Ceilidh

[Jaya]

Poor Albus! Having to deal with a kilt and a furious tabby....

Anxiously awaiting the next installment!

Jaya

[ginger newts]

Is it possible to throttle a fictional character for being an idiot? No? Too bad, guess I'll have to hope for a fast update in which he gets his act together and goes after her -- in a kilt! Great chatper.

[Toe Expert]

OMG!

I just came back from my first Ceilidh. It was absolutely fantastic!!! And all the men were wearing kilts... and they looked gorgeous

Minerva is right, there's no way Albus could go a Ceilidh without a kilt. He would just feel out of place, unless of course he is ashamed of his legs ...

Anyway, after four hours of almost non-stop dancing, I feel that I deserve some good-night sleep.

[Sensiblyquirky]

oh albus...so stupid sometimes. I hope he can make it up to her in the next chapters. I know you won't let me down.

Christy

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

oooooohhhhhh!!!!!! i'm actually tense to know what happens next lol.

love the boxers lol...wounder what his other fav. are? lol

can't wait for next installment

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter Nine: Alone?

Minerva made her way up the stone path that led to her family ancestral home. She had decided to apparate to the front gates so it gave her time to dry her tears and look presentable. Albus had really hurt her by making such a fuss about wearing the kilt. He wouldn’t be the only man in a kilt at the gathering and he would look out of place if he wasn’t wearing a kilt but he didn’t understand that. She had made allowances for his family and she couldn’t understand why he couldn’t do the same for her. She never asked much of him and when she did, it was always met with stubbornness from him.

Minerva couldn’t quite believe that she was turning up at her families Ceilidh alone again. She could just imagine the comments from her female cousins. They always reacted the same. They would tip the heads sideways and sigh in unison. Minerva would smile and quickly make her excuses. Once her back was turned they would begin to go on about her lack of a date and say that she wasn’t getting any younger.

Minerva reached the front door and smoothed down her clothing. She could hear the folk music playing loudly and she had to smile. It was good being home again. She raised her fist and knocked on the door. Seconds later the door opened and she was greeted by her father.

Maxim McGonagall beamed at his youngest child and pulled her in a bear like hug. Minerva smiled as she embraced her father. He was slightly taller than her and he had wild grey hair. Her mother had tried to tame his hair with charms, potions and all sorts but it always managed to spring up in all directions. Minerva had always thought that her father’s hair suited him and was secretly pleased when all her mothers’ attempts of making it straight failed. Minerva had inherited her emerald green eyes from her father and her black hair and bone structure from her mother.

“Hello my wee petal,” said her father as he let go and looked at her. “Ah you are the belle of the ball!”

“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. She knew that he had already told his wife that she was the belle of the ball. “The dance seems to be in full swing!”

They slipped into a comfortable silence as the sounds of a flute, piano and harmonica floated out from the dance hall. Minerva could hear laughter and chatter and she suspected that rather a lot of alcohol had been guzzled.

“Could Albus not make it petal?” asked her father, who had been surprised to see Minerva standing alone on family’s doorstep.

“No,” she answered. She didn’t want to go into too much detail about the prior events of the evening. “He unfortunately is snowed down with paperwork.”

“Ah, well that is a shame,” he replied as he offered her his arm. “I was looking forward to meeting him but I suppose it can’t be helped. I promise to protect you from your cousins this evening.”

Maxim led his only daughter into the dance hall. The sight that met Minerva’s eyes could only make her laugh. There, on the wooden dance floor, was her Uncle Hamish dancing a lively rendition of some dance he had made up. Her family and friends were all crowded around the sides of the dance floor, clapping and cheering him on. By the look of it, Uncle Hamish was having the time of his life. In one hand he held a glass of whiskey and in the other he held a table arrangement of flowers. Minerva glanced curiously at her father who explained that Hamish had grown attached to that particular flower arrangement and had declared to everyone that it was going to be his dance partner for the evening.

“So who is tonight’s caller?” Minerva asked.

The caller was an important job at any Ceilidh dance. They would announce each dance and then remind the dancers of the steps before commanding the band to play. The caller would also remind the dancers of the moves as the band played. The position of caller was passed down through the ranks of the McGonagall clan. Most of them wanted to be caller but some, like Minerva and her father, didn’t want to be.

“Your brother Archie,” explained Maxim. “He has been practising his caller’s voice all week and has been driving me up the wall. Your mother, of course, is very encouraging and has been helping him.”

“Oh Papa, I do feel sorry for you!” said Minerva as she gave him a sympathetic look. She could just imagine what it had been like living with her mother and brother in Ceilidh mode for a whole week.

“Minnie!” came a high-pitched voice from over the other side of the room.

Minerva sighed inwardly and forced a smile as her cousin Bonnie approached. She knew what was coming and she wasn’t really in the mood for it. She felt her father pat her on the shoulder and Minerva braced herself for lots of questions.

“Una, Siobhan and I weren’t sure you were coming,” Bonnie exclaimed as she embraced her cousin. “It was getting late and we were worried.”

“As you can see I am here Bonnie,” replied Minerva with a halfhearted smile.

“Alone?” she asked as she looked behind her cousin for any sign of a date. “Oh I am sorry Minnie. Maybe next time.”

Minerva could feel her blood boil. She hated that put on pity voice that Bonnie always used. It was sickly sweet but Minerva also knew that it put on and that Bonnie was feeling sorry for her.

“I, on the other hand, have a wonderful date,” boasted Bonnie. “His name is Angus and he works for some top secret organization. He is divine, so handsome and very rich.”

“Why don’t you get back to him then!” urged Minerva.

Bonnie giggled and flicked her long brown hair behind her ears. She departed a few minutes later and Minerva breathed a sigh of relief.

“I have been informed by a reliable source,” began Maxim in hushed tones “that Angus does indeed work for Flourish and Blotts, is not overly attractive and is not nearly as wealthy as he makes out.”

“Oh dear,” replied Minerva. “It seems that Bonnie’s ideal man isn’t that ideal.”

Maxim and Minerva exchanged amused glances before making their way deeper into the dance hall. The dance floor was packed now and Minerva watched the couples dance ‘The Highland Schottische’. The couples on the dance floor were in one large circle with the ladies on the outside. They looked like they were about to do a ballroom waltz only when the music started, it was clear that it wasn’t.

The couple tapped there feet against the wooden floor and then brought one foot up in front the shin and then brought the same foot up behind their calf. They repeated the moves on the other foot before moving around in the circle with a hop and skip. Minerva watched with amusement as her Aunt Lorna and her Uncle Magnus tried to keep up with the fast pace. They looked like they were having fun trying though. The music faded and then Minerva heard the unmistakable voice of her brother boom through the room.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you are having a wonderfully drunken time and if not, the bar is over in the corner. Now grab your partners and join me and the fine band in The Gay Gordans.”

The sound of cheering exploded from the dance hall and there was a mad dash for the dance floor. Minerva took a step back and sighed sadly. This was one of the dances she had taught Albus. He had done so well in such a short time. She shouldn’t have stormed out on him like she had, especially after all the work he had put into learning the dances. He hadn’t really needed to wear a kilt to the gathering. She just thought that it would be nice to keep up with tradition. Her father had been dragged on to the dance floor by her mother and Minerva could see them both smiling and positioning their feet properly as Archie talked them through the steps.

Minerva looked down at her feet as the band began to play. She closed her eyes and let the music overtake her and she slipped into a memory of her and Albus dancing this very dance only a few evenings ago.

“May I have this dance?” asked a voice over the sounds of the guitar, piano, fiddle and melodeon.

Minerva barely heard the voice but something was familiar. She opened her eyes and slowly began to trail her eyes up from the shoes. Minerva noted the knee-high socks and then the family tartan. She also noticed a scar on one knee. A wide smile spread all over her face as she looked up quickly and saw the man that held her heart.

“Albus!” she mouthed. She was so happy to see him that she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him to her.

“Hello darling,” he whispered into her ear. “I’m here and wearing the family tartan.”

“Thank you so much,” she sniffed as she kissed his cheek “I am sorry I stormed off before.”

“Ssshhh darling,” he told her. “I am here and I believe one of our dances is playing!”

To be continued

[Nerweniel]

Oh my god, if he hadn't come I would have felt the urge to kick him ;D but he did, yaaaaaaay ;D. Cuteness, great!

Love,

Lies

[Kimberly]

Oh! Albus' arrival brought tears to my eyes. I knew he would come through. Kim

[Kamdra]

Take that, Bonnie! Albus is much more thrilling than Angus could ever hope to be. I hope there's lots of kisses and making up. Kammie

[griseldalafey]

Oh, I missed a chapter. I'm glad Albus showed up at the last minute.
Minerva's father is wonderful, I can see were she gets her sense of humor from.

[tayryn]

yay! i knew Albus wouldn't really dare to disappoint his heart! and i bet he looks smashing in the kilt!!

wonderful chapter!!

[KayleeTonksLupin]

YES!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR MAKING ALBUS NOT STUPID...*sigh of relief* You've *definitely* earned these Kaylee-wolf treats ;D

*gives boatload of treats* ;D ;D

<3 Kaylee

[Jaya]

AWWW!!!

Albus didn't let his Minerva down... but then we all sort of secretly knew that he wouldn't....

am glad that the socks don't cover his scar. I've often thought about having the London Underground map tattooed on me....

So let's get the kilt swinging!!!!

Jaya

[Karlynne]

Albus has restored my faith in him. I am happy he made it and I hope he remembers how to dance. Karlie

[Lady Lavendar]

He should up! yay!!! I love this story muy much!! Hope to see another update soon!

LL

[DumbledoresKitten]

Yay Albus showed up! And what a prefect entrance "May I have this dance?" (Duh, yes)
Thank you for updating, and not making albus stupid.
cat

[Sola]

YAY!..he is back!...I'm sooooo happy about that!

Anyway...great story, hope ya update soon!

Sola

[ginger newts]

Oh good, he showed up! And in a kilt, good boy Albus. Update soon!

[Adrasteia]

Great chapter! I' m so glad that Albus showed up and I'm now trying to imagine how he would look in a kilt

[Sensiblyquirky]

Excellent, good for Albus! Now I'm sure they will look much better than Bonnie and her beau on the dance floor!

Christy

[tanja]

how romantic it all is...please update as soon as possible

[QuillofMinerva]

Ceilidh

Chapter Ten: Dance the night away

Minerva couldn’t help but smile as Albus led her on to the dance floor. She was never one for showing off but tonight she wanted to show him off and rub Bonnie’s nose right into it. She felt him move behind her and then reach over and hold her right hand over her shoulder and their other hands out in front of her. Albus was humming along with the music and waited for the couples to move.

Minerva’s brother clapped his hands together and the couples on the dance floor started to move. They took four steps forward and pivoted, Albus did a perfect pivot so perfect that he was amazed and lost count of his footing so they were two steps behind the other couples. Minerva giggled softly and smiled at him. She was proud of him and the kilt made him look even sexier than usual. They moved together in the opposite direction before dropping their left hands and raising their right hands above Minerva’s head, Minerva then pivoted under and they slipped into a comfortable polka dance before repeating the moves again.

“I did it!” declared Albus with triumph. “I did a pivot without falling flat on my face.”

“Oh Albus,” whispered Minerva into his ear as they continued to dance “you are a wonderful man and you have the best legs in a kilt for miles around.”

“I must say that wearing a kilt,” he replied “gives one a feeling of freedom!”

Minerva laughed and planted a soft kiss on his cheek as the music died down and the couples began to walk off the dance floor. Minerva took Albus by the hand and led him over to the refreshment table. They helped themselves to two glasses of McGonagalls Ceilidh Warmer while Uncle Hamish helped himself to another bottle of firewhiskey. Minerva knew that in half an hour’s time, Hamish would be missing and no search party would be called together because he, like always, would be fast asleep in the upstairs bath clutching his bottle of whiskey as if it were a newborn baby.

“My darling girl,” came the voice of her father from behind her “are you going to introduce us?”

Minerva turned around and smiled at her mother and father. Her father looked slightly rosy cheeked and cheerful. Albus held Minerva’s hand protectively. This was the first time he had met Minerva’s parents and he was slightly nervous about it. Nothing usually fazed him but this terrified him because he so wanted to be accepted by her family.

“Mother, Father I would like to introduce Albus.” Minerva introduced. “Albus, this is my Mother and Father, Cecile and Maxim McGonagall.”

Albus extended his arm and shook Maxim McGonagall’s hand before kissing Cecile’s in greeting. Minerva’s mother giggled and then hiccupped. Minerva could tell that her mother had already consumed a few glasses of Ceilidh warmer.

“Pleased to meet you Albus,” said Maxim. “It is quite a honour to do so for you must be special to steal my little girls’ heart the way you have.”

Minerva blushed at her father’s words. She was long past the stage of being his little girl but that never stopped him from referring to her as that. He had always been overly protective of her and she had put that down to her being the youngest of his children but also his only daughter. She could see that he was looking Albus up and down and if Albus had been a man easily intimidated, he would have ran from the building if he had seen the way Maxim was looking at him. Her mother on the other hand was simply beaming at Albus, quite impressed that her daughter could catch such a man with a noble reputation.

“Albus,” said Cecile, putting on her best voice “you danced the Gay Gordans well for a beginner.”

“I have been taking lessons from Minerva,” admitted Albus. “She is a wonderful teacher and at times, I can’t think how she puts up with me.”

“Because she loves you, my boy!” said Maxim, who was nodding his head.

Albus looked at Minerva’s father and then back at Minerva, his blue eyes twinkling brightly. It had been a very long time since he had been called a boy and he found it rather amusing that Maxim McGonagall, who was two years older than him, was calling him a boy.

“It is very clear from the way she looks at you,” continued Cecile who was fighting back hot tears of happiness. She was glad Minerva had finally found someone worthy of her love.

“I believe you are in love with her as well,” said Maxim seriously. “I am glad but I will ask you not to hurt her.”

“Father!” moaned Minerva, who couldn’t believe her father was about to give Albus the talk about not hurting his daughter.

“Min,” replied her father as he raised his hand up to silence her “I am just laying down some ground rules for it is my job as your father to do so. Albus, do not hurt my wee petal otherwise I will not be happy and I do have a mean streak in me. Enough about that. Would you like another drink?”

“Mr. McGonagall,” began Albus.

“Maxim please,” he cut in with a smile.

“Maxim,” said Albus, starting again “I can assure you that I will do nothing to hurt Minerva. I love her dearly and only want to make her happy.”

“That is all I am asking!” replied Maxim as he winked at Minerva, who had turned an attractive shade of red.

Minerva and Albus spoke with her parents for another ten minutes before being encouraged to mingle with the other guests. Minerva smiled as she watched Albus walk in his kilt. It swung from side to side and she had to admit that his bottom looked shapelier in the kilt compared to his robes and linen trousers he wore underneath. They stood on the sidelines as they watched some of the couples dance The St. Bernard’s Waltz. Albus noticed that some of the men in the couples were having a hard time with the dance steps and was amazed when Minerva told him that they had been doing this for years and still didn’t get it. Albus couldn’t help but feel proud when Minerva praised him for how well he had done in two weeks. He felt on top of the world.

Minerva turned to the side and smiled smugly. Bonnie was on her way over and dragging some poor man behind her. Minerva guessed correctly that the man being dragged behind her cousin was indeed Angus, her cousin’s perfect man. He was a tall, lanky man with out of control brown hair and dull green eyes.

“Minnie,” cried Bonnie “is this him?”

“If you mean,” answered Minerva “is this Albus, then yes it is Bonnie.”

“Hello Albus,” enthused Bonnie as she smiled brightly at him. “Angus, say hello to Albus.”

“Hello!” said Angus, who looked tired and had probably been hen pecked by Bonnie all evening.

Bonnie was staring at Albus and Albus wasn’t enjoying the attention. He felt like he was an exhibit and people were paying to see him. Bonnie was giggling away and speaking though no one could understand a word she was saying so they all just smiled and nodded when she stopped for air.

“Angus,” said Albus friendly, trying to bring him into the conversation “how is Flourish and Blotts these days? I always wanted to work there, amongst all those books and other items.”

“Flourish and Blotts?” exclaimed Bonnie as she turned to glare at Angus.

Angus paled slightly and mumbled something about needing to see a man about a haggis before darting off into the crowd with Bonnie hot on his heels, screaming at him. Albus grimaced after them while Minerva couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t even really feel sorry for Angus.

“Minerva,” said Albus softly “I have something to ask you!”

“No, you don’t have to wear the kilt again after tonight!” she replied with a small smile.

“Oh that’s a shame as I have grown quite accustomed to it,” he replied as he patted the kilt affectionately. “That’s not what I wanted to ask you though.”

Minerva turned to look at him. She had no idea what he wanted to ask her and still wasn’t sure when he suddenly disappeared from view. She looked down and found him on bended knee, looking up at her with sparkling blue eyes.

“Minerva,” he began “I never thought perfection existed till I met you. You stole my heart and keep it with you for all these years. My love for you is beyond all words. Nothing I say can match the love my body, my soul holds for you. Please, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

Minerva felt her mouth fall open at hearing the words she had wanted to hear for some months now. She fought back the tears that were threatening to fall from her emerald green eyes. She dropped to her knees in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

“Is that a yes?” asked Albus breathlessly when the kissed ended.

“Yes!” she simply answered before kissing him again.

The sound of sniggering registered in the back on her mind as she kissed her new husband to be, she suddenly became an aware of what the girls and woman were gasping at. She broke the kiss and lent forward so she could whisper in his ear.

“Darling,” she said, “Can I enquire what you wearing beneath your kilt?”

Albus’ eyes twinkled and he looked rather proud of himself, he had wanted to make Minerva over the moon with his effort so he had decided that he might as well go the whole hog.

[QuillofMinerva]

“I am keeping up with tradition my love,” came his reply and Minerva blushed for him “I am wearing nothing beneath my kilt!”

“Oh Albus,” she said with a smile “maybe you should have thought about that before you went down on bended knee. I do believe my mother and cousins have seen an eye full!”

Albus blushed brightly as realisation dawned upon him and he was afraid to look around the room. Why hadn’t he thought about the consequences of bending down in a kilt? What were people going to think of him? He dearly hoped that no one for The Daily Prophet was in the crowd because they would have a field day with information like this.

Minerva glanced around at her mother and cousins who were all wearing wide grins and resembled a litter of Cheshire cats. Her mother had a twinkle in her eye and she nodded at both Albus and Minerva before going to join Minerva’s father who was propping up the drinks table. Minerva was sure that she heard her cousins giggle and say that she would certainly be kept happy in the marriage bed.

“I love you Albus!” she declared, hoping to make him feel at ease.

As the words left her mouth and reached his tears, he felt his whole body relax and he felt a lot better. He had made a fool of himself but it didn’t matter to the woman before him and she was all that mattered. He leaned forward; making sure nothing was on display and kissed her.

“Minerva,” came a voice magnified through the room “do you mind getting off the dance floor we are trying to have a Ceilidh here tonight?”

Minerva broke the kiss and looked around in the direction of the voice and saw her brother laughing and waving in her direction. She shook her head and smiled again. The Ceilidh this year had been the best ever one she had ever had.

The End!

[tayryn]

“Darling,” she said, “Can I enquire what you wearing beneath your kilt?”

Albus’ eyes twinkled and he looked rather proud of himself, he had wanted to make Minerva over the moon with his effort so he had decided that he might as well go the whole hog.

“I am keeping up with tradition my love,” came his reply and Minerva blushed for him “I am wearing nothing beneath my kilt!”

wheee!! go Albus!!!

this was a delightful ending to a delightful story!!

[griseldalafey]

*giggle* Over the past years I've read a lot of embarrassing moments. But this one topped them all ;D ;D ;D

A wonderful end to a great story. I loved how much detail you've put into this.

[Jaya]

That was a fabulous ending! I love that Albus exposed his all and now all of Minerva's cousins will be extremely jealous!

Enjoyed the entire story a great deal...

Hope to see another soon... *hint, hint*

Jaya

[Kamdra]

Well there's certainly nothing wrong with making the rest of the family jealous. I say go Albus and flaunt your stuff! Kammie

[Karlynne]

Oh my! To expose oneself to his future mother-in-law but if she was impressed I think its rather easy to overcome the embarassment. Karlie

[Sola]

That was so fantastic!
I loved the story...and I'm soooo sad it has to end.
Alas, the end was awesome, so I can live with it.

Anyway....hehe...'I am keeping up with tradition'...that was *so* great! ;D

Sola

[nikkimouse]

Really, it's very sweet. I like Albus forgetting that he'd give them all a nice view of his behind when he got down on one knee! Very cute! And the family not really teasing him is also very sweet! And the 'do you mind getting off the dance floor we are trying to have a Ceilidh here tonight?' made me laugh.