Nope, sounds like the English word "duster" with an "n" on it -- but it is really funny to think "du, Stern" as if addressing a star. Teehee!Yep, Albus did tell Minerva that Dustern didn't like him, but she couldn't imagine such a thing!Glad you're still reading and enjoying!

A clean desk means a dull mind -- someone said that once. I always try to make nice, orderly piles of stuff. But forget empty surfaces! LOL!

My editor, when I worked for a newspaper, had the most sparse and organized desk I'd ever seen, even more so than my military father who was ridiculous in his regimented life (still is) and I will never forget how my desk was the total opposite of my editor's - and we were side by side - HA, he always grumbled at me for being sooo disorganized. I do take much pride in remembering how aboslutely HORRID some of the other columnists and reporters were - some of their desks were truly disgusting or flat out dangerous.

*snip*The door opened, revealing Professor Dumbledore, who apparently was not at his best first thing in the morning. He was wearing a long brocade and satin dressing gown over what appeared to be a long night shirt, and his feet were clad in peculiar fuzzy slippers with wiggling ears.*grins* Wiggling ears... makes me wonder, are they bunny slippers or more like Hagrid's monsterous book of monsters? *grins* What ever they are, they're completely Dumbledore and adorable!

*snip*“Professor,” Minerva said slowly, “where did you get this? It’s very old. . . .”“It was in my grandfather’s library, and in his grandfather’s library, and as far as I remember being told, in his grandfather’s grandfather’s library, as well. You needn’t worry it’s stolen,” he teased.Just like Dumbledore - to take a very serious situation and turn it into something funny, that also attempts to diminish his grandeur - a most humble wizard.

Second time reading through this is much better - the first time I was so overcome with feeling embarassed for Minerva - when she's hit with the awareness of her feelings for Albus - this time, I can only sympathize with her ... that is such a painful realization, and so overwhealming in nature, I'm impressed that she could compose herself at all.

Oh, bunny slippers, definitely bunny slippers! But Charmed ones. :-)Yes, he does that -- tries to make the extraordinary ordinary. Glad you liked that. It was a really wonderful and rare -- even unique -- gift, and not something you give to someone lightly.I'm glad you enjoyed the re-read more -- it is terribly embarrassing for her, and painful, as well. The sense of joy followed immediately by an intense sense of loss.

What was the real reason he came to Hogwarts? I've never found that in any of the books -- although I do admit that my memory of DH is very, very dim, and DH wasn't published when I wrote this. So I'm quite curious!!!I'm so glad that you enjoy the way I've tied in the wards & the Marauder's Map & all that -- I also thought that explaining the origins of Peeves the polergeist was fun to do, too! Yes, Minerva & Albus do have a bond and a natural closeness that transcends age, but without being anything creepy (I hope!) when she's still a girl.Glad you enjoyed the picnic! That was fun to imagine.Thank you very much for your reviews! They make my day!

Apparently when Albus was I think in his late twenties or early thirties, he was asked to come to Hogwarts to fix the wards - you've got it right about how Phin(sp) had screwed up the wards - as well as a few other things - Flitwick later is incorperated into reairing the wards further than Albus could do, but that was the initial reason Albus came to Hogwarts - until then he had never considered teaching, and it was going to take longer than anyone expected - months they thought, which turned into years, and they offered him the job of teaching Trans - and well you know the rest.I can't remember WHERE I learned all that... it might have been DH - of all the books, that is the one I've read the least - anyway, I LOVE YOUR WORK!

That is just such a funny coincidence! But I did try to write an Albus that seemed in keeping with the first 6 books, and when thinking of why he might have gone to Hogwarts, that's what came to mind. It's particularly funny that in both versions, it's Phineas who screws 'em up! LOL! But still, a bit . . . uncanny, I have to say!

Are you really telling me, you didn't know that????? Oh come on - you had NO idea?

Nope, none at all! And the draft chapter of "Special Project" was posted to the ADMM board & to ffnet back in mid-February 2007. As far as DH, I did my very best to forget the book after I read it the first time -- I was writing an alternate Year 6 & 7 fic, and couldn't let DH mess with my Muse! LOL!I had sooooo wanted to get to Dumbledore's youth chapters before DH came out, but only managed to write & post through something like chapter 70 or so. I had draft chapters of what later became chapters 101 - 103 (Dumbledore's youth & Grindy's defeat), though the draftw were written in the third person, and when I revised them for posting & to fit in with the narrative, I had them in the first person, told from Dumbledore's P.O.V.

Well well.... interesting.... you must have a psychic link with Rowling herself *winks* I'm poking you. Still, its quite extrordinary... that you dreampt that up and it was actually, quite canon.Aaaaaaanyway - I've got a chapter in Que myself - an ADMM fic you might find interesting - only got the first chapter in que and it will be a long piece, going as close to canon as I can with a few twists (obviously - none of this gay Albus nonsense) so it will be interesting to hear what you think of my perspective of these two, though I can tell you this already, your Albus is far more gentlemanly than mine. *winks*

Well, I don't pay any attention to extra-libranal (just made that up! lol!) statements by JKR unless they happen to suit the purposes of a fic. Otherwise, to me, canon is the books & that's it. I may borrow stuff from other HP places, but just when it works -- or when it's become sort of "fanon," like Snape's trousers & jackets, and even then, it's usually kinda sorta tongue-in-cheek.As long as it ain't angst or evil!Albus, I may take a look at it. I don't often read much fanfic these days, though, and when I do, it's usually one-shots. When I was writing RaM, I very nearly never read fanfic, except for "Looking for Magic," which I'd begun reading before I started writing anything myself. (That's on ffnet & is by Hypnobarb, and if you're into long fics, it's good. SSHG.)I do wonder why no one has ever mentioned that to me before -- about my back-story for Albus having that similarity with JKR's. Unless it was in an interview or something, and not in a book? One of those many mysteries!

Oh no no no, I love Dumbledore (I still hold resentment against Rowling for killing him - though I had a bad feeling it was coming) far too much to taint him with evil or nastiness - no worries there. I can't even bring myself to disresspect him.My Albus is more lionish, but a very kind lion and if you end up reading it, I'll be honored, but if not I totally understand. Our free time (I'm assuming you have all the responsibilities of most women) is our own and, at least in my case, very precious.As to nobody mentioning the wards and that... that is strange. I'm so curious about this now I'm going to try to figure out where I learned that, becuase I know its accurate - I know I didn't dream it, and its far too specific and involved to be just something in my passing memory.

If you do find out, let me know! I am quite curious!I do like writing different sorts of first-six-books-canon-agreeable Dumbledores, depending on how I envision his youth & what paths he took or didn't take, sometimes more personally assertive and sometimes less (as opposed to being assertive in public realms, if you know what I mean). I think of the Dumbledore in "Momentary Madness," for example, as being a kind of AU-RaM!Dumbledore -- what RaM!Albus would have been like if there had been a few key differences in his early history. :-)

I tend to put a lot of hardships on my characters - mine or fanfic wise - perhaps due to my own life history - I think I like to give them room to make mistakes/choices and learn from them - in addition, I also like to give my characters things I didn't have - good relationship with family, siblings and such like that - its fun to explore what different relationships can offer a person.I see you share a lot of similar interests for your characters, I do love the rich history you give everyone.

Thanks! I have a feeling you may like RaM!Dumbledore's youth and the story of his defeat of Grindelwald, then. I do like to think about how different life experiences affect people, and how a person's own disposition can play a role in what effect those experiences have -- why certain experiences have particular effects on some people and different effects on others.

Aha - so THIS was the chapter where I really fell in love with your work - so I had to add this little snippit...*snip*"Other than those two, you are looking at the only other Animagus in Europe who could be trusted with this project. Unfortunately, I cannot be both myself and my Animagus form at the same time . . . well, I could be, but it would confuse the wards so much, no tests would be reliable,” Albus finished enigmatically.As if he couldn't get more amazing, here his humility is just glorious - if not angelic! *swoons*

Very glad you liked Albus there! (But don't hit your head when you swoon! Make sure you have a fainting couch or equivalent available! hee!)

And THAT is how our dear RaMverse Albus affects the wee

! *grins*

Awww! Very good, then! Looks like you should visit RaM!Albus often! ;-)

Ah, at the beginning of the chapter (which may have been missed because of distracting children --  RL really does interfere with fanfic, doesn't it? lol!), it should be noted that this is another memory from Minerva's childhood, one from later than the memory of her introduction to Animagus theory (and lunch w/ Dad & Dumbledore). So she's . . . hmmm . . . 16 here, just a bit more than a month from being 17.So she's off to spend time with Dumbledore at Hogwarts in the few days before her sixth year starts & to learn about the second special project.

Lucky HER!   Dumbledore all to herself.... *sighs*

Indeed!

*snip*Minerva blushed at her mother’s words. Why did parents have to be sooo embarrassing! Professor Dumbledore had greeted her as though she were a full-grown witch, and her mother had just ruined it.MOTHER! HONESTLY!

*snip*“Oh, I’m sure they won’t mind,” Minerva said, reaching to take her carpet bag from her professor. “Dad, of course, will want to know how you do it and read everything he can find about silent Apparition, and Mother might be concerned that it’s not healthy, but I’m sure they won’t mind otherwise.”*grins*

A Smooth Apparater? *I had to take a double take on that*

Yeah, I just had to use that corny title -- couldn't help myself! LOL!And again with the embarrassing parents! But best to know if Minerva's going to throw up all over him! lol!

LOL! Yeah, parents can be just terribly embarrassing that way! haha!

*snip*Her family wondered that Minerva now spent her time studying in her bedroom, rather than in the library as had been her habit. She remained ensconced in her room except when she would go outdoors and sit with her back to an old oak tree, eyes closed. She also took more walks than usual, and when asked why, she just mumbled something about appreciating Nature and took a large mouthful of potatoes so that she wouldn’t have to discuss it. For some reason, she didn’t want to tell her family what she was doing until she was sure she’d be able to transform. Minerva felt that talking about it would somehow dilute the energy she was putting into it. They also wondered at the number of owls she sent off and how she would jump when the post came, quickly snatching away any letter for her before anyone else could see it.*snickers* No wonder Merwyn was worried! I'd be too! I'd be worried she was involved in illegal potion trafficing or some other nonsense - goodness Minerva! Talk about cloak and dagger theatrics!  That silly Tabby!

*snip*“Your mother’s been concerned you’ve taken up with some Dark Wizard who’s leading you astray and having you read Dark texts and meet him out on the cliffs.”Minerva’s mouth fell open. “What?” She began to laugh and laughed until tears streamed down her face. She finally caught her breath and said to her smiling father, “That’s one of the most ludicrous suggestions I’ve heard in my entire life, Dad!”LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOOLOLOLOLOL *bangs head on keyboard* LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOZZZZZZZZZI am probably laughing as hard as Minerva is here - both at her father's complete frankness as well as the complete preposterousness of the whole thing.

*snip*“I can’t BELIEVE you would do that! You COULD have ASKED! I didn’t hide them because I didn’t think you’d sneak in and look at them – and it’s not as though they are some kind of Dark texts that I should be ashamed of reading!” Minerva ranted for several more breaths.When it appeared she had finished, or that she had at least tired herself out for the moment, Merwyn got to the point. “Min, I haven’t said anything to your mother, but I am worried. I need you to tell me that you are not trying to become an Animagus.”The first bit is hilarious and the second is alarming.... hrm. Come on dad, have you no faith in your own flesh and blood? Sheesh...

*snip*Merwyn and Albus continued chatting about Minerva, then moved on to the subject of ancient curses and were in animated conversation over their tea – both had agreed that it was too early for a drink – when a somewhat irritated Minerva made an appearance.“Da-ad! You said you’d come get me when I could join you. I’ve been in every shop in Hogsmeade, twice! I was beginning to think I’d have to go find lunch on my own. And then I come in to see you two laughing away behind this, this, whatever this ward is,” she said, frowning and waving her hand, obviously wanting to figure out what unfamiliar charm she had just crossed, “and you’re talking about potatoes and leeks! Are you both mad?!”*snickers*

*snip*Oh, that’s good, then,” said Minerva, turning to her father as Dumbledore walked toward the bar. “So I take it you don’t think he’s a Dark Wizard about to lead me astray into some Peculiar and Perilous Transfigurative Art?” She smirked.Merwyn grinned. “No, but I’m still making up my mind about the unrequited love angle. If I could only figure out which side was unrequited,” he teased.*goggles* DAMN, Merwyn has some gall, eh? Sheesh! Is he trying to keep Minerva from EVER being seen with him in public again? Saying that to a 16 year old, when her love-interest/mentor is only steps away???? SHEESH! *smacks Merwyn*

I'm glad you enjoyed the humor in this chapter!DAMN, Merwyn has some gall, eh? Sheesh! Is he trying to keep Minerva from EVER being seen with him in public again? Saying that to a 16 year old, when her love-interest/mentor is only steps away???? SHEESH! *smacks Merwyn*Of course, Merwyn knew no one could overhear them -- and Minerva did, too, or she never would have said what she did -- but it still embarrassed her terribly! Parents are like that! LOL! And it was purty funny! hee!

hahaha! I'm very glad you like her. She'll be around lots more in the future! And she just might like a chocolate frog or two!

LOL! I'm glad that got you! Yep, she doesn't like pink, and certainly not in such a great unbroken mass of pink! Thanks!

Thank you!

Ptthhrrrrrrr! (My attempt at a purr!) Thanks!

We'll see what Minerva feels about it, but I'm sure you can anticipate it! MM hasn't exactly been "letting go" at any other times, has she? But you're certainly right that MM is being a very intimate kittie.

Thank you for reviewing! 

Thanks! There are a few more nice light and somewhat fluffy moments to come . . . before they try too hard. Or one of them does, anyway . . . .

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reviewing!

For some reason “You’ve only been gone from school a few years, Melina, what did you expect? That he’d grown an extra head and begun spitting in the streets or something?” asked Minerva irritably. is one of my favorite little bits of RaM, and it's one of those bits that just popped out of Minerva's mouth and on to the paper, so to speak. It seems to be a giggler for many!

That's one of the wonderful things about fiction, both reading it and writing it -- the vicarious experiences we can have!I'm glad you enjoy all the McGonagalls!

I do like your McGonagalls ... very supportive lot they are.

Yes, each of them has their difficulties in this chapter, don't they?Poppy was trying to get Minerva's attention, but Minerva was very wound up!

needs her RAM fluff ... that's what.

*snip*

part romance, part drama, part adventure/suspense, and part Bildungsroman

*snip*

What on EARTH is this Bildungungeongunson business? You making things up or is that Germanglish?

"Bildungsroman" is, as you guessed, originally German, but it's become a nice, respectable -- if somewhat long -- English word. It's sort of the equivalent of "coming-of-age novel," but "coming-of-age" has developed connotations of teen angst and emo and such when used to refer to fanfic. At least, that's been my experience. It shows Minerva's development from a child through her teen years, and then her further development as an adult during a critical point in her life (the summer of 1957). There's likely a wikipedia article on Bildungsroman, if you're interested.

P.S. I'm glad the chapter has you giggling again!

Huh .... we learn something new every day don't we?

 Oh aye ... giggling is good for a stormy summer afternoon in the swamp.

Sorry! Guess I didn't properly appreciate those qualities of the chapter when I posted it! ;-)

Glad it's a breathless & tingly experience for you!

*whistles innocently* Oh I...I didnt say I felt like that ...

Oh, of course not! Just that "one" might! ;-) But I'm glad that "one" might possibly feel something a bit warmish and tinglish! Lol

Sorry! Guess I didn't properly appreciate those qualities of the chapter when I posted it! ;-)

Glad it's a breathless & tingly experience for you!

*whistles innocently* Oh I...I didnt say I felt like that ...

Oh, of course not! Just that "one" might! ;-) But I'm glad that "one" might possibly feel something a bit warmish and tinglish! Lol

! Save for the haggis - I don't think I could stomach that. *wrinkles nose* Fish and sausage and .... oh yum!

I liked haggis when I was a meat eater. But I grew up enjoying scrapple, which is similar in concept, so that may be why. I was prepared not to like it when I ordered it for the first time in Edinburgh, but I was surprised, and quite liked it. It's a nice sausage, really -- I think of haggis & scrapple as being in the general "sausage family" -- and you ought to try it sometime if you get the chance. I have to admit that I was never a big meat eater even back when I ate meat, but I always liked cured meats and fish of various kinds. I missed pepperoni, Italian sausage, bockwurst, white hots (sometimes called "coneys"), and scrapple, but no other meat. So this is a characteristic that I gave Minerva -- although she's definitely no vegetarian -- enjoying fish & haggis, which I share myself.

I lost my cookies once looking at head cheese while waiting in line at the local Deli - I think I'll leave the haggis for you lot - Veggiemalarians or not.

Fortunately, it doesn't look like head cheese, but I bet you wouldn't hate it as much as you think you would if you tried it! I tried making vegetarian scrapple (which is a kind of grayish pressed sausage, not in a sausage case), and it's not bad, but it's not scrapple. Which is a good thing, I guess!

Um - can you explain how you can make sausage out of veggies? That's not sausage lass, that's smashed veggies with grease and spices. If you miss the scrapple, just eat scrapple!I never ate scrapple - heard about it from my New Jersey neighbors, but I got the gist of it - something left over as scrap all mixed together - sounds a bit like chum to me.And I'll eat nearly anything that swims, and love to fry up good fish roe (especially big trout and flounder) but I'll pass on that head cheese and haggis stuff - more for you!

! Save for the haggis - I don't think I could stomach that. *wrinkles nose* Fish and sausage and .... oh yum!

I liked haggis when I was a meat eater. But I grew up enjoying scrapple, which is similar in concept, so that may be why. I was prepared not to like it when I ordered it for the first time in Edinburgh, but I was surprised, and quite liked it. It's a nice sausage, really -- I think of haggis & scrapple as being in the general "sausage family" -- and you ought to try it sometime if you get the chance. I have to admit that I was never a big meat eater even back when I ate meat, but I always liked cured meats and fish of various kinds. I missed pepperoni, Italian sausage, bockwurst, white hots (sometimes called "coneys"), and scrapple, but no other meat. So this is a characteristic that I gave Minerva -- although she's definitely no vegetarian -- enjoying fish & haggis, which I share myself.

I lost my cookies once looking at head cheese while waiting in line at the local Deli - I think I'll leave the haggis for you lot - Veggiemalarians or not.

Fortunately, it doesn't look like head cheese, but I bet you wouldn't hate it as much as you think you would if you tried it! I tried making vegetarian scrapple (which is a kind of grayish pressed sausage, not in a sausage case), and it's not bad, but it's not scrapple. Which is a good thing, I guess!

Um - can you explain how you can make sausage out of veggies? That's not sausage lass, that's smashed veggies with grease and spices. If you miss the scrapple, just eat scrapple!I never ate scrapple - heard about it from my New Jersey neighbors, but I got the gist of it - something left over as scrap all mixed together - sounds a bit like chum to me.And I'll eat nearly anything that swims, and love to fry up good fish roe (especially big trout and flounder) but I'll pass on that head cheese and haggis stuff - more for you!

I'm glad you liked this characterization of Gryffindor. I feel those are the traits, or some of them, that are best and most prized in the Gryffindor spirit, and ones that we can all strive for in our own lives. Thanks!

I'm glad you liked this characterization of Gryffindor. I feel those are the traits, or some of them, that are best and most prized in the Gryffindor spirit, and ones that we can all strive for in our own lives. Thanks!

Yes, well, he did mean "safe," not "brain-dead," but the Ministry is able to make a hash of anything. They just figured that they would put her in the safest job possible. Of course, there are still paper-cuts!

Thanks for the review! 

Yes, and now even Minerva's parents know it's not one-sided. But it won't be all misery along the way -- just a bit of torment as a side-dish at regular intervals!

Thanks! 

Sometimes you have to wonder, don't you? *grin*

Thanks for the review! 

Well, he was busy at Hogwarts at the time -- and V. took advantage or that, figuring he'd never find out.

Thanks for the review! 

Thank you for your review!

It sure is KH & RH! Happy you like them . . . I thought Kate Hepburn would make a lovely young Minerva. (How'd you like "Quin"?)

Yes, Minerva has an almost-slip-of-the-tongue there, but not quite. And Albus's impulses to find Minerva a suitable young man will take an amusing turn at a couple points, having one ask oneself if he is truly interested in setting her up or not!

And Cupid is on holiday -- a busman's holiday on a couple's cruise ship -- and has left some clumsy house-elves, somewhat dim portraits, and half-informed human beings in charge of things! No wonder it's going to take them weeks!

Poor folks! But there's lots of fun events to come! For the  Readers, anyway!

It'd be nice to have a Gluffy around!

Minerva's road to happiness may wind a little, be a little bumpy, and perhaps even suffer a detour, but she will get there. And Quin . . . well, maybe he'll find his happiness, too.

Thanks for the review!