Post by ginger newts on Dec 25, 2004 15:41:44 GMT -5
The plot bunnies finally started hoping last night as I froze to death, so Merry Christmas all. (It was a tough call between the two suggestions for titles, thanks to Clayre and Miss Q for ideas.)
Albus Dumbledore walked lightly down the chilly stone corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with the light from his wand added to the gleaming yellow torch light. It was just after midnight and he had finally finished his work, leaving him free to spend the next day, Christmas Day, however he wished. This year, that meant spending the entire day with his deputy headmistress and, as of two months ago, his sweetheart. He hoped Minerva would still be awake, he was on his way to invite her over first thing in the morning so they could open their Christmas gifts together. Albus knew he could have sent his phoenix Fawkes with a message, but he wanted to see her one last time before he fell asleep.
When he finally reached her door, Albus’ knock was answered with a muffled “come in” so he entered and made his way through the darkened sitting room to stand in the open doorway to the bedroom. All that could be seen of Minerva were her eyes above the covers and a shivering ball beneath.
“Sorry I didn’t get up to answer the door,” she said, “but it’s too cold out there. Actually, it’s cold in here as well.”
Before she could say anything else, Albus had removed his slippers and dressing gown and climbed into bed next to her. As he wrapped his arms around her slender form and pulled her flush against his chest, Minerva teased him that she had never seen him move so fast.
“Ah, my dear, the prospect of sharing a bed with you would light a fire under the slowest of men,” he answered with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he leaned down for a gentle kiss.
After several more kisses Minerva felt much warmer and she stretched contentedly before snuggling back into Albus’ embrace and pillowing her head on his beard.
Albus dropped a tender kiss on the top of her head and asked, “What’s your favorite thing about Christmas?”
“Honestly?” she blushed and smiled. “It has always been watching you at Christmas lunch. You look so joyful, more excited than some of the students even, especially when you pull the crackers. What about you, what’s your favorite part of Christmas?”
“Seeing you loosen up a little, if only for a short while,” he answered, running his fingers through her long dark hair. “You always seem to relax a bit on Christmas day.”
“I suppose even discipline has to take a holiday,” she said dryly.
Albus chuckled, “Well I hope tomorrow you’ll be nice and relaxed because I plan to spend the whole day making sure you’re enjoying yourself, but for now sleep.”
After one last good night kiss, the now warm couple settled down to sleep for the night.
Minerva woke the next morning feeling warm and happy, but also aware of someone watching her. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up and directly into the twinkling blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.
“Good morning, love,” he greeted her with a smile. “I trust you slept well?”
“Good morning, and yes I had a very good night’s sleep,” she answered, burrowing farther under the covers and into his embrace as the first of the cold morning air met her skin.
Minerva tucked her feet in between Albus’ calves for warmth and he jumped, it was like having two blocks of ice thrown into his bed. “Minerva!” he exclaimed. “Warn a man before you do that.”
She smiled, “Sorry, but you’re radiating so much warmth, I couldn’t help it.”
“Well why don’t we get up and get some slippers on those lovely little feet and then open our presents?” he offered.
“Can we eat first?” she asked. Minerva could never skip a morning meal; no matter how many evening meals she might miss, she always had to eat in the morning. However, knowing that the Christmas lunch would be enormous, she only asked the house elf that Albus had summoned to bring tea, toast, and fruit.
Albus had that same elf bring his gifts from his room to Minerva’s and after they ate they moved into her sitting room to see what they had been given this year. Albus’ boyish enthusiasm was contagious and Minerva found herself laughing more that morning that she had in a long time. Much of her laughter was directed at the garish multicolored socks from the Flamels that Albus got so excited about. They both unwrapped a number of books and the usual cat and phoenix figurines. Each had an entire shelf in his or her office dedicated to such items, both were overflowing.
They had saved their gifts to each other for last and after everything else had been cleaned up and banished to its proper home they settled down to exchange the last of the gayly wrapped packages. Minerva had given Albus a new set of robes in midnight blue with silver moons and shooting stars along with a matching pair of socks and hat. She also bought him a large bag of his favorite Muggle sweet, sherbet lemons. He gave her a floor-length silk nightgown in Gryffindor red with matching slippers and a beautiful gold necklace with a teardrop emerald pendant.
Soon after they finished with presents it was time to dress for lunch and when Albus returned to escort Minerva to the Great Hall he was wearing his new outfit. She met him at the door and asked for assistance with her new necklace. As he hooked the clasp for her, his long fingers brushed lightly over the nape of her neck and Minerva shivered. Seeing this, Albus leaned down and left a trail of feather light kisses from her right ear to her shoulder, causing Minerva to shiver again in delight.
Turning, she placed her hands on his chest and scolded him with a smile, “If you want to make it to lunch then you should stop that right now.”
Albus smiled and kissed her lips softly before offering her his arm to walk to lunch in the Great Hall. “To be continued,” he whispered in her ear as the door closed behind them and they set off down the corridor.
The End
Albus Dumbledore walked lightly down the chilly stone corridors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with the light from his wand added to the gleaming yellow torch light. It was just after midnight and he had finally finished his work, leaving him free to spend the next day, Christmas Day, however he wished. This year, that meant spending the entire day with his deputy headmistress and, as of two months ago, his sweetheart. He hoped Minerva would still be awake, he was on his way to invite her over first thing in the morning so they could open their Christmas gifts together. Albus knew he could have sent his phoenix Fawkes with a message, but he wanted to see her one last time before he fell asleep.
When he finally reached her door, Albus’ knock was answered with a muffled “come in” so he entered and made his way through the darkened sitting room to stand in the open doorway to the bedroom. All that could be seen of Minerva were her eyes above the covers and a shivering ball beneath.
“Sorry I didn’t get up to answer the door,” she said, “but it’s too cold out there. Actually, it’s cold in here as well.”
Before she could say anything else, Albus had removed his slippers and dressing gown and climbed into bed next to her. As he wrapped his arms around her slender form and pulled her flush against his chest, Minerva teased him that she had never seen him move so fast.
“Ah, my dear, the prospect of sharing a bed with you would light a fire under the slowest of men,” he answered with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he leaned down for a gentle kiss.
After several more kisses Minerva felt much warmer and she stretched contentedly before snuggling back into Albus’ embrace and pillowing her head on his beard.
Albus dropped a tender kiss on the top of her head and asked, “What’s your favorite thing about Christmas?”
“Honestly?” she blushed and smiled. “It has always been watching you at Christmas lunch. You look so joyful, more excited than some of the students even, especially when you pull the crackers. What about you, what’s your favorite part of Christmas?”
“Seeing you loosen up a little, if only for a short while,” he answered, running his fingers through her long dark hair. “You always seem to relax a bit on Christmas day.”
“I suppose even discipline has to take a holiday,” she said dryly.
Albus chuckled, “Well I hope tomorrow you’ll be nice and relaxed because I plan to spend the whole day making sure you’re enjoying yourself, but for now sleep.”
After one last good night kiss, the now warm couple settled down to sleep for the night.
Minerva woke the next morning feeling warm and happy, but also aware of someone watching her. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up and directly into the twinkling blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.
“Good morning, love,” he greeted her with a smile. “I trust you slept well?”
“Good morning, and yes I had a very good night’s sleep,” she answered, burrowing farther under the covers and into his embrace as the first of the cold morning air met her skin.
Minerva tucked her feet in between Albus’ calves for warmth and he jumped, it was like having two blocks of ice thrown into his bed. “Minerva!” he exclaimed. “Warn a man before you do that.”
She smiled, “Sorry, but you’re radiating so much warmth, I couldn’t help it.”
“Well why don’t we get up and get some slippers on those lovely little feet and then open our presents?” he offered.
“Can we eat first?” she asked. Minerva could never skip a morning meal; no matter how many evening meals she might miss, she always had to eat in the morning. However, knowing that the Christmas lunch would be enormous, she only asked the house elf that Albus had summoned to bring tea, toast, and fruit.
Albus had that same elf bring his gifts from his room to Minerva’s and after they ate they moved into her sitting room to see what they had been given this year. Albus’ boyish enthusiasm was contagious and Minerva found herself laughing more that morning that she had in a long time. Much of her laughter was directed at the garish multicolored socks from the Flamels that Albus got so excited about. They both unwrapped a number of books and the usual cat and phoenix figurines. Each had an entire shelf in his or her office dedicated to such items, both were overflowing.
They had saved their gifts to each other for last and after everything else had been cleaned up and banished to its proper home they settled down to exchange the last of the gayly wrapped packages. Minerva had given Albus a new set of robes in midnight blue with silver moons and shooting stars along with a matching pair of socks and hat. She also bought him a large bag of his favorite Muggle sweet, sherbet lemons. He gave her a floor-length silk nightgown in Gryffindor red with matching slippers and a beautiful gold necklace with a teardrop emerald pendant.
Soon after they finished with presents it was time to dress for lunch and when Albus returned to escort Minerva to the Great Hall he was wearing his new outfit. She met him at the door and asked for assistance with her new necklace. As he hooked the clasp for her, his long fingers brushed lightly over the nape of her neck and Minerva shivered. Seeing this, Albus leaned down and left a trail of feather light kisses from her right ear to her shoulder, causing Minerva to shiver again in delight.
Turning, she placed her hands on his chest and scolded him with a smile, “If you want to make it to lunch then you should stop that right now.”
Albus smiled and kissed her lips softly before offering her his arm to walk to lunch in the Great Hall. “To be continued,” he whispered in her ear as the door closed behind them and they set off down the corridor.
The End
I just thought it was a nice ending comment, teases Minerva and leaves you to imagine what happens later. Glad everyone enjoyed it.
x
