A/N: Written for Story Dares (dared by Anka to write an Albus and Minerva drabble with the prompts Cockroach Clusters, Lemon Drops, and Bertie Bott's)
Albus looks at her, blue eyes twinkling in confusion as Minerva sets the basket of sweets on his desk. "What's this?"
Minerva snorts. "It's Christmas, Albus. Tradition calls for gift giving."
He nods thoughtfully, picking through the Cockroach Clusters. For a moment, he studies a packet of Bertie Bott's, as though debating taking a chance and trying one before setting them aside. "Why, of all of Hogwarts, me?" he wonders aloud, settling for a Chocolate Frog.
Minerva smiles. He had been the one to inspire her dedication to Transfiguration. After she had left the Ministry, Albus had welcomed her with open arms back to the castle. If not for him, she might have never found her calling as a professor.
"Because you are my friend," she says simply, deciding it would be best to skip emotional speeches today.
He reaches in his drawer. "Lemon drop?" he offers, setting the bag on his desk as he continues rummaging.
"No," she says with a shake of her head, still baffled by his love of the Muggle sweets.
"Ah! Here we are!"
Albus sets a pair of a thick wool socks, tied together by red ribbon, upon the desk. "Merry Christmas."
She accepts them, body shaking from a laugh she tries to keep in. Books, she could understand. Biscuits and sweets, even.
"Socks, Albus?"
"My dear professor, one can never have too many socks."