Resolving a Misunderstanding
MMADfan954 Reviews | 6.45/10 (954 Ratings, 0 Likes, 108 Favorites )
Minerva has just finished her first term teaching. A series of misunderstandings leads to an embarrassing moment, injured feelings, regret, growing understanding, then resolution. A Minerva McGonagall fic set in 1957, with forays into the past. More than a Romance; stories within stories. Features Minerva, Albus, and Poppy, with appearances by Slughorn, Grubbly-Plank, Hagrid, Flitwick, Moody, Riddle, Grindelwald, and other canon characters. Not DH-compliant. Disregards DH.
Nineteen Parts.
Most content T-rated, but ratings rise to M and MA for several later chapters. Overall M rating reflects later content.
Pertinent warnings in individual chapter summaries.
Voted First Place, Minerva McGonagall: Legacy Fic, in the HP Fanfiction Fan Poll Awards Spring/Summer 2013.
Chapters (141)
About MMADfan
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MMADfan
41 Stories | Favorited by 312 | 127 Reviews Written | 4,741 Review Responses
Note 10 December 2015: I've been unable to write fanfic the last couple years, but I haven't abandoned my works-in-progress!
Many of my completed fics are available for download in ebook format through my blog and LJ.
Perfect Imagination accredited beta. PI:7311261659.
More about me here. 
Reviews for Resolving a Misunderstanding
“I saw you after you arrived. You received a very warm welcome,” Minerva said, one eyebrow raised.*snip**chuckle*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
You liked Minerva's bit of understatement there? *grin*
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Aye, just a wee bit! *winks* Starting to think she's a bit of a voyer.... *shakes head* I know I'd never have been able to stand there and watch, I'd have had to turn around and cough loudly...
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
But then of course she's able to tease Malcolm about it later! hee!
“To your rooms, now,” he said urgently.*snip*YAY for Gertrude, gets some yummies! 
Kinda hope its not just a fling for her, but likely it is... can't see her falling for anyone other than her husband.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Gertrude is very tenaciously loyal, most certainly. And you're right that she adored her husband, but there was also Dumbledore, remember -- although she did break it off with him after a while and then didn't want to start up again later when he wished to court her. But whether that had to do with her feelings for Reg or for some other reason, well, don't wanna be a tease here, but Gertrude's reasons for doing things often go beyond the obvious! 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Aha - I was never sure about that - never aware - there were hints of course, but it wasn't spelled out to me - thanks for clarifying.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
You have to understand, its not that I'm daft or naive, but I do have a tendency to see things in black and white, where grays are harder for me to spot. And if they did have a relationship - it for Gertie, would have been in the gray area, though for Albus it could certainly have been in the white.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
It's all spelled out in black and white in "Headmaster's Holiday," which is a few chapters back, I think -- there's a long section all about Albus & Gertrude together, and then the gaps are filled in about what happened between Albus and Valerianna. So you might want to skim that over and see if you missed something you might like to have in the background while you're reading.All of the various threads of the story are coming together in these next chapters, so you're approaching the climax really soon! 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Headmaster's Holiday? Is that in RaM? I had no idea I had to read other stories while I read this one at the same time! *gasps and pulls out hair* You crazy woman! Trying to strain my already strained eyes? *winks*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
No, no that's a chapter in this fic -- but it may very well be that it's coming up after Seduction -- I have got to go look at the table of contents, I think! I do hope you're not going to go bald on my account! Eeep!I'll get back to you about that chapter . . . .
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, I'd forgotten whether it was before or after "Seduction" -- sorry 'bout that! Yikes! Anyway, as you'll see, when Gertrude told Malcolm that she'd only had two lovers in her life, one of them was Albus. *sigh* I think I should have had more coffee this morning or something . . .
Noticed something more (fuelled by my habit of rereading several times 
): when trying to help Carson, Albus is so very caring and reassuring ('this BIT of metal', while it was actually alarmingly large, if I understood well)). It feels as if he knows, coming naturally to him, what to do, to not make it any worse for Carson than it already is, or probably even make it just that little bit more bearable and comforting for the poor boy.I just love your Albus!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Thank you! I find Albus inspiring, so I try to write him consistent with that.
*pulling out the remainder of my hair* And I thought it was bad back in the chapters along the 70s and 80s.... its nearly 110 and they are still OBLIVIOUS!*sighs*Do you just insist on tormenting us all?
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I had to look back at the chapter to see which one it was. I thought his letter to Minerva was a step in the right direction, and rather sweet. And he is suffering, poor fellow. :-(
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Suffering my ARSE! Minerva has slapped him in the head about 400 times with the proverbial trout and he is still oblivious! He's supposed to be a super genius, an legamensis (sp?) and the master mind of prediction in human behavior... its just ridiculous!*sighs* I'm sorry, he is yours in this situation and I am just afraid I've run out of patience... I know, my reviews are getting less and less...... well less anything I guess - I'll stick to me o'le addadge...
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Part of it is that we haven't yet seen all of the source of his difficulty -- and we do get Minerva's POV far more than Albus's, so he's going to seem less sympathetic, perhaps, than she. But imagine genuinely believing that you're sexually disgusting, aside from being almost four times your love-object's age, and believing that you'll suffer unrequited love, and most certainly unrequited passion, for the rest of your life.
Wouldn't be pleasant.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
This is the most angsty fic I think I've ever read... and well... its exhausting. But I'm not being fair to you, or to the two of them - you are of course, right... and I appologize.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Is it angsty? I never believed I wrote "angst" fics (which I don't like as a "genre," but . . .), though certainly ones that possess a variety of emotional experiences for the characters, including angst and perhaps, at times, a bit of tragedy (though I've not written a tragedy, genre-wise, yet), and which also (I think) evoke a variety of emotions in a reader, including suspense, sorrow, humor, and so on. I certainly don't intend "angst." I always think of fics in the fanfic genre of angst as being a) unremitting, and b) having really unhappy endings 99% of the time. But then, it could be, too, because as the one who wrote it, I had the entire map of the story in my head, with all of its textures, and I also see the romance as one thread, but not the whole of the story -- although it is certainly the driving force for much of the plot and for the story arc for our main character, Minerva, and for Albus, as well -- that I experience the story rather differently. I actually see it as pretty uplifting, overall, even though the characters go through a range of emotions.I'll need to think about this! I do think that there are a lot of ups and downs in the story, and forward progress -- but I'll have to think more about this. I do know that if I were to rewrite the fic today, I'd likely trim certain portions of it, though not enough to make it significantly smaller -- maybe only shorter by a couple of percent -- and that would likely affect the reading experience, as well. But serialized fiction, unless you write the entire fic in advance, is an odd duck when it comes to going back and revising large chunks of chapters. It seems to cheat those who would later reread the story and wonder what had happened to the chapter or scene that they enjoyed, or that had had a particular impact on them. So other than a wee bit of polishing (which sometimes doesn't make it from my copy to the TPP copy), I've not touched it much since posting it.You want to read a really dramatic fic I wrote, read Death's Dominion. But again, I really think it's a story of hope, love, and redemption, so I'd never call it "angst," regardless of what certain scenes or chapters might evoke. But I likely overthink these things!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
BTW, your almost to Part Seventeen, where there's a big change -- that's a section of major transition. Then Parts Eighteen and Nineteen should make you pretty uniformly happy! 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I seem to have made it to more McGonagall visits where Minerva goes all over town shopping and nothing seems to be tangible in the story - a few pages of this.... hard to read really, and for now at least, I guess I've given up. Sorry, I really did try, but 115 chapters and they can't be honest with eachother, and I'm flat out exhausted. Rest well. Good luck on your other fics.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Then jump to "Seduction." I think you may like that chapter, and then skip over to Part 17, where everything shifts.And as this was my first fic, it's not my best, though it is a sentimental favorite since it was my first, and out of it grew so much more. Including many one-shots. Of course, when I first wrote it, people were able to read at a slower pace. I'm not sure I'd really want to sit & read 140 chapters in a week or less.But honestly, you get to "Confronting Albus," and you're home free!
Hearing those words, she could not leave, and she turned back to him. Seeing his bright blue eyes saddened so, she could not go, and she stepped in and put her arms around him, leaning into him, relishing the steady thrumming of his magic and the solid warmth of his body as his arms went around her.“I just . . . you know I love you . . . I cannot leave you like this,” Minerva whispered.*snip* So very brave and selfless of Minerva, and beautiful... she expects to be rejected yet she does not cheapen or tarnish the need to show him affection or tell her what he means to her.So VERY dissapointing on Albus' part... I still think a good flogging and frying pan to the head would help. Wilspy could supervise... even direct...
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Aw, the poor guy's suffering as it is! *sniffle!*But I'm glad you like Minerva's spirit and tenaciousness
“Apparently one of the seventh-year students thought he would experiment with substituting ingredients without asking Slughorn first. It was not a good idea. Demolished a bench and a cupboard, incinerated some potions ingredients – fortunately, none that were overly combustible, shall we say – and sent Horace to the infirmary for two days. He was a terrible baby about it, too.”“What about the student?” Minerva asked.“Oh, the student was fine. Horace looked over just as he was adding the venom or blood or whatever it was. He jumped on the student, knocking him out of the way of the explosion. The students said it seemed simultaneous. A second later, and it would have been the student, and he would have had it right in his face, not in the backside, which was Horace’s primarily affected area,” Gertie said with a slight smile.“Slughorn jumped on the student?” Minerva said, eyes wide, trying to imagine such a thing. She didn’t think he could stir himself to cross a room at anything faster than a leisurely amble, and she would have thought he’d be the first to seek cover if he thought something was going to explode.Gertrude smiled. “Yes, and to hear the students tell it, it was some sight. He was wearing bright yellow and orange robes that day, with a black teaching robe over them, open down the front. They said it was very amusing. Once they were certain he was going to live, of course,” she added with a chuckle.“Of course,” Minerva said, smiling. “But still – please don’t take this the wrong way – but I still find it difficult to fathom.”“Why? Because he’s Slughorn or because he’s Slytherin?” Gertrude asked, mirth in her eyes.“Well, both, I suppose,” Minerva admitted. “Not really either one, just both together. And he doesn’t seem to be capable of swift locomotion, you must admit, let alone any kind of leaping about.”Gertrude laughed out loud at that. “No, no, no ‘leaping about’ for Horace,” she said, then laughed harder. When she had some control over her laughter, she said, “It is an amusing thought, I agree, and incongruous, but he is an excellent Potions Master and he certainly takes the safety of his students seriously. He would never let harm come to them if he could help it. Surely you must appreciate that, Minerva.”*snip* LOLOLOLOLZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Liked that little scene, huh? hee!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Well, honestly, I was wondering what Minerva had against Sluggy - true he's a bit weird but I've always liked him, mostly - anyway, as you know by now, I adore Gertie so... anything to do with Gertie and her sense of humor, well - you've sold me, and the funny jabs at Sluggy are just even more enjoyable - he was such a big baby about it - after all! *winks*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Minerva finds him an unctuous politician-type, and she doesn't like the Slug Club concept, and she went to school when there were some really nasty Slytherins in school with her, so she doesn't have a positive impression of him at this point in her life. It's mostly the case of someone just rubbing someone else the wrong way.I'm glad you're enjoying seeing Gertie's sense of humor peek out!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
More than peek - aye and you're right - MY Minerva in my ADMM fic isn't too fond of Sluggy, but as you no doubt know... Tom Terror and Minerva attended school only a year apart - so Sluggy would have been quite influential - he is in my fic at least. I still like the guy, obnoxious and flamboyant as he is. *winks*
Now, that is an interesting piece of magical lore that you have created. Very nicely done and plausible, perhaps even inferred out of canon.It also creates a chicken and the egg controversy. Do Minerva and Albus have their magic on what might be called the same frequency? Does this mean that they are hardwired to be attracted to each other or is the attraction independent of that, but enhanced by the sympathy between their wands?An interesting set of questions. They keep getting one signal after another that they obtusely fail to recognize for what it is.Very good and intellectually stimulating chapter!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Thank you! I'm glad you found it stimulating! (It's one of the reasons I just couldn't bring myself to redo everything to be DH-compliant. I think I would have lost all interest in finishing the story, and not just because of this bit.)
We'll learn more about the wands, and Minerva will reflect on the meaning for the two of them as she learns more. There will be quite a bit more in the very next chapter, then dribs and drabs will come along at other points, too.
Thank you for reviewing!
Aww, what a nice present from Albus. Though I snickered at him using the old coins; if any coin collectors had been around him they prolly would have keeled over on the spot. And "mated wands" eh? Fate taking a hand in the pairing, I suppose. Great chapter, very enjoyable.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yeah, to him, they were just these old Muggle coins that had been laying around for generations, completely useless as currency . . . but really nice for Transfiguration! ;D
Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked it.
Sheesh.... that was painful.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, quite. But he came out the other side much better for it all. Well, he coulda easily done without the necessity of defeating Grindelwald.
But Albus would watch Minerva and see if he saw any signs of unrequited love when she was near Hagrid or Johannes or any other wizards in the castle. Of course, it might not be someone at Hogwarts at all. Perhaps that was why she had come to Hogwarts in the first place, to escape her unrequited love. Albus sighed. Knowing how he felt, he did not wish Minerva to feel the same. No wonder she had resented his attempts to encourage her to view Quin as an eligible wizard if she were trying to recover from unrequited love. She no doubt was still pining for whomever the other wizard was and was not ready to consider a new relationship. Albus’s heart ached for Minerva. However much he loved her and wished she were his, he wanted her to be happy, and the thought that she was not caused him sorrow.*snip*Yep, looks like another dinner with Minerva screaming at Albus that she loves him and him blind, deaf and dumb to the notion of it....
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Minerva doesn't do much talking in this dinner -- though it is certainly all demonstrative of her feelings toward him! :-)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Okay.... okay *looks sheepish* I'll just shut my yap and read it *winks*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
LOL! You're okay! And I'm glad you're rooting for Our Couple to overcome their obstacles (mostly self-invented ones, granted) and get together!
Albus has invited her to dinner, and quite honestly, I'm afraid to read further as I was so ready for his "Birthday surprise" to be the AH HA moment... I'm so used to despair and denial by now, I'm afraid to hope....
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Well, it is an extremely revealing dinner, and they don't get to sleep until after dawn . . .But I'd still caution patience! 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
More Pepsi and chocolate.... maybe I can get through it... before my heart breaks again for Minerva as she's repeatedly rejected... my mantra.... I am brave, I have faith...
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, fortify yourself and have faith in MMADfan!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Aye, aye, capt'
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
That's the spirit!I'm off to find some Dove Dark Chocolate, myself . . . It feeds the Muse most admirably!
OH HO HO, I absolutely LOVE Gertrude's reaction to that prig Dustern! GOOOOOOOOo Gertie!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
She does have an unexpected swiftness and some sharp fangs, when she chooses to use them -- like a good striking snake! That and her loyalty make her a bad person to get into conflict with.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Gertie is pure awesomesauce, I love her and hope she has some happiness later on in the story - her life is so full of sadness and horrid relatives!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
She has had more than her share of woe, that's certainly true.
In the very early hours of the morning, a little house-elf Apparated into Minerva’s rooms. She looked around and saw the basket, the cake, the banner, and the eyeglasses. No robes. The elf popped quietly into Minerva’s bedroom. Her expression softened as she looked at Minerva, asleep on top of the made bed, holding the rose and gold robes tightly, her head nestled on them.Wilspy crooked a finger, and Minerva was now under the covers. The sleeping witch didn’t even stir. Wilspy approached the bed. She put out one long finger and brushed Minerva’s hair back from her face.Caressing Minerva’s cheek lightly, the wizened old elf whispered, “Sweet dreams, Professor’s Minerva. Sweet dreams for you . . .”And Wilspy popped away, to return in the morning when Professor’s Minerva was awake and to retrieve Master Albus’s things then. . . .*snip*Awwwwww! *sniff* That was sooo tender and sweet, and I only just caught that Wilspy stirred those amazing dreams - if only Wilspy would hit Albus in the head with a frying pan while she's at it! *rubs eyes* I'm feeling a bit sleepy, maybe Wilspy will come tuck me in and give
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
yummy Albus dreams! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
You never know! She might! But only as long as you promise not to hurt her poor mixed-up Master Albus! She's very protective of him, even when he's being a silly wizard. 
She had to have candles on the cake. She clearly couldn’t put one on for each year he had been alive. The cake just wasn’t big enough. They would have a conflagration on their hands if she tried anything that ridiculous. Minerva grinned at that thought. *snip*Ohhhhh hohohahahahahahah, RARWW.... I nearly fell off the couch when I read that, still LMFAO! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Very glad you enjoyed that!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Again, time to flog Albus..... repeatedly.... I think I'll use the thin leather too... deeper cuts.
Now, though, he was trying something new – blandness. However, judging from the reaction of others when he arrived at the Ministry first in plain grey robes of an ordinary cut and a few days later in stark black robes, his new choices were considered as eccentric as his former choices had been. On each occasion, wizards and witches who met him asked him whether he had been to a funeral. Albus sighed.*snip*LOLZZZZzzzzzzzzz See, him trying to change himself is so ridiculous - just like the shaving his hair and beard! *shakes head* Albus is amazing just bieng Albus.... he seriously needs to have Minerva screw his head on straight! And I mean that quite literally....
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
"Albus is amazing just bieng Albus.... he seriously needs to have Minerva screw his head on straight! And I mean that quite literally...."hahahahaha!He certainly does!
Minerva scootched closer to the other end of the bathtub to look at them more carefully, the water sloshing around her. She looked at each tile in turn, and her eyes filled with tears. All of the decorated tiles contained depictions of heros and heroines of the wizarding world, and most of the scenes Albus had chosen focussed on witches. But these tiles, she knew immediately, he had created from memory, not from pictures found in any books. The first tile showed a small striped cat running through some woods. The second tile was of the cat, paw lifted in the air, sniffing the breeze, beside the figure of a wizard lying beneath an overhanging rock. The next picture showed the wizard sitting on the ground as a witch knelt beside him and tended to his wounds, and the following one again depicted the tabby running through the woods, this time, a collar held in her mouth; a small scene on one side of that tile showed a group of shadowy, hooded figures turned away from the cat. The next scene showed the witch again, standing dramatically in a small clearing, her wand held aloft, the wizard, seeming small and frail, holding onto a scrubby little tree, watching her. The final tile depicted the witch, a log cradled in one arm, holding the hand of the wizard as the group of dark, hooded wizards approached the clearing.*snip*AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! As if Albus couldn't be MORE adorable and amazing.... he never ceases to amaze me... that is SOOOOOOOOO thoughtful!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes -- that's the true Albus shining through there!
Perhaps tomorrow, his birthday, she could . . . explore this theory of Quin’s.*snip*After 96 bloody chapters, I certainly HOPE so! Sheesh! *winks*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Ah, well, they haven't been chapters entirely taken up by unrequited and frustrated romance, have they?
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Only 90 of them... *mutters*
“Of course, I don’t think there has been a Headmaster or Headmistress since I’ve been hanging here who hasn’t had a bit of fun in this room, at least a time or two. Usually within the first weeks of taking this office."*snip**snicker*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yeah. Oh, and before I forget, Cheers for reviewing!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
And thinking of our dear Bloo - CHEERS FOR POSTING! HAW!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Yes, posting is quite the challenging and creatively draining activity! (Although it is true that I could write fics and not post them to share them widely . . .)
When they reached the path through the flower garden, Poppy grabbed Minerva’s arm, then looked around quickly.“Why didn’t you introduce me to your brother years ago?” she hissed. “You were holding out on me, Minerva!”Minerva was flabbergasted. “What? What are you talking about?”“I mean Murdoch! You hardly ever even talked about him, and I just assumed he was a bit . . . peculiar, like Malcolm. Well, not like Malcolm, since Murdoch obviously married and had Melina, and runs the apothecary, but odd, anyway. You never told me that he was so, so, so absolutely . . .” At a loss for words, Poppy just sighed dramatically. “I swear, I felt like a giggly teenager with him. It was all I could do to remain sensible.”“You mean, you liked my brother? I mean, my brother Murdoch?” Minerva asked.“What do you think? Don’t you realise how attractive he is? Well, he is your brother, so I suppose not, but I could listen to that lovely burr of his for hours. The way he says ‘brewing’! Mmm . . .” Poppy looked to the sky and held her hand over her heart, then giggled. “I know you probably think I’m ridiculous, Min, but I really do like him. At least, I think I do. He’s very attractive, anyway.” Poppy blushed. *snip*LOLOLOLOLOLssssssssss - you are SOOOOO the match-maker - we go 9549837459874 chapters of denial and DESPAIR and now EVERYONE is in loooooove!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Oh, yes! To quote an atrociously corny old song, love is in the air! 9549837459874 chapters, hmm? I'll have to keep that figure in mind -- if I only knew how to read it! lol!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Perhaps just a slight exaggeration... maybe...
At least she was sitting in the chair nearest Gertrude; when Malcolm grew tired of talking to the Arithmancy teacher, she could catch a word with her. Minerva had just finished telling Melina about the Persian carpets she had found when she was startled by the most extraordinary sound. Minerva looked over at Gertrude. The older witch was laughing – laughing heartily, not one of her usual short, clipped barks or mild chuckles. Minerva didn’t believe she had ever heard the woman laugh before. Malcolm was leaning back, legs stretched out, ankles crossed, grinning and stroking his short beard, pleased with himself. Quin, sitting on the other side of the table, looked over at Gertrude and smiled broadly.*snip*Oh now that's interesting.... could our Miss Slytherin possibily be hitting it off with the younger, dashing, Mr. McGonagall? Oh HO! How interesting.... very interesting... *grins*
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
This is quite a surprise, usually I don't like reading about "functions" in fanfic, but you write parties and functions really well - and this one is just as much fun as the time Minerva spent at the Gamps - total chaos, but fun!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Well, I do have the functions there for the characters to interact, and interact, they do! So that's probably why you enjoy them. Thanks!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Oh, and glad you found Gertrude's response to Malcolm interesting!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
This was fun to read all over again - I enjoy Malcolm's teasing nature, along with his arrogance - its quite refreshing! And I do love Gertie's reserved yet jovial nature - love Gertie - as you well know. Love that woman!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
wants Gertie as a relative! 
Hahaha, I enjoyed this chapter, mostly because Gertrude and Quin both were in it. They both are so much fun, Gertie with her slyness and Quin with his energy, and Malcolm - the silly one with the tales - is funny.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
It is a fun dynamic to have the three in a room together! Glad you enjoyed it!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
And I can really see Minerva over worrying about everyone she invited and trying to control everything down to the last detail - and being mortified by her brother - found that pretty funny. Ive only thrown a few parties, and I can remember worrying myself sick over what people wanted/liked/did and such, which is so ridiculas, but easy to lose yourself in.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Minerva was really over-thinking everything -- including worrying about people's reactions to her brother, since they liked him. She does want to control everything, but she has enough sense to let go when she needs to --like moving everything to the library and realizing that people were having their own good times, and if she interfered and tried to have things go as she'd envisioned, it would probably not go as well.
Oooh, I loved this chapter, and I love LOVE those robes for Albus.... love the way you described it, especially the cut with his narrow hips and wide shoulders... yumm!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I thought this chapter might be one you'd enjoy a bit -- and it does add a new dimension to things for Minerva. Having someone to talk to about it and give her another perspective on her relationship with Albus, and an encouraging one, at that, is very good for her.It was fun to design those robes in my head and envision Albus in them -- narrow hips and broad shoulders and all! Like you say, yumm!
“Mmm.” Her father nodded and swallowed his toast. “I did find that other book on wandcraft last night, however, and that might appeal to your rational brain a bit more. I actually found the Prewett book quite fascinating, even if he did choose to emphasise the more lurid aspects of his tales. It certainly seemed that holders of mated wands are important to one another. In fact, I think the majority of the cases he cited were of couples – lovers, husbands and wives. Quite . . . fascinating.”*snip*Pappa match-maker - hint hint, nudge nudge... so rare in a father but cute!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
He is trying! And Minerva's so caught up in her feeling it's "inappropriate" and that other people couldn't understand, that she doesn't even see that angle of it -- just gets embarrassed and annoyed! I'm glad you find Merwyn cute!
“And may I guess as to the identity of the owner of the other wand? Albus Dumbledore?”Minerva’s mouth almost dropped open. “Did you know about this already and not tell me?”“No, but it makes sense. So I am right, then. You and Albus possess mated wands.” Her father grinned. “Well, isn’t that . . . interesting. I presume he told you?” *snip*Not much gets past Merwyn.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
An astute and observant Ravenclaw, certainly!
Albus waved his wand and his beard shortened to a well-trimmed length. Another wave, and it vanished entirely, revealing a pale jaw and a slight cleft in his chin. He looked even more ridiculous now, he thought, with his long hair flowing down his back, and that was next. In one wave, the long locks disappeared, leaving his hair short on the back and sides. It was still grey with a good deal of white, but he thought he looked . . . different, anyway. Perhaps not so eccentric . . . he would certainly blend in at the Ministry better, looking like this. And wearing his more conservative robes, Albus thought he would definitely appear less dotty. Perhaps less the barmy old codger.*snip*NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NO NONONONONONONOOOHow COULD YOU? HOW DARE YOU! I will NEVER FORGIVE YOU - NEVER! This is compete BLASPHEMY! NOOOOOOO, it can't be, please, say.... please, dear God in Heaven... please, not the beard or his glorious mane! *sobs* 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
“Shave your head and go naked then! No robes for Master Albus! That is what is under all those clothes!” Wilspy threw up her hands and rolled her eyes, then Disapparated, leaving Albus to chuckle.*snip*My feelings exactly.... restore his beard and mane... this is an outrage! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
I heard the ting-a-ling from my computer saying I had some email, so I put down my book and decided to open one of them.All I can say at this juncture is: hahahahahahaha! *deep breath* hahahahahahaha!I gather you rather like his beard and hair -- the leonine look? 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
THAT was totally below the belt.... that was NOT FAIR! *shakes finger* Do NOT do that again... *snorts*Albus smiled. “Since the two females in my life, you and Wilspy, don’t seem to approve, I think I will cut this trial short.” He pulled out his wand and, with a few quick swishes, returned his hair and beard to their normal states.*snip*I'll forgive you both THIS time.... but in the future, you will refrain from such slanderous notions! The beard and hair are NOT TO BE DAMAGED under ANY CIRCUMSTANCE! *shakes head, stomping off, grumbling loudly*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
Oh, phew! A reprieve! *wipes brow* I was really worried there for a minute!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Smart arse ... *chuckles* Just reading back through my reviews - its a wonder you didn't block me years ago! *winks*
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Smart arse ... *chuckles* Just reading back through my reviews - its a wonder you didn't block me years ago! *winks*
Response from MMADfan (Author of Resolving a Misunderstanding)
You never even made a "grey list," let alone a black one, dear! ;-) It was actually kind of fun seeing you have a heart attack over it, and then recover! And your chuckle over little Wilspy's perspicacious jibes! I'm glad you're enjoying the reread.