My 100 prompts...begins here

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 001. Beginnings
Title: Minerva's sorting
Prompt: Beginnings
Summary: Minerva thinks back to her sorting.
A/N: Just hoping you enjoy & give me feedback.

The moon was bright as she stood atop the Astronomy tower and was looking forward to the next day, the day she would graduate from Hogwarts and be on her own. It was another beginning to her life and this thought made her consider her last beginning. Starting at Hogwarts…

She stood nervous among the other first years. She looked around and spotted her older brother and sister sitting at the Ravenclaw table. Both smiled and waved at her encouragingly. Her resolve strengthened as she heard her name being called by the deputy. She walked up calmly and took a seat on the stool. “A McGonagall eh? Well you have a thirst to prove yourself and an even deeper hunger for knowledge. Oh what is this? Loyalty and courage that doesn’t seem to know any bounds.” The voice in her head carried on, listing these attributes which she didn’t even know she had.

“I guess…” She responded silently.

“Not I guess my dear, but I know. Gryffindor seems to be the best place for you. Gryffindor!” The hat cried the voice no longer in her head.

She got down and looked up at the deputy as he smiled down at her, pointing her in the correct direction. She made her way to the table and sat between two other first years she had met on the train, Lily and Rose. She saw her brother and sister’s shocked expressions from the Ravenclaw table. “Oh, Màthair is going to be so angry.” Course what her mother could actually do about it was nothing.

“Minerva!” the two girls had grown worried that their friend would end up in a different house and both threw their arms around her. “Your mother won’t be furious will she?”

She shook her head, “Nothing she can do about it anyways.” The three of them laughed as the sorting finished and the headmaster summoned the food. The three were delighted with all the choices and soon filled their plates, talking about how they hoped the year would go.

It was as she left for her dorm room, that she felt someone watching her and turned to see the deputy smiling at her. She smiled back as her brother and sister lept out in front of her. Her sister pulled her into a hug as her brother just smiled. They both congratulated her before letting Lily and Rose steer her back to the other first year Gryffindors that were disappearing up a marble stair case.

“Minerva Tabatha McGonagall.” The girl was dragged out of her memory and turned to see the Deputy Headmaster staring at her from the entrance into the school. “May I inquire as to what you are doing up here so late at night?”

She nodded, “I couldn’t sleep professor.” She noticed that he closed his eyes as she called him professor. Did he really hate formalities that much? She didn’t ask, continuing with her short explanation. “I’m anxious about tomorrow you see sir. It’s worse than night before a huge match the next morning.” She ignored the fact that he gave a slight flinch to her calling him sir.

“Miss McGonagall,” now it was her turn to flinch at formalities. “You should sleep; it will be a long day tomorrow after all.”

“I don’t want to sleep…It’s my last day here and tomorrow marks the beginning of my life as an adult; even though I have been of age since October.”

He just nodded at her, coming to stand next to her. “My dear, you have acted like an adult longer than that.”

She stared at him as he looked out over the grounds, words were unable to form as she wasn't sure what she was saying. Her favorite professor was hiding something from her? The thought didn't seem plausible, sure he hid details about his work and that, but...it didn't seem possible. She turned to face him, unable to speak.

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 002. Middles
Title: Random School Years of Minerva's
Prompt: Middles
Summary: Things that happened in her 3rd, 5th, & 7th year
A/N: Just hoping you enjoy & give me feedback. ((written at 2 am i think its pretty good for a weekend with lack of sleep ^_^ ~~actually now that i reread it I'm thinking about rewriting it...v.v~~))


Albus had watched the young Scottish girl grow up. She had come to him to learn above and beyond her classmates, he had also singled her out without knowing it. She had a talent for transfiguration that he hadn’t seen in a student before. He kept her after class in her third year and she looked dishearten by this act. He walked over and wrapped an arm around her small shoulders with a kind smile down at her.

“Don’t worry my young one.”

“But Professor, I have no idea why you have kept me after.” She stared down at her shoes her black hair falling down in a curly sheet around her face. So much like his sister when he was little he knelt to be eye level with her.

“Never worry my young one; you are doing excellent in my class. Much better than your peers, I was just wondering if you wanted some extra lessons to advance your studies ahead of them even further.” He smiled, “It is just an offer…give it a few days to think about and then let me know.”

The young Scottish girl smiled and looked up at her professor, excited. “Thank you Professor Dumbledore!” She turned and shot out the door to her next class, only to come back for a pass that he already was holding out for her as she appeared red faced from embarrassment.

The Scottish girl had taken his extra lessons and a year and half later, half way through her fifth year she decided to become an animagus. A silver tabby animagus to be exact; she was sitting in the library with a very large book black bound book in her lap reading the Latin script in front of her when a man approached with long auburn hair and a crooked nose with silver glasses perched on the end of said crooked nose.

“Are you running late my young one or is this book just that enthralling, seeing as it is in the restricted section of the Library?” He asked the Scottish girl.

“Hm…” she looked up, “oh sorry professor I was just doing research for-“

He raised a hand and cut her off, “You wish to be an animagus I see…” She nodded, “Then it shall be our goal to have you registered before you graduate from Hogwarts.” He raised an eyebrow and grabbed the book with one swift movement from her grasp and walked out of the section, stopping to talk to the librarian for a few seconds before leaving the library entirely. She hated it when he did that to her but it bugged her that he knew how to motivate her.

Albus stood in his office with a seventh year girl urging her to concentrate which is extremely hard to do when the person urging cannot do so themselves.

“Minerva! If you’re going to pass the registration examination you need to concentrate!” He gave up and sat down on the sofa with his head in his hands and the girl staring at him.

Minerva stared, she had gone too far, they had scheduled the date of her registration exam but he had yet to see her successfully change into the silver tabby that she could. He distracted her so much and she wished she could tell him but it was wrong, in all of her lessons and games with him she has only recently discovered that she cares for him. Being her last year she got into the advanced class and being well ahead of them she is being taught by him after classes are done.

“Sir…um…can I go and practice in the class room.” She motioned to the door. He just nodded and looked up to see her go and her hair move behind her as her hips swayed. He hit his forehead, it was wrong so immorally wrong. He soon heard a mewing and a silver streak shot into the office and onto his lap.

He picked up the furball that was his student and smiled, “Oh little Tabby Cat!” He gave her a kiss on the head before setting her back down, “now go explore your new place and sensation as they take time to get used to and you don’t have a lot of that.” The silver tabby nodded and shot back out the door. A smile crept over Albus’ face that was soon replaced by horror, he had just kissed his student, it didn’t matter whether she was a cat or not, she was still his student.

[micha]

Oh, don't rewrite it - it is so cute.... such a sweet story

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 001. Endings
Title: Minerva's Graduation
Prompt: Ending
Summary: It's Minerva's graduation day and they are holding a
ball that night, yet she only wishes to dance with Albus.
A/N: I may have rambled at some point in here but the story
starts the night before graduation day.

Enjoy from your gown loving author
~Aly~

p.s.
I think I love describing the gowns & coming up with them more than the story....wait I love putting her in them ^_^

Minerva McGonagall stood upon the Astronomy Tower staring out over the grounds, her school cloak covering her nightgown. It was the night before her graduation and she didn’t wish to sleep as tomorrow she would leave the school and him. She closed her eyes and waited knowing he would come eventually.

Albus Dumbledore stood several feet behind her, watching in silence for some time. “You need to sleep, tomorrow is your big day.” She turned to face him and he almost wished she wouldn’t have, except that she never looked so sweet and caring in school, or sad for that matter. Oh, there were times that she came to him crying over small things that people said or did. Or those few school dances where she failed to get a date to, he always comforted her as he did now.

“What is wrong little one?” He pulled her close and rested his head upon hers gently.

“That, tomorrow I go out into the world as an adult to make my way in the wizarding world. Though I’ve been an adult since October along with a registered animagus, plus all the other teachers give me a decent amount of respect.” She stepped back from him and looked up at him.

He looked down at her, “My dear for so long you have acted like an adult and I have wished to treat you as such, but it is unprofessional of me to do so. I’m sorry that I haven’t done so sooner and have made you feel this way.” He stepped forward and pulled her close again, kissing the top of her head. “Come, let’s get something to warm to drink and then you can go to bed.” He turned them towards the entrance and pushed her gently forward. He propelled her through the halls to his chambers just a short ways from the Gryffindor common room entrance.

“I wondered why this door never opened.” She said jokingly.

He just laughed and said the password, “Hot coco.” He opened the door for her and made his way into his study. He sat on the couch with her next to him the fire blazing. She jumped as a house elf appeared with a crack. “Hot tea and coco please, just two mugs with two pots of it.” The house elf disappeared and reappeared with two more cracks, it set down the tray and left with a bow and one more crack.

Minerva turned and looked at him wide eyed; he pulled her close again and gave a soft chuckle. “You get used to the noise, though not all are that loud. Take the ones that clean your dormitories at night. She must usually cook.” She just nodded and looked at the tray on the table in front of him.

She snuggled closer and looked up at him as he smiled down at her, oh how she had dreamed of him holding her so. She moved some more and finally rested her head in his lap with her eyes closed.

“My dear…I can’t have you-“

“That would be meaning that someone is going to come in at this late hour and catch us. If I am correct though, this is your private residence and I am a very talented animagus. I would say we are safe, wouldn’t you, Professor.”

“Once again, you have me there and Miss McGonagall please drop the formalities or I shall place this tabby outside in the hallway.”
She knew she had won then and looked up at him, sitting up on his lap arms around his neck. “Well we have these warm drinks here and a nice fire.”

“Minerva…” He closed his eye restraint evident in his voice as he kept telling himself that she was still his student over and over. He opened his eyes and she didn’t look like his student, but someone older yet was still the same young girl that he had come to admire and appreciate in his years of teaching her in class and privately after hours. “…it isn’t right, you’re my student.”

She grabbed his hands and pulled him up, bringing him over to the fire. She sat down and he followed suit slowly, “Not really, I don’t have you for a teacher anymore and all I have left to do is attend graduation tomorrow followed by the dance tomorrow night. You really are no longer my teacher anymore, so I see no issue.” She leaned forward towards him.

He saw only one flaw in her logic, he was Deputy Headmaster, oh but her milky white skin was close and her red lips. He brought up one hand and dragged it down her neck. “I’m the Deputy Headmaster Minerva, I can’t…” oh but I would love to… he added to himself.

She pouted and finally just kissed him quickly before he could do anything. His hands gently grabbed her shoulders and tugged her back, but not very far. He kissed her back with a passion and pulled her close and rolled over her, his hands wandering down her sides slowly.

He pulled back with his eyes closed, trying to find restraint, “Minerva…I can’t…”

“Yes, you can and I know you want to, your hands are still wandering.” He blinked, she was right; one was making its way back up under her nightgown at about mid-thigh; it stopped and she hooked that leg on his back, pushing his hand farther up her thigh. “I know you do, Albus.” She smiled, reaching up and kissing him passionately as she slowly unbuttoned the front of his cloak.

He was arguing with himself and could feel his want for her, beyond the fact that she was gorgeous everyday in school and extremely intelligent, but here beneath him with her hair down and her milky white skin so soft and smooth to the touch. She wasn’t like the other few that he had been with, no she was someone he could see living with for the rest of his days.

He drew away from her kiss and dragged his lips down her chin to her neck, pausing only to get up off the floor with her. He carried her to his chambers where he continued to explore her body slowly as they shed one another’s clothes. Eventually getting lost in the troughs of passion and pleasure.

~~

It was early the next morning and Albus awoke to find Minerva sound asleep upon his chest half covered by a blanket. ‘Oh how peaceful she looked sleeping there.’ He gently stroked her hair, not wanting to wake her and unable to leave without doing so. He gave a sigh and yelled at himself silently, ‘you stupid old fool she really still is your student! If anyone finds out, oh the trouble you’ll be in. Plus, she could be in.” He continued to stroke her hair, placing his other hand on her lower back.

Minerva squirmed a little at the touch on her back, she didn’t want to wake yet she was having to good of a dream. She was sleeping next to her Professor who she loved. The hand on her back felt cold and right next to her skin, for that matter actually she could actually hear a steady heart beat in her ear and someone was stroking her hair. She opened her eyes and found a beard of auburn colored hair nearby and that her pillow was actually someone’s chest.

“Albus?” She knew it was stupid to ask now, but she did anyways.

“Yes, my dear?” He looked down at her surprised she was awake. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, I just thought that it had been a dream…I’m glad it wasn’t.” She smiled at him, kissing his chest lightly several times.

“You’ll need to get back to your dorm soon…but would you like to bathe first?”

“That would be lovely.” She sat up and looked down at him smiling, “Care to join me?”

“You know I shouldn’t Minerva,” He looked up at her, “I shouldn’t have last night.”

She climbed out of bed, pulling him with her gently, “Well I can’t bathe unless I know where the bath is now can I, or anything I can use to wash with?” She gave him a catty grin and pulled him closer.

“Alright then…” He turned her around and headed for a door tucked into the corner of the room. She opened it before he got a chance to and they walked in to find a large bath tub set into the floor along with different oils, washes, shampoos, conditioners and a giant pile of fluffy towels.

“I should have done this along time ago.” She smirked and walked down into the tub and took a seat as he turned on the water. “So much nicer than the prefects’ bath.”

He just simply raised an eyebrow, “As I head girl I believe you have your own bath of some kind.”

She smiled, and watched him as he entered the large tub and sat across from her. “Maybe I do, maybe I don’t what does it matter now?” She crossed the tub and sat beside him.

“Minerva, I’m already in enough trouble as it is.” He sighed thinking back, it hadn’t been the first time she had spent the night here.

“You’re only in trouble if someone finds out and after today,” She frowned at the idea of leaving, “no one will.”

“Ah my dear, you have to make it through today first and the dance tonight.” She looked even more displeased at this knowledge. “What is wrong little one?”

“I am to attend the dance with the head boy, who is actually taking someone else.” She rolled her eyes, “Plus as top of the class, since I am a girl I have the honor of dancing with the headmaster and you, if I so choose.”

“Yes, I know but do you think it wise.”

“If I am offered by either of you I will not refuse.”

Albus sat in thought as they finished their bath, she once again would sit and not dance at a school ball.

Minerva dressed quickly and left, kissing him gently. “I’ll see you later.”

~~

The graduation ceremony passed quickly, as it was mostly just Headmaster Dippet talking about how all the students were to go out and do wonderful things. Also if any of the students wished to study further in one field very expensively they could return with that professor’s permission.

~~

Minerva spent the few hours after the ceremony getting ready for the ball. She was to enter with the head boy, Marcus Rockwood from Slytherin. The two of them didn’t get along at all. She frowned when she saw the dress her mother had sent her, emerald green and black. “Oh mum,” but without another word she put it on and it fit perfectly. The skirt of the dress only had extra layers on the sides and the rear, making it look like she had a bustle on. The front had a solid black stripe going down it to the floor, it was cut straight across and rested off of her shoulders. The sleeve ends opened wide and long towards the floor. She noticed a note lying in the box still and looked at it, “pins out, hair down –love mum” She frowned her hair was already done in an updo and she really didn’t want to take it out.

She pointed her wand and the pins flew out and formed a pile upon her desk, as her hair cascaded down in black curls. She left the room to meet her ‘date’.

~~

Albus had spent the rest of the afternoon with the Headmaster Armando Dippet and was thinking of a way to try to get him to come up with the idea that they should dance with Minerva. It wasn’t working so far.

“Albus are you even paying attention?”

“Hm? Oh…um knight to E3…”

“I guess not…what are you thinking about in there?”

“Something Miss McGonagall said to me the other day.”

“What would that be?” Armando reached for a cookie that was sitting on a tray nearby.

“She mention an old school rule, the top student is allowed to dance with the Headmaster and deputy-“

“Oh that one! Why did she mention?” He had a few crumbs stuck to his lip that he wiped away with the sleeve of his robe.

“Have you ever seen her dance with anyone at one of the school dances?”

“Now that you mention it no…she was always sitting and talking to us.” Albus gave him a few seconds to think finally getting somewhere. “Hey, Albus why don’t we implement the rule, or option this year then if she is fine with it.”

“I assume I shall have to ask her now then?” Armando nodded as Albus looked the board over and realized he had him in checkmate. “Oh checkmate.” He smiled and stood up, taking a cookie from the plate. Armando frowned, not only had he lost but his deputy stole a peanut butter cookie from him.

~~

Minerva was on her way down when Albus found her and stood there gaping, “What is something wrong?”

“No, you just look gorgeous is all.” He said pulling her into an empty classroom. “Armando is willing to ask you to dance I just came to tell you.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Do you think that wise?” She quoted him from that morning.

“It isn’t suspicious if we both ask you and I can only ask you once.”

“The last song, they always play two slow songs back to back at the end.” He just simply nodded understanding her request. But a different plan was forming in his head. She kissed him quickly and left not wanting to be late meeting Marcus.

Albus headed to his chambers and changed his robes to a deep blue robe and headed down for the ball to begin.

~~

The music started and Minerva and Marcus were out on the floor dancing around stiffly yet graceful enough. Her gown flowed in a large arc out behind her, when it was time for other to head out Albus led the cue by taking the medi-witch’s hand, friends they were, before long all the rest of the students followed suit.

The song ended and only a few people left the dance floor, Minerva found her way over to where Albus and Armando were sitting with Michelle the medi-witch. “Thank you, it isn’t fun being out there alone.”

“No problem my dear, you looked lovely out there.” Michelle slid over on the bench to make space for her. “I love the dress to my dear, though at my age, something simple is much easier to deal with.”

Minerva sat down between Albus and Michelle and proceeded to discuss her dress, “Well actually it is quite simple, the skirt is all fluff in the back and the top just buttons on the side here.”

“But it looks like its custom fit…” Albus and Armando just stared at them before turning to look out at the dancing crowd.

Halfway through the dance Armando turned to Minerva and asked her to dance, “Love to headmaster.” She said smiling.” The danced nearby but out of earshot.

“What are your plans after graduation Miss McGonagall?”

“Um…I don’t really know, there is always spell reversal or the aurors. But I like transfiguration and writing for the paper isn’t really what I want to do cause it is misprints that the do that gives spell reversal more stuff to do.”

He saw her point but didn’t know how he could help. “Maybe you could just study some more? I’m sure I won’t be around this school forever.”

She stared at him, her eyes narrowed as she thought and they waltz slowly around, “You mean ask Professor Dumbledore to see if he is willing to teach me more advance magic?”

“Well yes I guess, he does seem to be the best in the field and he is quite intelligent. I don’t see why he isn’t prime minister.”

“He doesn’t want to have that kind of power and control…” Her voice trailed off as she dropped her head.

“How do you know that?”

She looked up as the song was drawing to an end. “I asked him once during my animagus lessons. Please don’t say anything, he is a good teacher and I’m sure one day will be a great Headmaster.”

Armando just nodded, “Thank you for the dance Miss McGonagall.” He held her hand gently as he led her back to Albus and Michelle.

“I can’t believe you can waltz so gracefully and in heels too, I’m wearing flats and can’t keep up.” Michelle showed her shoes which were black flats that looked quite comfy.

Minerva laughed, “I had a really good teacher.” She caught Albus’ eye for a split second and smiled again as she turned to look at the dancers waiting for him to ask her.

The last song came but it wasn’t slow but quite fast, Albus didn’t ask her to dance and soon the ball was over. The students trudged back to their dorms at the late hour and the staff following them to their own chambers. Minerva was disheartened he hadn’t asked her to dance.

“Miss McGonagall may I have a word with you real quick.” She turned to see him standing there at the foot of the grand staircase, she nodded and walked back down to see what he wanted. “Come we’ll speak in private.” He led her off in some direction that she wasn’t paying attention to as she was tired and didn’t care anymore.

He turned to face her as they stood in a private courtyard she had never seen before, “It seems that I owe you a dance.” He offered her his hands, instead she fell into him and they just moved back and forth under the starlight.

After a while he looked down to see her half asleep and smiled, “Oh little one,” He kissed her forehead and picked her up, walking through the castle to his chambers since he didn’t know her password. He laid her upon his bed and kissed her good night. “May your night have ended the way you wanted it to.”

He turned to leave when he heard her tired voice from behind his deep purple hangings. “It will have been the perfect ending to the night and school year had you stayed and laid here with me.” He smiled and turned back to see that she had drawn the one side open and was kneeling on the bed looking at him.

“Well then…I can fix that…” He discarded his outer, formal robe and walked back over and laid down next to her hold her close. He decided then that he was going to see if she wanted to stay, an ending that marked a beginning. “Night little one.”

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 004. Insides
Title: Occulmency
Prompt: insides
Summary: Minerva is learning Occulmency from Dumbledore under the close supervision of Headmaster Dippet.
A/N: I really and truly had no idea what to do for this one but I think this one should fit.

I am also determined to do them in order! So watch me go!
~Aly~


Minerva stood concentrating with her eyes closed in the headmaster’s study. Armando watched as his deputy and the young woman fought mentally, each trying to gain access to the other’s mind.

Soon Minerva collapsed onto the couch behind her after only a few minutes of the struggle, she was panting. “Albus do you think it is necessary that she learns this skill?” Armando asked his deputy as he helped the young woman up.

“It is always necessary to fortify your mind against unwanted intruders.”

“Well I do say she has improved from the last time.”

They practiced in front of the headmaster to ensure no one got hurt with an unexpected spell and so he could watch her progress through her training.

Minerva stood up and straightened out her golden gown, it was very simple with tight sleeves and a straight skirt. On her left hip though her mother had embroidered a red lion with her initials underneath it. A fuzzy braid was swung around her neck as she faced her mentor again, her wand at the ready.

He faced her to his wand out as they both moved in sync almost and the spells were cast silently. Her eyes closed as she concentrated on keeping him out, he was learning too much of her childhood. “Think school.” He pushed in a little and saw her view of being sorted, the hat over her eyes, and looking up to see his own before running off to the Gryffindor table.

She shoved back, her teeth gritted, she felt him in her head and then she was inside his. She saw a flurry of images and then one, herself just standing there as she had been previously. Out of breath and slightly disheveled from their practice.

Albus pushed back and Minerva once again fell back onto the couch panting. She just looked up at him, as he didn’t say anything.

“That lasted much longer than before Miss McGonagall, I’d say your training is done for today.” She nodded and collected her bag before returning to her dormitory.

“It is after hours, I’ll escort you back to your dorm.” Albus was standing next to her, she just nodded and they continued on in silence up to the seventh floor. “May I have a word with you first in my study?” He motioned down the hall to a door that never opened.

He mumbled the password and the door unlocked, swinging inward. “After you…” He smiled, taking note that she didn’t seem to be very talkative.

Minerva noted all of the books and instruments that he had along one wall and a phoenix perched near his desk. Yet the only furniture was a desk and chairs, she turned to look at him with a confused expression.

“Yes, its much smaller that the headmaster’s office but I also have to have my private quarters off of here and a lounge and a bath…” He looked thoughtful for a moment and suddenly shook his head, “Least I have these quarters, some are smaller.” He nodded towards a door.

She didn’t need to be told twice and opened it to find a large lounging area to sit in. She made her way over to the fire, dropping her book bag in a chair before sitting down in front of the fire.

Albus sat on the couch across from her, letting silence settle in around them, finally Minerva spoke, “What exactly did you bring me here to discuss sir?”

“Please, there are no formalities now. I was wondering what exactly you saw inside my head, my dear.”

“Um…” she hadn’t wanted to talk about this just yet since she wasn’t sure herself, “People…myself…” her voice trailed off as she stared into the fire. She didn’t hear him get up.

He sat down next to her with space between them, “And how did you look?”

She shook her head and turned to find him several inches away, her favorite person in the world. It had taken great amounts of concentration to hide her feelings for him while he taught her occlumency. “Disheveled and out of breath, just like earlier today.” She didn’t get where he was going with any of this.

“Minerva, my dear, you mean beautiful. You always look beautiful when you are trying to accomplish something and are doing the best you can.” He only spoke though he wanted to reach out and pull her close like he had seen in her head. “Don’t forget I too have been inside your head.” She smiled and that was all that he need as he reached out and pulled her to himself, kissing her gently.

It had played out nearly like she had wanted it to in her head.

[greenlover2]

whoop! a new story, i likey. Minerva and Albus forever.
pls don't take too long with the next update

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 005. Outsides
Title: Minerva's Birthday ()
Prompt: Outsides
Summary: Minerva doesn't like the feeling she gets when it comes to
her birthday.
A/N: I don't really care for my birthday so...I express so in writing
and turn it into this.



A tall dark haired girl stood staring at the black surface of the lake. The sun had recently set over the treetops and a cool October breeze was sweeping around the vast grounds that she called home. She gave a heavy sigh and didn't move, she was trying to stop time.

"Minerva?" a caring voice called from behind her. She didn't answer but heard him approach now on the gravel path. "Minerva, I’ve been worried and looking for you everywhere." He gently touched her shoulder but was shrugged off.

"I came here for peace, only place to find it now that the students are back." her voice was very bland, as it was only half true what she told him about finding peace with the students around.

"Well they are locking the main entrance so I suggest we head back." she nodded and turned passing him as she pulled her black cloak tighter around herself.

The man sighed, unable to help the girl it seemed he resigned to following her through the darkness back to the school. They walked in silence as the air around them felt thick and almost suffocating on them; reaching the school she didn't slow or hasten her steps but simply continued on up to where she was expected to be.

The walk back seemed to take forever to Minerva as he walked a couple steps behind her; she stopped dead in front of a door and waited a few seconds before conceding and stepping over. The man immediately steps in front of the door and whispered something making the door swing inward to reveal a very plush carpet of a very deep scarlet coloring. There was two desks in the room, one facing out the window and one towards the door; the chairs of the desks were level with each other but only one desk was actually clean.

Minerva entered quietly and headed straight for the messy desk, she started to sort through all of the papers on it, placing quills and ink wells in their proper drawer. She was halfway through a fresh stack of letters when two old, wise, gentle hands stopped her. "My dear Minerva, I did not accept you as my apprentice once more so you could keep my desk tidy like you always did in school." the letters fell none to gracefully from her hands and she just simply sat there silently as his gentle weathered hands caressed her smooth ones. Finally she pulled away and stood up surprising him.

"Goodnight Albus, I'll see you in the morning," with that said she turned on her heels and disappeared through another door with him just staring after her.

A burst of flame appeared on a perch behind one of the desks, a chirp forced Albus to turn towards the flash. A brilliant fiery red bird sat on the perch looking confused, "I don't know either Fawkes, she has become quite withdrawn lately." another chirp from the bird as Albus sat down to answer his mail. "I will ask her in the morning," he gave a sigh, worried about his apprentice.

Minerva stood in her room staring out the window as the half full moon shone on the golden leaves of the forest. Tomorrow was her birthday, she didn't mind growing older but she was quite alone and had no relationship with anyone besides family and her mentor. She gave a sigh as she turned from her moonlit view to prepare for bed. Before closing the dark green hangings she took one last look out the window.

Albus awoke the next morning very stiff with a little ink on his face to a chirping Fawkes. "You really let me sleep here last night again didn't you, probably wanted me to get ink on my face." he stood and made his way to the wash room where he washed the ink off quickly, leaving a red blotch where he scrubbed.

"Is she up yet?" the fiery bird shook his and disappeared with a fiery burst, "fine go ahead and leave me." with a sigh Albus changed for the day before going to wake his sleeping apprentice.

"Minerva, my dear, its time to get up. Minerva you can't sleep all day." he shook her gently as he sat next to her sleeping form upon the bed.

"Yes I can and I will." she mumbled rolling over to face the other direction.

"No you won't as long as you're my apprentice." she turned back to face him and looked at him, just staring. She pushed up off the bed letting the blankets fall off. Albus blushed; she was wearing an elegant emerald green nightgown that had twisted up around her abdomen. She didn't seem to notice as she continued to stare at him, "you came in here for something other than waking me up." it was a statement more than a question.

"Yes but right now I'd prefer if you got dressed." he was examining the hem of his robe very intently. She looked down at herself and gave a shrug as it reassured her thoughts of being alone. She got up, crawling out of bed as her gown finally straightened out to rest at mid-thigh level.

Albus kept his back to the room as she moved about, finally she touched his shoulder and he turned to look seeing her wearing a simple green dress with a black line down the front. The top looked to be velvet with green ribbon criss-crossing in the front for a false corset look. The sleeves almost draped to the floor, as they were very wide from her elbow down. He stared at her for a short bit before standing and leading her out into their lounge area to talk. He offered her a seat upon the couch as he taking the spot next to her.

"What has been bothering you so much lately? You seem much more withdrawn lately.” She could tell he was genuinely concerned for her well being and looked away feeling foolish and childish over everything now. “Please Minerva, I hope you know you can tell me anything or at least you trust me enough to.”

“I do trust you Albus, I just always feel alone when it comes to today.” He gave her a strange look as he wracked his memory for what significance October fourth held for her. She knew he wasn’t going to get it anytime soon. “Today’s my birthday Albus, I’m twenty-five years old and I have spend majority of my life at this school…alone.”

Albus looked at her with twinkling blue eyes, “My dear you are not alone.” He gently placed his arm around the young woman and pulled her close, “I am here unless you don’t count me and mean something else.”

“I know you are here Albus, you’re always there when I need you.” She looked down and finally fell into his pull. “I don’t think I’ll ever find someone this good to me when I leave here.” Her voice was muffled as she buried her face into his robes.

His solution to the problem was simple, “Don’t leave then,” for deep down he didn’t want her to go and find someone else. She looked up at him to find that his face was entirely serious. “I enjoy your company and who would keep my desk organized.” He tried to make a joke with her but it wasn’t really working at the moment.

She frowned at the comment, “You don’t care about having a lonely, old hag-“

“You are not a lonely, old hag Minerva and don’t think of yourself as such. You’re still very young and beautiful.”

She stared at him, unable to say anymore. Finally she just rested her head on his shoulder and curled up on the couch letting time pass quietly outside their shared yet separate quarters. He readjusted to be sitting behind her and soon several hours passed that they had spent sleeping until Albus woke up to see the afternoon sun. “Minerva my dear,” he shook her gently a few times for her to wake up.

“Albus…” she muttered in her sleep turning slightly before waking up.

“Yes, my dear?” He asked quizzically.

“I didn’t say anything.” She gave him an odd look before glancing out the window to see the afternoon sun.

“You just said my name.” Her face went red as she said nothing and slowly stood up. He remained on the couch watching her for a bit with a thought mulling over in his head, finally. “Would you like to go out, as in a nice supper somewhere? I mean it exactly as it sounds my dear.” He had seen her expression.

“Yes, being so late I guess we’ll have to make do with a place in Hogsmede.”

“Yes I guess we will.” He stood up and looked at her smiling, “Would you like to go now enjoying the walk there or are you going to change?”

“Albus Dumbledore I should hex you right this instant.” Her eyes grew narrow as she glared at him before walking back into her room and coming right back out with her cloak on. He was still smiling at her as he offered her his arm to lead her out of the rooms and into the hallways of the school. They walked silently together for a while before she spoke up, “Armando isn’t going to be happy about this.”

As they rounded the corner there they met the Headmaster Armando Dippet who indeed wasn’t happy. He wasn’t happy that he hadn’t seen either of them all day for he had wanted to discuss matters with his deputy and here he finds him arm and arm with his apprentice. His face went red as he silently fumed think of what to say. All he managed at the moment were a few incoherent mutterings followed by, “WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?”

Albus flinched slightly waiting for something to come flying at his head while Minerva simply wiped some spit off her cheek before responding calmly, “Going outside for a walk. Is there any harm in that?”

All he could do was babble nonsense since there was no harm in it yet here they were arm in arm and happy for whatever reason. Armando wasn’t in a good mood as he had a sick kid throw up on him before making it to Hospital Wing and while leaving Slughorn’s office a dungbomb had gone off just inches from him once again ruining his robes. He stared at them thinking of what to say his face staying red in concentration.

“Don’t think to hard on the matter sir, your head might blow.” Minerva said simply observing his face color deepen to crimson.

“OUT! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT! GET OUT OF THE BUILDING! JUST OUT! OUTSIDE! I DON’T CARE WHERE! JUST OUT!” He blew and the two of them took that as their cue to leave racing out of his sight as fast as they could not stopping till they were safely outside the main entrance panting.

“I think he would have fired you there had you been an employee.” Albus looked at her after a few minutes smiling.

“Well in that case I am really glad that he is not my mentor and you are, but I didn’t mean anything by it.” Minerva stood up straight and smoothed out her dress before looking back at him, “You saw his face his head was going to blow pretty soon from concentration.”

“Yes, you’re right as always, well anyways.” He offered his arm once more as she took it and started down the path, diverting into the gardens, “let us continue on our way.”

“Through the gardens?”

“I don’t see why not…we are a little early to head down to the village and it isn’t going to be a long walk through just a quick stroll.”

She sighed letting him lead her around to see a few roses that remained along green bushes. “I’m surprised they are still here this late in the season,” She stopped to smell it and didn’t get very close before standing up again. “Smells like a tea I’ve had.”

“I would sure hope so Miss McGonagall.” A very elderly man came walking up to them, limping slightly as his right leg was terribly stiff. “That would be the Baron Girod de I’Ain and he is specifically bred for a delightful tea. So are the other roses left here in the garden, ironically they were all founded in France.”

“I don’t ever recall have a tea from a rose before…” She paused unable to recall his name embarrassing herself.

“Nash, and you did in Herbology once. I didn’t cover them extensively as they are just a love of mine. Over there,” he was pointing to a bush that held several pink flowers in bloom and some ready to bloom, “is our baroness and there is our inconsistent beauty, not as smooth as the French name, Beaute Inconstante.” The bush he pointed to held several different colored flowers that ranged from scarlet to a light orange. “Well I must be going, there is lots to attend to in the greenhouses.”

He hobbled off as Minerva returned her attention to the red and white rimmed rose at her side, the Baron. Albus had an idea and swooped over and picked one quickly before she could see. “For you my dear, a beautiful rose for a beautiful woman, happy birthday.”

“Thank you Albus.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before grabbing the rose.

Nash had turned around right then and spotted his rose in their hands. “GET OUT OF MY GARDENS! OUT! OUT! OUT!” For the second time already that afternoon Minerva had to hike up her dress and run quickly with Albus by her side. Unfortunately for him he was still holding the rose whose thorns dug into his hands slightly.

They ran part of the way down the path to Hogsmede before stopping to catch their breath. “My dear your rose.” Albus wheezed out holding out his hand that had held the rose tight.

“Albus you’re bleeding.” Minerva straightened and grabbed his hand gently to examine it. She looked around and spotted a bench and pulled him over to it gently. “Now don’t you protest or I will give you something to protest about.” She narrowed his eyes at him as he frowned at her childishly. She looked at the scratches again and the rose, the thorns had dug in deep all the way and were stuck in one point. She took the rose out of his hand and set it in her lap and sure enough a thorn was still stuck in his hand. She dug a pin out of her hair and changed it into a needle and gently pried the thorn out, “My Albus how tight were you holding that rose?”

“I didn’t want to lose it.” He looked at his lap a little sheepishly until he heard a tearing of fabric and looked up. She was wrapping black fabric around his hand to keep anything from getting into the numerous small wounds. He saw her the bottom of her cloak sat in her lap torn, “You didn’t have to-“

She placed a finger to his lips and stood up straightening her dress once more. “Now ‘prince charming’ where to?” She had motioned to him with the rose.

He stood up thinking as they resumed their walk arm in arm once more, “To supper I suppose.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, “Just promise me one thing then.”

“What’s that?”

“That we won’t get kicked out of there either.” The two of them started to laugh as they walked towards Hogsmede with the rose swinging back and forth in the sunset.

[greenlover2]

hehehe. i liked it *giggles* poor Albus and Minerva kept getting kicked out.
good job Aly

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 006. Hours
Title: The Lengthy Day
Prompt: Hours
Summary: Minerva heads to Hogwarts for the first time. Turns out to be a l-o-n-g r-i-d-e...
A/N: Just hoping you enjoy & give me feedback
This goes with Mistake? and explains as to why Minerva doesn't really like her sister all that much.

A young girl, who I might add was elegantly dressed by her mother, anxiously awaited to board the scarlet steam engine that was to take her to her new home for the next nine months. She was holding the gold handle of her new, very large, and very heavy black trunk that contained all of her school supplies except her wand. She looked up at her dad, “Papa?” her Scottish accent was very thick as she was nervous about going for the first time now.

“Come on my little mìlse.” He looked down at her and placed a hand on her back pushing her along down the train

She smiled, she loved it when her papa called her his little sweet, neither of her older siblings had their own nicknames from him. She quickly followed along next to him as they moved along the train. She spotted her sister Margret getting up into the train when she spotted them and hopped back down and hurried over.

“Pop, do you mind if I introduce Minni to my friends.” She ignored the scowl on her sister’s face.

“Now is not the time Margret. Now get aboard and tell your brother I’d like to see him before the train takes off. She frowned but took off without another word.

The little girl’s father stopped a good distance down the train from where her sister got on and took her trunk from her hauling onto the train into an empty compartment. He came back and waited for her as she struggled to make the step up in her long dress.

He smiled, laughing silently, “Your mother really overdoes it sometimes I swear, but don’t tell her I said that.” He took her offered outstretched arms and picked her up, placing her onto the train connection between cars.

“I won’t papa, cause I think she does to but luckily I only have to put my robe on over this tonight.” She started to straighten out the slightly rumpled black gown and fixed her family tartan sash that sat on her hips, it was mostly green with a little red on it.

“It’s fine my dear, now let’s go.” He turned and headed on down the carriage to one of the compartments that now held two occupants. Two girls her own age, he gave her a nudge speaking to her quickly in Gaelic before leaving.

The one girl had dark black, reddish hair as was slightly tanned as she wore a loose flowy red dress that went down to her knees. Her companion was wearing a matching yellow one, though her hair seemed much lighter.

She uttered something quickly in Gaelic before smiling at the two of them and proceeding to sit down across from the two. The three of them exchanged stares, her deep, and sharp emerald eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses against their soft brown ones. They finally jumped when someone’s voice called sharply from the corridor.

“Mìlse!” She turned to see her father standing there with her brother holding a basket; she had been wondering what was in the basket for a while but forgot about it when they got to the train station.

“Athair?” She questioned him and stood up. He took the basket and her brother disappeared, he handed it to her and gave her a light kiss on her forehead.

“Gur math a thèid leat a chiall mo chridhe.”
(translates as “Good luck my heart’s darling.”)

She flushed a deep red and watched him go before closing the door and sitting back down upon the seat with the basket in her lap. She looked at the two other girls who were staring at her quite bewildered and confused, they obviously didn’t understand Gaelic which made her smile.

“What’s in the basket?” the girl in the red asked.

“I don’t know. I figure it’s a gift for going to school.” She blinked as the two girls were snickering, “What?”

“Your accent,” the girl in the yellow said with another snicker.

“So you have an accent…” She stiffened waiting for their response her wand stuffed up the sleeve of her gown and a spell her brother had taught her ready on her mind.

The train lurched forward right then reminding her that it would be hours that she was stuck in this compartment with these two girls who seemed quite rude already. She sighed and resigned to looking out the window.

“We do not.”

“Yes, you do. If you were to travel any other place you would sound different from the people there, thus you have an accent.”

“You tell them Minni.” A growl emanated from her throat as she turned to the now open compartment door to see her sister.

The two girls burst out laughing at her name, “What do you want Margret?”

“You’re coming with me.” She grabbed her sister’s hand and dragged her out of the compartment making it hard for her to hang onto her basket. She pulled her along the train to where her and her friends were sitting.

“Here she is, here is little Minni McGonagall.” The scowl deepened on her face, as she had to stand in the middle of the compartment so all her friends could get a good look at her and the dress she had on.

“Your mum really has a wonderful talent and she makes them for your sister?”

“I don’t know why, look at her she’s so white and that black hair is so contrasting of her skin color.”

“Oh but look at these curls.” She could feel the pins coming out of her hair that she had placed there very carefully.

“She’s so skinny your mum really has to add some layers to these dresses.” It was a very large girl that spoke, she must have played Quidditch for how strong she seemed.

Margret finally spoke again, “Yeah she’s small but she is one hell of a seeker, not bad for a keeper either. I mean just look at her light and agile.” Her sister’s wand came out and soon the floor was gone from under her feet.

“I am not your doll Margret!” Her accent grew heavy as she screamed and was angry. Her wand slipped into her hand and she pointed it at her sister and muttered the binding spell. They both fell to the floor but before her friends could react she ran out into the hall and into someone.

“Ah my dear that was quite a spell for a first year, please come with me.” He was an overly plump short man in a velvet robe. He led her down the train to a large compartment with lots of room and had her sit right next to him. Soon other students started to arrive and filled into the compartment making her feel quite squished next to him.

“Everyone here, ah good, well I found this precious little thing hexing one of the sixth years. So who are you my dear?” He wrapped his short arm around her making her feel a little uncomfortable.

“Minerva McGonagall…”

“Ah Michael and Emilia’s youngest,” He was smiling, “Well you seem quite formidable for never having reached Hogwarts yet.” Everyone was staring at her so she looked at the basket in her lap that still remained unopened. “Well don’t worry you’ll meet everyone in due time.” She smiled and just looked around at everyone who didn’t seem too happy about her being there. It was probably the fact that she was a first year.

What seemed to be an eternity later food appeared on the table in front of them, mostly stuff to make sandwiches and some snacks and drinks. Her curiosity was getting the better of herself and she finally opened the basket to find a badly shaken silver tabby kitten. She frowned and took her empty plate along with some milk and fed it.

“What will you name it?” The professor looked down at her from his food as she gently stroked the kitten in the basket.

“Armata, but hopefully she will fair much better than her.”
He was taken aback by such knowledge in such a small form and was determined to keep her in his ‘collection’. He checked his watch noting that it was getting dark outside, “Well my students it is time for you to head back to your compartments and get ready for school.”

Everyone left slowly cause they could only leave one at a time and Minerva was the last to leave as she was sitting right next to him. She quickly made her way back down the train to the compartment that she had been in originally being careful to avoid her sister and friends. She opened the door to her compartment and surprised the two girls who were still sitting there.

“You were gone for a long time…” One of them observed as she pulled out her trunk to grab her school robe to put on.

“Well I got pulled into a lunch with one of the professors and some other students.” She threw on her robe and turned to face them shutting her trunk. She fastened it at her waist, “He saw me hex my older sister and knew I was a first year.”

“You’re lying,” they sneered together.

“Believe what you want. But we’ll be there soon so I’d get ready if I were you two.” She undid her sash and placed it on the outside of her robes, making sure it was done correctly before taking a seat once more with the basket in her lap.

Within an hour the train stopped and the two girls hadn’t changed into their robes yet and scrambled to get their robes out of their trunks. Minerva on the other hand simply left the compartment carrying her basket.

“First years!” There was a lantern floating high in the sky for her to see so she headed towards it. It was an older man who levitated the lantern in the sky and called them over. She turned to look back at the train to see house elves unloading the luggage onto the platform and several more loading it into a carriage without horses. “First Years! Com’n Now!” she noticed the ones he was yelling at were the two girls from her own compartment.

The man turned and headed off towards a series of docks, “Four to a boat get in.” Minerva frowned and got in holding her basket tight another girl got in along with two boys.

“Name’s Rose…” The girl whispered holding out her hand.

“Minerva…” She gave a gentle smile before looking at the two boys; one was holding a pole that held a lantern up in the air to see by.

The little boats soon set off across the black lake. They rounded a corner and the school came into view with its many spires and lights. She could hear many of the others gasp but all she could do was smile, this was home.

The short boat ride felt like it took hours even though it was only twenty to thirty minutes. Finally though Minerva relaxed and took a step once more onto solid ground and Rose laughed at her slightly, “Don’t like the water ‘eh?”

“Not really.” Minerva gave a nervous smile and turned taking several steps to get away from the boats and water.

“Up the stairs no, Professor Dumbledore is waiting.”

“Oh be kind Ogg, they have only just arrived here.” Coming down the stairs to greet them was a tall auburn haired man with short beard and mustache. He looked very neat in his deep purple robes and trimmed hair. His deep blue eyes twinkled, as he looked them over through his half moon glasses, stopping on the girl with the basket.

He reached the landing where the first years were gathered, “Welcome to Hogwarts. Now come follow me and we shall sort you into your houses.”

He smiled once more at Minerva before glancing over at everybody else and heading back up the stairs. They quickly followed at several steps behind him due to his long legs. He held them outside in the Entrance Hall for a few minutes and turned once again to the girl with the basket.

“May I inquire as to what is in here?” He was kneeling to her level.

“A sleeping kitten I just got, her name is Amata.”

“Ah, well my dear, I think I should take Amata for now.” He saw her sad expression and quickly added, “Don’t worry she will be safely on your bed with you tonight.” He could tell she wasn’t satisfied and added, “I promise.” He gently took the basket from her and soon the basket vanished to her horror. “You’ll see her in a second, she’ll sit with me throughout dinner.” He could tell she still was not happy. “A little saucer of warm milk for supper?”

She finally nodded and he stood up, most of the students wondered what was going on and those that saw didn’t understand. “Now to be sorted.” He smiled at them and opened the large doors to reveal a hall filled with students all staring at them.

Minerva was glad that he had taken the basket from her and there she saw it sitting upon a plate with the only empty chair at the head table. He stopped them short of a stool and a Hat.

“Oh I may not be a pretty bonnet or a fancy bowler
But tell me what other hat can talk and tell you your mind.
Put me on and I’ll use all my thinking power
To place you in the proper house
Gryffindor he choose the strong of heart, the brave and loyal
Ravenclaw, she wanted the wise and smart
Slytherin, he demanded only the pure of blood, the cunning and the sly
Finally, Hufflepuff, she simply agreed to take the rest to teach
So come try me on and I will search your head and place you justly.

Minerva stared at the hat…it was a very odd song, but both of her siblings were in Ravenclaw. She looked around and spotted Mac talking to some friends but there was a spot open across from him for her like he had promised.

She had been looking around she missed several names and came back around finally to see a kid run off to the Slytherin table. “McGonagall, Minerva.” She stepped forward and sat upon the stool where the hat slid down over her face.

“Ah, you are very thirsty for knowledge but you are brave and loyal, Gryffindor for you young lass.” The voice in her head mused, “GRYFFINDOR!” Her ears heard finally and she finally saw as the hat lifted up off her head. She hopped down and looked up not knowing where to go.

“There my dear,” He pointed to the table close to where she had been standing. She seated herself near other first years and didn’t really pay attention to the rest of the sorting. Someone grabbed her and gave her a tight hug towards the end making her go stiff it was Rose.

“Looks like we’ll be roomin’ together.” Minerva just smiled and looked up at the head table where her basket sat. The sorting finished and dinner came with many choices that the girls couldn’t decide between and so decided to try them all.

--

Up at the head table the short, plump professor was fuming silently, he was going to lose his prize that he found upon the train because the hat hadn’t sorted her into the same house as her siblings.

“Horace you seem upset about something…” Professor Dumbledore said placing a warm saucer of milk in the basket for the small kitten.

“Just thinking of young Minerva, she is so smart I don’t see why the hat placed her in Gryffindor.”

“Ah, afraid I might keep her from you? So you can’t make your connection and get one of Emilia’s fine crafted robes.”

“No, Albus, I just wanted to help her excel.”

“If what you said was true Horace I think she is doing perfectly fine,” Albus was scratching the kitten now gently. “Besides that should prove why she’s in Gryffindor.” The desserts arrived and both men quickly quieted making the headmaster laugh.

Not long after the headmaster stood up and all the food disappeared all together, “Just a reminder the forest is off limits for all students. Please watch your step on your way back to the dorms and sleep well. Welcome Back to Hogwarts.”

With that said he left the head table and all the students quickly got up to leave. “Albus what is in the basket that requires warm milk?” Horace was standing next to chair at the table looking at him curiously.

“Amata, Miss McGonagall’s kitten. She had been holding onto it very tightly, so I offered to take it for dinner.”

Horace raised his eyebrows; “She didn’t leave it on the train to be brought up with her trunk.”

“No, must mean a lot to her.” He finally stood up and towered over the short professor. “Now if you don’t mind I promised to return her tonight.” He left and headed out of the great hall.

--

Minerva had been swept up in the frenzy of everyone leaving but luckily she was grabbed by one of the Gryffindor prefects before she got dragged off in the wrong direction.

She followed closely and noticed that every so often a stair would disappear on the staircase from under you if you weren’t paying attention. She wasn’t awake enough for paying attention to both direction and the staircases.

She reached the dorm and found her bed. She was about to lie down on it when a burst of flames appeared scaring her and the four other girls. Left on the bed was her basket in perfect condition. She opened it and a soft mew issued from the small striped, silver ball of fur.

There tucked in the folds of her blankets was some parchment. “Miss McGonagall, I thought this may come in handy as seeing you don’t know the school yet and have no idea where anything is.” ~ Albus Dumbledore

She picked up the other piece of parchment and unfolded it. It was a map of Hogwarts showing the floor that she was on. She smiled and folded it back up tucking it away. She changed and went to bed wanting to sleep for hours as it had been a long day.

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 007. Days
Title: Unexpected Surprise
Prompt: Days
Summary: Minerva is trying to tell Albus something...
A/N: Just hoping you enjoy & give me feedback


She sat waiting, sitting on a couch near the window. She had fallen asleep a few hours before, the book she had been reading fell from her lap as the blanket was slowly falling off of her legs. It was a quiet night out as an owl swooped by the window hooting softly. A flash appeared above her, dropping a letter into her lap yet she slept on peacefully. She readjusted herself and the letter fell onto the floor as her arm dangled off the couch now.

An hour passed when there was suddenly movement outside. A dark figure moved towards the entrance of the cottage, stopping in front of the window. The light shown through the window, it revealed a man with slightly greying auburn hair and sparkling blue eyes. He shook his head seeing her sleeping in the window waiting for him. He smiled and walked through the door a bit down from the window.

He walked over to the sitting room and picked her up, noting the unread letter and the fallen book on the floor. “You shouldn’t wait up for me, my dear.” He carried her into the bedroom and tucked her into their bed. “One of these nights you’ll be awake when I come home.” He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead before lying down to sleep himself.

She woke up the next morning to an empty bed with a letter grasped in her hand. She sighed and got up, her emerald night gown straightened as it fell to the floor. She clenched the letter tighter in her hand, “I’m going to get you one of these nights Albus.” She growled menacingly as she readied for the day.

As she put on her emerald cloak, finally ready to go she glanced at the letter once more that she had abandoned on the night stand. She glared at it and left it sitting there crumpled up, the neat purple writing was barely visible on it. What was visible was a single word, “Sorry”. She turned and left their bedroom and disappeared just outside the door of the cottage, heading to work for the day.

Albus had been at Hogwarts for several hours already, making plans for the Triwizard Tournament that was to take place at there the coming school year. He had just gotten done with a meeting with the other school heads and minister, it had given him a headache. He slowly walked back to his study rubbing his head.

“Albus, can I have a word?” He turned and saw her standing there next to the gargoyle statue that guarded his study. He smiled, seeing her with her black curly hair down her back. It was one of the few days she wore it down.

“Of course my dear, can I suggest a walk around the grounds?” He offered her his arm which she took promptly. “Is there something bothering you my dear deputy?” She blinked at him and didn’t say anything as he led her out to the grounds.

“Yes, there is sir.” He flinched slightly as she said that.

“Minerva-”

“Albus...” She stared at him intently, waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“You are my colleague you don’t have to call me sir. Please don’t use that again.” He wasn’t looking at her as they walked past the greenhouses. “Ah, hello Professor.” He waved as they walked past the dirty professor.

“Don’t you know his name Albus?”

“Course I do, it just escapes my mind at the moment.” He smiled down at her as they walked on towards the forest.

“I called you sir simply for the fact it is the only way to get your attention when something is on your mind.” They walked along the edge of the forest and slowly out of sight from the castle.

“My dear I am sorry, I have been a bit occupied planning the coming tournament. I dare say that I shall not be planning much more, I believe we have everything arranged now.” He smiled at her again his blue eyes twinkling from behind his glasses.

“Then I expect you home early tonight then.” She smiled back as they disappeared from sight of the castle. “It has been days since you were home early enough for us to enjoy an evening together.”

“Yes, well these last few days have been about ministry stuff, concerning the importation of some creatures.” She raised her eyebrows at that. “I can’t tell you yet dear.”

“Yes, well speaking of telling stuff...” She paused and let silence fall around them as slowly wandered around the forest.

“Min?” He stopped them and tilted her head up to look at him. “What did you want to talk about?”

‘Whooo’ they both looked up to find an owl swooping down towards them. It was a large eagle owl, landing on a branch near them. ‘Whooo!’ Albus walked over and untied the letter from the owl’s leg. “Here you go.” He handed it an owl treat before it flew off. “It’s for you Min.” He handed her the letter, “What is it about?”

“Nothing that concerns you. Better question why do you have owl treats in your pocket?” She opened the letter and quickly read the letter as they stood in silence. “Sorry Albus, I have to go. I’ll see you at home.” She smiled before taking off quickly, she yelled as she was a ways away. “Hold that thought dear!”

Albus stared after her trying to figure out what thought she was talking about. He sighed and slowly headed back to the school and his study, his head throbbing ever so slightly as he wondered about what she wasn’t telling him.

Minerva arrived home later than usual that night and found Albus sitting in an armchair reading the paper from that morning. She yawned and walked past the back of his chair to their bedroom to change. She came back out in her emerald green nightgown. “I’m going to bed hun,” She had walked over to him and whispered softly in his ear.

“Mhm...” He responded making her frown.

“Love you...” She walked away into the bedroom and fell asleep quickly. Albus came in a few minutes later to find her sound asleep.

Albus had left again early the next morning so he could leave early that day. He didn’t see Minerva all day and wondered why as he prepared to head home that night. “You coming home?” The red bird nodded and disappeared with a fiery flash. “See you there then...” He said slowly and made his way out of the school grounds to apparate home.

Minerva sat at their dining room table with food set out to eat. She was bored waiting for her husband to get home, it had been a while since they sat down together for dinner together. She saw a flash come from the living room and knew Fawkes was home. She got up and sliced an apple for the bird, walking into the living room to find Albus standing there next to him. “Home for once aren’t you?” She smiled at him as she walked over to the two of them. “Here you go Fawkes.” She handed him a slice of apple.

Albus smiled down at her, wrapping his hand around her waist. “I said I would be home early now.” He went to kiss her, but she leaned back, stuffing an apple slice into his mouth.

“You shouldn’t steal Fawkes’ snack, it’ll spoil your supper.” She slipped from his grasp and set down the plate with the rest of the apple slices on it and turned going back into the kitchen. Albus bit off some of the apple before setting on the plate with the rest of the slices. He entered the kitchen to find a table set with food.

“Did you borrow some of the house elves?” He was looking at all the food that was set out on the small kitchen table. There was chicken, roast beef, pulled pork, salad, corn, and more besides that.

“Are you under the impression that I can’t cook?” She sat at the table with a small plate of potatoes and beef.

“Um...yes, I am.” He smiled taking his seat across from her. “For how much is here I’d have to say the elves helped.” He piled some vegetables on with a little chicken and pork. “So tell me how did you manage to make all of this in such a short amount of time?”

“Well I guess you have me there,” She started in on her plate of food. “I had the elves make this, but I brought it home. It has been so long since we had a decent sit down supper together with an assortment of choices.”

“Yes, it has...I’m glad you thought of this dear.” Silence fell around them as they were too busy to talk as they ate. Minerva got up after a bit and brought back a couple bowls of pudding. They both took a small amount of each before being too full to eat any more.

“I believe there is a comfy spot in the living room that has missed me dear.” He got up and stretched before heading back in there. She banished the food with a wave of her wand and walked into their bedroom to change into her emerald night gown.

“You know Albus,” She came walking back out and sat next to him on the couch as he wrapped his arm around her. “I think this cottage is a little small.”

“Small, I think it is perfect for two people.” He looked at her curiously. “Wait is this what you were trying to tell me yesterday?”

“Um...yes and no...” She smiled back at him curling up next to him and grabbing his hand that was sitting on her waist.

“What do you mean yes and no...you just took off and told me to hold that thought, but I’m not sure which thought you were talking about.” He continued to watch her curiously.

“Well, if it makes any difference, the owl was bringing me a reminder to go to St. Mungo’s for my check up.” She was gently rubbing his hand with her thumb.

“What, why did you go there, what is wrong with Poppy?” He readjusted so that she was lying in his lap now.

“Nothing, she was the one that sent me there in the first place after my check-up with her.” She started to play with his hands nervously.

“Now why would she do that, I doubt you have something that she couldn’t cure.”

“Oh, I’m not sick dear.”

He stared down at her curiously, stilling her hands in his own. “Then what?”

She sighed and pulled her hands out of his. “I’ve been trying to tell you this for several days, since I saw Poppy this past week.”

“Well tell me then.”

“You haven’t noticed that I’ve been gaining a little weight?” She grabbed his hands and nestled them on her stomach.

“No and what is a little wei-” His face suddenly looked very happy and yet quite shocked. “You’re pregnant?!”

“Yes, darling...I just found out this week, though they figure I’m almost five months now.” She smiled as he felt one of them kick. “I was told twins yesterday. I guess they’re due that last week of school before Christmas break.”

He could only smile, pulling her closer to him. “I think we may have a problem come Christmas break though.” He chuckled lightly at that.

“Yes, well I’m ready for bed now.” She stood up and pulled him with her as he wouldn’t let go of her. He scooped her up and kissed her forehead lightly. “Darling I may puke if you do that again, I did just eat.”

“Well, I hope you don’t, I rather like this nightgown and my robes.” He laughed and set her down on their bed, quickly changing into his purple pajamas. He got under the covers and pulled her close. “I love you, you know that right.” He whispered into her ear.

“Course I do, now sleep...” She smiled, having finally told him what she had been dying to for days.

[~Aly~]

Subject: Hp - MM/AD 007. Days
Title: Unexpected Surprise
Prompt: Days
Summary: Minerva is trying to tell Albus something...
A/N: Just hoping you enjoy & give me feedback


She sat waiting, sitting on a couch near the window. She had fallen asleep a few hours before, the book she had been reading fell from her lap as the blanket was slowly falling off of her legs. It was a quiet night out as an owl swooped by the window hooting softly. A flash appeared above her, dropping a letter into her lap yet she slept on peacefully. She readjusted herself and the letter fell onto the floor as her arm dangled off the couch now.

An hour passed when there was suddenly movement outside. A dark figure moved towards the entrance of the cottage, stopping in front of the window. The light shown through the window, it revealed a man with slightly greying auburn hair and sparkling blue eyes. He shook his head seeing her sleeping in the window waiting for him. He smiled and walked through the door a bit down from the window.

He walked over to the sitting room and picked her up, noting the unread letter and the fallen book on the floor. “You shouldn’t wait up for me, my dear.” He carried her into the bedroom and tucked her into their bed. “One of these nights you’ll be awake when I come home.” He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead before lying down to sleep himself.

She woke up the next morning to an empty bed with a letter grasped in her hand. She sighed and got up, her emerald night gown straightened as it fell to the floor. She clenched the letter tighter in her hand, “I’m going to get you one of these nights Albus.” She growled menacingly as she readied for the day.

As she put on her emerald cloak, finally ready to go she glanced at the letter once more that she had abandoned on the night stand. She glared at it and left it sitting there crumpled up, the neat purple writing was barely visible on it. What was visible was a single word, “Sorry”. She turned and left their bedroom and disappeared just outside the door of the cottage, heading to work for the day.

Albus had been at Hogwarts for several hours already, making plans for the Triwizard Tournament that was to take place at there the coming school year. He had just gotten done with a meeting with the other school heads and minister, it had given him a headache. He slowly walked back to his study rubbing his head.

“Albus, can I have a word?” He turned and saw her standing there next to the gargoyle statue that guarded his study. He smiled, seeing her with her black curly hair down her back. It was one of the few days she wore it down.

“Of course my dear, can I suggest a walk around the grounds?” He offered her his arm which she took promptly. “Is there something bothering you my dear deputy?” She blinked at him and didn’t say anything as he led her out to the grounds.

“Yes, there is sir.” He flinched slightly as she said that.

“Minerva-”

“Albus...” She stared at him intently, waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“You are my colleague you don’t have to call me sir. Please don’t use that again.” He wasn’t looking at her as they walked past the greenhouses. “Ah, hello Professor.” He waved as they walked past the dirty professor.

“Don’t you know his name Albus?”

“Course I do, it just escapes my mind at the moment.” He smiled down at her as they walked on towards the forest.

“I called you sir simply for the fact it is the only way to get your attention when something is on your mind.” They walked along the edge of the forest and slowly out of sight from the castle.

“My dear I am sorry, I have been a bit occupied planning the coming tournament. I dare say that I shall not be planning much more, I believe we have everything arranged now.” He smiled at her again his blue eyes twinkling from behind his glasses.

“Then I expect you home early tonight then.” She smiled back as they disappeared from sight of the castle. “It has been days since you were home early enough for us to enjoy an evening together.”

“Yes, well these last few days have been about ministry stuff, concerning the importation of some creatures.” She raised her eyebrows at that. “I can’t tell you yet dear.”

“Yes, well speaking of telling stuff...” She paused and let silence fall around them as slowly wandered around the forest.

“Min?” He stopped them and tilted her head up to look at him. “What did you want to talk about?”

‘Whooo’ they both looked up to find an owl swooping down towards them. It was a large eagle owl, landing on a branch near them. ‘Whooo!’ Albus walked over and untied the letter from the owl’s leg. “Here you go.” He handed it an owl treat before it flew off. “It’s for you Min.” He handed her the letter, “What is it about?”

“Nothing that concerns you. Better question why do you have owl treats in your pocket?” She opened the letter and quickly read the letter as they stood in silence. “Sorry Albus, I have to go. I’ll see you at home.” She smiled before taking off quickly, she yelled as she was a ways away. “Hold that thought dear!”

Albus stared after her trying to figure out what thought she was talking about. He sighed and slowly headed back to the school and his study, his head throbbing ever so slightly as he wondered about what she wasn’t telling him.

Minerva arrived home later than usual that night and found Albus sitting in an armchair reading the paper from that morning. She yawned and walked past the back of his chair to their bedroom to change. She came back out in her emerald green nightgown. “I’m going to bed hun,” She had walked over to him and whispered softly in his ear.

“Mhm...” He responded making her frown.

“Love you...” She walked away into the bedroom and fell asleep quickly. Albus came in a few minutes later to find her sound asleep.

Albus had left again early the next morning so he could leave early that day. He didn’t see Minerva all day and wondered why as he prepared to head home that night. “You coming home?” The red bird nodded and disappeared with a fiery flash. “See you there then...” He said slowly and made his way out of the school grounds to apparate home.

Minerva sat at their dining room table with food set out to eat. She was bored waiting for her husband to get home, it had been a while since they sat down together for dinner together. She saw a flash come from the living room and knew Fawkes was home. She got up and sliced an apple for the bird, walking into the living room to find Albus standing there next to him. “Home for once aren’t you?” She smiled at him as she walked over to the two of them. “Here you go Fawkes.” She handed him a slice of apple.

Albus smiled down at her, wrapping his hand around her waist. “I said I would be home early now.” He went to kiss her, but she leaned back, stuffing an apple slice into his mouth.

“You shouldn’t steal Fawkes’ snack, it’ll spoil your supper.” She slipped from his grasp and set down the plate with the rest of the apple slices on it and turned going back into the kitchen. Albus bit off some of the apple before setting on the plate with the rest of the slices. He entered the kitchen to find a table set with food.

“Did you borrow some of the house elves?” He was looking at all the food that was set out on the small kitchen table. There was chicken, roast beef, pulled pork, salad, corn, and more besides that.

“Are you under the impression that I can’t cook?” She sat at the table with a small plate of potatoes and beef.

“Um...yes, I am.” He smiled taking his seat across from her. “For how much is here I’d have to say the elves helped.” He piled some vegetables on with a little chicken and pork. “So tell me how did you manage to make all of this in such a short amount of time?”

“Well I guess you have me there,” She started in on her plate of food. “I had the elves make this, but I brought it home. It has been so long since we had a decent sit down supper together with an assortment of choices.”

“Yes, it has...I’m glad you thought of this dear.” Silence fell around them as they were too busy to talk as they ate. Minerva got up after a bit and brought back a couple bowls of pudding. They both took a small amount of each before being too full to eat any more.

“I believe there is a comfy spot in the living room that has missed me dear.” He got up and stretched before heading back in there. She banished the food with a wave of her wand and walked into their bedroom to change into her emerald night gown.

“You know Albus,” She came walking back out and sat next to him on the couch as he wrapped his arm around her. “I think this cottage is a little small.”

“Small, I think it is perfect for two people.” He looked at her curiously. “Wait is this what you were trying to tell me yesterday?”

“Um...yes and no...” She smiled back at him curling up next to him and grabbing his hand that was sitting on her waist.

“What do you mean yes and no...you just took off and told me to hold that thought, but I’m not sure which thought you were talking about.” He continued to watch her curiously.

“Well, if it makes any difference, the owl was bringing me a reminder to go to St. Mungo’s for my check up.” She was gently rubbing his hand with her thumb.

“What, why did you go there, what is wrong with Poppy?” He readjusted so that she was lying in his lap now.

“Nothing, she was the one that sent me there in the first place after my check-up with her.” She started to play with his hands nervously.

“Now why would she do that, I doubt you have something that she couldn’t cure.”

“Oh, I’m not sick dear.”

He stared down at her curiously, stilling her hands in his own. “Then what?”

She sighed and pulled her hands out of his. “I’ve been trying to tell you this for several days, since I saw Poppy this past week.”

“Well tell me then.”

“You haven’t noticed that I’ve been gaining a little weight?” She grabbed his hands and nestled them on her stomach.

“No and what is a little wei-” His face suddenly looked very happy and yet quite shocked. “You’re pregnant?!”

“Yes, darling...I just found out this week, though they figure I’m almost five months now.” She smiled as he felt one of them kick. “I was told twins yesterday. I guess they’re due that last week of school before Christmas break.”

He could only smile, pulling her closer to him. “I think we may have a problem come Christmas break though.” He chuckled lightly at that.

“Yes, well I’m ready for bed now.” She stood up and pulled him with her as he wouldn’t let go of her. He scooped her up and kissed her forehead lightly. “Darling I may puke if you do that again, I did just eat.”

“Well, I hope you don’t, I rather like this nightgown and my robes.” He laughed and set her down on their bed, quickly changing into his purple pajamas. He got under the covers and pulled her close. “I love you, you know that right.” He whispered into her ear.

“Course I do, now sleep...” She smiled, having finally told him what she had been dying to for days.