Honor Among Headmasters

Egypt 1955

Considering the circumstances, Albus Dumbledore found the oppressive heat acceptable and the quirky up and down bobbing motion of his transport unavoidable. As for the noises - grunts, wheezes and the like - emitted by his sole companion, he had grown accustomed to those, too. But the pervasive smell undid him entirely. In later years he would describe the odor as a cross between rotten eggs, moldy food and mangy fur.

Albus decided he'd best make do. The situation was thankfully not permanent. The things I do for Hogwarts, he thought.

This acclaimed wizard and hero was enduring his third day in the desert astride a rented camel. While he agreed with Headmaster Dippet that Hogwarts deserved only the best, he was not entirely in agreement that one Miss Minerva McGonagall was the best and only candidate for a vacant teaching post. Having never met the woman this opinion was based on what little he did know about her.

Nibbling on one of the last of his carefully hoarded lemon drops, his mind recalled the day last week when he had returned to Hogwarts from his summer holiday. The headmaster was waiting for him in the main hall. After a cursory greeting, Dippet had half dragged Albus to his office. A few minutes later they were sipping mugs of hot chocolate and eating sandwiches discussing Armando's latest crusade namely Minerva McGonagall. Albus listened closely while Armando divulged all.

"This is a war, Albus, a war for talent, and I intend to win it." Armando leaned back in his chair. "Beauxbaton and Durmstrang have already had their say. She is mulling their offers as we speak."

"So, what exactly do you want me to do, Armando?"

"What else? Go to her and make the case for Hogwarts." Armando took a bite out of a sandwich. "Tell Miss McGonagall about our history, curriculum, everything. Convince her that no other school could offer her as much as we could."

"She is that good, eh?"

"Have a look." Armando passed a letter and a copy of Transfiguration Monthly over to him. "Read that and tell me if my expectations are misplaced."

Dumbledore began to read the magazine article. It was a story about newly discovered papyri in Egypt that revealed the ancient Egyptian wizards' use of transfigured objects in various religious ceremonies. There were no pictures accompanying the article. Pictures would have been redundant. The text easily held one's attention. It was scholarly to be sure but each word carried a sense of wonder and excitement. "Impressive."

"I have made some inquiries. That article is a mere hint of her capabilities. She is a qualified mistress of transfiguration and -"

"Armando, it says here she's only thirty-five. No one attains a master status before forty, at least."

"As I recall you became a master alchemist at about the same age."

"Be that as it may. Transfiguration is a much more rigorous discipline."

"It only proves her brilliance and dedication."

"She may be a capable scholar but I do not see her value to Hogwarts certainly not in the post of a teacher. She does not possess any teaching experience at all." Albus commented.

"There are plenty of us here to help her along."

"With her field of study I find it surprising that teaching would be of any interest to her."

"Well, she hasn't exactly applied to be a teacher, Albus." Dippet began to pace in his office. "Do you know of Theodore Duval?"

"Beauxbaton's headmaster."

"Yes, he is also Miss McGonagall's close friend. Theodore let slip at our last headmasters' meeting that Miss McGonagall's research project would be ending soon and that she was of a mind to explore other opportunities to pursue afterwards. Theo was practically salivating over having her on his faculty in a term or two.

"That does not mean she would enjoy teaching, Armando. Or that it would be suited to her. I hope she likes children."

"Just hear me out, Albus." Armando stopped pacing and looked at his friend intensely. "We are going to need her. Our world is changing quickly. Hogwarts will need to change with it."

"I see. You are implying a need to rejuvenate the staff? May I point out that we have not done too badly as we are."

"No. But we've been lucky, too. That girl's death weighs on my mind, Albus, more and more."

"Tom Riddle has been gone these past two years. His influence over the younger years has declined greatly."

"Even so, can you not feel that there is something not quite right? Not just here but everywhere." Armando sighed then shook his head. "In any case, we must look to the future. Now, Albus, you are in line to succeed me. I have no doubts whatsoever that you will fill the post most admirably. If I may say so, you are far more suited to it than I am. Your mind for strategy is astounding."

Dumbledore's cheeks grew warm at the compliment. "Thank you, Armando."

Armando smiled at his deputy and friend. "I would be the first to defend you against any slur or insult, but I am also the first to say that you are by far the least detail-oriented person I have ever met. I lay awake at night wondering how you will deal with all the operational tasks of running a school. Therefore, I feel that the one who fills the deputy position must be complementary to you and your abilities. Additionally, the deputy's magical talent must be near or equal to your own. I know this last is not a requirement for the job but I feel that this must be so."

"But -"

Armando waved a hand in the air. "Yes, you are considered to be the greatest wizard of your generation. But for all that, you are only one man. I feel that we are at a crossroads here and that our best hope for the future is to not place all the responsibility on your shoulders alone. Even now, appeals begging for your help come daily. Good man that you are, you do your best to help as many as you can. I do not see this changing, only worsening. You will need a partner more than a deputy, Albus."

"And you have chosen Miss McGonagall?"

"I have," With these two little words accompanied by a sly half smile, Albus' fate was sealed. "After she acquires proficiency in teaching, of which I have little doubt she will achieve, I plan on grooming her to become the deputy that you and Hogwarts will need. I know that the two of you will suit each other superbly. I shall send an owl to her informing her of your upcoming visit. All you have to do is convince her that Hogwarts is the best place for her."

The next day Albus had first flown to Cairo and from there apparated to Abydos then Luxor. According to the research manager, Albus was a mere day behind his quarry. Unfortunately, anti-magic wards forced him to travel by boat to Aswan where, if rumors were to be believed, Miss McGonagall was headed. There, he had narrowly missed her at the Temple of Isis. So here he was trekking dutifully across the sands to Abu Sindel on the heels of the seemingly nomadic and certainly elusive lady.

Armando, you had better be right about her.

The lady in question knew that she was being pursued. Perhaps, pursued was the wrong word. Harried and harassed might have been better choices. She sat in the shade and sipped her tea gratefully. Next to her, Piers Rampal, the research director for the expedition, filled his own teacup.

"There's another one coming, Piers." Minerva said.

"You make it sound worse than the coming of locusts," Piers commented.

"At least the locusts don't interfere with my work." Minerva nibbled on a cucumber sandwich. English sensibilities in a foreign land were most comforting for her. "I have told them time and again that I am not making a decision until this project is over. In November I'll consider my options."

"Are you not the least bit flattered with all this attention? Hmmm?"

"I find it all ridiculous!" Minerva exclaimed. "I have to stop what I'm doing to cater to another stodgy crone who wants to tell me how marvelous their school is. Really, Theodore will hear a thing or two about this when I get back."

"I will do my best to see to it that you are not bothered unduly." Piers offered. "The heat will get to them soon enough. That last emissary from the American academy did not last very long - half a day I believe."

"Actually, I'm hoping that they've given up trying to find me." Minerva said with a satisfied smile.

Piers did not miss the cheshire cat smile on his colleague's pretty face. "Is that why we've been zigzagging across Egypt the last few days?"

"If they really want me, they will find me. If not, they can go back home and leave me in peace." Minerva took another sip. "I don't even know if teaching at that level is what I want."

"You know it would suit you. No need to be coy."

"I've found the offers thus far to be highly resistible. Thank you very much."

"So, it will be the immovable force meeting the irresistible object." Piers observed.

"Immovable? Now you're making me sound rigid and cold."

"Never! You are however quite irresistible." Piers took her hand and bestowed a kiss upon it. "Have you given any more thought about spending Christmas with my family?"

"Yes, I have. I would love to spend Christmas in Portofino."

"It will be wonderful. I've written to my parents and they cannot wait to see you again."

"Nor I them." Minerva looked lovingly at Piers over the rim of her teacup.

Armando read the letter aloud for what must have been the fifth time in the last hour. He could not help chuckling each time he reached the end.

Armando,

It is said that there is honor among thieves, obviously, there is none between headmasters. I have heard that you have sent a representative to Cairo asking about Minerva. None other than Albus himself!

Do you think that she will be overawed by his attentions? I am supremely glad to inform you that Minerva is not that shallow. It will take more than Albus Dumbledore to impress her.

I have just made a note to myself as a reminder to invite you to Beauxbaton for Christmas feast this year. At which time. I will have the thrilling opportunity of introducing you to Minerva. Believe me, Hogwarts will not have her.

Until then,

Theodore

"We shall see, Theodore, we shall see." Armando said.

**** Author's Note 6/16/2018 ****

This is the polished version of this story. I've re-ordered some parts, severely edited text, added a cover and added some new scenes that will answer reviewer's past questions. I feel the story flows better now. For those new to this story, be advised that this story was begun long before OotP was published.

This work has been created for entertainment and fan appreciation only. Thank you to all reviewers and readers! Happy Reading!