Post by Karlynne on Jan 31, 2005 1:15:52 GMT -5
Challenge 19 Response
A Wrinkle in Time
A tear trickled down Minerva McGonagall’s cheek and fell into the sink. Each morning she took care to inspect herself in the mirror. It was normally rather simple to look for a hair out of place or to make sure that her lipstick was perfectly applied. She didn’t waste her time with glamour charms or spells but she did pride herself in her youthful appearance.
Today was her performance evaluation with the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and she wanted everything to go perfectly. She knew her skills as Transfigurations professor was well above par but she was also Head of Gryffindor House and she was a little uncertain about her proficiency in that area. Not only had she taken over from Albus as Professor of Transfigurations, but also she had trained for that position. Being in charge of the well being of her young Gryffindors was a different matter.
She wasn’t aware of any current complaints but that’s what evaluations were all about and if any of the other professors had problems with her she would find out today.
The reasons for her tears were unexpected today of all days. A thorough examination of her face had shown not one but two wrinkles that had developed overnight. Of course that was impossible but she had never seen them before. There at the corner of each eye was a definite crease. She had at least another eighty odd years of life expectancy and to live more than half her life with lines on her face had never occurred to her.
She glimpsed at the time and hurriedly removed all evidence of crying from her face before rushing off to breakfast.
Minerva wasn’t vain as a rule but it was extremely hard not to duck her face when spoken to at the head table. Melancholy feelings seemed to trickle through her veins as she thought about growing older. She didn’t meet anyone’s eyes but pushed her food around on her plate and waited for Albus to dismiss them, which he did a few minutes later.
She was to meet with him immediately after breakfast and she wondered how Professor Flitwick would handle her first two classes. The Charms professor had volunteered to oversee her own so he could work on his own skills once more. His own classes were being held in joint session with DADA, as the spells were roughly the same.
She gathered a few folders to carry so she would have something in her hands and departed for Albus’ office. The room was as messy as ever as she entered and took a seat across from his desk.
“Minerva, surely you don’t believe you are standing in front of an executioner. You have had these before.” Albus smiled reassuringly and took his seat. “Your work is excellent as usual and both the board and myself believe your duties as Head of Gryffindor House is exemplary.”
“Thank you,” Minerva said softly. Her duties as Deputy Headmistress were not evaluated, as its position is not subjected to the duties of Head of House or Professor. Only Albus could release her from that position and he did not seem so inclined.
Albus lifted his eyebrows in surprise. He thought Minerva would have been more pleased but she seemed rather apathetic. He had adored her for so long he was able to pick up any changes in her mood just by watching how she sat and although she sat ramrod straight as always, she somehow appeared smaller.
“Is something wrong, Minerva?” His question was spoken quietly but the stiffening of her spine told him she heard.
“Nothing Albus, I just thought I would return to my rooms for a little while before returning to class if you don’t mind?” She finished her sentence with a question waiting for him to agree.
“Of course, my dear. If you’d like someone can cover your classes for the day. I daresay another day without class will not harm the students. They are so relieved Voldemort is out of the way for now that they are pouring all their energies into their classes.” He rose and stood beside her chair. “Perhaps a trip to see Madame Pomfrey?”
“I’m not ill, Albus. I just want to lie down for a bit.” She rose and nodded towards him.
He had lived long enough not to ask what was ailing a young woman but his brow furrowed as she quietly left the room. Sure, she may be having female ailments or such. Uncomfortable with his thoughts he returned to his desk and began his own work.
It was several days later that Albus realized he hadn’t seen Minerva much. She took her meals at the head table but didn’t linger over them. He had mentioned the upcoming quidditch match on the following weekend and she had merely nodded. Surely it can’t still be a hormonal issue; perhaps he should speak with her and offer his help.
Minerva sat in front of the mirror at her vanity table and brushed her hair. It wasn’t very late but she had read a good nights rest would lesson the likelihood of wrinkles. The war had probably caused the creases around her eyes to appear earlier than normal and Minerva did not want to receive any more for a long while.
Her charges were in the tower and she had already cautioned the prefects to keep them in line. It wasn’t likely they would disturb her tonight but at the school one couldn’t presume mishaps wouldn’t occur.
She groaned when the knock sounded on her door. It hadn’t even been an hour since she asked them to behave. She stood and reached for her tartan nightgown. She generally covered her own silk gown with it before pulling on her old robe. Just because she had to dress in the image of a frumpy staid schoolmarm it didn’t mean she had to sleep like one.
With a snort she dismissed putting on the nightgown and pulled her dressing gown around her. Her belt tied tightly around her waist would keep it in place.
Albus smiled at her when she opened the door but it faded when he realized she was already dressed for bed. It was only nine. Perhaps she was still feeling poorly. He followed behind her as she bade him to enter and they both took seats on her couch.
“Minerva, I’m concerned that you are feeling rather low. I would like to help if you’ll let me.” His eyes were sincere and Minerva couldn’t help feeling guilty.
“I’m not sick. I’m being silly and vain but I can’t help it.” She turned her head away from him as she felt tears gather in her eyes.
His hand turned her head back to him and she lowered her head causing the tears to spill over. He wiped them away slowly before folding her in his arms. He held her for several minutes before releasing her.
“I’m not ready to grow old,” she admitted softly.
“Do you feel old?”
She nodded.
“Why?” His blue eyes searched her green ones.
“I found two wrinkles. I know its silly but I was unprepared for them so soon.” She whispered.
“I understand, Minerva.”
Her head shot up in shock. “You do? Yours don’t seem to bother you.” She flushed when she called attention to the furrows in his face but he only smiled in return.
“I can apply charms to keep the wrinkles from being noticed. I can apply them to my face each day. I can also have painful muggle surgery to erase the lines.” He pulled her closer until her head rested on his shoulder. “But I don’t want to stop time. I want to live everyday and make sure my wrinkles come from living life and not worrying about it.”
“My mother lived a very long life. Her face was full of creases and she told me my siblings and I caused every one of them. At first I thought she was scolding me but she said that a life well lived was a badge of honor and she preferred to think of those wrinkles as a reward for a job well done. She died knowing her children and grandchildren were living productive lives and contributing to society.”
He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “What do you see when you look at my wrinkles? Are you thinking I’m an old man ready for his grave?”
A Wrinkle in Time
A tear trickled down Minerva McGonagall’s cheek and fell into the sink. Each morning she took care to inspect herself in the mirror. It was normally rather simple to look for a hair out of place or to make sure that her lipstick was perfectly applied. She didn’t waste her time with glamour charms or spells but she did pride herself in her youthful appearance.
Today was her performance evaluation with the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and she wanted everything to go perfectly. She knew her skills as Transfigurations professor was well above par but she was also Head of Gryffindor House and she was a little uncertain about her proficiency in that area. Not only had she taken over from Albus as Professor of Transfigurations, but also she had trained for that position. Being in charge of the well being of her young Gryffindors was a different matter.
She wasn’t aware of any current complaints but that’s what evaluations were all about and if any of the other professors had problems with her she would find out today.
The reasons for her tears were unexpected today of all days. A thorough examination of her face had shown not one but two wrinkles that had developed overnight. Of course that was impossible but she had never seen them before. There at the corner of each eye was a definite crease. She had at least another eighty odd years of life expectancy and to live more than half her life with lines on her face had never occurred to her.
She glimpsed at the time and hurriedly removed all evidence of crying from her face before rushing off to breakfast.
Minerva wasn’t vain as a rule but it was extremely hard not to duck her face when spoken to at the head table. Melancholy feelings seemed to trickle through her veins as she thought about growing older. She didn’t meet anyone’s eyes but pushed her food around on her plate and waited for Albus to dismiss them, which he did a few minutes later.
She was to meet with him immediately after breakfast and she wondered how Professor Flitwick would handle her first two classes. The Charms professor had volunteered to oversee her own so he could work on his own skills once more. His own classes were being held in joint session with DADA, as the spells were roughly the same.
She gathered a few folders to carry so she would have something in her hands and departed for Albus’ office. The room was as messy as ever as she entered and took a seat across from his desk.
“Minerva, surely you don’t believe you are standing in front of an executioner. You have had these before.” Albus smiled reassuringly and took his seat. “Your work is excellent as usual and both the board and myself believe your duties as Head of Gryffindor House is exemplary.”
“Thank you,” Minerva said softly. Her duties as Deputy Headmistress were not evaluated, as its position is not subjected to the duties of Head of House or Professor. Only Albus could release her from that position and he did not seem so inclined.
Albus lifted his eyebrows in surprise. He thought Minerva would have been more pleased but she seemed rather apathetic. He had adored her for so long he was able to pick up any changes in her mood just by watching how she sat and although she sat ramrod straight as always, she somehow appeared smaller.
“Is something wrong, Minerva?” His question was spoken quietly but the stiffening of her spine told him she heard.
“Nothing Albus, I just thought I would return to my rooms for a little while before returning to class if you don’t mind?” She finished her sentence with a question waiting for him to agree.
“Of course, my dear. If you’d like someone can cover your classes for the day. I daresay another day without class will not harm the students. They are so relieved Voldemort is out of the way for now that they are pouring all their energies into their classes.” He rose and stood beside her chair. “Perhaps a trip to see Madame Pomfrey?”
“I’m not ill, Albus. I just want to lie down for a bit.” She rose and nodded towards him.
He had lived long enough not to ask what was ailing a young woman but his brow furrowed as she quietly left the room. Sure, she may be having female ailments or such. Uncomfortable with his thoughts he returned to his desk and began his own work.
It was several days later that Albus realized he hadn’t seen Minerva much. She took her meals at the head table but didn’t linger over them. He had mentioned the upcoming quidditch match on the following weekend and she had merely nodded. Surely it can’t still be a hormonal issue; perhaps he should speak with her and offer his help.
Minerva sat in front of the mirror at her vanity table and brushed her hair. It wasn’t very late but she had read a good nights rest would lesson the likelihood of wrinkles. The war had probably caused the creases around her eyes to appear earlier than normal and Minerva did not want to receive any more for a long while.
Her charges were in the tower and she had already cautioned the prefects to keep them in line. It wasn’t likely they would disturb her tonight but at the school one couldn’t presume mishaps wouldn’t occur.
She groaned when the knock sounded on her door. It hadn’t even been an hour since she asked them to behave. She stood and reached for her tartan nightgown. She generally covered her own silk gown with it before pulling on her old robe. Just because she had to dress in the image of a frumpy staid schoolmarm it didn’t mean she had to sleep like one.
With a snort she dismissed putting on the nightgown and pulled her dressing gown around her. Her belt tied tightly around her waist would keep it in place.
Albus smiled at her when she opened the door but it faded when he realized she was already dressed for bed. It was only nine. Perhaps she was still feeling poorly. He followed behind her as she bade him to enter and they both took seats on her couch.
“Minerva, I’m concerned that you are feeling rather low. I would like to help if you’ll let me.” His eyes were sincere and Minerva couldn’t help feeling guilty.
“I’m not sick. I’m being silly and vain but I can’t help it.” She turned her head away from him as she felt tears gather in her eyes.
His hand turned her head back to him and she lowered her head causing the tears to spill over. He wiped them away slowly before folding her in his arms. He held her for several minutes before releasing her.
“I’m not ready to grow old,” she admitted softly.
“Do you feel old?”
She nodded.
“Why?” His blue eyes searched her green ones.
“I found two wrinkles. I know its silly but I was unprepared for them so soon.” She whispered.
“I understand, Minerva.”
Her head shot up in shock. “You do? Yours don’t seem to bother you.” She flushed when she called attention to the furrows in his face but he only smiled in return.
“I can apply charms to keep the wrinkles from being noticed. I can apply them to my face each day. I can also have painful muggle surgery to erase the lines.” He pulled her closer until her head rested on his shoulder. “But I don’t want to stop time. I want to live everyday and make sure my wrinkles come from living life and not worrying about it.”
“My mother lived a very long life. Her face was full of creases and she told me my siblings and I caused every one of them. At first I thought she was scolding me but she said that a life well lived was a badge of honor and she preferred to think of those wrinkles as a reward for a job well done. She died knowing her children and grandchildren were living productive lives and contributing to society.”
He placed a kiss on the top of her head. “What do you see when you look at my wrinkles? Are you thinking I’m an old man ready for his grave?”
I guess I'll have to carry on without one for now. I'm glad you posted early. Kandie
Don't look like that or you'll get them. Karmin
