Post by Hogwarts Duo on Nov 14, 2006 16:34:35 GMT -5
Late Night Visit
Summary: Minerva is to be married to another and Albus is up late the night before the wedding as he ponders life without her.
Rating: Safe For All
Albus’ footsteps were muffled by the thick rug beneath his feet as he paced back and forth in front of the fireplace in his rooms. The tea beside his favorite chair was long cold and his eyes never even glanced at the book he had pulled out to read. Out of a window in the high tower the stars glowed brightly in the dark sky. There were only three weeks left until the students returned to start another year, yet that is not what had the Headmaster of Hogwarts in such a state of unrest.
His heavy steps came to a stop and his gaze moved to rest on a single piece of parchment, as it had many times before, both this night and on others. His vision seemed to sharpen as the words came into focus, almost as if they were mocking him.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold McGonagall
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Minerva Cairine
to
Jeffrey Michael Broomington
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Broomington
Saturday, the tenth of August…
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Minerva Cairine
to
Jeffrey Michael Broomington
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Broomington
Saturday, the tenth of August…
Suddenly he looked at the clock and as if on cue it began to toll, announcing that midnight had finally come and with it a new day. His throat tightened and his heart started to beat faster as he realized that today was the day Minerva would marry.
“Albus, aren’t you coming to bed?”
Turning quickly, he looked toward the bedroom door which was cracked open. Jane stood there, the candlelight from the bedroom filtering through her nightgown and outlining her shape. Her face was mostly in shadow but her bright hazel eyes were sharp as ever.
“Of course, I will be there as soon as I decide how to answer the Wizengamot on their request.”
She nodded, never suspecting his true reason for not sleeping this night and closed the door softly. Fawkes cooed quietly from his corner and Albus walked over. He started to stroke his familiar’s head and reached into his robe’s pocket to pull out a treat for him.
“I know I should not lie to her Fawkes but I do not believe she would understand. After all, I hardly understand myself.”
The beautiful bird pushed his head against the soothing hand as if in sympathy and took the small morsel Albus had offered. He watched Fawkes settle back down to sleep and sighed. If only it were so easy, he thought tiredly.
He walked over and picked the invitation up off of the table and copied the letters spelling Minerva’s name with his finger. As he did, memories flooded his mind of their times together.
It has been nearly seven years since he had hired her as the new transfiguration professor. From the beginning they had got on well, with only a few minor altercations. Her love of the students and her dedication to her work had earned his respect and her refreshing habit of speaking her mind and her immense love of life had won his friendship and trust.
Their friendship had blossomed in such a way that Albus had one night, after downing a little more wine than was wise, asked her to dinner. Probably more surprisingly she had said yes. The next few months had been nearly as emotional as a Quidditch World Cup in its highs and lows. They had enjoyed each other’s company immensely and had grown closer than ever before. However, the strain of trying to fit their relationship into the world that was Hogwarts had been impossible in the end.
They had broken things off one afternoon while sitting in this very room. It was the first time they had seen each other in over a week, other than for regular Hogwarts business, and the air between them was strained. Albus had received an owl from a friend of his on the Board of Governors who wanted to warn him that word of his relationship with one of his teachers had been leaked and there were a few who were not pleased and were calling for Minerva’s dismissal.
Minerva had been the reasonable one. As Albus had ranted about others interfering where they did not belong, she had sat by quietly. After having him sit beside her she had told him that she loved him, the first time either had spoken those words. She also told him that perhaps it was best that they return to being only friends. They both loved their jobs and things had been so hard lately.
He knew she was right. They had to work harder than most just to see each other and often his schedule interrupted their time together causing both to be miserable. They had been fighting more often that not in the last several weeks and he missed their easy camaraderie. With a sigh he agreed and it was done. As she stood to walk away, he stood also. He went to speak, to tell her that he loved her as well but she did not let him. Instead she put her finger over his lips.
“Please don’t make this harder than it already is.”
Her lips replaced her finger. It was soft and sweet and perfect. Even now when he closed his eyes he could feel the press of her lips on his. She had walked out the door and the next day it was as if their relationship had never happened.
The pain following the break-up seemed to be his alone but he hid it from all the world. As time passed their friendship had been more than repaired, it had continued to grow and flourish. He had been happy for her when she had found someone new, someone who could give her all the attention she deserved. He ignored the twinges in his heart and even found someone of his own to date who was even now in the next room.
As his emotions swirled inside his heart, he suddenly felt the urge to purge himself of a love which was never to be. He strode over to the fireplace and shoved his hand containing the invitation toward the glowing flames and dropped the parchment. He closed his eyes as it started to burn unable to watch. His head dropped into his hands and he groaned, the sound animalistic in its despair. Albus’ eyes opened just as the last of the white parchment turned black and joined the pile of ashes in the grate.
He started to turn away just as the greedy flames flared green. In one fluid motion Albus moved to the side against the wall so as not to be seen. Not many people had access to his floo but he did not wish to see anyone at this hour or in his current state of mind. With his heart racing he listened intently for the smallest sound. It was quiet for several minutes before a whispered voice broke through the silence.
“Albus.”
His breath caught in his throat and he found it hard to breath. The voice was heartbreaking in its aching, drawn-out tone. He was unsure what to do. Unsure if he could face her. With all the courage he could muster, Albus moved into sight.
She was facing his chair and studying it intently. He watched her for just a moment, drinking in the sight of her profile.
“Minerva.”
Her head spun toward him in the flickering firelight. “I didn’t realize you would be awake,” she said in an embarrassed tone of voice.
“I had not planned to but I could not sleep.”
She smiled causing his stomach to flutter. “Is the Ministry hounding you again? Even they must sleep sometime.”
He smiled back but it was halfhearted at best. His emotions were still rolling through him and he could not seem to get them under control. “No, nothing so dull.”
There was an awkward silence where the two studied each other. Finally Minerva looked away. “I am sorry to have disturbed you. I will go so you can get some rest.”
“Wait,” Albus replied a bit quickly. “Did you wish to talk? I don’t recall you having a habit of visiting people in the middle of the night to simply say hello.”
Minerva laughed but the sound was strained. “No, this is new and you’re my first.”
Another awkward silence prevailed. With his heart beating quickly, Albus glanced toward his bedroom door. His mind made up, he laid out his offer and waited to see what she would say.
“Would you like to come through?”
She looked up into his eyes and Albus’ breath caught in his throat at the hope he saw there. “Yes, I would like that very much.”
She withdrew her head and Albus threw up a few charms to keep their conversation private. The flames flared green again but this time Minerva’s full form stepped into his sitting room. She hesitated at the edge and dusted non-existent soot from her dressing gown.
Albus drank in the sight of her greedily. Her hair was long and loose just as he preferred, her skin glowed in the soft candlelight, her feet were bare on his rug and though her gown was thick and worn on the edges, he knew he had never seen her look more beautiful.
“Please sit,” he said with a tentative smile on his face. “Would you like some tea?”
Minerva took the seat across from him, her usual place. “Please.”
He prepared the tea with slightly shaking hands. He always kept her favorite brew on hand and soon had a steaming cup held out to her. She took it, her fingers brushing his for a moment. They both looked down until Albus cleared his throat.
“Nervous about the wedding?”
A panicked look entered Minerva’s eyes. She set her tea down and placed her hands in her lap. “Why would you say that?” she said, her tone odd to his ears.
Afraid he had offended her, he answered quickly. “I did not mean to presume. Since it is today and you are still awake at this hour…”
“Oh yes, of course. I am a tad nervous I suppose.”
Minerva relaxed into the seat and picked her tea up again taking a long sip. She closed her eyes and a smile lit her face. “I remember when Fine Teas & Biscuits stopped carrying my blend. I came to you in a fine rage that day.”
Albus chuckled. “Oh yes, you were ready to curse them since it had taken you so long to find that particular shop in the first place.”
“You told me we would find my blend somewhere and not to worry.”
“It took me two weeks.”
“And I was awful to everyone for those two weeks after I ran out of the supply I had.”
They both laughed at the remembrance of Minerva’s dour mood. The students had complained in whispers in the halls and even a few faculty members had confronted Minerva about it.
“Your tastes are quite particular. It took me that long to convince a friend of mine to add it to his selection.”
“You never told me you went to all that trouble,” Minerva exclaimed as she sat up straighter in her chair.
Albus had not meant to reveal that piece of information but it had slipped out of its own accord. He tried to downplay it and hoped it worked. “I knew you would never agree. It has become quite popular for him now. He sent me a letter of thanks last term in fact.”
He smiled as she relaxed. It felt like any other day, the banter and laughter and the ability to converse so fluidly. So it was a crushing blow when Minerva spoke again.
“I am getting married today Albus. Jeffrey is a wonderful man. Smart, funny, handsome in his own way.” Minerva paused
Albus felt himself grow sick. His insides would not settle and even his cold tea had no effect on his nerves. He could see her gathering herself and knew whatever she had to say was important.
“So why is it,” she continued as she looked him in the eyes, “that I can only think of you?”
He unconsciously held his breath as his body filled with an emotion he had not experienced in a long while, hope. He cleared his throat but could not think what to say. Did he express his own feelings? Surely that would only complicate things for her, after all she was to be married today and he did not want to burden her with his own feelings of loss. It was then, just before she spoke that he realized just how much he still loved her.
“I’m sorry,” Minerva whispered as she stood. She began to pace. “I know you are with someone now.”
Albus’ eyes darted to the door. He had forgotten about Jane in the next room. Guilt filled him but he could not seem to hold on to it. His entire being was centered on the woman in front of him. The woman who held his heart.
“I just needed to see you one more time, to know that I am not making a mistake. It’s probably just nerves since the wedding is only hours away. Jeffrey is a good man.” Minerva’s speech came to a halt. “I’m rambling.”
“No, I’m glad you came.”
Minerva paused and looked at him, really looked at him. “Oh, Albus,” she breathed before a few tears escaped leaving paths down her cheeks.
Albus stood and gathered her in his arms. They stood encased in each other for several minutes. Neither spoke nor moved, instead they simply relished the presence of the other. His reservations were slipping away from him. He found that he didn’t care what anyone else thought, he needed to tell her or at least see if she wanted to hear. Finally Albus moved backward, his hands moving to hold hers. He needed to know what all of this meant. Did it change anything or did he just glimpse that which he would never have?
“I don’t know,” she answered before he could ask the question.
“I love you.”
It was the first time he had ever spoken it out loud. It seemed to come out much louder and intense than he had intended but he wanted her to know, after all this time, just how much she meant to him. And he might never have this opportunity again. For if she chose to move beyond what they once had, he knew he would have to lock off that part of himself forever.
He watched Minerva close her beautiful green eyes when he spoke. Her dark lashes formed shadows in the soft light. It seemed like an eternity before she met his gaze again. The happiness, hope and love he saw in their depths he knew were reflected in his own. His head dipped low of its own accord and he paused just before his lips touched hers. He waited to see if she would turn away, but like the Gryffindor lioness he had always viewed her as, she did not shrink but instead leaned up and closed the space between them.
Her mouth was soft as a rose petal, just as he remembered. His body warmed as he turned his head sideways and parted his lips to run his tongue along hers, asking for entrance. It had been too long and every nerve tingled with pleasure as her tongue darted out and caressed his own.
They broke off abruptly when Fawkes made a quiet squawk. Albus looked over to find his familiar’s gaze concentrated on the bedroom. Light peeked from below the door. His heart began racing from more than just Minerva’s presence and intoxicating kiss.
“She’s here isn’t she?” The question was flat and Minerva was no longer looking at him. Reality had come crashing in around them.
“She is,” he said. His guilt from earlier came rushing back, not because of any feelings he had for Jane but because he now felt like he had deceived Minerva.
“I should go. I shouldn’t have come. We both have people who love us, who care for us.”
Her voice nearly broke on the last words but her eyes stayed strong as she looked up at him. It was as if he was standing in front of Professor McGonagall. Always cool and collected, ready and able to handle anything he could throw her way. She turned away as she retrieved floo powder for the trip home.
Albus reacted not with his head, but with his heart. “No, please don’t go.” He had taken her arm and Minerva looked up at him with surprised eyes. “I can’t live without you.”
“Albus, I…”
“Whatever I have to do, whatever I need to change, tell me and I will do it.”
Minerva’s eyes shown brightly with unshed tears. “The wedding.”
“It isn’t too late,” he said with all the urgency he felt and all the love in his heart, “for us.”
He watched as emotions flickered across her face. Floo powder trickled from her hand onto the floor unheeded by either. This was the moment when their lives would change irrevocably and Albus couldn’t seem to catch his breath.
Minerva turned toward him fully after what seemed like an eternity. “I love you Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.”
“Does that mean…”
“Yes. I want to be with you. I want to wake up with you everyday and I want to know that I am the only woman in your heart.”
Albus couldn’t contain himself any longer as he grabbed Minerva around the waist and pulled her toward him until their bodies met. Their eyes locked and Albus lowered his head, crushing her lips to his. The kiss was powerful, overwhelming, intense…unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
They broke apart each breathing heavily. “What do we do now?” Minerva asked.
Her question was cut off by a warning from Fawkes. They had both forgotten about the light in the bedroom and woman who lay inside. Albus unsheathed his wand as he saw the doorknob start to turn. Before he could cast a single spell, Fawkes took flight and hovered over them, grabbing the sleeve of Albus’ robe in his claw.
Looking into the eyes of the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, Albus answered her as he held her close. “We love each other.”
They disappeared in a burst of flames just as the door cracked open.
The End.
xXx 
LOL