Entry for the "Speed Drabble" at "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments)"

Word Prompts: "Christmas" "line" "thread" "window" and "translucent."

Entry for the "Scavenger Hunt" at "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Challenges and Assignments)"

17. McGonagalls Office

I hope you like it :)


Minerva McGonagall sat at her desk in her office, her gaze focused on the snow drifting by outside the window. It was Christmas eve and even though her office was cheerfully decorated with fir branches, red and golden bows and a few enchanted stars hanging from the ceiling by invisible threads, she could not muster a festive mood.

Staring at her reflection in the glass she could not count all the lines that crossed her face and she sighed. How she hated getting old, feeling lonely. She could have attended the Christmas party in the staffroom, but she somehow wanted to mull over her own thoughts in quiet.

"Good evening, Minerva!"

Minerva jumped from her chair as she suddenly heard a familiar voice from behind and turned on her heel, sighing:"How I wished you would finally stop doing this, Albus. One day you will be giving me a heart attack!"

Albus smiled fondly at her, totally ignoring what she had said about his habit of surprising her and said:"I was missing you at our party, my dear."

"I wasn't in the mood."

His blue eyes twinkled, but she knew that he disliked it when she shut herself away.

"Well, however, I decided to look how you are doing."

"I am okay, Albus. Really, just... just go back to the party," Minerva mumbled, but she already knew that he would stay, even under the thread of being cursed by her. She hated this, but at the same time she admired him for doing so, for taking care of her all the time.

"You know I won't, my dear," Albus smiled, gently caressing her cheek which made her heart jump. "And I also wanted to give you your Christmas present."

He reached into the pocket of his violet robes and pulled a little gift bag made of translucent silk out. A small silver chain with a small emerald pendant was inside and Minerva could feel herself blushing. This was the first time he gave her something else than a book as a gift.

"Thank you, Albus, I... this is beautiful, I... but why?"

"You already know that I am a old fool who needs some time to realise things and... well, finally I became aware of something," Albus explained and the way he touched her hand made a wonderful warmth spread in her body. She was already suspecting what he was about to say, but she would only believe it if she heard it from his mouth.

"Minerva... I am sorry I forgot our 10 years anniversary. I love you and I swear for improvement!"

She gave him a satisfied smile, whispering before she pulled him down for a kiss:"Well, you are surely improving."