Post by laundry basket on Jul 15, 2007 20:40:21 GMT -5
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I never will.
Author's Note: A response to a challenge posted forever ago that I've been meaning to do since forever ago. It's a songfic to the lyrics of "Ten Minutes Ago" from the 60's version of "Cinderella." Enjoy!
Albus Dumbledore sighed and tapped his long fingers on the edge of the wooden table. He didn't particularly want to be sitting here when he had papers to grade and several demonstrations to prepare, but Armando had insisted that he attend the Christmas Ball, though Albus found it a tad pointless, no matter how much Armando explained that it would raise spirits after Grindlewald's recent attacks. In all honestly, that was probably truth, but Albus had never been one for parties and balls. He hadn't even attended his own end-of-the-year bash at age seventeen, and he wasn't about to admit that he regretted it now. But he was quite determined to tough out this experience for a few hours at least before disappearing into his chambers.
"Oh, Albus, are you sulking again?" Armando's cheerful voice invaded his ear, and Albus turned to the smiling man. His silvery hair was hidden under a large, pointed black wizard's hat, and he was enveloped in dark, shimmering robes.
"I am not sulking," Albus argued, realizing he sounded sulky just saying that. Armando merely chuckled and patted his hand in a fatherly way.
"Now, now, my dear boy, you need to get out there!" he said, pulling on Albus's arm, surprising him with the tight grip.
"I really don't think -" he started, but Armando pushed him into the ground quickly and with a fair amount of force for someone of his age. Albus found himself pressed into a large group of teenagers, who where busy discussing with great intensity the best brand of hair gel. Bemused for just a moment, he stood and stumbled out from the thick wall of bodies, brushing himself off. He was just about to make his way back towards the staff table when his eyes fell upon the entrance to the Great Hall and the people entering. Well, in actuality, it was really only one person who captured his attentions.
Ten minutes ago I saw you,
I looked up when you came through the door.
My head started reeling,
You gave me the feeling
The room had no ceiling
Or floor
His eyes locked on one of his most recognizable students, Minerva McGonagall. In all truth, she was almost one of his past students. In a few months she would be out of Hogwarts and out of his life, which, though he refused to admit it, saddened him greatly. Now, as he watched her graceful form sweep through the door, his stomach tightened in a ball. She was beautiful, it couldn't be denied, but Albus realized that he should be thinking that in a grandfatherly sort of way, with a kind of pride. And his feelings where not grandfatherly in the least ...
Shaking his head, Albus tried to tear his gaze from her, but found it was impossible. Not when she had taken great pains to look so lovely, and had dressed in that deep purple dress that fell to the floor. He could not help but think that it accentuated the hues of her dark, ebony hair wonderfully before mentally slapping himself. Not good thoughts, not good thoughts. She was a child, for Merlin's sake, nothing but a child! Barely even seventeen! But in all honesty, she looked nothing like a child. Albus conceded to the fact that she could pass for twenty if she wanted to. Not only with her tall, thin form, but with the air of sophistication about her. Perhaps that was why he was so drawn to her, he supposed.
Shaking himself again, Albus decided it was high time to leave the ball and get back to the safety of his chambers. He finally compelled his feet to move from where they had frozen, but just as he began to walk towards the entrance ...
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore!"
He turned and smiled demurely at Minerva, who had managed to fight her way through the crowd to greet him.
Ten minutes ago,
I met you
And we murmured our 'How-do-you-do's',
I wanted to ring out the bells,
And fling out my arms,
And to sing out the news.
If he was going to strip things down to the bare facts, Albus thought, it would have to be said that she was even more lovely up close. Her pale skin shone in the light glow surrounding them from the dozens of lit candles filling the room, and her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. Even the very little things, the sort of things that go unnoticed in everyday life, became very apparent when he looked at her in this moment. Things like how thin and expressive her eyebrows where when they rose as she spoke. The small dot of a freckle on her left eyelid. Her thin, angular shoulder jutting from underneath the gown's strap. All of these things suddenly became very endearing as Albus looked at her. He swallowed before replying.
"Good evening, Minerva," he said warmly, and she grinned. What a nice mouth she had, too ...
"And to you too, Professor. Isn't it gorgeous in here?" she gushed, and didn't seem to notice the way he watched her face when he murmured, "Indeed it is."
"Min! Oy, Min, over here!"
Minerva turned to see Rolanda Hooch running un-abashedly towards her, pulling up her sky blue dress as she did so. Scowling at her cursed nickname, Minerva waved her over to them.
"Ro, I just saw you five minutes ago, what could you possible need to tell me?" she asked exasperatedly, resting a hand on her hip. Albus tried not to let his eyes flicker over it as she stood defiantly in front of her out of breath friend.
"Mona told me that she heard Fran and Marlene saying that they over heard Henry Adams talking about how Jeffery Smith had wrote a note saying that he wanted to ask me to dance!" she gasped, and for a moment Minerva's studious facade was gone, and she let out a small squeal.
"Oh, Ro, that's wonderful! Are you going to go find him?" she asked excitedly, and Rolonda nodded.
"I'm going now - I'll tell you how it goes!" she called, rushing away from the smiling Minerva and a puzzled Albus, who was still trying to figure out what had transpired. Who told who what? He shook his head. It was all much to confusing. When Minerva let out a small sigh, Albus looked up at her.
"Something wrong, my dear?" he asked concernedly. She only smiled a bit at him.
"Oh, no, nothing at all. Ro's just liked him for ages, and it's so great he likes her too, isn't it?" Albus was not sure if this required a response, so he settled for nodding in what he hoped was a wise and understanding way. Minerva sighed again and stared into space for a moment. Feeling brave from her long pause, Albus turned to her.
"Is there anyone you would like to dance with tonight?" he asked her interestedly, hoping it did not sound like he was invading her privacy. Minerva smiled once more and waved her hand vaguely.
"No ... well, yes, but ... no." Albus chuckled softly.
"Care to be more precise?" he asked her, and she grinned at him.
"Sorry. You see, I've fancied someone for a long time too, but, well ... he doesn't fancy me back," she said a bit sadly, and Albus felt his stomach clench despite himself and tried to ignore the feeling of wanting to perform very illegal curses on anyone who fancied her.
"Is that so?" he asked in what he hoped was a nonchalant tone. She nodded again.
"Oh, yes. I suppose I'll just have to get over it. After all, everyone says it's only a crush ...." She gave another forlorn sigh before smiling once more at him. "But it's nothing, really. I just came her to have a nice time, is all."
Whether it was that effect of the punch he had drunk earlier or the dim lights around the room or his own sudden influx of bravery, Albus did not know, but something made him ask, "Would you care to dance, Minerva?" Her eyes popped open as she stared wide-eyed at him, and Albus quickly retracted his statement.
"I mean, of course, if you would not like to dance with anyone else," he said hastily. "Do no feel as though you have to, for it would be perfectly alright if -"
"I'd love to."
Her words interrupted his nervous babbling, and this time it was Albus's eyes that widened. She was looking at him somewhat nervously, but a very determined look was also stamped on her face. "Of course, Professor. This next one, if you please."
Albus tried to conceal his eagerness as he waited impatiently for the loud rock music to slow down. When it finally did, he was delighted to find that the tune was smooth and romantic, though he was sure he looked just as nervous as he felt. As long as he didn't start babbling again ...
Minerva's arms hooked around his shoulders, and he carefully rested his on her waist. She smiled sweetly up at him, and Albus felt a rush a happiness as they sway to the music.
I have found her,
She's an angel
With the dust of the stars in her eyes.
We are dancing,
We are flying,
And she's taking me back to the skies.
In the arms of my love
I'm flying
Over mountain and meadow and glen
And I like it so well
That for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again
~::~
Ten minutes ago, I met you
And we murmured our 'How-do-you-do's',
I wanted to ring out the bells,
And fling out my arms,
And to sing out the news.
Minerva hoped that her face did not betray her nervousness. Oh, how in the world could she have been so stupid as to just blurt out that she fancied someone to the someone she fancied?! It was plain idiotic, it was the stupid punch, it was the bloody ball that was making her not think straight. But now, here she was in the middle of the floor, dancing with the someone she had fancied for years. Granted, she had only realized her attraction in the last few months, but that was beside the point. It's just a crush, she chanted to herself stubbornly as his hands pressed into her waist. Nothing serious at all.
Really, what was stopping her from just announcing to the entire world that she was in lo- no, she refused to say that. In like with the most powerful wizard in the entire world? Pride, she thought sullenly as he spun her around. He'll just tell me he doesn't like me that way, and who's to blame him?
Yes, she decided, Albus Dumbledore did not fancy her in the least.
~::~
I have found her,
She's an angel
With the dust of the stars in her eyes.
Alright, fine. Maybe he did fancy her. Just a little bit, mind you. Only a teensy, tiny, little bit of him might in fact supposedly harbour some sort of romantic attachment his student. There, he said it! Okay, thought it, but it made the same difference, really.
Albus slowly spun Minerva around on the dance floor, marvelling all the while at her grace. It was magnificent that she had even agreed to dance with him, but if she kept looking so beautiful he might just have to snog her on the spot, and what whispers that would make!
She's only a student, nothing more, Albus told himself, ignoring the soaring feeling swelling inside of him as they continued to dance.
~::~
We are dancing,
We are flying,
And he's taking me back to the skies.
In the arms of my love
I'm flying
Over mountain and meadow and glen
And I like it so well
That for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again
~::~
"And that's it?"
"Yes, that's it," Minerva confirmed, kissing her daughter softly on the cheek. "That's when Daddy and I fell in love." Her daughter grinned at her from underneath the large comforter.
"You tell good stories Mummy," she murmured sleepily, her eyelids drifting shut. Minerva smiled as she pressed another soft kiss to her daughter's forehead. She tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. Suddenly, she felt her husband's arms wrap tight around her waist.
"You do tell good stories," he whispered into her ear, and she grinned.
"Glad you think so," Minerva smirked, kissing him lightly on the mouth.
"Ew!" came the shrill cry from the doorway, and both adults jumped.
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" Minerva reminded their daughter, who was standing before them, her nose wrinkled in distaste.
"I'm going, I'm going!" she called, and with another shout of "Gross!" she was securely locked in her bedroom.
Author's Note: A response to a challenge posted forever ago that I've been meaning to do since forever ago. It's a songfic to the lyrics of "Ten Minutes Ago" from the 60's version of "Cinderella." Enjoy!
Albus Dumbledore sighed and tapped his long fingers on the edge of the wooden table. He didn't particularly want to be sitting here when he had papers to grade and several demonstrations to prepare, but Armando had insisted that he attend the Christmas Ball, though Albus found it a tad pointless, no matter how much Armando explained that it would raise spirits after Grindlewald's recent attacks. In all honestly, that was probably truth, but Albus had never been one for parties and balls. He hadn't even attended his own end-of-the-year bash at age seventeen, and he wasn't about to admit that he regretted it now. But he was quite determined to tough out this experience for a few hours at least before disappearing into his chambers.
"Oh, Albus, are you sulking again?" Armando's cheerful voice invaded his ear, and Albus turned to the smiling man. His silvery hair was hidden under a large, pointed black wizard's hat, and he was enveloped in dark, shimmering robes.
"I am not sulking," Albus argued, realizing he sounded sulky just saying that. Armando merely chuckled and patted his hand in a fatherly way.
"Now, now, my dear boy, you need to get out there!" he said, pulling on Albus's arm, surprising him with the tight grip.
"I really don't think -" he started, but Armando pushed him into the ground quickly and with a fair amount of force for someone of his age. Albus found himself pressed into a large group of teenagers, who where busy discussing with great intensity the best brand of hair gel. Bemused for just a moment, he stood and stumbled out from the thick wall of bodies, brushing himself off. He was just about to make his way back towards the staff table when his eyes fell upon the entrance to the Great Hall and the people entering. Well, in actuality, it was really only one person who captured his attentions.
Ten minutes ago I saw you,
I looked up when you came through the door.
My head started reeling,
You gave me the feeling
The room had no ceiling
Or floor
His eyes locked on one of his most recognizable students, Minerva McGonagall. In all truth, she was almost one of his past students. In a few months she would be out of Hogwarts and out of his life, which, though he refused to admit it, saddened him greatly. Now, as he watched her graceful form sweep through the door, his stomach tightened in a ball. She was beautiful, it couldn't be denied, but Albus realized that he should be thinking that in a grandfatherly sort of way, with a kind of pride. And his feelings where not grandfatherly in the least ...
Shaking his head, Albus tried to tear his gaze from her, but found it was impossible. Not when she had taken great pains to look so lovely, and had dressed in that deep purple dress that fell to the floor. He could not help but think that it accentuated the hues of her dark, ebony hair wonderfully before mentally slapping himself. Not good thoughts, not good thoughts. She was a child, for Merlin's sake, nothing but a child! Barely even seventeen! But in all honesty, she looked nothing like a child. Albus conceded to the fact that she could pass for twenty if she wanted to. Not only with her tall, thin form, but with the air of sophistication about her. Perhaps that was why he was so drawn to her, he supposed.
Shaking himself again, Albus decided it was high time to leave the ball and get back to the safety of his chambers. He finally compelled his feet to move from where they had frozen, but just as he began to walk towards the entrance ...
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore!"
He turned and smiled demurely at Minerva, who had managed to fight her way through the crowd to greet him.
Ten minutes ago,
I met you
And we murmured our 'How-do-you-do's',
I wanted to ring out the bells,
And fling out my arms,
And to sing out the news.
If he was going to strip things down to the bare facts, Albus thought, it would have to be said that she was even more lovely up close. Her pale skin shone in the light glow surrounding them from the dozens of lit candles filling the room, and her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. Even the very little things, the sort of things that go unnoticed in everyday life, became very apparent when he looked at her in this moment. Things like how thin and expressive her eyebrows where when they rose as she spoke. The small dot of a freckle on her left eyelid. Her thin, angular shoulder jutting from underneath the gown's strap. All of these things suddenly became very endearing as Albus looked at her. He swallowed before replying.
"Good evening, Minerva," he said warmly, and she grinned. What a nice mouth she had, too ...
"And to you too, Professor. Isn't it gorgeous in here?" she gushed, and didn't seem to notice the way he watched her face when he murmured, "Indeed it is."
"Min! Oy, Min, over here!"
Minerva turned to see Rolanda Hooch running un-abashedly towards her, pulling up her sky blue dress as she did so. Scowling at her cursed nickname, Minerva waved her over to them.
"Ro, I just saw you five minutes ago, what could you possible need to tell me?" she asked exasperatedly, resting a hand on her hip. Albus tried not to let his eyes flicker over it as she stood defiantly in front of her out of breath friend.
"Mona told me that she heard Fran and Marlene saying that they over heard Henry Adams talking about how Jeffery Smith had wrote a note saying that he wanted to ask me to dance!" she gasped, and for a moment Minerva's studious facade was gone, and she let out a small squeal.
"Oh, Ro, that's wonderful! Are you going to go find him?" she asked excitedly, and Rolonda nodded.
"I'm going now - I'll tell you how it goes!" she called, rushing away from the smiling Minerva and a puzzled Albus, who was still trying to figure out what had transpired. Who told who what? He shook his head. It was all much to confusing. When Minerva let out a small sigh, Albus looked up at her.
"Something wrong, my dear?" he asked concernedly. She only smiled a bit at him.
"Oh, no, nothing at all. Ro's just liked him for ages, and it's so great he likes her too, isn't it?" Albus was not sure if this required a response, so he settled for nodding in what he hoped was a wise and understanding way. Minerva sighed again and stared into space for a moment. Feeling brave from her long pause, Albus turned to her.
"Is there anyone you would like to dance with tonight?" he asked her interestedly, hoping it did not sound like he was invading her privacy. Minerva smiled once more and waved her hand vaguely.
"No ... well, yes, but ... no." Albus chuckled softly.
"Care to be more precise?" he asked her, and she grinned at him.
"Sorry. You see, I've fancied someone for a long time too, but, well ... he doesn't fancy me back," she said a bit sadly, and Albus felt his stomach clench despite himself and tried to ignore the feeling of wanting to perform very illegal curses on anyone who fancied her.
"Is that so?" he asked in what he hoped was a nonchalant tone. She nodded again.
"Oh, yes. I suppose I'll just have to get over it. After all, everyone says it's only a crush ...." She gave another forlorn sigh before smiling once more at him. "But it's nothing, really. I just came her to have a nice time, is all."
Whether it was that effect of the punch he had drunk earlier or the dim lights around the room or his own sudden influx of bravery, Albus did not know, but something made him ask, "Would you care to dance, Minerva?" Her eyes popped open as she stared wide-eyed at him, and Albus quickly retracted his statement.
"I mean, of course, if you would not like to dance with anyone else," he said hastily. "Do no feel as though you have to, for it would be perfectly alright if -"
"I'd love to."
Her words interrupted his nervous babbling, and this time it was Albus's eyes that widened. She was looking at him somewhat nervously, but a very determined look was also stamped on her face. "Of course, Professor. This next one, if you please."
Albus tried to conceal his eagerness as he waited impatiently for the loud rock music to slow down. When it finally did, he was delighted to find that the tune was smooth and romantic, though he was sure he looked just as nervous as he felt. As long as he didn't start babbling again ...
Minerva's arms hooked around his shoulders, and he carefully rested his on her waist. She smiled sweetly up at him, and Albus felt a rush a happiness as they sway to the music.
I have found her,
She's an angel
With the dust of the stars in her eyes.
We are dancing,
We are flying,
And she's taking me back to the skies.
In the arms of my love
I'm flying
Over mountain and meadow and glen
And I like it so well
That for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again
~::~
Ten minutes ago, I met you
And we murmured our 'How-do-you-do's',
I wanted to ring out the bells,
And fling out my arms,
And to sing out the news.
Minerva hoped that her face did not betray her nervousness. Oh, how in the world could she have been so stupid as to just blurt out that she fancied someone to the someone she fancied?! It was plain idiotic, it was the stupid punch, it was the bloody ball that was making her not think straight. But now, here she was in the middle of the floor, dancing with the someone she had fancied for years. Granted, she had only realized her attraction in the last few months, but that was beside the point. It's just a crush, she chanted to herself stubbornly as his hands pressed into her waist. Nothing serious at all.
Really, what was stopping her from just announcing to the entire world that she was in lo- no, she refused to say that. In like with the most powerful wizard in the entire world? Pride, she thought sullenly as he spun her around. He'll just tell me he doesn't like me that way, and who's to blame him?
Yes, she decided, Albus Dumbledore did not fancy her in the least.
~::~
I have found her,
She's an angel
With the dust of the stars in her eyes.
Alright, fine. Maybe he did fancy her. Just a little bit, mind you. Only a teensy, tiny, little bit of him might in fact supposedly harbour some sort of romantic attachment his student. There, he said it! Okay, thought it, but it made the same difference, really.
Albus slowly spun Minerva around on the dance floor, marvelling all the while at her grace. It was magnificent that she had even agreed to dance with him, but if she kept looking so beautiful he might just have to snog her on the spot, and what whispers that would make!
She's only a student, nothing more, Albus told himself, ignoring the soaring feeling swelling inside of him as they continued to dance.
~::~
We are dancing,
We are flying,
And he's taking me back to the skies.
In the arms of my love
I'm flying
Over mountain and meadow and glen
And I like it so well
That for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again
~::~
"And that's it?"
"Yes, that's it," Minerva confirmed, kissing her daughter softly on the cheek. "That's when Daddy and I fell in love." Her daughter grinned at her from underneath the large comforter.
"You tell good stories Mummy," she murmured sleepily, her eyelids drifting shut. Minerva smiled as she pressed another soft kiss to her daughter's forehead. She tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. Suddenly, she felt her husband's arms wrap tight around her waist.
"You do tell good stories," he whispered into her ear, and she grinned.
"Glad you think so," Minerva smirked, kissing him lightly on the mouth.
"Ew!" came the shrill cry from the doorway, and both adults jumped.
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" Minerva reminded their daughter, who was standing before them, her nose wrinkled in distaste.
"I'm going, I'm going!" she called, and with another shout of "Gross!" she was securely locked in her bedroom.
xXx 
