Elphinstone

[mmadness101]

Chapter 1 : Elphinstone

Summary:

There comes a time in every student's lives when they realize their teachers have lives. Even for the trio, however, it seems they now have more information on their head of the house.

---

Sitting in the Gryffindor common room, Ron and Harry were playing chess while Hermione read a book, until she looked up and asked, “Harry, what will you do this summer? You won’t be returning to the Dursleys’, will you?”

Harry shrugged, “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“What if you spent the summer over at mine?” Ron suggested.

“I don’t think that’ll be possible, Dumbledore said something about some sort of spell placed on my aunt’s house.” That was one of the chief reasons, as well as not wishing to disturb the Weaslys, even if they would never complain and would be overjoyed to have him over.

“What spell?” Hermione asked.

“I don’t remember. We didn’t have much time to get into details since I was already late for class.”

Ron scratched his head, “What if you stayed here with Dumbledore? I mean, I wouldn’t like to be at school all year, but it’s better than going back to the Dursleys, right?”

Hermione marked the page she was at and shut her book, before pointing out “Ron, professor Dumbledore surely doesn’t spend his entire summer at Hogwarts. You do realise professors gets some time off during summer, right? Some may want to go back to their loved ones or perhaps travel. They’re not imprisoned here.”

Ron grimaced, “I thought that was just a myth. I can’t imagine any of them as anything other than professors.”

At that moment, Fred entered the room, catching a ball thrown by George. They stopped in front of the trio, George watched his younger brother closely, “Hey, what did you tell Ron?”

“Usually we’re the ones telling him things to disgust him.” Added Fred.

“Did you know professors had lives?”

“There’s nothing disgusting about it.” Hermione stated.

“Well, we’re not sure about other professors,” Fred started, to which George continued, “But we know Minnie is married to some man named Elphinstone.”

Hermione’s head tilted, “Minnie?”

“It’s what they call McGonagall,” Ron clarified. “But, wait, she’s married?! Bloody hell, I never thought she knew what love was.”

Hearing that, Hermione hit Ron’s shoulder, “Ron! Don’t say that, she loves us and I’m sure she’s a lovely person to. She just doesn’t let you see it because you would take her less seriously.”

“How do you know who’s she married to?” Harry asked the twins.

“We once overheard a conversation between her and Madam Pomfrey,” George began, “she needed an anti-stomach-ache potion for him,” Fred added, “and Poppy asked her a few questions,” continued George, “and based on her answers, they’ve been married for a while,” Fred replied.

“What do you mean ‘based on her answers’? How can you be so sure she’s married to him?”

George said “Well, for starters, when Poppy asked her if she had any clue on how he got that stomach ache, Minnie said ‘same as always, he had one too many sweets.’ But then,” Fred took over once more, “Poppy said, ‘he will never learn.’ To which Minnie answered, ‘Sometimes I feel like I have married a child trapped in a grown man’s body.’ And that’s how we know.” Fred concluded.

The trio stared at the twins, speechless for a moment, until Ron commented, “I still can’t believe she’s married or has any sort of life outside Hogwarts.”

“Stop it, Ron! It’s a sweet story!” Hermione said.

And Harry wondered out loud, “I doubt we’ve ever seen him, I wonder what he’s truly like.”

---

“Stop it with the sherbet lemons, I don’t want to find myself asking Poppy for ‘Elphinstone’s stomach ache remedy’ tomorrow morning.” Minerva warned, taking the sweets from her husband.

“Just one more.” He asked her, trying to reach out to the bag, but she was faster than him.

“You have had enough for the night. How about instead, we play a game of chess?”

“With one condition; if I win, you give me back my Sherbet Lemons.”

Minerva shook her head, “You are incorrigible, Albus.”

He smiled, “But you love me nonetheless,”

“I’m still not giving you your sweets back.”

---

A/N: If anyone is reading that, I hope you enjoyed it! And please, let me know what you thought.

Also, I'm aware that Dumbledore is gay, but I shipped him with McGonagall before I found out he was, and I still think they’re adorable together. This isn't meant to be offensive, you can consider him bi or whatever you want, it’s just a harmless story.
I might add another chapter to provide further explanation.
I don't own any of the characters, or anything from the Harry Potter World, I only came up with the idea.

[mmadness101]

Chapter 2 : Poppy

Summary:
There's only so long a friend can go without asking for more information.
How will that conversation go between Minerva and Poppy?

---

Minerva sighed as she stood facing a familiar door, she knocked and went in.

“Elphinstone’s remedy again?” Poppy asked, already taking out the bottle.

“I took the sweets away from him last night, only to find him surrounded by wrappers in the living room at midnight.” Minerva rolled her eyes.

Poppy laughed, “It surely sounds like Elphinstone.” her laughter died down, and just before Minerva had the time to take the bottle, Poppy pulled it back, “Say, how come I have never met your husband already? I mean, you two have been married for years! Why don’t we have dinner, the two of you, with Alastor and I, this weekend perhaps?”

Minerva’s eyes widened, “Oh, well, I’m not sure if he has time this weekend. Still, I will pass on the word to him.”

“Oh please, Minerva. And don’t just say that to shut me up, only to come up with some sort of excuse or last-minute-cancellation. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Don’t be silly, Poppy. Of course we are.”

“We are, and have been since our school years. And sure, there were times when we weren’t in touch, after I graduated three years before you and the during war…” Poppy recalled, pausing for an instant, “But, tell me how, in all the years we have been working together, I still haven’t met your husband. I wasn’t even at your wedding, Minerva.”

Minerva shook her head, “We had eloped during the war, there was no wedding to be invited to.”

“It’s been years since then, have you never thought of celebrating it with your friends?”

Noticing the water building up around the corner of her friend’s eyes, Minerva sighed, “I’m sorry, Poppy. I would have loved to have you there, but due to the conditions, it simply wasn’t feasible to do anything.” She took a breath, before adding, “And I’m sorry it hasn’t worked in the past. Elphinstone is just a busy man.”

Poppy wiped her eyes, answering “I know; he works in the department of magical law enforcement. But can’t the ministry give him one night off? Just a dinner, doesn’t the man eat? Well, aside from sweets, of course.”

“I will try my best. I’m afraid it’s not as simple as you may think, and if it does work, I would appreciate it if you could be understanding of the situation.”

Poppy’s forehead creased, “What do you mean?”

“It’s far too complicated to explain. I will tell you everything when time is right.” Minerva stated.

“Careful, you’re beginning to sound like Albus. I think you may be spending too much time with him.”

Minerva laughed and then remembered, “Speaking of, I have to go meet him to discuss the possibilities for a new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. I don’t believe Lockhart will last much longer, might as well start looking into an alternative. Could I get Elphinstone’s remedy before I leave?”

“Yes, of course.” She handed the bottle to her at last, “But please, let him think about it; dinner, the four of us at my place this weekend. Alright?”

“Will do, Poppy.” She replied, “And thank you for the potion.”

---

“So, it’s settled then.” Albus clasped his hands together, “Remus Lupin will be next year’s Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.”

Minerva nodded, “It will be nice to have him around again, I missed him. I missed them all.”

Her eyes fell down to her hands, a sad smile on her face.

“I know how you feel, and with Harry around, it almost feels like having both Lily and James back…”

“Harry may look like James with Lily's eyes, but he’s still his own person. And he and his friends are building themselves quite a reputation of their own.” Minerva pointed out.

“Ah, yes,” Albus answered, “It was quite clever how they defeated Quirrell. And how can we forget how little Ron won your chess game.” He chuckled.

Minerva peered at him over the rim of her glasses, “Laugh all you want, yet keep in mind, I have won almost every game we have played since I began working here.”

Albus raised his hands, “Perhaps. But don’t forget the keyword; almost.”

“I still have more victories than you.” She stood from her chair, and tidied up the paperwork spread on his desk.

He helped her and there was a moment of silence. He noticed her now staring at him, lost in thoughts, and he smiled at her.

Snapping back into reality, she blinked and smiled back briefly, “Albus, this morning, when I was getting your remedy, Poppy and I had a talk. She wants to have dinner this weekend with her and Alastor. She wants me to bring Elphinstone.”

His smile fell, and his features turned more serious, “What do you want to do?”

“I can’t keep lying to her, Albus. She’s my friend, so is Alastor. I wish I could tell them the truth. I don’t mind keeping our marriage a secret but-”

“Minerva, you know why we do this.” He interrupted her.

‘What is it with people stating the obvious today.’ She thought to herself with a roll of her eyes, answering him “Of course I do. But I also know that our friends wouldn’t betray us. I can see how it pains her that she wasn’t present at our wedding, and how it bothers her that she still hasn’t met ‘him’. And when are we ever going to tell them? We’ve been lying to them for so many years, and the longer we wait, the worse the outcome may be.”

Albus’ smile resurfaced, “I understand this means a lot to you my dear, so how should we tell Poppy?”

His wife smiled back at him, “I may have an idea.”

---

A/N: Here's another chapter, I hope you enjoyed reading it, there's still more to come.
Again, I don't own any of the characters or anything the entire Harry Potter universe, I may be going against canon but I'm just living in some delusions of what could have been.

[mmadness101]

Chapter 3: The Dinner - Part I

Summary:

Poppy finally gets to meet Minerva's husband. The pair begins the reveal much about their dark past.

---

Poppy watched as the clock neared 8 o’clock, her eyes were almost glued to it, not a tic went by without her notice.

Well, until Alastor stood in front of her, “What are you doing watching the clock like that? Do you want to get hypnotized?”

Poppy glared at her husband, “That’s not how hypnosis works, Al.”

“It does! Happened to a fellow auror once. Haven’t seen him since.”

“Why do all your stories end like this?”

Alastor shrugged and took a sip out of his flask, “You didn’t answer me. Why are you watching over the clock? You scared someone will rob it?”

“Minerva is never late. If that clock hits 8 and she’s not here yet, she’s not coming at all.”

“Waiting like that can do you no good. I don’t know how boredom didn’t get to you. And why are you so worried if she doesn’t show up? You see her every day at work, and it only means more food for us.”

Poppy shook her head, “I may see her every day, but I still haven’t seen her husband once. I don’t get why she’s so secretive about him!”

“Is he an auror? Or someone important? If so, it might be for security purposes. I see that all the time.”

“He only works in the department of magical law enforcement.”

“Too much of a coward to be an actual auror, eh?” muttered Alastor.

“Oh come on, you know lawyers are just as important as aurors.”

“They can be useful at times, but why are there so many? There’s not enough competent aurors out there!”

“It’s not like-” Poppy was interrupted by the sound of a knock on the door.

She left Alastor standing there and went to open the door, her smile almost reached her ears as she saw her friend, standing next to the man she has been hearing so much of for so long.

She opened the door wider, greeted Minerva with a kiss on her cheek, and shook Elphinstone’s hand, and stepped aside to let them in, closing the door behind them.

“You must be Elphinstone. It is so nice to meet you at last! I was beginning to believe Minerva made you up.” Poppy joked.

“She did.” Replied Elphinstone.

“Explain how you’re standing here then.” Alastor scrutinized him, before adding, “You seem familiar.”

Elphinstone turned to Minerva and smiled at her, “Do you wish to tell them, my dear? Or should I?”

Minerva looked at Poppy, “I have been lying, to you and everyone else. Elphinstone isn’t my husband.”

Poppy’s mouth fell agape, Alastor’s eye widened, and silence took over the room. Aside from the inaudible noises coming from Poppy, as well as her muttering, “But- but how? Wha- Why? How? What about- what about Elphinstone’s remedies? I don’t understand!”

“Elphinstone isn’t my husband,” Minerva repeated, “but, Albus is.”

The man had taken his wand out, and had been surrounded by a blue glow. Once it had diminished, they saw Albus Dumbledore standing where Elphinstone Urquart had only a second ago.

“Oh, gracious.” Poppy put one of her hands on her head, the other resting on her hip.

Alastor smirked, “Dumbledore, you sneaky ba-”

Poppy hit him lightly, and turned her attention back on the pair, who had intertwined their fingers together, “You two have a lot to explain.”

Albus chuckled, “Where do we even begin?”

“I’m assuming this story won’t be a short one. Can we at least start eating?” Alastor suggested.

“I think that’s an excellent idea!” Added Albus.

Poppy crossed her hands, and Minerva rolled her eyes, commenting “You two might as well have a stomach for a brain. That’s all you can ever think of.”

“Minerva, don’t try to change the subject. I can’t believe you would hide such a thing from me!”

“I am not trying to change the subject. In fact, I have come here to explain the story. Afterwards, it will be up to you to forgive or condemn me. But do keep in mind, I had never intended this lie to go this far. Let’s sit down for this at least.”

It didn’t take a second for Poppy to simply walk into the living room, not even uttering a word to Minerva.

The dark-haired woman stayed behind for a second, taking a deep breath. A hand landed on her shoulder, she turned and smiled at Albus. The look in his eyes took away some of her worries.

And so, the three others joined the medi-witch.

---

“I’m not sure how much you remember of our student days at Hogwarts, it feels like ages ago now. It began during my first year, although, it was already Albus’ fourth, that afternoon, you and Rolanda had gone off to Hogsmade but I hadn’t felt like going through every store, so I had sat that one out.” Minerva began to explain.

“The Gryffindor common room had been practically empty, Albus came up to me and asked if I wanted to join him for a game of chess,” she smiled fondly at him, “Of course I wouldn’t deny myself the joy of beating someone in chess, so I agreed.”

“Our very first game.” Albus added softly, reaching out to hold her hand.

With his twinkling eyes, he watched her continue to tell their story, “Our first of many. We had started meeting every afternoon, or night before the curfew, and we played chess while chatting a bit. Eventually, we became good friends.”

“Yes, that I remember. But you didn’t hang out so often. You were usually studying, or practicing Quidditch, or hanging out with Ro and I.”

Minerva agreed, “Indeed, but during breakfasts, lunches and dinners, Albus and I sat next to each other at the Gryffindor table, we would also meet again in the common room,”

“I also watched all of her Quidditch games. Until I graduated, at least.” Added Albus.

Minerva nodded, “The only downside with having older friends. Albus graduated, and the year after so did you, Poppy. While I still had three years to go. But the year I was to graduate came the war.”

Albus’ eyes shut, he felt Minerva squeeze his hand she was still holding, “I think we all remember how dark and dangerous these times were. I was fighting as best as I could, but what I ignored, so did Minerva.”

Poppy’s eyes widened as she looked at her friend, who by now had a sheepish look on her face, as she elaborated “I was already 18, legally allowed to use my magic, and I wanted to help. So, I joined the war. However, I had picked up a different name and appearance as to go undercover.”

“I met ‘Maggie’ on the battlefield, I was fighting a man, and hadn’t noticed the other one trying to attack me by surprise. She saved me, and we began to fight together, all the while we were developing a strong bond.” Albus continued, “I was already head over heels for her, yet, I knew what was to come and the dangers I would be putting her into if I had any sort of relationship with her.”

“He says that but back then, he would follow me almost everywhere to make sure I was ‘safe’. It was a frightful and stressful time, and somehow, our bond kept growing stronger, eventually I had to tell him who I really was.”

“It was overwhelming, I had no idea what to think. I was tired, stressed, afraid, and to top it off I found out the woman I loved and my best friend were the same person. I was over the moon. Unfortunately, it was short-lived. I didn’t allow myself to put her in such a dangerous position, but I knew that after the war, and we had some time to ourselves, I would marry her.” Albus revealed.

Minerva smiled sadly, “We ended up getting married before either of us had planned to. Albus had gotten severely injured, a near-death experience. After he recovered, we realized two things; we wanted to be together and get married while we still had the chance.”

“But also, through some researches on ways to defeat Grindelwald, we found one that allowed us to reinforce our powers.”

“What was it?” Asked Alastor, intrigued.

Minerva was the one to answer him, “It was an ancient spell, which would combine our powers by bounding our souls together, for life.”

---

A/N: This part may have been heavier than others, I will try to lighten up the next one.
I hope you enjoyed and please let me know what you think!