XLIII: Doubt and Comfort
Chapter 43 of 141
MMADfanMinerva returns to her room, ponders the reason Gertie may have invited her to this gathering, and relaxes with Albus's gift.
ReviewedXLIII: Doubt and Comfort
Minerva was relieved to be alone in her room. She collapsed on her bed. This was what Gertie considered a holiday? A sense of guilt washed over her. It had been good of Gertie to invite her here, despite the fact that her relatives ranged from horrid to dreadful, with a few who were merely dull. Quin being the exception. Minerva had not repaid her hostess very kindly. Whatever had she been thinking? She would have to tell Quin to downplay any hint of an attachment when they were around Gertie. Valerianna was another case entirely. That woman made Minerva's hackles rise. Minerva knew it wasn't just the witch herself and what she had said to her, though; it was what Gertrude had told her before she had ever even met Valerianna Crouch Yaxley.
That thought assuaged some of Minerva's guilty feelings. Gertrude had known that that person was going to be here this week when she had invited Minerva. Minerva sprang off the bed and went to the wardrobe. She pulled out the carpet bag. After removing Albus's present and setting it aside, resisting the temptation to open it immediately, Minerva rummaged around in the bottom of her bag. She found her afghan still there, and she pulled that out and tossed it up onto the bed. The two books joined it. She felt around some more. Yes, there it was; she had packed it she hadn't even known why at the time, but Gertrude's invitation was there, along with the even briefer letter she had written in response to Minerva's acceptance.
Minerva sat back on the floor in front of the wardrobe and opened the invitation. Reading it over, remembering what Albus had said about it, Minerva tried to analyse it afresh, with the benefit of today's experiences.
"This evening as I enjoyed the healthy Cornish air, I remembered our conversation yesterday at lunch and your mention of a holiday. It occurred to me that a few days here in Cornwall might have a restorative effect following your first term of teaching. If you have not experienced the landscape here, I believe you will find it invigorating."
All right, Minerva noted again that it had been Gertie who had originally suggested a holiday, not Minerva, although she had agreed she might take one. Clearly Gertrude had already been contemplating this invitation at that time. Although whether she had come up with the idea only then, at lunch, or earlier, Minerva couldn't say. Albus seemed to think that Gertie had genuinely believed she needed a holiday, but Minerva still wasn't convinced of that. And that bit about a "restorative effect" what was that to mean? She had looked rather dreadful under her Glamour, but Gertie was an Arithmancer and, from what Minerva could tell, not particularly adept with charms, let alone with Glamours. It was unlikely that Gertie had noticed how she had really looked, despite having declared her "peaky." Minerva did not believe that Gertie had asked her here to help her recover from a term of teaching. What she had meant by "restorative effect" remained a puzzle of course, they could be empty words, with no meaning whatsoever. And invigorating? If being irritated was invigorating, Minerva supposed she had been quite invigorated, indeed!
"With this in mind, I would like to invite you to visit the Gamp family home next week. If you are so inclined, the ribbon with which this letter is tied is a Portkey set for activation between 8.00 and 8.30 on the morning of Monday the eighth of July. If you are able to accept this invitation, the Portkey may be used at any point within that half-hour with the password 'ducere.'"
This said nothing to her. "Gamp family home." Perhaps that meant she wanted her to meet her family? Albus had commented that Gertie was emphasising the familial aspect of the home, after all. But whom did Gertie consider her family? Almost everyone at the table last night, with the exception of Minerva and, perhaps, Flint, had been related to her by blood or marriage. Minerva supposed that her niece and nephew such a strange thought, that Gertrude was Alroy and Aine's aunt were her relatives, and that Gertie would therefore likely consider Quin a relative, as well. Gertrude was the only one there who called him "Quin." In fact, if Minerva had been paying more attention, she would have realised earlier that Gertrude had even introduced him properly Cormac Quin-something MacAirt. She would have to ask him his full name again. She could completely understand not wanting to be called "Cormac," though. What were his parents thinking? "Cormac MacAirt" would be a tough name to be saddled with . . . although perhaps it was a family name, and he was actually descended from the original Cormac mac Airt. Anything was possible, Minerva supposed.
And what of Valerianna? She was Gertrude's husband's cousin, but did that mean Gertie considered the witch a relative? With all of the intermarriage amongst pure-blood families, Valerianna could also be related to Gertrude in some other way, as well, although Gertrude had only mentioned the connection with her late husband.
"I hope to hear from you by return owl that you will be able to accept my invitation. There are various family members visiting, so I believe that you would not fail to find some conversations of interest while you are here."
Well, that much was true: there had been no dearth of interesting conversations.
Minerva was sure of it now: Gertie had intended all along that she meet and talk with Valerianna. That raised more questions, the first one was obviously, why? Secondly, had Gertie been completely disingenuous with her that morning out by the hill fort, or had she really believed when she'd issued the invitation that Valerianna might be arriving later in the week? Beyond that, was what Gertrude told her about Valerianna and Albus the truth? And even if it was, how much of the truth had she omitted? And what role was Quin playing in all this? Gertie had asked him to show Minerva the gardens, after all. And according to Quin, Gertrude had told him that Minerva was unlikely to be taken in by his flirtation. Although perhaps that was only Quin's interpretation of what Gertrude had said, and he was mistaken. How much could she trust anything Quin told her, let alone his interpretations of what Gertrude said? Was Quin actually working with Gertie on whatever it was she was after? Minerva wanted to trust Quin, but she hardly knew him. Most of all, what could Gertrude's motives be in all this? She had to want something.
Minerva sighed. That was why her own attempt to turn the tables on Gertie that evening had not worked out very well. Minerva had no particular goal in mind except to create an illusion and possibly surprise Gertrude. A true Slytherin didn't set about orchestrating events without being clear about why she was doing it and what her end goal would be. And it would have to be for some objective greater than simply making someone uncomfortable at least if it required much effort or any risk. No, there would have had to have been a reason to make the person uncomfortable, a reason that fit in with a greater goal, which in turn contributed to reaching some even larger objective.
Try as she might, Minerva doubted she would ever be able to figure out what Gertrude was playing at in inviting her down here. She just didn't know Gertrude well enough; she wouldn't be able to deduce what her goal or her overall objectives were. And without that, Minerva thought she would never understand why it was that Gertie had invited her here, at this time, with these people. Minerva sighed. She would just have to be alert. And it wouldn't hurt to make note of things others said that were consistent or inconsistent with what Gertrude and Quin told her.
Minerva wanted to like Quin. He was funny and easy to be with, and obviously very bright, as well. Despite his peculiar magical training, he was also fairly powerful, Minerva thought. Strange what he had told her about Alroy and about Carson. Clearly, Carson's magic was quite strong; he had been a talented wizard. If Carson had done magic similar to that practiced by Quin, and now by Alroy, it must be true that in some cases, under certain conditions, it was not harmful for children under ten or eleven to practice controlled magic. It went against everything she had been taught. But considering what Quin had said about the laws and customs of England and Scotland it made sense that if the Ministry wanted to control the use of magic, they would restrict the use of wands for underage wizards and, in order even better to regulate it, ensure that young witches and wizards did not learn how to practice wandless magic.
From Minerva's previous understanding of the matter, wandless magic was much harder because the witch or wizard had no tool through which to focus their power. But what if it was simply that one became so used to using a wand that one could no longer do what was it Quin called it? "free" magic. Learning to perform spells or practice free magic without a wand would be much more difficult for a witch or wizard who had always learned to do everything with a wand. Minerva remembered Albus telling her once during her Animagus training that she had to stop thinking of her wand as the thing that allowed her to do magic. They had begun doing the wandless Animagus Transfiguration exercises that were the necessary final step to actually completing the full Animagus transformation. He had made Minerva spend an entire week without her wand, only letting her use it when she was actually in a class in which its use was required. It had been an odd experience . . . odder even than learning to do magic that required no incantation. As a rather cerebral child, it had seemed more natural to use pure intention without a spell than to cast a spell without a wand. When she returned to Hogwarts, she would have to talk to Albus about all this. Surely with his experience, he must be familiar with magic practiced this way.
Thinking of Albus reminded Minerva of his present. She picked it up and stood. She would wait until she was ready for bed before she opened it, she decided, and gratefully peeled off her robes.
Once she had washed and changed into her nightgown, Minerva sat down on the bed and held the parcel in her lap. She remembered how cheerfully Albus had given it to her just that morning, and how sweetly he had kissed her good-bye before she Portkeyed away. How could her Albus well, he wasn't precisely hers, but the Albus she knew how could he have ever been involved with that horrid woman? It made Minerva feel rather sick. It had been bad enough when Gertrude had first told her about it, but then after meeting the witch . . . .
Minerva shook herself. If Gertrude or someone had told her about the situation with Albus and that woman only after Minerva had met Valerianna, perhaps Minerva's feelings toward the witch would have been different. Perhaps everything that Valerianna had said and done was coloured by Minerva's prejudgment of her, all based on what Gertrude had told her just a few hours before.
Minerva tried to look at Valerianna objectively. She really wasn't all that bad looking, Minerva supposed, although if she weren't wearing dress robes and expensive jewellery and a few layers of make-up charms, she would be rather plain. Her manner of speaking was off-putting to Minerva; aside from the insults that Minerva had perceived, Valerianna just seemed dull a socialite with little to say. But Quin had told her that Valerianna was like a chameleon and that she could make herself interesting to whatever wizard she was with. No doubt as a young witch, and one with nothing to offer her, Minerva simply wasn't worth the effort for Valerianna to become interesting. Gertie, too, had said that she was intelligent. Of course, she also had money and social standing, but Minerva was fairly certain that those were two things that would never motivate Albus's interest.
On the other hand, what did Minerva know of Albus? Simply because Minerva knew one side of his personality did not mean that Albus's taste in women of which she had known nothing until today was in line with what else she knew of him. Minerva had known one happily married wizard, who worked in the Department of Ministries and was reputed to be quite brilliant and powerful, whose wife was an untalented, very ordinary witch with unspectacular looks. She was pleasant, though, warm and friendly. Minerva could imagine that she had personal qualities that quite made up for any deficiencies in intelligence or magic. If Valerianna was intelligent, and possibly talented although Minerva had no way to judge that perhaps that had off-set her less than pleasant personality for Albus. Of course, Valerianna was also quite sociable and out-going. Far more so than Minerva herself, and Albus was fairly out-going. He was not very revealing, though, Minerva thought with a sigh.
She wished she had had some clue that Albus had been seeing this witch. For all Minerva knew, Albus could be seeing someone now, perhaps at that very moment. Doubtful, but possible. It could be that Valerianna was one of many witches with whom Albus had kept company over the years. Minerva had no idea, and it bothered her.
She looked at the brown wrapped parcel on her lap, almost not wanting to open it any more. But then she reminded herself of Albus's expression when he had given it to her before breakfast, and of his pink-cheeked smile when he said good-bye to her when she left . . . and of his kiss. Albus had always been good to her, and when he realised that she had felt neglected by him, he had gone out of his way to remedy it. Minerva remembered his lists, which he had made never dreaming that she might see them. He enjoyed spending time with her. He valued her. He wanted her there at Hogwarts with him. And Minerva remembered the tears in Albus's eyes when he had confessed, just two days ago, that when he had heard her harsh words, he had been afraid that she hated him. And yet he had put aside his own fear and hurt feelings and worked to make her feel better.
Tears entered her own eyes, then. What did it matter that he had never mentioned the Yaxley woman to her? It had only been a few months Valerianna had clearly made more of it than Albus had. It shouldn't matter that Albus hadn't shared that with her, Minerva thought. And now that they were both at Hogwarts, and she was an adult, not a student in his care, they were becoming closer. Surely, as a friend, he would now begin telling her more about himself. It had never been appropriate or convenient to have those conversations before, they had seen each other so infrequently and so briefly over the last several years.
Minerva pulled the string tied around the package, foregoing magic in order to savour the experience. As she unfolded the brown wrapping paper, a letter fell out. Minerva opened it up, almost smiling with relief to see Albus's familiar hand writing.
"Monday, 8 July
"My dear Minerva,
"I hope that this day has been an interesting one for you and not too wearing. You are no doubt tired at the end of a long day, however, and I hope that this little gift helps ease you to a good night's rest. No doubt the Gamp house-elves could provide more sophisticated refreshment, but sometimes something more homely and simple is more comforting.
"I look forward to hearing all about your trip when you return. It will be interesting to learn what surprises Gertrude had in store for you. I do hope that you get to know each other better; like you, my dear, Gertrude does not allow many people the privilege of knowing her. I believe that you would appreciate her if you knew her better. I also know that she thinks highly of you, and has done for quite some years.
"I shall miss you while you are away, my dear, but then I shall have the pleasure of spending time with you on your return, with the excuse that I wish to hear about your time at the Gamps. In truth, I shall always seek an excuse to spend time with you, now that you have reminded me so well of my priorities, and if it weren't your trip, I would find some other reason to invite you to share a meal with me or just to go for a stroll on the grounds together.
"As I write this, I find that I am missing you already, in anticipation of your imminent departure; thus, I hope you will forgive an old man his ramblings. I must remind myself that I will be seeing you for breakfast in just a few minutes that was a most unexpected yet welcome invitation, my dear; I had planned to have Wilspy deliver your little gift this morning, and I was very happy to realise that I could hand it to you myself you are not yet gone from the castle, and I must not allow my anticipation of your departure to cloud my enjoyment of your presence whilst you are still here.
"Do take care, Minerva, and do not forget who you are when you meet anyone who may be less appreciative of you than they should be. And enjoy the company of those wise enough to recognise your worth. I must go now; I do not wish to be late for breakfast with you, my dear.
"Sleep well, sweet dreams,
"Yours,
"Albus."
Minerva read the letter twice. It was so warm and wonderful. She didn't think he had ever expressed anything quite this way before. Of course, when she was a student, he had tried to get her to appreciate her value in the lives of others, but he had been her mentor then, and the tone had been different. And there was their conversation the other morning when she had apologised for saying what she had, but this was different: it was wholly unsolicited and apparently completely spontaneous. What touched her most was his expressed desire to spend time with her and his declaration that he was already missing her when anticipating her departure. Minerva's eyes misted over as she carefully refolded the letter and set it beside her on the bed.
Beneath the plain brown wrapping, Albus had wrapped the package in tartan-patterned paper and sealed it up with temporary sticking charms. Minerva carefully unsealed the package and then opened the box. She smiled as she pulled out a large green mug. Inside the mug, three jars were nestled one atop the other. The first jar held amber-coloured honey, the second, chamomile tea, and the third, peppermint tea. Reaching further into the box, Minerva found a mesh tea ball, a silver spoon, several ginger newts wrapped in kitchen parchment, and another note, this one shorter. It read:
"Tea with honey can be quite a good tonic, I have found. I included some ginger newts, since you seem to like them and your house-elf will not be there to provide you a constant supply! Good-night, my dear Minerva! Albus."
Minerva folded the second note and picked up the first one. She carefully placed them both in the bottom of her carpet bag and returned it to the wardrobe. Bringing her mug with her, she went to the little sink in the corner of her room and filled the mug with water. She returned to the bed and set the mug down on the night stand. After the day she had had, Minerva thought chamomile tea would be soothing, so she opened that jar, filled the tea ball, and cast a spell on the water to bring it up to just below the boiling point before she dropped the tea ball into the mug. After waiting a few minutes, during which she turned back the covers and finished getting ready for bed, Minerva removed the tea ball and added just a spoonful of honey.
She unfolded her afghan, wishing it were a colder night, and spread it on top of the other covers. Minerva climbed into bed, deciding not to try to read anything that night; she was just too tired. Sipping her hot tea, Minerva remembered her vow to be grateful for Albus's friendship. She would not allow her own confused feelings about him ruin their friendship. If it weren't for her inappropriate feelings, the revelation that Gertrude had made would never have disturbed her to this degree. Minerva finished her tea, yawned, and put out the lights. She fell asleep smiling, remembering Albus's words, I shall always seek an excuse to spend time with you.
Note: Thank you to those of you who have reviewed. I hope that the story continues to please everyone who is reading it.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Resolving a Misunderstanding
954 Reviews | 6.45/10 Average
Okay...I think it's time for a Gertrude and Malcolm story. If you got any ideas like the proposal or her pregnancy I'm all ears. I've read this story 100 times but just wanted to say that this story is great every single time I read it, it always feels like my first time.
I have a love hate relationship with this fic. I do not enjoy stories where people spend time angsting when they could just tell each other how they feel and be done with it, no matter how it plays out. I enjoyed this because of Quin. If you hadn't had he or Getrude, this story wouldn't have worked for me. The witty dialogue is what kept me interested to the end. Well done with your OCs.
Review in progress... :-)
Putting myself in Albus's shoes - from his vantage point of what had played out between them - I can very well imagine how awfully guilty he must have felt, how repulsed by his own behaviour, how defeated, with no option but to assume things were over. Really sad and horrible, for him.
But then Gertrude...oh, how I love that woman! Her questioning of Albus, her coclusions: brilliant! Utterly love that small scene! :-)
Forgot to rate...
Must have been very upsetting, embarrassing and worrying for Albus indeed, to have found a young woman attractive for a few moments, only to find out that she's actually his student. I can so imagine how he must have been shocked and appalled by himself.
I loved seeing these two lively, bright and, both of them, determined and decisive girls: Melina seeing the need to educate on healing spells, before even being allowed to hold a wand; and Minerva, trying to take matters in hand concerning Albus's health as well as the running of Murdoch's household. Yet, I always find Melina bordering on overpowering and you already show that here, in her as a young girl.
"And what a pity we can’t hold hands as innocently as Melina does." I love this observation, which, I'd say, actually counts for all of us.
You made me realize it's a bit sad, isn't it? Holding hands is comforting and gives a sense of closeness, but once you're above a certain age (and experience?), there's just no way the innocence will ever come back, unless it's holding hands with a small child. Which means that I, and most likely by far the most of us, hardly ever hold hands anymore. Alas.
Very nice, serious chapter and probably decisive in Albus's later 'hesitations' towards Minerva. Right???
Soap in the eyes indeed! Malcolm is such a twit ... its hard not to like him at least a little ... still ... I think Gertrude is far too big a catch for the likes of this McGonagall ... *snorts*
Forgive me Madam Raven ... I'm bound to get uppity with at least one of your characters.
Even with my aggravation, I did enjoy Malcolm and Gertie's banter.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Awww, you'd like Gertrude to be single and still all shades of mourning? Poor Malcolm! He adores her, you know! :-) ;-) He also amuses her & brings her some vitality. Glad you enjoyed their banter! :-)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I know I know ... and you know why, of course ... his arrogance and swagger embarrass me because .... yes ... exactly ... reminds me of a younger version of ... someone foolish ... not saying whoooooo ... *whistles innocently*
And of course we can't have Gertie in all shades of black forever! She needs her lime green suits - just like in this chapter - she redresses in three shades of ... GREEN! Gertrude Spring! Seee! That's where I got the lime green from! *grins*
That and I would want her to find joyous love ... I love Gertie too much not to. Even if it has to be Malcolm. *grins*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
There's a place in life for people who are a bit brash. Aside from their entertainment value! haha! But don't be down on those characteristics of yourself. You've noted yourself that you've learned to tone down a bit and not just say whatever pops into your head! :-)Yep, Malcolm got her to wear green, green, and green, and look all nice and cheerful. I was pretty sure you were remembering her post-Malcolm greenness when you mentioned the lime green suit. hee!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I will share something simple I have learned. Humility is a virtue and pride is a liability. *nods* And I has lots more liabilities than virtues, me thinks.
I so love this chapter. The dragon riding is just so incredible ... and then the duel is ABSOLUTELY awesome! I love the giant field of sunflowers and the fireball - aka - fire don't hurt phoenixes - snap you're stunned, Buddy bit.
Give me a Madam!
Give me a Raven!
Ravenclaw's Madam Raven!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Holy COW! Bloo knows English!
Dragons Dragons Dragons!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
It was a stunner to get any review from Bloo that didn't consist of "Cheers for posting." It became so tiresome to keep opening TPP review alerts, go to the review page, and discover yet another of the exact same three words. I didn't want to turn off alerts altogether because I was still getting a lot of real reviews for fics that were still WIPs at the time.I'm glad you enjoyed the dragon riding and the "whoops, you're Stunned!" at the end. :-)Thanks!
Madam Raven, remind me which house Siofre was sorted into?
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
She's Ravenclaw. And Lydia is Slytherin. Siofre's first husband - Merwyn's father - was Gryffindor, and her second husband Herbert was Hufflepuff.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I thought she was Ravenclaw. Still no idea who Lydia is ... I know her daughter is Maisy, or Maise or something like that.
Forgive me, I get all the McGonagalls and their affiliates, across yours, mine and Squibby's universes confused.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Lydia's her sister-in-law, remember? Murdoch Tyree's wife. She's a major CSG character. (I thought you were reading that at one point, but I must have misremembered.)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
No I was reading it (you are correct), but in the last six months I've lost about 40 IQ points and have forgotten nearly everything I used to know ... so I am behind on RaM-verse extensions. Bad me ...
*sighs* Albus ... Albus ... Albus ... most romantic man to ever grace .... fiction. If only men could be so romantic anymore. That poem is beautiful ... I am guessing, since there are no foot-notes, that it is one of your originals?
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yep, Albus and I wrote that way early in the story. I'm not much of a poet, but I thought it felt and sounded like a poem that Albus would write.
*snip*
“Ah, well, it’s best not to rush things. Enjoy it, Minerva, savour it. He’s likely nervous, as well. The age difference is probably causing him far more concern than it is you. His perspective is different from yours, and as I said when you were here on Friday, he is from a different time and place. He also has had experiences in his life that you and I, fortunately, have been spared, and that I can only dimly imagine.”
*snip*
I really like that. That shows uncommon wisdom.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*
“No, simply . . . odd, disorienting, I suppose,” Albus replied, though Minerva thought that he did look tired and drawn. “It was so long ago, it is almost like remembering a dream. Collum was actually almost five years younger than I, in Aberforth’s year, but he was in my House, and I was also good friends with Perseus. Perseus and Crispinian were cousins of some sort, and Crispy was great friends with Collum, who was only a couple years younger than he. Anyway, for some reason – I don’t remember why, now – we were all here for a few days that summer after my NEWTs. I had just married, and I remember that Dervilia persuaded me that we should accept the invitation because I would be beginning my apprenticeship soon and would have much less time for my friends. I hadn’t been inclined to, wanting to spend the time with her, and feeling that they were all still children while I was a married man – at all of eighteen! But we actually had a good time. I remember that the girls – Siofre and Gwyn – visited once for the day and gave Dervilia some relief from our masculine company.” Now Minerva was beginning to feel peculiar. Gwynllian and Siofre, the “girls,” were her grandmothers. Perseus was Gwynllian’s brother, and Crispinian was her other grandfather. For a dizzying moment, Minerva felt as though she had stepped back in time, to a point when her Great-uncle Perseus was just a boy, friends with Crispinian, not knowing that Crispinian would marry his sister, Gwyn, nor that Collum would marry Siofre and die in an accident when his son, Merwyn, was just a baby. And Albus and Dervilia . . . that their happiness would be very short-lived.
*snip*
Woah ... yeah that would make me uncomfortable as well ... that is ... well that is just ... well ... my head would be swimming if I were Minerva.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, it is dizzying for Minerva, and it gives her an appreciation for some of the points her mother made, and for how and why Albus would not be completely comfortable yet.
*snip*
“Hold still, Merwyn! Your collar is all askew here,” Egeria said with slight impatience.“Don’t see why we have to get all dressed up,” Merwyn grumbled. “I thought what I was wearing this morning was perfectly acceptable.” “Those old brown robes make you look like Friar Tuck,” Egeria grumbled back.“They do not! Besides, I thought you liked my brown robes. That’s what you said the last time I wore them!” “No, it isn’t. I said I liked taking them off of you. There is a difference,” Egeria said with a smile. She patted his tummy and added, “And you are right, you don’t look like Friar Tuck. You have a much nicer figure – though heaven only knows why, when you sit behind your desk all day or in the library with your feet up.”
*snip*
Tee hee hee ... now Madam Raven, don't take my head off here, as you know I tend to picture your characters in my mind regardless of how you describe him ... but I thought you'd like to know how I picture Merwyn ... and here I see that I was wrong.
I picture Merwyn of average height, black hair that is now full of silver and white, and a very round figure ... probably from all that sitting behind his desk.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*
Minerva laughed. “Fly without a broom? No, haven’t mastered that, wouldn’t try. It’s not possible.”It was Albus’s turn to laugh. “Not impossible, merely very rare in this part of the world. And the Ministry would like to keep it that way. Hard to regulate that sort of thing. Most witches and wizards couldn’t accomplish it, anyway.”Minerva stopped and looked back at him. “You are joking, aren’t you?” “Not at all. I rarely do it, myself, although when I was with Master Nyima, I became quite adept. I would sometimes fly with Mother Dragon. I think that is one reason she took a liking for me, actually.”Minerva looked at him a moment, digesting this information, then she shook her head and continued the climb. Well, she hadn’t believed it was possible to become as completely invisible as Albus could, either. In fact, at the time, she had actually thought that she had always believed becoming invisible was as impossible as flight without a Charmed object. Apparently, it was, though not the way that she had believed. She should never underestimate Albus Dumbledore.
*snip*
*grins* I like this.
See ... we HP fans know that Dumbledore is brilliant and amazingly powerful ... but just to say it, well its a bit of a let-down, and harder to take as fact. But showing it ... especially in a sideways manner such as this ... an off-handed type of author's compliment, well that seems to me, to be perfection. I can truly appreciate his amazing talents here ... especially considering that Minerva (who is particularly powerful and talented) is amazed.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I'm glad you liked that. :-)I remember knowing that I would slip that in way back when I wrote the chapter where Dumbledore invisibly observes Minerva doing her tutoring session, and I always envisioned it happening at her family home -- I'd originally been going to have him actually fly, but without a good reason, it would have felt too stilted, especially since his Animagus form flies, so that would be more natural.
*shakes head* Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcolm ... there is such a thing as tact .... *groans* sadly .... I think I get most frustrated with Malcolm because he reminds me of myself ... er ... I should clarify, my younger self, who was obnoxiously blunt and said what ever came to my mind ... and I likely came off as gruff and uncouth as Malcolm does ... so its an annoying reminder of just how ungracious I can be. *grumbles*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
He doesn't always employ his internal censor, and he doesn't always have the best way of putting things, but his heart's usually in the right place. And when he wants to, when he puts his mind to it, he can be tactful. But that takes work for him!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Sounds like someone I know ... *groans* Another reminder for me. I guess some of us are just ungifted with the 'gracious' gene.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
He doesn't always employ his internal censor, and he doesn't always have the best way of putting things, but his heart's usually in the right place. And when he wants to, when he puts his mind to it, he can be tactful. But that takes work for him!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Sounds like someone I know ... *groans* Another reminder for me. I guess some of us are just ungifted with the 'gracious' gene.
FINALLY! Hooray for Quin and Wilspy ... *steals Wilspy and takes her to the island where she's stashed Gertrude*
I thought about stealing Quin but ... I am on this celibacy kick ...
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Oooohhhhh noooooes! *MMADfan enlists Quin to help find and steal back Wilspy and Gertrude*
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
*Quin turns on the charm , turning
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
's celibate knees to jelly so she can't chase after MMADfan as she steal back Wilspy and Gertrude*
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*floats like a jellyfish (uber slow) across the water while she sees Quin, Gertrude and Wilspy sail off on the boat. Is quite sure Wilspy and Gertrude are crying and waving in mourning as Quin steals them both from the enchanted island*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Heheheh!!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Its an island enchanted to have no mosquitos, sand flies, fire ants or thorny trees/bushes but lots of beautiful fish, both shell and fin, and a huge variety of fruit trees and veggies year round, and maintains a perfect temperature and humidity level ... *sighs*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I wanna go there!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Me too!
This is the chapter that I want to throttle Minerva and grant Quin sainthood ... honestly ... what she does to that poor man ...
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I know. Minerva was not at her best there, was she? Poor Quin!
*snip*
Finally, at midnight, he went down to his office and opened the cupboard in which he kept his Charmed parchments. He rarely used them, and he hesitated to now. It would be prying . . . it would be for his own personal gain, not for school business. But he cast the necessary spells, and the results were clear and easy to read, there were so few people in the castle. Johannes was in his bedroom in Ravenclaw Tower. Gertrude and Malcolm . . . were both together. In her rooms. In her bedroom, in fact. Well, that answered one question that he hadn’t wished to ask. Johannes’s name was steady, but Gertrude’s and Malcolm’s names seemed to pulse, becoming thicker and bolder, then returning to the normal script. He could imagine what that might mean, and he averted his eyes. But Minerva’s name was not on the list. There was Fawkes listed. For some reason, he was perched in the Astronomy Tower. But no other being or creature was named. Albus still hadn’t set the wards properly to detect the ghosts. It had been a low priority, and he had never managed to get to it.
*snip*
OOOOOOOOOooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh, so THAT's how the Mara's Map was created! Or at least, that is one way ... nice little intry there, Madam Raven!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, the magic that allows those Charmed parchments is the magic that was tapped into to create the Marauders' map. It's part of the magic that was being tested and fixed that summer when Minerva helped with the wards, changing back and forth into her Tabby self to see whether the wards detected her identity when she turned into her Animagus form -- the wards had been so damaged that they no longer detected someone who was in Animagus form.Many years later, this became important for seeing Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black on the map. Also, by the time that he enlisted Minerva's help, Dumbledore had already fixed the ward that detected the true identity of someone who was disguised using Polyjuice -- meaning that during GoF, Potter saw that B. Crouch was searching Snape's office. Of course, he thought that it was B. Crouch senior, not the crazy son who had supposedly died in Azkaban. The fake Moody (Barty Crouch) took the map from Harry so that Harry wouldn't notice that Moody never left his office (where he was stuck in the trunk), and that where Moody apparently was, Crouch actually was.
*snip*
“I thought I was being seduced, but it has been a while . . . I may have been wrong,” Gertrude answered, her breath warm upon his face.
*snip*
I just love her wit.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
She is one sharp Slytherin, and she loves answering a question at a different level than it was being asked. :-)
*snip*
“Yes, you mentioned that at the party. You are aware of how Gertrude’s husband died, though?” Minerva asked.
*snip*
What the hell does that have to do with anything?
Goodness - Minerva has a serious voyeur problem, doesn't she? Naughty!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
She's concerned that Malcolm might bring up a sensitive subject in an inappropriate way, for one, but mostly, she's worried that Malcolm might just be in it for the fun and that Gertrude is vulnerable if he just up and leaves. Gertrude hasn't formed any other attachment since the trauma of having her husband killed in such a gruesome manner, as far as Minerva knows, so Minerva's worred that Gertrude is opening herself up in a rare manner and that her brother might just be too cavalier with her feelings. (I'd have to reread the section, but that's what I remember o fher motivation.)I'm sure Minerva wishes she had better timing! lol!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
As I continued to read, Minerva's concern was apparent, as usual, in my typical Gryffie fashion - we leap before we look ... or rather, we shoot our mouths off before we have all the facts. *sighs*
Oh hooooo! Malcolm may think he doesn't want to become too ... attached ... but his heroic defense of 'good' Slytherins sure tells me something or other about a recent acquaintance of his.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, he is definitely defensive here! Seems he is becoming more than a little attached to a certain Slytherin!
I so love Gertrude. I want a Gertrude in my life! *steals Gertrude and runs away*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
*MMADfan puts on her running shoes and jogs after
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
*
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*
“It was a long time ago, as I said, that it all began. When I was a child, really, I suppose. I would like to be able to say with some modesty that my time as a student was unremarkable, but it was not. I excelled at whatever I put my hand, mind, and magic to. I was eager to learn, even more eager than you were – indeed, the Sorting Hat very nearly put me in Ravenclaw, but it decided, in the end, that my nature and my need were Gryffindor. “I chafed at what I saw were restrictions on me and my progress. I found most of my teachers wanting, and believed them dull and unimaginative. Nonetheless, I wanted to please them, and please them I usually did. But I pushed every boundary and stretched it. If it weren’t for the guidance and firm hand of Professor Futhark, I might have become even more insufferable than I no doubt was. But despite my general attitude, I found myself with friends of all types, and, with a rather foolish and overblown sense of my own importance, I came to believe myself not only advanced academically but also better than my peers and their natural leader. And, I suppose, I was – academically advanced and a leader, not better than they,” he clarified.
*snip*
I really like this ... it sounds very Albus to me ... save for the Ravenclaw bit *grins* but sometimes you just gotta tout yer house, right?
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I think that sometimes, it's really clear that there's one House that a witch or wizard belongs in, and other times, there are others that would suit, too. I think Albus could have fit in with Ravenclaw -- he certainly pursued knowledge, both Light and Dark -- but there were bits of his personality that drove him that were Gryffindor that shaped his intellect and his use of it. (I can't have written that part of the monologue and really substituted "Hufflepuff" -- though I think that with a few tweaks to the text, Slytherin could have been included as an option -- he is a wily wizard, after all!)I'm glad you like it. It's one of the reasons that I think this section, these chapters, work better as a first-person recounting than as I had originally written it -- in the third person as a kind of flashback. We get to see Albus's personality then and now, and his own take on his character as a teen and young man, and how it developed.
*snip*
“Not a bit of trouble, my dear man, not a bit of it! A friend of the Headmaster’s is a friend of mine, I’d like to think! And dear Gertrude, of course.” He winked at Quin. “She’s quite the witch, isn’t she? Knew each other as students of course. Had a bit of a crush on me at the time, I think.”
*snip*
I have to laugh at this ... I just do ... he's a younger and less wise Slughorn than the Sluggy I know from HBP, so it does make sense that he'd brag a bit louder and exaggerate a bit stronger ... but saying that of one's co-worker - wow! That takes some ... something ...
You know I have a soft spot for Slughorn I think it would be fun to pick his brain and study him ... especially try to determine what conditions cause him to puff out his chest the most ... call me weird.
I also love any and all descriptions of the various houses, since we only see two of them in the movies - Slytherin and Gryffindor ... never did get a chance to see Ravenclaw's or Hufflepuff's ... shame really. I'd love to see the Badger room, all decked out in black and yellow - I think I'd feel like I was snug inside a giant bee hive! Oh and I would imagine there would be plenty of honey.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, Sluggy's sense of grandiosity is quite at its peak here. And it's not yet been burst by the emergence of the Slytherin "Death Eater sect" led by one of his former star pupils. So he's amiably pompous, tries a bit too hard to chum-up to Quin, and yet there is a part of him that genuinely likes other people (in my view) and simply wants them to like him in return. I really enjoyed envisioning the Slytherin dorms and some of the more decent Slytherins in "The Sorting of Susie Sefton." It was fun to look at them from a different POV than we had in the books, and yet try to make it all still recognizably Slytherin.It would be neat to experience Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. And I wonder if Hufflepuff would be all honey with no stings attached ...
*snip*
“It is worth far more than that, Horace, as you know,” Gertrude said, “and even if you offered what it might fetch on the open market, you know the Headmaster still wouldn’t part with it. Your grumbling about it every time he generously chooses to share it is most unseemly and detracts from our enjoyment.”
*snip*
HAHAHAHAHA! Stop complainin and enjoy the bloody mead, yeh buggar!
I do like this chapter, I love just the idea that being a head of house, or even just a teacher, creates some sort of bond, or weave, in the magical wards and structure of the castle. And its nice to see the faculty supporting each other.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Oh and, I also love lore with the Sorting Hat - for some reason I find that 'character' of Rowling's to be fascinating.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I like to imagine that each teacher in the history of Hogwarts, especially Heads of Houses and Headmasters/mistresses, leave some of themselves, some of their magic, in the wards, helping to strengthen the school long after they're gone. That would be a heritage.The Sorting Hat is fascinating, and I think it is intriguing to contemplate whether it's sentient or not, and what its existence says about sentience, at least in the HP/Hogwarts universe.
*snip*
Besides, when I first began teaching, it wasn’t long after Reginald died. It didn’t feel as though it had been long, anyway. I was not particularly concerned with what I looked like. It became a habit. And now I’m too old to be worried about such things.”
*snip*
Oh how I can relate to that!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yeah, I think Gertrude is quite human here. But it's interesting how when Malcolm comes into her life, she begins to take an interest in her clothes again! Or at least, they reflect a cheerier self. :-)
*snip*
Albus smiled and sliced them each a piece. The cake itself was chocolate, and it was filled with raspberries and thick whipped cream. There was more whipped cream, Minerva thought, than cake. The icing was chocolate, one layer of an almost brittle icing, then a softer chocolate butter cream over that in decorative curlicues and rosettes. Whole raspberries topped it all off.
*snip*
GAH! I want a cake like that for my birthday - ANY birthday!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Me too!
*snip*
“All right. Are you finished, then? Would you like more wine? I have another bottle – ”Albus laughed. “Are you getting me in practice for your brothers?”Minerva smiled. “I don’t think I could drink any more, either, but I thought I would offer. We can have some cognac with our dessert.”Albus pushed back from the table. “We could try out your wireless,” he suggested.“Good!” Minerva would be agreeable to almost anything he suggested right now.
*snip*
I'll bet she would!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*
Minerva looked up at him and was struck by how very attractive he was. In that moment, she would have agreed that the sound of monkeys banging ashcans was nice. Fortunately, this was the station’s “music for the dinner hour,” and really was pleasant.
*snip*
*bursts out laughing, barking in fact*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Minerva is in a very agreeable mood!