Much Ado about Nothing

Much Ado about Nothing


By: Max

[Disclaimer: see chapter 1]

Chapter 9: Spring feelings


“Dear boy!” Albus beamed at his potion master. Raising, he opened his arms and pulled the younger wizard in a fatherly embrace. “I couldn’t think of news I’d more welcome.”

For once Severus Snape didn’t struggle to get himself on distance as soon as possible. Instead he responded to his mentor’s hug in laying for a moment his forehead against the elder man’s shoulder. “Thank you, Albus,” he said and his voice was a bit shaking by it. “I know how much you care for her and I’m aware that you certainly wouldn’t have chosen me if she’d asked you for getting her a husband …”

“Severus,” Albus interrupted, ruffling through the potion master’s black hair. Stepping back and seating down again on the sofa, he said seriously: “You’re wrong, child. I think Nymphadora chose very well. You’re a good and decent man and I’ve always known that you’re able and willing to love. You’ll make a good husband for the girl, of this I’m sure. And I’m honoured and touched that you want me as your witness …”

Severus Snape sat down too. Fumbling a bit nervously at the hem of his sleeve, he asked: “And you’re not angry about …”

“Nymphadora’s pregnancy?” Albus laughed. “Why should I? I’ve never thought you’d spend your nights together in playing with your robes. And I’m looking very much forward to become something like an honorary grandfather to your child.”

Severus made a face, but his eyes were beaming. “You’re probably spoil the child to no end.”

“But of course I will.” Albus smiled brightly. “That’s what grandfathers are for. And it will be nice to have a little one around again. Since the little Sprouts are students, I missed the Hogwarts kindergarten.”

“It must be rather boring to be the only child there,” Severus grinned. “And you love babysitting, do you? I promise, you’ll get your chances with our child. But there’s a problem I worry at the moment more about: Dora can’t teach anymore. It’s too dangerous.”

“Of course.” Albus became serious. “I’ll take over for her until we’ll find some one who will deputize until the child is born.”

“Actually …” Severus Snape hesitated.

“Yes, child? What bothers you?” Albus asked.

“I think Dora won’t start teaching again immediately after the child’s birth. She wants to breastfed it and …,” he blushed. “You know, Albus, I was a single child and so was Dora. We don’t think that’s the ideal. We want at least two children.”

“The more, the better!” Albus patted the younger wizard’s arm. “Don’t worry - I’ll find a new DADA teacher. I only hope our DADA jinx isn’t back. I would hate to hire and to fire one again every year.”

Severus’ mouth twitched. “I think Dora has broken the curse. She lasted almost five years and I’m sure: She would have done the job a few years more if …”

“… You wouldn’t have impregnated her.” Albus grinned. “Actually I should scold you for costing Hogwarts the best DADA teacher we ever had. What will you do for making this o meo me?”

Severus crossed his arms over his chest. “I think I’ve done my part already with teaching occlumency and legilemency to your apprentice. And actually I would want you to release me from this duty now.”

Albus wrinkled his forehead. Taking down his spectacles he massaged the bridge of his nose between thumb and index finger. &#;I&#;I’ve hoped the two of you would overcome your old grudges against each other,” he said quietly.

“Always the optimist, Albus …” Severus sighed. “But it’s not about our old grudges. It’s simply that I don’t know what else I could teach Granger. She’s done and through. The other day she broke through my blocks, giving me a severe headache and providing herself with a few memories of mine she urgently needed to throw in pen pensieve of yours. In matters of legilemency she’s quite good now. And for her occlumency skills …” He grinned lopsided. “She’s a Gryffindor, Albus - and a very outspoken one. That means she’ll never become a perfect occlumens. She’d probably master it if she would have to keep a et fet for protecting some one - in this area she’s already quite good …”

“Hmm?” Albus raised one eyebrow and put his spectacles back on their place.

Severus smirked. “Even if I’d know I wouldn’t tell, Albus! Only so much: I threatened Granger with attacking her on surprise and so I did a few days before. She came just back to the castle on Saturday. I gate crashed her in the entrance hall and tried legilemency at But But the only information I got: She’d seen a friend. She worried about this person - and then I collided with her blocks and they were absolute impenetrable. Even with using brutal force I wouldn’t have stood a chance to come through. Protecting her friend’s privacy gave her the strength she’s lacking when it comes to her own memories.”

Albus pulled a bag with lemon sherbets out of an inner pocket of his robe. Dropping one in his mouth and sucking at it, he said: “That seems typical of her. She’s very loyal to her friends.”

“She’s a Gryffindor,” Severus sounded almost bored. Looking at Albus an amused grin sparkled in his onyx eyes. “There’s something irritating about this Gryffindor apprentice of yours, you know? If I wouldn’t know you as well as I do, I would suspect you …”

“For what?” Albus asked.

“For having an affair with your sexy apprentice,” Severus said nonchalantly.

Albus almost choked on his lemon sherbet. “How do you come to such an utterly harebrained, impossible idea? My sexy apprentice - as you so impertinent named her - is 100 years my junior!” he said angrily.

Severus crooked his head. “Did I hit a weak spot, Albus?” he asked and he looked by it as if he’d enjoyed the fidgeting of his superior too the fullest. “I was only wondering why this apprentice I’m not allowed to find sexy hides her thoughts and memories of you so completely. She works with you. She’s almost every day around you, but in the four months I was training her I never came around you in her mind. I never found you - not the tiniest thought of you. It’s as if she wouldn’t know you, as if she’d never heard your name.” He played with the hem of his sleeve again. “Besides: I’m wondering who taught her the tricks she’s using. It’s pretty elaborate and subtle occlumency she does for avoiding me to come around this certain area.”

Albus bite through his lemon sherbet and swallowed the pieces. “Hmm …” he said. “I didn’t come much over the basics with hPerhPerhHarrHarry …”

“Potter?” Severus turned his eyes. “Potter couldn’t do such tricks if his life would depend on it! So who was it who taught your apprentice? And why is it that you are her greatest secret?”

Albus looked down at his hands. He didn’t know how to answer and actually: He didn’t want to. Severus had been right: His relationship with Hermione was still a rather weak spot. His hope that distance, discipline and time would help him to overcome what he named his “infatuation” with Hermione was by now shattered. The last months had taught him that he wasn’t coming over, but falling deeper in every day.

He couldn’t count how often he’d already told himself that it was wrong. He couldn’t count how often he’d scolded himself desidesiring a woman so young. He’d long lost count of the mornings he’d looked at his mirror, telling himself that he was an old man and shouldn’t therefore lust after a girl. It didn’t help. As soon as he saw her, his old heart started to beat quicker. Her smile made for a fluttering in his stomach and whenever she touched him, he needed all his willpower for not dragging her in his arms. He wanted her as he’d never wanted a woman before and he longed for her with every fibre of his body.

To think that he would never hold her in his arms, that this sweet, always so firm mouth of hers would never become soft under his lips, hurt so much that he sometimes wanted to cry. Yet he’d never been one for self-pity. He’d by now taken on his love for her like a punishment and he mostly found that he deserved it. He’d so often refused to love and he knew that he’d made women unhappy. There had been more then one who had suffered because he hadn’t given her more then a little affection and lust. Being pained by an unrequited love now seemed under these circumstances only fair. He accepted it. But unfortunately his acceptance didn’t change the fact that it hurt and that he was thorn between his need to be close to her and the wish to run away, to hide himself somewhere he wouldn’t have to see her and where he could cry and lick the wound until it was healed.

And now Severus seemed to have seen through him too. He wasn’t the first one. Francesca had long before. He had spent the Christmas break with her in Venice, only going back to Hogwarts for one day - the day he’d asked Severus to teach Hermione. Francesca, hearing of it, had once again proven that he couldn’t fool her.

Sweet Merlin - how stupid he’d been! By coming back he’d told her by dinner - as casually as if he’d talk about normal school’s business - that Hermione would precede her training with Severus. “I’ve got such a lot of work in the next weeks and besides, she needs to practise with another legilimens.”

Francesca had raised an elegant eyebrow. “As much as I appreciate Severus Snape as a potion master - I really wouldn’t like sharing my memories with him.”

“Hermione won’t have to. I left her my pensieve,” he’d said.

Francesca had changed the subject then and he’d felt relieved. He’d really believed he’d come away and he’d even been stupid enough to think that she’d have enjoyed the passion he’d shown her in the night without thinking about the reasons behind. He should have known her better. The urgency with which he’d made love to her - she obviously hadn’t for a single second believed it would be reawakened passion for her. She knew him too well, she’d slept too often with him and she’d come immediately to the point afterwards. “What’s the matter with you, Albus? You’re absolutely beside yourself.”

He’d tried to get away. “You arouse me, my beauty,” he’d said.

She’d become angry. “Don’t try to fool me, Albus Dumbledore! I can see a train when it’s coming and I know the difference between a passionate and a desperate lover. You were miles away from me. You didn’t make love to me, but tried drive some demons out of your system. And if you weren’t my friend and if I wouldn’t know how atypical this was for you, I’d probably hex your balls off now.”

She’d been right. He had used her - a futile attempt to forget at least for a few moments. Feeling ashamed he hadn’t known what to answer, except of: “I’m sorry …”

She’d sighed. “Oh, Albus …” And then she’d turned around on her belly and had looked at him as she’d so often done. “You’re not one for the easy ways, are you? From all the women in the world you must fall just for the one who’s - at least in the moment - out of your reach.”

Slowly he’d repeated: “I’m sorry, Francesca.”

“What for?” She’d smiled and stroked his cheek.

“You’d deserve my undivided attention …”

“But even you aren’t able to rule over your heart.” She’d smiled, but her eyes had remained sad. “I could like it. The great Albus Dumbledore, fallen for a woman at last - it makes you human, you know?”

“You know I always was …” he’d said and known himself that he’d sounded lame.

“Were you?” Francesca had looked sceptical. “I sometimes wasn’t sure about it. You seemed often above us normal mortalhilehile we suffered from broken hearts and unrequited love, sometimes even connected to you, you were out to save the world. Of course, you were always too kind to show us that you found our sorrows petty compared to the greater good you were working for. But through all your kindness - I always could sense that you felt above. You had reduced love to a form of entertainment you only allowed yourself in your spare time - as little as there was of it.”

“We were in a war …” he’d said wearily.

“I remember, Albus. And what I’ve said wasn’t meant as a reproach. It was only an assessment.”

“Did I hurt you, Francesca?” he’d asked.

She’d nodded, blowing a kiss on the tip of his nose. “Yes, Albus, you did. There was a time I really and truly loved you - much more than you were able and willing to love me back. But I know that you didn’t hurt me on purpose and that you had your share of suffering too. Besides: The better I came to know you, the more I became aware of the fact, that I’m not the woman you need.”

He’d laid his arms around her. “I’m not so sure about that, Francesca. You’re everything a man could wish for.”

“Charmer.” For a moment she’d snuggled against him. Then she’d raised her head again. “Your heart obviously is cleverer than your mind. It knew it wasn’t me.”

“At the moment I doubt clevcleverness of my heart very much. It got me in the worst direction thinkable,” Albus had growled.

“I don’t think so,” Francesca had promptly answered. “Just the opposite. It led you to Hermione who is exactly what you need.”

“Oh yes.” He’d sounded very cynic. “100 years my junior, my apprentice, a former student of mine - exactly what I need.”

“Minor problems. Look over them - and see the true facts, Albus!” Francesca had ordered him. “You’re some one who wants everything or nothing. The woman you need has to be more than some one to share the bed with - as important that is to you - and more than some one who looks after your socks - as fond as you are of socks - and more than some one who bears your children - as much as you’d like to have children. What made you fall for your young apprentice is the fact, that she isn’t only a warm-hearted, desirable woman with a temper and passion to match yours, but your friend, comrade and partner in every sense of the word. She understands and shares your love for your school; she doesn’t only share your ideas about transfigurations, but develops them further. Her brilliant mind is a challenge for you, her humour obviously suits yours well …”

“But she’s too young!” he’d protested. “And you know that this means more than only two dates in a register. With her being muggle-born too it means that we’re coming from two different cultures …”

Francesca had shaken her head. “Since when you’re one for making up complications? Hermione chose you the magical world - your world - as the world she wants to live in. And you certainly aren’t the average pureblood wizard of your generation. You were never biased against muggleborns and you don’t have problems with emancipated women - at least no more than other wizards. Actually …” she’d smiled mischievously at him, “… I know only one habit of yours which is typical for a pureblood wizard of your generation.”

“And that would be?”

“Your dislike of trousers!” Francesca had fondled his privates. “I actually found it always rather cute - and sexy. To know that you’re naked under all those heavy robes of yours …”


The conversation with Francesca had helped him - not only because of what she’d said, but even more because she hadn’t been shocked about his love for so young a woman. She obviously didn’t see him as a dirty old man, but had accepted his feelings as if they were nothing out of the ordinary. Nevertheless he hoped that he would overcome this love once and he was glad that he’d already told Hermione about sending her to a university when she was ready with her apprentice ship. He didn’t want Hogwarts to lose her - she was the ideal successor for Minerva not only as Transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor, but one day as Deputy Headmistress and probably she’d even become the first muggleborn Headmistress of Hogwarts one day. For this she’d need experience and connections outside of Hogwarts - and he would need the separation from her for forgetting and for getting his life back in order.

“Albus?” Severus’ voice cut through his thoughts.

Looking to the younger wizard, Albus tried a weak smile. “I’m sorry, Severus - I got lost in thinking. Obviously I’m becoming old. My concentration is slipping.”

Severus snorted. “Codswallop!” he said. “You’re not becoming old, but the girl is getting under your skin.”
bus bus sighed. “I can’t deny it.”

Obviously the potion specialists in his life had more in common than Albus had thought. To his amazement Severus smiled and said, sounding almost tender: “Finally - after I’ve almost given up hope.”

“For what?” Albus asked.

“For you falling in love of course,” Severus said dryly. “After I’ve learned that it is possible for hard boiled eggs like me, I started to wonder when this after-war-effect would hit you.”

“It obviously has,” Albus sighed again. “Only that I wasn’t in my choice as clever as you, my boy.”

Severus rose. “I have to teach a class, but …” Now he grinned and his sharp features became soft and even handsome with it. “I’d never thought I’d say that once about a Gryffindor - and if you’d tell, I would deny I’ve ever done! - But Granger is something special. And I look forward to the development of her - and you …”

***************************************


“Albus?” For a moment he thought her voice would belongthe the sweet dream in which he’d just strolled along the lake, hend ind in his, her laughter in his ears. But now he felt a hand on his shoulder and heard once again her voice. “Headmaster! I’m sorry to disturb you, but your help is needed.”

Albus turned around and opened his eyes. Without his glasses his sight was blurry, but he saw that Hermione stood bent over him, wearing jeans, a t-shirt and a rather terrified look.

Seating up, he reached for his spectacles, put them on his nose and asked: “What’s the matteermiermione?”

“It’s Ron!” Hermione cried. “He’s after Lucius. If he gets him, they’ll probably kill each other! They’re in the dark forest and as soon as Ron finds Lucius …”

“Moment!” Albus raised his hand. “Stop babbling, Hermione! Breathe deeply - and then tell me slowly and clearly who is to do what and where and why.”

Here pae panted, her eyes as huge as saucers, looking still totally terrified, but he saw that she tried to calm herself. “Ron broke through the wards of Ginny’s flat,” she told him. “He’d become suspicious about her behaviour in the last weeks and he wanted to find out who she was with. He found her in bed with Lucius - and of course, he went ballistic.”

Albus wrapped his blanket around himself - sometimes it wasn’t practical that he slept naked, but he really didn’t like pyjamas - and climbed out of bed. “Lucius as in Lucius Malfoy?” he asked while slipping in a robe.

“Yes, Lucius Malfoy. Ginny is in love with him - and Ron is absolutely mad about that. He tried to curse Lucius, but his stunner hit Ginny who’d thrown herself in front of Lucius,” Hermione told. “Lucius gripped his wand and apparated Ginny and himself to Hogwarts. He planned to call me and to disappear then, but Ron was quicker. He’d tracked him and got him inside the anti-apparn wan wards. Lucius ran into the dark forest - with Ron after him.”

Albus was in his robe now and just putting his boots on his naked feet. “How’s Ginevra?” he asked.

“Still unconscious. I laid her on a then bench at the lake - shielded and warmed of course.”

“Good.” Albus gripped his wand from his nightstand. “You run down and get Poppy. She shall look after the girl. If her husband is at home - he shall go down to the forest to meet me there. I try to find Messieurs Weasley and Malfoy …” He marched to the window and opened it.

“Albus?” Hermione tugged at his sleeve. “After I’ve fetched Poppy I’d like to help you. You know as a dog I can smell them …”

“And you can become a midnight snack for a few rather nasty creatures down there.” Albus shook his head. “Stay with Ginny, Hermione. She’ll need you.” Changing in his falcon form, he hopped on the window sill and let himself fall down until he sensed the familiar wind whirl over the roof. Spreading his wings he used the wind for sailing over the great hall and with powerful strokes winning height again, over the lake to the forest which lad in the dark like a predator waiting for its prey. Yet Albus knew the secrets and the dangers within this wood very well. They didn’t scare him. But the idea of a furious Ronald Weasley hunting down his sister’s lover did very well. Considered that Lucius was a powerful wizard who’d certainly sell his skin as expansive as possible and that Ron was an auror and driven by rage, the scenario of the two crashing in each other certainly wasn’t the kind of entertainment Albus would have wished for after midnight.

Yet there was a tiny bit he liked about the story: Lucius Malfoy being Ginevra Weasley’s lover - the knowledge of this relationship had probably been what Hermione had shielded so hard against Severus. Hermione had been in contact not only with Ginny, but with Lucius too - and with learning that the enigma about the third legilimens teaching her was solved. She’d got her tricks from Lucius Malfoy!

Albus was more then only a little glad to know that. He’d worried a great deal about Hermione being in contact with another legilimens. Although legilemency had never been illegal, it was by most people seen as bordering on dark art. And it probably only wasn’t forbidden because it was difficult to learn and only to master by powerful and highly intelligent wizards. What meant in concrete: There weren’t more then 10 or 15 wizards in England who could do it - and the trustworthy in this group were member of the order of the phoenix or in another way connected to Hogwarts: Augustus McGonagall, Alastor Moody, Severus Snape, Harry Potter, auror Kingsley Shacklebolt - the four last Albus had taught himself - and his new charms master Sebastian von Melanchthon.

The other legilimens Albus knew about had been death eaters. Knowing that none of the Hogwarts legilimens - for Sebastian von Melanchthon Albus had made it clear with a simple, harmless sounding question - had taught Hermione, he’d really become nervous. The idea of Hermione doing legilemency with a former death eater - Albus had feared for her and he’d felt terribly guilty. He’d refused to teach her because he hadn’t wanted her so close anymore. Their connection had - inevitably by the way he was feeling about her - gotten an erotic component which would have - when further feed - made it almost impossible for him to withstand her. Thinking that he’d driven her close to some one who could become dangerous for her had cost him his sleep. Learning that it had been Lucius was pure relief because Albus had in a way always trusted him. Even in times when Lucius had been entirely on the dark side and had showed himself as Albus’ enemy - Albus had known that his former star student kept certain values which would him - sooner or later - made see how wrong the dark lord’s ambitions were.

But hell, where was Lucius now? And where was Ginevra’s rash-tempered brother? Neither Ron nor Lucius d had have apparated and with none of them having a broom or being an animagnus, they couldn’t have come so far! Albus slowly hovered over the wood now, just a few feet over the top of the highest trees, searching the ground with his sharp falcon eyes. But the night wasn’t ideal for such an enterprise. The sky was clouded and every now and then one of the clouds wandered over the moon. Then it became pitch-dark and Albus swore and cursed inwardly every time. Gyrfalcons weren’t supposed to hunt in the night, so his night sight in the animagnus form was even worse than in his human form. Probably it would be better now if he’d landed and changed back, but for doing so he would have to go down - and how could he if he couldn’t see a thing?

But suddenly he got a glimpse of something. A little sparkle through the trees had come up from the ground. Some one down there had lightened a wand. Albus was sure: It had been Ronald. Lucius wouldn’t show himself. But Ron was searching and therefore he needed light. Albus glided in an elegant curve closer to the place he’d seen the sparkle. His eyes had adapted to the darkness now a bit better, but he still couldn’t see more than shadows. But there was small glaring - and something quickly moving along.

Albus closed his wings. Pressing them tightly to his body, he let himself kip, falling with his head forward down like an arrow. He knew it was dangerous to go down so quickly without having clear sight to the ground, but he couldn’t risk Ron finding Lucius. Spreading his wings again he landed on his feet - a bit harder as he liked it, but he hadn’t time to worry about. Immediately he changed back in his human from, pulled his wand out and directed it at the dark shadow on the opposite side of the glaring. It was Ronald - he was just lightening his wand again and for a few seconds Albus saw a glimpse of red hair over a pale face. Softly - he really didn’t want to injure the boy - he commanded “Expelliarmus!” It hadn’t been more than a whisper and Ron was totally caught by surprise. His wand was thrown ou his his hand and sailed over to Albus who caught it with his left hand, before he said, almost casually: “Stupefy!”

“Bastard!” yelled Ronald Weasley by falling down. “I’ll get you and I’ll kill you! You dirty piece of filth, you debauched pervert…” He obviously was convinced that Lucius had got him.

Albus cleared his throat. Walking over the glaring he said: “You may want to calm yourself, Mister Weasley.”

“Headmaster?” Ronald Weasley sounded absolutely flabbergasted. “Professor Dumbledore? What you’re doing here? And why did you stun me?”

“Because I don’t want you to do something you’d have to regret later,” Albus answered. Raising his wand, he commanded: “Lumos”. The glaring became alight. Albus turned around. Searching the trees around, he meant to see something, but wasn’t sure. “Lucius?” he called. He was absolutely sure that Lucius was nearby. The former death eater was a lot of things, but he certainly wasn’t a coward. He would have kept contact to Ron, waiting for his change to surprise him.

“Here I am …” Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the shadow. In the cold light of Albus’ wand his pale body was looking almost ethereal, as if he’d belong to another kind. “Saving my sorry butt seems to become a habit of you, Headmaster,” he said with a lopsided grin.

Ron struggled against the spell Albus had stunned him with. 20;D20;Don’t think you’re save, Malfoy! I’ll get you and I’ll kill you!”

“Mister Weasley!” Albus thundered. “You’ve already hurt your sister. Now stop behaving like an idiot!”

“Do you know what this filthy pervert did to my sister?” Ron screamed. “He was in bed with her! He dared to touch her! He fucked her!”

Lucius sighed. “I’m afraid, Mister Weasley is right, Headmaster. He caught me in flagrante delicto with his sister.” Stepping closer to Albus, he whispered: “How is Ginevra?”

“Hermione and our mediwitch are looking after her. I’ m sure she’ll be fine,” Albus answered.

Ron looked as if he’d explode the next moment. “How can you sup him him, Headmaster? He’s a death eater! A criminal! A murderer! He killed, he raped …”

“Mister Weasley!” Albus once again interrupted the young man’s tirade. “Mister Malfoy paid for what he did. But even if he wouldn’t have done so - you’re neither his judge nor his executor! And as far as I’m rmedrmed: Your sister was with Mister Malfoy because she wanted it.”

“Do you really believe that, Headmaster?” Ron yelled. “Are you sure he didn’t use imperio on her?”

Albus sighed. “For one thing I’m sure: We won’t solve the problem by standing here and yelling at each other. So it’s your decision, Mister Weasley: You can give me your wizard’s word of honour that you won’t attack Mister Malfoy anymore. Then I’ll release you from the spell. If you refuse I’ll levitate you to the castle and call for the aurors.”

“And what will you do with him?” Ron tried to point furiously at Lucius.

Albus looked at the grey eyed wizard who stood next to him, naked, with only his wand in his hand, but nevertheless looking regal. “I’ll lend him a robe, I think,” he said calmly. His voice became stern as he proceeded: “In the contrast to you, Mister Weasley, Lucius Malfoy didn’t do anythagaiagainst the law. He was where he was wished and what he did he did obviously in agreement with the other party involved while you broke in where you wasn’t allowed and wished and hexed some one …”

“But Headmaster …”

Albus stopped Ron. “I’m getting cold, I’m tired and I think Mister Malfoy wants urgently to see your sister. He obviously worries about her. So will I get your word or do you really want me to do levitate you?”

“I promise I won’t attack Malfoy …” Ron grumbled.

“At last …” Albus directed his wand at Ron. “Finite incantatum.”

Ron moved his limbs and struggled to get up. Glaring at Lucius, he asked bitterly: “Could I please have my wand back?”

“No, Mister Weasley,” Albus answered crisply. “At the moment I don’t trust you enough.”

“But I gave you my word of honour,” Ron protested.

“Nevertheless I think you should cool down a bit.” Nodding at Lucius who now looked very cold, Albus said: “Gentlemen, let’s go out here.”


It was a funny procession which came out of the dark forest a few minutes later: In the lead stumbled sturdy Ronald Weasley, his robe in shambles, his head and shoulders bent down. He was followed by tall Albus who marched spryly, playing with the wand he was carrying. And after Albus, looking as if it would be absolute normal marching naked through the night, came Lucius Malfoy.

At the lake they got company: Alastor Moody, husband of Hogwarts mediwitch, friend of Albus and senior consultant of the ministry’s auror department, limped out of the wood too. As he saw the trio, he slipped out of the cloak he was wearing and threw it at Lucius. “Cover yourself, Malfoy. There are ladies around.”

Lucius slipped in the cloak which loosely around his tender frame. “As far as I know all of them have seen a naked man before,” he snarled, “but nevertheless: Thank you.”

Moody didn’t seem to hear him. He directed his attention and his blue lightening magical eye against the sulky young man in front of Albus. “Are you completely out of your , We, Weasley?” he growled. “You’re an auror! You should know better than acting the saviour of the family’s honour in the middle of a night. Didn’t you think for a single moment which light your actions threw on your department, your colleagues and your father?”

“He fucked my little sister!” Ron tried to defend myself. “And you know who and what he is!”

Malfoy looked at Lucius, his magical eye rolling in its socket. Directing his gaze back at Ron, he said: “I know what and who he is and I suddenly don’t like his kind better than you do, Weasley. But we aren’t at war anymore. And even then - an auror can’t run around, executing the law on his own. I’m sure your father and your superior will agree with me, that your action deserves severe punishment. And you can thank Albus - if he wouldn’t have stopped you, you’d probably get yourself at Azkaban for murder!”

Moody’s speech seemed to get to Ron. He sunk his head deeper and his voice sounded weak as he said: “I only wanted to protect my little sister …”

Albus laid a hand on his shoulder. “Ron …,” he sounded friendlier now. “Your little sister is a grown woman. You may not like her choice of a partner, but you have to accept it.”

“I simply can’t imagine that she shall have chosen him!” Ron sounded as if he’d be close to tears. “Not without him using dirty tricks. My sister is the daughter of the minister of magic and my father would do almost everything for her. So what if Malfoy used imperio or a love potion on her for getting at my father?”

Albus looked at the grey eyed wizard next to him without saying a word.

Lucius didn’t open his mouth either. He only shook his head.

“Don’t believe him, Headmaster!” Ron almost pleaded.

They had arrived the castle now. Albus opened the entrance door and let the other three wizards in. “Alastor …”

The old auror looked at him and nodded. “You’re going to the hospital wing, I suppose?”

“Yes,” Albus confirmed. “Could you in the meantime inform the minister?”

Alastor Moody swallowed and suddenly looked a bit afraid. “Uh - of course. But you’ll be there to talk with him and …”

“… Molly,” Albus finished for him. “I will.”

Suddenly the old auror grinned. “You’re a hero, Albus. I’ve alwanownnown.”

“Only I don’t feel like one,” Albus sighed. “I’d actually like to hide under my blanket just now.”

He obviously wasn’t the only one. Hearing the name of his mother Ron had paled even more and looked now like a ghost with freckles. And Lucius stepped closer to Albus, providing him with a gaze as if he’d like to ask if he could share the hiding blanket with him.

Albus looked at the both men with sympathy. He liked Molly Weasley a lot, but the prospect of facing her when furious even got him feeling a bit shaken. How must it feel to her sod thd the man who’d been in bed with her only daughter? Albus was sure: He’d rather face a dragon with migraine than a cross Molly Weasley.

Lucius obviously needed something to boast his courage. Straightening his shoulders, he looked almost pleadingly at Albus. “I’d like very much to see Ginevra …”

Albus nodded and started to climb up the stairs, followed by Ron and Lucius. They didn’t speak until they arrived at the hospital wing. Standing in front of the door, Albus turned around to his two companions: “A warning to both of you: You have disturbed my beauty sleep what makes for me being not at my best. So if one of you dares to breathe one wrong word in there, I might feel like hexing him just in the middle of the next week. Is this understood?” He opened the door, stepping Poppy Pomfrey’s office. It was empty, but the door to the next room was open and the mediwitch who’d obviously heard the visitors rushed through it, her night gown rustling on the stone floor. She looked at the three men, her forehead wrinkled and her mouth th
L
Lucius was the first who spoke, his voice suddenly hoarse: “How is Ginevra?”

“Almost out of her mind with worry,” the mediwitch answered reproachful. “But she’ll recover. She’ll need a few days rest, but then she’ll be fine again.”

“May I see her?” Ron and Lucius asked in unison. Noticing the other they starred at each other, both looking furious again.

Poppy directed her gaze at Albus. He only ed. ed. Sighing the mediwitch gave the passage free. Ron stormed in the infirmary, but Lucius hesitated, suddenly looking very pale and terrified. Albus laid his hand in his back and gave him a little push. “She’ll be fine. Trust Poppy,” he assured him and entered the room after him.

Ginny lay in one of the beds, looking very young and vulnerable with her hair in a ponytail and wearing pyjamas with red and blue teddy bears on it. Hermione sat next to her on a chair, holding Ginny’s hand. As she saw Albus she rose up and approached him, looking in his eyes.

“Are you okay?” she whispered. She was so close to him that he could feel her warmth and once again he felt an almost overwhelming urge to take her in his arms and to hold her close.

“I’m fine - don’t worry,” he instead gave back, whispering too.

She didn’t step back and she didn’t look away. For a few precious seconds her gaze connected with his and all the anger and disappointment he’d seen in her eyes during the last weeks were suddenly gone. “I’m sorry,” she whispered now. “I should have told you.”

He smiled reassuringly at her and then looked to the bed. Ginny had seat up, her green-brown eyes blazing at her brother. “Get out!” she demanded. “I don’t want to see you ever again.”

“But Ginny …” Ron tried to protest, but Hermione was already on his side, taking his arm.

“You heard your sister.” Pushing him to the door, she said over her shoulder. “I’ll wait outside with him.”

Now Ginny stretched her arms, tears in her eyes. “Lucius!” she cried. “Are you hurt?”

The silver haired wizard who’d stood quietly next to Albus was with two quick steps at her side. Talking her hand and kissing it, he sat down on the bedside. “I’m fine,” he said, his voice still very hoarse. “But how are you?”

“Better now. I was so terrified about you.” A tear was rolling down her cheek.

Lucius bent over her and wiped it away. He seemed to have forgotten Albus who still stood at the foot of the bed. “Don’t cry, my love. Everything will be fine …”

“I’m so sorry! My brother is such an idiot!” Ginny couldn’t stop sobbing.

Lucius sighed. Looking dot Git Ginny’s hand, he said: “I don’t think so. If I would have a beloved little sister I’d probably react like him. I am certainly not the kind of man you should be with, Ginevra. I’ve always known it, but I wanted to forget about. This night made it clear to me again.” Kissing Ginny’s hand again, he proceeded: “I love you, Ginevra. I love you very much. But I can’t make you as happy as you deserve. Therefore I’ll leave now. I’ll go back to France and we won’t see each other again. You’ll forget all about me and you’ll find a good and decent man who will love you and make you the mother of an entire herd of cute little redheads …” His voice was breaking and tears were rolling down his pale cheeks.

Ginny looked at him, obviously at a loss for words, her eyes wide open and absolutely desperate.

Albus cleared his throat. “I don’t think you can make such a decision on your own, Lucius,” he said. “There are two parties involved and I think the second one should have her say in the matter too.”

“Yes!” Ginny hadnd hnd her voice again. “The headmaster is right. I’m involved in this too and I don’t want you to leave me. I love you and I want to be with you.”

Lucius smiled, but his eyes were grave. “Spoken like a true Gryffindor. But you must face the facts, Ginevra: Your family, your friends, and the entire wizard’s world - they’ll never accept me. With me you’d lose everything you hold dear …”

Ginny looked for a few seconds up to Albus. Getting strength from his little nod, she laid her arms around her lover. “What is dearest to me I hold now, Lucius.”

“But I don’t want you to lose everything else - your career, your family, your friends,” Lucius said sad. “How should I ever make up for this?”

Once again Albus cleared his throat. “I think you’re wrong in two points. Being with you certainly wouldn’t be a reason for Ginevra’s career becoming stopped. She’s a good journalist and her private life doesn’t matter for the job. And as far as her friends are concerned: If I may count myself as one, I know already of two people accepting your . He. Hermione and I do. And for Ginevra’s family …,” he sighed. “They certainly won’t dance in joy, but Arthur is a sensible man who loves his daughter. He certainly wouldn’t want risk to lose her. Therefore he’ll learn to accept - especially when he learns that you really and truly love his girl.”

Lucius still didn’t look convinced. “And you think I’d get a chance to prove this before Molly Weasley kills me?” Now Now it was Albus who sighed. “I’ll talk to her.” Looking to the couple, he tried a weak grin. “The bed next to yours looks nice, Ginevra. Will you kiss me good night if your mother gets me there?”

Ginny smiled at him. “You don’t have to do this, Headmaster. I’ll talk to my mother myself.”

“Brave girl!” Albus praised her. “But considered you need rest and I’m already up, I think its better I do first.” Looking at Lucius, he became serious again. “Do you intend to marry the girl, Lucius?”

Lucius sunk once again his head. “I’d love to,” he answered quietly. “I’d love very much to marry her. But as you know, Headmaster: I’m not only a social outcast, but without a fortune too. I’ve got only the vinery and it doesn’t earn me enough to provide a family - at t not not at the moment and certainly not for the next few years.”

Albus took his spectacles down and rubbed his nose. Then he put his glasses up again and looked over the rim at the younger wizard. “I think this problem could be solved. Hogwarts just needs a new DADA teacher.”

Lucius almost jumped and starred at Albus as if he’d doubt his sanity. “You don’t want to offer the position to me?” he asked.

“Why not?” Albus asked back, sounding almost amused. “You certainly are qualified for it.”

“Me?” Lucius looked at Ginny who was beaming. “He must have gone mad! Entirely and utterly.”

“I don’t think so.” The longer Albus thought about the idea the better he liked it. “You need a job, I need a DADA teacher. Just so simple.”

“Dumbledore!” Lucius was on his feet. “Even you wouldn’t survive the uproar this would produce! A former death eater, a convicted criminal, some one who was in Azkaban as a teacher in Hogwarts! You would become thrown in howlers. The board of governors would try to sack you …”

“As they’ve done before,” Albus grinned broadly now. “I remember a certain Lucius Malfoy telling me once that I’ve obviously ‘lost my grip’ and therefore should retire …”

Lucius sighed. “I was an idiot, as you know. But …”

Albus interrupted him. “Lucius, I know what I’m doing. And if I may remember you: I’ve done that before and even under worse circumstances. It was during Voldemort’s first rise when I employed Severus Snape and even made him head of Slytherin. Since then I’ve developed a good charm to destroy howlers before they start. Besides: Without the information you gathered as a spy no one would have to worry about Hogwarts anymore because Hogwarts wouldn’t exist any longer. You’ve paid for your sins - and now it’s time for a new start.”

Suddenly Ginny was out of the bed. On bare feet she ran to Albus and hugged him, tears rolling down her face. “Thank you, Headmaster!” she cried. “I promise you, you won’t regret it. Lucius will become a wonderful teacher.”

Albus stroked calmingly the girl’s back. “I’m sure he will, Ginevra. And I’m sure he’ll become a wonderful husband too.” He gently pushed her back in the direction of the bed. “But now I’ll have to take your fiancé with me. We’ll need to make him a bit more presentable before your parents get to see him. And you in the meantime will try to sleep. Tomorrow the world will look brighter …”

************************************

It was late afternoon as Albus walked in the lab, feeling bone-tired. He hadn’t got more then one hour of sleep after a very heated discussion with the Weasleys. Then his alarm clock had already wakened him up again. The morning he’d spent with teaching and as much as he actually liked being with students - DADA had never been a subject he was fond off. He knew more then he had ever wished to how important defence against the dark arts could become and he was too much of a realist to believe that the last wauld uld have been the war to end all wars, but teaching children how to block curses and jinxes nevertheless felt wrong to him. He’d fought all his life for a world in which children would grow up in safety. To think of this new generation of children probably one day fighting too made him sad and feeling as if all his hard work would have been futile.

The staff conference which had been the next point on his agenda hadn’t done anything to improve his mood. Just on the contrary. To name it “tumultuous” was actually an understatement. The only two members of the staff had hadn’t joined the ranting and screaming had been Hermione and Sebastian von Melanchthon, but the rest had for once agreed in their opinion that Albus would have gone mad. Yet after the row he’d have with Molly Weasley the night before Albus’ patience was already running low and so he’d become rather loud and direct himself.

Severus who’d announced his doubts about Lucius being “reformed” had gotten him a “I know a lot of people thinking so about you too, you hypocrite!” back; Tonks who’d tried to defend her soon-to-be-husband Albus had provided with the advise to look after her own former death eater while he’d look after his; Dee Sprout’s rather shy: “But he’s a Slytherin” had earned her a glare worth of Severus on a real bad day; Sybil Trelawney’s misty prophecy “I see danger, bad danger around this man” Albus had answered with “He won’t destroy your sherry bottles” and Sinistra’s infuriated “I won’t work with Lucius Malfoy. I’ve always detested him” had gotten her a pretty furious “And I won’t make the prejudices of some of my staff members the base of my decisions!”

But the worse had been Minerva. He knew it had been neither fair nor diplomatic to surprise her with this news in the staff conference. But he simply hadn’t found time to discuss it with her before. Yet as much as he understood that she as his deputy felt left out when he made such a decision without even hearing her opinion - her display of Scottish temper had been too much for him. He’d let her yell at him for almost two minutes, but then she’d gone too far in saying: “You can’t hire Lucius Malfoy. I don’t approve.”

He’d exploded like a fire buster, roaring at her: “For Merlin’s sake, Minerva: I am the headmaster. I don’t need your approval for hiring a teacher.”

Minerva hadn’t backed. Looking away out of blazing blue eyes, she’d hissed: “I won’t support you in this insanity.”

It had been Hermione who’d stopped him. Suddenly he had heard her voice in his mind, pleading and almost in panic: “Don’t, Albus! Please, please, don’t proceed! She’ll calm down. I’m sure she will. But please, don’t proceed.”

He’d closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Then he’d swallowed the sharp rebuke he’d had already on his tongue and had instead said: “Minerva - trust me. I know Lucius Malfoy and I know what I am doing in hiring him. Give him a fair chance. That’s all I ask you for. But I’m sure you won’t regret it.”

Minerva hadn’t looked convinced, but after a moment she’d sat down, saying crisply: “We will see.”

He knew that the last word in this affair wasn’t spoken. Minerva was cross with him - very cross. That meant that he would get for at least a week her famous “You ungrateful, insensitive prick don’t deserve a deputy like me” stare every time she’d set eyes on him. And for the next four weeks she wouldn’t even send an order for toilet paper out without demanding he’d sign it, getting it to him with a note saying something like “You’re the headmaster …”, “That’s your decision to make …” or “I need your approval for that”. She would rub it in im tim that she was offended on an hourly base. He’d been there with her before - more then once because her Scottish and his redhead temper were often crashing - and so he knew the best strategy for dealing with a furious Minerva were acting the diving duck. The less she saw from him, the less she felt provoked again. And that this meant he would have to do a lot of things himself she normally did for him - he counted this under “what can’t be cured must be endured.”

Nevertheless he was glad that he was in the lab now where Hermione sat on her desk, chewing at the end of a pencil while reading something on her monitor. Despite their rather difficult relationship: at the moment she was his only ally. Besides: He had to thank her. Without her stepping in he’d probably have let his rage the reins and then his friendship with Minerva would probably have suffered irreparable damage.

“Hermione?”

She hadn’t heard him, concentrated as she was. But now she turned around and looked at him. “Master …” She rarely used his given name anymore. And her smile looked pretty forced.

He sank down on the sofa and for a moment he allowed himself to close his eyes and to let his head fall forwards.

“Master …” Now he heard a rustle and the scraping of the chair’s leg on the wooden floor. She’d risen up and came now to the fireplace. “Shall I get you tea?” she asked.

He nodded. “Tea would be nice.”

“Actually you rather look as if you could do with a nap,” Hermione said. “You didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Who of us did?” he asked back with a little smile. “It was a rather exciting night.”

Hermione ringed the little bell on the mantelpiece. A house elf appeared and Hermione ordered tea before she sat down on the chair next to the sofa. “I have to apologize, sir,” she said then.

“What for?” He was too tired to look up and too tired to think.

“For using legilemency at you without your permission,” Hermione said. “I know that is not done, but …”

The house elf appeared with a tea tray. Albus waited until the little creature had laid the table, poured tea and bowed. Dismissing her with a “Thank you, Hazy” and taking the mug in his cold hand, he looked at Hermione. “I’m very grateful you did. I was to say something I would certainly have regretted.” ippeipped at the tea, thankful for the warmth it was spending.

Hermione watched him tentatively. “I was in the hospital wing before,” she said. “Ginny asked me to tell you that she’ll never forget what you’ve done for Lucius and her. She didn’t believe it possible to get her parent’s approval for marriage with Lucius and as much as she was determined to stand for him against the entire world - she feels much better now.”

“She’s a very brave girl and she deserves to get the man she loves.”

“Yes,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “But it won’t be easy. Her parents probably only accepted because …” she fell silent and looked at him as if she’d like to ask something, but wouldn’t dare.

Albus smiled. “Arthur did it because he loves his daughter and was afraid he’d lose her if he’d refuse. And Molly …,” he sighed, “… she was always a bit tougher than Arthur. I had to do a little blackmail at her.”

“Blackmail?” Hermione got eyes like saucers.

Albus laughed wearily. “Your friend Ron - he’s Molly’s baby too. I told her that she’d have the choice: Accepting Lucius as Ginevra’s fiancé which would make him part of the family - and Lucius would never accuse a fellow family member of attacking him. And I - romantic at heart as I am - would by looking at a happy couple certainly forget all about threats and insults I heard. Yet a refusal would make for Lucius accusing Ron - he would have to for protecting himself against further attacks. And in front of the Wizengamot I couldn’t say anything else than the truth …”

“Uh! I wouldn’t have wanted to hear Molly’s answer to that!” Hermione shuddered.

“I wonder yidn&idn’t,” Albus answered. “I actually thought she was loud enough for the great squib in the lake to hear how she thinks about Slytherins always sticking together, my lack of moral and her disappointment about me and how I could sacrifice her little Ronnikins for a bastard like Lucius. If Arthur wouldn̵havehave stopped her she’d probably have hexed me.” He grinned a bit lopsided. “I think I’ve overdone Severus now. Even he never managed to get his head almost bitten of by two female Gryffindors in only 12 hours.” He yawned behind his hand. “But it’s a bit draining, I must admit.”

Hermione nodded. “Actually I’ve wanted to talk about the project with you,” she said.

“Do so,” he answered. “That’s why I came down.”

Hermione looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. “Do you have another class to teach today?”

“Yes.” He sighed. “In half an hour - first year Hufflepuff-Gryffindor.”

“First years?” Hermione chewed on her bottom lip. “You know I’ve got an outstanding in DADA in my NEWTs?”

Albus grinned. “As far as I remember muggle studies was the only class you didn’t get one.”

Here mae made a face. “Sometimes your memory is too good. But - couldn’t I teach the first years? Then you could have a little rest. You need it - I can see it.”

“Actually I do. But you didn’t get much rest last night either,” Albus said.

“I’m young. I don’t need much sleep.” Hermione was already on her legs. Taking her cloak from the hanger at the door, she changed it to a blanket. “Lay down, Albus …” Grateful he stretched on the sofa, taking his spectacles down. Hermione plaited the blanket over him. “I’ll come down after class to get you for dinner. Until then: Sleep tight and sweet dreams!”


To be continued …