June 1963 - June 1966

Chapter 15: June 1963 – June 1966

The seven years of Marlene’s schooling passed very quickly. Marlene was one of their brightest students, and she topped her class. She was made Head Girl (though both Minerva and Albus had a conflict of interest, obviously, the other Heads of Houses had agreed with their decision to make Marlene the Head Girl). The Head Boy was Robert McKinnon, a Ravenclaw. During Marlene’s final year of Hogwarts, she and Robert began seeing each other. They were perfectly suited to each other – both were clever, kind, and intellectual. After their graduation, Robert and Marlene got engaged. They were both on their way to becoming Aurors. They had three years of training to undertake, after which they had decided they would marry.

Minerva and Albus were very happy with their daughter’s choice of a husband – Robert was a lovely boy, and they both liked him very much. They were also pleased with Marlene’s choice to become an Auror – a career which they felt suited her perfectly. Even as a girl, she wanted to protect people.

Privately, all was not well with Albus. He was growing suspicious of Tom Riddle’s activities. He had been working at Borgin & Burkes, but several years ago he had disappeared. He had heard rumours of his presence in Albania, studying the Dark Arts. Albus was worried that Tom would become the next Grindelwald. He was also worried that he would target Minerva and Marlene by virtue of their association with him.

Albus had also been keeping tabs on the boy who he had once thought was his son. Albert’s last name had been changed to Travers. Albert, unfortunately, had not done as well in school as Marlene had – he had barely graduated Durmstrang, though according to his sources, he was quite proficient in the Dark Arts. After his graduation, he had left for the Continent, heading towards Albania.

He was worried that Albert would foster an association with Tom Riddle – after all, his son’s biological father had been a supporter of Grindelwald. Albus strongly suspected that Albert resented him for leaving him, though it had not been his choice. And Albus suspected that Colleen had filled Albert’s head with lies about him, Minerva, and Marlene.

Albus knew this peace could not last, knew that this idyllic time would some come to an end. He was worried about Minerva and Marlene. Albus didn’t know what to do – he wanted to protect his family, and the only way he could do that would be to sever all ties with them. But he loved them so much... He decided to wait and see what would happen with Tom Riddle. Perhaps he would never return to Britain. (Albus knew that this was most likely untrue, but he could hope.)

Minerva was worried about her husband. He had been incredibly preoccupied lately, which was worrisome. She tried to get him to talk about it, but he refused. She was desperate – he was becoming increasingly withdrawn, refusing to talk to her about his problems.

She tried to get Nicholas Flamel to Albus, but Albus refused to confide in him. Aberforth even made the effort to talk to his brother (they had fallen out after Ariana’s death), but while Albus appreciated his brother’s effort, he refused to talk to him as well.

Minerva was desperate – the distance between them was growing all the wider. And by the time their daughter finished her Auror training, the chasm was almost unable to be breached.

Three months after their graduation, Marlene and Robert were married in a small, private ceremony at Hogwarts, Albus presiding over the ceremony. Marlene looked absolutely radiant – she wore a beautiful set of white silk robes and carried a bouquet of white roses. Robert also looked very handsome and very happy to be marrying Marlene.

After their wedding, Marlene and Robert went on honeymoon to France. They had two weeks’ leave, so they would be staying in France for a week and a half before returning to their new home. Minerva and Albus had purchased a comfortable home in the Wizarding neighbourhood of Cramond, right outside of Edinburgh. It was a comfortable home, set a bit apart from the others, and Minerva and Albus had made it as safe as they could, setting up dozens of wards.

After they had finished setting up their daughter and son-in-law’s new home, they returned to Hogwarts. Albus immediately went to his office to do work. Minerva went to their rooms. It had been such a depressing week – her daughter was married, had her own home, and her husband was barely speaking to her. She didn’t know what to do – she had tried everything.

Albus was sitting in his office, head in his hands. It couldn’t go on like this any longer – he couldn’t bear to watch Minerva suffer. He had heard of Tom Riddle’s increased activities in Albania – he was now calling himself Lord Voldemort. And he had heard that Albert had become one of his biggest supporters.

He would have to force Minerva to leave him. He wanted her to be safe. Marlene was as safe as she could be – she was an Auror, as was her husband, and Albus felt confident that she would be all right. But though Minerva too had been an Auror, she was his wife, and he knew that Tom would go after her first – especially as Tom had had a crush on her when they were in school together. He would have to get her to leave him or would have to leave her. Albus didn’t want to hurt her... but he had to hurt her to protect her.