the sofa. Humming softly, he closed the bedroom door behind him.



Albus watched her sleeping form one hand fingering her hair as if the very act would confirm that he had not dreamt the last few wonderful hours. Of two things he was most certain of. First, whatever the future had in store for them, fortune or ill, it did not matter. They would face anything together. Secondly, they were indeed utterly compatible in the bedroom. That had been proven most satisfactorily.

His mind went to that which had started everything - his autobiography. There were a few things left unfinished but on the whole he was very happy with it. He planned to ask Minerva's advice on the remaining items. He wanted Minerva to shape the final book. After all, he reasoned, it was as much her story as it was his. With that thought, Albus pulled the covers over them and slept, content with the world and their place in it.



Three months later, the autobiography of Albus Dumbledore was published to critical acclaim and commercial appeal. Everything about it was clear, simple and elegant exactly as Minerva had advised. The cover was of sumptuous leather upon which the title was engraved "A Life Lived". The pictures were kept to a minimum - a Dumbledore family portrait, a photo with the Flamels, one of a group of intelligence agents from the Grindelwald years amongst them a startlingly young Minerva McGonagall and a still whole Alastor Moody, a photo of the assembled Wizengamot, a photo of past members of the Order of the Phoenix and a group photo of the Hogwarts staff. The dedication, too, was to the point.

The significant woman in his life had objected to anything more wordy or flowery. Hundreds of rejected drafts fueled the fireplace in his study. In fact, Minerva had used every charm and feminine wile at her disposal to try to convince him to leave the dedication off entirely. Though he did nothing to discourage her every attempt, in this instance, his mind and will was firm. So strong was his intent that he had placed a contractual obligation upon the publisher to include the dedication unchanged in every printing thereafter no matter what his heirs, if he and Minerva were so blessed, could want to do.

And so it was that the autobiography had continually been revised, photos added or the cover design changed through many, many printings through the generations that followed. However, the dedication always remained thus:

To Minerva, the only star in my horizon, brilliant, beautiful and beloved.


FIN


A/N: I like to think that they learned even more about each other in the months getting the book ready. Did they marry, I shall leave that to your imagination much as I did the love scene. I hope you enjoyed this story.

Thanks for welcoming me to the board.

rogueinker

[Nerweniel]

Thank you very much for making me start crying and yelling "aaaaaaw" with that dedication ... my parents think I have lost it ENTIRELY now, but damn it was worth it. Such a sweet chapter- but nothing beats that one line... "To Minerva, the only star in my horizon, brilliant, beautiful and beloved. "... *delighted sniff*... I WANT AN ALBUS TOO ;D!

Love,

Lies

[Isabelle]

Oooohhhh! I'm near tears now. That dedication is absolutely fitting. You ended this beautifully. Bravo!

Liz

[mugglemin]

Yay! And a happy new year to you too! Well done, another great story from a great author!
mugs.x

[griseldalafey]

And I'm tearing up as well Wonderful conclusion of the story. Thanks for writing it!

[Sensiblyquirky]

I loved this story, and very much the ending. Great work! Like the other ladies, the dedication made me melt.

Christy