Title: Any Other World
Rating: all
Disclaimer: Not even close to owning them...
Author's Note: I have no idea why I decided to venture out from my Nessa/Boq niche in the Wicked section. Usually I just read the MMAD stories and review, but I guess it was about time since I'm like MMAD since book one.
Head bent, eyes shut and fingers still, Minerva McGonagall stretched out in her sleep using the edge of her desk as a handhold. Her shoulders twisted with the effort, and she flexed four fingers across her papers. One shoulder popped. Her eyes opened upon the simple wooden frame upon her graded parchments. Forcing herself up, she blinked twice before running her hands across the smooth wood of the desk before glancing again at the picture within the frame.
Young and naive, the still picture of the youthful with smiled up at the older, weathered Minerva McGonagall. Around the younger one's shoulders rested the ornate and gold snitch decorated sleeve of Albus. On his face rested an expression of joy and pride; his eyes rested upon the acceptance of Minerva's teaching position. Minerva McGonagall sighed at the old, muggle style picture.
"When did I let it get so out of hand?" From behind her Albus Dumbledore watched on saddened, but chuckling. "Albus?" As she turned two more deep 'pops' echoed in the semi-quiet room.
"In any other world, Minerva." He followed the eyes of his picture self to the letter in her hands and the healing scars dotting her skin left over from years fighting for the ministry. "In any other world and at any other time, but not here and not now." He twisted a fallen strand of hair back around her bun. She glanced up at him.
"I knew, and I still…I still fell in love with you, Albus."
"Had we met in any other world, my dear, it might have been mutual." He kneeled before her. "But look at the good we've done here-together." She took his hands.
"I know, Albus. I'm still not sure if I would have it any other way."
-End-