A/N: Once again, we thank you for your votes and for sticking with us. This week we had 2 votes for option A and 11 votes for option B.
Also, we would like to thank EloquentPhoenix for sending us the following sentence/quote to be used this week: "You may know what I am, but who I am you don't know." It is a quote from an Ocean Colour Scene song. And now we give you:
Too Much of a Good ThingMinerva slowly stood up, her eyes focused on the brook in front of her. She could feel her muscles contracting with every movement, a strength unlike anything she had ever felt as human or cat coursed through her. She moved forward, each stride a study in grace and balance. Her perspective from this height, the way her movement felt, the smell of the things around her, her powerful vision and sense of hearing, all was different from when she became tabby. With anticipation and excitement pouring through her system, she looked down into the water that she had moved to stand beside. A form, distorted and blurred by the movement of the stream, stared back at her. She gasped internally to see a large, tawny creature with bright green eyes reflected.
She did not move for several minutes. She figured it was shock, knew it was disbelief that she had finally achieved the transformation she had worked so hard for of late. And when she did move, she bunched her muscles and sprang across the brook to the other side, landing ten feet farther than she had prepared for. Her happiness resulted in a roar issuing forth that rang through the trees. Her mind whirled with emotions as she slunk around the little oasis that Albus had found for them.
A scent wafted in on the breeze as she was sniffing at the flowers she had been holding in her hand before the transformation. It was a bit floral, very chocolaty and very much human. Minerva paused for only a moment before deciding that perhaps a surprise greeting was in store for her handsome wizard. Albus would be so pleased and she couldn’t wait to share her news with him.
Moving into the trees, she carefully maneuvered her way toward the scent. It took her a few minutes to find the spot and Albus was hidden by a tree and several bushes when she finally arrived. He seemed to be loitering in the area and she attributed it to picking more flowers for her as the floral scent had increased to the point of making her want to sneeze. Leaping onto a sturdy looking branch, she roared in greeting before jumping into a small clearing.
The scream that resulted in her appearance was not what the new lioness was expecting and her tail immediately started to twitch as she lowered herself toward the ground. Of course, Minerva hadn’t counted on the occupant of the forest not being one Albus Dumbledore either.
The witch who was now backed against a tree, her wand held in front of her was speaking softly. “Good kitty, kitty. Don’t move and I won’t stun your arse.”
Minerva was amused to say the least but what she found the most intriguing was the fact that after the initial rush of fear Minerva had sensed, the small witch had settled down into a stance which exuded pure, unadulterated bravery. Deciding that it was best if she transformed back before she was hexed, Minerva closed her eyes.
When the tingling stopped, she looked toward the tree to find herself being stared at with large eyes and a dropped jaw.
“I hope you can accept my apology. I was expecting someone else when I jumped out at you like I did,” Minerva said as she moved closer to the witch.
“Not a problem,” the woman stuttered.
“I’m Minerva McGonagall. I currently work at the school right now researching animagus transformations,” Minerva had a smile in her voice as she extended her hand.
As if suddenly remembering her manners, the witch lowered her wand and extended her own hand. “Poppy. Poppy Pomfrey. I have signed on as an assistant to the current mediwitch, Madam Dippet. This is my first day.”
Minerva shook her hand in greeting and smiled warmly. She had heard that Armando’s wife was looking to retire in the next few years but she was surprised to learn that they had already hired a replacement. She said as much to her new acquaintance.
“In healing one usually specializes in a particular field. Madam Dippet is a bit of an oddity in that she is required to have a high level of knowledge in all fields. One just never knows what will pop up at a school. So I came here to train with her…”
Minerva took a moment to watch the woman as she expounded on what she would be doing at Hogwarts and her history. She had an obvious love of her field and it came through in both her voice and mannerisms as she spoke. Poppy was petite with wispy, dark blonde hair. Her features were small with eyes that were dark in color, blue-gray perhaps but Minerva couldn’t be entirely sure. She had finished speaking and Minerva saw that she was moving toward a basket which was laying on the ground, its contents scattered across the forest floor.
“Oh, let me help with that. After all, it is entirely my fault.”
“Thank you. And do not worry about it. Your surprise visit added some excitement to my day. I love to gather ingredients but it can become rather dull after a time. I feel sorry for whoever you planned on greeting in such a manner…”
“So I take it I missed something spectacular?”
Both women turned to see Albus Dumbledore standing on the edge of the clearing, a basket floating just behind him.
“Professor Dumbledore,” Poppy Pomfrey exclaimed as the wizard moved toward them.
“Oh Albus, I finally did it.” Minerva grabbed her fiancé and hugged him, their lips meeting in a quick kiss before they broke apart.
Albus’ eyes sparkled as he noted that the new mediwitch was looking a bit shocked by the development. However his attention was only for the beautiful woman before him. She was radiating happiness and he listened as she told about her surprise visit to Poppy thinking it was him. Everyone laughed when she was done and Albus took her hand, squeezing it in comfort.
“I suppose I should thank our new mediwitch for not hexing you.”
Minerva and Poppy both blushed and soon the mediwitch was making her excuses to leave. “I certainly don’t want to hold you up. It was very nice meeting you Minerva and seeing you again Professor Dumbledore. Now I had best be on my way else Madam Dippet will send out a search committee.”
“It was nice meeting you too Poppy,” Minerva returned. “I hope we see each other again soon.”
“I will see you around Poppy. And please call me Albus.”
As the mediwitch departed, Albus grabbed Minerva around the waist and swung her around. “Congratulations my lioness,” he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling brightly.
“Thank you,” Minerva said breathlessly. “I only wish that you had been able to see me.”
A frown touched her face which Albus quickly wiped away with a kiss. Their bodies closed the gap between them as the kiss deepened. Albus’ mouth was sweet and Minerva knew he had been snacking on candy on his way here. However, before she could think to scold him her mind was distracted by his nibbling teeth as they made their way along her jaw line before heading back to her mouth. It was several minutes before either came up for air.
“Perhaps you might consider transforming again for me.”
“Of course,” was Minerva’s breathy reply as they linked arms and headed back to their alcove.
Albus watched Minerva as she set up their lunch once they returned. Her body moved effortlessly as she unpacked the overfull basket. A bottle of wine and two glasses had been stored at the bottom and a little hum of pleasure issued from Minerva’s throat when she found them. When she had finished, she turned to Albus.
“Would you like me to try now or after lunch?”
Albus looked into her eyes and knew there was only one answer he could give. “How about after I steal one more kiss.”
He walked over and wrapped his arms around her before tasting her one more time. She was delicious and he struggled to only partake for a few seconds before breaking away. Her eyes glowed in the sun and he could feel the love and passion flowing off of her. The transformation seemed to give her a new energy and happiness that had been lacking since shortly after the first of the year.
He took a few steps away from her and Minerva nodded her head before closing her eyes. The change came suddenly and Albus had to blink several times as he took in the sight of the huge lioness that had started to walk toward him.
She was magnificent.
She was beautiful.
She was a bit scary.
Albus chuckled as the last thought crossed his mind. She had opened her mouth in a yawn and her teeth had looked quite deadly. Luckily she had now come over and was rubbing up against him. As he did when she was in tabby form, he stroked her along her back. Her fur was slightly course, not at all like the silky smoothness of her other form. She moved away and took a leap, landing around twenty feet away, he laughed as she started to trot around, an odd looking movement on a lion.
She transformed back just as suddenly as she had become a lioness. Minerva ran over to him and Albus pulled her into another hug. She had a big smile on her face as he released her from his grasp.
“You are amazing,” he whispered.
His words caused a shifting of the feeling in the air around them. She was in his embrace again and their lips and bodies met with an urgency that took both of them by surprise. Lunch was forgotten as they lost themselves in each other.
Minerva wasn’t sure how long she had been in the trance but Albus’ soft voice broke into her musings. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked rapidly several times, allowing her eyes to adjust to the light from the open windows.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at your parents house by now?” he asked as he dropped to his knees beside her on her meditation mat. “You told me you were going to spend an hour here and then floo there to discuss the wedding plans and I hate to tell you, but it’s already half past two.”
Minerva’s eyes widened and she jumped to her feet. “Albus, I lost track of time. I never do that!” She immediately began rushing around gathering her shoes, wand, and attempting to straighten her papers on the desk. “I started thinking back to our weekend activities,” she blushed, “and let’s just say I was caught up in the memories.”
Albus crossed the room to take her in his arms, letting his lips blaze a heated trail from the side of her neck all the way to her ear. “Mmm, I can remember every detail of this past weekend,” he moaned before drawing her earlobe between his warm lips. “And if I don’t step away now, you’re going to be much later and then you’ll have a lot more to explain.” He pulled back just enough to kiss her softly on the mouth, taking his time in saying goodbye.
After a long moment, Minerva reluctantly removed her lips from his. “I’ll be back soon, I promise. We’ve already discussed our plans so honestly there can’t be that much for them to suggest. Aside from a few minor details, I believe we have already planned our wedding.” With one last kiss and a promise to return in time for dinner, Minerva stepped into the fireplace and disappeared in a flash of green flames.
When Minerva emerged from the fireplace at her parents home she was delightfully surprised to find Pernelle Flamel there with her mother. Apparently the two women had been spending more and more time together since becoming friends and it brought a smile to Minerva’s face. Pernelle was the closest thing to family that Albus had aside from his brother and would only be fitting that she represent Albus in the formulating of plans.
“Well it’s about time you arrived. I was expecting you over an hour ago and if it hadn’t been for Pernelle, here, I would have contacted you already!” Minerva’s mother waited to hear Minerva’s explanation and at the first sign of a blush on her daughter’s cheek, she raised her hand. “On second thought, I’m glad I didn’t floo you. There’s no telling what I might have interrupted,” she teased with an impish yet knowing smile on her face.
“Mother!” she scolded. “For your information, I was in my meditation room and…”
“My dear, they don’t care where we are as long as we’re available and willing,” Pernelle added with a wink, “and even then a little resistence makes it much more exciting for both parties involved. I remember one time when Nicholas and I bought some things for our sex life…” By now Minerva’s face was a brilliant shade of red and the three of them burst into laughter as Minerva held up her hands to stop Pernelle from going any further in her story.
“I didn’t come here today to be harassed about my sex life or to hear about anyone else’s. I came here today to seek help from you about planning my wedding. However, if you have better things to do, I can see about letting Albus and Aberforth take charge of everything.”
Pernelle stood up rather quickly, something not easily done for a woman her age. “If you’re interested in getting married in a barn and having a wedding cake made of pure sugar, then that is an excellent idea. But if you’d prefer to have things done correctly, we promise to leave you alone if you’ll let us help with the arrangements.”
Nearly two hours later, Minerva was at the end of her rope. Everything she had suggested, either her mother or Pernelle had found some fault. It became apparent that over the past few weeks, since the engagement in fact, Athena and Pernelle had been corresponding or visiting each other on a regular basis to set plans in motion for the wedding.
Athena had contacted the ancient wizard who had performed the weddings in their family for decades and had even gone so far as to enlist the help of Harold to ensure there would be enough whisky to sustain the entire family for the weekend. To make matters worse, she had complied a list of names, many of whom Minerva did not recognize, which would serve as a starting place for the guest list. The three rolls of parchment landed on the desk in front of Minerva with a heavy thud, followed shortly by another two Pernelle produced from her bag.
“Your mother asked me to make a list of names for Albus, since men aren’t usually that organized and certainly don’t think of everyone. I hope I haven’t forgotten anybody but I’m sure you and Albus can look over our lists and add names should you need.”
A stunned silence filled the room as Minerva looked from one witch to the other then back down to the five rolls of parchment now lying on the table. Up until now, she had tried to be accommodating and open to their suggestions but this was going too far. “And what if Albus and I do not want to invite all these people to OUR wedding?” The look on Minerva’s face showed just how unhappy she was.
Athena was a little taken back by her daughter’s sudden outburst. “Minerva, surely you understand that you’re not just marrying an ordinary man. You are marrying THE Albus Dumbledore and with that comes certain responsibilities, many of which include playing hostess to the masses. He is a prominent member of our world and as such his nuptials will be the event of the year, perhaps the decade.” Athena stared into Minerva’s eyes and paused, as if trying to read the emotions playing out in the emerald green orbs. “And you are representing the name of McGonagall and you should know by now that a wedding is a family affair.”
Pernelle felt the air crackle around Minerva as she listened to the two women sparring over such minor details. “Dear, we are not trying to force you into doing anything. We are merely offering our help in planning the wedding. It can be a daunting experience even for the most organized person and we thought that by taking the initiative and planning a few of the details for you, it might lessen your burden.”
Minerva turned sharply towards Pernelle, causing the woman to cease her speech. Yet when she spoke, her words were soft and conveyed exactly what she was thinking. “And did it occur to either of you that perhaps this is something that Albus and I would like to do together? We have planned our wedding and for your information it took less than an hour to do so. You see, we are of the same mind when it comes to our perception of this wedding.” She took a moment to look at each woman in turn before she continued. “We don’t want a big wedding nor do we care about many of the things you seem to deem important.”
“Minerva, you are the bride and we want you to be happy with your decisions. You only get to do this once and neither of us wants you to regret not thinking things through carefully. This is just as much about you and your wants as it is Albus and what he wants.”
"You may know what I am, but who I am you don't know" she bit back rather quickly. “What I am is a bride to be and who I am is a woman fully capable of planning the most wonderful event in my life.” Minerva reached out and took the hand of both women, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Albus loves me and as long as the two of us are there with a few of our friends, it doesn’t matter about the rest of the world. What is most important to us is our love.”
“Can’t we at least talk about this? Pernelle and I have already gone to a lot of trouble for you and all we’re asking is that you at least consider what we have in mind. We are not trying to take over your wedding, dear, but please know that we are doing this for you and for Albus. The more we plan for you, the less you will have to do later. And that will give you both more time to focus on your research.”
After much compromising and pleading from both women, Minerva sat back down and listened to what they had to propose. Everything they mentioned seemed designed for an elaborate wedding with a guest list of hundreds, something she knew neither she nor Albus would like. They envisioned the wedding to take place either at Hogwarts or some exotic location yet to be discovered and then there would be a grand party with all the trimmings. Of course, there would be a formal ceremony as well as a more private one, each on separate days, and the honeymoon would take place soon after the last guest had left.
It was with a weary body and a heavy heart that Minerva returned to Albus that night. The instant he saw her slumped shoulders and the frown upon her face, he discarded his book and crossed the room to take her into his arms.
“I was about to get worried, love. Dinner was over nearly an hour ago and when you didn’t come back, I had them hold ours until later.” He placed a tender kiss to each cheek and a quick peck to her lips.
Minerva burrowed deep into his arms as silent tears of frustration began to fall. Being so near him and feeling his arms wrapped protectively around her make her walls finally come crashing down as she tried to explain the stressful afternoon.
“Albus, they had it all mapped out for us. They actually left nothing for us to decide apart from our attire and if I had shown any indication of letting them handle that, I’m sure they would have jumped on the chance. I tried my best to explain what we both wanted but they wouldn’t listen to me.” By this time, the stress of the day had finally taken its’ toll on her and Minerva began to get teary-eyed. Her dreams of a small wedding were fading fast and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t convince her mother or her friend that she knew what was best.
“Shhhh, my lioness. It will all work out in the end.” Albus placed his slender finger beneath her chin and lifted her face upward. Her eyes were moist, yet closed, and he bent forward to kiss away her tears before guiding her to the sofa. Once settled with her sitting in his lap and her head resting on his shoulder, Albus began to speak softly of their wedding plans, reminding her of what they had discussed earlier.
“I wish that was the wedding we were going to have,” Minerva answered several long moments later. The melancholy in her voice nearly broke Albus’ heart, knowing how much she had looked forward to the planning session only to come home disappointed.
“We will have the wedding WE choose, my dear. This is our day and nothing is going to stop us from having what we want. I love you and I know you love me so as long as we remember that, everything will work out just fine.”
The calmness of his voice and the reassurance in his words eased Minerva’s troubled mind. She felt her body beginning to relax in his arms as he went to great lengths to describe for her how he saw their wedding day unfolding. Her hand slid around his neck and into his long hair, settling at the base of it as her fingertips massaged and tickled him slightly. She closed her eyes and pictured everything he was saying.
When he was finished describing their perfect day once more and he kissed her leisurely on the lips, Minerva sighed. “Mmmm sweetheart,” she purred as she shifted in his lap so that she was straddling his waist and pressing her body into his, “I have the perfect solution to our problem.”
He raised an eyebrow as curiosity flashed in his eyes.
“Let’s elope!”
Options for this week are:A. Armando Dippet becomes ill and Minerva gets a taste of what life will be like when Albus is made Headmaster.
B. Despite her own wedding plans going awry, Minerva agrees to help Maggie with her own wedding plans.
Voting will end on
April 16th.
.....tricky choice.....say B 
xXx 