Post by ginger newts on May 15, 2005 22:26:28 GMT -5
Title: River of Delight
Summary: Albus takes Minerva on a surprise date before they share their first night of passion.
Rating: 12+
A/N: For Karlie, who wanted a fic about Albus, Minerva, and a boat.
Minerva put down her book as a disturbance from her fireplace drew her attention. Looking up, she discovered it was the head of her boss, best friend, and more recently...well, Minerva wasn’t sure what to call him: boyfriend sounded too juvenile, lover would be slightly inaccurate, suitor too old fashioned. Oh, who cares, she thought, it was Albus Dumbledore and she was very glad he was calling.
“Hello, Albus,” she greeted him, slipping from her chair onto the floor in front of the hearth.
“Hello, my dear,” he answered with a smile. “I have a meeting in a few minutes or I would have come over. Are you free this evening?”
“For you? Of course,” she smiled brightly, melting his heart.
“Wonderful! I’ll pick you up at eight, wear something comfortable and Muggle.”
“Alright, see you at eight,” Minerva agreed. “I hope your meeting goes well.”
Albus rolled his eyes, “The new Minister wants to see me about something, hopefully it won’t last long. I’ll tell you about it tonight. I better go. See you later.”
“Good bye, Albus.”
His head disappeared from the fire and Minerva rose from the floor and stretched. Humming softly to herself, she went upstairs to her bedroom to sort through her small wardrobe of Muggle clothing. She selected a light blue summer dress that reminded her of Albus’ eyes and dug out a pair of white sandals from the back of the wardrobe. After having a light tea, she filled the bath with warm scented water and allowed herself the luxury of a long soak before washing her long hair and climbing out of the tub.
Casting a drying charm over herself, Minerva slipped into her favorite silk robe – the one she could never wear during term time at Hogwarts and had to leave at her summer home – and sat down at her vanity to complete her preparations for the evening. She brushed her dark hair till it shown, deciding to wear it down in natural waves for a change, and gave herself a manicure and pedicure. It was rare that she allowed herself to take the time for a true beauty ritual; Minerva had never considered herself a beauty and felt there were far more important things in life than looking perfect, but she really wanted to look her best for Albus tonight.
Satisfied that she had taken care of everything, Minerva dressed and went downstairs to await Albus’ arrival. He knocked on her door exactly at eight and she invited him inside with a smile.
“These are for you,” Albus said, producing a small bouquet of flowers from behind his back.
“Oh, Albus, they’re lovely. Thank you.” She inhaled the soft sweet fragrance of the bouquet and then summoned a vase to put them in. “So where are we headed tonight?”
Albus didn’t answer right away, he had been too absorbed in watching Minerva as she arranged the flowers. Each time he saw her, it was as though he had never seen someone move so gracefully and easily before. His eyes tracked her movements around the sitting room and he took in her appearance appreciatively; noting the gentle dip in the front of her dress, which showed off her long neck and the smooth creamy skin of her shoulders and chest with just a hint of cleavage, then his eyes roamed lower to her tiny waist and the gentle flare of her hips before finally moving on to the long shapely legs flowing from under the flared, knee-length skirt.
“You look amazing,” he finally managed to vocalize, realizing that she was staring at him in confusion.
“Thank you,” Minerva blushed, making her look even more becoming in Albus’ eyes. “I’ve asked you twice now where we’re going, but I think the more appropriate question now is where have you been?” she teased.
“I’m sorry, my dear,” Albus smiled. “You’re just so distracting in that dress. To answer your other question, I believe I’ll let our destination remain a secret for just a little while longer. Are you ready to go?”
He held out his hand toward her and Minerva slipped hers easily and comfortably into his as they left the house. The summer evening was warm and clear, the sun only just beginning to set as they walked hand-in-hand down the lane toward Minerva’s front gate. When they arrived, she noticed a small picnic basket that Albus had apparently left behind when he came to the door. He leaned down to pick it up and explained that it was going to serve the dual purpose of being a portkey as well as carrying a few treats for their evening. Minerva placed her free hand on the handle of the basket and a moment later felt herself being whisked away to their mystery destination.
They landed in a remote area of the College Backs in Cambridge and Albus led the way toward the Magdalene Bridge, where he had made a reservation with Scudamore’s Punting Company for an overnight hire. This would allow them to stay out past the 9:30 closing time and return the boat at their leisure. Albus spoke briefly with a Scudamore’s employee and then they were shown to the boat that would be theirs for the evening. He helped Minerva step into the boat and settled the picnic basket in the front before assuming the punting position in the rear of the small craft. It had been some time since Albus had been punting, but within a few minutes he had established an easy rhythm and they were gliding along the River Cam at a steady pace. They floated along in comfortable silence for a time and Minerva watched the beautiful green lawns and landmark buildings of Cambridge as they passed by.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she said softly after a while.
“Yes,” Albus agreed. “I’ve always loved it here. There’s the King’s College Chapel.”
Minerva turned to her right to take in the majestic building, such a fantastic example of gothic architecture. Albus, however, couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful woman sitting in front of him. Sometimes he still couldn’t believe that this was real and that someone as wonderful as Minerva could really be interested in him; the last two or three months had passed in a blur of nerves and excitement as they stole quiet moments together whenever the school schedule permitted. Now that it was summer, Albus planned to spend every free moment spoiling Minerva, he wanted her to truly relax and enjoy her time off. After about forty-five minutes, Albus steered the boat toward the bank of the river and they climbed out onto the grassy field to enjoy the picnic he had brought. He opened the basket and spread out a soft yellow blanket on the grass and then took out a couple of shrunken pillows, restoring them to their usual size before settling down against them and inviting Minerva to relax against him.
They enjoyed sandwiches and lemonade, along with fruit, followed by a rich dark chocolate cheesecake and Irish Coffee, all prepared by the Hogwarts house elves who had been thrilled to have something to do over the holidays. When they had both eaten their fill, Minerva sighed contentedly and settled back against Albus’ chest, a small smile playing about her lips. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple before leaning back further against the pillows so that they were laying at an angle that allowed them to watch the night sky.
“This has been a perfect evening, Albus,” Minerva said softly. “Thank you so much for arranging it for us.”
“Any evening with you is perfect,” he answered, dropping his hand to envelop her smaller one.
They sat that way for a while, talking quietly about their pasts and their hopes for the future, and then Albus let go of Minerva’s hand and lifted his hand to brush her long hair off her neck. Minerva shivered as his long fingers brushed against the sensitive skin and then again a moment later when he lowered his lips to a particularly sweet spot just behind her ear. The combination of Albus’ feather light kisses and his warm breath on her neck was almost too much for Minerva. She sat up and turned around, her hands gripping his shoulders and pulling him to her for a heated kiss, all in one fluid movement. Albus’ surprise passed quickly and he responded passionately, wrapping his arms around Minerva’s waist and pulling her closer to his body. When the kiss ended, they broke apart allowing themselves the smallest possible distance from each other while still able to breathe.
“Albus, let’s punt back to the boat house and head home,” Minerva suggested.
Summary: Albus takes Minerva on a surprise date before they share their first night of passion.
Rating: 12+
A/N: For Karlie, who wanted a fic about Albus, Minerva, and a boat.
Minerva put down her book as a disturbance from her fireplace drew her attention. Looking up, she discovered it was the head of her boss, best friend, and more recently...well, Minerva wasn’t sure what to call him: boyfriend sounded too juvenile, lover would be slightly inaccurate, suitor too old fashioned. Oh, who cares, she thought, it was Albus Dumbledore and she was very glad he was calling.
“Hello, Albus,” she greeted him, slipping from her chair onto the floor in front of the hearth.
“Hello, my dear,” he answered with a smile. “I have a meeting in a few minutes or I would have come over. Are you free this evening?”
“For you? Of course,” she smiled brightly, melting his heart.
“Wonderful! I’ll pick you up at eight, wear something comfortable and Muggle.”
“Alright, see you at eight,” Minerva agreed. “I hope your meeting goes well.”
Albus rolled his eyes, “The new Minister wants to see me about something, hopefully it won’t last long. I’ll tell you about it tonight. I better go. See you later.”
“Good bye, Albus.”
His head disappeared from the fire and Minerva rose from the floor and stretched. Humming softly to herself, she went upstairs to her bedroom to sort through her small wardrobe of Muggle clothing. She selected a light blue summer dress that reminded her of Albus’ eyes and dug out a pair of white sandals from the back of the wardrobe. After having a light tea, she filled the bath with warm scented water and allowed herself the luxury of a long soak before washing her long hair and climbing out of the tub.
Casting a drying charm over herself, Minerva slipped into her favorite silk robe – the one she could never wear during term time at Hogwarts and had to leave at her summer home – and sat down at her vanity to complete her preparations for the evening. She brushed her dark hair till it shown, deciding to wear it down in natural waves for a change, and gave herself a manicure and pedicure. It was rare that she allowed herself to take the time for a true beauty ritual; Minerva had never considered herself a beauty and felt there were far more important things in life than looking perfect, but she really wanted to look her best for Albus tonight.
Satisfied that she had taken care of everything, Minerva dressed and went downstairs to await Albus’ arrival. He knocked on her door exactly at eight and she invited him inside with a smile.
“These are for you,” Albus said, producing a small bouquet of flowers from behind his back.
“Oh, Albus, they’re lovely. Thank you.” She inhaled the soft sweet fragrance of the bouquet and then summoned a vase to put them in. “So where are we headed tonight?”
Albus didn’t answer right away, he had been too absorbed in watching Minerva as she arranged the flowers. Each time he saw her, it was as though he had never seen someone move so gracefully and easily before. His eyes tracked her movements around the sitting room and he took in her appearance appreciatively; noting the gentle dip in the front of her dress, which showed off her long neck and the smooth creamy skin of her shoulders and chest with just a hint of cleavage, then his eyes roamed lower to her tiny waist and the gentle flare of her hips before finally moving on to the long shapely legs flowing from under the flared, knee-length skirt.
“You look amazing,” he finally managed to vocalize, realizing that she was staring at him in confusion.
“Thank you,” Minerva blushed, making her look even more becoming in Albus’ eyes. “I’ve asked you twice now where we’re going, but I think the more appropriate question now is where have you been?” she teased.
“I’m sorry, my dear,” Albus smiled. “You’re just so distracting in that dress. To answer your other question, I believe I’ll let our destination remain a secret for just a little while longer. Are you ready to go?”
He held out his hand toward her and Minerva slipped hers easily and comfortably into his as they left the house. The summer evening was warm and clear, the sun only just beginning to set as they walked hand-in-hand down the lane toward Minerva’s front gate. When they arrived, she noticed a small picnic basket that Albus had apparently left behind when he came to the door. He leaned down to pick it up and explained that it was going to serve the dual purpose of being a portkey as well as carrying a few treats for their evening. Minerva placed her free hand on the handle of the basket and a moment later felt herself being whisked away to their mystery destination.
They landed in a remote area of the College Backs in Cambridge and Albus led the way toward the Magdalene Bridge, where he had made a reservation with Scudamore’s Punting Company for an overnight hire. This would allow them to stay out past the 9:30 closing time and return the boat at their leisure. Albus spoke briefly with a Scudamore’s employee and then they were shown to the boat that would be theirs for the evening. He helped Minerva step into the boat and settled the picnic basket in the front before assuming the punting position in the rear of the small craft. It had been some time since Albus had been punting, but within a few minutes he had established an easy rhythm and they were gliding along the River Cam at a steady pace. They floated along in comfortable silence for a time and Minerva watched the beautiful green lawns and landmark buildings of Cambridge as they passed by.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she said softly after a while.
“Yes,” Albus agreed. “I’ve always loved it here. There’s the King’s College Chapel.”
Minerva turned to her right to take in the majestic building, such a fantastic example of gothic architecture. Albus, however, couldn’t take his eyes off the beautiful woman sitting in front of him. Sometimes he still couldn’t believe that this was real and that someone as wonderful as Minerva could really be interested in him; the last two or three months had passed in a blur of nerves and excitement as they stole quiet moments together whenever the school schedule permitted. Now that it was summer, Albus planned to spend every free moment spoiling Minerva, he wanted her to truly relax and enjoy her time off. After about forty-five minutes, Albus steered the boat toward the bank of the river and they climbed out onto the grassy field to enjoy the picnic he had brought. He opened the basket and spread out a soft yellow blanket on the grass and then took out a couple of shrunken pillows, restoring them to their usual size before settling down against them and inviting Minerva to relax against him.
They enjoyed sandwiches and lemonade, along with fruit, followed by a rich dark chocolate cheesecake and Irish Coffee, all prepared by the Hogwarts house elves who had been thrilled to have something to do over the holidays. When they had both eaten their fill, Minerva sighed contentedly and settled back against Albus’ chest, a small smile playing about her lips. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her temple before leaning back further against the pillows so that they were laying at an angle that allowed them to watch the night sky.
“This has been a perfect evening, Albus,” Minerva said softly. “Thank you so much for arranging it for us.”
“Any evening with you is perfect,” he answered, dropping his hand to envelop her smaller one.
They sat that way for a while, talking quietly about their pasts and their hopes for the future, and then Albus let go of Minerva’s hand and lifted his hand to brush her long hair off her neck. Minerva shivered as his long fingers brushed against the sensitive skin and then again a moment later when he lowered his lips to a particularly sweet spot just behind her ear. The combination of Albus’ feather light kisses and his warm breath on her neck was almost too much for Minerva. She sat up and turned around, her hands gripping his shoulders and pulling him to her for a heated kiss, all in one fluid movement. Albus’ surprise passed quickly and he responded passionately, wrapping his arms around Minerva’s waist and pulling her closer to his body. When the kiss ended, they broke apart allowing themselves the smallest possible distance from each other while still able to breathe.
“Albus, let’s punt back to the boat house and head home,” Minerva suggested.
