Post by Karlynne on Dec 13, 2004 1:42:13 GMT -5
Priceless-Challenge #15
“Albus, have you ever thought of redecorating your sitting room?” Minerva was sitting on his sofa glancing around. “Your furniture is quite faded. Even if you don’t entertain in here often, it should be replaced.”
Albus looked around. “I like it. Everything is comfortable and I don’t have to worry if something breaks.”
Minerva raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment further. Their weekly chess game was not going in her favor and she needed to concentrate.
“What would you suggest?” Albus asked with a slight frown. He really didn’t want to change his room but if it appeared shabby then it wasn’t the proper image of a headmaster.
“Mmmm” said Minerva.
“What would you change about this room?”
Minerva took her eye away from the game for a moment. “I would replace the sofas and get new rugs. The chairs we’re sitting on are rather worn too. And that picture over the mantle would have to go.”
“My dear,” protested Albus. “That picture as you call it is a very famous painting by Picasso during his earlier years.”
“Well, it looks like a disease before the potion is applied.”
Albus looked appalled. He loved the vibrant colors in the painting. He wouldn’t mind new sofas or rugs but the painting had to stay.
“If you would be kind enough to instruct the house elves to make some improvements I would appreciate it.” He smiled at her in his most charming manner and kissed her hand when she agreed.
Minerva blushed when he kissed her. She knew he would ask and she really didn’t mind overseeing the elves.
The game was put on hold when a flurry of owls appeared at his windows. She told him she would make the changes to his room the next day and left him to answer his owls.
The house elves were very glad to make changes to the Headmaster’s sitting room. They eagerly listened to everything Minerva told them do. Several promised to give the room an extra special cleaning and the room would be ready in a few hours.
Minerva thanked them on her way out. Passing the Picasso she couldn’t help muttering “What an ugly sight to one’s eyes”. She retreated to Albus’ office and they worked until supper.
After their meal, Albus stopped to speak with several paintings but encouraged Minerva to go on to his sitting room so they could continue their chess game.
Minerva smiled happily when she entered his sitting room. The couches were lovely. The chess game was on a new table made of cherry wood with wing back chairs on either side. The new rug beneath her feet was made entirely of Gryffindor colors and brought out the lovely gold brocade in his drapes. The house elves had even lit a fire.
Minerva walked towards the fireplace intent on warming her hands when her steps slowed. Above the fireplace was a painting of Hogwarts during autumn. Where was the Picasso? She began to panic. Picasso’s were priceless. She had to stop Albus from entering until she found it.
She raced from the room intent on distracting him while getting the house elves to return the painting. She made her way to the kitchens after not finding Albus. All of the elves remember the ugly picture but none knew where it was. Thoroughly alarmed she raced back to his rooms.
Albus was seated at the table studying the chess set. His back was to the fireplace and Minerva sighed in relief. He apparently hadn’t noticed.
She took a seat and they began playing. She couldn’t keep her mind on the game. If she could keep him busy until bedtime she could search through the night until she found it. He would never know the painting went missing.
“Minerva, are you well?”
“Yes, Albus, of course.” She looked at him carefully.
“You’ve made several rather odd moves as though your mind wasn’t on the game.”
Minerva struggled for words. “I…I wondered if you would rather another activity,” she stammered.
Albus’ eyebrows rose and he grinned causing her to blush.
“What did you have in mind?”
Minerva narrowed her eyes at him. Trust Albus to misconstrue her words.
“I was thinking of a walk around the grounds.”
“I thought we’d enjoy my new room. I must say it is rather nice. You should have suggested it sooner.” He started gazing around the room.
Minerva stood suddenly. She didn’t want him looking around the room nor did she want to discuss the redecorating. She approached him.
“You haven’t played your violin for me for the longest time,” she suggested.
“It’s being repaired,” he responded. He stood and took her hand. “I have an idea. Why don’t we sit on the couch before the fire?”
Minerva allowed him to lead her to the couch. Her mind raced. How could she distract him? He settled beside her and placed his arm around her.
Minerva looked into his blue eyes and tried to remain calm. This was becoming difficult as Albus was leaning towards her. Was it her imagination or was he staring at her lips?
His face came closer and he whispered, “Thank you for the work on my sitting room.”
He brushed his lips on hers for a second and pulled back. Minerva forgot to breathe.
“You’re welcome.” She finally breathed out. Albus turned his head toward the fire and in a panic she pulled him back towards her.
His eyebrows were raised in a question.
“Are you very happy with your room?” At his nod she continued. “Then I think it calls for more of a kiss don’t you?”
He smiled and placed his lips on hers again. It lasted longer this time but an idea occurred to Minerva.
“Better?” He asked.
“Well, it wasn’t much for the hours it took, not to mention the fingernail I broke,” Minerva shook her head in mock pity. She smiled as Albus leaned forward again.
This kiss was different from the others as night was to day. He deepened it almost immediately and shivers ran down her spine. He pulled her closer and she put her arms around his neck. The kiss lasted until Minerva felt his hands running up and down her back.
“How would you feel about redecorating my other rooms?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Which room would you want done first?” She struggled to keep her mind on what he was saying. Her body was still responding to his kiss.
“My study needs work.”
Minerva made a noncommittal sound in her throat.
“My bedroom is rather shabby, too,” he proposed. “I would be properly thankful if you would consider my bedroom.”
Minerva caught her breath at the double entendre and stood. “Well, let’s see then.”
Part of Minerva was grateful to leave the sitting room but she was nervous about his bedroom. What did he mean by his last statement?”
All thoughts left her as soon as she entered his bedroom. Albus pulled her tightly against him and she felt his hardened member through her robes. He kissed her neck and let his hand move from her waist to just beneath her breast. A moan escaped her mouth. It must have signaled him in some manner because he raised his hand and began kneading her breast through her clothing. She tried to press closer to him but he stopped her.
The desire in his eyes was plain to see. He was breathing heavily and she could see he struggled to remain in control of his actions.
“Albus?”
“I didn’t bring you in here to get you in my bed, Minerva,” He took a step back. “Lumos,” The lights in the room turned on and Minerva blinked.
“I wanted to show you something,” said Albus softly.
Minerva glanced at the front of his robes and blushed. He chuckled softly.
“I meant something else.” He led her deeper into the room and pointed above his dresser. The Picasso hung just above it.
“Where…how…” Minerva was confused.
“On the way back from dinner several portraits complained about having a new picture of such dubious content near them. It seems the house elves were told it was ugly and one found it a new home.”
“But I asked and they told me they didn’t know where it was.”
“Because I didn’t tell them where I would put it.”
Minerva placed a hand to her head and groaned. She knew to ask the elves exactly what she meant. They were literal beings and would answer exactly what was asked.
Albus wrapped her in his arms and murmured softly. “Well, do you think you can make some changes in here?”
Minerva raised her head and smiled impishly. “Yes, first, that picture has to go.”
“Minerva!” wailed Albus.
“If you expect to entertain me in your bedroom then the picture goes.”
“I could place it in my study. I never entertain there.” He snapped his fingers and banished the painting to his study. “Now, what were you saying about entertainment?”
Minerva’s answer was lost as his lips captured hers.
“Albus, have you ever thought of redecorating your sitting room?” Minerva was sitting on his sofa glancing around. “Your furniture is quite faded. Even if you don’t entertain in here often, it should be replaced.”
Albus looked around. “I like it. Everything is comfortable and I don’t have to worry if something breaks.”
Minerva raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment further. Their weekly chess game was not going in her favor and she needed to concentrate.
“What would you suggest?” Albus asked with a slight frown. He really didn’t want to change his room but if it appeared shabby then it wasn’t the proper image of a headmaster.
“Mmmm” said Minerva.
“What would you change about this room?”
Minerva took her eye away from the game for a moment. “I would replace the sofas and get new rugs. The chairs we’re sitting on are rather worn too. And that picture over the mantle would have to go.”
“My dear,” protested Albus. “That picture as you call it is a very famous painting by Picasso during his earlier years.”
“Well, it looks like a disease before the potion is applied.”
Albus looked appalled. He loved the vibrant colors in the painting. He wouldn’t mind new sofas or rugs but the painting had to stay.
“If you would be kind enough to instruct the house elves to make some improvements I would appreciate it.” He smiled at her in his most charming manner and kissed her hand when she agreed.
Minerva blushed when he kissed her. She knew he would ask and she really didn’t mind overseeing the elves.
The game was put on hold when a flurry of owls appeared at his windows. She told him she would make the changes to his room the next day and left him to answer his owls.
The house elves were very glad to make changes to the Headmaster’s sitting room. They eagerly listened to everything Minerva told them do. Several promised to give the room an extra special cleaning and the room would be ready in a few hours.
Minerva thanked them on her way out. Passing the Picasso she couldn’t help muttering “What an ugly sight to one’s eyes”. She retreated to Albus’ office and they worked until supper.
After their meal, Albus stopped to speak with several paintings but encouraged Minerva to go on to his sitting room so they could continue their chess game.
Minerva smiled happily when she entered his sitting room. The couches were lovely. The chess game was on a new table made of cherry wood with wing back chairs on either side. The new rug beneath her feet was made entirely of Gryffindor colors and brought out the lovely gold brocade in his drapes. The house elves had even lit a fire.
Minerva walked towards the fireplace intent on warming her hands when her steps slowed. Above the fireplace was a painting of Hogwarts during autumn. Where was the Picasso? She began to panic. Picasso’s were priceless. She had to stop Albus from entering until she found it.
She raced from the room intent on distracting him while getting the house elves to return the painting. She made her way to the kitchens after not finding Albus. All of the elves remember the ugly picture but none knew where it was. Thoroughly alarmed she raced back to his rooms.
Albus was seated at the table studying the chess set. His back was to the fireplace and Minerva sighed in relief. He apparently hadn’t noticed.
She took a seat and they began playing. She couldn’t keep her mind on the game. If she could keep him busy until bedtime she could search through the night until she found it. He would never know the painting went missing.
“Minerva, are you well?”
“Yes, Albus, of course.” She looked at him carefully.
“You’ve made several rather odd moves as though your mind wasn’t on the game.”
Minerva struggled for words. “I…I wondered if you would rather another activity,” she stammered.
Albus’ eyebrows rose and he grinned causing her to blush.
“What did you have in mind?”
Minerva narrowed her eyes at him. Trust Albus to misconstrue her words.
“I was thinking of a walk around the grounds.”
“I thought we’d enjoy my new room. I must say it is rather nice. You should have suggested it sooner.” He started gazing around the room.
Minerva stood suddenly. She didn’t want him looking around the room nor did she want to discuss the redecorating. She approached him.
“You haven’t played your violin for me for the longest time,” she suggested.
“It’s being repaired,” he responded. He stood and took her hand. “I have an idea. Why don’t we sit on the couch before the fire?”
Minerva allowed him to lead her to the couch. Her mind raced. How could she distract him? He settled beside her and placed his arm around her.
Minerva looked into his blue eyes and tried to remain calm. This was becoming difficult as Albus was leaning towards her. Was it her imagination or was he staring at her lips?
His face came closer and he whispered, “Thank you for the work on my sitting room.”
He brushed his lips on hers for a second and pulled back. Minerva forgot to breathe.
“You’re welcome.” She finally breathed out. Albus turned his head toward the fire and in a panic she pulled him back towards her.
His eyebrows were raised in a question.
“Are you very happy with your room?” At his nod she continued. “Then I think it calls for more of a kiss don’t you?”
He smiled and placed his lips on hers again. It lasted longer this time but an idea occurred to Minerva.
“Better?” He asked.
“Well, it wasn’t much for the hours it took, not to mention the fingernail I broke,” Minerva shook her head in mock pity. She smiled as Albus leaned forward again.
This kiss was different from the others as night was to day. He deepened it almost immediately and shivers ran down her spine. He pulled her closer and she put her arms around his neck. The kiss lasted until Minerva felt his hands running up and down her back.
“How would you feel about redecorating my other rooms?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Which room would you want done first?” She struggled to keep her mind on what he was saying. Her body was still responding to his kiss.
“My study needs work.”
Minerva made a noncommittal sound in her throat.
“My bedroom is rather shabby, too,” he proposed. “I would be properly thankful if you would consider my bedroom.”
Minerva caught her breath at the double entendre and stood. “Well, let’s see then.”
Part of Minerva was grateful to leave the sitting room but she was nervous about his bedroom. What did he mean by his last statement?”
All thoughts left her as soon as she entered his bedroom. Albus pulled her tightly against him and she felt his hardened member through her robes. He kissed her neck and let his hand move from her waist to just beneath her breast. A moan escaped her mouth. It must have signaled him in some manner because he raised his hand and began kneading her breast through her clothing. She tried to press closer to him but he stopped her.
The desire in his eyes was plain to see. He was breathing heavily and she could see he struggled to remain in control of his actions.
“Albus?”
“I didn’t bring you in here to get you in my bed, Minerva,” He took a step back. “Lumos,” The lights in the room turned on and Minerva blinked.
“I wanted to show you something,” said Albus softly.
Minerva glanced at the front of his robes and blushed. He chuckled softly.
“I meant something else.” He led her deeper into the room and pointed above his dresser. The Picasso hung just above it.
“Where…how…” Minerva was confused.
“On the way back from dinner several portraits complained about having a new picture of such dubious content near them. It seems the house elves were told it was ugly and one found it a new home.”
“But I asked and they told me they didn’t know where it was.”
“Because I didn’t tell them where I would put it.”
Minerva placed a hand to her head and groaned. She knew to ask the elves exactly what she meant. They were literal beings and would answer exactly what was asked.
Albus wrapped her in his arms and murmured softly. “Well, do you think you can make some changes in here?”
Minerva raised her head and smiled impishly. “Yes, first, that picture has to go.”
“Minerva!” wailed Albus.
“If you expect to entertain me in your bedroom then the picture goes.”
“I could place it in my study. I never entertain there.” He snapped his fingers and banished the painting to his study. “Now, what were you saying about entertainment?”
Minerva’s answer was lost as his lips captured hers.
Too bad he already knew. Fabulous response. 
Very good challenge-response, I liked it a lot. 