Title - The Charming Acquaintance
Summary - Be wary, in both lust and love. That is the moral of this story.
Characters - Minerva McGonagall, Tom Riddle Jr., Elphinstone Urquart, Hepzibah Smith.
Ships - Tom/Minerva

Challenges

Ten Different Pairings Challenge (HPFC) - Tom/Minerva

If You Dare Challenge (HPFC) - 2. Vague Misery

Greek Mythology Category Challenge (HPFC) - 11. Sirens: Write about temptation. (Creatures)

Word Count: 1,452

The Charming Acquaintance

The year was 1955. It was a bitter winter's night, the twenty-fourth of December to be exact. All over London people were celebrating the wondrous Christmas Eve, muggles and wizards alike. On one quiet street, amongst houses of muggle families enjoying a toasty evening beside the fireplace and attempting to wrangle their small children into their beds, one such party was just beginning. This party, however, was taking place in a rather odd house. True it did look almost identical to the townhouses that stood either side of it, but that was not what was odd about it. The odd thing about this house was that it was invisible to most people passing. Not to say because it was hidden in a small cul-de-sac, not at all. This house stood in the heart of Chelsea. No. It was hidden because the wizarding family who lived there for the past century had enchanted it so. On this particular night a party to rival all parties was taking place and one young witch in particular was in attendance.

Minerva McGonagall was enjoying the merriment with great vigour. She was a tall, beautiful woman with deep green eyes and long, black hair. On that night it was pulled back from her face and pinned in an elegant up-do. She wore a floor-length dress of emerald green which complimented her eyes extremely well. The party at which she was in attendance was being hosted by her boss, Elphinstone Urquart. Although she was not very fond of her job Minerva liked him very much and found him an easy man to work with. Only she and two others from the office had been invited, mostly the party consisted of other high-ranking ministry officials as well as a few people she could only assume were his personal friends. A string quartet were providing music as house-elves carries around plates of food and trays of drinks for the guests to take at their leisure.

The two work colleagues whom Minerva was talking too went to go and dance. They half-heartedly invited her to join them but she declined, preferring not to intrude upon the couple, and Minerva noticed that the woman in question was rather relieved. Minerva stood alone on the edge of the room sipping at a glass of red wine. She was enjoying the moment alone, not being forced to make small talk. It was a truly wonderful party and it felt nice to just enjoy the merriment carrying on around her. Minerva had a mouthful of wine when he appeared next to her. It wasn't until he spoke that she realised he was there.

"Are you not one for dancing?" a polite voice in her ear asked.

She looked around to find a most handsome man looking down at her. The man was tall with shoulder-length dark hair and highly-set, prominent cheekbones. In fact Minerva found herself extremely attracted to this strange man – something that had only ever happened once before in her entire life. He was looking at her with a rather intent expression, a smile to rival all smiles playing on his lips. Minerva then realised that she had not answered him yet and he must think her such a fool. She gulped down her mouthful of wine in one.

"Oh no, I am. I just did not have a partner," she said.

The man held out his hand. "May I?" She took it immediately. He led her out to the other dancers and they began to waltz gracefully around the room. "My name is Tom, Tom Riddle." He paused for a moment. "And you are?"

"Minerva." She replied. "McGonagall, that is."

"Very nice to make your acquaintance, Minerva McGonagall," said Tom making Minerva blush.

"And you."

"So, how do you know our host?"

"I work with him at the Ministry."

"Ah, I see."

"And you?"

"We were introduced a few years ago by a mutual acquaintance."

"Who might that be?"

Tom arched one eyebrow at her question. "Horace Slughorn."

"Professor Slughorn? The Potions master?"

"Yes, I gather you were taught by him as well?"

"I was. He was a rather interesting teacher."

They both laughed. "I suppose he is a rather interesting man."

"Of course," said Minerva, smiling. "I had no idea that Elphinstone knew Slughorn. I wonder why he is not in attendance tonight."

"Most likely throwing a party of his own, no doubt," said Tom with a smirk.

"That seems about right."

The two of them danced in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts but not taking their eyes from each other. Minerva could feel the warmth of his body pressed against hers and she found that she liked it. In fact she had found her thoughts wandering to the idea of his lips pressed against her lips, her neck, her- No, she mustn't think of it. Honestly she wasn't sure what was the matter with herself or even why she would feel this way. She didn't think that she could. For one thing she hardly knew this man and, for another, she was still in love with someone else. Then again, nothing could ever come of that she knew very well. Tom's gaze was so intense and did not so much as falter the entire night. In fact Minerva was sure that she had a permanent blush because of the temptation he presented. After a while they went to get a drink and Minerva found that, alongside his good looks, he was also extremely charming. Two men dressed in dark travelling cloaks came over to the two of them and Tom gave them a small nod.

"I'm afraid it's time for me to go," Tom announced.

"So soon?"

He smirked. "Yes. It was a joy to make your acquaintance tonight, Minerva." Tom delicately kissed her hand.

"Thank you, for the dance and your company."

"You are most welcome." He paused. "May I write to you?"

Minerva beamed. "Of course!"

"Well then, that settles that. Goodnight."

He smiled at her one last time before departing into the night.

~P~

Dear Minerva,

Your last letter was a treasure to read. I'm glad that you are enjoying London though less-so that your job is not sufficiently fulfilling. In fact it highlighted another thing that we both have in common; a desire to return to our nation's prestigious school. Perhaps we could meet when you next have the chance.

Tom

Dear Tom,

How charming you are! In fact I suppose the reason that Miss Hepzibah is so fond of you is because you beguile her as you do all women. The poor woman didn't have a chance. With that in mind do try not to be unkind. You know I am still shocked that somebody as pleasant as you would work in a place like Borgin & Burke's. There is still a chance that I could put a word in for you with Elphinstone if you were to apply for the vacancy.

Your Minerva

Dear Minerva,

Do not fret. I have no other correspondence I enjoy as much as you. Last time we met we talked of the Minister. Have your views changed regarding the latest news which the Prophet reported? I had been saddened that our conversation had ended so abruptly and I wondered whether you could continue to explain about the difficulties your office is having at the moment.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I have done it! I have left my job at the Ministry. Next month I shall be starting my job as a Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts. I do hope that you will find the time to visit me.

Your Minerva

Tom,

I haven't heard from you in a while and I have been hearing some frightful rumours! Please tell me that it isn't true. Please tell me that you aren't all they say. Please.

M

Tom,

It has been one year and I still haven't heard from you. Yet I have heard all about you. At first I had found it hard to believe but now I know better. Goodbye Tom. For good.

Minerva McGonagall

~P~

It had been a long time since Minerva McGonagall had set eyes on the man she had met that fateful Christmas Eve night. Fourteen full years in fact. Yet she still thought of him often. However, those thoughts were no longer admiring, no longer lustful, no longer longing. No. She would not even think his name – chosen or otherwise. Yet war was coming and she may have to face him again before long. Would she be ready to when the time came? As to that she did not know. Minerva was determined on only one thing. She would fight regardless.