Post by Karlynne on Dec 6, 2004 1:32:35 GMT -5
Challenge #14 response
Albus Dumbledore shivered as he returned to his office. The Hogwarts Express had left with the entire student body and all the professors, save one, for the winter holidays. It wasn’t normal that every child left the castle but many of the wards protecting the castle needed strengthening and it was decided not to wait until summer but to do as much as possible now. Voldemort had resurfaced and the ministry felt no chances should be taken.
Albus blew on his hands trying to warm them up. He could have cast a warming charm but he was so tired. It was draining working on the wards and only he and Minerva were left to do the work.
He felt bad that Minerva would miss out on her holiday with her sister and brother-in-law. She hadn’t been able to visit with them last Christmas either. The thought of Minerva filled him with warmth no charm could compete with and he wondered again what to buy her for Christmas. Everything he saw seemed unworthy of her.
Loving her as he did made him spend extra time each year thinking of just the perfect gift. Since they would share the holiday alone this year he wanted to make it extra special.
Minerva McGonagall was walking through the castle in her animagus form. She was much warmer as a cat. She was happy Albus requested she stay behind. She had never been in the castle alone with him before and the thought of three weeks working closely together thrilled her to no end.
He had already invited her to dinner in his chambers on Christmas Eve and Minerva hoped the new robes she purchased would make him look at her in a new light. She hurried to her rooms. Magic would return in full force to the castle by morning but for now she would have to bury herself beneath several quilts in order to be warm enough to sleep.
Albus and Minerva worked hard each day for an entire week before finishing the strengthening of the wards. Anything else would have to wait until summer. Minerva gratefully accepted the cup of tea he offered and they journeyed to his office in companionable silence.
“Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, Minerva. Have you finished your shopping?” He passed her a teacup and watched her add a drop of milk to her tea. He added three lumps of sugar to his own and stirred gently.
“Yes, finished, wrapped, and delivered. I hope you didn’t wait until the last moment again, Albus. Your gifts were quite tardy last year. Some didn’t receive them until noon.” She cast a stern look at him but her eyes were smiling.
“My dear, I only wanted to make sure my gifts stood out from among so many others. I bet everyone remembered my gifts.” His eyes twinkled in return. “Unfortunately, unlike you, I will spend tomorrow wrapping gifts and sending them off.”
Minerva was disappointed. She had hoped to spend the day with him either playing chess before a fire or walking the grounds. They finished their tea and agreed upon Minerva arriving at six the next evening.
Albus spent the entire day casting spells on his sitting room. He had the house elves bring in a dining table sized for two along with a beautiful china and silver. He decorated the room in reds and greens with snippets of gold. He placed a beautifully decorated tree in one corner and cleared an entire wall of the room.
He enchanted the entire wall to depict the Highlands of Scotland covered in snow. Tiny snowflakes fell in the picture and in the room. A wave of his wand made soft music play in the background. Minerva’s favorite song, “It Came upon a Midnight Clear,” could be heard on flute and lyre.
For the final touch he hung two stockings on the mantle. The red one was embroidered with his name and the green one with hers.
He opened the door at her knock and smiled as she gazed around the room. Her eyes locked on the enchanted wall depicting the Highlands.
“It’s beautiful, Albus.” Tears stood in her eyes as she watched the hills from her hometown shine in the moonlight.
Albus thought she looked so beautiful. She wore deep red robes and with the snow falling she was a picture of loveliness.
“You are beautiful, Minerva. You look absolutely wonderful.” She had worn her hair in an elaborate twist that softened her features and framed her face.
Minerva smiled as she saw the appreciation in his eyes.
“I thought the best gift would be what you loved most. Happy Christmas, Minerva.”
“You charmed your wall for me?”
“Yes, it will be here the entire year so you’ll be able to visit any time you wish.”
Minerva blushed as her mind thought of the possibilities.
Albus served eggnog before dinner and soon they were laughing and telling stories of Christmas mishaps from earlier years. Minerva’s face was flushed and Albus couldn’t stop himself from staring. He wanted to tell her how much he was enjoying their time together when he felt the snapping sounds of the wards malfunctioning.
“It’s nothing serious, my dear. It can wait until tomorrow.” He concentrated on the wards and discovered they were still intact. “I’m sure it’s just a glitch. Shall we eat?”
He offered his hand and led Minerva to the table.
“This is beautiful. You must thank the house elves. They did a wonderful job.”
He helped her to her seat and took his own. “I think I should stop the snow while we eat.” He raised his wand but somehow instead of stopping the snow increased. He frowned and tried again. It continued to snow and now it was no longer disappearing upon contact.
Minerva reached into her own robe and pulled out her wand. “Perhaps you’ve had too much eggnog, Albus. Allow me.” She waved her wand and the snow turned into ice.
Albus burst into laughter. “You’ve made the room cold. I’ll turn up the fire.” The roar in the fireplace was louder than he expected and he looked at Minerva.
Before either could speak the ice falling down on them turned into water. The heat from the fire was melting the ice. Albus tried casting another spell but it too backfired. Minerva was covering the food and trying to cast an impervious charm on her robes.
Her eyes caught his and she smiled at him. He was already very wet. His hair and beard were dripping and his robes were very damp. She looked at herself. She was a sight. Albus’ laughter brought up her head.
“I tried to make this a memorable night for us. Do you think I’ve succeeded?”
“I think this will be the mishap story we tell everyone next year.” She removed the pins holding her hair in place and let the wet strands fall. “So any bright ideas?”
“I think the malfunction in the wards is responsible in some way.” He lifted his wand again. “I know…” With a lot of waving and muttering he stopped the water from falling and dried the floor. A few minutes more and everything even their hair and clothes had returned to normal.
“What did you do?” She watched him earnestly.
“I just cast the opposite spells of the ones I wanted. It seemed to do the trick.” He beamed at her. “I hope I didn’t ruin the night for you.”
“Any night I spend with you is wonderful.” Her eyes widened in surprise. Had she spoken out loud?
Albus stepped closer and stood before her. He took a lock of her hair and held it in his hand. Her eyes were open in surprise and he could see fear and vulnerability inside them.
“Do you mean it?” he whispered. “Do you mean what you said?”
“Yes,” she whispered back.
He moved his face closer until their lips met and he placed a soft kiss there. He moved his lips a little to the left and kissed her again. He moved back and stared into her eyes. He only saw what he was sure was reflected in his own eyes and he moved forward and kissed her again.
This kiss became another and then another. The kisses lengthened and grew passionate. Albus wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. His tongue was caressing hers in the most intimate of ways. He broke the kiss but didn’t stray far. He nibbled her earlobes and neck. He ran his hands through her ran inciting chills to rain down her back.
His lips captured hers in one more heated kiss that seared her very soul. She moaned deeply and poured her all into the kiss. She heard his answering moan and then he was pulling away in regret. Both panted heavily trying to regain their breath. His eyes were dark with desire and she knew it was only the strongest of will that kept him from fulfilling her deepest desire.
“Your gift is ruined but I will repair it,” he murmured.
“No worries, Albus. You’ve given me what I love the most.” The desire in her eyes spoke volumes and all self-control formerly intact was lost as he picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.
Albus Dumbledore shivered as he returned to his office. The Hogwarts Express had left with the entire student body and all the professors, save one, for the winter holidays. It wasn’t normal that every child left the castle but many of the wards protecting the castle needed strengthening and it was decided not to wait until summer but to do as much as possible now. Voldemort had resurfaced and the ministry felt no chances should be taken.
Albus blew on his hands trying to warm them up. He could have cast a warming charm but he was so tired. It was draining working on the wards and only he and Minerva were left to do the work.
He felt bad that Minerva would miss out on her holiday with her sister and brother-in-law. She hadn’t been able to visit with them last Christmas either. The thought of Minerva filled him with warmth no charm could compete with and he wondered again what to buy her for Christmas. Everything he saw seemed unworthy of her.
Loving her as he did made him spend extra time each year thinking of just the perfect gift. Since they would share the holiday alone this year he wanted to make it extra special.
Minerva McGonagall was walking through the castle in her animagus form. She was much warmer as a cat. She was happy Albus requested she stay behind. She had never been in the castle alone with him before and the thought of three weeks working closely together thrilled her to no end.
He had already invited her to dinner in his chambers on Christmas Eve and Minerva hoped the new robes she purchased would make him look at her in a new light. She hurried to her rooms. Magic would return in full force to the castle by morning but for now she would have to bury herself beneath several quilts in order to be warm enough to sleep.
Albus and Minerva worked hard each day for an entire week before finishing the strengthening of the wards. Anything else would have to wait until summer. Minerva gratefully accepted the cup of tea he offered and they journeyed to his office in companionable silence.
“Well, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, Minerva. Have you finished your shopping?” He passed her a teacup and watched her add a drop of milk to her tea. He added three lumps of sugar to his own and stirred gently.
“Yes, finished, wrapped, and delivered. I hope you didn’t wait until the last moment again, Albus. Your gifts were quite tardy last year. Some didn’t receive them until noon.” She cast a stern look at him but her eyes were smiling.
“My dear, I only wanted to make sure my gifts stood out from among so many others. I bet everyone remembered my gifts.” His eyes twinkled in return. “Unfortunately, unlike you, I will spend tomorrow wrapping gifts and sending them off.”
Minerva was disappointed. She had hoped to spend the day with him either playing chess before a fire or walking the grounds. They finished their tea and agreed upon Minerva arriving at six the next evening.
Albus spent the entire day casting spells on his sitting room. He had the house elves bring in a dining table sized for two along with a beautiful china and silver. He decorated the room in reds and greens with snippets of gold. He placed a beautifully decorated tree in one corner and cleared an entire wall of the room.
He enchanted the entire wall to depict the Highlands of Scotland covered in snow. Tiny snowflakes fell in the picture and in the room. A wave of his wand made soft music play in the background. Minerva’s favorite song, “It Came upon a Midnight Clear,” could be heard on flute and lyre.
For the final touch he hung two stockings on the mantle. The red one was embroidered with his name and the green one with hers.
He opened the door at her knock and smiled as she gazed around the room. Her eyes locked on the enchanted wall depicting the Highlands.
“It’s beautiful, Albus.” Tears stood in her eyes as she watched the hills from her hometown shine in the moonlight.
Albus thought she looked so beautiful. She wore deep red robes and with the snow falling she was a picture of loveliness.
“You are beautiful, Minerva. You look absolutely wonderful.” She had worn her hair in an elaborate twist that softened her features and framed her face.
Minerva smiled as she saw the appreciation in his eyes.
“I thought the best gift would be what you loved most. Happy Christmas, Minerva.”
“You charmed your wall for me?”
“Yes, it will be here the entire year so you’ll be able to visit any time you wish.”
Minerva blushed as her mind thought of the possibilities.
Albus served eggnog before dinner and soon they were laughing and telling stories of Christmas mishaps from earlier years. Minerva’s face was flushed and Albus couldn’t stop himself from staring. He wanted to tell her how much he was enjoying their time together when he felt the snapping sounds of the wards malfunctioning.
“It’s nothing serious, my dear. It can wait until tomorrow.” He concentrated on the wards and discovered they were still intact. “I’m sure it’s just a glitch. Shall we eat?”
He offered his hand and led Minerva to the table.
“This is beautiful. You must thank the house elves. They did a wonderful job.”
He helped her to her seat and took his own. “I think I should stop the snow while we eat.” He raised his wand but somehow instead of stopping the snow increased. He frowned and tried again. It continued to snow and now it was no longer disappearing upon contact.
Minerva reached into her own robe and pulled out her wand. “Perhaps you’ve had too much eggnog, Albus. Allow me.” She waved her wand and the snow turned into ice.
Albus burst into laughter. “You’ve made the room cold. I’ll turn up the fire.” The roar in the fireplace was louder than he expected and he looked at Minerva.
Before either could speak the ice falling down on them turned into water. The heat from the fire was melting the ice. Albus tried casting another spell but it too backfired. Minerva was covering the food and trying to cast an impervious charm on her robes.
Her eyes caught his and she smiled at him. He was already very wet. His hair and beard were dripping and his robes were very damp. She looked at herself. She was a sight. Albus’ laughter brought up her head.
“I tried to make this a memorable night for us. Do you think I’ve succeeded?”
“I think this will be the mishap story we tell everyone next year.” She removed the pins holding her hair in place and let the wet strands fall. “So any bright ideas?”
“I think the malfunction in the wards is responsible in some way.” He lifted his wand again. “I know…” With a lot of waving and muttering he stopped the water from falling and dried the floor. A few minutes more and everything even their hair and clothes had returned to normal.
“What did you do?” She watched him earnestly.
“I just cast the opposite spells of the ones I wanted. It seemed to do the trick.” He beamed at her. “I hope I didn’t ruin the night for you.”
“Any night I spend with you is wonderful.” Her eyes widened in surprise. Had she spoken out loud?
Albus stepped closer and stood before her. He took a lock of her hair and held it in his hand. Her eyes were open in surprise and he could see fear and vulnerability inside them.
“Do you mean it?” he whispered. “Do you mean what you said?”
“Yes,” she whispered back.
He moved his face closer until their lips met and he placed a soft kiss there. He moved his lips a little to the left and kissed her again. He moved back and stared into her eyes. He only saw what he was sure was reflected in his own eyes and he moved forward and kissed her again.
This kiss became another and then another. The kisses lengthened and grew passionate. Albus wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. His tongue was caressing hers in the most intimate of ways. He broke the kiss but didn’t stray far. He nibbled her earlobes and neck. He ran his hands through her ran inciting chills to rain down her back.
His lips captured hers in one more heated kiss that seared her very soul. She moaned deeply and poured her all into the kiss. She heard his answering moan and then he was pulling away in regret. Both panted heavily trying to regain their breath. His eyes were dark with desire and she knew it was only the strongest of will that kept him from fulfilling her deepest desire.
“Your gift is ruined but I will repair it,” he murmured.
“No worries, Albus. You’ve given me what I love the most.” The desire in her eyes spoke volumes and all self-control formerly intact was lost as he picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.
. Unforgettable Christmas night...indeed!!!
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