The Bride Cometh

Chapter 14

Few objects have ever been scrutinized by so many narrowed eyes and with such intensity as the school's deputy while settling to rights the headmaster's office just after breakfast.

"Here you are, Fawkes, a morning treat."

The phoenix gobbled the strip of bacon while leaning eagerly into the deputy's stroking fingers.

"I suppose it is you and I for the weekend then."

Fawkes chirped once and shook his head.

"I suppose you wanted to go with them to Salzburg."

Fawkes spread his wings seemingly restless.

"Oh, I'm sure you would have been made welcome in Ingrid's household. EVERYONE is made welcome in fact."

Several portraits exchanged questioning glances.

"Ah, Minerva, what do you mean?

Minerva did not respond nor made any sign that she had heard the question.

"Oh, Armando, cease your worrying, I doubt that Minerva would knowingly send Albus into harm's way. Ingrid is her cousin after all."

Minerva sat down in headmaster's chair. She swiveled turning her back on the portraits.

"I suppose so, Phineas. It is just that Albus is such a trusting man. I take it you have known Ingrid from childhood, Minerva?"

A slight murmur neither affirmative nor negative issued from the chair.

"Miss Bennett seems to meet all of Albus' requirements, doesn't she?"

A hand waved carelessly in the air in answer.

"That is fortunate. She was most solicitous of his needs. I am sure that she will see to all his comforts."

A slight ladylike snort issued from behind the chair.

"What was that, Minerva? These old ears are not what they once were."

Minerva stretched her arms high in the air. Her lips formed an impish smile.

#

With Ingrid's hand secure in the crook of his arm, Albus smiled genially as they made the rounds of the luncheon guests. He noted the numerous approving glances and comments he and Ingrid were receiving.

"Thank you for indulging my many relatives, Albus. They are so used to just popping in whenever. And mother goes all out on her table, doesn't she?"

Albus patted her arm.

"Soon, I promise, we will have time just to ourselves."

His smile shone like the sun.

"I shall be sure to reward your graciousness."

Albus leaned in for her quick kiss.

"Ah, darling, Ingrid, when I saw yours and Albus' picture in the paper I nearly fainted. I just had to come here today to see for myself."

Albus nodded towards Ingrid's elegantly fashionable Aunt Astrid.

"I never imagined that my beautiful niece would know such an exalted and wise person."

Ingrid's cousin Rodney slapped Albus gently on the back.

"Albus, you have truly found the jewel of the family. Wouldn't you agree, Aunt?"

Ingrid ducked her head modestly.

"Oh, yes, Rodney, my sweet boy, Ingrid's generosity is quite singular."

Albus snaked a hand around Ingrid's waist and grinned as Ingrid's cousin Fortis, a reporter for Paris Wizard Match, took a group picture.

"This should just make the latest edition of the magazine, cousin Ingrid. How about another?"

Rodney applied his stock in trade to artistically arrange Ingrid's flowing blond locks to even more stunning effect. They all leaned in for Fortis' second shot.

"A very handsome group. I'm sure even the Daily Prophet would be interested in this. Would you mind, headmaster, if I sold a piece with this picture to them?"

Ingrid laid her head on Albus' shoulder and sighed contentedly. Albus cheerfully agreed.

"How did you two meet? Ingrid doesn't move in your circles and vice versa."

Rodney and Astrid looked on with intense interest.

"Actually, Fortis, it's all due to Minerva."

Albus' eyes twinkled and he smiled widely.

"Minerva?"

Albus frowned seeing the puzzled looks all around.

"Minerva McGonagall, Aunt Astrid, you remember her, surely. The Scottish branch of the family you know."

Aunt Astrid closed her eyes in memory. Albus' right arm slid off Ingrid's slim waist.

"Let me see. She's the bookish tomboy forever tramping about outdoors, yes?"

Albus' eyes crinkled as an image of a coltish young Minerva climbing trees came to mind.

"That is Minerva. She's a teacher at Albus' school."

"Is she now. Miranda rarely comes to family gatherings. It's hard to remember."

Albus' eyes narrowed toward Astrid. Rodney gasped and very dramatically rubbed his temples as if soothing old past pains.

"My blessed stars! She's that … that bridesmaid who hexed me at cousin Tirla's wedding for styling her hair properly. I wanted the bridesmaids to have the same style. She had such lustrous soft hair, too."

Albus breathed deeply as his mind filled with the memory of a scantily clad woman with raven locks falling down to her shapely and probably firm derriere.

"Hair or no, Rodney, it hardly matters. That side of the family is so plain. Their tartans are their sole fashion statement."

Albus' annoyance intensified and the pleasant image dissolved. Ingrid's soft almost musical laugh reached his ears.

" I doubt that there is much call for fashion at a school. The McGonagalls put more stock on duty and honor as we all know."

Subconsciously his shoulders set themselves back as if preparing for battle.

"Well, Miranda doesn't hold a candle to our Ingrid. I tell you, Albus, I know no one else who is more gracious and pleasing. Ingrid is simply wonderful."

Albus took a step away from Ingrid and took a deep, cleansing breath.

"As Ingrid said, Minerva is a teacher at Hogwarts. Every one of Minerva's students is a credit to her dedication and skill. I doubt that any other teacher anywhere is remembered with as much fondness and admiration as Minerva undoubtedly is. Ingrid, you saw how well regarded Minerva is, didn't you?"

Astrid seemed taken aback by this unexpected and extremely staunch defense. Ingrid said nothing. Rodney gaped.

"If it were not for Minerva's help, I would not have had the time to spend with you. Wouldn't you say?"

Ingrid took Albus' hand into hers.

"If you will excuse as, Aunt Astrid, Rodney, I feel a need for some refreshment."

Albus allowed himself to be pulled away but his general annoyance was clearly evident on his face and form.

#

Mid-afternoon at Hogwarts saw the return of the Headmaster. Minerva looked up from her spot on the floor surrounded by piles of parchment. She had discovered that Albus' file system was once again in disarray.

"Albus! I thought you would be gone all the weekend."

Albus took off his cloak and promptly dropped it on one of the chairs.

"Aunt Astrid says hello."

Minerva rolled her eyes.

"That old useless busybody. You met her?"

Albus nodded then extended a hand to help pull Minerva up to her feet.

"You're wonderful, Minerva, just the way you are."

Minerva looked puzzled.

"I just wanted to say that."

Minerva placed a hand on Albus' forehead.

"You don't seem to have a temperature."

Albus stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"I have realized, Minerva, that outward physical courage is overrated. I much appreciate moral courage."

Albus summoned a house elf.

"Shall we have tea, Minerva? I find I have a touch of indigestion that only a few scones will cure."