Post by Karlynne on May 12, 2005 23:59:05 GMT -5
For Meredith in partial payment for a debt I can never repay.
Title: The Change of a Lifetime
Summary: Albus and Minerva are best friends.
Rating: If you have to ask, you probably aren’t ready.
Chapter One
Albus Dumbledore lifted Minerva’s hand and rubbed it between his long fingers. Her fingers were ice cold and she sat without moving. Minerva was at St. Mungo’s for her final checkup and although she felt perfectly fine, she still harbored doubts that something had been overlooked.
She had paced relentlessly in her office for two days before Albus insisted on accompanying her to the magical hospital. She was becoming a nervous wreck and it was his soothing presence that kept the hysteria threatening to bubble within from overflowing.
She tried to lift her face and form a smile but she looked sickly at best. Albus wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and gave her a small hug.
“You are going to have to do better if you want the healer to give you a clean bill of health,” he whispered near her ear.
Minerva leaned her head closer to his and reveled in the feel of his breath on her neck. For the past six weeks Albus had shown her a side of himself that he had never revealed to her.
Certainly they were the best of friends and respected each other as colleagues but he had never expressed any interest in an intimate relationship of any sort. Since the end of last term he had changed his behavior in minute ways that had not gone unnoticed by Minerva. A hand on her shoulder as he passed by her or a few minutes spent indulging in a cup of tea in his office instead of with the staff in the Great Hall. Albus knew he never had to question her loyalty to him or her devotion. She had expressed to him on several occasions her willingness to stand by him through thick and thin. He knew this stemmed from her dedication to her job and to him but he never investigated his beliefs of why she was so loyal.
Last term’s attack on Minerva had infuriated him and he regretted not taking the position of Minister of Magic, if only to keep Cornelius Fudge from the coveted seat. Albus had lost the little respect he ever held for the man and it was only his desire to serve the wizarding community that restrained him from leading the drive to remove the man from office.
A bitter smile graced his worn features for a second. Others were already beginning petitions and demanding the minister’s ouster.
Minerva’s name was called and he squeezed her hand in reassurance. He saw the determination on her face as she squared her shoulders and followed after the mediwitch. Albus rose and began pacing in the waiting room.
The stunner attack still incensed him. He had never given a thought to Minerva’s safety while at Hogwarts. She seemed invincible and in the back of his mind he always felt he would be the one leaving her behind. It was a ruthless wakeup call. Minerva could have been robbed from him and he had never told her how much he appreciated her. He never once told her she meant so much to him. He had tried to remedy that problem the past few weeks.
Somehow over the years they had gone from coworkers to acquaintances to friends and he hadn’t noticed. When did he start sharing his problems with her? When did they begin dining out on summer evenings?
He never noticed the smirks or raised eyebrows they were given as they danced during one social function or another. He had never behaved or even considered behaving inappropriately. Minerva was too special to dally in short term relationships and he couldn’t fathom her indulging in casual affairs. Minerva was passionate and any lover would have to evince a commitment and dedication to a relationship with her.
Albus shook his head slightly. Disturbing thoughts had been brewing in his head for several years but he never took the time to sort them out. He should have questioned why the thought of a man kissing Minerva made him frown.
So deeply was he concentrating Albus didn’t notice Minerva reappear nor did he hear her call his name. It was the touch of her hand on his shoulder that caught his attention. He looked into emerald green eyes that shone with happiness and relief before he swept her into a hug.
“This calls for a celebration,” he murmured huskily and kissed her solidly on her lips.
The tingling in her lips alerted Minerva to Albus’ swift actions. The kiss only lasted seconds but she felt jolted and energized. She hardly remembered the short walk to the apparation point or the short trek from the gates of the school into the castle.
“Minerva?”
She felt a gentle shake on her shoulder and looked up.
“I’ve asked you twice how you wished to celebrate your good news.” He stared intently at her and there was a touch of concern in his eyes.
The wealth of emotions she had been holding at bay threatened to spill forth and Minerva blinked the tears that were trying to crowd into her eyes.
“I’m so happy I don’t know what to do, Albus. I would just like a quiet evening in my room.”
Albus tried not to look disappointed and nodded. “As you wish, Minerva. Should I alert the house elves and have them send dinner up to your room?”
Minerva swallowed and took hold of his hand. “I want to spend the evening with you, Albus.”
Title: The Change of a Lifetime
Summary: Albus and Minerva are best friends.
Rating: If you have to ask, you probably aren’t ready.
Chapter One
Albus Dumbledore lifted Minerva’s hand and rubbed it between his long fingers. Her fingers were ice cold and she sat without moving. Minerva was at St. Mungo’s for her final checkup and although she felt perfectly fine, she still harbored doubts that something had been overlooked.
She had paced relentlessly in her office for two days before Albus insisted on accompanying her to the magical hospital. She was becoming a nervous wreck and it was his soothing presence that kept the hysteria threatening to bubble within from overflowing.
She tried to lift her face and form a smile but she looked sickly at best. Albus wrapped one of his arms around her shoulders and gave her a small hug.
“You are going to have to do better if you want the healer to give you a clean bill of health,” he whispered near her ear.
Minerva leaned her head closer to his and reveled in the feel of his breath on her neck. For the past six weeks Albus had shown her a side of himself that he had never revealed to her.
Certainly they were the best of friends and respected each other as colleagues but he had never expressed any interest in an intimate relationship of any sort. Since the end of last term he had changed his behavior in minute ways that had not gone unnoticed by Minerva. A hand on her shoulder as he passed by her or a few minutes spent indulging in a cup of tea in his office instead of with the staff in the Great Hall. Albus knew he never had to question her loyalty to him or her devotion. She had expressed to him on several occasions her willingness to stand by him through thick and thin. He knew this stemmed from her dedication to her job and to him but he never investigated his beliefs of why she was so loyal.
Last term’s attack on Minerva had infuriated him and he regretted not taking the position of Minister of Magic, if only to keep Cornelius Fudge from the coveted seat. Albus had lost the little respect he ever held for the man and it was only his desire to serve the wizarding community that restrained him from leading the drive to remove the man from office.
A bitter smile graced his worn features for a second. Others were already beginning petitions and demanding the minister’s ouster.
Minerva’s name was called and he squeezed her hand in reassurance. He saw the determination on her face as she squared her shoulders and followed after the mediwitch. Albus rose and began pacing in the waiting room.
The stunner attack still incensed him. He had never given a thought to Minerva’s safety while at Hogwarts. She seemed invincible and in the back of his mind he always felt he would be the one leaving her behind. It was a ruthless wakeup call. Minerva could have been robbed from him and he had never told her how much he appreciated her. He never once told her she meant so much to him. He had tried to remedy that problem the past few weeks.
Somehow over the years they had gone from coworkers to acquaintances to friends and he hadn’t noticed. When did he start sharing his problems with her? When did they begin dining out on summer evenings?
He never noticed the smirks or raised eyebrows they were given as they danced during one social function or another. He had never behaved or even considered behaving inappropriately. Minerva was too special to dally in short term relationships and he couldn’t fathom her indulging in casual affairs. Minerva was passionate and any lover would have to evince a commitment and dedication to a relationship with her.
Albus shook his head slightly. Disturbing thoughts had been brewing in his head for several years but he never took the time to sort them out. He should have questioned why the thought of a man kissing Minerva made him frown.
So deeply was he concentrating Albus didn’t notice Minerva reappear nor did he hear her call his name. It was the touch of her hand on his shoulder that caught his attention. He looked into emerald green eyes that shone with happiness and relief before he swept her into a hug.
“This calls for a celebration,” he murmured huskily and kissed her solidly on her lips.
The tingling in her lips alerted Minerva to Albus’ swift actions. The kiss only lasted seconds but she felt jolted and energized. She hardly remembered the short walk to the apparation point or the short trek from the gates of the school into the castle.
“Minerva?”
She felt a gentle shake on her shoulder and looked up.
“I’ve asked you twice how you wished to celebrate your good news.” He stared intently at her and there was a touch of concern in his eyes.
The wealth of emotions she had been holding at bay threatened to spill forth and Minerva blinked the tears that were trying to crowd into her eyes.
“I’m so happy I don’t know what to do, Albus. I would just like a quiet evening in my room.”
Albus tried not to look disappointed and nodded. “As you wish, Minerva. Should I alert the house elves and have them send dinner up to your room?”
Minerva swallowed and took hold of his hand. “I want to spend the evening with you, Albus.”
Update soon.
Hope you'll post the next bit soon!
