Post by Krystal on Dec 14, 2004 19:33:32 GMT -5
I wanted to finish this story days ago but I’m late. Anyway here’s my response. Krystal
Teasing Minerva
Challenge #15
Albus Dumbledore watched the woman across from him narrow her eyes. Would he see a display of her famous temper? Minerva McGonagall did not look pleased. Suffice it to say she looked ready to reach across and throttle him.
“Are you trying to tell me I have one day to refurbish your rooms before the Governors arrive?” she asked while gritting her teeth.
“You did volunteer to oversee the decorations to the castle. You’re head of the committee in charge of the presentation.” He gave a winsome smile and lifted his eyes hopefully.
“Albus, they told you six weeks ago that they wanted a tour of your rooms,” she reminded him. “It’s impossible to makeover your rooms in less than twenty-four hours.”
“No, really, you may do whatever you like. I know you have impeccable tastes. Whatever I don’t like can be changed after they leave. Please help me.” He didn’t mind pleading with her.
Minerva closed her eyes and tried to remain calm. Albus was constantly making her work twice as hard as necessary. She had mentioned this to him over and over.
“Albus, this is yet another example of you disregarding my instructions. I asked you for all correspondence from the Governors and you assured me you had given it. I asked you twice and you told me not to nag. Now you want me to cover for you yet again.” She inhaled sharply to reign in her temper. “I will do as you ask once again, Albus because not to do so will be a reflection on me, not you.”
Albus appeared hurt as he listened to Minerva. It had been a simple mistake. A simple oversight that while inconvenient wasn’t the end of the world. “Thank you,” he managed to mutter and both returned to the work lying in front of them.
Minerva rose stiffly from her seat an hour later and announced she would begin working and didn’t wish to be interrupted. Her head was high as she left his office and entered his sitting room.
She decided to do his rooms in house colors. His sitting room would be done in Hufflepuff colors since the house depicted loyalty. Bright yellows with touches ob black would lighten the gloomy room. Albus had the personality to carry off the odd color scheme and several members on the Board of Governors were from Hufflepuff.
His library would be furnished sparsely as it was a small room and too many pieces of furniture would make the room appear crowded and even smaller. She would use Ravenclaw colors for all the obvious reasons.
Of course his bedroom would have to be done in Gryffindor colors. He would spend more time in that room than any other of his rooms. Rich fabrics for his bedcovers and draperies would be restful and pleasing to the eye.
She would decorate his bath in Slytherin colors. This was self-explanatory. Green floor, silver fixtures, and perhaps Severus would loan her his snake-mouthed showerhead.
She went about transfiguring the bath first as it would be easiest. She changed all his colorful towels into green or silver ones. The library was also finished quickly.
Approaching his bedroom again, Minerva sighed. With a wave of her wand she sent clothes to their proper drawers and objects returned to their proper places in the castle. Albus had a bad habit of picking things up and not returning them. Minerva stopped to admire several gadgets on his bureau top. Was there another man on the planet that collected more?
She carefully lifted these and locked them in a cabinet. She was sure they would be out again but at least they wouldn’t come to harm while the Governors toured Albus’ rooms. She picked up the heavy basin near the edge and realized it was his pensieve. There were memories swirling inside and Minerva felt her curiosity rear up.
She slipped easily into the bowl and watched as she scolded Albus for playing with his food at the table. The next memory had her rolling her eyes and sighing as he told an off-color joke to Remus Lupin. The third memory was the worst. It was from long ago and she had tears in her eyes as she turned away from him. He had been teasing her about her hair and she hadn’t found the humor in the situation.
Minerva left the pensieve. Why was Albus poring over these memories? She picked up the pensieve but the sound of footsteps coming her way was heard. She quickly shrank it and put it in a drawer. Albus appeared seconds later.
She turned and faced him with a glare in her eyes.
“I know I’m not to disturb you. I just wondered if you wanted company for dinner?”
She let out a breath. “Fine, Albus. I’ll eat with you at seven in the Great Hall.”
“Not in my office?” he asked.
“Fine, Albus, in your office.”
“Why are you so upset, Minerva?”
“If you can’t figure it out, my explanation wouldn’t sink in either.” She turned away but added in a softer voice. “I need to finish. I’ll see you at seven.”
Albus stared a minute longer but left when she said nothing else. It took Minerva until nearly seven to finish his bedroom. She would work on his sitting room after dinner and hopefully it wouldn’t take until midnight.
Dinner was quiet. Minerva was tired and spoke little. Albus left her to her thoughts as his own mind contemplated what was happening between them.
He had been adding thoughts to his pensieve to find a pattern and suddenly it became clear. He was taking her for granted. He cringed when he realized the extra work he was giving her. He noticed he had taken to telling her things late at night expecting them to be completed by morning. He owed her an apology and so much more.
A simple ‘I’m sorry’ didn’t seem adequate. He tried to come up with an idea but her rising from the table distracted him. She excused herself to finish his rooms and he reluctantly returned to his office to finish the mound of work needed to be finished before morning.
It was after ten when Minerva realized she needed to enlarge his pensieve and return it. She went into his bedroom and opened the drawer. She searched but couldn’t find it. Where could it have gone? Tired from all the work, Minerva decided to splash water on her face and search after she finished the sitting room.
Minerva snorted when she saw the towel on the floor of the bathroom. She banished it to his hamper and cleaned the spots off the mirror. She would have the house elves clean his rooms as soon as he finished dressing in the morning. Albus truly didn’t appreciate all her work. Maybe it wasn’t enough for him and now she had to find his pensieve before he found out. If he discovered she lost it he would tease her for years to come if she ever dared mentioned he misplaced something again.
At midnight she gave up in defeat. Albus was waiting to retire and she couldn’t put him off any longer. She had sent him on pointless errands and stalled as long as possible but he insisted the rooms were wonderful and it was unnecessary to do more.
“Minerva, you’re tired and need your rest. I am very grateful for what you’ve done.” He winced at the suspicion he saw in her eyes. “My rooms are beautiful.” He bent and kissed her cheek. He was unprepared for tears.
“I’ve misplaced your pensieve. I can’t find it anywhere. I’ve looked for hours and I’m so tired.” Minerva confessed. She couldn’t look in his eyes. “Go ahead and scold me. I deserve it.”
“Come with me, Minerva.” He took her arm and led her to his bedroom. He opened a drawer. “Did you place it in here?”
She nodded.
“Did you look inside?”
She nodded again.
“What did you find inside?”
Minerva looked at him in confusion. “There’s just clothes inside.”
Albus smiled gently at her and gave her a light hug. “I came in when you left to get ready for dinner. I decided to take a quick shower. When I opened the drawer I found the pensieve.” He watched the relief cross her face. “You hid it in my underwear drawer.” He thought a little gentle teasing was in order and was pleased to see the blush on her cheeks. Her eyes however didn’t lighten.
“Minerva?”
She shook her head and turned to go but he restrained her.
“I’m not perfect, Albus but I can’t bear to hear your teasing. You’ll make fun of this for years to come and I…” she couldn’t choke out another word.
“Minerva, darling Minerva, I have taken you for granted far too long. You have been more faithful and loyal than I deserve. I’ve been reviewing memories of you scolding me and I was appalled at the way I behaved. I’ve gone from teasing you innocently to abusing your position.”
Minerva lifted her head and stared in shock.
“I promise to change. I love you far too much to knowingly hurt you. Forgive me?”
“Yes, of course. Albus, I just couldn’t take it today. I’ve worked so hard these past two months preparing and it became too much.”
Albus raised his hand to her cheek and wiped a tear away. “I am so sorry,” he repeated. He bent and kissed the wet trail on her cheek.
Teasing Minerva
Challenge #15
Albus Dumbledore watched the woman across from him narrow her eyes. Would he see a display of her famous temper? Minerva McGonagall did not look pleased. Suffice it to say she looked ready to reach across and throttle him.
“Are you trying to tell me I have one day to refurbish your rooms before the Governors arrive?” she asked while gritting her teeth.
“You did volunteer to oversee the decorations to the castle. You’re head of the committee in charge of the presentation.” He gave a winsome smile and lifted his eyes hopefully.
“Albus, they told you six weeks ago that they wanted a tour of your rooms,” she reminded him. “It’s impossible to makeover your rooms in less than twenty-four hours.”
“No, really, you may do whatever you like. I know you have impeccable tastes. Whatever I don’t like can be changed after they leave. Please help me.” He didn’t mind pleading with her.
Minerva closed her eyes and tried to remain calm. Albus was constantly making her work twice as hard as necessary. She had mentioned this to him over and over.
“Albus, this is yet another example of you disregarding my instructions. I asked you for all correspondence from the Governors and you assured me you had given it. I asked you twice and you told me not to nag. Now you want me to cover for you yet again.” She inhaled sharply to reign in her temper. “I will do as you ask once again, Albus because not to do so will be a reflection on me, not you.”
Albus appeared hurt as he listened to Minerva. It had been a simple mistake. A simple oversight that while inconvenient wasn’t the end of the world. “Thank you,” he managed to mutter and both returned to the work lying in front of them.
Minerva rose stiffly from her seat an hour later and announced she would begin working and didn’t wish to be interrupted. Her head was high as she left his office and entered his sitting room.
She decided to do his rooms in house colors. His sitting room would be done in Hufflepuff colors since the house depicted loyalty. Bright yellows with touches ob black would lighten the gloomy room. Albus had the personality to carry off the odd color scheme and several members on the Board of Governors were from Hufflepuff.
His library would be furnished sparsely as it was a small room and too many pieces of furniture would make the room appear crowded and even smaller. She would use Ravenclaw colors for all the obvious reasons.
Of course his bedroom would have to be done in Gryffindor colors. He would spend more time in that room than any other of his rooms. Rich fabrics for his bedcovers and draperies would be restful and pleasing to the eye.
She would decorate his bath in Slytherin colors. This was self-explanatory. Green floor, silver fixtures, and perhaps Severus would loan her his snake-mouthed showerhead.
She went about transfiguring the bath first as it would be easiest. She changed all his colorful towels into green or silver ones. The library was also finished quickly.
Approaching his bedroom again, Minerva sighed. With a wave of her wand she sent clothes to their proper drawers and objects returned to their proper places in the castle. Albus had a bad habit of picking things up and not returning them. Minerva stopped to admire several gadgets on his bureau top. Was there another man on the planet that collected more?
She carefully lifted these and locked them in a cabinet. She was sure they would be out again but at least they wouldn’t come to harm while the Governors toured Albus’ rooms. She picked up the heavy basin near the edge and realized it was his pensieve. There were memories swirling inside and Minerva felt her curiosity rear up.
She slipped easily into the bowl and watched as she scolded Albus for playing with his food at the table. The next memory had her rolling her eyes and sighing as he told an off-color joke to Remus Lupin. The third memory was the worst. It was from long ago and she had tears in her eyes as she turned away from him. He had been teasing her about her hair and she hadn’t found the humor in the situation.
Minerva left the pensieve. Why was Albus poring over these memories? She picked up the pensieve but the sound of footsteps coming her way was heard. She quickly shrank it and put it in a drawer. Albus appeared seconds later.
She turned and faced him with a glare in her eyes.
“I know I’m not to disturb you. I just wondered if you wanted company for dinner?”
She let out a breath. “Fine, Albus. I’ll eat with you at seven in the Great Hall.”
“Not in my office?” he asked.
“Fine, Albus, in your office.”
“Why are you so upset, Minerva?”
“If you can’t figure it out, my explanation wouldn’t sink in either.” She turned away but added in a softer voice. “I need to finish. I’ll see you at seven.”
Albus stared a minute longer but left when she said nothing else. It took Minerva until nearly seven to finish his bedroom. She would work on his sitting room after dinner and hopefully it wouldn’t take until midnight.
Dinner was quiet. Minerva was tired and spoke little. Albus left her to her thoughts as his own mind contemplated what was happening between them.
He had been adding thoughts to his pensieve to find a pattern and suddenly it became clear. He was taking her for granted. He cringed when he realized the extra work he was giving her. He noticed he had taken to telling her things late at night expecting them to be completed by morning. He owed her an apology and so much more.
A simple ‘I’m sorry’ didn’t seem adequate. He tried to come up with an idea but her rising from the table distracted him. She excused herself to finish his rooms and he reluctantly returned to his office to finish the mound of work needed to be finished before morning.
It was after ten when Minerva realized she needed to enlarge his pensieve and return it. She went into his bedroom and opened the drawer. She searched but couldn’t find it. Where could it have gone? Tired from all the work, Minerva decided to splash water on her face and search after she finished the sitting room.
Minerva snorted when she saw the towel on the floor of the bathroom. She banished it to his hamper and cleaned the spots off the mirror. She would have the house elves clean his rooms as soon as he finished dressing in the morning. Albus truly didn’t appreciate all her work. Maybe it wasn’t enough for him and now she had to find his pensieve before he found out. If he discovered she lost it he would tease her for years to come if she ever dared mentioned he misplaced something again.
At midnight she gave up in defeat. Albus was waiting to retire and she couldn’t put him off any longer. She had sent him on pointless errands and stalled as long as possible but he insisted the rooms were wonderful and it was unnecessary to do more.
“Minerva, you’re tired and need your rest. I am very grateful for what you’ve done.” He winced at the suspicion he saw in her eyes. “My rooms are beautiful.” He bent and kissed her cheek. He was unprepared for tears.
“I’ve misplaced your pensieve. I can’t find it anywhere. I’ve looked for hours and I’m so tired.” Minerva confessed. She couldn’t look in his eyes. “Go ahead and scold me. I deserve it.”
“Come with me, Minerva.” He took her arm and led her to his bedroom. He opened a drawer. “Did you place it in here?”
She nodded.
“Did you look inside?”
She nodded again.
“What did you find inside?”
Minerva looked at him in confusion. “There’s just clothes inside.”
Albus smiled gently at her and gave her a light hug. “I came in when you left to get ready for dinner. I decided to take a quick shower. When I opened the drawer I found the pensieve.” He watched the relief cross her face. “You hid it in my underwear drawer.” He thought a little gentle teasing was in order and was pleased to see the blush on her cheeks. Her eyes however didn’t lighten.
“Minerva?”
She shook her head and turned to go but he restrained her.
“I’m not perfect, Albus but I can’t bear to hear your teasing. You’ll make fun of this for years to come and I…” she couldn’t choke out another word.
“Minerva, darling Minerva, I have taken you for granted far too long. You have been more faithful and loyal than I deserve. I’ve been reviewing memories of you scolding me and I was appalled at the way I behaved. I’ve gone from teasing you innocently to abusing your position.”
Minerva lifted her head and stared in shock.
“I promise to change. I love you far too much to knowingly hurt you. Forgive me?”
“Yes, of course. Albus, I just couldn’t take it today. I’ve worked so hard these past two months preparing and it became too much.”
Albus raised his hand to her cheek and wiped a tear away. “I am so sorry,” he repeated. He bent and kissed the wet trail on her cheek.
