LIX: Mistakes and Misunderstandings
Chapter 59 of 141
MMADfanAlbus remembers bringing Carson's letter to Minerva.
ReviewedLIX: Mistakes and Misunderstandings
The first mistake Albus had made was obvious. He had refused to speak with Minerva immediately after Carson's funeral. "Refused" was perhaps too strong a word he had declined to speak with her. The entire event had been stressful for him. Albus had only been released from St. Mungo's the day before and hadn't even been up to Apparating to Ireland, instead relying on a Ministry-issued Portkey. He had to speak with Carson's parents and give them the letter he had helped the boy write. When Minerva had come up to him, he had told her simply that they would have to talk at some other time, that he would see her soon. Albus hadn't stayed for the wake, leaving immediately after attending the burial and talking with the Murphys. He should have paid more attention to her then, Albus realised. She had been grieving Carson, and he should have been patient and supportive of her.
But then two days later, when he had Apparated to the McGonagall home from London, after first seeking Minerva at the Ministry, he had attempted to provide that patient support, and he had still said and done all of the wrong things, though he didn't know what would have been the right things to say, given his own state of mind.
It started badly enough when he remarked, quite innocently, that he had first sought her at the Ministry, not realising that she was on leave. She expressed her great displeasure at having been given an enforced leave. When she had come into work on Monday morning, she was told that her job had been eliminated and that she was being reassigned. Until then, she was being given two weeks leave. They gave her absolutely no explanation.
Albus had uncomfortably explained that that had probably been his fault. He had not intended that she be put on leave for two weeks or that she be told that her current job was eliminated. But given the way the Ministry had interpreted his first request that Minerva not be given a dangerous job, it should have come as no surprise that they had handled her promotion so poorly.
"I'm afraid that's my doing, Minerva I don't mean precisely that I asked them to put you on leave and eliminate your job, of course," Albus said. As Minerva sat and glared at him, he made matters worse by adding, "Just as I didn't intend that you be given a desk job back when you started at the Ministry."
"That was you? You did that to me? Why? Didn't you have any confidence in my ability, Albus?"
"Of course, I did, my dear. I just intended that you be given a job that would keep you safe, away from danger. I thought they would give you a job using your skills, but one that would keep you at the Ministry and away from any fighting "
"You shouldn't have done that, Albus! You never even told me or asked me. Do you know that I have spent months and months doing almost nothing but routing requisitions for Charmed objects? The most excitement I have had is doing research on charms research, Albus, not any spell development or testing and even that was rare. I never complained. I felt I was contributing to the war effort, even if I believed that witches whom I had tutored were getting better jobs than I had." Angry tears welled in Minerva's eyes.
Albus listened patiently as Minerva continued to tell him that he had no business interfering in her life, and that it would have been better if he had simply told the Ministry not to hire her she could have spent the last year and a half doing something that was more useful and interesting somewhere else.
Albus agreed with her, and when she had finally subsided, he said, "I should have said something to you, Minerva, and if I had had any idea what work they had given you, I would have straightened things out immediately. Which is what I just tried to do. With mixed results, obviously. They should have told you that you were being promoted and your previous work was being redistributed. I am sorry. But remember, these are the same people who sent you to France with a belled collar for a Portkey." He smiled slightly, hoping that she could find some humour in the situation, though he wouldn't blame her if she couldn't.
"And precisely what misunderstanding are you going to use to explain why I couldn't visit you in St. Mungo's? They told me no one but family, and then I saw Professor Gamp leaving with Headmaster Dippet. I stopped them, and they told me they had just been to see you. Yet when I tried on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday morning, I was treated like a garden gnome the Welcome Witch was just itching to toss over a hedge."
"I don't know, Minerva," Albus said wearily. "I wasn't aware that you were trying to visit me, or I would have told them to let you see me. They were trying to keep the press away, I knew that, and others who had no genuine business with me. I am sorry. I would have been happy to see you, to know that you were well."
"It wasn't entirely a lost cause, anyway," Minerva said. "At least I could see Alastor and Philip. They hadn't placed such restrictions on him. It was good to know that he made it back and is going to be all right."
"Yes, Auror Frankel . . . I saw him before he left St. Mungo's and thanked him for bringing you to France. And that is one reason I am here today, Minerva. I want to thank you. I am indebted to you. You were remarkable. Absolutely remarkable. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Albus," she said softly. "And I'm sorry I was upset about the job . . . I'm sure you meant well, and I appreciate that. I am more angry with the Ministry. They seem able to take anything and make a mess of it. It's a wonder that we are able to make any progress at all against Grindelwald."
"You've only experienced the most bureaucratic aspects of the Ministry. Most of the front-line Aurors are exceptional, and there are a lot of wizards and witches who are working in parallel with the Ministry, doing whatever they are able to do on their own. There is a great deal more competence than you have seen."
"I hope so." Minerva sighed and looked at him appraisingly. "Are you fully recovered, Albus?"
"Yes. I tire a little more easily than usual, but I Apparated to London this morning and then up here my first Apparitions since I was released from St. Mungo's."
Minerva was silent for a moment. "I am glad you are doing well, Albus. I was terribly worried about you. When I saw you at Carson's funeral, I wanted to know how you were. You still looked so pale . . ."
"I know. And I'm sorry if I seemed rude, but I had to see the Murphys, and I was not looking forward to that."
"I see. I understand. That must have been difficult."
Albus said, "It wasn't just that I wanted to tell them of their son's last hours." He swallowed and forced himself to maintain his emotional control. "He had written a letter for them. I had helped him write it. I delivered it and told them what a wonderful young man they had raised."
Minerva nodded. The thought of young, vital Carson now cold and dead in the ground still caused a lump in her throat.
"And I also have one for you, Minerva," Albus said softly.
"One what?"
"A letter. From Carson. He was very weak. It was the last thing he did." Albus took the folded paper from one of his pockets. He had cleaned the blood from it, but hadn't changed it otherwise. "I had to write it down for him. He would have said more, I think, but he could barely speak. I'm afraid I wasn't in very good shape, either, so if there's anything that's illegible . . ."
Minerva took the letter from his hand and looked at it apprehensively before unfolding it and reading it.
"My Fair Minerva,
"Thank you for spending time with me, especially in London. It was very nice to see you there.
"You are a good person, Minerva, and I am thankful I was able to know you. When I was with you, I was more myself than I am with anyone else. Time spent with you always left me feeling warm and good.
"You are meant for someone special, Minerva. I hope you find him. I will see my Gram soon, and I will ask her.
"Please take care of Professor Dumbledore for me when you see him. He will feel responsible for what has happened.
"Thank you, my Fair Minerva,
"Love always,
"Carson."
Minerva's eyes filled with tears and the words swam in front of her. She stood and turned away from Albus, looking out the front window at the cold, hard winter's day. That was so like Carson, asking her to take care of Professor Dumbledore, thinking of someone other than himself even when on the edge of death. Minerva blinked and took a deep, calming breath, trying to drive her sadness away for the moment. She could cry later and remember how kind and sweet and energetic Carson had been. Now, she had to do as Carson had asked.
"Thank you for bringing this to me, Albus. I'm sure it meant a lot to Carson, and it means a lot to me, as well. It must have been quite difficult for you . . . writing the letters, staying with him as he died, all alone there, and injured yourself." She sat down across from him.
"It is a war, Minerva. This happens. But you are right. It was not easy to watch a boy I knew and loved die, unable to do anything for him and knowing that his death was my fault."
"Albus, you said that before, but it was not your fault. You did not kill him. You didn't blow up the jeep or push him into the explosion. You were injured yourself."
"I might as well have pushed him into the explosion, though, Minerva." He shook his head. "I told his parents that he died a hero. And he did. He saved my life, Minerva, but only at the expense of his own. When the jeep exploded, he turned to me, shielding me with his own body and pushing me to the ground, out of the way of the flying shrapnel. If he hadn't done that, he would likely have walked away with only a few scratches and bruises. A piece of metal went right through his chest, Minerva. It would have hit me. It should have. I brought those boys there, and Alastor lost his leg and Carson lost his life. And it wasn't even a battle. Do you understand what I am saying? Carson died for nothing."
"What? How can you say such a thing? You just said he died a hero. And he did. It may not have been a battle, but he died doing something important to him, and if what you say is accurate, then he died saving you. That certainly was not dying for nothing, Albus, and it's an insult to his memory to say that, or even to think it." Minerva's voice was calm but insistent. Clearly Carson had been right; Albus did feel responsible for what happened, and he needed her to take care of him.
"I know that he was important to you, Minerva. It was clear that he loved you. I took him from you," Albus said hoarsely.
"You are incorrect. He was important to me, a good friend. And he may have loved me. But you did not take him from me. You were with him when he was wounded and when he died. He saved your life, but you did not cause his death. And you seem to think that we were . . . involved. We weren't, not the way you seem to think. He was a very good friend. And as his friend, I have to tell you that saving you gave his death and his life meaning. Do not denigrate that."
"Minerva, Minerva." Albus sighed. "You cannot understand. I was responsible for them, and Carson would be alive if it weren't for me. You and he could be together in London this very day if it weren't for his foolish actions."
Minerva stood. "Carson's death is sad, but it is not tragic, Albus. He saved you. He may not be here, but you are. Do not belittle the sacrifice that Carson made it is unworthy of you both."
"I am not belittling Carson, my dear. I am simply putting it in perspective."
"Albus, grieve for Carson and remember him, but don't say that you caused his death. As long as you continue to believe that, you won't be able to appreciate his action in saving your life. It was his choice, Albus. He was a good man. Give him his due. Do not call his actions foolish."
Albus nodded. "Yes, my dear. He was good, brave, and kind."
"Albus . . . please tell me that you understand that his death was not your fault, and that his action in saving you was his choice, and his choice was noble and worthwhile."
Albus sat, slouched over, and looked at his hands folded on his knees. Minerva went to him, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Please let me help you, Albus. Stay here a while with us. You don't need to go back to Hogwarts right away. Mother and Dad like you; they'd be happy to have you stay. I still have a week before I have to return to the Ministry. Or I could come to Hogwarts, stay in Hogsmeade. We could talk whenever you need to. I know you feel responsible, but you need to come to accept what happened out there on that road and what Carson did "
"I am fine, Minerva. Our views on the events may differ but you must remember that I was present and you were not and I am the one who survived while Carson died, not you but I am fine. I have accepted what happened. It is war. People die, the good and the bad, and even the best, like Carson." He moved back in his chair, out of Minerva's partial embrace. "I am fine. I have responsibilities. I do not need to talk. If you need to "
"Obviously, both Carson and I are fools, then, because I am sure that he would agree with me, and it is his life that you are dismissing. And my offer of help "
"Your offer is appreciated, but unnecessary. I appreciate what you did in France. You were brave, competent, efficient, and clever. And I am proud of you. But I do not need anything from you now," Albus said softly.
Minerva stood back from him, eyes flashing. "You appreciate it. You are proud of me. But you don't need me. I want to be a friend to you, Albus. I wish you would let me. But now I see my true value to you. You won't talk to me, and you don't see me as anything more than a little girl who needs protecting. No wonder I ended up a parchment-pusher in the Ministry."
She turned and left the room hastily, not looking back. A moment later, Albus heard the front door close.
He couldn't have handled that worse if he had set out to. When Merwyn came in, Albus could barely look up at Minerva's father. He probably thought that Albus had said or done something terrible to his daughter. And he supposed, from Minerva's perspective, he had. He had come to offer her comfort for her loss and had only succeeded in upsetting her. Albus was too tired and distracted to Apparate even the short distance to Hogwarts, so he reluctantly accepted Merwyn's invitation to stay for their afternoon dinner. And when Merwyn asked that he go find Minerva and tell her that dinner would be served shortly, he agreed. It was his fault that Minerva was out in the cold, windy January weather, after all.
He found her, sitting on a rather precarious looking boulder at the top of the cliff, about twenty feet above him, but hundreds of feet above the rocky ground at the base of the cliff. Albus couldn't imagine climbing up there, and he remembered how Minerva's grandfather had died falling from these cliffs. Heart in his mouth, he called up to her. She looked down at him and then turned away to face the ocean.
"Minerva, please come down. Carefully," he called to her again. "I am sorry, Minerva."
"Why don't you come up?" she answered.
Albus looked at the sheer, rocky cliff. He couldn't climb up there, not on such a windy day in his current condition, anyway.
"I can't," he yelled through the wind.
"It's a short Apparition. There's room here beside me." Minerva moved over a little, making more room for him. "If you can Apparate from the Pyrenees to the Pennines, I'm sure you can make this short hop."
Albus Apparated beside her and automatically closed his eyes. He almost never suffered from vertigo, and this was apparently one of those very rare occasions, possibly a residual side-effect of his head injury. After acclimating to the height, he very gingerly sat down next to Minerva.
"Your father sent me to get you for dinner. It will be served shortly."
Minerva just nodded.
"So you Apparated up here," he said, trying to sound conversational.
"No."
"Oh." Albus looked down at the hard, rocky ground several hundred feet below them. "You should be very careful, Minerva. These cliffs are dangerous. Collum, your grandfather, died not far from here."
"I am very aware of that, Professor Dumbledore. I have been walking these cliffs since I was a small child. I suggested Apparition for you because I thought you would find it more convenient." She fell silent again.
"Minerva, I am sorry. I truly am. I came here to offer you comfort and support, and instead I upset you more than I would have if I'd simply handed you Carson's letter and left. I just don't know what to say."
"Professor, sometimes if you don't know what to say, it's best not to say anything at all. Grandmother Siofre used to tell me that. It seems apt at the moment." Minerva gazed off into the distance, where Albus could just make out the ocean frothing under the hard January wind.
They sat in silence for a while. "Are you coming in for dinner?"
Minerva didn't answer his question and she didn't look at him. "You know, Professor, what Carson did, it didn't end when he pushed you out of the way of the explosion. It didn't even end when he died. It won't ever end, not really. Whatever you do for the rest of your life, for good or for ill, will be thanks to Carson. Aside from your friends, colleagues, and students who will benefit from your continued life, companionship, and teaching, the wizarding world is relying on you to help bring this war to an end. I have faith that you can do this, that you are doing this. When you end this war, when you defeat Grindelwald, Carson will be there with you because he made it possible. So never again say, never even think, that Carson's death was meaningless or his choice foolish. He may not get the recognition that he deserves for it, but he wouldn't care about that. He would just be happy that he was able to help you to succeed and then go on to live the rest of your life. That was the way Carson was. That's why you loved him and why his death is painful for you. But clearly I cannot help you with that." Minerva stood. "We should go in to dinner now, Professor."
Albus closed his eyes and Apparated to the ground below, then looked up to where Minerva was still standing, her loden cloak whipping about her, her black hair, loosed from its bun by the wind, streaming behind her as she looked out toward the ocean. She was beautiful, strong yet vulnerable, and Albus felt closer to tears than he had that whole day. In a blink of his eye, she transformed into a tabby cat, and seeming even more vulnerable than she had before, she climbed and leapt down the rocky cliff face to stand beside him. She looked up at Albus and returned to her ordinary form.
They went in to dinner and never spoke of it after that day. It was weeks before Albus saw Minerva again. At first, he had been too uncomfortable to even write her a letter, and then he was simply too busy, barely having time to eat or to sleep until that early morning in March when he brought a final end to Grindelwald.
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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!