CHAPTER 7
After a thorough exploration of the finer points of the city, Poppy suggested that they return to the hotel to freshen up a bit before attending the keynote address at the conference. She thought it might be a good idea for Minerva to have a few moments to really think through her idea of approaching Aurelia with the intentions of getting her to open up to a complete stranger. And Poppy secretly hoped that Xiomara would resurface. If Minerva lost her temper with Aurelia, she wasn’t sure she was witch enough to handle the angry Scotswoman by herself. Xiomara was much more athletic and had a way of diffusing a situation involving Minerva. Poppy scoffed mentally at the very idea. Xia had caused more than her fair share of rants where Minerva was concerned, but they all agreed that they couldn’t ask for a better set of friends.
Minerva and Poppy waited around at the hotel for Xiomara to return for as long as they could before Minerva began to grow anxious. She had tried to rest for a bit, but her mind worked furiously though various situations and scenarios involving Albus and Aurelia, some of them even including a cat fight in front of the conference. Minerva knew she would never stoop to that level, but it felt good to at least work through some of those emotions. She would never do anything to embarrass Albus, and that most certainly would do just that, and in front of all his colleagues and friends.
“Poppy, I can’t take it any longer. I think we need to go. Xiomara knows what time Albus speaks, and she has her invitation with her, so surely she’ll remember what we’re here for…or at the very least her curiosity will get the better of her.” Minerva suddenly laughed. “Then again…he was handsome, and if given the opportunity, I know she’d not turn down the chance to add another to the list of men she’s shagged.”
“Minerva McGonagall! You are being downright scandalous in your talk today. I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you’re in rare form,” she scolded before bursting into laughter. “Come on. She’s a grown witch and can take care of herself. Right now, we need to get to that conference and get settled. We might even be able to do a little pre-speech snooping if time permits.”
Ensuring that their glamour charms were still holding and that no additional steps needed to be taken, the two witches made their way downstairs and had no problem at all in gaining entrance. Minerva made a mental note to be less critical of Xiomara’s
friends from now on, since she now fully comprehended the benefits of befriending people from all walks of life.
With a little help from her womanly charms and a very eager young man guarding the back stage entrance, Minerva was able to sweet talk her way into the area reserved for those more prominent wizards and witches giving presentations. She toyed with the idea of turning into her Animagus form, but without Poppy there to cast new glamours on her, she felt it wouldn’t be prudent. And Poppy was needed to make certain they were seated next to Aurelia in the auditorium, no small feat, to be sure, since there were so many eager people dying to hear a lecture from Albus.
Cautiously, Minerva began to make her way though the small gathering of people, many of whom she recognized. She saw Ambrose Peppington, the noted alchemist who had once foolishly challenged one of Albus’ theories, saying it was baseless. Minerva had beamed with pride when Albus put the stuffy old git in his place, though without a hint of malice or arrogance. And, flirting shamelessly with another of their acquaintances was Constance Felding Patterson. Minerva wondered if her husband even cared anymore about her not so discreet dalliances with other wizards at these conventions. More than once, Albus and Minerva had been caught by surprise as she showed up at first one thing and then another on the arm of a younger man. It was that thought that turned Minerva back to her own purpose at the convention and more importantly…behind the scenes.
A few more chance encounters with familiar faces, though none of them recognized Minerva thankfully, and she heard the faint sound of Albus’ voice. She could tell just by his tone that he was laughing at something, and she hoped she’d round the corner to see him talking with some genteel wizard he’d known for ages. To her ultimate disgust, however, she was disappointed and infuriated at the same time.
Aurelia was standing close to Albus, much too close for Minerva’s opinion, and she seemed to be in a rather giddy mood. Minerva didn’t even wish to contemplate what had caused the older witch to begin acting like a schoolgirl, though she had a few ideas of her own, and none of them to her liking. Albus had a way of luring the inner child and playful self out of anyone, especially women. It was his nature to put people at ease and to have a joyful time no matter the circumstances. Minerva couldn’t even begin to count the number of times he’d made her blush like a silly teenager or giggle like a child at something or other, most of the time as they were lounging in bed after a passionate night of lovemaking.
Still, Minerva took several deep breaths as she concentrated hard on listening to what was being said. She could easily see that Albus was going over parts of his speech, reciting them aloud. She wasn’t surprised by that at all. He was an excellent at giving presentations, but few knew that he worked hard to get everything just right. He would spend hours pacing back and forth, reciting a particular speech to make sure everything went smoothly and that his use of notes was kept to a minimum. That was one of the things that always fascinated her. He had a way of taking even the most complex discussion and making it seem as if he were expounding on the use of cheese in a sandwich. But still, that did not explain Aurelia’s hovering nature.
When Minerva looked back again, Albus was standing still as Aurelia fussed over him to the point of raising Minerva’s temper to a simmer. The brazen witch was much too close to Albus for Minerva’s liking, much too close to any married man for that matter.
“Albus you’re going to be just splendid, of that I have no doubts. You’ve always been gifted at oral presentations,” she said and Minerva didn’t miss the tone of voice being used. She took a few steps forward, wand at the ready and fully prepared to use it. There were just some things a wife had to do, and Minerva had been pushed far enough.
“Aurelia, you flatter me. You know as well as I that it takes practice to become good at anything, and I’ve never been one to do something by halves. Anyone who knows me can attest to that, but there is a great deal at stake here. I need to make a good impression to give come credence to my work with Francois. That’s why I’m practicing.”
Aurelia smiled up at him and began smoothing down his robes, removing invisible wrinkles from the smooth fabric. “You’ll do fine, love. I have no doubts about that. Your name alone will give credibility and respect to the project, but when you open your mouth and begin to explain your findings, there won’t be a witch or wizard in that room who won’t agree with you completely.” She stepped a bit closer and fluffed his collar, brushing it as she inched forward. “And if they don’t, well, I’m rather handy with a wand, and I still know a few charms that could be put to good use,” she giggled.
“You’re terrible…just terrible,” he laughed, placing both hands on her upper arms and holding her a small distance away. “I’m glad to know that I have such a loyal following,” he joked.
“You should know by now, Albus, that there are many of us who would follow you to the ends of the earth for a cause in which you believe,” she answered as her tone turned serious for a moment.
There was a small pause in their conversation, and Minerva found herself holding her breath waiting for his answer. She was not shocked nor disappointed by the answer he gave in return.
“Ah, but I wouldn’t want such blind devotion, for that is what led us to Grindelwald, and look what that did for our world. I enjoy a good challenge, a stimulating exchange of ideas, even being proven wrong for a good cause.”
For a moment, Minerva caught a glimpse of her Albus, the humble man whom she had devoted her entire life to in more than one way. She felt a pang of guilt as she admired him from a distance, safely hidden behind glamour charms. What was she doing here? How could she have ever doubted her Albus would be so cold as to cheat on her with his former lover? Better still, why had she given her doubts any encouragement by skulking around in dark places, using glamour charms, pretending to be someone she wasn’t, and all to prove to herself that Albus was as honorable and honest as she knew him to be in her heart? And then, in the moment it took Minerva to scold herself, she was reminded.
Aurelia moved behind Albus, presumably to smooth down the back of his robes and Minerva could clearly see her hands moving over his back…all of his back. Obviously satisfied with her progress, her hands slipped between Albus’ arms and swept down the sides of his body from his chest to his hip.
Minerva gripped her wand tightly, wondering how much more she needed to see and debating on whether or not to cause a scene here or wait for a more private confrontation. She watched with bile forming in her throat as the hussy stepped back in front of Albus and kissed him softly on each cheek, letting her lips linger just a bit longer than necessary for any friendly kiss for good luck.
“I know you’ll do just fine, and I’ll be in the front row for support, should you need it. And just think, after all this is over, we can dash away to our little restaurant for a nice meal. I made reservations for eight.”
Minerva could detect a flash of mischief in Albus’ eyes and it worried her.
“Which restaurant? We have so many,” he countered with a stifled smile so as not to completely give away his obvious attempt at teasing.
“Why the one where you first told me you loved me…the Sempione. As if there could be any other restaurant in town that I’d want to use for a celebration,” she scoffed. “If we happen to get separated after your presentation, I’ll meet you there outside the door.” With one last quick peck to his cheek and a softly whispered word of luck, Aurelia flashed him a smile and brushed past Minerva on her way to her seat.
Immediately Minerva felt a wave of nausea sweep over her body and anger warring with defeat in her mind. She thought for a moment about stepping in and revealing her true self to both Albus and Aurelia, demanding they explain themselves to her, but something held her feet to the floor. Whether it was shock or disbelief, she wasn’t sure, but as soon as a proud and confidant Aurelia brushed past her as if she owned the world and all its’ riches, Minerva looked back at Albus.
He stood there with bright eyes, chuckling as he watched Aurelia disappear among the crowds, and even as he reached a hand to touch his cheek, he sensed something familiar and warm in his presence. It was as if he could feel a surge of something tugging at his very soul, and it was soothing. His eyes quickly scanned the small crowd, looking for the source of this new sensation, and he thought he caught a glimpse of something or, better yet, someone, but quickly brushed it aside as his imagination.
Minerva watched Albus very closely and nearly panicked as she recognized the look passing over his face. She hadn’t even considered the idea that he could sense her magic, and she wondered why he hadn’t sensed it when she was in her Animagus form earlier in the day. If they made it through all of this, she’d be certain to ask him about it, but for now, she needed to get away. She needed to find a quiet place to process what she’d just seen…Aurelia taking her place and doing all the wifely things that Minerva would have gladly done if only given the chance to be here for her husband.
She turned and began to walk away quickly and had just reached the nice young man who’d allowed her inside when she literally bumped into Xiomara.
“There you are,” she exclaimed in an animated tone of voice. “I can’t believe you’d just leave a witch behind like that and go off on your own. And don’t say you had Poppy with you because she doesn’t count. You know as well as I that in a crisis situation involving medical needs she’s a gem, but if it’s physical assistance you need, she’ll do you no good. I’m the witch for that job.”
Minerva brushed past Xiomara, grabbing her hand and dragging her out into the hallway before speaking. “First of all, mind your tongue and remember that we’re not in disguise for the fun of it, so it might be wise not to call me or Poppy by our given names. Secondly, you seem to also have no problem abandoning us for the pleasure of the flesh with the young man from the park, so don’t give me that tripe about dashing off without you. For your information, I just saw my husband practically being molested by his former lover, and when it came time to confront them, do you know what I did? WELL DO YOU? Nothing…I did absolutely nothing but stand there and watch it all unfold. I’m not sure if I’m just so in love with the man that I can’t bear to let him go, or if I’m still holding on to the belief that he’s innocent in all of this.”
Xiomara stood stunned, but realized she deserved her portion of the rant. She had quickly abandoned her friends for a lovely afternoon with Marcelo
What’s His Name. But this version of Minerva scared her beyond reason. Never would she have assumed that Minerva McGonagall would watch such a display as she had just described and walked away from it without so much as a harsh word. At this point, Xia was ready to storm through the doors and give Albus a proper dressing down in front of all his colleagues and Minerva herself.
“I think we need to find Pop…our friend,” Xiomara corrected quickly. “She needs to know what’s happened, and maybe she’ll have some better advice for you. I seem to have made a mess of things this afternoon, and I’m sorry.”
Minerva smiled and shook her head. “Just tell me he was worth it, and I’ll forgive you…this time.”
Xiomara lightly pulled at the collar of her robes, revealing several telling marks as to how she spent the afternoon. “Is that good enough for an answer, or do you need to see more,” she dared to laugh.
“Absolutely not. I’ve seen more than enough! And it looks like your new conquest had a thing for marking his victim…er…lovers,’ she teased. “Let’s go find our seats, and with any luck, I’ll be able to hand Aurelia enough rope to hang herself, but hopefully not enough to snare Albus, too.”
Minerva and Xiomara made their way through the large crowd that had gathered. Poppy was in the front row and valiantly fending off wizards and witches alike who were interested in her saved seats.
“For the last time, I have friends who will be joining me shortly. Find another seat before I…”
“We’re here,” Minerva called out to stop her friend from hexing the angry-looking witch before her.
“Oh, good,” Poppy exclaimed. “And I see you found the wayward one.”
“Really P…um, Prudence, you needn’t be so dramatic,” Xia said with a grin.
“Prudence?” Poppy questioned with distaste.
Minerva pulled Poppy into the seat beside her while Xia’s grin grew to abnormal proportions. “Yes, Prudence.”
“Oh,” Poppy whispered after Minerva gave her a beseeching look. “Very well.” Looking up at Xiomara, Poppy started grinning as well. “Mara please do sit. It was difficult to procure these seats in the first place, and I certainly don’t want to lose them because you wander off again.”
Xiomara’s smile slid off her face and she sat in a huff. “You know I hate that nickname,” she whispered viciously.
“Quiet!” Minerva said as she spotted Aurelia heading in their direction. “And please just follow along.”
Her friends looked confused, but both nodded their heads. When Aurelia took the seat just beside Minerva and her robes brushed against her own as the cloying scent of jasmine washed over her, Minerva couldn’t decide whether to hex her, claw her, or be sick. Thankfully Poppy had taken her hand and squeezed it within her own. It was time to put her plan in action, and she could only hope that Aurelia took the bait.
In a sickeningly sweet voice, which she made a higher pitch than her own, Minerva began speaking to her companions. “I just can’t believe we have front row seats to see THE Albus Dumbledore.”
“It’s a good thing you dragged me down early,” Poppy said with a smile on her face.
“He is so yummy,” Xia said in a conspiratorial whisper.
Minerva glared at her friend. While she wanted information from Aurelia, that was certainly not the way she wanted to go about doing it. “You know,” she began, “a friend of my father’s said he knew someone who grew up right next door to him. Of course, you never know whether it’s true. People will say anything to link themselves to him.”
Minerva heard Aurelia make a sound as if she agreed and smiled wickedly.
“I wonder what he was like,” Poppy sighed as her eyes strayed toward Aurelia.
“I heard he was arrogant and not very friendly,” Xiomara said.
Minerva felt Aurelia shift in the chair next to her and felt a thrill go up her spine.
“I’m sure he had all sort of girls and women chasing him,” Poppy volunteered.
“Yes, I can imagine so,” Minerva said a bit loudly. “And he certainly doesn’t seem to mind. I do wonder if some of that arrogance followed him into his advanced age. As nice as he seems, and as brilliant as he is, I am sure he has his share of faults.”
“Albus Dumbledore is a great man, always has been and always will be.”
All three witches turned to look at Aurelia who had finally chosen to speak up. Minerva felt the same way as the witch who was currently looking at them in a very superior fashion. At least she always had until recently. Still, she was holding out hope that the information she gleamed from their little chat would shine a light that included only herself and not her husband.
Making sure she looked put out, which wasn’t very hard, Minerva dove in. “Of course, that is what we are all led to believe, but really no one can know for sure. There are probably very few people who know him truly and completely. Even at Hogwarts, I am sure he is required to keep his public persona in place.”
Aurelia huffed and narrowed her eyes. “I happen to be one of the few people who know Albus. I have been close to him since we were small children. So you can take my word that he is indeed everything good that you hear, better even.”
It certainly wasn’t exactly what she wanted, Minerva thought to herself. She wanted some sort of confession of guilt, or rather for Aurelia to come out and say they were more than friends. However, she did not have an opportunity to say more as Aurelia turned away from her, and an announcement was made that the program would be starting shortly, and could everyone please take their seats.
Standing up rather abruptly, Minerva realized she couldn’t stay. Albus had recognized some part of her earlier and sitting in the front row would bring nothing but trouble. Besides, she needed to talk with Poppy and Xiomara about whether or not they were going to be joining the happy couple for dinner. As she started off to go back to their rooms, she would have bet a pile of galleons that she heard Aurelia whisper
good riddance.“I’ll ‘good riddance’ her,” Minerva whispered fiercely once they were out in the main lobby.
“What are you on about?” Xiomara asked as she caught up, with Poppy trailing just behind her.
“That…witch…had the nerve to say good riddance when we left.”
“You heard that, too, did you?” Poppy said rather hesitantly. “I was hoping you hadn’t.”
“Measles for a month…or maybe a wart on her pert little nose…or perhaps I can find a spell which will reverse all the procedures she has obviously indulged in to keep herself looking so young.”
Xiomara snorted as Minerva talked mostly to herself. “Remind me never to step on your toes.”
“She hasn’t just stepped,” Minerva exclaimed, “she has trod, and heavily.”
“So what are we going to do?” Poppy asked.
“I think we have to follow them to dinner. We need to get reservations and hope an opportunity presents itself. I’d rather find out now and leave tomorrow than have to stay through the ball.” Minerva’s heart contracted painfully at the thought of having to watch Albus dance with the wretched Aurelia.
“I’ll go speak to the concierge,” Xiomara volunteered. “I am sure he will be able to secure us a table.”
As Xia sauntered off toward the unsuspecting wizard behind the counter, Minerva and Poppy headed upstairs to get ready for the main event. They would all need to refresh their glamours and procure a change in attire. In addition, Minerva wanted to look through the items they had brought with them to see if any of it would help them in spying from a distance, without being obvious.
Albus had finished his presentation within the time allotted to him, but as always had been waylaid by dozens of people looking to speak with him. As he finished up with the last person, a portly wizard with a penchant for spitting as he spoke, he managed to spot Aurelia waiting off to the side.
“As in demand as ever, I see,” she murmured when he came closer.
“It pleases me as much as it does them, I think.”
Aurelia’s laughter filled the air, causing several wizards to look in their direction. “Only you, my darling Albus, would say such a thing.”
Albus smiled and offered his arm as they made their way toward the lobby. “What did you think of the presentation?”
“You are never anything but brilliant.”
“It’s nice to hear you say that, though I am sure you are somewhat prejudiced.” Albus said while smiling warmly at his childhood friend.
“Me? Never!”
As they went through the last pair of glass doors, Albus spoke more solemnly since his thoughts were directed toward his most recent worries. “I have one stop to make before we head to dinner.”
“Oh, any hints,” Aurelia teased.
“I just need to send an owl. Would you like to wait here, or should I meet you at the restaurant?”
“I’ll go ahead and meet you at the bar, but don’t be too long.”
Albus and Aurelia separated ways, and Albus headed toward his room. His thoughts were heavy as his legs pushed him upwards, from stair to stair. Albus had not received a single letter in response to the few he had sent to Minerva since he had left. Even his Floo call the night before had gone unanswered. She was probably still angry with him over the whole affair, and really he had expected her to stay mad about it for much longer than the few days he had been gone, but it didn’t stop him from worrying. He was being silly he knew, but some word from her, even if in anger, was all he needed to ease his heart and mind. Perhaps he would be taking a drastic step in sending Fawkes, but it was all he could think to do at this point.
He entered his room, which was blessedly quiet, and sat at the small desk in the corner. He penned a quick note, shorter than his others had been, telling her how he missed her and loved her and hoped all was well. He placed it into a plain envelope and wrote her name on the outside in his flowing script. Satisfied with his work, he placed it in the middle of the desk and cast a flame retardant spell on it, for safety purposes – a few of the letters Fawkes had delivered in the past had been crispy along the edges.
Since Fawkes was out for his nightly adventure, Albus left a treat for the phoenix next to the letter. He would deliver it upon his return. If Albus was lucky, he might even hear back from her this very night. Wishing that Fawkes would make a speedy return this night, Albus closed his door behind him and hurried off to meet Aurelia.
A/N: Hmm, well now what do you think of Aurelia? There are 11 chapters total in this story so we’re nearly at the end but what happens when Minerva and the girls meet up with Albus and Aurelia at the restaurant?
You’ll have to read the next chapter for those answers! Thanks for the reviews!!!
You’ll have to read the next chapter for those answers! Thanks for the reviews!!!
We hope you'll enjoy the lemon when we get to it.
It seems to me that there might be a lot more going on -- maybe years and years of insecurity and an inability to tell her beloved Albus when something he did displeased her? Maybe she always reacts passive-aggressively, as she did in charming his luggage a muddy brown color, so they never really talk, and if Albus tries, she leaves? I'd love to know whether this was a pattern in their marriage that they have to work on or if it was a moment of temporary Aurelia-induced insanity! LOL! (It's likely the latter -- I hope!)
Although, I must say, my late fiance was extremely attractive and charming, and he was highly admired by most women, and I rather enjoyed watching it. There was one woman who seemed to have "designs" on him, however, but not only did I trust him, I could literally laugh in her face as he and I left together to go home to bed. I was quite secure in where his interest lay! Haha! That woman did irk me (and was also touchy-feely), but I took some schadenfreude in flaunting our arm-in-arm departures. And we weren't normally into big PDAs, but I was quite happy to encourage a long smooch from him once when she was looking on. So I am looking forward to seeing how Aurelia is "re-introduced" to Minerva, and to Albus and Minerva as a couple, at the ball! *grin* That should be fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D
, and I want to see some! -- I know, I'm very greedy! Hahaha! ;D
