Resolving a Misunderstanding
MMADfan954 Reviews | 954 Ratings, 0 Likes, 108 Favorites )
Minerva has just finished her first term teaching. A series of misunderstandings leads to an embarrassing moment, injured feelings, regret, growing understanding, then resolution. A Minerva McGonagall fic set in 1957, with forays into the past. More than a Romance; stories within stories. Features Minerva, Albus, and Poppy, with appearances by Slughorn, Grubbly-Plank, Hagrid, Flitwick, Moody, Riddle, Grindelwald, and other canon characters. Not DH-compliant. Disregards DH.
Nineteen Parts.
Most content T-rated, but ratings rise to M and MA for several later chapters. Overall M rating reflects later content.
Pertinent warnings in individual chapter summaries.
Voted First Place, Minerva McGonagall: Legacy Fic, in the HP Fanfiction Fan Poll Awards Spring/Summer 2013.
Chapters (141)
About MMADfan
Author
MMADfan
41 Stories | Favorited by 312 | 127 Reviews Written | 4,741 Review Responses
Note 10 December 2015: I've been unable to write fanfic the last couple years, but I haven't abandoned my works-in-progress!
Many of my completed fics are available for download in ebook format through my blog and LJ.
Perfect Imagination accredited beta. PI:7311261659.
More about me here. 
Reviews for Resolving a Misunderstanding
Cheers for posting.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Eighty-one chapters of "cheers for posting." What an overwhelming compulsion.Sad.
Gah! You can't stop it there! *cries* I want to know what happens during breakfast. Please please please update soon.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Don't you think a little suspense is good for one's health?
I'll update soon, don't worry! I am glad you are enjoying it.
Thanks for the review. 
I really like this story! I've never read any Albus/Minerva fics before, I tend to be a HG/SS fan, but your story has made me really like the idea of Albus and Minerva and I am hoping that IT blooms for them finally.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Thanks! I've very glad you're enjoying it. There's more to come!
As far as IT is concerned, there may be a few bumps along the way, but I think you can have hope for them! 
Thank you for reviewing!
Ooooh \o/They are just SO SWEET! I'm happy the end of this story has an epilogue to come yet!Thanks a lot for doing all this work!!! *Marina
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
You're welcome! I am glad you enjoyed the last chapter!
I love this story. I've been reading it for months. One of those silent readers, who never gets around to reviewing. I don't even know where to start, except to say that your writing is fantastic, and that you have transformed Albus and Minerva into much deeper and more interesting and dimensional characters than they ever were in the books proper. I love Gertrude and Malcolm and I find myself wanting to read about them even more than I want to read about Albus and Minerva. You've done a wonderful job creating their characters, and writing about their relationship.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Thank you very much! I'm glad you have enjoyed the story so much -- and that you enjoy reading Gertrude and Malcolm. I keep thinking about writing a Gertrude/Malcolm one-shot but keep assuming it wouldn't have more than three readers! LOL! But maybe it would!Thank you again!
Response from caudalinea (Reviewer)
I think that it would. There seem to be quite a few people who really like Tru and Malcolm. I know I would read it at least thrice.
Way to go Poppy. Give Minerva an out if she needs one. Now that's a true friend for ya!A friend will help ya move, a real friend will help you move the bodies. tee hee.A friend will bail you out of jail, but a real friend will be there with ya saying damn that was fun! lolAnyway, back to my review... the conversation between Minerva and Quin was very informative. Somehow, I can't see Gertie as being nearly sorted into Hufflepuff. Then again, we're only seeing glimpses of her personality here and she's been through a lot, even at this stage in her life.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Gertie has an extremely strong and deep loyal streak, and she's very tenacious in that loyalty, and she's highly protective of those she cares about. A cornered badger protecting her young is a fierce and highly un-cuddly animal!
“Hmmpf. Must speak to Gluffy about his notions of ‘waking’ someone, I can see. Meet me on the veranda as soon as you are dressed, Minerva.” Gertrude turned and headed for the stairs.Minerva closed the door. “Well, good-morning to you, too, Gertrude. So nice to see you; how was your sleep? Good, happy to hear it; I slept well, too, thank you very much,” Minerva grumbled to herself as she began sorting through her clothes to find something appropriate for the morning. **I can certainly see myself in Minerva in the above grumblings. I am often sarcastic, especially in situations such as this where someone gives me an order without so much as a "hello" or "how do ya do?" Grrr. Those sort of people grate on the nerves.And reading though this chapter again, Gertie still comes across as salt in a wound to me, despite knowing what I know from future chapters. Old habits die hard I suppose.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Gertie is a bit blunt and gruff, with a very dry sense of humor. In a way, much like another witch! haha!I'm sure I would have grumbled like Minerva, too! Hee!Thanks for the review!
The letter that Albus wrote to Minerva was absolutely charming and perfect. He said exactly the right things and the only part he left out was that he loved her beyond all others, though that's evident in the tone and hidden meanings in the letter. If only...But, being apart for a few days will remind them both of what they have "at home" and they'll move forward, little by little.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I enjoyed writing the correspondence between them throughout the story, the things they said, the things they left unsaid. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
That Valerianna is truly a nasty piece of work and it's so good to see Minerva exchanging slight barbs with her. I'd love to see them meet up after she and Albus became a couple though. That would be highly entertaining, especially once Minerva learns the horrid things Valerianna did and said to Albus. Yep, talk about a cat-fight waiting to happen...wheeeee.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, that was fun to write -- Valerianna really is a nasty piece of work. Of course, in this chapter, Minerva finds her very unpleasant, but she hasn't been confronted by her real nastiness yet!
Interesting conversations are always plentiful when Quin is escorting Minerva around the grounds, tee hee. I will admit that I don't take Quin as seriously and as much of a flirt as I did the first time around. I am trying to be more fair-minded in my assessment of him this time as compared to the first. Guess we'll see how that goes, wink wink.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
You were just really sucked into the story; now that you know what's going to happen, you can read the other layers of the story, too! It's a good thing, really! :)
Thus begins a long friendship between Quin and Minerva. It's a good thing they met at the Gamp estate and formed such a strong bond or things might not have worked out as well as they did for Albus and Minerva. Funny how people come into our lives at just the right moment and affect the world around us.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
It was good that Quin came into Minerva's life when he did, though Gertrude was a bit alarmed -- both for Minerva, whom she was trying to push toward Albus, and for Quin, whom she didn't want to see hurt -- at the apparent suddenness and warmth of their friendship. But he turned out to be pivotal.
Starting wtih this chapter, I truly disliked Gertie the first time I read this story. I still thinkshe's speaking in circles but now that I know the full story, I'm trying to give her a fair shake this time. Iti's not easy for a die-hard Minerva fan. lol
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
She was doing her best to help Minerva, knowing that Minerva would be resistant to her because of her unacknowledged jealousy of her relationship with Albus.
It's nice to see Albus and Minerva having somewhat open discussions about things now. That's always helpful in forming a new relatiionship. When she reached out and touched his cheek...awwww...that was very moving indeed. You could almost feel the tension between them, urging them closer yet they both resisted. Sigh.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
They both want the same thing, but don't believe it's possible or even really want to admit it. But they are becoming closer. It's almost impossible for them not to let their feelings leak out.
I can't imagine how hurt Albus must have been when the young Minerva asked him if he would ever read her mind without her consent. That must have truly wounded his heart. But I'm sure he took it all in stride and easily forgave her for asking. I think the Slytherin boys deserved their punishment, though she should have told someone as well. Sigh...kids, what are ya gonna do with 'em??? lol
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I think he took it much better, since Minerva was still so young, than he would have later on, taking her age into account.Yeah, kids -- the more things change, as they say! LOL
Well, Minerva and Albus's summer of Two Funerals and A Wedding is coming to a close--hard to believe! (Perhaps M needs to invest in a black Muggle suit and some black Munro shoes... :-)Even though Albus does have lots of long-standing connexions to Minerva's family, I think they were secondary in his decision to accompany her to the service, and that was quite touching.Everything in the chapter was great. I especially liked the garden scene--Albus has come so far in such a short time--yay! for island holidays! And the conversation about Gertrude. So w/ Minerva's insight Albus now understands Trudie's feelings and actions towards him. I bet he spent part of Saturday either apologizing to her or at least pondering how to do so. Minerva was right in her reassurances about Gertie's forgiveness, but those were harsh words and even a very belated apology wouldn't be totally amiss. It would salve Albus's sensitive conscience at least, even if Gertie doesn't need to hear it. And he could thank her for her sacrifice, which he also needs to do--even though it's all worked out for the best now, it was still a sacrifice at the time!The sitting room floo is a very thoughtful and clever solution to their logistical challenges. I suspect Dilys and the Knight will get to be good friends. <g>I seem to notice that Minerva is calling him simply "Dumbledore" to his face more now, usually when teasing or commanding --is this b/c he reminded her how much he likes her burr?Looking forward to the epilogue but w/ mixed emotions, b/c I don't really want it all to end!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I rather doubt there were any comfortable women's dress shoes in the late fifties. There certainly weren't any in the sixties! (Lucky hippies in their sandals and boots! LOL! They shouldn't have been burning bras -- they should have been burning, or burying, those awful shoes! haha!)I'm glad you liked the garden interlude."I seem to notice that Minerva is calling him simply "Dumbledore" to his face more now, usually when teasing or commanding --is this b/c he reminded her how much he likes her burr?"It's when she's a) cross with him, b) teasing him, or c) taking the initiative with him -- and yes, his reminding her that he likes to hear her say his name with the rolling Rs is why she was saying it in the garden scene.Minerva doesn't invest in many Muggle clothes. (You may not have noticed, but she's wearing the same suit in DD when they go to pick up Harry from Privet Drive.) And even with the advances in Muggle bras since the 50s, she sees no reason to begin wearing one of the peculiar things! Frillier knickers make there way into wizarding lingerie from the Muggle world, and those are nice! LOL!Thanks for the review!
Response from esoterica1693 (Reviewer)
Yes, I did notice it was the same suit in DD! Owning one and only one Muggle suit for over 40 years is taking Scots economy a bit too far, IMHO! Esp. when neither you nor your beloved is impoverished and he is both fond of Muggles and of striking attire! I'm surprised Albus didn't manage to find some way of working out a romantic surprise in Muggle London or elsewhere that involved buying her more Muggle clothes....after she aided him in seeing the folly of his grey dress robes it would have only been fair play! I totally agree w/ her estimation of Muggle undergarments, shoes, etc., but an occasional wardrobe update would not go amiss! Although at least the suits of the '40s and '50s were much more classic than what came in the '70s and '80s...the suit my mother was married in in '47 was as attractive as any I've ever worn, and more so than most.In my initial review, read "study floo" for "sitting room floo."Since Albus seems to prefer quickly banishing Minerva's knickers to admiring them, I would think frilly ones would be rather low on her list of wardrobe essentials!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, well, read "their" for "there" in my response -- typing quickly does let our fingers outstrip our brains sometimes! LOL!She does have a few other Muggle outfits, but she has few occasions to go Muggle, and even fewer to wear a suit. And the suits of the late forties/early fifties, when she acquired the suit, were very classic. Good wool, well-tailored, and one of those suits can last a few generations. Gods, the "styles" of the seventies were hideous! Didn't like most of them at the time, and when they started coming back as a retro fad, I didn't think they were any better! LOL! And I think Minerva would hex Albus into oblivion (okay, not that far!) if he tried to get her to wear Muggle clothes more. Yuck! LOL! And to what end? (Other than the fun of removing them for her, of course! Hee!)
Response from esoterica1693 (Reviewer)
One of the chapters I had the most fun writing in my on-hiatus ADMM WIP was one where Albus and Minerva are going to take a long holiday in Muggle Italy in the mid-'70s and Minerva needs to buy them both up-to-date Muggle clothes. Minerva is horrified by the prospect of wearing any of the ludicrous attire of the '70s, and is scared to think how much Albus will revel in the eccentricity of it!
Bless Minerva's heart for taking her money and buying Hagrid a little bit of happiness in the shape of a family sized broom. That was so like her ...to always think of others.Glad Albus got to Armando before he got to Minerva and Hagrid...oops.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yeah, Dippet would have been a complete killjoy, and not very happy with himself, either. Hagrid still remembers that broom fondly. It was good practice for riding a certain flying motorcycle! LOL!
I don't have to tell you that Gertie's remarks to Minerva when she returned to the dormitory was not welcomed when I first read this seciton of the story. I know she had the best intentions of Albus and Minerva at heart but it still rubbed me the wrong way.Min staying in Albus' guest rooms...squeeee...even though she's still a student and Albus would never cross that boundary, it's nice to see how their relationship has developed.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
He wasn't very keen on the idea at the time, but exhausted, so it was not a bad thing. And he had no thoughts of Minerva like that at that point, though he knew how it could seem to others. Minerva actually found Gertrude's suggestions very useful. I probably would have tossed her (Minerva) out on her ear! haha!Glad you enjoyed the chappie!