Post by ginger newts on Jun 25, 2005 18:48:38 GMT -5
Title: (I'm deeply sorry but I just can't think of a title, suggestions are welcome.)
Summary: A strange young woman comes to Albus for help, her repeated visits eventually forcing him to make a confession to Minerva.
Rating: 11+
A/N: For Ang, who I hope won’t need a detective to figure out why, as a completely inadequate thank-you.
It was the first day of the summer holidays. The air was clear and the sun shone brightly on the little village of Hogsmeade. The Three Broomsticks pub was filled with a noisy lunchtime crowd when Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall entered. With his hand on the small of her back, Albus guided Minerva toward a vacant table near the back of the room. He drew one of the chairs around the edge of the small round table in order to sit beside Minerva, then they ordered cocktails from a young waitress and surveyed the crowd as they waited.
“Here’s to promotions,” Albus said when their drinks arrived.
Minerva smiled and lifted her glass to tap lightly against his. “You’re quite sure the Governors will approve of me as Deputy Headmistress?” she asked after a moment.
“I don’t see what objection they could possibly have. My personal feelings aside, you’re the obvious person for the job. No one else is more capable of handling so many duties.”
“Albus, you’ve been handling all those duties for years. I’ll be stepping directly into your shoes on every count,” she reminded him.
He smiled, “And I’m sure you’ll do a much better job.”
Minerva laughed and shook her head. “I’ll have to so you don’t fire me.”
Albus was about to respond when their attention was drawn to the door of the establishment. The door had burst open wildly, almost hitting a couple on their way out, to reveal a woman who appeared to be distressed but attempting to cover up that fact. She halted briefly on the threshold and then entered the pub; Albus and Minerva watched her make a quick circuit of the room, checking the occupants of every table. Finally, she arrived at their table, looked at them, began walking away, paused to look back, and then approached them.
“Professor Dumbledore?” she asked.
“Yes?” Albus asked. “You were looking for me?”
“Yes, I called in at the school and they told me I could probably find you here,” she said. “I’d like to speak to you.”
“Please, be seated,” he indicated the vacant chair on the opposite side of the table.
“Thank you.” She sat on the very edge of the chair, leaning forward toward the table, and fidgeted with the skirts of her robes for a moment before looking up at Albus. “I had rather hoped to speak with you privately,” she said.
“It’s quite alright,” Albus said. “I have no secrets from Professor McGonagall and I assure you she won’t break your confidence.”
Minerva looked questioningly at Albus and then gave their companion a small smile to indicate that her secrets were safe. She could tell by Albus demeanor that he had no idea who this woman was, so she was sure to make a good inspection while they were talking. Minerva guessed the woman was about her own age, no more than five or ten years younger at the outside. She was wearing expensive robes and appeared well groomed; her hands were well manicured and showed no signs of having been used for much work, not even the frequent holding of a quill; she wore no wedding band. Minerva had the distinct impression of a spoiled woman from a wealthy family, with a small army of house elves at her disposal, who had never had to work for anything in her life.
“Go on,” Albus prompted. “What did you want to see me about?”
“I’m afraid this is going to sound rather strange, but I do hope you’ll listen to the whole story before making any decisions. My name is Eve Dubley, my grandfather is Richard Dubley, with whom I believe you are acquainted?” Albus indicated that he knew the man and Eve continued. “It is my understanding that my grandfather once gave you a very large sum of money, no strings attached, as financing for a research project which eventually proved to be very profitable for you. Unfortunately, some recent business deals have left my grandfather at a considerable loss for funds. He is now very ill and doesn’t have the money to pay for the necessary treatments. He doesn’t know I’m here, Professor, and I’m sure he wouldn’t approve, but I was hoping that... Well, would you be willing to return my grandfather’s investment?”
Albus placed the tips of his long fingers together and sat in silent thought for a few moments. He didn’t so much as glance at Minerva, whose face showed a combination of incredulousness and indignation. She added to her impression of Miss Dubley various adjectives, including brazen, manipulative, and deceitful. Minerva didn’t believe her story of the ailing grandfather for a moment. She watched Albus’ face carefully as he considered the woman’s proposal and when he opened his mouth to respond she could see that he was going to agree to give her the money. Albus heard the intake of breath signaling that Minerva was about to speak, but he cut her off with a look and then addressed Miss Dubley.
“Your grandfather did, as you have admitted, give me that money with the agreement that no repayment would ever be necessary and that he would never ask even for royalties on the research. However, I understand the apparent urgency of the situation and I always try to help out a friend when I can. I will give you the money, but that will require a trip to the bank.” He glanced at Minerva. “If you would agree to meet me in my office at Hogwarts in two hours, we would like to finish our lunch here and then I may be able to give you part of the money. We’ll arrange another meeting at that time for you to collect the rest.”
Eve’s entire face lit up with excitement. “Oh, Professor Dumbledore!” she enthused. “You’re so wonderful. I just knew that if I explained the situation you would help. You can’t know the difference this will make. I’ll see you in two hours.”
Albus stood as Eve pushed back her chair to leave the table. Impulsively, she took a step toward him and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said again as she hurried from the table and out into the crowded high street.
Resuming his seat, Albus couldn’t help but notice Minerva’s stiff posture and the frank annoyance that radiated from her body despite the carefully practiced look of calm on her face. “Well,” he said, patting her hand with his, “shall we order lunch now? I don’t know about you, but I could use a good lunch.” He signaled the waitress.
Minerva remained silent until after Albus had placed their orders and the waitress once more left the table. “I can’t believe you agreed to give her the money,” she said, in a voice that betrayed her distaste for the woman who had just left them.
“Why not?” Albus asked calmly, sipping his drink. He had a pretty good idea what she would say, but wanted to hear it for himself; he always appreciated Minerva’s appraisal of a new acquaintance.
She turned to face him, eyes hardened, and spoke in a level voice. “Because she obviously wasn’t telling you the truth about why she needed the money.”
“Of course not,” he said casually, as if it made no difference.
Minerva started to say more, but Albus cut her off with a question. “Why don’t you like her?”
“Because she’s a spoiled, lazy, deceitful, brazen –“
“That’s enough,” Albus interrupted. “I get the idea.”
“Well?” Minerva asked heatedly.
“Well what?”
“Why are you giving her that money?”
Albus smiled, “My dear, it won’t take us two hours to eat lunch. I deliberately asked for more time than we need so that I can contact Richard and check her story.”
“And if it turns out not to be true?” she asked.
“I’ll decide that when I get to it,” he answered as their lunch was served.
They ate in an unusual and stony silence, Minerva very obviously disapproving of Albus’ decision. She tried to convince herself that it was Eve’s character that had put her on guard and not the parting hug or the obvious appreciation with which the other woman had looked at Albus.
When the meal was over, the friends returned to Hogwarts and Minerva automatically turned in the direction of her private rooms. Albus caught her by the elbow and pulled her back. “I thought you were interested in this deal. Don’t you want to know what Richard has to say?”
Minerva stiffened. “Why even ask him, it’s obvious you’re going to give that woman the money either way. I suppose I can’t blame you,” she said in an icy voice, “any man would –“
“Come on,” Albus said, half dragging her down the corridor toward his office, which was soon to become her office. “I want you to see for yourself how this plays out since you’re so interested.”
Summary: A strange young woman comes to Albus for help, her repeated visits eventually forcing him to make a confession to Minerva.
Rating: 11+
A/N: For Ang, who I hope won’t need a detective to figure out why, as a completely inadequate thank-you.
It was the first day of the summer holidays. The air was clear and the sun shone brightly on the little village of Hogsmeade. The Three Broomsticks pub was filled with a noisy lunchtime crowd when Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall entered. With his hand on the small of her back, Albus guided Minerva toward a vacant table near the back of the room. He drew one of the chairs around the edge of the small round table in order to sit beside Minerva, then they ordered cocktails from a young waitress and surveyed the crowd as they waited.
“Here’s to promotions,” Albus said when their drinks arrived.
Minerva smiled and lifted her glass to tap lightly against his. “You’re quite sure the Governors will approve of me as Deputy Headmistress?” she asked after a moment.
“I don’t see what objection they could possibly have. My personal feelings aside, you’re the obvious person for the job. No one else is more capable of handling so many duties.”
“Albus, you’ve been handling all those duties for years. I’ll be stepping directly into your shoes on every count,” she reminded him.
He smiled, “And I’m sure you’ll do a much better job.”
Minerva laughed and shook her head. “I’ll have to so you don’t fire me.”
Albus was about to respond when their attention was drawn to the door of the establishment. The door had burst open wildly, almost hitting a couple on their way out, to reveal a woman who appeared to be distressed but attempting to cover up that fact. She halted briefly on the threshold and then entered the pub; Albus and Minerva watched her make a quick circuit of the room, checking the occupants of every table. Finally, she arrived at their table, looked at them, began walking away, paused to look back, and then approached them.
“Professor Dumbledore?” she asked.
“Yes?” Albus asked. “You were looking for me?”
“Yes, I called in at the school and they told me I could probably find you here,” she said. “I’d like to speak to you.”
“Please, be seated,” he indicated the vacant chair on the opposite side of the table.
“Thank you.” She sat on the very edge of the chair, leaning forward toward the table, and fidgeted with the skirts of her robes for a moment before looking up at Albus. “I had rather hoped to speak with you privately,” she said.
“It’s quite alright,” Albus said. “I have no secrets from Professor McGonagall and I assure you she won’t break your confidence.”
Minerva looked questioningly at Albus and then gave their companion a small smile to indicate that her secrets were safe. She could tell by Albus demeanor that he had no idea who this woman was, so she was sure to make a good inspection while they were talking. Minerva guessed the woman was about her own age, no more than five or ten years younger at the outside. She was wearing expensive robes and appeared well groomed; her hands were well manicured and showed no signs of having been used for much work, not even the frequent holding of a quill; she wore no wedding band. Minerva had the distinct impression of a spoiled woman from a wealthy family, with a small army of house elves at her disposal, who had never had to work for anything in her life.
“Go on,” Albus prompted. “What did you want to see me about?”
“I’m afraid this is going to sound rather strange, but I do hope you’ll listen to the whole story before making any decisions. My name is Eve Dubley, my grandfather is Richard Dubley, with whom I believe you are acquainted?” Albus indicated that he knew the man and Eve continued. “It is my understanding that my grandfather once gave you a very large sum of money, no strings attached, as financing for a research project which eventually proved to be very profitable for you. Unfortunately, some recent business deals have left my grandfather at a considerable loss for funds. He is now very ill and doesn’t have the money to pay for the necessary treatments. He doesn’t know I’m here, Professor, and I’m sure he wouldn’t approve, but I was hoping that... Well, would you be willing to return my grandfather’s investment?”
Albus placed the tips of his long fingers together and sat in silent thought for a few moments. He didn’t so much as glance at Minerva, whose face showed a combination of incredulousness and indignation. She added to her impression of Miss Dubley various adjectives, including brazen, manipulative, and deceitful. Minerva didn’t believe her story of the ailing grandfather for a moment. She watched Albus’ face carefully as he considered the woman’s proposal and when he opened his mouth to respond she could see that he was going to agree to give her the money. Albus heard the intake of breath signaling that Minerva was about to speak, but he cut her off with a look and then addressed Miss Dubley.
“Your grandfather did, as you have admitted, give me that money with the agreement that no repayment would ever be necessary and that he would never ask even for royalties on the research. However, I understand the apparent urgency of the situation and I always try to help out a friend when I can. I will give you the money, but that will require a trip to the bank.” He glanced at Minerva. “If you would agree to meet me in my office at Hogwarts in two hours, we would like to finish our lunch here and then I may be able to give you part of the money. We’ll arrange another meeting at that time for you to collect the rest.”
Eve’s entire face lit up with excitement. “Oh, Professor Dumbledore!” she enthused. “You’re so wonderful. I just knew that if I explained the situation you would help. You can’t know the difference this will make. I’ll see you in two hours.”
Albus stood as Eve pushed back her chair to leave the table. Impulsively, she took a step toward him and threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said again as she hurried from the table and out into the crowded high street.
Resuming his seat, Albus couldn’t help but notice Minerva’s stiff posture and the frank annoyance that radiated from her body despite the carefully practiced look of calm on her face. “Well,” he said, patting her hand with his, “shall we order lunch now? I don’t know about you, but I could use a good lunch.” He signaled the waitress.
Minerva remained silent until after Albus had placed their orders and the waitress once more left the table. “I can’t believe you agreed to give her the money,” she said, in a voice that betrayed her distaste for the woman who had just left them.
“Why not?” Albus asked calmly, sipping his drink. He had a pretty good idea what she would say, but wanted to hear it for himself; he always appreciated Minerva’s appraisal of a new acquaintance.
She turned to face him, eyes hardened, and spoke in a level voice. “Because she obviously wasn’t telling you the truth about why she needed the money.”
“Of course not,” he said casually, as if it made no difference.
Minerva started to say more, but Albus cut her off with a question. “Why don’t you like her?”
“Because she’s a spoiled, lazy, deceitful, brazen –“
“That’s enough,” Albus interrupted. “I get the idea.”
“Well?” Minerva asked heatedly.
“Well what?”
“Why are you giving her that money?”
Albus smiled, “My dear, it won’t take us two hours to eat lunch. I deliberately asked for more time than we need so that I can contact Richard and check her story.”
“And if it turns out not to be true?” she asked.
“I’ll decide that when I get to it,” he answered as their lunch was served.
They ate in an unusual and stony silence, Minerva very obviously disapproving of Albus’ decision. She tried to convince herself that it was Eve’s character that had put her on guard and not the parting hug or the obvious appreciation with which the other woman had looked at Albus.
When the meal was over, the friends returned to Hogwarts and Minerva automatically turned in the direction of her private rooms. Albus caught her by the elbow and pulled her back. “I thought you were interested in this deal. Don’t you want to know what Richard has to say?”
Minerva stiffened. “Why even ask him, it’s obvious you’re going to give that woman the money either way. I suppose I can’t blame you,” she said in an icy voice, “any man would –“
“Come on,” Albus said, half dragging her down the corridor toward his office, which was soon to become her office. “I want you to see for yourself how this plays out since you’re so interested.”
! 
