The Curse of the Giggling Goblin

-Dumbledore-

"How have you been managing, Minerva?" Albus inquired, sitting down at the Gryffindor table.

McGonagall's eyebrow twitched. "So far I have seen my desk covered in mud, had to endure a nauseating discussion between Lavender and Parvati about which boys they fancy this week, and Hermione's cat left a half-chewed mouse on my bed. So, Albus, I have not been managing very well," she snapped. "I think I'll be completely mad by the end of the week."

Dumbledore patted her shoulder gently, noticing her flinch. "Things will get easier, my friend. Cheer up, and try to enjoy yourself. Personally, I'm finding it rather invigorating to be youthful again, to not feel stiff and sore when I wake up in the morning."

"Yes, well, that's one positive thing, but I doubt this will become easier as the week progresses."

"Don't be so pessimistic, Minerva. I would say that the spell is working just as it should, and by the end of the week I'm sure we'll all return to normal with a new appreciation for the trials and tribulations of being students," he explained, standing up from the table. "After dinner, perhaps we could go for a walk?"

Minerva gulped, her cheeks turning an odd shade of pink. "I suppose."

"Excellent. See you in a while, then." He slowly walked over to the Slytherin table, settling down next to Severus. The dark-haired boy narrowed his eyes at him before turning back to his plate.

"What do you want?" Snape grumbled through a mouthful of potatoes.

"To see how you're doing. I'm guessing that your classes did not go well today?"

"The Weasleys made a mockery of my lesson plan, it was humiliating."

"Severus, once the week is over you will resume teaching and instilling fear in your students once more. For now, think of this as a vacation."

Snape growled. "You know what I think? I think you know exactly how to reverse this spell, but you're not doing it because this is all one big joke to you. Do you get some sort of twisted glee out of watching us make fools of ourselves?"

Albus frowned. "Absolutely not. I do not know how to reverse the spell, but even if I did I would refuse to do it. This is an opportunity, not a curse. I think that all of us, myself included, need to learn a thing or two before we're completely out of touch with the students. Things are much different now than when we were young, Severus."

Severus glared at him. "Look, I can't take this, I don't want to be sixteen again. Can't you at least excuse me from classes? I don't want to suffer through Potions with the Weasleys anymore, or listen to Trelawney's babbling about the oh-so-mystical heavens above."

"Ah yes...I had forgotten about that for a moment. Sybil expects you and Harry to serve your detentions this evening at six o'clock. I'm sorry, Severus, but if I make an exception for you I will have to do so for everyone."

"You're not serious! You expect me to go to detention with Potter? This is absurd!"

"I've made my decision, Severus. If you have further issues we can discuss them later in my office."

Snape growled and lunged at him, but Albus jumped out of the way of his fist, causing Severus to lose his balance and fall off the bench. "Attempting to pummel me won't make you feel any better, my friend."

"Oh? I think it will!" Severus snarled, getting to his feet. Albus shook his head and walked away, leaving Severus seething.

After dinner, Dumbledore slumped into his favorite chair, exhausted. Although he was quite powerful already at the age of sixteen, he was still having difficulties keeping things under control. For a moment he felt guilty, since many of the professors were having troubles, but after much deliberation he decided it was for the best. Things would be difficult, but they would pass.

He stroked his beardless chin, cringing as he imagined Snape and Harry in detention. Naturally they would blame each other for their troubles, and Albus sincerely hoped they would avoid strangling each other. Perhaps, he thought, the experience would be good for them.

Albus looked at the clock, wondering where Minerva had gotten to. A knock on the door told him that someone had arrived, but when he opened the door Hagrid stepped through. "Hullo there, Professor Dumbledore," the large young man greeted.

"Well, good evening, Hagrid. What can I do for you?" Albus replied, leaning against his desk.

"I'm tryin' to help out Firenze, actually. He's gone a bit funny, 'specially since he can't go runnin' through the woods on account of attractin' unwanted attention and all."

"So he's having difficulties adjusting to being a...foal again?"

"Sort of. Y'see, apparently now's their, er, mating season, the centaurs."

"Oh dear. Perhaps Madam Pomfrey can prescribe something for that. And how are you doing, Rubeus? Some of the professors aren't feeling their best."

"I'm doin' alright, I guess. Nice to 'ave a bit of a break, really."

Dumbledore nodded. "That must be nice. I've hardly had time to sit down, myself."

"I mean ter ask yeh somethin', though...are yeh findin' it weird to not have a beard anymore? Y'know, like one day it's there, then suddenly it's just gone?"

Albus scratched his chin. "Yes. I spent quite some time working on my beard, and just when it had become particularly magnificent, it disappeared. At the same time, however, it's nice not to worry about it getting caught in a door or tripping over it."

"Yeah, at least yeh've never had birds try to make nests in it. Once we're back to normal, I might just cut it all off," Hagrid mused.

"No, no, don't cut it off, the beard makes you who you are, just like mine does."

"Yeh think I'd look silly without it? See, you could get rid of yours, yeh look a lot like Bill Weasley without it. Anyway, I've gotta get back and feed the Thestrals. Have a good night."

"Good night, Hagrid," Albus replied, and went to wait by the door for Minerva, who was unusually late.