Post by EloquentPhoenix on Dec 30, 2006 18:55:32 GMT -5
Christmas Tattoos
For Angeldust, Purple and black, ADMM, Minerva, your quote and Bridget Jones’ Diary. (A belated) Merry Christmas.
Minerva McGonagall stretched her arms in a very feline way as the credits of Bridget Jones’ Diary rolled across the wide screen TV. From his seat at the other end of the couch Albus Dumbledore waved his hands to turn up the lighting and began to unravel the magical wards that allowed the muggle television and DVD player to work at Hogwarts. This film, and the opportunity to watch it at Hogwarts had been his Christmas gift to Minerva. Minerva looked out over the snowy grounds from the window and smiled softly at the students having a snowball fight. Her eyes flicked from them back inside the room, over their outer robes (long since discarded) and to Albus wrestling with the huge television screen.
“Wingardium Leviosa,” she murmured quietly, allowing Albus to easily lift the screen from the wall and into its cardboard box. She discreetly slid her wand back up her sleeve and settled herself back on the couch, reaching for the pile of hairpins on the coffee table.
“Albus we really should take a walk on the grounds to work off a little of our Christmas dinner. Besides I’m in need of some fresh air,” Minerva said, as she began to pin up her hair.
“Accio hairpins,” Albus said, catching them all neatly in an outstretched hand.
“Really, Albus, I can hardly go out without them, and I would like to go out, do give them back,” Minerva said, mildly amused.
“No, my dear, I don’t think that I will. It’s much to cold for us to go out, and I’m quite happy here curled up by the fire,” he replied, looking over to her pitifully. “We’ll have fun, I promise.”
“You think caged birds sing when indeed they cry,” Minerva replied, with a slight touch of melodrama.
“Now, Min, I only want to rest here for a while. Please?”
“Alright, alright. But less of the Min. And only because you gave me such a wonderful present,” she sighed, allowing him his way.
They both settled comfortably back upon the couch and into quiet conversation for a while. Albus was about to suggest chess as Minerva offered to make them more tea. She rose and was walking over to the side to get her favourite blend, which Albus kept a store of, when her efforts were interrupted.
“Minerva… you have a shadow of some sort on your blouse. In fact is it underneath…”
“W-what? Oh don’t be silly, Albus, there’s nothing there at all,” Minerva replied, in an attempt at and airy manner whilst trying profusely to disguise a faint blush upon her cheeks.
He rose and crossed the room towards her, one hand resting gently on her hip whilst the other gently traced a dark pattern. Minerva, meanwhile, struggled to maintain her breathing, and had given up even trying not to blush.
“It is underneath… Minerva! Is that a tattoo!?” Albus exclaimed.
Minerva spun around quickly, immediately stopping him from seeing her secret tattoo; and it was only when she found herself much closer to him that she realised that hadn’t been one of her better ideas. She quickly pulled away from him and settled herself back in the corner of the couch protecting herself from discovery. But, alas, her attempt was in vain, and although she knew this already, Minerva McGonagall does not give up without a fight.
Albus quickly closed the distance between them, not seeming to realise that the effects their closeness had on him were also apparent in Minerva. He sat down very close to her, to stop her escape and gently put his hands over hers.
“Now, Minerva,” he said with a solemn expression, “if you don’t tell me the truth, I’ll have to resort to underhand means.”
“I beg your pardon?” Minerva asked, flustered.
“That’s right, I shall be forced to tickle you.”
Minerva stared at him blankly for a moment before sighing in defeat and his gleeful grin. She was, after all, very ticklish. She shifted around and lifted up her blouse to reveal a purple pattern tattoo across the small of her back. She drew a sharp intake of breath as Albus traced over it with his fingertips. She turned back around slowly, blushing furiously.
“It was a secret,” she said, “You’re the only person who knows I have it. I was younger, and I thought it was very attractive at the time. Only I chickened out of ever telling anyone, and I used concealing charms a lot more then. I didn’t think anyone would ever notice it.”
Albus chuckled in response, before hugging Minerva tightly.
“You needn’t be so embarrassed, my dear, as you said, you were younger. That is, of course, unless you have anymore secret tattoos you haven’t told me about.”
She tried as hard as she could not to blush again, but it gave her away. A quiet gasp came from Albus. Steadying her shaking hands Minerva opened the top two buttons of her blouse, much to Albus’ surprise, to reveal the word ‘Pride’ tattooed in black just below her collarbone.
Albus smiled at her and she smiled back, feeling rather free and relieved that someone knew. She had never realised how much she had hidden it before.
She only realised how close Albus had leaned when they shared a breath and her breath hitched. When did he get so close? Was he going to kiss her? He leaned over to her ear, his eyes twinkling madly.
“You know, my dear, your tattoos are very attractive,” he whispered.
Minerva could hardly breathe as he leaned back again to meet her eyes.
“They are, are they Headmaster?” she asked, sliding her body closer to his.
She felt his arms snake around her and pull her close.
“They are indeed, my love, but I, unlike you, had the sense to have my tattoo where no one but you would see it…” he said, just before he kissed her.
Finite
