Between Two Brothers

[QuillofMinerva]

Between Two Brothers.

Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me but to JK Rowling. I am merely using them for my own enjoyment and others, no money what so ever is being made from this story or others by me.

Summary: What happens when Aberforth and Albus Dumbledore fall for the same woman.

Rating: All the board

A/n: I know I should be concentrating on my other stories but this one has been niggling at me for months now and I just had to get it out on to paper. This will be a chapter fic but can’t say how many chapters as yet. Hope you enjoy this new one from me and reviews are appreciated . Enjoy!

Chapter One: I am in love.

Aberforth Dumbledore strolled into the head of Gryffindor’s office and plonked himself down into the nearby chair, draping his legs over the arm and resting his boots upon the desk. The person sat behind the desk, eyed the man before them with raised eyebrows and curiosity before continuing marking the rolls of parchment before them.

Aberforth watched the person he had come to visit with interest for a few moments, he watched as the bright red quill moved effortlessly over the to rough parchment. Aberforth had always found the sound of a quill scratching against parchment rather relaxing and homely maybe that was because when he was a boy, that sound had filled the house. Several minutes past and the person Aberforth was staring at had made no effort to engage him conversation but then this was usual. Aberforth soon grew tired of being ignored and cleared his throat before speaking.

“Aren’t you just a little bit curious to why I am sat in your office?”

“Can you kindly remove your dirty boots from my desk please!” came the reply

Aberforth grumbled under his breath and then removed his boots from the desk; even he had to admit they were dirty. He had walked all the way from Hogsmeade, through the fields and so his boots were going to be caked in mud. He could have used a cleaning charm on them but he didn’t see the point since he had to walk back that way.

“Ask me then?” urged Aberforth, his blue eyes twinkling brightly

“Ask you what?” asked the Head of Gryffindor

“Have you been put on this earth to annoy me?” said Aberforth with an overly dramatic sigh “Ask me why I am here and not with my goats!”

The Head of Gryffindor placed the quill into the ink well and stared at Aberforth, looking into his eyes and trying to figure out if he actually had something important to tell or he was just here to annoy and prevent any work from being done.

“Out with it then Abe,” encouraged the Gryffindor head “I haven’t got all day!”

“I am in love!” replied Aberforth with a smile.

“Human, animal or mineral?” came the reply.

“This time,” revealed Aberforth “I can happily say human and a woman!”

“Well I’ll be!” stated the head with a bemused smile “Never thought I would see the day and I don’t think Mother did either.”

“Alb, you are meant to be my brother and so have faith in me!” replied Aberforth with a grin “and besides you can hardly talk, don’t see you out about town with a lady on your arm and believe me, that worries Mother more.”

Albus Dumbledore, the Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts School and Head of Gryffindor let out a hearty roar of laughter. He was well aware what his mother thought about his unmarried status, he had heard her go on about it only this morning when she popped by his fireplace. He had tried to tell her time and time again that the right one hadn’t come along yet and now he knew that Aberforth had his eye on someone; their mother would be on about it more.

“I am happy for you,” said Albus with a genuine smile “though I will admit that it doesn’t foretell an easy time ahead for yours truly. So does she return your affections?”

“Well,” answered Aberforth “I have only bumped into her a handful of times in the village, she was first brought to my attention when I was taking a goat to see a man who knew of some goats that well maybe I won’t go into that. Anyway, she walked by and petted Lula and you know that Lula doesn’t liked to be pet by anyone besides me. Lula didn’t go for her or anything, she was such a good little goat and as her father, I was so proud.”

“Technically, you aren’t her father Abe!” said Albus “I would be careful when speaking of such things.”

“Nonsense Alb,” cut in Aberforth “old before your time you and I am father to all my brood because I look after and care for them. Can we please get back to why I am here please!”

Albus nodded his head, Aberforth had always been passionate when it came to his goats and Albus had always wondered if there was any time left for his younger brother to find someone to love that didn’t have four legs and eat grass.

“I was making my way through the village and I saw her again, she had an armful of books and looked like she was about to drop a couple so I ran over to help her. She seemed very grateful for my assistance and we spoke for a while about my goats. I think she was taken with Lula and I know Lula was taken with her. I have seen her a few other times and I find myself looking out for when I am in town. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen with long black hair and the most amazing green eyes, oh I melt at the very thought of her. I don’t even know my goddess’s name but I intend to find out and I plan to ask her out of a proper date.”

Albus sat rooted to his chair; he had never heard his brother speak about another human in such a way. He usually reserved the term beautiful for his goats and Albus was sure that if given the opportunity, Aberforth would go on about this woman for hours.

“Oh Merlin, is that the time!” declared Aberforth jumping to his feet “She is usually in town at this time of day, must dash old boy. I’ll keep you posted.”

Without even giving his brother a chance to bid him farewell, Aberforth had dashed out of the office and left his brother with a bemused smile on his wise face. Albus was pleased to see his brother had a new interest but he dearly hoped that he would not over step the mark and be charged with stalking. Albus settled back down to work and pushed all thoughts of his brother and of his potential lady friend out his mind.

TBC….

[LL]

Ahhhh.. ^.^
Yes! A STORY! A good one. pleas eupdate soon!!!
*Waits*

[Alesia]

Albus, here is your clue by four. Aberforth is talking about YOUR Minerva!! You had best pay ATTENTION!!!

great start ;D

[Miss Q]

I am looking forward to read more of this story! You sure don't make life easy for Albus... or Minerva!

M

[Nerweniel]

Awww, how cute... of course Albus is gonna get Minerva, but still it's cute-ish . Great new story, please update soon ;D.

Love,

Lies

[TartanPhoenix]

This is going to be gooooood! Of course Albus is going to get her, but that doesn't mean he won't have to work for it, right?

[Jessabelle]

Good start.. I really can't wait to see the rest .. post soon please!

[ginger newts]

Uh oh, I smell trouble. This should be a fun story. Update soon.

[Jaya]

BOY! Do I smell trouble!!!

Oh dear....

Oh dear oh dear.....

more please!
Jaya ;D

[Krystal]

This looks like it will be a great story. I am already smiling. Krys

[JKMcGonagall]

Oh my, trouble is brewing. Long black hair and amazing green eyes, well we all know who that is. This is going to be fun. Of course Albus will win her, but apparently he is going to have to work at it this time.

Looking forward to the next update.

Kay

[Hogwarts Duo]

Wheee...another fun story where Albus has to work for Minerva's heart. I love these types of stories and can't wait to read more. ^_^

[QuillofMinerva]

Torn Between Brothers

A/n: Many thanks for the lovely, positive reviews for the last chapter. I am happy to see that you already like the plot outline and hope that you stick with it as the story progresses.

Chapter Two: A Trip to Hogsmeade

Armando Dippet popped his head around the office door of his closest and dearest friends and sighed inwardly. Once again, Albus Dumbledore was holed up his office working while the sun was shinning and while everyone else was enjoying themselves. Armando cared for his friend deeply, they had known each other for years both personally and professionally and Armando had taken to looking upon Albus, as the son he never had. He was worried that Albus was becoming to shut away from the world; he was throwing himself into work and taking on other responsibilities in order to remain isolated. His friend hadn’t always been this way, Albus had always been the life and soul of the party but that had changed with the dark times they had faced and the death of his only sister at the hands of a dark wizard that Albus had been tracking for years. Armando felt the need to do something; he had to get Albus out from his self-imposed isolation because it wasn’t good for him.

“Albus!” greeted Armando as he strolled into the office “Like to accompany me a trip to Hogsmeade?”

“I would like to oblige you Armando but sadly these lesson plans will not do themselves.” Albus replied without even looking up at his friend and employer.

“No they won’t but they will be there later on this evening,” countered Armando “getting out in the fresh air will do you wonder and I see that your sweet supply is low so a trip to Honeydukes is in order.”

Albus looked up at the mention of his sweet supply, the large blue and red marble bowl was indeed nearly empty and sherbet lemon wrappers covered his desk. Maybe a trip into town wasn’t such a bad idea; he could stock up on sweets and might even catch a glimpse of Aberforth’s new love interest.

“You have convinced me!” said Albus as he placed his quill down for the second time within an hour.

“I knew the sweets would do it,” answered Armando with a chuckle “I know you too well my friend.”

Armando made for the door; Albus rose to his feet and quickly followed the headmaster out into the corridor. Albus had always thought that Hogwarts never truly seemed alive without the students; the silence in corridors only confirmed that to him as he walked along them with Armando. It seemed so quiet, the sounds of their footsteps echoing around them and that was something that never happened when the students were crowded in the narrow corridors.

“I thought we would walk into the village Albus,” said Armando breaking into his friend’s musings “shame not to make the most of such a beautiful day.”

“Agreed!” was the simple reply from Armando’s companion.

They walked in a relaxed silence till they reached the school’s outer gates, the heavy iron gates swung close behind them and then they were of again. They walked along the sloping path that led to the small village of Hogsmeade, flowers had sprouted out all along the path and it looked rather picturesque. Armando had hoped for some lively conversation but it seemed to be not on the agenda, which displeased slightly, the old Albus would ramble on about utterly random things ranging from muggle inventions to new ministry policies.

“Did I see your brother trampling through Professor Hedgeworths prized flowers this morning?” asked Armando, trying to encourage conversation.

“I hope for his sake it wasn’t,” answered Albus with a smile “Cecile with have his guts for garters if it was but yes, he did pop by earlier.”

Cecile Hedgeworth was known for her protective nature of all things green including Slytherins, she was known for giving detentions for things such as standing on a new patch of grass to making daisy chains. She had already warned Aberforth once about not trampling through her prized flowers and told him that she would hex him to next year, if she caught him again. It was obvious from the headmaster’s comments about his brother that Aberforth had taken no notice of her threats. Albus wondered how long it would like the green-fingered professor to come and seek him out and complain about Aberforth.

“Any reason to his visit?” questioned Armando who always found Aberforth Dumbledore interesting but slightly peculiar.

“It seems that a woman has caught his eye!” answered Albus, “he wanted to come and tell me about her.”

“Well I’ll be,” stated the older wizard, “never thought he took much interest in anything else but his goats and beer. Your mother will be happy!”

Albus cocked his head sideways and caught his friend’s eye; it was a standing joke about his mother’s happiness between them both. Armando had faced many an encounter with Mrs Dumbledore who seemed to think that it was his fault that her beloved, eldest son Albus was yet to marry. Armando had been accused of working Albus too hard and playing him not enough to live on which wasn’t the case at all but Mrs Dumbledore would not listen. Armando had tried to be nice and pleasant towards his friend’s mother but found it hard to contain his temper and so kept out of her way when she was visiting.

“Oh yes she will be happy for a while but then her attention will back on me,” said Albus “I can just hear her now, Aberforth managed to get himself a girl so why can’t you and then she try and set me up. Oh the very thought makes me want to run for the hills.”

“I would run as well,” admitted Armando with a grin “so what do you about the lass that has captured your brother’s heart?”

“As much as him and that’s not much at all.” Albus replied before telling a bemused Armando what he knew.

They soon reached Hogsmeade and Armando found himself being led towards Honeydukes before he had time to even suggest that it should be their first stop. As usual the shop was packed with people, students from Hogwarts enjoying their time off school and filling up on sweets that would keep them up all night. Armando peered around the shop, his eyes falling upon shelves and shelves of succulent sweets. Albus managed to squeeze himself through the crowd and over to a small quiet corner that had an array of muggle sweets on sale while Armando made his way over to the ‘Unusual taste’s’ corner to get himself some Cockroach Clusters, he had taken a fancy to them in his school boy days and had never looked back.

Albus was in his element; he had filled a bag to the brim with sherbet lemons and was know selecting a wide range of both muggle sweets and wizarding ones. He felt that one could never not have enough sweets, as a boy he would have some in every room so they were always close by. His mother had tried to discourage his sweet tooth but his father, had always encouraged it and had always given him sweet money on the strict instruction not to tell his mother.

“Do you think you have enough there Albus?” asked Armando as he peered at his friend’s mixture of sweets with amusement.

“Just a few more and then I’ll have plenty to tide me over for a few days.” Albus replied as he dropped a handful of delicate sugar quills into his bag

“I am surprised you still have any teeth left.” Armando stated with a shake of his head.

“I always brush my teeth,” commented Albus “you can’t really frown upon my sweet habits when you choose to eat them without even being dared to.”

Armando looked down at his clusters and shrugged “No one else I know eats them so that means more for me. There is a method to my madness Albus unlike you, who is simply mad.”

Albus chuckled and shook his head, he was glad that Armando had dragged him out of his office and into Hogsmeade because he already felt good. Albus got in line to pay with Armando behind him.

“I would offer to pay for them Armando but I don’t want to be seen buying things like that,” said Albus with a grin “I have a reputation to keep.”

“I have a reputation to keep as well Albus but that doesn’t stop me being seen in public with you!” replied Armando

“Now you know I do your reputation good old man,” threw back Albus with a raised eyebrow.

“You are like a married couple!” came a voice from behind them.

Both Armando and Albus turned around to see Aberforth stood behind them with arms folded against his chest, his eyes were twinkling with merriment and an amused grin overwhelmed his face.

“With a grin like that I presume you have seen her!” stated Albus

“No,” replied Aberforth “doesn’t look like my luck is in today. I am heading home so I’ll leave you both to your bickering. I’ll floo you soon dear brother of mine.”

Aberforth slipped out of the shop and left Albus and Armando to pay for their sweets and make their way out of the stop. As Albus stepped out from the busy shop, he bumped into someone and knocked that person flying to the ground.

“Do you mind?” questioned a voice from the ground

TBC

[tayryn]

can't believe i forgot to comment on the first part. *hangs head in shame* thus far, this is an intriguing story! you have captured my attention, and i am looking forward to more.

[TartanPhoenix]

Hmm, I wonder who that could be? Poor Albus, he never seems to catch a break. Great story, post again soon.

[ginger newts]

Hmm, whoever could the mysterious knocked over person be. Looks like things are about to get interesting for the Dumbledore brothers. Update soon.

[Krystal]

I loved the back story that you gave and I think I can guess at who's behind the voice too! Krys

[JKMcGonagall]

I think I can guess who got knocked down. I agree, life is fixing to be much more interesting for the Dumbledore brothers and everyone around them, too.

Love updates, more please, and soon. Thanks.

Kay

[Alesia]

Somehow I don't see the mystery person being amused by the fact she was just knocked over by a grown man coming out of a sweet shop! Going to be interesting.

[Hogwarts Duo]

Hmmm, I'm thinking Minerva is not going to be a happy camper but maybe her whole attitude will change when green eyes meet blue ones for the first time. Awwww~ can't wait for chapter 3!

[babyj001]

update soon plz! this is gonna be an interesting story...

rock it on!
--jessie xx

[Miss Q]

;D ;D Thank you for the laugh! I think Aberforth might be right about Albus and Armando Dippet "are like a married couple". This story grows with every chapter!

M

[Jessabelle]

ohhhhh ... is it min?! lol .. cannot wait for more .. post again soon!

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

oh update soon, exciting and dying to know who he banged into (good guess it's min, and thats who Abe's got his eye on lol), loving the story keep it up

[QuillofMinerva]

Torn Between Brothers

A/N: This chapter didn’t turn out how I expected it to. It was meant to flow in a completely different direction but then it took a dramatic turn to the left and this is what happened. Hope you like it. Many thanks to Ang to beta reading this chapter.

Chapter Three: Manners!

Albus looked down where the voice was coming from and saw a pair of emerald green eyes looking up at him. They didn’t seem to convey much happiness and flashed with annoyance. He had picked up a soft Scottish accent when she spoke as she hit the ground in a flash of crimson robes. It seemed to him that everything was happening in slow motion. He felt like he was watching her fall but unable to stop it from happening. He was so transfixed on the emerald orbs that he barely registered that he was being spoken until Armando placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Albus, you manners,” he urged in a whisper.

Armando was surprised that Albus didn’t seem to be overly aware of the situation and had felt the need to encourage good relations before the witch on the ground hexed his friend into the next year.

“Merlin, I am sorry,” said Albus breaking out if his trance and offering his hand. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

“That much is obvious,” came the reply from the ground. “Might I suggest that next time you do? I would think that it was common courtesy to look both ways before stepping out of a shop into a busy street where people are obviously in a hurry.”

The hand gesture from Albus was ignored and the woman stood up herself. She brushed herself down and sighed in frustration. Never in her time on this planet had she come across someone so rude and dismissive before. She was sure that if his friend hadn’t said something to him, he would have walked off without saying a word. She could feel his eyes on her and it unnerved her. She felt like drawing her wand from her pocket and letting him know exactly what she thought of rude people like himself but she managed to control herself.

“You appeared out of nowhere,” replied Albus.

“I hardly think I would apparate to this particular spot, do you?” she snapped with annoyance.

“I didn’t say that,” said Albus, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the woman before him since they had bumped into each other. “I am very sorry. Are you okay?”

“Do I look it?” she asked.

Albus wanted to say that she did look utterly enchanting with her rosy cheeks and slightly ruffled long, ebony coloured hair but he felt it was the wrong situation to say that. She was beautiful despite being angry at him. Albus was sure he had never come across such a goddess before but he dearly wished that it had been under better circumstances.

“Is there anyway I can make up for my rudeness?” questioned Albus who hoped that she would accept his offer.

“Yes,” she replied “you could get out of my way so I can continue with what I came here to do.”

The bite of her words stung him slightly. He hadn’t expected her to comment like that but he stepped aside and watched as she swept past him. He continued to watch her make her way through the crowds. He hoped she would look back and just as he gave up hope, he saw her head turn. She looked back over her shoulder at him and nearly collided with another wizard. Albus smiled to himself and nodded his head. He hoped that he would see her again and he wanted to make sure it was on better terms. The fact that she had glanced behind her had to mean something good.

“Well that’s one way of getting a woman to throw herself at you,” Armando commented with a smile.

“Wasn’t she enchanting?” mused Albus.

“She was angry at you Albus,” replied Armando with a shake of his head. “I hardly think she was at her loveliest.”

“But Armando if she is that beautiful when angry,” said Albus “imagine what she looks like when she isn’t.”

Armando looked at his friend with raised eyebrows. He had never heard his friend in all the years he had known him talk about a woman in such a manner. Albus had always seemed to shy away from women and had told Armando that he did that to wind up his mother. There had to be something in the air with both Dumbledore brothers finding women that they both wanted to find out more about.

“Why don’t we go in that direction.” Albus suggested, pointing to the direction the emerald-eyed witch had swept away to.

“Albus, you are behaving like your brother!” replied Armando who had no desire to chase after an angry witch all afternoon, despite her beauty. “We have our sweets so let’s head back up to Hogwarts. I believe you have paperwork waiting for you.”

Armando was grasping at straws when he mentioned paperwork to Albus. He knew that his friend needed a break from it but chasing after a witch that clearly wasn’t impressed by him was not a good idea. Albus was still staring down the road, his hands in his pockets and a dreamy expression on his face. Armando was beginning to think it was a bad idea to have brought Albus into town today.

“Come on Albus,” urged Armando “we have sweets to eat.”

“I suppose you are right Armando,” agreed Albus finally as he turned to face his friend. “I do hope to bump into her again.”

“Not literally I hope,” added Armando as the two friends began to walk back towards Hogwarts.

“I want to make a better impression,” Albus answered. “She seemed very articulate to me. Don’t you think? And those eyes! You could lose yourself in them.”

“I think you did,” said Armando. “If I hadn’t stepped in and prodded you she would still be sitting on the ground.”

Albus had been surprised at his rudeness. He should have insisted on helping her up as soon as she had fallen but he had been so transfixed by her eyes that he had lost time for a moment. He wondered if she had any veela in her blood but then veelas had never affected Dumbledore men since the days of Great Uncle Amos. A veela had enchanted Amos many years ago and when his wife found out, she cast a series of charms on him to prevent it from happening again and that had somehow been passed down through the family.

Albus had never felt so attracted to someone before. He wondered if his sudden change in himself was down to the fact that Aberforth had found someone. Maybe it was his heart, mind and body telling him that it was time to settle down and love. The only thing Albus knew was that he needed to make a better impression. He needed to see her again and make her understand that he was not rude and ignorant.

TBC…

[LadyJolly]

That was a great update. I hope to read more.

Lady Jolly

[Miss Q]

Yay, update! And what a lovely chapter it was! Thank you!

M

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

awww lol can't wait for more. so exciting

[Jessabelle]

good post .. minerva was rather short with him .. lol .. very enjoyable that wus .. post again soon!

[ginger newts]

Well, Albus certainly has an obstacle to overcome now when he sees Minerva again. I can just tell this story is going to be so entertaining. Update soon.