Post by Catwoman99 on Aug 6, 2004 1:25:44 GMT -5
A/N: This has been floating in my mind for a couple of weeks and even though I should be working on my other fics, I decided to go ahead and start this one. My own insane love of Las Vegas and the scene in "Sister Act" where Dame Maggie compares Reno to Sodom and Gomorrah are responisible for this story. I've got it all plotted out, plus my husband offered up some input of his own that I'll include as well. I haven't forgotten about my other fics, I just hit writer's block! They're coming along slowly but surely. Special thanks to TartanPhoenix for her pre-approval of this chapter. You rock!
-April :-)
Disclaimer: I own nothing. These are Jo Rowling's creations and I don't make any money off them.
Viva Las Vegas!
Chapter 1
‘Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
We are writing this letter to inform you that you have been selected to receive an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA! In an effort to attract more tourists from the magical community, we are offering you and a guest the opportunity to spend 3 days and 2 nights in our wonderful city. You may choose to stay at either “Pantheon,” our newest hotel catering to only the wizarding community, or “Excalibur”, a muggle hotel with an Arthurian theme. Also included in our special offer are a pair of tickets to any Las Vegas show of your choice and 3,000 US dollars to spend however you like.
We have included a small brochure highlighting the many things to do in the “city that never sleeps” and we hope to see you there! Please respond to this letter by July 1. Our travel agents are standing by to assist in your arrangements.
Best Regards,
Maximilian Golding
Director of Tourism,
US Ministry of Magic’
Albus Dumbledore excitedly opened up the enclosed brochure intrigued by how much there was to do. He had always wanted to go to Las Vegas, but never seemed to have the time. Now that Voldemort was gone, Albus decided that he could do with a few days of vacation. Who could I ask to come with me? He heard a knock at his office door and looked up in time to his deputy headmistress walk into the room. Aha!
“Good morning, Minerva!” he said cheerfully.
She eyed him with interest. “You are in an awfully good mood, Headmaster.”
Albus grinned like she just handed him a bag of sherbet lemons. “Why shouldn’t I be, my dear Professor McGonagall! Voldemort is no more and peace has been restored. We should be celebrating and I think I know just how to do it.” He held up the letter and brochure, handing them over for her to read.
Minerva looked up a few minutes later, her glasses perched on the end of her nose. She raised one eyebrow. “Really, Albus, you’re not thinking of going, are you?”
He was still grinning like mad. “Absolutely! It sounds like fun, besides it has been years since I’ve had a vacation. Would you want to join me?”
The way his blue eyes twinkled as he voiced his invitation made her heart beat a little faster. Since the demise of Voldemort, she found herself thinking of the man before her as more than just a colleague. A resurfacing of an old schoolgirl crush, if you will. If he ever found out, she knew she would die of embarrassment. She considered his offer, but had a few objections to the city.
“You know that this muggle city is a...veritable melting pot of moral degradation. Sodom and Gomorrah, need I say more?”
The headmaster chuckled to himself. “It is not entirely bad. There’s Madame Toussand’s Wax Museum and a place called Circus Circus. Sounds like a jolly good time.”
Minerva opened the brochure again. “Yes, yes, but you’re forgetting the Glitter Gulch and a show called Jubilee, in which the dancers run around without any tops on!”
“Minerva, really, where is your sense of adventure? Simply don’t go to those places. Now, what do you say?”
Unable to resist the look on his face, she relented. “Fine, Albus, I’ll go with you.”
Albus clapped his hands together and his grin got even bigger. “Splendid! I’ll send them my response straight away. Now, you needed to see me about something?”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minerva stood in the entrance hall waiting for Albus with her trusty tartan traveling bag at her feet. She still couldn’t believe that she agreed to go on this trip. They were going to apparate to the Ministry of Magic and pick up their portkey there. She heard the shuffling of feet behind her and turned to investigate. She wasn’t quite prepared for the sight that met her.
Albus was walking toward her dressed in a muggle Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts. His half-moon spectacles were turned into sunglasses and he had on white tennis shoes. She couldn’t suppress her giggle. “Albus, what on earth are you wearing?”
He turned in a circle, modeling his clothing. “I’m getting in the muggle spirit! You’ll have to dress like one too, my dear professor.” Before she could object, he was waving his wand over her robes. Her sensible black robes were replaced by a rather pretty floral-print sundress with a revealing neckline. Minerva looked down in shock. She pulled out her wand and adjusted it to a respectable height.
“Albus, what has gotten into you?”
He smiled. “Life, that’s all, my dear. Shall we head to the Ministry?”
Forty-five minutes later, the headmaster of Hogwarts and his deputy were standing in the offices of the Magical Tourism Agency in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
“Welcome to Las Vegas!” said a petite blonde witch. “My name is Leslie and I’ll be your concierge while you’re here. Since you’ve opted for the muggle package, I’ll tell you how to get to the hotel and how to check in. Also, if you have any questions or you want something arranged, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Leslie,” said Albus, cheerfully.
“Let’s go into my office.” Albus and Minerva followed the bubbly woman down a hallway and through a blue door. Leslie spent the next hour going over their stay. She then handed Albus a wallet that perpetually had two hundred dollars in it. “In the event that you lose the wallet or it’s stolen, you can get a replacement. The money will only appear if you or Mrs. Dumbledore open it, so any other person would see an empty wallet.”
“Oh, we’re not married. We’re just friends,” Minerva explained.
“My apologies then. Well, here are your passports that you can use as muggle identification and a map of the city. After you get settled in, you can call me at this number if you need anything.” She handed Albus her business card. “Don’t forget to let me know what show you’d like to go to.”
“Of course,” Albus said.
The taxi ride from the agency to Excalibur was, in Minerva’s opinion, frightening. There were so many cars and people on the road, but the man still drove like mad. Finally they made it to the hotel. This castle was nothing compared to Hogwarts, but Minerva found the blue and red spires quite charming.
“Splendid!” cried Albus, still in a very good mood despite the oppressive heat. Once they were inside, Albus and Minerva recovered quickly thanks to the wonders of air conditioning. “Ah, there’s check-in!”
“Good morning! Welcome to Excalibur! Do you have a reservation?” a man asked from behind the counter.
“Yes, we do. Here’s my passport. The reservation is in my name.” Albus handed him his identification. The man left for a few minutes and then returned with a packet of papers, a booklet of coupons, and two small cards that he called keys.
“You’re in Room 1232 on the twelfth floor. Enjoy your stay here at Excalibur.”
Minerva found a bellboy a few minutes later to help them with their luggage. Good thing because they never would have figured out how to open their hotel door if he hadn’t insisted upon opening it for them.
“Hope you like the room. If there’s anything you find unsatisfactory, just call the front desk,” said the young man.
As he was leaving, Minerva nudged Albus in the ribs. “Tip him!” she muttered.
“Here you go, lad,” Albus handed him a wadded up bill. “For your trouble.”
“Thanks!” The boy closed the door and soon Albus and Minerva heard a yelp of joy.
Minerva looked into the magic wallet and laughed. “I think you tipped him a hundred dollar bill!”
He looked sheepish. “Well, I must get some of these changed out into smaller bills, shouldn’t I.” Albus went into the bathroom to take a look around, while Minerva went into the sleeping area.
“Albus, we have a problem!”
He came rushing into the room to investigate. “What is it?”
“There seems to be only one bed.”
-April :-)
Disclaimer: I own nothing. These are Jo Rowling's creations and I don't make any money off them.
Viva Las Vegas!
Chapter 1
‘Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,
We are writing this letter to inform you that you have been selected to receive an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA! In an effort to attract more tourists from the magical community, we are offering you and a guest the opportunity to spend 3 days and 2 nights in our wonderful city. You may choose to stay at either “Pantheon,” our newest hotel catering to only the wizarding community, or “Excalibur”, a muggle hotel with an Arthurian theme. Also included in our special offer are a pair of tickets to any Las Vegas show of your choice and 3,000 US dollars to spend however you like.
We have included a small brochure highlighting the many things to do in the “city that never sleeps” and we hope to see you there! Please respond to this letter by July 1. Our travel agents are standing by to assist in your arrangements.
Best Regards,
Maximilian Golding
Director of Tourism,
US Ministry of Magic’
Albus Dumbledore excitedly opened up the enclosed brochure intrigued by how much there was to do. He had always wanted to go to Las Vegas, but never seemed to have the time. Now that Voldemort was gone, Albus decided that he could do with a few days of vacation. Who could I ask to come with me? He heard a knock at his office door and looked up in time to his deputy headmistress walk into the room. Aha!
“Good morning, Minerva!” he said cheerfully.
She eyed him with interest. “You are in an awfully good mood, Headmaster.”
Albus grinned like she just handed him a bag of sherbet lemons. “Why shouldn’t I be, my dear Professor McGonagall! Voldemort is no more and peace has been restored. We should be celebrating and I think I know just how to do it.” He held up the letter and brochure, handing them over for her to read.
Minerva looked up a few minutes later, her glasses perched on the end of her nose. She raised one eyebrow. “Really, Albus, you’re not thinking of going, are you?”
He was still grinning like mad. “Absolutely! It sounds like fun, besides it has been years since I’ve had a vacation. Would you want to join me?”
The way his blue eyes twinkled as he voiced his invitation made her heart beat a little faster. Since the demise of Voldemort, she found herself thinking of the man before her as more than just a colleague. A resurfacing of an old schoolgirl crush, if you will. If he ever found out, she knew she would die of embarrassment. She considered his offer, but had a few objections to the city.
“You know that this muggle city is a...veritable melting pot of moral degradation. Sodom and Gomorrah, need I say more?”
The headmaster chuckled to himself. “It is not entirely bad. There’s Madame Toussand’s Wax Museum and a place called Circus Circus. Sounds like a jolly good time.”
Minerva opened the brochure again. “Yes, yes, but you’re forgetting the Glitter Gulch and a show called Jubilee, in which the dancers run around without any tops on!”
“Minerva, really, where is your sense of adventure? Simply don’t go to those places. Now, what do you say?”
Unable to resist the look on his face, she relented. “Fine, Albus, I’ll go with you.”
Albus clapped his hands together and his grin got even bigger. “Splendid! I’ll send them my response straight away. Now, you needed to see me about something?”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minerva stood in the entrance hall waiting for Albus with her trusty tartan traveling bag at her feet. She still couldn’t believe that she agreed to go on this trip. They were going to apparate to the Ministry of Magic and pick up their portkey there. She heard the shuffling of feet behind her and turned to investigate. She wasn’t quite prepared for the sight that met her.
Albus was walking toward her dressed in a muggle Hawaiian shirt and khaki shorts. His half-moon spectacles were turned into sunglasses and he had on white tennis shoes. She couldn’t suppress her giggle. “Albus, what on earth are you wearing?”
He turned in a circle, modeling his clothing. “I’m getting in the muggle spirit! You’ll have to dress like one too, my dear professor.” Before she could object, he was waving his wand over her robes. Her sensible black robes were replaced by a rather pretty floral-print sundress with a revealing neckline. Minerva looked down in shock. She pulled out her wand and adjusted it to a respectable height.
“Albus, what has gotten into you?”
He smiled. “Life, that’s all, my dear. Shall we head to the Ministry?”
Forty-five minutes later, the headmaster of Hogwarts and his deputy were standing in the offices of the Magical Tourism Agency in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
“Welcome to Las Vegas!” said a petite blonde witch. “My name is Leslie and I’ll be your concierge while you’re here. Since you’ve opted for the muggle package, I’ll tell you how to get to the hotel and how to check in. Also, if you have any questions or you want something arranged, just let me know.”
“Thank you, Leslie,” said Albus, cheerfully.
“Let’s go into my office.” Albus and Minerva followed the bubbly woman down a hallway and through a blue door. Leslie spent the next hour going over their stay. She then handed Albus a wallet that perpetually had two hundred dollars in it. “In the event that you lose the wallet or it’s stolen, you can get a replacement. The money will only appear if you or Mrs. Dumbledore open it, so any other person would see an empty wallet.”
“Oh, we’re not married. We’re just friends,” Minerva explained.
“My apologies then. Well, here are your passports that you can use as muggle identification and a map of the city. After you get settled in, you can call me at this number if you need anything.” She handed Albus her business card. “Don’t forget to let me know what show you’d like to go to.”
“Of course,” Albus said.
The taxi ride from the agency to Excalibur was, in Minerva’s opinion, frightening. There were so many cars and people on the road, but the man still drove like mad. Finally they made it to the hotel. This castle was nothing compared to Hogwarts, but Minerva found the blue and red spires quite charming.
“Splendid!” cried Albus, still in a very good mood despite the oppressive heat. Once they were inside, Albus and Minerva recovered quickly thanks to the wonders of air conditioning. “Ah, there’s check-in!”
“Good morning! Welcome to Excalibur! Do you have a reservation?” a man asked from behind the counter.
“Yes, we do. Here’s my passport. The reservation is in my name.” Albus handed him his identification. The man left for a few minutes and then returned with a packet of papers, a booklet of coupons, and two small cards that he called keys.
“You’re in Room 1232 on the twelfth floor. Enjoy your stay here at Excalibur.”
Minerva found a bellboy a few minutes later to help them with their luggage. Good thing because they never would have figured out how to open their hotel door if he hadn’t insisted upon opening it for them.
“Hope you like the room. If there’s anything you find unsatisfactory, just call the front desk,” said the young man.
As he was leaving, Minerva nudged Albus in the ribs. “Tip him!” she muttered.
“Here you go, lad,” Albus handed him a wadded up bill. “For your trouble.”
“Thanks!” The boy closed the door and soon Albus and Minerva heard a yelp of joy.
Minerva looked into the magic wallet and laughed. “I think you tipped him a hundred dollar bill!”
He looked sheepish. “Well, I must get some of these changed out into smaller bills, shouldn’t I.” Albus went into the bathroom to take a look around, while Minerva went into the sleeping area.
“Albus, we have a problem!”
He came rushing into the room to investigate. “What is it?”
“There seems to be only one bed.”
Great first chapter. Minerva -right and proper- McGonagall in the Sin City, followed by a *very* amused headmaster. I can't wait to see what happens next. ;D
show girls??? Wheeeee I can't wait for that one. Great update!
I like the bit about the taxis!
