Authors Note: Well, here it is, the next chapter! holds up hand to rapturous applause I decided to do a sort of Christmas/Holidays theme, so this is a sort of late Christmas-in-July type, more of a Christmas in August I suppose… yes. Anyways, I KNOW there are people who read this, I can see the page views! So if you're going to bother reading it, you may as well just review, any type of compliment helps, as does constructive criticism. So puh-LEASE, just review! It would mean oh so very very much to me if you did. Thanks, you. MWAH! And now for the story. Here's to

Socks and Sweethearts

Oh, Happy Holidays for Lumpy indeed! Lumpy is without work today, and Lumpy has time to settle down for a nice cold pumpkin juice. But everywhere Lumpy goes, there is students celebrating the Yule! Snowball messes, icy slush all over the corridors, loud wizard crackies going BANG BANG! Lumpy's life is simply all that and a bowl of chips thanks to wheezy twins giving out obnoxious snacks to all the baby first years for Christmas. So Lumpy decided to grab a swig of something a bit stronger than pumpkin juice, and now Lumpy is hiding out in the Laundry room once more. Lumpy should probably move in, she is here so much.

Oh, pants. Someone has entered AGAIN. Lumpy simply cannot get any privacy around this darned school. Who is it now… ah, someone who knows the password. Then again, it is not the most difficult room to enter in Hogwarts. Lumpy should really ask the headmaster to

change the password from "Tide" to something different, perhaps "Clorox." yes, that may do the trick… But look who it is, none other than Master Lumble-pore! Accompanied by Mistress Minerva, no wonder the very long and tall shadows on the floor. Lumpy needs to scurry off and hide, here behind this cauldron, She doesn't want them seeing Lumpy and

putting her to work. It appears as though Headmaster and Mistress have gotten holiday gifties for each other. If only someone would get a present for Lumpy… Ah well. Lumpy will just watch from here with her butterbeer. Headmaster is giving Miss Minerva his gift now. Lumpy wonders what he has buyed for the Transfiguration professor…

"Oh, Albus! You shouldn't have. You really shouldn't."

"Oh, no, Minerva, I insist. Though if you really don't want--"

"--Well, if you insist, then I guess…" [McGonagall hands Dumbledore her gift, then proceeds to tear off the wrapping of his.

"Well! This is… nice! I.. I like the colors. Oh, will you look at that, there's two of them!"

"Yes, they do tend to be sold in pairs. [Dumbledore's face wrinkles with a smile. "These were knitted by the house elf Dobby, at my request. He has quite the knack, don't you agree?"

"Er-- of course. The transforming towels are… charming, to say the least. Especially when they turn into puppies. Quite amusing, really. Its just that, when you see what I got you--" [Dumbledore is already tearing apart the quidditch patterned wrapping paper

"Oh, Minerva! You shouldn't have. They're beautiful! I think I'll put them on right now."

"I knitted them myself, actually, it took quite a while, I joined a muggle society over the summer called the Crimson Chapeau ladies or something of that sort. But all we really do is sit around reading muggle books and knitting, so I had a bit of spare time, and well… there they are!" [Mcgonagall finishes her babble, looking rather nervous as she awaits Dumbledore's reaction.

"All by yourself, Minerva? How talented you are! Don't be modest, you're really quite good at that. I wonder if there is a red suspender society for us elderly men or some other type… but I do love your gift, Minerva! The animated color change is marvelous, really. Oh, I've wanted some of these for such a very long time, you know." [McGonagall flushes with happiness, though is careful not to let her face give her away.

"Yes, well, you did tell me you'd wanted some Albus. I wanted something special for you, and I thought, well, this would be perfect. This year has been truly lovely, Albus."

"I agree, Minerva dear. The year would have been rather daft without you. You do, as one muggle singer might say, "light up my life."

"Oh, Albus…"[McGonagall scoots toward Dumbledore. Dumbledore responds by kissing her promptly on the lips.

"Come, Minerva. Let us not dilly dally. There are celebrations to take part in. Though this was, indeed, a rather nice getaway. Now if you'll excuse me a brief moment, I must give another gift to someone…"

Rumplestiltskin! Lumble-pore is coming right over to Lumpy! He is leaning this way, he must see poor Lumpy where she is hiding…

But whats this? Headmaster is pulling something out of his robes… ooh! A present for Lumpy! No one has given Lumpy a present in a long time, not since Lumpy's very first master… The Lumble-pore is walking away back to his Minnie…

So lets see what the headmaster has gotten Lumpy… hooray! A new bottle of butterbeer, good thinking, Lumpy's bottle is almost empty… along with a nice cozy dressing towel for Lumpy's wardrobe! How thoughtful, Lumpy really ought to thank him…

Bt the master is leaving now, with Miss Minerva on his arm, her head on his shoulder. How sweet, they are quite the couple. But very strange behavior, they had. They so immensely enjoyed their gifts to one another, Lumpy can't understand why! Lumpy has never seen anyone so emotional over a couple of pairs of wooly socks.

A/N: And there 'twas! I've been dying to see some McGonagall/Dumbledore stuff, and so I decided to take a whack at it myself. I thought it was quite cute, and a bit longer than normal. I hope you enjoyed! REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!!