Title: A Convenient Fiction

Author: Morgan72uk

Rating: T

Summary: The Governors have decided that the new Headmaster of Hogwarts has to be married. This is going to get complicated.

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters, don't have any money.

A/N - I know it's a fanfiction cliche. But the idea for this story wouldn't leave me alone.

A Convenient Fiction - Part 1

"I assume this is an attempt at humour?" The voice was deceptively mild and had Armando Dippet not known the man standing before him he would likely have made the grievous error of not taking the comment seriously. But, the Headmaster of Hogwarts had known his Deputy for many years – and he only needed to look at Albus Dumbledore to see the barely suppressed rage glinting in his eyes.

"Albus, I assure you the Governors are entirely serious." He gestured to the scroll that lay open on his desk where it had been discarded in irritation only moments before. "You are their favoured candidate to become Headmaster when I retire at the end of the school year. But, they also insist that the next Head of this school is married."

"They are being ridiculous." Armando didn't disagree – but he was too discrete to respond to the comment. Instead he said mildly,

"They are concerned about the potential for scandal."

"I have never behaved inappropriately. My private life is just that – private. I am deeply insulted by the implication that my marital status is more important than my character."

"I know," he sighed, "and I'm sorry. I did argue your case – but there have been changes in the Board of Governors over the last few years. I don't think I took account of how deeply conservative they had become."

He watched with concern as Albus walked to the windows of the Headmaster's study and gazed out at the sprawling grounds. He believed that the man standing before him was the only person who could succeed him – and he also believed that the school desperately needed Dumbledore's leadership. But, the Governors had been adamant and Albus' reaction had been all too predictable. There didn't seem to be any way out of this mess.

"There must be a way," he said, hoping to engage the formidable Dumbledore brain in problem solving. "Arranged marriages are not common these days – but perhaps, in this situation…?"

"I have never been comfortable with the idea of having a wife picked for me – of having someone chosen because of bloodlines, or family connections."

"And yet, it could be the solution to your problems."

"I am not marrying someone just to get this job Armando – I'm sorry, but I intend to tell the Governors that I am withdrawing my application to become Headmaster."

"Just take some time – think about it. There must be a solution – I don't wish to pry into your personal life, I know how private you are and I know that you worry that any woman you become involved with will become a target for your enemies. But I have to ask, is there someone you're close to, romantically?"

"There's no one." Dumbledore said firmly and although Dippet didn't quite believe his swift denial, he decided to leave the subject alone.

"Just give yourself a few days Albus, please. I am sure you know how keen I am for you to be my successor. There has to be a way my friend – and we will find it." Albus nodded, but as he left the study his shoulders were slumped in defeat.

"That's the most stupid thing I have ever heard!" Minerva had greeted the news of the Governors' decision with an outrage that was most gratifying. He was normally amused when she let her temper show from behind the formidable barriers of her strict persona and, despite the predicament he found himself in, he couldn't quite stop himself from smiling

"I fear your opportunity to take over from me as Transfiguration Professor may be postponed indefinitely my dear."

"Albus, you know I don't care about that."

"But your career," he murmured, thinking of someone else for the first time in an hour. After all, he had lured her here with the promise that if he were to become Headmaster the post he currently occupied would likely become hers – and though she might deny it, he was sure she had every intention of replacing him as Head of Gryffindor as well.

"If it comes to it, there will be a vacancy to teach Transfiguration at Durmstrang in a couple of years. I am sure the Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts would give me an excellent reference."

"I believe he would." But the thought of her so far away, was not one he was comfortable with. He had taught her, briefly, as a student – before leaving to take up the fight against Grindelwald. When he returned she had graduated and he had given little thought to her until a friend had asked him to become a thesis advisor to a most promising postgraduate student.

He had been delighted to discover the student in question had attended Hogwarts – and the time he spent supervising her thesis had been both enjoyable and challenging. He had followed her subsequent academic career with great interest, they had corresponded often and she had consulted him on both of the papers she had published to what constituted great acclaim in the academic circles of the wizarding world. Only when she had come to teach at Hogwarts almost ten years ago had they really got to know each other as anything approaching equals and now he considered her his closest friend and confidante.

"What is the Headmaster planning to do to rectify this situation?" She asked – disturbing his reverie.

"He isn't sure – the Governors are, apparently, not to be swayed. I refuse to consider an arranged marriage – it would seem we are at an impasse."

"Not quite." He looked at her, inquiringly, wondering what she could possibly have thought of that both he and Armando had missed. "You could marry me." It was the first time in years that Albus Dumbledore had found himself at a loss for words.

TBC