The Speaker and His Wraiths

A Seed of Suspicion

Chapter 68

Shifting Loyalties
It felt odd to stand unwelcome outside the Headmaster's Office, gargoyles refusing to move aside for him as they once did. In all the years Albus Dumbledore dedicated his work to Hogwarts, schooling the children in attendance and ensuring they grew to their highest potential, he'd never once stood before the gargoyles and had to speak a password. They acknowledged him as the true Headmaster all that time, Hogwarts herself respecting him as the leader of the school. But as he stood before them now, it seemed to no longer be so.

The Headmaster's Office was the only place in the castle Albus could find peace after so many years alive with life and knowledge weighing him down, stones tied to his ankles. Pacing in his office brought calm in that storm, and so he paced - day in, day out - always hunting that peace. Perhaps one day it could be his again, but that day was a long way off, it would seem.

"Audacious." Albus spoke softly. He watched, pensive as those familiar statues now freely moved to allow him entry, to reveal stairs curving upwards to the place that was no longer his.

He already knew Minerva's passwords would be long words most students couldn't pronounce, wouldn't know, or wouldn't guess. Smart, but cold. She never had the lightness, the sense of lighthearted fun that Albus tried so hard to share with his students. Minerva was a dedicated Professor, but she never had what Albus deemed necessary to truly lead the way a Headteacher did. Not that it particularly mattered anymore, what with their new arrangement, but he still pondered whenever reminded of it.

Albus quietly made his way up, brushing aside his thoughts as he reached the top and knocked lightly. At Minerva's clipped acknowledgement he pushed open the heavy door. His Office, which he'd loved and used for decades, was completely unrecognizable.

Minerva completely rearranged and set up the Headmaster's Office to her liking, mapping out a strange taste that clashed greatly with the image Albus himself portrayed all his years in office. Albus' silver instruments and clutter were gone, replaced by dark stained wood furniture and a soft fireplace along one wall with neat looking bookshelves placed around the room. She said the warmth and organization brought a homey feel to the place, though Albus wasn't so sure about that. It was a little concerning to him, especially considering how forceful she'd been about him moving out quickly. It seemed she was almost happy to be rid of him.

"Ah, Minerva." Albus smiled pleasantly as he stepped further inside. "I'd like a moment of your time, if I may intrude."

"If you must." Minerva barely looked up from where she sat behind a large desk, papers strewn across it a bit haphazardly. Despite the scattered look of it all, it seemed she'd done it purposefully as a form of misshapen organization. "Undoing the Educational Decrees and reorganizing the Quidditch teams has been taking up much of my time, plus start-of-term preparations on top of that have my hands full."

"I understand that well." Albus took the seat across from her, the desk standing between them, on the plush chair with a soft green cushion and yellow trim. An odd choice, but not one Albus cared enough to inquire about. "After all, being the Headteacher was my role for a very long time."

"I'm aware." Minerva set down her quill and finally gave him her attention. "What can I do for you, Albus?"

"I was merely wondering how everything was coming along." Albus smiled at her, "After so long being the Head of this school, I've been terribly worried about everything."

"I'm managing the responsibilities well, if that's what you're really asking." She raised an eyebrow at him, "As I told you before, I'm happy to keep you updated on the overall status of the school and the progress the students are making. I was appointed this position by Fudge himself, might I remind you, when I failed to convince him you were trustworthy. This was the best I could do, especially considering he wanted to put some Ministry official in this post instead of myself. I'd say this is not an unhappy outcome, wouldn't you agree?"