The Professor's Christmas Holiday
Professor McGonagall stormed out of her room at stare at the visibly empty corridor. She hesitated to cast a disillusionment charm but used the anyway, seeing that she couldn't afford anymore last minute Christmas shopping that was not even her fault. If she didn't cast that disillusionment charm, you can see that her face was very stern and she's not to mess with, especially at this moment.
McGonagall stroll her way throughout the castle, but she found nothing. Soon, her stern face dropped into a frown, a tear running down her cheeks. She thought to herself,
"How many little hearts would I break if I don't give out those Christmas presents? How many joints would I hurt if I had to do one more of that hideous emergency Christmas shopping?" Minerva's face turned into disgust at the word hideous, emphasizing her hatred to do things she had done, again.
As Professor McGonagall assume that she had go around most of all the castle's hallways at least once, she decided to head back to her office and continue the search another time, since she is also tired and not in the mood to catch culprits, not when Christmas is coming.
Professor McGonagall turned around, as she passed her office around fifteen minutes ago, and bumped into someone.
'Ouch!' the other person said. The professor, in the other hand, didn't say a word and immediately held her wand in an offensive position; her opponent seemed to stand still. But of course, how can both of those 'duelers-to-be' be sure? Either side was not visible to the naked eye and either side was also sure that neither was supposed to be there.
Foolishly, Professor McGonagall's opponent poke their wand on her stomach, alarming her and causing her to fire, not loudly, but strongly; 'Levicorpus'.
"Aaa!" the opponent screamed, while he dangled upside down, causing a cloak to slip off and reveal their identities.
Minerva stared wide-eyed at her apparent opponent, vice versa. Although, the professor's opponent's stare was more like a 'what did I do?' stare.
"Liberacorpus" Professor McGonagall let her fellow night-wanderer down.
"What do you think you're doing wandering around the castle this late with Mr. Potter's cloak?" Minerva's eyes narrowed. "You better have a good reason and don't say you just need some fresh air. See, reckless behaviors like this are what give Professor Snape the privileges to give you detention. No wonder." She started to babble, more to herself at the end.
"But Professor, I just need some, umm, I need to get to the library to find some books for research, to do my homework." The sixth year student cleared his throat, looking quite brave as he was looking at the well-known stern professor right in the eye, rather than looking either at his covered shoes or the floor.
"I know what you like to do this late at night and I know it's not for books." Professor McGonagall whispered in a rush. The student opened his mouth for some objection but was closed again as the professor continued her speech, "don't try to reason with me, Ronald Weasley. I already have enough troubles when Christmas is near and I don't need your name to be added to the list of people ruining my Christmas. Now if you please, go back to your dorm and mention nothing of this meeting."
"Yes professor." Ron now looked at the floor. "But, if I may ask" Ron also stopped McGonagall's relieved look and turn it back serious, "what are go back to your dorm and mention nothing of this meeting."
"Yes professor." Ron now looked at the floor. "But, if I may ask" Ron also stopped McGonagall's relieved look and turn it back serious, "what are YOU doing this late at night?" Ron raised his eyebrows, feeling not so much of a loser as he did a few seconds ago.
"That… that is none of your business." Minerva stuttered, gazing at the floor to the right of Ron. "Now you better go to your dorms, as I shall also take a rest from this tiring night." Minerva tried to smile.
Ron shook his head and twisted a half-smile. At first, he was thinking to have a deal and trade secrets with the professor. But then, he feels that it's not right and he doesn't really want McGonagall to know what he's up to anyway.
"Well, good night then professor. See you at breakfast."
"Very well Mr. Weasley, and please warn your roommates that it's not that safe to run around the corridors this late. Times are changing back to how it was around 20 years ago. And don't try to sneak out of my words and continue your midnight stroll, I would know." The professor's face was concerned. Ron merely nodded and turned around, just as Professor McGonagall nodded approvingly and stayed on her spot for a few moments, before going the same way as Ron was, but to her office.
"Too bad Professor is in the way, or I might catch Draco at work. Harry has been warning me, I thought I'd give it a shot; he'll let me use his cloak anyway. Well now I'm free of the so-called job I made myself had. What a stupid decision to do it alone. Should've told Harry my plan." Ron was thinking about his decisions.
McGonagall tilted her head slightly, noticing that Ron's mind was battling within. But she must go, as her office was right to the left of her.
"Good night Mr. Weasley." She said curtly.
"Night Professor." Ron said, waving his hand half-heartedly.
"Why is he walking the corridors at this time anyway? He was disrupting my Christmas heartbreaker search. But I'm heading to my office anyway. Better get a good night sleep rather than thinking hard at what I might ever guess anyway. I'll have to eat quickly if I want to catch them then. Oh can I use the summoning charm on those presents?" McGonagall's face was enlightened quite drastically after a few moments of babbling to herself. "Accio." She said in her mentally. Nothing came zooming to the room even after a few seconds of waiting. "I should've known. They must not be that stupid. What do they want from my presents anyway? Maybe they're just lonely. But they shouldn't make me sad on Christmas just because they're sad. That's not fair." The Professor sat on her couch and rubbed her forehead.
McGonagall started remembering the old days, the Christmas when she's in her sixth year at Hogwarts in particular. She was in the library and a Slytherin approached her and gave her this necklace. She never thought he would even talk to her, but they spent the entire night in the library, talking endlessly, as if they never met and it was love at first sight, at least for her. The Slytherin walked her to the Fat Lady, bow, and then left. The next day his face was full of hatred when he looks at her. She never knew why. Young Minerva was so frustrated she really quit from having love interests in boys for the rest of the year. Now, Professor McGonagall can only shook her head.
Suddenly, McGonagall heard a knock on the window.
*Hoot* *Hoot*
Two owls was waiting outside, flapping their wings and gazing intently all around the room.
McGonagall really regretted that she didn't fell asleep earlier and just leave the memories for tomorrow. "What now?"
A/N: (Eccentric11 writing…) Okay, I did this yesterday but it was really late so I posted it today. This is something to kind of build up to the climax I guess. It might take a big influence on the story, it might not; depends on the rest of the wonderful authors I'm working with. (btw, I'm really glad I'm doing this now, I'm going on a vacation next week and I don't want to delay this work for that ;p)
And now, I'll adda part of E037407's author note, to re-explain the rules-just in case "The story is taking place during theHalf-Blood Prince. It should be written in Third-Person and past tense.While the students that stay at Hogwarts is up to the individual Author, the cannon storyline must not be disrupted. The word limit is 2,000."
I didn't quite hit the limit, but nevertheless, I hope this is enough. I'm very interested in seeing how this story goes. Thank you for reading
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