To Tie the Knot.

[nicolerose]

haha. yeah i understand the short temper and mom things too. its kinda bothersome. but oh well... things always work out.
I cant wait for your update!

[DaBao]

Thank you Ms. Level-Headed Poppy! I don't know what would have happened if not for her.

I think that noise in the hallway earlier in the chapter was the Lettuce woman... I hate the effect that she's having on Dumbledore. He won't even notice how McGonagall is doing unless someone points it out to him!

[jayejaye]

Never mind slapping the lettuce...* sharpens a big stick to poke in her eye*...
I'm glad you decided to post here, even if it means I will have to check the romance section now and then. I am loving this story hon...Please please let the lettuce suffer. Jaye :-)

[kankulex]

Woah.. You've got me there! I'm begging you for an update!!

[bethj4013]

great story I hope Albus comes to his senses he deserves better. Also just an FYI but a red font on a red background is kind of hard to read so you might want to try another color if possible

[furandfeathers]

well at least they're speaking again. He will realize that the lettuce woman is all wrong for him right? Great story!

Oh, and 100 points to Gryffindor for whomever came up with the "lettuce woman" that makes me smile every time I read it ;D

[DaBao]

100 points or Gryffindor? Psh, no way, make it to Ravenclaw!

I am absolutly disliking Lettuce's 'Alby', whatever happened to the Dumbledore that we knew and loved? I hate how she's affecting him.


If you look back to one of my posts you'll all see I'm the one who came up with the Lettuce thing. Yes, I'm sorry if it sounds like I just want to brag. *bows*

[Ivy_Wize]

Can't believe I'm just reviewing this now. This story rocks my socks! (forgive the stupid expression) Okay, fine, 100 points to Ravenclaw. So long as it's a lions' claws that get to shread our rotten head of lettuce for the house elves to put in the headmaster's salad.

[Jessabelle]

This really is an outstanding story! Is the rest coming soon?!
- Jess

[Aurinko]

Loving this story, as sad as it's been so far. Poor Minerva! 'Alby' is quite possibly the nastiest pet name I've heard for Albus so far, and your Leticia is so absolutely horrid. It's wonderful. I do hope that they'll figure it out soon, though. Eagerly awaiting your next post.
~A.

[Aeronnen]

Here we are! Part two.


Chapter Three.

Part Two.

Lettuces and Thistles.

Minerva plonked herself down happily at the staff table and began piling sausages onto the gold plate.

“Good Morning, Minerva.” Albus said, watching her slice them up.

Filius looked up to stare; Professor Merrythought was watching them; Letitia smugly continued eating her lettuce and radishes.

“'Morning Albus!” She sang. The rest of the professor's at the table stared open-mouthed. Letitia dropped her knife and fork with a clatter.

“How are you this morning?” Albus asked, smiling.

The happiness drained from her face. “Thistle is still missing. She didn't come in for food this morning and – and there are so many things in the forest and the lake; I hope nothing has happened to him.”

“Oh Minerva.” Albus would have liked to pick her up and hug her tightly, but he thought it wasn't proper. “I'm sure nothing's happened to him.”

“Well, if she hasn't come for food, there must be something wrong.” Letitia put in blandly.

“Don't be stupid, pet!” said Rolanda venomously. “Everyone knows you're terrified of cats!”

Letitia opened her blue eyes wide. “Madam Hooch!I -”

“Well, you are! And what's more -”

“Rolanda!” barked Albus, “I'll thank you all to hold your tongues!”

The table quieted and Albus turned to Minerva, who was looking at her plate of hash-browns that remained untouched and were now getting cold.

“When did you last see her?”

“Three days ago.”

“We'll all keep an eye out for her, I promise,” he said seriously.

Minerva smiled. “Thanks Albus.”

--

Letitia hummed Celestina Warbeck's newest song, “Tiger, tiger” and pulled out a dark green dress. Hmm, maybe it wasn't quite what she was looking for. Perhaps this one...

No, to heavy. Ah, how about her summer robes? They were in a chest of drawers in the corner of her and Albus' bedroom. Letitia opened the top drawer, feeling around through the magically enhanced size of the drawer, digging through her many clothes.

She felt something warm and furry in amongst the clothes: the something moved: Letitia froze; the thing in the drawer wriggled, and Letitia screamed.

“Alllll-buuuuuuuuuuuuus!”

--

Minerva knocked on Albus' door, hoping Letitia wasn't there. She wasn't.

“Hey Albus, there are some letters from Madam Marshbanks and Professor Tofty you might want to read.”

He took them, skimming the first few lines before putting them down on the desk. “Thank-you Minerva – has Thistle turned up yet?”

She sighed. “No. I just hope she hasn't ended up as a snack for Flesh-Eating Bugbear.”

“Oh, Minerva, Thistle is a cat – she hasn't been around for reason.”

“Oh, that's comforting,” she said sarcastically, “anyway, your fiancé pointed that out to me at breakfast.”

He frowned. “I am not -” He stopped. A loud shriek from the next room stopped him up short.

“Letitia!” He jumped up, dropping the papers all over the floor, as she noticed ruefully, and sprang across the room, Minerva close behind him.

Letitia was standing in front of her chest of drawers, face set in utter terror, pointing breathlessly at the innocent piece of furniture. “Some..thing in...there.” she panted out, scrambling behind Albus, not forgetting to give Minerva a bad look. “Something...furry.”

Minerva snorted derisively. “It's probably just a nest of puffskeins. Let's have a look.” Minerva opened the drawer,pulling out the clothes none to gently, as Letitia noticed.

Minerva felt the furry thing. Stopping herself from pulling her hand out, she pulled the last of the clothes out and poked the small bundles of fur. One of them squeaked. Looking confusedly at Albus, Minerva gently lifted the tiny form out.

It was a kitten. Tiny and dark grey, it hadn't even opened it's eyes yet. “Oh, wee one,” whispered Minerva, “how did you get here? Where's your Mammy, eh?”

“Rowl!” a dark grey shape flung itself on to Letitia and clawed it's way up her pink dressing robe.

Letitia screamed, loudly. The grey shape aimed one more swipe at her, then jumped to Minerva, meowing up at her.

“Thistle!” she cried. The cat jumped up onto the chest of drawers and gently took the kitten from her hand. “Oh, you sweet cat! They're yours!”

Thistle blinked at her, then settled down into her nest again, licking her kittens tenderly. Minerva turned to Albus happily. “Can you believe it?! She's had kittens!”

“All over my summer clothes!” interjected Letitia angrily, “I demand that you make them leave at once!”

Minerva looked at her scornfully and angrily. “You can't move her now," she said heatedly,“it will be too much shock for them, and Thistle might take them somewhere else, somewhere I can't look after them.”

“I'll tell you what,” said Albus quickly, “We can move the chest to Minerva's room. That way, they are gone from your bedroom and Minerva can look after them.”

“But I need it for my clothes!” Letitia shrieked.

“The kittens are living creatures; they are far more important than clothes, Letitia.” said Albus, starting to get annoyed. Minerva was in the seventh heaven of delight over the bundles of fur and his fiancé was ruining it for her!

Letitia mouthed wordlessly, then stormed out of the room. Minerva looked at Albus. “This is very kind of you, Albus.”

“I said I would look for Thistle for you – and so here I am, upholding my promise.”

“But Letitia...” trailed off Minerva.

“She will have to grin and bear it,” said Albus. “She will come round.”

Minerva felt a light foreboding of that statement inside, but did not voice it, instead she said; “Right. So how shall we move these drawers, then?”--

[Trulyamused]

Ooohhh, I love kittens. Bad, Bad Letitia.

Great part. More soon I hope?

Truly

[osusprinks]

I loved the kittens. It was sweet that Thistle trusted Albus enough to want to have them in his rooms. I wanted to hit the Lettuce Head. I am glad Albus was annoyed with her behavior. Maybe he will start to realize that she is not for him!

Great job, as always, dear!

Update soon!

[mcgonagallrocks]

Haha finally Albus is comming to his sense (a bit at least) Considering he's the greatsest wizard of the time he's quite dumb at times. His true love is right infront of his face. It's not that little bitch of a fiance he has. Please Albus get some brains and get with Mini.

Great Job,

**Endora

[DaBao]

That Lettuce woman is getting SOO ANNOYING!!! I'd like nothing more than to slap her!

[Gemmie Lou]

need more lovin this xxx

[furandfeathers]

awwwww KITTENS! *happy sigh* I want a kitten.

And YAY for Albus developing a backbone! Or...starting to anyway... can't wait to read what happens next, please update soon!!

[Aeronnen]

Chapter Five.

Birthday Surprises.

Minerva woke feeling expectant, for some reason, and it worried her. Was Peeves planning a full scale attack on the teachers? Was it April Fool's day? Then she remembered. Birthday! It was her Birthday!

She groaned and rolled over onto her side. Birthday's were not something to celebrate - not for her, anyway. What would Rolanda do? Arrange another party in the staff room? And would she rope Poppy into it as well? Oh, today would not be fun.

She got up and swung her legs out of bed, knowing that Thistle would soon be in to bother her about getting her breakfast.

BANG!

A loud flash of red and gold fire announced the arrival of Fawkes. Minerva, who had been used to the phoenix before Letitia had come to Hogwarts, managed not to shriek out loud – but it was a close thing.

“Fawkes,” she hissed. “What are you doing?!”

He trilled indignantly, and nudged an oblong parcel he was carrying towards her. Mystified, Minerva took the parcel. Fawkes was eyeing her keenly.

She opened it to find a book.

To Minerva, it read, in a familiar script;

Worlds within Worlds,

Meanings within Names;

The writing stopped there and Minerva looked at the cover of the book: Pride and Prejudice was emblazoned on the front. Mystified, Minerva opened the cover and saw, just to confuse her more, another book inside the cover.

The History of the Theorems of Transfiguration Through the Ages.

Grinning, Minerva read the note on the front.

I thought you would like both books – but you know me, Minerva, I couldn't resist setting you a little puzzle. Pride and Prejudice is one of the most prestigious books in Muggle literature and it is also an epic romance – I know there is a romantic somewhere in you.

Enjoy both the books and I am expecting a full review of them by next week.

Happy Birthday!

Albus.

Minerva smiled, taking the Transfiguration book out if it's cover and picking up Pride and Prejudice. She didn't like to think how much they both must have cost.

Dressing quickly, she went to the hall, (after feeding her very hungry cat) and sat down, hoping to avoid any birthday greetings. It was not, however, to be.

“Happy Birthday, Min!” cried Poppy, descending on Minerva to give her a hug. Minerva hugged her back.

“Thanks Poppy.”

“Happy Birthday, Minerva!” cried Rolanda.

“Thanks Ro.”

“Best wishes , Minerva, m'dear,” boomed Slughorn.

“Thanks Horace.”

“Good luck for the next year of your life, darling!” cried Professor Sinistra.

“I'll need it,” said Minerva dryly. Amidst all this, sat Albus. He was smiling in a very happy way, and waiting for the crowd to subside. Every one of Minerva's birthday's were like this; she wanted no one to notice, but as she was so popular, the staff wouldn't let that happen.

Every year, Minerva struggled through whatever party had been arranged, whatever bar had been booked, whichever band had been asked to play, and was courteous to whoever was invited as well. And on every birthday, Albus would give his present to her in a peaceful moment and she would appreciate it more then most of the others, and would laugh and kiss him (where depended on the amount of wine she had consumed beforehand) and they would be very happy for the rest of the evening. With a jolt, Albus returned to the present. Where had those days gone? It must have been...it must have been when he had become engaged to Letitia; well, everyone knows that marriage changed you forever but – surely this was a little extreme?

Minerva turned to Albus, after having bravely fought off her well-wishers. “Thank-you for the books, Albus, they must have cost the earth, though.”

“I would spend the earth on you, Minerva, if it was within my ability.” Albus smiled charmingly. Minerva grinned back as she always had, fully and completely, not hiding her emotions from him.

“Thank-you, Albus.” And Albus knew that this 'thank-you' was different from all the other thank-you's she had given the rest of the people at the table.

Letitia had not been able to face breakfast – the incident of the kittens had been so bad for her nerves, as Poppy had related, in heart-broken tones hiding the laughing inside her, to Minerva and Rolanda in the the village. The rest of the staff were hiding their delight over this in more tactful ways – for one thing, Filius was singing an old Irish shanty which Letitia had said had got on her nerves, Professor Sinistra was absently drawing the positions of moons on her napkin. Letitia had informed her that the scratching of the pen annoyed her.

Minerva, sitting next to Albus and Filius, looked down at the students happily. It was easy to forget about Letitia and Albus' wedding and imagine that it was going to be another day teaching, another day of laughing with Albus, discussing everything and everyone with Albus, doing the necessary requirements for the school with Albus – Minerva blinked. Had she really done that much with him? Never mind. Letitia wasn't around and that was enough for her. She sat back and crunched her toast.

--

Minerva threw herself onto her bed and sighed happily. Rolanda had not thrown a party, as the three of them were going down to the Leaky Cauldron that evening, Letitia was still enjoying elf-service too much to attend meals and Albus and her were as good friends as they had been 'before the Lettuce' as Rolanda so quaintly put it.

Thistle, rudely awakened by Minerva's headlong charge into her bedroom, poked her head out from the chest of drawers that she was residing in with her kittens. Giving Minerva a look of disgust, she turned to lick her offspring.

Minerva rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. Oh, life was not so terrible ... but it would be after Albus was married to The Lettuce. Life would be close on not worth it if Albus got married. Minerva shoved those thoughts from her mind; her twenty-eighth birthday was going to be a good day, regardless of the over-sized vegetable living in Albus' rooms and stood up, resolutely thinning her lips and going to her wardrobe to get some nice robes out.

--

Kitted out in a pair of deepest blue robes that had been her sisters mourning clothes, Minerva sat on one of the wide shallow steps that led up to Hogwarts, waiting for Poppy and Rolanda to come.

She loved the autumn. The smells of the leaves rotting in the forest, the small animals gathering frantically for their winter hibernation, and the cold, crisp nights, with the occasional scorcher reminiscent of the hight of summer.

That particular night, it was cool and frosty. A blue mist rose over the Forbidden Forest. The lights of the Ogg the groundskeeper's hut were glowing yellow from the fire. Behind her, the school rose, tall and ancient, new and old at the same time. Minerva leant against the pillar she was sitting in front of and surveyed the scene peacefully. All of a sudden, a crack echoed over the silent grounds.

Scanning the area, alert as her feline form, she slowly stood up and raise her wand. With a sickening feeling of deja vu, she called, “If there is anyone there, come out. If you are a friend, we will not call the Ministry – if you aren't,the grounds will be swarming with Aurors in minutes.”

Minerva knew it was probably only an animal, but she was not taking any chances; there were no werewolves any more in the Forest, but plenty of other things dwelt in its dark dells.

A loud rustling sounded as if the thing was coming closer. To surrender or to attack her she wasn't sure – but Minerva Jean McGonagall was not going to run!

The rustling grew louder. Minerva raised her wand and got ready to jump from any hexes that may come her way -

“There you are, Min!” Rolanda was hurrying down the steps, yellow robes flapping. The rustling stopped immediately and there was dead silence.

“What are you doing?” asked Rolanda, seeing Minerva attack stance, and stopping dead.

“Ssh, Ro!” whispered Poppy, catching up on Minerva's alarm. “What is it, Minerva?”

Minerva lowered her wand. “I heard something,” she said slowly. “It sounded as if it was a human – I threatened to call the Ministry and the thing came nearer – that's why I was ready to attack.”

Poppy looked at the forest apprehensively. “Let's go inside and take the Floo or a portkey. I can't think what it was, but Albus needs to know and it would help matters if we were not attacked on the way into Hogsmeade.”

Reluctantly, Minerva saw the sense in this. “All right. Come on, then.” They traipsed back to the castle and entered Minerva's rooms.

“Floo is on the mantelpiece.” she said absently, looking around for her purse, before she spotted it lying on the sofa. “I'm ready. Let's go!”

--

The Three Broomsticks was packed. Rolanda pushed open the door and poked her head. She immediately withdrew her head, bumping into Poppy, who was behind her.

“It's Dumbledore!” she hissed, pulling her friends away from the pub and into a side-street.

“Rolanda, what...?” asked Poppy crossly, putting her hands on her hips.

“It's Dumbledore! Hurry up, hurry up!” she was jigging on her feet, trying to drag further into the shadows.

Caught by her urgency, Poppy and Rolanda obeyed and the tall, thin man passed, his beard illuminated in the light from the opposite shops.

When he had gone, Minerva turned to Rolanda. “Rolanda, what is going on? Why, of all things, are we running away from Albus Dumbledore?”

“I'll tell you later – let's go somewhere safe.”

Poppy raised her eyebrows. “And The Three Broomsticks isn't safe because...?”

“He might have friends still there!” hissed Rolanda. “It isn't safe!”

Poppy sighed. “All right, let's go to Madam Puddifoots; it's new. Is that all right with you, Minerva?”

Minerva nodded. She had not been in this new shop and didn't mind,. As long as they got somewhere warm.

Madam Puddifoots was warm; it was also pink, as a disgusted Minerva and Rolanda saw. Poppy, ordering a round of butterbeer for them, led them to a secluded table and sat down.

“Now, Rolanda I want to know why we are running from our employer. Did you call Letitia 'Butterfly' to her face in front of Albus?”

“You didn't, did you?” asked Minerva, alarmed.

“Eh, it wasn't anything like that. And it wasn't Albus Dumbledore we were running from; it was Aberforth Dumbledore.”

“What?!” said Poppy loudly, then, remembering where they were, lowered her voice. “Aberforth Dumbledore?”

Minerva nodded, “Yes, he has a brother – he owns the Hog's Head down at the other end of the village; but why are you scared of him, Ro?”

She grimaced. “I-er...well, I sort of offered to give Gertrude a ride on my broom.”

“Who's Gertrude?” asked Poppy, and at the same time, Minerva asked;

“Why's that so terrible?”

“Gertrude is his er...his favourite goat,” muttered Rolanda, ducking her head and taking a fortifying gulp of butterbeer.

“His favourite goat?” said Poppy faintly, “Rolanda, why...?”

“Why has he got goats?” asked Minerva, wondering if this was all a set-up for her birthday.

Rolanda chose to answer Minerva's question. “He's got hundreds up at his place...he keeps them in the house, in the stables, in the parlour, for crying put loud!”

“But Ro,” protested Poppy, “why did you offer to take the goat for a ride?”

“Well, he told me the muggles have a form of transport called a hot-air balloon, and the first things to go up in it was a goat and cockerel and some other creature,” Rolanda took a sip from her butterbeer, just to make sure it was still there. “I thought he might want Gertrude to be the first wizards goat to fly. He – well, needless to say he wasn't that – erm, pleased.”

Minerva and Poppy stared at their friend in utter flabagastment – then their very similar senses of humours kicked in; first Minerva, then Poppy began to roar with laughter. Rolanda stared at them, at first inclined to be insulted, before she saw the funny side as well.
Soon all three witches were laughing like hyenas.

“Oh, Ro” gasped Minerva, as soon as she was coherent again. “You do...beat all!”

Poppy slurped her butterbeer, then choked on it as Minerva giggled; “Gertrude!” Minerva pounded her on the back, both giggling like little girls.

“So, Min, tell us about Thistle's kittens!” said Rolanda exuberantly, once the laughing fit had subsided.

“Oh, they're ever so sweet,” said Minerva happily, “There's an all black one, a tortoiseshell, a tabby, a ginger, and a black and white one,”

“Oh, do they have names?”

“No,” said Minerva, amused.

“Ooh, how about Thistle Junior?!” cried Rolanda, “or Little Squee!”

Minerva stared at her friend as if she had sprouted an extra head. “Little Squee?” she asked incredulously.

“Oh, but it's such a sweet name! Go on, Min, call the kitten that!” urged Poppy.

“I tell you what,” smiled Minerva, “if I let you both name a kitten each will you promise to leave out Little Squee?”

As their squeal of indignation washed over Minerva, she smiled and sat back. This wasn't so bad after all; in fact, the Lettuce might have even been born...

--

[furandfeathers]

hmmm..something mysterious going on... something involving Miss Veggie I'm thinking...please update soon! I adore this story

[osusprinks]

"Oh, life was not so terrible ... but it would be after Albus was married to The Lettuce. "

Poor Min. I am glad this chapter was nicer to her. I loved the books. Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books. Great job dear!

[Aeronnen]

Queens are female cats, toms are male. Thanks for the reviews! You all are so cool!

Chapter Six.

The Big Day

Minerva sighed as she waved her N.E.W.T students off from the Hogsmeade station. It was, at last, the holidays and, what's more, the holidays in which Albus would be married.

“You'll miss them, won't you, Minerva?”

Minerva turned round to find Albus himself standing behind her. “How observant of you, Headmaster.”

“Minerva...” he said in a warning tone. She had been getting more and more waspish as the end of term drew nearer.

She waved her hand negligently. “Yes, I'll miss them.” She shrugged. “I hope Weasley and Miss. Black have a happy life together.”

Septimus Weasley and Cedrella Black were engaged to be married – against the Black families' will.

“Oh, they will,” said Albus comfortingly, “Now, there is a carriage awaiting us.”

They walked back to th gates where carriage, drawn by a Thestral, visible to few of the staff apart from Minerva, Albus and Professor Grubbly-Plank.

The carriage smelt stale, which Minerva's heightened senses picked up; “Albus, we should really get round to spring-cleaning these, you know.”

He wrinkled his nose against the smell, but said, “Ah, but it makes them so authentic! The smell of years gone by, the – Oof,” he gasped as Minerva punched him in the side.

“Albus!” she cried, “I was being serious!”

“That reminds me,” he said, suddenly serious as well. “This thing in the Forest that you heard – I would call the Ministry, but I want to know more before calling all units; I can assure you, however,” he added quickly, seeing her mouth open angrily, “that the wards are so strong that perhaps only the great Merlin himself would be able to get past them; Intruder alarms are everywhere; Muggle repelling charms and self-casting jinxes. We are safe as it is possible to be – and my friend Roland Dawlish is in the village with a few of his Auror friends.”

More satisfied, she sat back. “It was a human, of that I am sure – but who is beyond my ken.”

“Well, yes; I have called a staff meeting and all will be present. It is a threat and we have to be careful.”

“I agree.” Minerva spent the rest of the journey in contemplative silence.

Walking through the main corridors, Minerva felt the lonesomeness that came with the end of term. The corridors were empty, the classrooms were quiet, the grounds peaceful. It was terrible.

No one would come running to tell her that William Potter had filled the Gryffindor common room with fireworks, or to scream hysterically that an experiment in the lab had gone and wrong and just look at my nose! Or to tell her that the Slytherin team were hogging the pitch and were they supposed to be using cans of paint to find the snitch?

Minerva sighed and cuddled little Bree, Thistle's smallest and prettiest kitten, who, like her bothers and sisters, was a healthy, happy cat.

Bree squirmed, mewling shrilly. “Oh, baban, hush,” cooed Minerva. Bree butted her chin.
Rollo, named so because of the yellow eyes that reminded her of Rolanda, Squee, the ginger tom, had been named so by Rolanda herself. Frodo was the black tom, named by Minerva after the hero of her father's favourite muggle book, The Lord of the Rings.
Sheba was the tortoiseshell queen, and enjoyed bossing her siblings around.
Dulcet was another queen, named after the famous Healer – Poppy had named her – and last but not least, was Bree, the black and white queen and the smallest of her litter.

“Minerva!”Came Rolanda's voice through the door. “Let us in! Hurry up!”

Minerva opened the portrait. Poppy and Rolanda were standing in front of it, Poppy looking quite calm,but Rolanda was seething. As soon as she opened the door, the flying instructor fell through it.

“Min, Min! She's set a date, she's set date!”

“First of all, Rolanda, my name is Minerva, and second, please lower your voice.” when Rolanda was quieter, she asked, “So who has a set a date for what?”

“Letitia! Look, an invitation! The wedding is at 11o'clock on New Years Day!”

“What...?” Minerva took the piece of pink paper and read the gilt letters.

Mr. and Mrs. Archicadeon Dumbledore, formally invite

Ms. Rolanda Hooch to the joyous union of

Miss. Letitia Gordon and Albus Dumbledore in

Holy Matrimony.

Wedding ceremony will be held in the Great Hall of

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

on the 1st of January at 11 o'clock.

Please send reply back by the 22nd of December.

Minerva stared at the rose coloured paper in such a mixture of emotions it was hard for her to form any coherent thought.

Married...they're getting married...

Poppy and Rolanda watched Minerva's reaction and feared the worst. Surely Albus wouldn't do it? Wouldn't tie the knot?

--

Minerva shook as she shredded a winter-lily to pieces. It was happening! Really happening! They were going to get married and go away and Albus would change and then she'd have to do the wards and the paperwork and the bills and manage Gringotts and the school would fall into ruin. And she'd lose her best friend.

Tears fell from her grey eyes, sobs racked her wiry frame. Oh, everything was so wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong!

The bench she was sitting on creaked as she moved. The wind was cold here, in this remote corner of the grounds, but it suited her Scottish bones much better than the warmth of the castle. There was a bleak view of the forest, the frozen lake, and the blue hills in the distance.

Minerva brought her sobbing under control at last and wiped her eyes. I must look a sight, she thought, performing a handy little charm to take the evidence of the tears away.

She looked at the forest, then remembered. Oh no, the intruder...Albus told me not to go outside on my own...Well, stuff Albus and stuff what he tells me to do! Anyone who marries that feather-brained, addle-pated vegetable is a fool! But she immediately regretted her words. Fool or not, he was her fool.

A loud smashing, stumbling noise accompanied by loud cursing, shocked Minerva out of her misery for a moment. There is someone here! She pulled out her wand and held it steady, proud of how strong her grip was.

“Come out, whoever you are! My offer still stands!” she shouted fiercely.

There was more cursing then a figure emerged from the trees. Minerva held steady.

The figure lifted it's arms. “I mean no harm. I will not attack.” It was a man's voice.

“Come here, then.” said Minerva, not lowering her wand in the least.

He stood in front of her, laying down his wand on the grass carefully. Minerva looked him over. He had brown hair, cut to just past his ears and amber-brown eyes. His skin was a healthy tanned colour, though the robes he wore were tattered and worn.

“Who are you? Have you been trespassing on Hogwarts land?” she demanded

“I am David Murdock. I – I know someone up at the school.” He spoke with a strong voice and an American accent.

“So you camped out in the Forbidden Forest?” said Minerva scornfully, “Why didn't you just come and ask for this person?”

“She – I suppose you could say she was out of my reach, ma'am.”

“Who is she? Not a student?!” The shocking thought just occurred to her.

“No! No ma'am!” he seemed as shocked as she was. “Her name is Letitia Gordon. I hear she's getting married.”

Minerva didn't let her shock show. What trick was Letitia playing now? “What do you want with her?”

“We were childhood sweethearts. We grew up together and I asked her to marry me last year. We had a quarrel – something so trivial that I can't even remember what it was about – and she walked out and never returned.”

Minerva believed him; there was something about this honest, straightforward young man that she trusted and liked. “Yes, Letitia is getting married. To Albus Dumbledore – January the 1st.” She knew it was stupid to tell him an she couldn't explain why had done it anyway.

“Thank-you, ma'am. How do you know? Not that I'm doubting you truthfulness or anything ...” he added hastily.

“I'm a teacher up at the school. I can get you an audience with her, if you want.”

“No. No thank-you, ma'am, but I just don't understand. She's still engaged to me! How can she go off with the Headmaster?”

“She didn't 'go off with the Headmaster'” said Minerva heatedly, defending Albus' honour. “They met in the Leaky Cauldron," she finished, even as her heart sank to her boots.

“My apologies, ma'am. I meant no offence. I'd-er-best be going.” He tried to retreat.

“Wait a moment! Where will you go now?” cried Minerva.

“I dunno, ma'am. I've been sleeping in a hut in the Forest for the last few months.”

Minerva thought quickly. “You can come up to the castle,” she said, “I can pretend you're a guest for the wedding.”

He looked as if he was thinking hard as well. “Surely you'd get into trouble?”

“I might but -”

He cut her off. “You've been very kind to me, ma'am and I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble. But could you tell me when they'll be doing the ceremony?”

“11o'clock, but surely -” He had melted back into the trees, leaving not a trace behind him.

Stunned, Minerva stood stock still before remembering where she was; she hurried back up to the school with a very confused mind.

--

“Minerva?” Poppy quietly entered Minerva's rooms with an arm full of small, deep red flowers. “These are the last of the cherry-roses from the kitchen garden. I thought they would go with your gown.”

“Thank-you, Poppy.” said Minerva sombrely. Poppy and Rolanda both knew why she was so solemn and perhaps Poppy knew, or thought, more than she let on.

Today was Albus' big day. The day he would marry Letitia Gordon. And Minerva felt as if she was being led to her own execution; how was she going to be able to sit there, watching her best friend in all the world commit himself to a monster?
But here she was, looking at herself in the mirror, waiting for the word to enter the Great Hall where the ceremony would take place; she had got an invitation in the end, but only because Albus had jogged Letitia's suddenly forgetful memory.

Her dress was one she had made herself, changing the style with some charms and a wee bit of Transfiguration. It was a deep red, a colour that suited Minerva right down to her boots. There were gathers at the sleeves, which were full and dragging; the skirt went out in a gentle circle around her, and the corset was well-made and had golden stitching in Celtic patterns along it, but , unknown to all, a black and green necklace was hidden beneath her dress.

“Here, let me do it.” Poppy had a fine dress-sense and she was using her ingenuity to the uttermost for her two friends. She had braided two parts of Minerva's hair, then twisted them behind her head, fastening them with a silver clip decorated with hanging silver chains, leaving the rest loose to tumble in voluptuous locks over her shoulders and down her back. She was now carefully working the small, cherry-red roses into her hair behind her ears.

Even in her despondent mood, Minerva thought that she was looking prettier than she had ever before. The dark red of the dress was exactly the right shade for her skin, showing the paleness of her ivory skin and showing just enough of her body to catch attention. The silver was an unusual twist, but it was lovely. Her hair was amazing, catching the light and glowing red. Minerva sighed. If this had been any other occasion, she would have had trouble tearing herself away from the glass – it wasn't that she was vain – she had just never had enough pretty dresses and certainly few new ones.

“Minerva, you look stunning,” said Poppy. “You will turn even the bridegrooms head!”

Minerva smiled weakly. “You look beautiful, Poppy; I've never seen you in clothes like that.” Poppy did indeed look wonderful. She had a dark green, well fitting dress that matched her blue eyes and blonde hair, which was done in an intricate bun, wonderfully braided, twisted, and sewn in.

“Thanks, Minnie.” Poppy seldom used that name, it was one she had called Minerva when they were small and unable to articulate proper names. Normally Minerva objected to the name, but this time she didn't. Poppy felt a surge of anger at the magnificent woman in front of her, reduced to a teary, apathetic way, grey eyes watery. Minerva was all 'fire and dew' and she had not been like this in the twenty-five years they had known each other.

“Hello Min,” said another voice. Rolanda had arrived. She had also been subject to Poppy's fashion sense, and was wearing yellow robes that matched her eyes exactly, short hair fashionably spiky. “How are you feel – Hell, Minerva! You look – you look...wow, Min.”

Minerva smiled a little more genuinely at her friends astonishment, then turned back to her reflection.

“When are we supposed to be seated, girls?” she asked.

“A half-hour past,” answered Poppy, glancing at her watch. “It's a good time to go now; our seats are reserved at the front.” She gently took Minerva's arm and led her out of her rooms.

The Great Hall was like it had never been before. Ribbons hung, suspended by magic, about halfway down from high ceiling. Fairies flutter about, little glowing orbs of multi-coloured light. There were a few guests, mainly men who had been told to stay out of the way of the women who were all fussing over Letitia's dress and toilette. Minerva, still in her sad daze, consequently did not notice the appreciative glances sent to her by the various men in the room, of which Poppy and Rolanda were getting a fair share.

Their seats were at the front, with the rest of the professors. Minerva stared at her hands. She was stinging inside with guilt and indecision. She couldn't let Albus marry someone who was engaged to someone else...but Letitia might have broken it off and David might not have told her the truth - though she doubted that; he seemed like a trustworthy young man, such a person as Letitia didn't deserve.

And if she did tell him, would he hate her forever, for ruining his perfect marriage? Or would it break him and then he would end up as a travelling salesman. It had happened before, she thought gloomily.

Would David come to the wedding? The wards were being loosened so that the guests could arrive and he would find it easy to get in. She found herself hoping against hope that he would crash the wedding and whisk Letitia away to never be seen again – preferably because she had fallen into the clutches of a vampire, or a hag or a giant rampaging though the town...but she knew it was unlikely. They would get married and leave her on the outside, looking in, excluded forever.

The music started. Shocked, Minerva sat up. She watched Albus, in the most handsome robes of plum velvet, walk slowly down the isle. He stopped at the alter, where, to Rolanda's everlasting horror, Aberforth Dumbledore was standing in grubby priests' clothes, waiting to perform the ceremony. He winked at his brother, then turned to watch the bride parade down the isle.

Letitia was wearing the whitest dress, Minerva could have imagined; it was so white, it hurt to look at her; Minerva suspected Albus' mothers' involvement. The dress had a white netting over it, a thin corset which tapered to an embroidered point at her midriff. Her yellow hair was falling in bonny ringlets onto her shoulders and her eyes were smiling. You could nearly hear the whole congregation falling in love worth the blushing bride. She made Minerva feel so dowdy, in her dark finery and meagre jewels.

Aberforth, at the alter, looked his soon-to-be sister-in-law over appraisingly; Minerva didn't think he looked that thrilled. In turn, Letitia didn't look that pleased to be stood in front of Aberforth Dumbledore to be married.

“Wizards, witches, warlocks and well-wishers. We are gathered here today to witness the union of this man, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and this woman, Letitia Charlotte Gordon in most sacred magical matrimony.”

Aberforth droned on, the two people in the front of the alter repeating after him.

“To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, forever and ever. I do.” Letitia finished, smiling prettily at Albus; the congregation sighed.

“If there is any man or woman who have any objections to this union, speak now or forever hold you peace,” said Aberforth in ringing tones.

Everyone looked around. Albus' mother, Caryla, in the very first row, tried not to fidget; she so wanted her son to marry the pretty, well mannered girl, as did her husband. Poppy looked around quietly, and Rolanda peered at everyone. The bride and groom watched their audience silently. No one said a thing, though Minerva, inside, was screaming,tell them tell them tell them! But she said nothing. She felt faint. It was then that a strong, familiar voice rang out from behind the congregation.

“I object!”

It was David.

--

Cliffie!! Mwuahahahahahahah! ;D

[osusprinks]

DAVID TO THE RESCUE, I hope! There has to be something he can do. Poor Min. It would be horrible to attend the wedding of the man you loved. That just is so heartbreaking!

Update soon dear! And poke your sister for me! lol

[EloquentPhoenix]

Woo David!!! Thank God. You had me going there for a minute. *Breathes* Stupid miserbale lettuce forgetting Min's invitation. The rudeness. I hope she doesn't get ahappily ever after with David, I like him and she doesn't deserve him. Albus is going to get hurt But he has Min to make it all better, right

[furandfeathers]

I think perhaps my heart stopped for a moment there...David saves the day! Although I agree, she doesn't deserve him either. He's nice. Pleeeeeeease update soon!!

[elivania]

Yay!!!! David to the rescue!!! I can't wait for the next installment!

[EloquentPhoenix]

Now that I am over my relief that David did indeed turn up. (On the last second!) I have one more thing to say:

As if you left it there! You're evil!

[childminerva]

Little Squee...lol

"Fool or not, he was her fool." Very sweet line

I'm very excited to see what happens next!

[DaBao]

I have no idea what David sees in her... but thank goodness he's there to stop the the tragedy that would have become Mrs. Lettuce Dumbledore.

[nicolerose]

can you say SO NOT NICE TO LEAVE US HANGING!!! I cant wait for more!

[Gemmie Lou]

ahh what a cliffhanger xxxx