Post by JKMcGonagall on Jul 3, 2005 23:04:09 GMT -5
Summary: Response to Challenge # 35. Albus and Minerva recall the past on the night that Harry’s broom was destroyed by the Whomping Willow. This is my first fic. I hope you enjoy it. By the way, I don't own any of it, I just like to play with it. (I would like to own a broomstick, oh well, wishful thinking.)
Rating: Age 13 and above (for a little snogging.)
How A Broomstick Brought Us Together
By JKMcGonagall
Minerva McGonagall stood in the doorway of Poppy Pomfrey’s office and watched
as the Quidditch team stood around Harry’s bed in the Hospital Wing. She felt tears come to her eyes as she watched Hermione hand him the bundle that contained the remains of his Nimbus Two Thousand. She knew how hard Professor Flitwick had tried to repair it, but some things just could not be repaired. Apparently, a broomstick that crashed into the Whomping Willow was one of those things.
She removed her glasses to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. She knew what that broomstick had meant to Harry. Minerva sighed deeply as she felt two hands on her shoulders. She leaned back against the man who had recently become her husband, unknown to most of the school of course, and replaced the square glasses on the bridge of her nose. She and Albus both watched from the shadows of the office as Madam Pomfrey shooed the rest of the team out of the Hospital Wing so Harry could rest. The medi-witch tried to get him to give her the bundle, but Harry would not part with it. He curled up on the bed clutching the broken broom to his chest, and buried his head in his pillow. He had not cried over it yet, but Minerva knew that he would when no one was watching.
Poppy returned to her office and joined Minerva and Albus in watching Harry.
“I couldn’t get him to give it to me.” she remarked.
“I don’t blame him,” Minerva spoke up quietly, the sadness evident in her voice. “He loved that broomstick. I think it gave him more joy than anything else in his life. It was always a symbol of our world to him and how much he loves it here. He has always felt so much freer when he was flying. Now it is gone. Oh, Albus, why did the Dementors have to come out on the pitch today? Why do they have to be here at the castle? Why?”
The agony in his wife’s voice tore at Albus Dumbledore’s heart. He too, grieved over Harry’s loss of the beloved broom.
“They came on the pitch today because they are hungry, Minerva. All that emotion in one place was just too tempting for them. They will not do it again. I have just come from a discussion with Cornelius. The man refuses to see reason. I have warned him that if any thing like this happens again, they will leave this school, and I don’t care what he says or does.” Anger radiated from him as he spoke. “As to why they are here, you know that, as well as I do, Minerva.”
“I know why, yes, but I don’t have to agree with it, or like it.” the emerald eyed witch snapped angrily.
Albus Dumbledore took the angry witch in his arms, hugged her, and planted a loving kiss on the top of her head.
“I know you’re angry. So am I. But, we can’t change what has happened, and it is late. Poppy, if you will please excuse us, I am going to take my wife up to our rooms and see if I can calm her down enough so that we can sleep tonight.”
“Good night, Albus. Minerva, don’t worry about Harry. I’ve put a monitoring spell on him, and I will know if he needs me.” the motherly medi-witch said softly. “I am going to get him a Dreamless Sleep potion so he will rest. I’m not going to take the broom away from him.”
Minerva nodded wearily, “Good night, Poppy. Let us know if you need us.”
The Headmaster of Hogwarts and his Deputy left the Hospital Wing, and walking slowly through the castle, they returned to his office. He gave their personal password, Sweet Tabby, and they rode up the spiraling staircase together. They walked through the office and into the private rooms behind it. Minerva sank down on the couch and put her head in her hands. Albus moved to sit beside her and drew her into a warm embrace.
“You loved that broom almost as much as Harry did. Didn’t you?”
“It was something that was special between Harry and me. Remember, I bought it for him that first year. Oh, I know I’m not supposed to be partial to any of my students, but sometimes it’s hard not to be. I loved James and Lily so much, and Harry’s had such a hard life, that it is hard not to have a soft spot for him.” She felt the tears begin to fall down her cheeks again. Albus gently wiped them away with his thumbs and then cupped her face lovingly. “Of course, most of the students could never imagine me…straight laced…strict…never give an inch…Professor McGonagall, having a soft spot for anyone.” she finished with a wry chuckle.
“Then they don’t know you very well, do they, love?”
He pulled her closer to him and kissed her. She put up a token resistance at first, but gradually was drawn into his loving embrace and allowed him to deepen the kiss. They spent several minutes snogging (as the students would say) on the couch before breaking out of their embrace.
“I think I need a cup of hot chocolate before bed, how about you.” Albus inquired.
“You and your hot chocolate. Make mine a cup of tea, Earl Grey, please.”
Albus conjured up the two hot drinks for them. He handed the tea to his wife. She took it from him absentmindedly, and began sipping it. There was a faraway look in her emerald green eyes.
“What are you seeing, Tabby?” he asked with quiet concern.
The raven haired witch looked at him sadly. “I was just remembering how Harry got that broom. Do you remember?”
**FLASHBACK**
Fast and furious footsteps echoed up and down the deserted hallway in Hogwarts castle. At that moment in time, most of the inhabitants of the castle were in their classes. The exception to that rule was the tall witch in green robes and square glasses, and the small first year boy who jogged along behind her glumly. Neither spoke to the other as they traveled up a set of stairs and along the hallway.
Professor McGonagall came to a stop outside of a classroom. She opened the door and poked her head inside.
“Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, could I borrow Wood for a moment?”
“Certainly, Professor McGonagall. Wood, you may be excused.”
Professor McGonagall waited impatiently as a burly fifth-year boy exited Flitwick’s classroom looking confused.
“Follow me, you two,” said Professor McGonagall, and they marched on up the corridor. Wood looking curiously at Harry Potter, who looked just as confused. He had thought that wood was a cane she was going to use on him.
“In here.”
Professor McGonagall pointed them into a classroom that was empty except for Peeves, who was busy writing rude words on the blackboard.
“Out, Peeves!” she barked. Peeves threw the chalk into a bin, and swooped out noisily. Professor McGonagall slammed the door behind him and turned to face the two boys.
“Potter, this is Oliver Wood. Wood! I have found you a Seeker.”
“Are you serious, Professor?”
“Absolutely.” said Professor McGonagall. “Potter here is a natural. I’ve never seen anything like it. Was that your first time on a broomstick, Potter?”
Harry nodded silently.
“He caught that thing in his hand after a fifty foot dive.” Professor McGonagall told Wood. “Charlie Weasley couldn’t have done it.”
Professor McGonagall had a look on her face like the cat that had eaten a canary and Oliver Wood looked as though all of his dreams had come true at once.
“Wood is captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.” Professor McGonagall explained to Harry.
“He’s just the right build for a Seeker.” exclaimed Wood. “Have you ever seen a Quidditch game, Potter?” Harry shook his head.
“We will have to get him a decent broom, Professor. Maybe a Nimbus Two Thousand or a Cleansweep Seven?”
“I will speak to Professor Dumbledore and see if we can’t bend the first-year rule. Heaven knows that we need a better team than last year. Flattened in that last match by Slytherin. I swear I couldn’t look Severus Snape in the face for weeks…”
Professor McGonagall peered sternly over the top of her glasses at Harry.
“I want to hear that you are training hard, Potter, or I may change my mind about punishing you.” She glared at Harry and watched as he gulped and nodded quickly.
Then she suddenly smiled.
“Your father would have been so proud,” she said. “James was an excellent Quidditch player himself. Now then, Wood, you had best be getting back to class. Please tell Professor Flitwick thank you from me. Potter, come with me.”
She started back along the hallway at a fast clip. Harry jogged to keep up with her. When they had reached her office she opened the door and motioned for Harry to enter.
Rating: Age 13 and above (for a little snogging.)
How A Broomstick Brought Us Together
By JKMcGonagall
Minerva McGonagall stood in the doorway of Poppy Pomfrey’s office and watched
as the Quidditch team stood around Harry’s bed in the Hospital Wing. She felt tears come to her eyes as she watched Hermione hand him the bundle that contained the remains of his Nimbus Two Thousand. She knew how hard Professor Flitwick had tried to repair it, but some things just could not be repaired. Apparently, a broomstick that crashed into the Whomping Willow was one of those things.
She removed her glasses to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. She knew what that broomstick had meant to Harry. Minerva sighed deeply as she felt two hands on her shoulders. She leaned back against the man who had recently become her husband, unknown to most of the school of course, and replaced the square glasses on the bridge of her nose. She and Albus both watched from the shadows of the office as Madam Pomfrey shooed the rest of the team out of the Hospital Wing so Harry could rest. The medi-witch tried to get him to give her the bundle, but Harry would not part with it. He curled up on the bed clutching the broken broom to his chest, and buried his head in his pillow. He had not cried over it yet, but Minerva knew that he would when no one was watching.
Poppy returned to her office and joined Minerva and Albus in watching Harry.
“I couldn’t get him to give it to me.” she remarked.
“I don’t blame him,” Minerva spoke up quietly, the sadness evident in her voice. “He loved that broomstick. I think it gave him more joy than anything else in his life. It was always a symbol of our world to him and how much he loves it here. He has always felt so much freer when he was flying. Now it is gone. Oh, Albus, why did the Dementors have to come out on the pitch today? Why do they have to be here at the castle? Why?”
The agony in his wife’s voice tore at Albus Dumbledore’s heart. He too, grieved over Harry’s loss of the beloved broom.
“They came on the pitch today because they are hungry, Minerva. All that emotion in one place was just too tempting for them. They will not do it again. I have just come from a discussion with Cornelius. The man refuses to see reason. I have warned him that if any thing like this happens again, they will leave this school, and I don’t care what he says or does.” Anger radiated from him as he spoke. “As to why they are here, you know that, as well as I do, Minerva.”
“I know why, yes, but I don’t have to agree with it, or like it.” the emerald eyed witch snapped angrily.
Albus Dumbledore took the angry witch in his arms, hugged her, and planted a loving kiss on the top of her head.
“I know you’re angry. So am I. But, we can’t change what has happened, and it is late. Poppy, if you will please excuse us, I am going to take my wife up to our rooms and see if I can calm her down enough so that we can sleep tonight.”
“Good night, Albus. Minerva, don’t worry about Harry. I’ve put a monitoring spell on him, and I will know if he needs me.” the motherly medi-witch said softly. “I am going to get him a Dreamless Sleep potion so he will rest. I’m not going to take the broom away from him.”
Minerva nodded wearily, “Good night, Poppy. Let us know if you need us.”
The Headmaster of Hogwarts and his Deputy left the Hospital Wing, and walking slowly through the castle, they returned to his office. He gave their personal password, Sweet Tabby, and they rode up the spiraling staircase together. They walked through the office and into the private rooms behind it. Minerva sank down on the couch and put her head in her hands. Albus moved to sit beside her and drew her into a warm embrace.
“You loved that broom almost as much as Harry did. Didn’t you?”
“It was something that was special between Harry and me. Remember, I bought it for him that first year. Oh, I know I’m not supposed to be partial to any of my students, but sometimes it’s hard not to be. I loved James and Lily so much, and Harry’s had such a hard life, that it is hard not to have a soft spot for him.” She felt the tears begin to fall down her cheeks again. Albus gently wiped them away with his thumbs and then cupped her face lovingly. “Of course, most of the students could never imagine me…straight laced…strict…never give an inch…Professor McGonagall, having a soft spot for anyone.” she finished with a wry chuckle.
“Then they don’t know you very well, do they, love?”
He pulled her closer to him and kissed her. She put up a token resistance at first, but gradually was drawn into his loving embrace and allowed him to deepen the kiss. They spent several minutes snogging (as the students would say) on the couch before breaking out of their embrace.
“I think I need a cup of hot chocolate before bed, how about you.” Albus inquired.
“You and your hot chocolate. Make mine a cup of tea, Earl Grey, please.”
Albus conjured up the two hot drinks for them. He handed the tea to his wife. She took it from him absentmindedly, and began sipping it. There was a faraway look in her emerald green eyes.
“What are you seeing, Tabby?” he asked with quiet concern.
The raven haired witch looked at him sadly. “I was just remembering how Harry got that broom. Do you remember?”
**FLASHBACK**
Fast and furious footsteps echoed up and down the deserted hallway in Hogwarts castle. At that moment in time, most of the inhabitants of the castle were in their classes. The exception to that rule was the tall witch in green robes and square glasses, and the small first year boy who jogged along behind her glumly. Neither spoke to the other as they traveled up a set of stairs and along the hallway.
Professor McGonagall came to a stop outside of a classroom. She opened the door and poked her head inside.
“Excuse me, Professor Flitwick, could I borrow Wood for a moment?”
“Certainly, Professor McGonagall. Wood, you may be excused.”
Professor McGonagall waited impatiently as a burly fifth-year boy exited Flitwick’s classroom looking confused.
“Follow me, you two,” said Professor McGonagall, and they marched on up the corridor. Wood looking curiously at Harry Potter, who looked just as confused. He had thought that wood was a cane she was going to use on him.
“In here.”
Professor McGonagall pointed them into a classroom that was empty except for Peeves, who was busy writing rude words on the blackboard.
“Out, Peeves!” she barked. Peeves threw the chalk into a bin, and swooped out noisily. Professor McGonagall slammed the door behind him and turned to face the two boys.
“Potter, this is Oliver Wood. Wood! I have found you a Seeker.”
“Are you serious, Professor?”
“Absolutely.” said Professor McGonagall. “Potter here is a natural. I’ve never seen anything like it. Was that your first time on a broomstick, Potter?”
Harry nodded silently.
“He caught that thing in his hand after a fifty foot dive.” Professor McGonagall told Wood. “Charlie Weasley couldn’t have done it.”
Professor McGonagall had a look on her face like the cat that had eaten a canary and Oliver Wood looked as though all of his dreams had come true at once.
“Wood is captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.” Professor McGonagall explained to Harry.
“He’s just the right build for a Seeker.” exclaimed Wood. “Have you ever seen a Quidditch game, Potter?” Harry shook his head.
“We will have to get him a decent broom, Professor. Maybe a Nimbus Two Thousand or a Cleansweep Seven?”
“I will speak to Professor Dumbledore and see if we can’t bend the first-year rule. Heaven knows that we need a better team than last year. Flattened in that last match by Slytherin. I swear I couldn’t look Severus Snape in the face for weeks…”
Professor McGonagall peered sternly over the top of her glasses at Harry.
“I want to hear that you are training hard, Potter, or I may change my mind about punishing you.” She glared at Harry and watched as he gulped and nodded quickly.
Then she suddenly smiled.
“Your father would have been so proud,” she said. “James was an excellent Quidditch player himself. Now then, Wood, you had best be getting back to class. Please tell Professor Flitwick thank you from me. Potter, come with me.”
She started back along the hallway at a fast clip. Harry jogged to keep up with her. When they had reached her office she opened the door and motioned for Harry to enter.
Hope you'll write for use again.
