Post by Orion's Guard on Jan 21, 2008 0:24:52 GMT -5
It’s been a while since I’ve done anything, but I had promised a few months ago that I would do what I could to keep the challenge board going, and I failed. This is my quick attempt to make amends. I will try harder in the near future.
Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore walked down Baker Street toward the entrance of the London Zoo. Most would assume that the esteemed headmaster had dragged his deputy to this muggle attraction, but it had actually been the other way around.
Professor McGonagall knew her husband needed a break from the stresses of the wizarding world. His workload was increasing as threats to peace were again surfacing across the country. She decided not to think about it this day; she took her husband’s hand and moved to walk closer to him.
“Thank you for bringing me here. I know it’s more for me than you, but I think it’s what we both needed.”
“It is a lovely day, isn’t it?” she asked him.
“We’re alone for a whole day for the first time in months and all you can think to talk about is the weather?”
“We never get to talk about the weather anymore. When’s the last time you asked me what the weather was like?”
“I remember the thunderstorm a few weeks ago that had you off balance for a few hours.”
“I have excellent balance, though I do recall being on my back most of that evening.”
“My point exactly. So where to first, my dear?”
“I’d truly like to investigate the aquarium. I read in a brochure that it has been here since 1853. Quite impressive for muggles.”
“I actually remember some people talking about zoo animals while I was in school but I didn’t pay much attention to it. And…”
“Yes, Mr. ‘I’m too good for everyone else?’”
“And I surely can’t imagine why you would want to see a giant fish tank so early in the morning.”
“I don’t usually have fish for breakfast, and I’m hardly going to dive into the water for a meal, even if I were inclined to give chase. No need to get smart with me.”
“I think I’d like to see you swimming in the tank, in either of your impressive forms.”
The two made their way to the right and through the expansive aquarium section of the zoo. Next came the darkness of the reptile house, where Albus tried unsuccessfully to pull Minerva into an even darker corner to get fresh, but she pulled him by the arm out into the sunlight.
“We’re surrounded by muggles, you can kiss me openly.” And she stood on her toes and pecked his lips. “Though I’m not ready to make too big a show of it.”
“Hiding among muggles is nice, but we must still be careful.” He looked around. “Isn’t that Madam Bartlett of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
“What?” She turned around and the slapped his arm. “Fine, no more kisses for you at all then.”
They made their way through the tour of the zoo, staying away from the Children’s section of the zoo. While there were children at all of the exhibits, neither Albus nor Minerva wished to go out of their way to an area they knew more would be concentrated with the younger crowd.
After lunch of fish and chips, Albus poked Minerva in the ribs as they strolled near the Big Cats display, and she blew a kiss in the direction of the tiger as they kept moving.
Minerva thought the butterflies were particularly beautiful flying around, though it was a pity she had to look at them through the glass shield. She chose to follow two as they floated around as if on the wind. The butterflies did not collide, but flew in intricate patters between and around each other as if each had a predetermined flight plan. It was a full tem minutes before Albus crept behind her and gently ran his finger from behind her down her neck. The shivers it sent through her body were enough to stir her from her mind wanderings.
“I know you’re enjoying the show, but others are waiting to get close to the glass, and I was wondering if you were ready to move on. I will of course ward off any intruders if you wish for more time to contemplate the flight patters of these beings.”
“That will hardly be necessary, though I do appreciate your letting me ignore you to admire them for a while.”
The held hands once more and made their way back toward an exit off the front street. They last past an exhibit of penguins sliding down a false ice wall into a cool pool of water.
“I’m surprised you spend so long with the butterflies, I would have though penguins would be your cup of tea. The perfect combination of bird and fish for my pet cat to chase?”
“I do not know to what pet you are referring, but as I said before, I do not chase for food. However, if you were to catch one for me, I would hardly refuse the gift. Or you could keep it for yourself as a pet you could attempt to control.”
“I do think my pet would appreciate having a penguin sliding around the castle to chase, though we may have to lower the temperature of the castle a few degrees to keep it comfortable.”
They walked out of the zoo and back past the main entrance to the Apparition point. They knew this vacation day was one in a thousand, that they had to make their way back to the real world and could no longer hide in this muggle getaway. But indulging once in a while made the load a little lighter to bear.
Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore walked down Baker Street toward the entrance of the London Zoo. Most would assume that the esteemed headmaster had dragged his deputy to this muggle attraction, but it had actually been the other way around.
Professor McGonagall knew her husband needed a break from the stresses of the wizarding world. His workload was increasing as threats to peace were again surfacing across the country. She decided not to think about it this day; she took her husband’s hand and moved to walk closer to him.
“Thank you for bringing me here. I know it’s more for me than you, but I think it’s what we both needed.”
“It is a lovely day, isn’t it?” she asked him.
“We’re alone for a whole day for the first time in months and all you can think to talk about is the weather?”
“We never get to talk about the weather anymore. When’s the last time you asked me what the weather was like?”
“I remember the thunderstorm a few weeks ago that had you off balance for a few hours.”
“I have excellent balance, though I do recall being on my back most of that evening.”
“My point exactly. So where to first, my dear?”
“I’d truly like to investigate the aquarium. I read in a brochure that it has been here since 1853. Quite impressive for muggles.”
“I actually remember some people talking about zoo animals while I was in school but I didn’t pay much attention to it. And…”
“Yes, Mr. ‘I’m too good for everyone else?’”
“And I surely can’t imagine why you would want to see a giant fish tank so early in the morning.”
“I don’t usually have fish for breakfast, and I’m hardly going to dive into the water for a meal, even if I were inclined to give chase. No need to get smart with me.”
“I think I’d like to see you swimming in the tank, in either of your impressive forms.”
The two made their way to the right and through the expansive aquarium section of the zoo. Next came the darkness of the reptile house, where Albus tried unsuccessfully to pull Minerva into an even darker corner to get fresh, but she pulled him by the arm out into the sunlight.
“We’re surrounded by muggles, you can kiss me openly.” And she stood on her toes and pecked his lips. “Though I’m not ready to make too big a show of it.”
“Hiding among muggles is nice, but we must still be careful.” He looked around. “Isn’t that Madam Bartlett of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
“What?” She turned around and the slapped his arm. “Fine, no more kisses for you at all then.”
They made their way through the tour of the zoo, staying away from the Children’s section of the zoo. While there were children at all of the exhibits, neither Albus nor Minerva wished to go out of their way to an area they knew more would be concentrated with the younger crowd.
After lunch of fish and chips, Albus poked Minerva in the ribs as they strolled near the Big Cats display, and she blew a kiss in the direction of the tiger as they kept moving.
Minerva thought the butterflies were particularly beautiful flying around, though it was a pity she had to look at them through the glass shield. She chose to follow two as they floated around as if on the wind. The butterflies did not collide, but flew in intricate patters between and around each other as if each had a predetermined flight plan. It was a full tem minutes before Albus crept behind her and gently ran his finger from behind her down her neck. The shivers it sent through her body were enough to stir her from her mind wanderings.
“I know you’re enjoying the show, but others are waiting to get close to the glass, and I was wondering if you were ready to move on. I will of course ward off any intruders if you wish for more time to contemplate the flight patters of these beings.”
“That will hardly be necessary, though I do appreciate your letting me ignore you to admire them for a while.”
The held hands once more and made their way back toward an exit off the front street. They last past an exhibit of penguins sliding down a false ice wall into a cool pool of water.
“I’m surprised you spend so long with the butterflies, I would have though penguins would be your cup of tea. The perfect combination of bird and fish for my pet cat to chase?”
“I do not know to what pet you are referring, but as I said before, I do not chase for food. However, if you were to catch one for me, I would hardly refuse the gift. Or you could keep it for yourself as a pet you could attempt to control.”
“I do think my pet would appreciate having a penguin sliding around the castle to chase, though we may have to lower the temperature of the castle a few degrees to keep it comfortable.”
They walked out of the zoo and back past the main entrance to the Apparition point. They knew this vacation day was one in a thousand, that they had to make their way back to the real world and could no longer hide in this muggle getaway. But indulging once in a while made the load a little lighter to bear.
