Post by ginger newts on Jun 18, 2006 15:54:58 GMT -5
How Did You Know?
Summary: Why, in the beginning of PS, after knowing each other for most of her life and working together for at least 25 years, did Minerva ask Albus: “How did you know it was me?” This little series of drabbles explains my pet theory about that little exchange.
Rating: Safe for all.
It was early morning as Minerva crept through the halls of Hogwarts. She reached Albus’ office and perched on the edge of the desk to wait.
When Albus opened the door, a broad smile covered his face.
“Fancy seeing you here, Miss McGonagall.” He turned to close the door and when he faced her again, his favourite student sat in the place of the tabby cat he had greeted.
“How did you know it was me?” She was disappointed that he hadn’t been surprised by her new transformation.
“My dear Miss McGonagall, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.”
Minerva was proud to do her part to stop Grindelwald’s evil; taking her spying duties and her reports very seriously. She easily located the abandoned building and sat on the steps to wait. She watched many stray cats fight over a single mouse.
Albus arrived exactly on time and bent to stroke Minerva’s soft fur before going into the house. She waited a moment and followed.
“How did you know it was me?” She transformed back as soon as the door closed behind them.
“My dear Minerva,” he said with a smile, “I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.”
During the war, Albus and Minerva found themselves falling in love. When it was all over and Albus was finally released from St. Mungo’s, he came home to find a familiar black and grey tabby waiting on his bed. The exhaustion and worry on his face transformed into a bright smile.
“I should have known that you’d be here.”
“How did you know it was me?” she asked, smiling as they exchanged a now familiar question and answer.
“My dear Minerva,” he lowered her back onto the mattress and stretched out beside her, “I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.”
Albus was extremely annoyed to be called away from Hogwarts while Minerva was interviewing with the headmaster. They had lost a member of staff the week before and both Albus and Armando thought Minerva the perfect replacement. Upon his return, Albus was disheartened to find Minerva had left Armando’s office. However, he smiled as he opened the door to his own office.
“I should have known that you’d be here, Professor McGonagall.”
Only after Albus spun her around excitedly and kissed her long and hard, did she ask: “How did you know it was me?” The only answer, another kiss.
After months of debate, Albus and Minerva decided to elope rather than have a traditional wedding. On the appointed day of the summer holidays, Albus woke early and left to do some last minute shopping. Minerva prepared herself for the ceremony and traveled to the meeting place. She transformed into a cat and sat upon a stone wall to await Albus’ arrival.
“Fancy seeing you here,” he teased, stroking her head.
Minerva hopped off the wall and followed him around the corner. “How did you know it was me?”
The couple shared a laugh as they entered the small chapel.
Albus had been away for three days with several other members of the Order. Minerva waited at her summer home with the other wives and girlfriends. All the other men returned, looking far worse for the wear and leaving Minerva to worry about Albus.
“I don’t know where he is,” Alastor Moody told her.
She went out and sat on the front steps for what felt like an eternity.
“Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall.”
She took comfort in the now familiar exchange. “How did you know it was me?”
He gave the usual answer as she helped him inside.
Albus and Minerva were having tea with the Potters when Lily suddenly went into labour. They summoned their friend and school nurse to help with the delivery and rushed about gathering the necessary supplies. With the confusion and stress, Minerva found she needed a break, so she popped outside to run a few laps of the small garden. Thinking she heard a noise, Minerva froze just outside the back door to listen.
“Fancy seeing you here,” Albus said with a smile as he sat on the back step.
“How did you know it was me?” Minerva leaned against him wearily.
Minerva had been waiting all day for Albus to arrive, though she wasn’t sure what they were doing at this particular house. She waited on the garden wall, watching the Muggles who lived there with growing impatience and annoyance.
Finally, almost on the stroke of midnight, Albus appeared.
He smiled as he sat beside her on the wall. “Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall.”
“How did you know it was me?” There was no humour in her voice as they engaged in a conversation that had now become automatic.
“My dear Professor, I’ve never seen a cat sit so stiffly.”
The End
I can really imagine that being something of a habit for them, something familiar and long lasting.
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;D. No, really, they're really cute and well-done... know how hard the 100 words thing is and all 
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