The Yule Ball
The office was cool despite the fire that roared with life on her right. It was a cold winter and snow was blanketing the grounds of Hogwarts giving it a fairytale appearance. Minerva was busily grading homework from last week’s classes. The Christmas break was nearly upon them and with most of the students staying at the castle because of the Triwizard Tournament and highly anticipated Yule Ball her schedule had been more hectic than usual.
The first task had taken place a couple of weeks ago and Minerva could still recall the way her stomach twisted when Harry had taken the field. When the dragon had first attacked and the boy had floundered, her heart had caught in her throat. She had nearly jumped to her feet, for what purposes she was still unsure, but Albus had taken her hand beneath the concealing folds of their robes to hold her steady. Her young cub had made his house proud and she felt herself swell with pride as she pictured the moment he had successfully completed the task.
Thoughts of Albus led her to contemplate the tense air which was still between them from the day the Goblet of Fire had spit out the names of the champions for each school. She couldn’t help but disagree about Harry’s inclusion in the tasks. Such a harmless word – tasks, it hardly conveyed the danger that truly surrounded the competition. The young Gryffindor was too young and although he had proven himself worthy by stealing the golden egg, she knew the tasks set before the champions would become more dangerous. She had a terrible feeling that things would end badly.
Albus had told her his reasons, in private, and she had finally accepted that she would be unable to change his mind on the matter but Minerva had been unrelenting in her show of displeasure in his decision from that day forward. It had put a small strain on their relationship; one she was loath to admit was her fault. But now that everything was said and done, she really had no idea how to put to rights the breach that had formed between them.
A timid knock sounded at her door and Minerva put down her quill which had been poised uselessly in the air as her mind had wandered.
“You may enter,” she called.
As the door creaked open and an awkward looking boy stepped through the doorway, Minerva had to hide a smile that threatened to form.
“Professor McGonagall, may I ask you a question?”
“Mr. Longbottom, if you are going to come into my office, I suggest that you do so.”
The boy jumped and quickly moved out of the doorway where he had been hovering and came to stand before her desk.
“Now, what was it that you wanted to ask me?”
The boy shifted nervously from foot to foot, his eyes darting around the office looking anywhere but at her. Minerva couldn’t help but feel her heart warm for the boy. He was a bit clumsy, very unsure of himself and stood out as a bit of a sore thumb at school but she had noticed him start to bloom over the last year and was sure that one day he would make a very fine wizard. After a few moments of silence he seemed to finally work up his nerve for whatever it was he needed to ask.
“It is about the lesson today, the dancing lesson that you gave us for the Yule Ball. Well, I don’t really dance very well, even after practicing in my room this afternoon and I was wondering, if you were not too busy…which of course you are…but if you could make some time, I would very much appreciate it if you could give me another lesson.”
To say Minerva was surprised was a bit of an understatement. She would never have suspected that Neville Longbottom would ever be so inclined toward dancing. His very long and awkward explanation aside, Minerva found she was very pleased.
“Did you have a time in mind Mr. Longbottom?”
“I knew it was a long shot but…” The boy looked up and a light seemed to fill his face. “You mean you will do it?”
Minerva smiled as she stood up from her desk. “Yes. If you are willing to learn then I am willing to teach.”
His eyes sparkled a bit at the prospect and it reminded Minerva very much of Albus. Her husband’s eyes had a bit more of a twinkle about them, but that radiating happiness that seemed to fill the soul was evident in Neville’s gaze.
“Whenever you can make time for a lesson Professor McGonagall, I will make sure that I am free.”
A thought struck Minerva at the eager look on his face. She really wasn’t in the mood to grade papers anyway and so she proposed her idea. “How does right now sound? The Yule Ball isn’t far off and this way you will have plenty of time for more practice if you should need it.”
“Once again Mr. Longbottom, from the top.”
The hour or so of practice they had put in had produced great strides in Neville’s abilities. It seemed that he was a bit of a natural and Minerva was very pleased with the boy’s progress. The music started and Minerva waited until Neville confidently moved her backward, signaling the start of the dance with the grip of his arms as she had shown him. The music swelled around them as he waltzed her around the room. She smiled at his upturned face as his eyes narrowed in concentration, his gaze drawn to some place behind her.
Minerva closed her eyes and the sway of the beat caused her to become lost in her memories. She pictured in her mind the myriad of dances that had come before, the swirl of her skirts and the tight grip that had pulled her close countless times before. She heard Albus’ voice as he laughed at a joke or his tender whispers as he spoke of his love for her.
Neville signaled the start of a turn and Minerva swirled out, her robes dancing around her. She could see Albus’ laughing eyes as he caught her and brought her back into the familiar steps of the dance they had shared so many times before. Her movements became more graceful as she let her mind wander, allowing Neville to truly guide her for the first time that night as she imagined herself in the arms of her husband instead of those of a student.
All too soon the dance ended. Neville was practically beaming with pride and Minerva showed her pleasure in a rare gesture. She squeezed his hand before breaking contact and smiled at him. Before she could voice her congratulations, the sound of clapping came from the doorway.
“Well done Mr. Longbottom.”
Albus’ voice carried across the space causing Minerva to whirl around quickly. “Albus…”
“I just came to have a word. I did not mean to interrupt a lesson.” His eyes twinkled merrily and Minerva found herself blushing in response.
“I believe we have just finished. Mr. Longbottom is an excellent study.”
The boy who had been looking back and forth between them stuttered his thanks and a quick goodbye before excusing himself.
“You looked beautiful dancing. I have to say I was jealous of Mr. Longbottom, it seems a long time ago that we indulged ourselves.”
Minerva hooked her arm around her husbands as they made their way to her office. “Yes, too long ago.”
Their silence was comfortable except for the slight nagging feeling Minerva felt in her heart. She knew what needed to be done but for some reason she kept putting it off. Her much lauded Gryffindor courage seemed to be failing her.
As they reached her door, Albus turned and planted a kiss on her hand. “I am afraid I have to be in a meeting shortly. I only stopped by for a quick visit and couldn’t resist watching you dance.”
Minerva swallowed, her throat constricting painfully. “Albus, I…”
“…do not need to say a word. I know and I understand,” he whispered.
His fingers brushed across her cheek and she closed her eyes savoring the warmth that coursed down her spine.
“Please, there are some things which cannot go unspoken. I need to own up to my actions, even if I am only saying it out loud for my benefit.”
Albus nodded and led Minerva inside. “I have acted horribly to you this last month and a half. I allowed my pride to get the better of my sense. I trust your judgment as both the Headmaster of this school and as my husband. I should never have allowed this tournament to interfere in our relationship. Can you ever forgive me?”
Minerva felt her eyes welling with tears as the last of her confession spilled out. Albus’ arms wrapped around her waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder as he planted a kiss on the top of her head.
“You do not need to ask my forgiveness. You did what you felt was right and stood for what you believed. That is all I would ever ask of you.” Before Minerva could protest, he continued. “However, since you seem to need it, I forgive you. A hundred times over I forgive you, although it is for nothing.”
Minerva leaned back and looked into his eyes. He leaned down as she rose on her toes and their lips met. She sighed into his mouth as the familiar tingling coursed across her skin. They broke apart before either was ready.
“I have to go. Tonight?”
Albus moved toward the door, his fingers trailing across her arms and down to her hands as if he wished not to leave her. The yearning matched in her eyes, she let go of his fingers after a long moment’s hesitation.
“Tonight.”
The hours seemed to tick by so slowly that Minerva was beginning to lose her patience. Despite the mountains of work she needed to oversee, her mind could not be altered from its’ course nor was she really in a mood to care. Confessing her soul to Albus earlier had given her a freedom from a burden which had been plaguing her and for the first time in weeks, she felt whole again. Albus, though not needing it, had graciously accepted her heartfelt apology and she was honestly looking forward to his return.
“I’m glad to see Mr. Longbottom isn’t here for another dance lesson or else I might be forced to have a word or two with the lad.” Minerva smiled at his playfulness, something she had dearly missed during their tense days and she eagerly greeted him with a rather playful smile of her own.
“I felt it would be too dangerous to meet him here so I have sent him to his rooms. I told him I had a jealous husband and if things went well tonight my afternoon with him would be merely a fond memory.”
Albus laughed heartily as Minerva seemed to glide across the floor towards him, the hem of her nightgown revealing little in the cool room. Her bare feet padding across the floor, however, was a welcomed sight. Minerva had been making a point of going to bed either earlier or later than Albus to avoid the pillow talk and cuddles but the fact that she was still awake, in her gown, and waiting for him made his heart race like wild horses and she could practically see it in his eyes.
His arms slipped around her waist and drew her to him, his lips easily finding hers in a tender kiss. All the worries and stress from everyone which seemed to settle upon his broad shoulders melted away as her arms snaked up his chest and around his neck, her fingers threading through his long locks in a familiar and sensual way.
“I’ve missed you so much,” she murmured against his lips when they broke apart briefly. “Not having you hold me at night or kissing me first thing in the morning has been awful and I’m sorry.” His mouth upon hers was the only thing that silenced her as he poured his feelings into the fiery kiss.
Neither was certain how it had happened, but Minerva soon found herself lying comfortably in their bed, her clothing and his discarded along the way. She shivered as he hovered over her, so closely she could feel his breath blowing across her skin. His hand came up and brushed away the strands of hair from the edges of her face and shoulders but it was his eyes that she remembered most.
Ever since Harry Potter’s participation in the tournament was announced and the argument had followed, Minerva couldn’t help but notice the sadness in her husband’s eyes. To anyone but her, it would seem that the Headmaster was merely troubled by the recent events but Minerva knew better. She had spent her entire life staring into those blue orbs and she knew, better than anyone, how to read them. True, he was upset about Harry but it was more than that. She had also added to his woes and now, staring up into his dark blue eyes, she realized that she alone had the power to restore them to their customary brilliance. By making amends, she had healed his heart and hers, making them both stronger in the end to face whatever was coming.
Hours later, as Minerva nestled safely and happily in Albus’ arms, she spoke softly of their love and how much she had missed their quiet moments just like these. He, too, admitted his hurt and disappointment in her reaction but he understood her reasons for believing as she did.
“But now, my dear, I have a rather serious question to ask you and I hope I am not too late.” Minerva raised her head and looked at his solemn expression as a knot began to form in the pit of her stomach. He traced the outline of her lips with his finger then let it trail across her chin and down her throat until he began drawing tiny circles in the hollow of her neck. “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to accompany you to the Yule Ball this year?”
His words had been soft, almost as soft as his touch yet the depth and feeling within them touched Minerva’s very soul. “Funny you should ask,” she smiled before kissing his chest above his heart, “I was going to ask you that very same question in the morning, right after you kiss me and tell me how much you love me.” She rose up on one elbow and shifted her body so that she was lying on top of him. “Unless of course you’d like to show me…again.”
Albus rolled her onto her back and pressed her firmly into the bedding as they soon became lost in the overpowering feelings of their decades of love. “I’ll take that moan as a yes,” he teased before nipping at her skin.
“Yessss,” she purred as he settled on a particularly sensitive spot on her body.
The next morning the sun rose and the blanket of snow outside glistened like diamonds. Everything around Minerva seemed refreshed and renewed, just like her relationship with Albus. But when she rolled over in bed to snuggle into him, all she found was a note.
Please forgive me for leaving before you woke. I assure you I had an excellent reason and with any luck I will be back before you even read this letter. In the event that I do not return in time, please stay in bed until then. I promised you a good morning kiss and that is what I fully intend to give you.
All My Love,
Your Happy HusbandMinerva was slightly perturbed at Albus but having just gone through several weeks of tension between them, she was in no mood to return to those dreary days, especially after last night. So, she snuggled back into the sheets and hugged his pillow to her chest, dozing and daydreaming of him until she heard his heavy footsteps crossing the outer room in a sorry attempt at tiptoeing. Pretending to be asleep, she continued to lay motionless as he shuffled about the room, discarding his clothes and climbing back into bed with her. His body was cool, no doubt from his adventures outdoors, and yet when she snuggled into his arms, she immediately felt warm and happy.
“Mmmm, good morning,” she said stretching and smiling at him.
“Indeed it is. Best morning I can remember in over a month.”
Despite her curiosity and confusion about the morning’s events, she never mentioned his outing and neither did he until nearly a week later over a game of chess one night.
“The Yule Ball is tomorrow, my dear. Have you decided on what you will wear?” The casual tone of his voice was innocent enough but Minerva had never known him to concern himself with her attire.
”Not really. I assumed I would just wear a pair of sensible robes, probably green ones as usual but nothing special. I wasn’t exactly in the mood to go shopping until last week,” she said as her eyes darkened with memories. “And then it was much too late and I was too busy this week with overseeing the final preparations to go into Hogsmeade to look for something new.”
Albus sat silent for several moments, as if contemplating his next move on the chessboard. His foot slid up the calf of her leg and back down again. “Then it is a good thing that I took the liberty of shopping for you.” With a simple flick of his wand, a box came soaring through the air and hovered beside her. “I left before you woke the morning after we made up and I bought this dress for you. I had spotted it earlier but I wasn’t sure what you were planning to wear and since we weren’t exactly on the greatest of speaking terms, I decided not to press the issue. But seeing you sleeping so peacefully in my arms and falling into your deep green eyes again, I knew I had to buy them for you before someone else stole the perfect dress.”
Minerva opened the box carefully and peered inside to find the most stunning set of emerald robes she had ever seen. She pulled them from the box and stood, holding them to her as tears welled in her eyes. The upper portion and sleeves of the dress had a quilted design and no doubt would accentuate her womanly curves while drawing attention to her eyes. The sleeves flared at the ends, reminding her of some long ago time where chivalry reigned supreme and knights rode white horses. The lower section of the robes seemed to gather and flare at the same time and Minerva suddenly found herself imagining what it would look like when she twirled around the dance floor.
“Albus, they’re beautiful. Thank you so much.” She gently boxed the dress robes back into the box then slipped into Albus’ lap and kissing him tenderly. “I don’t deserve you sometimes, do you know that?”
“I could say the exact same thing about you. Not many women would put up with me and still love me more with each passing year but you seem to have little trouble with it. For that I am grateful and it only makes me love you all the more.”
“Albus…let’s forget about the chess game tonight.”
“As you wish, my dear.”
When Albus and Minerva made their entrance into the Great Hall arm and arm, all chatter stopped and several gasps were heard. Minerva looked absolutely amazing and she had never felt more beautiful than she did on the arm of Albus Dumbledore. His choice in dress robes for her had been impeccable and she had even been pleased with his robes as well, something of a miracle in and of itself. He led her through the crowds with grace and confidence and she noted the way his grip tightened on her when they neared Ludo Bagman. Albus had been telling her for years that the man couldn’t keep his eyes off her whenever he was around and tonight she truly noticed it for herself and she found it comforting to feel Albus’ so close to her.
As was dictated by tradition, the Triwizard Champions and their dates were to lead the first dance and Minerva watched with glee as young Harry led Miss Patil through the motions of the first dance. She couldn’t suppress the slight giggle that bubbled inside her as his eyes caught hers and he winked. He had worked incredibly hard on his steps, realizing the importance of bringing honor to his house and his school but like most young men, he still faltered through the dance steps. Part of her wished he had come to see her about extra instruction as young Neville had but it was much too late for that now. She was about to turn and draw Albus’ attention to Harry when she caught him watching her out of the corner of her eyes.
“See something you like, Headmaster?”
“Like is such a common word, my dear Professor. Love, adore, cherish…” he leaned in close to her ear “…till death do us part,” he whispered, “now those are words I would use to describe you.”
Minerva’s face reddened slightly but not from a blush. Albus always did have a way of making her feel alive and happy, even with the simplest of phrases, and all because she knew that his words came from the heart.
He reached out and took her hand. “I was hoping a young lady…’
“…with pretty green eyes…” she added with a smile and a bit of passion mingled with her words.
He chuckled. She had heard those words from him so often that she had obviously come to expect them and who was he to disappoint his beautiful wife. “Yes…I was hoping a young lady with pretty green eyes would honor me with a dance this evening.”
“Good, because I was hoping my husband would ask me to dance the night away with him. We have a lot to celebrate and I can think of no better way then in the arms of the man who has danced me through the best times of my life.”
Albus paused, completely awestruck by her words. “I feel the same way about you, Minerva.” He led her onto the dance floor and began the familiar steps which had become second nature to both of them. “Each time I take you in my arms, be it on a dance floor or somewhere much more private, I am overwhelmed by my feelings for you. I’ve watched you grow from a young lass into the amazing woman who still steals my breath away with just a look or touch of your hand on mine.”
She listened to his softly spoken words and felt the tugs on her heartstrings with each and every one of them. “Albus,” she asked quietly into his ear, “how long do we have to stay and chaperone these young ones?”
“I have made arrangements for some of the other professors to watch over them tonight and I’m fairly certain that after a few dances, we won’t even be missed.”
“Good because I happen to know where a particularly large sprig of mistletoe is hanging and I’d hate to see it going to waste. Wouldn’t you?” She pressed her body against his, a little closer than she had intended but enough to feel his warmth seeping through to her very core.
“I would indeed…especially if it is over a large four poster bed with burgundy sheets and an emerald eyed witch is going to be waiting for me there.”
“Hmmm, I think she referred to herself as a ‘young lady with pretty green eyes’ but perhaps I heard wrong.”
He twirled her around the floor and spun her back into his arms, just like he had seen Mr. Longbottom do in practice over a week ago. “I highly doubt that you misunderstood at all. I’ve been calling you that for most of your life and the phrase has grown more and more endearing with each of our dances.”
She flashed him a brilliant and heartwarming smile. “Yes you have and I can’t count the number of times those words have lulled me to sleep, warmed my heart, given me hope for a future with you and sustained me through the hard times.”
Albus led Minerva out onto the balcony and away from the roar of the band and their students. “And I never dreamed that the little girl I danced with at a party thrown by her parents would grow into such a magnificent woman who captured my heart and gave me hers in return. I love you, Minerva McGonagall, and I will spend the rest of my life dancing with you.”
Minerva dared to kiss him quickly on the cheek before any of the students caught a glimpse of them. “Before we retire for the evening to have our own little party upstairs, do you think a handsome man with twinkling blue eyes would grant me the favor of a dance?”
“Only for the young lady with the pretty green eyes.”
The End.A/N: Well, this is it…this is where we leave our happy couple. We have certainly enjoyed writing each and every chapter and in turn watching our young Minerva blossom into a vibrant woman falling in love with the man of her dreams. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has so kindly reviewed the story and shared your thoughts with us. You have truly made this worth every minute we spent in creating it. THANK YOU!
How dare that woman be so rude to Minerva! I love the way Albus put her in her place and I'm sure it left the old hag frustrated and confused. What a way to have to spend an anniversary, bleh...
