First Impressions

[blackmagic]

I simply cannot shake off this idea, so I now hand it to you for critique. Enjoy! Minerva comes back to teach at Hogwarts and Albus is smitten, but first impressions are also lasting ones. I have often wondered what would happen if Minerva did not like Albus in her school days romantically or otherwise. Let's see, shall we?

As the effect of the aparation wore off, she could see it and her memories of the place came pouring back. It was as if she had never left in a way. She took it all in as she gracefully climbed the front steps of her alma mater. As her slender, pale hand took hold of the handle of the door it hit her. "I'm home," she murmured. Her reverie was interrupted by a shrill shriek to her right. She turned just in time to see Rolanda Hooch flying toward her. She slide to a halt moments before colliding with the startled witch. "Hey Min! Welcome back."

Minerva McGonagall smoothed down her long black and green robes. "Well, it seems that age and wisdom do not come hand and hand," she said curtly, but as the words left her lips they formed a glowing smile on her face. The two friends embraced. "Pop and Mona are here as well so the gangs all here. God, it seems like nothings changed. You look amazing, Min." "I'm still gorgeous and you're still crackers - you're right, nothing's changed except maybe our titles. That's Professor Min to you." Her glowing smile had transformed into a sly grin.

The two young women entered the school still laughing in time to see an enchanted model airplane come flying down the great staircase. Minerva was beginning to climb the stairs to the headmaster's office with Rolanda in tow. She was still speaking to her friend over her shoulder and faced forward to see what looked like a crimson velvet wall slam into her. She fell backward into and over Rolanda and down the few stairs there were to the landing.

"Min, are you alright? Min!" Rolanda was immediately at her friend's side. "Is that Minerva? Good heavens! Is she OK? Albus Dumbledore, how many times must I tell you not to run on the stairs? I suppose I should also add that you are not to endanger the lives of our new faculty members. I think we shouldn't crowd the girl, Albus," Armando Dippit said as he reached the landing. Minerva opened her eyes and stared menacingly at the offending fabric battering ram which was actually Albus Dumbledore. She shook her head in disdain and greeted her former Headmaster and new boss.

"Good day, Headmaster Dippit. How are you? Interestingly enough Rolanda and I were just commenting on the fact that it feels like nothing's changed in our ten year absence. I see we were correct," she turned her attention to Albus who didn't seem able to move or speak. He looked like he was in a trace - under some spell - or just plain shocked. Minerva continued as an icy tone took hold of her voice and fire flashed in her emerald green eyes. "Now, if you don't mind I'd like to go to my room and freshen up before our meeting. Excuse me." And with that she continued up the stairs as if nothing had happened leaving the rest of the group stunned. "Wow," Albus said as he watched her ascend the staircase.

He could not believe that he would be sharing the building with the most beautiful witch he'd ever laid eyes on. The way she'd been laying there in front of him - her skirt had lifted due to her fall and one side had risen higher than the other to reveal the top of a stocking and garters - all black - against her creamy white skin. Her hair had fallen out of its bun and fell in waves past her shoulders. She had red lips and beautiful expressive eyes which transfixed him. She was petite and slim with quite a lovely set of curves. He couldn't believe it. He had always remembered her as fiery and bookish but this intense beauty had never come to his attention unless the conversations of her male classmates were taken into account. At this moment that was all he could think of as he enjoyed watching her walk up the stairs. He added "Nice Bottom" to the growing mental list of things he found attractive about her.

Both Rolanda Hooch and Armando Dippit had seen looks like that before. For Rolanda, it was both disgusting and very amusing. Good day Headmaster. Professor," Rolanda sputtered as she tried, largely unsuccessfully, to suppress her giggles as she tore up the stairs. "Albus, are you attracted to our new transfiguration professor? Quite a lovely girl, isn't she?" Armando asked with a grin. "She's exquisite," Albus said just a touch on the defensive side. Armando chuckled and Albus looked bewildered. "Well, that is a shame, Albus. She thinks you're completely insane. I believe her word was crackers." Albus looked like a child who had just been told that there is no Santa Claus. "Don't worry old boy, we'll have to see what we can do about the two of you." "You don't mind, Armando? I mean we are two faculty members. "Nonsense, you deserve a little happiness after all those years of war and, if she doesn't kill you, she just might be the one. Who knows?" Albus knew of Armando Dippit's powers as a Seer and he couldn't help but smile as he followed a still chuckling Headmaster up the stairs.

[emeraldeyes]

This is a really, really great start, and take on this thought!! I really like it, although there were a few spelling mistakes, and in the future, if you could seperate paragraphs by people speaking, etc., it'd be much easier to read. Don't get me wrong--I *really* like this, just a few thoughts. I can't wait to see more!!

<3Kate

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

looks good, can't wait for more! keep up the good work

[Trulyamused]

Very good.

Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Truly

[Miss Q]

More, more, more!!!! Absolutely lovely funny start! I do hope you're planning on writing more!

Poor Albus. I do hope his charm will over-shadow the crackiness!

I have to thank you for the laugh!

M

[zoeteproet]

Aaaah, how can Minerva think THAT of Albus, I mean, he is an absolute dear!
Hope they will become friends (or more ;D) very soon.
So update soon! And that's an order, young lady.

[lemonygingersnaps]

I love this idea! I can't wait to see what happens. How can Albus convince Min that he is not "quackers". :-)

[littlemorgsi]

blackmagic said:

Well, that is a shame, Albus. She thinks you're completely insane. I believe her word was crackers."

*laughs* Albus IS completely insane! Well, maybe not completely, but they do say genius goes hand in hand with insanity, (but not the other way around). He just has to prove he is also a genius, and capable of polite and intellectual conversations and behaviors.

[ismaco]

hahaha... excellent start! I'd like to see where it goes!
Please update soon.
Isabel

[nemi]

My first impression of this story is that it's going to be brilliant! Very descriptive and quirky. Update soon

[tanja]

have to agree ;D

[chell]

That was a great start! I can't wait to read how Albus tries to convince her he isn't "crackers."

[beMMADfabulous]

That was so cute! Great start. I can't wait to see where you go with this. I would, however, like emerald eyes said, like to see the dialogue separated into paragraphs because it got a little confusing for me in one part. Besides that, wonderful job!

[zyx]

You HAVE to update like, yesterday! (Figure of speach, by the way...)

This is an awesome story!!!! XD

[Tabby67]

That's great! Yes, there are just a couple typos, but we all make mistakes. I love this!

Crackers...That was marvelous. Update soon!

~Branda

[EloquentPhoenix]

Crackers indeed! Made me laugh, I loved his mental list, funny and cute start, already waiting for more.

if she doesn't kill you, she just might be the one.

So true actually, so so true.

[Jessabelle]

Great start! I love how bold Minerva is! Update soon.
- Jess

[kankulex]

Ah, poor Albus Really good start! I'm looking forward to more, please update soon.
kankulex

[nicolerose]

Yeah. That was really good. I almost demand an update... I would demand it, but I have no controll over you. So now i beg!!!!! PLZ!

[blackmagic]

I appreciate your patience. I will try to take your suggestions into account, however I find it difficult to write in that format. I will do my best for all of you, but for now how about we check in on our lovestruck Albus.

The first day of the school year always brought a smile to Albus Dumbledore's face. He so enjoyed walking through the corridors conversing with his returning students and helping the first years find their classes. In addition to that, he just loved how everything seemed renewed - a clean slate so to speak. No matter how badly you had faired the term before, there was always next September and a new chance to get it right.

The first classes had just ended and Albus had taken to the halls to see how everyone was adjusting to the changes in the faculty. Since cutting back his teaching schedule, he had much more free time than he was used to which gave him more than enough time to wander about. If he was lucky, he might catch a glimpse of a certain young professor on her first day. She only had two classes that day and he wanted more than anything to see her. They may even get to talk if she'd put herself within a hundred yards of him.

As he made his way down the main hallway to the transfiguration corridor, he heard some young Slytherins muttering about a detention.

"Detentions already boys? It's only your first day of your first year. What was it then - disrupting class or spending your class time teasing your pretty, young professor?" Albus said with a knowing smile. He had suspected her looks would gain her some unwanted attention.

"A little bit of both, sir," Lucius Malfoy said with a smirk. "So, you really like our Professor McGonagall? I thought she was too professional to have a boyfriend," he continued as his smirk grew.

"No, I don't have any romantic feeling for Miss McGonagall," Albus lied shamelessly, " I merely thought you young men would enjoy being in the company of a teacher who isn't well past seventy years old. I believe you all have a class to get to... Charms isn't it? Well, go down the stairs to the forth floor and make a left into the charms hallway. Your classroom should be at the end of that hall."

The boys continued on their way but Albus became concerned when he heard the phrase "She deserved it," followed by a good deal of laughter. He hurried along to Minerva's classroom and as he approached he could hear soft sobbing. He thought it may be a student the boy were picking on, but nothing prepared him for what awaited him in the first year transfiguration class. Minerva sat at her desk with her head down, crying. She hadn't heard him enter so she was startled to feel a large comforting hand on her shoulder. "What happened?" he asked as he transfigured an eraser into a stool and sat close beside her, keeping his arm around her shoulders. Without looking up she pointed to a tack that was sitting on the edge of the desk. "Oh no," he said and pulled her into his arms. To his surprise, she didn't resist.

"I can't do this," Minerva cried into his shoulder. " I had them transfiguring pebbles into ribbons. Apparently Mr. Malfoy had gotten his hands on a modified version of the spell from an older student. His friends began arguing and I went over to sort it out. When I came back to my desk and sat down this was on my chair. I didn't see it and I sat on it. Everyone in the class was laughing except one. I must have looked like such a fool ...and I still do. Why am I bothering you with this" Minerva said stiffing and suddenly realizing that she'd been snuggling deeper into the embrace of a man she did not detest, but certainly didn't admire and had been denying Rolanda Hooch's claims that she was enamored with for a full week.

She pushed away from him and stood up. "It's no bother at all," Albus said ripped from the indescribable elation he felt while holding her tightly in his arms.

"Well, what do I do now? They love you, so how do you do it?" Minerva had sat back down next to him but showed no sign of falling into his arms again.

"Minerva, they have to get to know you first. They'll come around. Give them time. Just be a little more cautious from now on." Albus had moved closer to her again and again he was met with no resistance as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Did you have something you wished to speak with me about?" Minerva said. She desperately wished to change the subject and end this awkward closeness which had developed between them. Her voice became icy cold as it had been the day she arrived in a vain attempt at intimidation.

"Yes," he said, and in a bold move, he took her hand. She sat in stunned silence. "I wanted to invite you to tea in my study. Since your first class was so difficult, I think it would help ease the stress of your first day. Will you join me, Minerva?"

She was shocked and angered by his offer. She had no feelings for him and how dare he try something like this while she was so upset. Yet, there was something in his eyes and the way he had held her and the way his thumb drew intricate patterns on the back of her hand that melted every resolve she had to refuse. "I'd like that. Thank you, Professor."

"You aren't a student anymore. Call me Albus."

She blushed.

"Alright... Albus." She said suddenly finding it difficult to look at him as they walked arm and arm to his study.

Albus suddenly had a marvelous idea. " Minerva, do you play chess by any chance?"

[EloquentPhoenix]

Awww. He was so nice, and nervous, I can imagine that of him.

The format is much better, I hadn't noticed how much easier it is to read this way, eben though some parts of speech are in papragraphs. It's better because it's not a lot of continued speech.

Poor Minerva, I especially liked the way you portrayed her, strong as ever giving them detention and yet not so strong sometimes. Chess and tea, will he have hot chocolate? And she's figured him out, which just makes it better because she can't help herself anyway. He always was the charmer, and I really liked that when he was talking to Malfoy, joking and serious, who does he think he's kidding?

Yay so update soon

Oh and you missed out a word in this line:

"So, you really Professor McGonagall?

I do that all the time, isn't it annoying when you think faster than you can type?

[kankulex]

Ah.... so cute. he was so good at comforting minerva. Good idea to bring a Malfoy in the story. Wonderfully written, I'm looking forward to more!

[beMMADfabulous]

Sweet! I'm really enjoying this. You've brought a smile to my face. Great way to start the day. ;D I can't wait for more!

[osusprinks]

Great update! Poor Minerva. I am still a few years away from having my own classroom, but I do teach at a church camp during the summer and my first day was almost exactly that bad, except it was one of the other counselors pulling a chair away as I sat down. The kids thought he was hilarious and I was mortified and didn't think I could get back up there and teach. But I did, although I still always check my chair before sitting!

Thanks for sharing!

[blackmagic]

I'm still alive! My hard drive, however, shuffled off this mortal coil some time ago. So with renewed determination and a repaired computer I give you another chapter of my fic.

"Checkmate." Minerva stated as her lips slowly curled into a sly smile. "Albus, are you quite well?" Her smile faded into a stern pout.

"What? Oh! Please excuse me. My mind was elsewhere. I assure you that I am quite well." Albus couldn't remember the last time he had told a lie as big as that one. One thing was true his mind had been elsewhere. What he had conveniently forgotten to mention was that he had been focused on her throughout the entire game. Her hair, her eyes, her graceful movements, her cleverness, the list went on and on. Currently he was very interested in her lips. He nearly blew his cover when she took a sip of her tea. The way her crimson lips wrapped over the edge of the cup...

"Albus, have I done something to upset you?" Minerva asked. She couldn't read the expression in his eyes and that made her nervous.

"It isn't you, my dear. I just have a lot on my mind lately," Albus said stumbling over his words. That was another blatant lie.

Minerva couldn't believe what she had heard. "Excuse me?" she said hoping for some form of explanation.

"I have a lot to do in these first few days and I simply got distracted. Please, my dear, don't be offended." She looked flustered and stood quickly.

"I think I'll be leaving. I don't want to take up any more of your ridiculously disorganized time. Good day, Professor." She turned to leave, looking like she would burst into tears at any moment. Albus had no idea what he'd said to get her into this state but he very much wanted to fix it. He stood and took her hand, making her jump. They stood there silently for a brief moment each trying to think up an excuse. Albus pulled her gently over to him. They were face to face mere inches from one and other. His blue eyes were peering deep into her own scared emerald ones. His eyes were slowly revealing some of his secret and Minerva began to blush in return. Albus smiled. A little emotion looked good on her usually stern features.

"Stay," he asked bringing her hand to his lips. His kiss gently brushed across her hand. She became even more nervous. "Relax," he whispered gently as he reached over and lightly traced her jawline with one long finger.

"Oh, Albus," she murmered softly. Her lips pucker slightly and she closed her eyes. Albus leaned in slowly and...

"Oh! I had no idea I'd been intruding on such an intimate moment. Forgive me." Armando Dippit stood in the doorway with his hands over his eyes. The couple was instantaneously about six feet apart. The tears that had been threatening to come forth now began to roll down her cheeks.

She spoke fast apologizing for everything before turning into a cat and running past Armando and out of the room. Albus fell back into his chair more than a little annoyed. "Now what am I supposed to do," he asked "She'll never speak to me again. She was so shy. One minute she was calmly sitting across from me and then I told her I had some things on my mind and before I knew it she was embarrassed and saying she was leaving." Albus had gone from annoyed to completely confused.

Armando knew enough about women to know that Albus had probably said something out of line accidentally. Shaking his head and chuckling Armando patted his deputy on the shoulder. " Perhaps I could try to talk to her and sort this out just in case you've had another attack of "foot-in-mouth" disorder.

"Very funny, Armando," Albus said finally beginning to smile.

"Albus, you know very well that you are a long time victim of that "illness" especially when dealing with a pretty woman. If I didn't know you so well, I'd think you were crackers too," Armando laughed.

"As a matter of fact she didn't call me that today," was Albus' indignant reply.

Armando continued to laugh. "Not yet anyway."

Armando turned to leave and Albus went to his pensieve to put the image of Minerva drinking her tea in its proper place.

[furandfeathers]

oooh what a great story! I can't wait to read what happens next, please update soon

[KSpirit]

Lovely! I can't wait for more.

[gmshed]

Oh, I love it! Poor Albus. Please update soon!

[robyn]

Wonderful update!
Boy was I mad at Armando! It seems he is always comming in at a bad moment. Really his timing is just horrible:)

Please go on.
Rob.

[Trulyamused]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Been there done that.

Glad to see you've recovered. Great piece.

Hope to read very soon.

Truly