Harry Potter - Keyword: Catnip.
Today was Minerva's twenty-first birthday.
Hopefully, no-one would remember.
Well, besides Albus. He had sent her a card so big it required three large eagle owls to carry it.
Minerva had promised herself that if he so much as mentioned the general topic of 'birthdays' in the teachers meeting that afternoon that he would forever regret it.
The morning passed in relative bliss. It was the winter holiday, so many of the students were away; only a handful remained.
She, Rolanda Hooch and Poppy played a …somewhat odd, game of Quidditch, that ended up pretty much being a game of 'it'.
Laughing, and touching down to Earth for a clean-up before lunch, Minerva glimpsed out of the corner of her eye a … no. It couldn't be a…
It was! It bloody was!
Filius stood at the front door, speaking with men in emerald green robes who between them both, carried a large parcel.
Minerva sat in the staff room; perfectly relaxed in her large, wicker-backed chair. She had a blanket around her, as the window didn't close properly and noone could really be bothered to keep the snow out.
A festive spring of holly hung from Albus's hat this morning, and he was droning on about something or other.
Minerva wasn't really paying attention.
Rolanda sat on the sofa next to Min, and she muttered something sarcastic before sipping at her tea.
Minerva chuckled, more at the chance to laugh than at the actual comment.
Even Severus; still in his dreary black robes on Christmas morning; cracked a smile.
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, which just made Minerva laugh harder.
She was full out crying with laughter now.
Filius, Hagrid and Rolanda couldn't help themselves and they all joined in.
Minerva gasped for breath; and then her laughter turned silent as she heard the dry tones of Severus's laugh.
"There now." Albus said after everyone had calmed down. "What was so funny?"
Minerva coughed on her tea; and threw her head back; silently laughing at the humorous situation.
"Mmmm." She hummed contently when she had finished. She quietly chuckled to herself in the back of her throat for the entire meeting; until Severus came and perched on the arm of the sofa next to her at the 'official' end of the meeting.
Most teachers stayed behind an hour or so, sometimes even two after the meeting had ended just to talk, and relax.
"Minerva.." The potions master ventured. "I'd never heard you laugh before."
She giggled childishly, and blushed.
Severus raised an eyebrow.
Albus crouched next to her chair, "Min, do you feel alright?" He asked, placing a hand to her forehead.
Minerva smiled at him, the laughed again.
"How about I get you a refill on that tea, hm?" Severus offered, noticing she was still cradling the almost empty cup.
Only the dregs remained; the tea leaves and such.
"Oh nooo!" Rolanda looked back to him. "I'll do that, yeah Minnie?"
Severus paled, 'Minnie'? Surely Minerva would never stand for that!
Instead she just smiled sweetly. "More of the nice stuff.." Minerva asked; words slurred and sloppily pronounced.
"Actually," Albus decided, taking Minerva's cup himself, "How about I do it?"
Rolanda held up a hand, protesting.
"No, I insist." Albus was in a no-nonsense mood, obviously.
He walked over to the sink, "Severus, if you would?" He beckoned for him to join him.
Casting yet another worried look at Minerva, who looked like she was dozing off to sleep, Severus joined Albus, who was watching the cups contents, suspiciously.
"Headmaster, is she OK?"
"First- It's Albus." The headmaster said, mock-angry.
"Secondly," He handed the cup to Severus, "What do you smell?"
Severus frowned, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear.
He sniffed, then his eyes widened in understanding. "You mean-?" He looked back over to the chair, and Minerva, who was now playing a very unconventional game of strip-chess with Rolanda.
"Uhuh." Albus nodded, eyes twinkling. "I suppose I should have realised. It is Christmas after all."
Severus frowned. "What?"
"Rolanda did this last Christmas. And on her birthday last year."
"Oh."
Albus left Severus, nodding in acceptance to Flitwick's offer of a game of chess. (The proper kind).
Severus went to follow, but Albus reminded him of his offer to Minerva.
"Oh, right."
He went to refill Minerva's teacup; and sure enough, in the brand of Minerva's tea, imported from Scotland, there were no teabags… Only catnip.