Letting Go

The temptation was nearly too much to resist. It was gloriously wonderfully tempting to give into her desire. She really shouldn't though, it simply was not the type behaviour that was expected of a Hogwarts Professor, not even one as young as her. Still there it was before her, so inviting, so tempting, almost irrisistable. She should turn away now, and yet...

Minerva glanced swiftly around her, eyes scanning the surrounding paths, pausing intently on the green bushes searching for any hint of movement. She seemed to be completely alone. Dare she give in to her desires, just this once?

At only twenty one years of age, she was Hogwart's youngest Professor by a long way, and in the six months that she had been teaching, she had felt compelled to be serious at all times. Yet it wasn't so long ago that she had been a carefree young girl. Ah the times she had had as a student here - her pupils now would never believe it, but she had had quite the reputation as a prankster, and back here in the old castle, there was a temptation sometimes, to just let go if only for a brief moment.

Despite the kindness of the other Professors, Minerva knew that many of them doubted her, thought her too young and inexperienced. Only Albus Dumbledore seemed to have absolute confidence in her, a confidence that she sometimes thought was misplaced.

It was her old mentor who had offered her the job as Transfiguration Professor. His blue eyes sparkling oh so charmingly at her, as he said, "You would be an absolutely marvellous teacher Minerva. You could do so much for this school, you are just what Hogwarts needs my dear Minerva." Unable to resist she had given in to his charms and accepted. And in truth, to return to teach at her beloved old school had been a dream come true for her, one made even more wonderful by the chance to renew her friendship with Albus.

Despite his seeming confidence in her, Minerva still felt that she had to be absolutely serious and straitlaced at all times. In her view that was how Professors were simply expected to behave, unless of course you were Albus, and he could get away with levels of eccentricity which would have anyone else considered quite barmy. Minerva smiled to herself fondly, there was no one like Albus Dumbledore... so kind, so charming, so undeniably handsome.

Minerva glanced around her again, she was quite alone, she was certain of it, and she could not resist the temptation to let go just for once. With a whoop of glee she jumped into the invitingly large puddle, and kicking up her heels danced in it, kicking up the water around her until her long skirt was dripping wet. Ah it felt so good to just give in to the child within for once. Ever since she was a little girl she had loved dancing in puddles, and this was a most wonderfully splashy puddle. Minerva flung her arms wide open and laughed merrily, as the water flew in droplets around her, cascading down to land sparkling like gems on her dark hair, and emerald green robes.

A wide beam spread across Albus' face as he watched his young Transfiguration Professor dancing like a schoolgirl in the puddle. He had just happened to saunter along the path a few minutes earlier, and had stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Minerva jumping up and down in the puddle. At first Albus had rubbed at his eyes uncertainly, and blinked several times. When at last, he had been convinced that he really was seeing what he thought he saw, he had stood in silence watching in delight and enchantment, as something he thought he would never feel stirred deep within him, and he found himself quite captivated by the sight before him.

Albus' light bright blue eyes twinkled, like the merriest stars in the night sky, as he saw how Minerva's black hair had come half loose from it's normal tight bun, and now danced lightly around her, as the droplets of water glistened like gems set in it. His heart leapt in his chest, and his breath quickened as he saw the natural grace with which she moved, and how her eyes shone with childlike joy. As Albus stood watching, a deep true love grew and blossomed within him, and he could scarcely bear to tear himself away. Minerva needed this though, and he knew how deeply mortified she would be if she were to know that he had seen her.

Albus sighed, already Minerva held herself so stiffly, like a tightly wound spring, never letting go, seeming almost afraid to breath freely at times. If she knew that he had seen her, she would doubtless hold herself even stiffer. With one final adoring glance, Albus slipped silently away wishing that Minerva would find many more puddles to dance in with joyous abandon, and determined to do all he could to help her to release the child within far more often.

Author's Notes

This idea came to me as I was driving in a car in the rain, it orginally was Albus who danced in the puddle, but there's really nothing unusual in that, so I changed it around, and had Minerva do it. I'm sure she must do crazy things sometimes. ;)

There will probably be a second chapter to this. Thanks for reading.