A Convenient Fiction

[morgan72uk]

Title: A Convenient Fiction
Author: Morgan72uk
Rating: PG13
Summary: The Governors have decided that the new Headmaster of Hogwarts has to be married. This is going to be complicated.
Disclaimer: Don’t own the characters, don’t have any money.

A/N - so, I know it's a bit of a fanfiction cliche - but the idea for this story just wouldn't leave me alone.

A Convenient Fiction

Part 1

“I assume this is an attempt at humour?” The voice was deceptively mild and had Armando Dippet not known the man standing before him he would likely have made the grievous error of not taking the comment seriously.

But, the Headmaster of Hogwarts had known his Deputy for many years – and he only needed to look at Albus Dumbledore to see the barely suppressed rage glinting in his eyes.

“Albus, I assure you the Governors are entirely serious.” He gestured to the scroll that lay open on his desk where it had been discarded in irritation only moments before. “You are their favoured candidate to become Headmaster when I retire at the end of the school year. But, they also insist that the next Head of this school is married.”

“They are being ridiculous.” Armando didn’t disagree – but he was too discrete to respond to the comment. Instead he said mildly,

“They are concerned about the potential for scandal.”

“I have never behaved inappropriately. My private life is just that – private. I am deeply insulted by the implication that my marital status is more important than my character.”

“I know,” he sighed, “and I’m sorry. I did argue your case – but there have been changes in the Board of Governors over the last few years. I don’t think I took account of how deeply conservative they had become.”

He watched with concern as Albus walked to the windows of the Headmaster’s study and gazed out at the sprawling grounds. He believed that the man standing before him was the only person who could succeed him – and he also believed that the school desperately needed Dumbledore’s leadership. But, the Governors had been adamant and Albus’ reaction had been all too predictable. There didn’t seem to be any way out of this mess.

“There must be a way,” he said, hoping to engage the formidable Dumbledore brain in problem solving. “Arranged marriages are not common these days – but perhaps, in this situation…?”

“I have never been comfortable with the idea of having a wife picked for me – of having someone chosen because of bloodlines, or family connections.”

“And yet, it could be the solution to your problems.”

“I am not marrying someone just to get this job Armando. I’m sorry, but I intend to tell the Governors that I am withdrawing my application to become Headmaster.”

“Just take some time – think about it. There must be a solution – I don’t wish to pry into your personal life, I know how private you are and I know that you worry that any woman you become involved with will become a target for your enemies. But I have to ask, is there someone you’re close to, romantically?”

“There’s no one.” Dumbledore said firmly and although Dippet didn’t quite believe his swift denial, he decided to leave the subject alone.

“Just give yourself a few days Albus, please. I am sure you know how keen I am for you to be my successor. There has to be a way my friend – and we will find it.” Albus nodded, but as he left the study his shoulders were slumped in defeat.

*****

“That’s the most stupid thing I have ever heard!” Minerva had greeted the news of the Governors’ decision with an outrage that was most gratifying. He was normally amused when she let her temper show from behind the formidable barriers of her strict persona and, despite the Governors’ decision he couldn’t quite stop himself from smiling

“I fear your opportunity to take over from me as Transfiguration Professor may be postponed indefinitely my dear.”

“Albus, you know I don’t care about that.”

“But your career,” he murmured, for the first time in an hour thinking of someone else. After all, he had lured her here with the promise that if he were to become Headmaster the post he currently occupied would likely become hers – and though she might deny it, he was sure she had every intention of replacing him as Head of Gryffindor as well.

“If it comes to it, there will be a vacancy to teach Transfiguration at Durmstrang in a couple of years. I am sure the Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts would give me an excellent reference.”

“I believe he would.” But the thought of her so far away, was not one he was comfortable with. He had taught her, briefly, as a student – before leaving to take up the fight against Grindelwald. When he returned she had graduated and he had given little thought to her until a friend had asked him to become a thesis advisor to a most promising postgraduate student.

He had been delighted to discover the student in question had attended Hogwarts – and the time he spent supervising her thesis had been both enjoyable and challenging. He had followed her subsequent academic career with great interest, they had corresponded often and she had consulted him on both of the papers she had published to what constituted great acclaim in the academic circles of the wizarding world. Only when she had come to teach at Hogwarts almost ten years ago had they really got to know each other as anything approaching equals and now he considered her his closest friend and confidante.

“What is the Headmaster planning to do to rectify this situation?” She asked – disturbing his reverie.

“He isn’t sure – the Governors are, apparently, not to be swayed. I refuse to consider an arranged marriage – it would seem we are at an impasse.”

“Not quite.” He looked at her, inquiringly, wondering what she could possibly have thought of that both he and Armando had missed. “You could marry me.” It was the first time in years that Albus Dumbledore had found himself at a loss for words.

TBC

[EloquentPhoenix]

Yes! Go Min! I could actually see this being really what happened. You have my undivided attention with this story, so please update!

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

oohhhh...great cliffy, and great story cant wai for update keep up the good work

[Trulyamused]

Min, you go girl. Take the lead.

Great start. Hope to read more soon.

Truly

[Gemmie Lou]

Please update soon am looking forward to the rest of the story xxxxx

[lazy mugglemin]

Excellent start. An oasis in the current desert of ADMM fanfic. Can't wait for some more!

mugs.x

[Lady Lavendar lazy 2 sign in]

This is a great start!!! I can't wait for more!!! Update soon, please?

[avadagypsy]

update soon plz! loving it so far!

[zoeteproet]

You go Min! It would be so great if Albus and Minerva would marry, although I hope they will marry because of love.
Excellent start, hope to read more soon.
Love,
Sarah xx

[angeldust]

Awful evil place to stop!! This looks like it's going to eb a great fic hope to see more soon.

[Hogwarts Duo]

Excellent solution, Min! Now all we need to do is convince Albus that you're sincere, throw in a lot of romance and kissage and we're all set. ^_^

[Jessabelle]

I really quite like this start! Please post again soon!

[morgan72uk]

Disclaimer etc. in Part 1

A/N - thanks for all the lovely feedback. I am on holiday this week (dances small jig) which means I should be able to update quite often.

A Convenient Fiction – part 2

Minerva couldn’t help thinking that for a brilliant man Albus was being painfully slow in seeing the benefits of – well, her proposal. Perhaps just springing it on him like that hadn’t been the most strategic of approaches. But, he had been so dispirited and she’d wanted to help. However, once he’d got over his shock at her suggestion he had adamantly refused to consider it. She sighed – wishing that he wasn’t being so incredibly stubborn and that there was an easier way to overcome his pride.

With the tone she usually reserved for her most recalcitrant and challenging students she stated her position again, ticking the points off on her fingers while trying to remain as calm as possible.

“The fact that you’re married and the identity of your wife would remain a secret from most people. Neither of us have any other relationships to consider, there are no third parties who could be hurt. We already spend a great deal of our free time together, which will make it easier for those who need to know about our relationship to be convinced by it. We’re friends, so it will be much less awkward for us to pretend to be in love when we need to. This situation isn’t going to effect my life in the slightest – frankly I don’t understand why you won’t let me help you become Headmaster of Hogwarts.”

“As always your logic is unassailable my dear.” He’d been gazing into the depths of his teacup while he spoke – as though he expected there to be answers there. And though she held divination in low regard, she supposed if anyone were able to get a message out of the remains of a cup of tea then it would be Albus. “Our friendship is important to me – have you considered that this charade might destroy it?”

“Do you have so little faith in our friendship?” She countered, slightly hurt by his comment. “I understand why a marriage of convenience with someone you don’t know wouldn’t be acceptable to you, but surely our friendship is the reason we could make this work?”

“I don’t know.” She could sense that he was wavering and was quick to follow up with the next part of her argument.

“If not for yourself, will you at least consider the greater good? I believe that after Armando’s,” she paused, searching for a word that would not be too critical of Hogwart’s current Headmaster, “frailty, this school needs your leadership. We need to look forwards, not backwards, we need to modernise the curriculum, make sure that our pupils are prepared for whatever they may face in the outside world. Only you can do this.”

His expression said that he wasn’t comfortable with her flattery, but crucially he didn’t dispute her analysis. He had spent too many nights, over chess and hot chocolate, telling her of his plans for the school if he were ever to have the opportunity to take over from Armando. With a heavy sigh he looked at her for the first time since she had made her suggestion.

“You’re still young Minerva, I worry that by tying you into such a marriage I may be denying you the opportunity for a family, a more normal relationship.” She knew that at his words her face had revealed her feelings, if only for a split second. And she knew that he had seen it. Resolutely she pushed away the old pain and made sure that her voice was completely steady when she spoke.

“I don’t anticipate any romantic developments in my future Albus. But, if it will make you feel better, then I suggest we agree that if either of us meet someone we feel seriously about, then our marriage will come to an end. Since it won’t be consummated an annulment shouldn’t prove to be a problem.”

There was no doubt that she was determined and he couldn’t fault the elegance of her solution. He knew that she had been badly hurt when her previous relationship had ended a number of years before – and he believed her when she said she wasn’t interested in meeting anyone else. Her businesslike approach to the whole situation was both amusing and reassuring, for the first time since Armando had told him of the Governors’ decision Albus felt a flicker of excitement. Optimistically he decided that if anyone could make this work then it was the two of them.

“Very well Minerva, I accept your proposal, with thanks.”

For a moment she was stunned, not sure she had really expected to succeed in persuading him. But then she nodded with familiar briskness.

“I think, unless you object that it would make sense if we were married before the new school year starts. That way we can make sure the Governors have their concerns appeased and we will have a little time to get used to our, arrangement, before the students arrive. That gives us a little under 2 weeks, not much time, but since we are planning a very small wedding – not impossible. As I see it, the main difficulty will be finding someone we trust to perform the ceremony.” He shook his head, trying to keep up with her – after all this was not how one usually planned a wedding.

“I believe I know of someone – I will owl him immediately and see if he is willing.”

“Very well – shall we say next weekend?”

“That would be acceptable.” There seemed to one final thing left to discuss, “Minerva, I think it would be wise if no one but you and I knew the true nature of our agreement. Other people will need to know that we are married, but I would prefer it if they thought that our marriage was, genuine.”

“I would prefer that as well.” She held her hand out to him – offering it to seal their bargain. As he took it he decided that a handshake was not quite appropriate under the circumstances and instead raised her hand to his lips and brushed a light kiss across her knuckles.

“There are no words to express my gratitude,” he murmured, still bent over her hand. She blushed, pulled her hand away and told him not to be so foolish. But she seemed momentarily uncomfortable, making him realise that despite their years of friendship he really didn’t know Minerva McGonagall at all.

TBC

[Hogwarts Duo]

I agree with Albus...that certainly was no way to plan a wedding and it was so cold, if you will. But I know that somewhere in here there is a great romance that is about to blossom so update soon.

[Twiggilala]

I am loving this. Albus will hopefully be getting to know Minerva better now that they are getting married. -squees- <3

[Sensiblyquirky]

I love finding a new story after a weekend away! Excellent start and I do like your writing! I can't wait to see them fall in love, share embraces, etc...etc...etc...

Christy

[tanja]

interesting plot !!! hope to get more soon

[gingerkitten]

This is so good!! I love how Min has it all logically thought out. She's great that way. What a friend! Please update soon!!!!!

[avadagypsy]

YAY an update!!! I'm loving it! Keep going

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

oh loving it!!! keep it up...cant wait for more !!!!

[EloquentPhoenix]

I missed this! I was hanging on your every word. I need more, I love this plot. Ok, it's not the usual way one plans a wedding but still, it's not a usual wedding and it's going to turn into a usual marriage, right? That look on Min's face, I can't decide whether it's because she loves him or because she's been hurt. Combined with Armando's feelings on Albus "no" from the beginning I'm inclined to think that they feel more than they are letting on. Logical as ever for Min, but it works I think. She loves him at least as a friend, and it's not a really bad sacrifice for her. I can't wait for more. I think he knows her, or at least he will do

[Isabelle]

What a nice story to come home to after my weekend spent with my Nana. I do like how logically Minerva approached the situation, but am slightly worried about the tone in both hers and Albus' voice. I hope their marriage will grow into something more, as I am sure it will.

Liz

[Orion's Guard]

No consummation?!?

(that means not yet, right?)

[morgan72uk]

I'm sure it only means that at that precise moment she thinks it won't be consummated!

[Gemmie Lou]

please update again soon this story rocks!!!!! Im L L L L LoViN iT!!!

[morgan72uk]

A/N - Thanks for the positive response to this fic.
On another note I completely failed at today's task of buying new clothes - however, I did write another part - so it's not all bad!

Part 3

In a cave at the base of a cliff, with the roaring of the sea echoing all around them, the Seer of Islay reflected that in his long lifetime he had performed many marriages. Before him had stood strong couples who were destined to be together, couples whose love for each other was all but tangible and couples who appeared to be madly in love – but whose marriage, he knew, was doomed from the outset.

But never, in all of those years, had he presided over a wedding quite so unusual as this one. For once it seemed his inner eye, his ability to see the future of the couple before him had deserted him.

He had been delighted to learn that the strongest wizard of the age was to be married again – and this time to a witch from an ancient and noble family. As she stood before him, in a regrettably sombre set of robes, he knew that Minerva McGonagall was a witch of great ability. He also knew that, although she did not believe it, she was every inch as beautiful as her mother and grandmother had been.

He watched them carefully – at first sight the happy couple were both calm and resolute. But, close up she was pale and stiff and the famous Dumbledore twinkle was missing from his eyes. Clearly the setting and the beginning of the ceremony had focussed their minds on the seriousness of the undertaking they were embarking on.

He could feel their affection for one another, the closeness and trust that pervaded their relationship. But, beyond that there were barriers – as though neither of them had completely given their heart to this union. And that gave him cause for concern.

He started the incantation - speaking the ancient words in this most ancient of places. The waves crashed around them, the cave booming with sound and with shadows. The air was alive with powerful magic – more palpable than he had expected. At the climax of the ceremony the newly married couple tapped the tips of their wands together and at the moment of contact, a startlingly bright flash of light engulfed them all.

The seer hadn’t ever witnessed anything quite like it, and he was relieved that his sight hadn’t deserted him after all. In the centre of that flash of light he saw their path, saw the twists and turns – only the destination eluded him. One way or another, he was absolutely certain that they would be back.

****
They apparated to Hogsmeade and began the walk back to the school in silence. Dumbledore couldn’t help thinking that they were both a little dazed from the ceremony; from the wedding he reminded himself.

Glancing to his right he looked at the woman walking beside him, her hands shoved into the pockets of her robes, her gaze focused firmly ahead of her. She had suddenly become that most indefinable of things - his wife.

His mind flitted back to the moment in the cave, to the light that had been so entirely unexpected that neither of them had mentioned it since. But, he couldn’t just ignore what had happened, couldn’t and wouldn’t. He opened his mouth to speak and was disconcerted to find Minerva’s gaze resting on him.

“Just checking I still recognise you,” she said with a flash of the dry humour that so few people got to witness. “Everything seems – different. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Are you sorry? Because we can go back to the island and…”

“Albus,” she stopped walking and laid her hand on his arm, “I’m not sorry, it just feels – strange. It will take more getting used to than I’d anticipated. I’m not accustomed to having a husband. And,” she frowned, the humour vanishing, “what happened at the ceremony threw me a little.”

“It threw me as well, but perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised. It’s a very old incantation, the magic is strong, and obviously it magnified our powers.”

“Your power,” she corrected him gently, but he shook his head.

“Our powers – the wands touched after all. Obviously I should have chosen a different ceremony. I never intended to make you uncomfortable.”

“I know,” she smiled, just a little, and put her arm through the crook of his. “It certainly made for a memorable wedding.” He was relieved that he’d managed to put her concerns to rest and felt only slightly guilty that he hadn’t shared with her the details of the brief conversation he’d had with the seer. It was ridiculous anyway – it was a marriage of convenience, nothing more.

“Tomorrow we have to face Armando,” he said, changing the subject, “will we convince him do you think?”

“Of course we will!” He had to laugh at that, amused at her indignant tone and the idea that she was viewing this as one more challenge for her formidable mind to overcome.

She looked annoyed for a split second – but then a remarkable thing happened, her mouth curved into a broad smile and she released all of the day’s tension in a glorious peel of laughter. It didn’t happen very often and it transformed her. Joy bubbled through him at the realisation that he had made his dear friend relax this much and he pulled her into an impulsive hug, spinning her round with boyish enthusiasm before setting her back down and stepping away.

“Albus!” She brushed herself down and almost succeeded in looking cross.

“Just getting into character my dear.” He smiled winningly at her and she muttered something he couldn’t quite hear but which definitely included the word “impossible.”

Looping her arm through his once more they began to walk back to the castle. “How about supper and a game of chess later? One last chance to get our stories straight?”

“That’s a good idea – with your tendency to extemporise we could certainly use the practice.” He was pleased to see a smile still lurking around her lips; this would be so much easier if they didn’t lose their sense of humour.

“Of course, it won’t be the most traditional of wedding nights.” He looked at her over the top of his spectacles and the glare she shot him would have quelled a lesser wizard.

“You’re enjoying this!” She hissed – something he had no intention of denying. But, he should have known she wouldn’t let him win. “If you’re interested in non-traditional events I suggest you concentrate your efforts on trying to beat me at chess.”

“It’s tactics,” he sniffed – his losing streak was something he preferred not to be reminded of. “I’m merely luring you into a false sense of security before I pounce.”

Too late he realised that his remark could have an entirely different connotation, and when he felt her stiffen he knew that she had realised it too. He shivered, though the afternoon was warm but it was she who rescued the moment.

“Of course you are my dear.” She patted him on the hand and the subject was dropped. Again he reminded himself that this was just a way around the Governors demands. She was his friend, he was grateful to her; there was nothing more to it than that.

TBC

[Jessabelle]

Wow, this is good and believable! I have ony ever reada handful of fics with this sort of idea and this is one of the few I have ever really wanted to see another chapter in. Please update again soon!
- Jess

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

ooooo another great chapter. im so egar for more lol...keep up the good work

[lazymugglemin]

Great stuff. I'm glad you are updating so soon - each chapter is quite short, and so I am impatient for the next bits! Don't rush, the suspense is always good for getting reviews as well as for having the proper effect on the characters! But then again, don't leave us waiting too long!

[tayryn]

can't believe i've neglected to comment till now... but i am very much enjoying this story!!

looking forward to reading more!