THE GIFT OF THE MAGI -- JK ROWLING AND ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

“Where are we going Albus?” Minerva looked worried. Albus hadn’t told where or why had he asked her to follow him. He had just said, “For something more important than my own life.”

“Albus Albus, is it too much to ask where we are heading towards?” Mcgonagall was impatient. She was not the kind that would entertain secrecy or even brevity.

“Ah Professor, the time shall come, and that very soon, when truth shall be apparent to you. But now is not the time. . We are heading ten miles northeast of Bristol.” Professor Dumbledore was not looking at Mcgonagall. He seemed to be humming -- a hint of his contemplative mood.

“That’s the muggle land, if I am not wrong, Albus?”

“It certainly is, Professor.”

“What business could we possibly have in a muggle land? I believe ministry has it taken care of.” Minerva was interrogative.

“Indeed. But this is purely for my own pleasure. I believe you have no trouble accompanying me.” Dumbledore left a smile. Minerva was not, in any manners, comfortable with that smile.

“I believe we are arriving soon.” Albus took out an old clock from his cloak. “Oh yes, we are.” He looked very curious. Minerva had never seen him so excited. He was patient all right but his patience radiated great enthusiasm. Albus looked young and vigorous.

They stopped near a cottage.

“Professor, you know what to do.” Albus spoke to Mcgonagall. She transfigured herself into a cat and jumped over the fence. She climbed up the window and saw a baby girl sleeping on the bed. No one was there in the room. The baby was just a few days old. As soon as she decided she should return and tell Albus, she was shocked to find Albus standing right behind her. She transfigured back to her human form.

“Good god Albus, you scare me!”

“This is the reason Professor, we are here.” Albus was looking at the girl. His eyes seemed very happy.

“Who is this girl?”

“Ah … someone more important than me myself.”

“I don’t get you at all Albus.”

“She will write about an important event, yet to take place … to the muggles of course.”

“What are you saying Albus … what incident … an.. and  … do you wish to reveal our society to muggles? You are wise man, you know the aftermath.”

“Ah I certainly do, Minerva. But this is crucial. She will write something vital to both communities -- a lesson that has long been overlooked.” Dumbledore was still staring at the baby girl. “And as to the risk of our exposure, you know the answer yourself, Professor.” Dumbledore smiled at Mcgonagall.

“But why are we here?”

“To gift her with a memory of the future; she shall, when time demands, remember this tale” Dumbledore touched her head, “and write it wonderfully.”

Dumbledore took out his wand. He gently touched his forehead with the tip of his wand and mumbled something. The tip of the wand glowed with bluish-silver light. It looked like a memory; yes it was Albus’s memory. He then spoke softly,” Expecto Patronum”

As soon as he muttered those words the silver light spread the whole room and gradually took shape of the phoenix. It flew around the room for some time and ended up in the heart of the little girl. She was still sleeping. Perhaps she was dreaming.

“It is about time that we leave her alone with her dreams, Professor.”

Dumbledore sighed.

“Why was it necessary Albus?” Minerva softened after witnessing tears twinkling in the eyes of Albus.

“For the greater good Professor, for the greater good.”