Oh, I say!  How fascinating!  The best thing about this pair of chapters isn't even the new pairings you've come up with, but how they reflect Minerva's utter inability to judge who might be romantically interested in whom.  Very cleverly done! 

Minerva's cranky. I wonder if Quin has put a lot of wild ideas in her head and she's a bit too anxious to get back to Hogwarts?<g>  Or maybe she's cranky for playing unwitting matchmaker to too many people and is feeling left out.She needs to lighten up on Malcolm. He's wonderful! I hope we see a little more of him in the story.Ah, we are approaching August 1st...

Good chapter. Tipsy!Quin was cute.

Trelawney and I were having lunch and discussing this chapter.  She prophecized that we may be on verge of learning the origin of Albus Dumbledore's love of lemon sherbets.I found myself speculating as to whether or not Malcolm is a cat burgler (or other animal).We both agreed that Minerva is on the edge of making a decision to take the Really Big Risk she has been afraid of for a while.Sybil really isn't bad to talk to when she lays off the cheap wine.

Poor Minerva! I'm afraid she's the only one who doesn't see what a successful tea party she's having! I like the chapter title, and it is very appropriate. Malcolm is wonderful, I hope he and Gertie hit it off. I do wonder at her strategy to invite a houseful of people to tea so can ask Gertie if she is sleeping with Albus...<g> And I wonder if Gertie and Albus have already decided Minerva will be the next Deputy, or if it is just Gerties thought at this point.It's hard to believe we are still in the month of July. Whew! Great chapter and great characters.Oh, and I suppose JKR is as entitled to her AU as the rest of us, but it has nothing to do with the story...

Poor Minerva, she's so flustered! It sounds as though her guests are having a grand time without her plans and she doesn't know what to do. I think she should just enjoy what's left of the afternoon and let her guests pair off as they wish. Great chapter, love the tea on the ceiling bit!

I agree about the 'news'. In any event, I really enjoyed this chapter. I had to chuckle a bit at Minerva's discomfort at her tea party going a bit arwy. Excellent as usual. Thank you for the post.Truly

Magical abilities certainly come in handy when needing to find more room for guests.This was a lovely party and I'm hoping that Gertie and Malcolm might become an item.  Although Malcolm seemed to be almost flirting with Quin at the beginning.

Interview, what interview?  I think that says it all for JKR.The first three paragraphs speak of a man who is not going to be able to hide his feelings much longer.Hooray!It certainly is kind of Wilhelmina to take Hagrid under her wing.  (Reviewer is chuckling behind her hand).Malcolm is an interesting relative.  Just how much older is he than Minerva?  Or Gertrude?  Hmm.An amusing bit about the house-elves and circumventing the clothing issue.  Cleverly done!This should be an interesting party.

I love Malcolm! What a hoot, and it made me giggle to think of Minerva having such an eccentric brother. Your secondary characters are great, I want to know as much about them as Minerva and Albus. Albus' reaction to the letter was great stuff. Are they just going to fall into each other's arms when she gets back to Hogwarts?  Probably not, but it certainly feels that way!Laughing at the house-elf clothes!I'm looking forward to tea--and more of Malcom maybe?--but even more so to Hogwarts...So glad there is an update. Just what I needed this weekend.

Well, I'm glad to read another chapter, esp. after JK's lastest news about Albus - I'd much rather read your version!

They've got a date on his birthday! How cute. Good chapter.

Ooooh, what a lovely distraction from obnoxious things like grading and required reading!  I can't wait to see Albus' reply, and his reaction to the robes!  It seems like they're finally coming together, which is wonderful (though, watching you spin it out has been delicious).I believe I noticed a typo in the previous chapter... the fruit is spelled currant, with an 'a', not current.  Not something the spellchecker would notice, and easy to miss when editing.  I probably only noticed because I like black currants so much.

As a teenage girl, Minerva received a priceless manuscript as a gift from Albus.  I'd say that goes way beyong fond.  With the romance in her letter - didn't take a whole lot of reading between the lines - you've given us hope again that Albus and Minerva will finally get the message.

I was just getting ready to go to bed and decided to check the site one more time--I was expecting an update tody for some reason, and I was not disappointed!Lovely! There is no way either one of them is going to be able to bottle up these feelings now that they are letting their guard down. Wednesday is going to be an interesting day. :-)Good for her mother and her not-so-subtle remark about making a move--ha!I love Minerva's letter. I love that she doesn't hesitate to share the small details of her day and her thoughts. That sort of thing brings one closer, it is definitely the exchange of lovers. Great chapter, as always!'Night.

Good chapter.

Love it, love it, love it! Go Quin! He had wondeful advice, and I think it is perfect that her "confidant" is a man. Just what she needs to give her some perspective. I like their friendship, they are a good foil for one another.The robes are gorgeous, what a terrific gift. And a personal one, no matter how she tries to rationalize it. And dinner in her rooms... Many exciting times to anticipate! This was a major turning point in the story, on many levels. Well done!LMAO at the "wand sheath"! And feeling heartbroken for Quin, too. I hope he has a happy ending in his story!Can't wait for an update!

oh i'm so happy she finally confided in quin. i look forward to his input on the topic...!i can't wait to see albus's reaction to the giftnice!

Yes! She finally admitted it! Maybe some of Quin's words will sink in to her this time. Superb chapter.

A nice little interlude chapter. It seems like an interesting party that Minerva is throwing, and Quin really does have his hand in a lot of things to stabalise the wizarding world, doesn't he? Good work.

Snort.Minerva is playing matchmaker for Johannes and Gertrude when everyone else is playing matchmaker for her and Albus.It's either a comedy of errors or turnabout is fair play.Minerva  has sound reasons (at least from her point of view) for not inviting Albus.  But, will Albus learn of the tea party and feel left out?  These two so misinterpret each other's actions, hurt feelings could ensue.How nice of Minerva's parents to arrange to be gone for a whole day and suggest that Minerva invite Albus.  Rather takes the matchmaking to a whole new level.How clever of Minerva's unconscious mind to cause her to change her seal to reflect what she truly wants.  If she writes the letter inviting him to visit on Monday, uses the seal...  Hmm.  Maybe that would be a message that wouldn't be misinterpreted?We readers can hope, can't we?

Hmm, I think Minerva is a bit envious of Melina, whether she realizes it on some level or not. Depending on where the story takes us, it would be quite interesting to see the effect of Albus and Minerva attending a wedding together. ;-)Lauging at the intermittent capital letters. That was a nice touch! That was just enough information to make Minerva more curious not less, although her Dad is holding something back, I think.Naughty of her to still want to use the Pensieve, but also a typical sign of one being besotted, although I don't think Minerva realizes that, either!

I love the details with which you write!  The HP Lexicon is a very cool source, isn't it?  I also like the imdb.com (internet movie database) for things like DOB or interesting character names.Cheers!Dianne

It had to be fun, inventing all of that wand lore and the stories that go with it.  If I've got it right, the recurring theme seems to be that mated wands are associated with wizards whose magic operates on the same frequency - if the analogy applies.  When those wizards happen to be carrying mated wands and encounter each other, their fates are inevitably intertwined, whether for good or bad.  Having mated wands is hardly a guarantee of happiness.We'd like to think that Albus and Minerva are fated to be together in a good way and will accomplish great things.

Poor Minerva, always feeling like she has to be sensible and practical, seems to be unable to keep herself from raining on Melina's parade. I do hope that Melina's future doesn't hold Tragedy and Suffering, since she's marrying a muggle and Lord Voldemort's first rise to power is still to come...