Let Me Introduce You~An Interactive Story

[evagrace]

Great chapter! I am loving this story! ;D My vote is also for B.

-Mel

[tayryn]

wonderful update, ladies! just wonderful!!

voting this week is easy... i love shopping with my mother... so... B!!!

[Sensiblyquirky]

Interesting plot twist ladies. I suppose B for this week.

Christy

[Karlynne]

I think Minerva would need more than a couple of hours to overcome the trauma. I remember a similar experience and I still wince at the memory. I think you'll be able to close the voting early this week. I also choose B. Karlie

[Lady Lavendar]

This story is so good!! I have to say B B B B B!!!! ;D

LL

[Kandice]

I choose B also.

[Kamdra]

I will have to make it unanimous and say B also. I can't wait to see Aberforth. Kammie

[Krystal]

I want to be contrary just to go against the tide but I really want B also. Krys

[QuillofMinerva]

Oh what an exciting chapter! I need more ladies...and the option I choose is B as I think that will be more interesting and I need to find out why Albus was the problem though I can hazard a guess ;D I am also looking forward to seeing Aberforth for you know I love him to pieces.

Clayre x

[Sola]

I also go for B, since I like Mins mom so much!

Anyway...

Sola

[Rikki]

And it's definitely B for me. ;D Great update, folks!

Love, Rikki

[Kacie]

Oh how embarrassing! I do see a trend here, I choose B.

[LadyJolly]

Man, That's got to be a well somewhat horrorifing sight/experience but whatever. This is really good I vote B!!!

Lady Jolly

[Karmin]

I got a real laugh from this update. I choose B.

[AngelQueen]

*giggles hysterically* Poor Minerva... walking in on her parents... I can't say the same thing ever happened to me but I fell into the category of kids that didn't even think that their parents had a sex life... and only found out when my mother actually spelled it out for me.

Needless to say, I almost died right then and there. I still shudder about what she implied that day... *cringes* It's not something I like to contemplate.

Oh, but that was a wonderful chapter! Now I'm dying to know what Albus did to delay Minerva's parents' relationship!

[glow=red,2,300][shadow=red,left,300]OPTION B FOR ME!!![/shadow][/glow][/size]

AQ

[ginger newts]

Oh man, what a chapter! I can't believe I almost missed it (stupid end of the semester).

Poor Minerva running in on her parents and poor us for getting details. Can't wait to hear how Albus almost came between her parents... Hmm, just to be different I'll vote for B.

[Tartan Tabby]

Wonderful chapter and an really great story! I choose B!

[angeldust]

how could u leave it at such a evil cliff hanger!!!! Just when the plot thickens! OMG!!!!!!!!

;D Am gonna have to go for B oh and poor Minerva walking in on her parents!

[DumbledoresKitten]

OMG

I'm still laughing. Poor min, but i think that situation has arisen at least once in every household.

What a horrid place to end that chapter. very evil cliffy!

More info is needed (you're making me break with tradition here!) i think you can start writing the next chapter with no doubts as to the results of this weeks voting BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

;D cat ;D

[ArabellaFiggs]

Oh my, the situation must have been very painfull.
But very funny. ;D

I vote B also.
Great story.

loves, Jo

[griseldalafey]

*smirk* Poor Min. ;D *still snickering*

Lovely chapter and I'm sure her father will come around.

I vote B as well

[Kimberly]

I had an incredible urge to be included in the 'B' vote. Kim

[Hogwarts Duo]

A/N: Hahahaha! We love you all so much ;D Reading the reviews for this past chapter was so much fun. From the start of this story we have been surprised by your votes and where they have taken us. This past week we had a feeling which way the voting would go but still we were shocked when we found time and time again that all of you were UNANIMOUS in your voting. Hopefully, you won’t mind us posting the chapter a little earlier than we originally promised but since there was a clear choice of options, we started writing early in the voting and thus the chapter is finished. We have to say that we had a soft spot for B ourselves and hope you love what happens as much as we do! And for all of you that were eager to see Aberforth in the story – hold on tight because he has quite the story to share!

Tell Me A Story

Athena smiled at her daughter and the surprised look that had entered her eyes. “Albus Dumbledore was the first man I ever had a crush on. To look back on it now, I can clearly see how silly I was being but at the time I fancied myself in love with him.

I suppose I should start at the beginning. You know that my side of the family are Ravenclaws and have been as far back as we can remember. Well, with the exception of a few Slytherins whom we don’t like to talk about. My whole life up until Hogwarts was centered on that fact. I was tutored from an extremely early age and it was drilled into me that there was no greater goal in life than learning.

Your grandparents were thrilled when I was sorted into Ravenclaw and from the very first day of classes, I was a studious student. More so than others even in my own house. All that time in the library and being buried in books did not lend itself well to any flirtations. I had friends of course and did the cursory extras, like attending quidditch matches and making an appearance at dances but I truly believed that my classes were the only things that mattered.

In my sixth year at Hogwarts I made a new friend. It happened by accident really, a set of odd circumstances throwing us together. She was nearly the opposite of me. She lived for quidditch and fun, playing pranks was not just a pastime of hers but a goal to be sought after with determination. A truer Gryffindor I have never known. Genevieve Hooch entered my life as a whirlwind and her attitudes helped me to realize that there was more to life than studying and grades. Knowledge and my classes were still important to me but she taught me how to better balance my life.”

“Aunt Vive’s name is Genevieve? Does Xia even know?” Minerva couldn’t suppress the chuckle that escaped. Aunt Vive would regale Minerva and Xiomara with tales of her and her Mum’s exploits while at Hogwarts. But Minerva never realized that they hadn’t become friends until the end of their years there.

“If her daughter knows, she has been sworn to secrecy with dire threats should she reveal the truth. And don’t you tell her that I told you or she will have my head!”

Athena stood and started pacing while she continued her story. “Anyway it is because of Vive that I became friends with your father. In the past he was just an irritant in most classes to me, other than transfiguration, which he loved. I never paid him much attention but apparently he had noticed me early on and had been working up his nerve for years to ask me out. Once we were formally introduced, his crush on me grew but I was totally, well mostly, unaware of his feelings.

Then our seventh year came and with it a new teacher in transfiguration. We didn’t get to meet the newest professor until classes since he was not able to attend the start of term feast. I can still recall the way my heart skipped a beat and how my legs barely carried me to my desk upon seeing him standing at the front of the room. His auburn hair and short beard was all the rage at the time and he was so tall and regal looking. I don’t think there was a single girl that day who didn’t fall head over heels in love with Albus Dumbledore.

We twittered about it in the halls and mooned over him at all the meals. Before Albus came to teach at Hogwarts, I used to spend a few minutes in front of the mirror – just long enough to brush my hair and teeth. After he started, I would spend at least an hour in front of the mirror making sure everything was perfect. And I was not alone in my ministrations. Each of us wanted to catch his attention but none of us dared to make a move in his direction.

All the boys knew of our fascination but for the most part they made fun of us and ignored our silly ways. I had no idea at the time but it turns out that your father started to get jealous. By the Valentine dance he was in quite a state and finally got up his nerve and asked me out.

I said yes. It was not unexpected for him to ask but it made me look at him in a new light. I chose my dress carefully and really made an effort with my appearance for him. I knew it wasn’t necessary, after all Vive loved to tell me how hard your father had fallen for me. But since it was the first date where I actually cared for the boy I was going with I was filled with nerves.

Your father was a perfect gentleman and he looked so handsome. We danced and laughed. We had so much to talk about and he even took me for a walk in the gardens where we stole our first kiss. However, things went a bit downhill once the punch had a little something extra added to it. I am afraid that I, and many other of my girl friends, became a bit tipsy. We started a game of dare amongst ourselves and I became the recipient of the dare that most girls would both have dreaded the most and swooned over with happiness – I was to go ask Albus to dance.

You can imagine who gave me such a dare. Your Aunt Vive swears that it was all in fun and perhaps it was but I think she was just trying to stir up some trouble. The spiked punch had left me feeling very brave and I didn’t hesitate in my quest. He accepted my suggestion and we danced. He was very funny and kind and at the end he kissed the back of my hand telling me what a pleasure it had been to dance with me.

I suppose that was the breaking point for your father. He stormed out and I didn’t even notice until a few minutes later after I had drifted back down from the cloud I had been floating on. He wouldn’t speak to me for the rest of the year and then we graduated and went our separate ways.

Harold blamed Albus for our break up, such as it was. I never really fully understood what had transpired until years later when we got back together and the full story had come out. He was so awfully jealous and you know what a temper your father has – it was ten times worse in school. And he has never really truly forgiven Albus for what he considers our lost years.”

Minerva sat unmoving for a long time. Her thoughts were jumping from event to event. She tried to put herself in her father’s shoes and knew she would have been jealous as well. She had inherited her father’s temper, not something she was necessarily proud of but it had come in handy once in a while. However, with what was at stake she couldn’t understand why he was being so stubborn about something that had happened so very long ago and was really just a misunderstanding brought about by teenage hormones.

“Thank you for sharing this with me Mum. I will talk to Dad in the morning and try to keep a level head. Maybe I can make him realize that now is the perfect time to heal old wounds.” Minerva hugged her Mum and told her she loved her.

Before Athena walked out the door she reached up and cupped her daughter’s cheek. “Remember that whatever the outcome, your father loves you very much. You are the accomplishment he is most proud of and if anyone has a chance at making him see reason it is you.” Minerva fought back tears once again as she closed the door and finished getting ready for bed.

The next morning Minerva was up early and found herself humming a tune from her childhood as she dressed for the day. She had received a response from Albus to the owl she had sent before leaving for her parents as she had settled into bed last night. In his flowing penmanship, the note relayed his acceptance and enthusiasm for her chosen time of their date and he mentioned that he would be running some errands in Diagon Alley on this day if she would like to meet for tea in the afternoon to go over and finalize the paperwork.

[Hogwarts Duo]

The knowledge that in a few short hours she would be seeing Albus made her day that much more pleasurable. Perhaps she would ask Mum to go with her and they could do a bit of shopping for her upcoming date this weekend. She wanted to get a new set of robes that were more flattering than the dowdy ones she had in her closet. Especially since his reaction to the altered robes she had worn to lunch were so positive.

It was then that she remembered the talk she would have to have with her father. She needed a plan, some way to make him see that Albus was not at fault for what had happened years ago. She only hoped that he had slept off his temper from the night before. With a final wave of her wand to straighten up the mess she had created, Minerva headed downstairs to join her parents for breakfast.

As she made her way downstairs, Minerva’s senses were assaulted with the delectable scents of a homemade breakfast. She followed the smells to the back porch where a table had been set up, her stomach growling hungrily at her lazy pace.

“Good morning, Darling! How did you sleep?” Athena came over and kissed her daughter’s cheek.

“Very well thank you. While I am thinking on it, how would you like to join me for a bit of shopping in Diagon Alley this afternoon?”

“That would be lovely. I need to pick up a few things myself and could use some time away from you know who.” The last part of the sentence was issued in a loud, dramatic whisper by Athena.

“I heard that my dearest wife! And don’t think you can escape me so easily.” Harold came up behind his wife and put his arms around her waist while nuzzling her neck.

While Athena giggled like a little girl, Minerva looked skyward and thanked Merlin for putting her father in a playful mood. “Good Morning, Dad.” Minerva was tentative in her greeting. Even though he was happy with his wife, it did not mean he had forgiven her for the night before.

“My wee petal!” Harold picked Minerva up and spun her around. “I am sorry about my temper last night. You are a grown woman and have every right to choose who you date. I can not say that I am happy about your choice at this time…”

Minerva went to speak but was hushed before she could get very far. “….but I am willing to try and put the past behind me for the sake of my only child. I would never want anything to come between us, especially my own temper.”

Minerva hugged her father tight and smiled at her Mum as Athena winked at her conspiratorially. Minerva figured that she must have had a talk with Dad after she had visited her last night. “Oh Dad, nothing would ever come between us. I love you! But I am very happy to know that you are willing to give Albus a chance should it come to that.”

“And why wouldn’t it come to that. You are the finest lass around and he could do no better. And if he needs me to point out the obvious then I would be more than happy to.” Harold had puffed up as he spoke and Minerva found herself blushing at his protective nature.

“I don’t think that will be necessary just yet Harold.” Athena came over and took his arm in hers. “Let’s enjoy this delicious breakfast and then we can worry about the rest later.”

By late afternoon, Minerva was beginning to feel a bundle of nerves forming in the pit of her stomach as she put the finishing touches on her appearance before she and her mother left for Diagon Alley. Walking down the stairs, her father dramatically clutched his chest and raised a hand to his forehead.

“I am blown away by your beauty, dear lass. Might I be allowed to escort you and this raving beauty beside me to the gate and watch you apparate from my sight?” Minerva giggled as her mother playfully slapped her dad’s arm and then kissed his cheek. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Minerva kissed the other cheek and looped her arm though his, taking him up on his offer.

They had an hour to kill before meeting Albus at Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor and the two women decided to take care of Athena’s few errands before losing themselves in the company of Albus Dumbledore. Minerva hoped he wouldn’t mind her mother joining them and it would give her a chance to get another opinion on whether or not he truly fancied her as she did him. Her mother had always been rather gifted at seeing things others did not, except when it directly concerned her as she proved with the story she shared last night.

It was almost time to head down the street to the little shop when Athena decided to pop into one more store to get something of a personal nature for her dear husband. Minerva had no desire to join her, for she was still reeling from the images from the day before. Promising to save her a seat, Minerva continued towards the eatery while her mother went inside to make her purchase.

As she neared the outdoor tables at the ice cream shop, Minerva immediately noticed the auburn haired man sitting at a table all alone, nibbling on a few biscuits he had obviously purchased for their enjoyment. His lime green robes seemed to clash with his red hair but the way they clung to him made Minerva pause. Not that she had really had a chance to study Albus before, but he seemed to be slightly less muscular than she remembered and his hair was shorter but still, he was tall, even when seated, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw him waiting patiently for her. The bolder side of Minerva emerged as she decided to play a little trick on the man seated with his back to her.

Sneaking up quietly behind him, she covered his eyes with her soft, dainty hands and lowered her head close to his ear. Her warm breath tickled his neck and a shiver passed through his body. As he tried to speak, he was suddenly stopped by the sound of the most angelic voice he’d ever heard.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all morning,” she whispered softly. “Tea, with the most attractive man in town and I’m sure to be the envy of every woman in Diagon Alley.” Minerva was about to place a chaste kiss to his cheek when a familiar voice behind her made her heart stop beating in an instant.

“Shall I leave you two alone or would you care to share tea with two handsome men this afternoon?” Albus’ lighthearted chuckle rang through the air as he watched the faces of his brother and the attractive woman he was dating turn a particularly bright shade of red. Before she had a chance to speak a single word of explanation or apology, Albus leaned forward and planted a brief kiss to her cheek and guided her to the chair nearest him.

[Hogwarts Duo]

“I’m sorry Minerva. I had hoped to be here waiting for you when you arrived but I had dashed across the street to get you these,” he said offering her a small bouquet of flowers. “I asked Aberforth, my brother, to hold our table outside because it’s such a lovely afternoon.”

“And I’m certainly glad he did. I must say he didn’t do you justice in his description of you.” Aberforth winked at Albus and then set his eyes on Minerva. “I tried to tell you I wasn’t Albus but you spoke before I had a chance but it definitely made my day. It’s not often I get mistook for my handsome, famous brother,” Aberforth teased.

“That’s not true. We’ve had that happen many times before, but never with a woman as lovely as Minerva,” Albus added. “I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve had to prove my identity because of something silly you’ve done. And we won’t even start on the entire goat issue here. I don’t want Minerva to get the wrong idea about our family,” Albus laughed.

“In my defense, though, you two do look similar from behind. Of course, I’ve never really stopped to study you from behind, Albus, but your hair coloring is the same and your build is similar.”

“In more ways than one! Isn’t that right Albus?” his brother added with a smirk on his face. “There was this one time…”

“Aberforth, I thought you wanted to go inside and buy an ice cream sundae after I returned. Now would be a good opportunity to do that.” Albus gave his brother a look of warning but it went unheeded.

“Okay, but after I tell this story,” he continued. “See, there was this girl and she fancied me over Albus…imagine that. Apparently she thought I’d be more fun to date. But anyway, I had invited her out to our home for an evening picnic. We were in our early twenties and I’m sure you know all about what happens on moonlight picnics at that age or well any age for that matter.”

Albus buried his head in his hands and tried with all his might to think of some way to get him to stop telling this story. It always seemed to come up in conversations where it would cause the most embarrassment but this one topped them all. He was sitting here, with the woman he was highly interested in making a concerted effort at wooing and here his brother sat, telling this tale of mistaken identities.

“Albus loved to go skinny dipping in our lake and still does. Isn’t that right, dear brother? Anyway, the girl thought that I was the one in the lake and well let’s just say she got a right shock when she surfaced bare-chested right in front of Albus with her hand suspiciously working below the water, if you know what I mean,” he finished with a wink at Minerva.

By this time, Minerva was feeling sorry for Albus. Obviously he was not amused with his dear brother for embarrassing him and telling this story to her. Yet, she did find it highly amusing and wanted to know the outcome. “And what happened next, Albus?” she asked sweetly, laying her hand on his arm and giving it a gentle squeeze.

“I backed away from the young woman and immediately informed her of my identity. She dropped below the water and I hastily transfigured some rather rudimentary clothing for myself from some nearby reeds. By that time, Aberforth had arrived and I took my leave,” Albus finished with a pink tinge to his cheeks.

“Oh poor baby,” Minerva teased Albus. “Perhaps you should learn to take someone with you next time you go skinny dipping. That way there will be no question about who it is in the water with you and I’m sure no more of Aberforth’s dates will try to attack you from beneath the water’s surface,” she giggled.

“Hmm, I may just have to check into that possibility. Fancy going with me someday?” he asked just as Minerva’s mother walked over to the table.

“And just where do you plan on taking my daughter, Professor Dumbledore?” Athena asked with a smile on her face and a discreet wink in her daughter’s direction.

Minerva laughed as she watched the faces of both Albus and Aberforth morph from amusement to sheer shock and bewilderment. She had neglected to inform them that her mother was with her and her timing could not have been better if Minerva had planned it herself. “Albus, Aberforth, I’d like you to meet my mother, Athena.”

Both men rose from their seats and kissed the back of her hand as Albus helped her into the last vacant seat. “We were just talking about my ancestral home and how I’d love to take Minerva there sometime,” he said stealing a sideways glance at Minerva. He was almost certain she picked up on the true meaning of his daring statement, and he was positive Aberforth had based on the sharp kick he received to his shin.

“Athena, you look very familiar to me. By chance, did I teach you at Hogwarts? You look so young, I’d almost venture to say it was fairly recently too.”

Athena giggled and thanked Merlin Harold was not around to hear his compliment. It had taken her years to convince him that she was over her crush but the blush in her cheeks at the moment would not go very far in convincing him today. “Yes, you did teach me. I was in my seventh year when you started. And you even danced with me at the Valentine dance that year.”

Albus turned his eyes skyward, as if trying to remember the place and time she mentioned. Realization flashed in his mind and he smiled broadly. “Yes and if I remember, you were slightly tipsy, thanks to your friends. I must say I took quite the ribbing from my colleagues after that evening because I was the most popular staff member in attendance, at least with the ladies.”

As the initial chatter was beginning to die down, Aberforth made his excuses and took his leave but not before kissing Minerva on her cheek. “Thank you for a lovely afternoon and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the way you introduced yourself. I can see now why my brother is so enamored with you. I hope I’ll be seeing a lot more of you in his future.”

[Hogwarts Duo]

“Yes, and I think you two have some paperwork to attend to and I have something at home I’d like to take care of, Minerva.” Athena shot her daughter a knowing glance to indicate she was in no hurry for her daughter to return home. “I bought your father something this afternoon as a way of saying thanks for his change of heart this morning and I’d like to give it to him.” Athena winked and patted one of the packages she had in her possession and turned to Albus.

“It was lovely to see you again, Albus. Minerva has spoke nothing but wonderful things about you and we’re pleased you’re a part of her life. If you’re not busy this evening, perhaps you’d like to join us for dinner?”

“Alas, I wish I could but I promised my friend Nicholas and his wife that I’d join them this evening. But perhaps a rain check could be arranged. I’d love to meet your husband and to spend more time with Minerva’s entire family.”

“Our home is always open to you. Minerva, I’ll see you at home later tonight. Dinner will be at eight so there’s no rush to get back.”

After everyone had left them alone, Albus and Minerva quickly worked through the official paperwork and sealed their new partnership with a toast. Albus had purchased a rather large ice cream sundae with two spoons. He and Minerva each took a spoon and dipped it into the dish, then in a bold move, fed each other the bite from their spoon with closed eyes, just as Albus had taught her to do with the cake. “Mmm, now that’s the best bite of food I’ve had since that cake the other night,” he remarked with his eyes still closed.

“Me too,” Minerva answered as she slowly opened her eyes to see his blue ones staring back at her intently.

“Shall we take a stroll around the village before I have to let you return home?”

“I’d like that very much.”

The remainder of the afternoon was spent in the warm sunshine, arms locked and the occasional sideways glance stolen surreptitiously. Albus had lost track of time when in the company of this particular bright and beautiful woman and he was already running late for his dinner engagement. “I hate to cut this short but I really must be going. Pernelle is not amused when her dinner is cold and I do not wish to make her an enemy of mine. Merlin knows I have enough of those running around this world.”

Minerva laughed sweetly and confirmed, once more, the time and date of their first official date. “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve thought a great deal about what we could do and I just hope that you’ll have a wonderful time.”

“Any time I’m near you is a wonderful time, Minerva,” he said softly. And with that, he promised to meet her on Friday for their evening out, kissed each of her cheeks softly and with a final squeeze to her soft hands, he apparated away.

Minerva raised a shaking hand to her cheek and relished the warmth flowing through her body. Friday could not come soon enough for her. Taking a long breath and inhaling the fragrant flowers Albus had given her, Minerva felt giddy at the mere thought of the latter part of the week and what it might hold for them.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wow! Those were quite the stories…or at least we hope you thought so. This was a fun chapter for us to write. But what kind of date will Minerva plan for her Albus? Your options are:

A) Minerva decides that she would like some quiet time with Albus and puts together a surprise picnic filled with homemade gourmet treats.

OR

B) Minerva takes Albus to a muggle movie being shown on the beach and they happen upon a party, which they decide to join.

We’ll close the voting on May 4…unless you shock us again by overwhelmingly choosing one option over another.

[LadyJolly]

That was great. I really like this story not only it's fun to read but we get to vote to YAY!!! but now the choosing the hard part. A sounds romantic but B sounds interesting. hmm....B Yeah B good luck Ladies

Lady Jolly

[Karlynne]

The thought of a romantic evening is nice but I think its too soon and they haven't begun to work together yet so I will go with B and let them have some fun and excitement.

[Kandice]

I was going to choose A just to cast a different vote but I really like option B so I choose that one instead.

[ginger newts]

Those were quite the stories, ladies. I enjoyed this chapter a lot, naughty Albus and Minerva already discussing giong skinny dipping.

Hmm, I think I'll vote for B as well. A movie on the beach sounds like fun.