Post by angharad on Dec 31, 2004 18:33:15 GMT -5
This is for Karlynne, to bring cheer to her recovery, and to Benjamin, to welcome him into the world.
“Minerva, I think you should read this.”
Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall had been sitting at the desk in her office, going through the reports from various Order members stationed abroad, when an exhausted, decidedly wind-blown owl careened onto the window ledge, wobbling precariously as it tapped upon the glass with its nearly frozen beak. Albus opened the window and let the poor bird in, gave it a substantial treat, and untied the missive from its outstretched leg. Minerva then gently picked the owl up and placed it on a perch she had near the fire for just this sort of situation. When she turned back to Albus, he handed her a piece of slightly chilly parchment, upon which was hastily scrawled the following:
D,
Karlynne’s family has met with an accident, but it would appear that it was one of Muggle origin only. I have not been able to trace it to any outside influence. As a result of this accident, the baby was born early. He is fine, however, and his name is Benjamin Joseph. His mother is recovering also. I will update you as soon as I have more information.
In Service,
N
“Benjamin Joseph,” Minerva murmured thoughtfully. “I could almost swear that a few days ago…” Moving quickly to the large podium behind her desk, she scanned the pages of a sizeable tome that rested there, an enchanted quill poised in the air above it. “There he is,” she pointed to the name and smiled. “I remembered this because of where the child was born. You know it’s very unusual to have an American name in here,” she reminded him, indicating the book.
Albus nodded. “Perhaps there is a move in his family’s future,” he mused. “Or perhaps his particular talents would be best developed here.”
“Only time will tell,” Minerva observed. “Meanwhile, it’s a good thing we’ve got someone over there.”
“Indeed,” Albus agreed, taking his seat at the desk once more.
Minerva stared thoughtfully at the book for a moment, then turned to him. “Albus,” she began rather hesitantly, “In view of the circumstances of his birth, wouldn’t it be nice to let his mother know? It might cheer her up.”
Albus looked up at her, surprise warring with amusement on his kindly face. “Did I just hear Minerva McGonagall suggest a blatant disregard for one of the oldest rules in the history of Hogwarts?”
“Aren’t you the one who frequently informs me that some rules are meant to be broken?” she shot back.
Albus laughed. “Hoist on my own petard,” he responded jovially. “Next you’ll suggest breaking the rule that states that under no circumstances should the Deputy Headmistress kiss the Headmaster.”
Minerva stared at him. “What on earth are you talking about? There is no such rule!”
“Really?” Albus pondered theatrically. “You’ve so completely ignored all of my overtures that I thought there must be a rule somewhere that I didn’t remember.”
“What overtures?” she was quite aghast.
“Do you mean to tell me that you’ve never noticed how openly I’ve been flirting with you lately?” Albus was obviously enjoying this.
“You always tease me, and you’re frequently quite affectionate,” she said very slowly, “but that’s how you are with all of your friends…”
“If I were that way with all of my friends,” interrupted Albus, “Severus and Filius would have fled Hogwarts years ago, not to mention Arthur, Alastor and most of the men in the Order.” He rose and moved over to her.
A quite flustered Minerva was blushing furiously. “I’m not good at this sort of thing,” she protested. “I never learned how to flirt, so how am I supposed to know when it’s directed at me? Besides,” she continued, “It’s only natural that you would be more solicitous after my injury, so I never thought…” she broke off, quite unnerved by both his proximity and her own confusion.
“Your injury,” he was very close to her now “made me realize how much I care for you.”
She was silent for a moment, then, “It had the same effect upon me,” she revealed softly, reaching up to touch his cheek.
His movement mirrored hers, and soon they found themselves sharing the first of a great many kisses.
Several hours later, a well-fed, well-rested owl, assisted by a powerful warming charm, wended its way back across the Atlantic Ocean to deliver some interesting news to a family in Alaska.
A Name In The Book
[/u][/center]“Minerva, I think you should read this.”
Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall had been sitting at the desk in her office, going through the reports from various Order members stationed abroad, when an exhausted, decidedly wind-blown owl careened onto the window ledge, wobbling precariously as it tapped upon the glass with its nearly frozen beak. Albus opened the window and let the poor bird in, gave it a substantial treat, and untied the missive from its outstretched leg. Minerva then gently picked the owl up and placed it on a perch she had near the fire for just this sort of situation. When she turned back to Albus, he handed her a piece of slightly chilly parchment, upon which was hastily scrawled the following:
D,
Karlynne’s family has met with an accident, but it would appear that it was one of Muggle origin only. I have not been able to trace it to any outside influence. As a result of this accident, the baby was born early. He is fine, however, and his name is Benjamin Joseph. His mother is recovering also. I will update you as soon as I have more information.
In Service,
N
“Benjamin Joseph,” Minerva murmured thoughtfully. “I could almost swear that a few days ago…” Moving quickly to the large podium behind her desk, she scanned the pages of a sizeable tome that rested there, an enchanted quill poised in the air above it. “There he is,” she pointed to the name and smiled. “I remembered this because of where the child was born. You know it’s very unusual to have an American name in here,” she reminded him, indicating the book.
Albus nodded. “Perhaps there is a move in his family’s future,” he mused. “Or perhaps his particular talents would be best developed here.”
“Only time will tell,” Minerva observed. “Meanwhile, it’s a good thing we’ve got someone over there.”
“Indeed,” Albus agreed, taking his seat at the desk once more.
Minerva stared thoughtfully at the book for a moment, then turned to him. “Albus,” she began rather hesitantly, “In view of the circumstances of his birth, wouldn’t it be nice to let his mother know? It might cheer her up.”
Albus looked up at her, surprise warring with amusement on his kindly face. “Did I just hear Minerva McGonagall suggest a blatant disregard for one of the oldest rules in the history of Hogwarts?”
“Aren’t you the one who frequently informs me that some rules are meant to be broken?” she shot back.
Albus laughed. “Hoist on my own petard,” he responded jovially. “Next you’ll suggest breaking the rule that states that under no circumstances should the Deputy Headmistress kiss the Headmaster.”
Minerva stared at him. “What on earth are you talking about? There is no such rule!”
“Really?” Albus pondered theatrically. “You’ve so completely ignored all of my overtures that I thought there must be a rule somewhere that I didn’t remember.”
“What overtures?” she was quite aghast.
“Do you mean to tell me that you’ve never noticed how openly I’ve been flirting with you lately?” Albus was obviously enjoying this.
“You always tease me, and you’re frequently quite affectionate,” she said very slowly, “but that’s how you are with all of your friends…”
“If I were that way with all of my friends,” interrupted Albus, “Severus and Filius would have fled Hogwarts years ago, not to mention Arthur, Alastor and most of the men in the Order.” He rose and moved over to her.
A quite flustered Minerva was blushing furiously. “I’m not good at this sort of thing,” she protested. “I never learned how to flirt, so how am I supposed to know when it’s directed at me? Besides,” she continued, “It’s only natural that you would be more solicitous after my injury, so I never thought…” she broke off, quite unnerved by both his proximity and her own confusion.
“Your injury,” he was very close to her now “made me realize how much I care for you.”
She was silent for a moment, then, “It had the same effect upon me,” she revealed softly, reaching up to touch his cheek.
His movement mirrored hers, and soon they found themselves sharing the first of a great many kisses.
Several hours later, a well-fed, well-rested owl, assisted by a powerful warming charm, wended its way back across the Atlantic Ocean to deliver some interesting news to a family in Alaska.
I've passed the word and someone will definitely read this to Karlie tomorrow. I can't wait to meet the little wizard myself. 
