Post by TartanPhoenix on Aug 21, 2005 0:11:53 GMT -5
Disclaimer: It's all J.K.Rowling's.
If you can be on the board, it's alright for you.
AN: I'm not actually sure where this would belong, so I suppose this will have to do.
There's something about Minerva that just hasn't been right. Will Albus be able to help? Hmm..I wonder
Nightmares
“Papa!!” Minerva screamed, jerking up in the bed. Her breath was coming out in short, rasping breaths and she could feel the sweat run down her body, making her shiver in the cool night’s air. She shut her eyes tightly, doing all she could to block out the memories that were flooding through her, but it was no use.
She could still taste the algae in the water and hear the unusual stillness that only water can create. Her emerald eyes opened again, slowly, taking in her surroundings, letting their presence reassure her frayed nerves. She was still in the castle, and there was absolutely nothing for her to worry about; well, nothing out of the ordinary. For a time, she simply watched the shadows cast by the moonlight dance across the floor, seemingly pulling back into themselves before disappearing altogether. The slight wave of the curtains surrounding her bed suddenly made her shiver as she watched them. Their simple swaying motions terrified her like never before.
She laid back down into the soft pillows and pulling the blankets farther up under her chin. “It doesn’t mean anything,” she kept muttering to herself until exhaustion once again claimed her and she fell asleep clutching her pillow to her chest tightly.
Much to Minerva’s disgust, the next day dawned bright and, dare she say, cheery. Her hand reached out from underneath the pillow and knocked her alarm clock off of the night stand in an attempt to silence it, but it continued to ring, perhaps louder then before, mocking her.
When she was finally able to shut off the incessant noise, she took stock of herself and cringed. She felt horrible. Looking in the mirror, she could see the dark circles that were beginning to take up permanent residence underneath her eyes and she would swear she could see her temples throb in time with the rest of her head. Add to all of that the fact she had only managed around four hours of sleep the night before, and even Voldemort himself would pity the first student to cross her.
Sighing, she made her way into the thankfully empty corridors and headed to breakfast. Her relief was short lived as she opened the doors to the Great Hall, and the event known as breakfast hit her full force. The sudden and incessant noise of the students almost knocked her backward and only served to redouble the pounding behind her eyes. Suppressing, but only just, the desire to hex the entire Hogwarts population, Minerva made her way to the staff table and took her place next to her best friend and employer, Albus Dumbledore. Seeing him, instead of bringing the warmth and slight giddiness that usually marked the morning meal, only caused her to remember the reason for her foul mood. It was silly, she knew, but that day had haunted her steps for so many years. Normally, it was under control, but given recent events, the return of her nightmare should hardly be surprising.
“Minerva, is everything alright?” Her head snapped up and her hand stopped in mid air at the question.
“Yes, I’m fine. Why?” His blue eyes that she could drown in time and again were now filled with concern, and a slight amusement.
“Well, I’m all for trying something new, but do you really think coffee in your oatmeal would be the best start to your day?” Comprehension was slow coming, and it wasn’t until Albus reached over and rested his hand atop of hers, stopping the coffee’s flow, that his words sank in. Blushing a fierce scarlet, Minerva put the coffee pot down with a shaky hand.
Relieved when he looked out over the students that none had seemed to notice his deputy’s odd behavior, Albus vanished her bowl with a slight wave of his hand, and a fresh one appeared. He poured the milk she always added before setting it down and resting his hand on her arm. “Minerva, what’s wrong?”
She tried to give him a small smile in thanks, but by the look he gave her, she was sure it was more of a grimace. “It’s nothing Albus. I just haven’t been sleeping very well. With all of the excitement over the tournament, things have just been a little more hectic than usual. Everything will calm down after the second task is over.”
It wasn’t really a lie, but she still felt horrible. They both knew he didn’t believe her, but was kind enough not to press the issue, at least not yet.
If you can be on the board, it's alright for you.
AN: I'm not actually sure where this would belong, so I suppose this will have to do.
There's something about Minerva that just hasn't been right. Will Albus be able to help? Hmm..I wonder
Nightmares
“Papa!!” Minerva screamed, jerking up in the bed. Her breath was coming out in short, rasping breaths and she could feel the sweat run down her body, making her shiver in the cool night’s air. She shut her eyes tightly, doing all she could to block out the memories that were flooding through her, but it was no use.
She could still taste the algae in the water and hear the unusual stillness that only water can create. Her emerald eyes opened again, slowly, taking in her surroundings, letting their presence reassure her frayed nerves. She was still in the castle, and there was absolutely nothing for her to worry about; well, nothing out of the ordinary. For a time, she simply watched the shadows cast by the moonlight dance across the floor, seemingly pulling back into themselves before disappearing altogether. The slight wave of the curtains surrounding her bed suddenly made her shiver as she watched them. Their simple swaying motions terrified her like never before.
She laid back down into the soft pillows and pulling the blankets farther up under her chin. “It doesn’t mean anything,” she kept muttering to herself until exhaustion once again claimed her and she fell asleep clutching her pillow to her chest tightly.
Much to Minerva’s disgust, the next day dawned bright and, dare she say, cheery. Her hand reached out from underneath the pillow and knocked her alarm clock off of the night stand in an attempt to silence it, but it continued to ring, perhaps louder then before, mocking her.
When she was finally able to shut off the incessant noise, she took stock of herself and cringed. She felt horrible. Looking in the mirror, she could see the dark circles that were beginning to take up permanent residence underneath her eyes and she would swear she could see her temples throb in time with the rest of her head. Add to all of that the fact she had only managed around four hours of sleep the night before, and even Voldemort himself would pity the first student to cross her.
Sighing, she made her way into the thankfully empty corridors and headed to breakfast. Her relief was short lived as she opened the doors to the Great Hall, and the event known as breakfast hit her full force. The sudden and incessant noise of the students almost knocked her backward and only served to redouble the pounding behind her eyes. Suppressing, but only just, the desire to hex the entire Hogwarts population, Minerva made her way to the staff table and took her place next to her best friend and employer, Albus Dumbledore. Seeing him, instead of bringing the warmth and slight giddiness that usually marked the morning meal, only caused her to remember the reason for her foul mood. It was silly, she knew, but that day had haunted her steps for so many years. Normally, it was under control, but given recent events, the return of her nightmare should hardly be surprising.
“Minerva, is everything alright?” Her head snapped up and her hand stopped in mid air at the question.
“Yes, I’m fine. Why?” His blue eyes that she could drown in time and again were now filled with concern, and a slight amusement.
“Well, I’m all for trying something new, but do you really think coffee in your oatmeal would be the best start to your day?” Comprehension was slow coming, and it wasn’t until Albus reached over and rested his hand atop of hers, stopping the coffee’s flow, that his words sank in. Blushing a fierce scarlet, Minerva put the coffee pot down with a shaky hand.
Relieved when he looked out over the students that none had seemed to notice his deputy’s odd behavior, Albus vanished her bowl with a slight wave of his hand, and a fresh one appeared. He poured the milk she always added before setting it down and resting his hand on her arm. “Minerva, what’s wrong?”
She tried to give him a small smile in thanks, but by the look he gave her, she was sure it was more of a grimace. “It’s nothing Albus. I just haven’t been sleeping very well. With all of the excitement over the tournament, things have just been a little more hectic than usual. Everything will calm down after the second task is over.”
It wasn’t really a lie, but she still felt horrible. They both knew he didn’t believe her, but was kind enough not to press the issue, at least not yet.
