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Minerva sat with Xiomara inside the room of requirement. They were watching Poppy and Alastor have a mock duel, Minerva reading her latest assigned text on animagi. Xiomara was polishing her broomstick, her posture indicating tension. Poppy poked Alastor squarely in the side, causing him to double over. Not many people knew about his ticklish spot. She raised her wand and wrapped her arm around his neck.
"What can you tell me about where my wand is pointing?"
"That it hurts."
"Oh, diddums." She prodded harder. "It's directly aimed at your jugular. Honestly, if you're serious about auror training then you need to learn what to target." Suddenly she pushed him, aiming her wand lower. "And if I cursed you now you'd never process another thought again."
"Poppy Pomfrey! Are you insinuating that I think with my penis?"
"No, Alastor. You think with your balls." They dissolved into childish laughter. Xiomara dropped her broom with a clatter and ran from the room. Minerva slammed her book closed, this time choosing to follow. She almost didn't see where Xiomara had run to, but being with the Flamels had made Minerva conscious of her peripheral vision. She followed her friend down the stairway, through corridor after corridor eventually losing sight of Xiomara as she almost ran full tilt into Albus himself, just emerging from the staff room. She paused just long enough to exhale a quick apology and tell him that she'd be late. Minerva continued her quest. She may have lost the trail but it was obvious where her friend was going, even without the broomstick.
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Several minutes and a stitch later, Minerva arrived at the quidditch pitch. A few groups of students milled about, but she couldn't see Xiomara anywhere. Fabian Gilchrist saw Minerva and left the group of giggling girls to speak to her. If looks could kill, Minerva would be dead. Several times over.
"Minerva! I need to speak to you about the preparations for the ball." He grabbed her arm and practically sprinted towards the lake. He then ducked on the other side of the crest of a small hill. "I've recruited Molly, Jessica, Hannah, Rebecca and Susan from the year below. But... they won't leave me alone. They sneak love potions into my food and stalk me everywhere. I-I can't cope." Minerva clutched her sides laughing. "Shhhh! They might hear you." Unless the gang had developed supersonic hearing, Minerva doubted it. "And, could you do me a favour? See, the thing is... I need a date. Will you go with me?" Her laughter ceased.
"I'm sorry, I can't risk being assassinated by the giggle sisters. Why don't you ask Poppy though?" He looked as though he'd been awarded an Order of Merlin.
"You're a genius, Minerva. And a lifesaver." He dashed towards the castle after disillusioning himself. Poor Fabian. It had been nice knowing him. Just as she was about to give up the search for Xiomara, she caught sight of her friend skipping stones on the lake. She jogged over.
"What's up?" Minerva tried to keep her tone light.
"What do you care? If you actually spent time with me, your un-famous and perfectly mortal friend, you would know." Ouch. Minerva hadn't thought that Xiomara would mind her being gone with Poppy and Alastor around. Evidently she was wrong.
"I'm here now." Xiomara didn't even bother skipping the stone- she hurled it into the lake's choppy surface. "You're my best friend, Xiomara. Now tell me."
"It's Alastor."
"Yes?"
"That's it. I like him. But Poppy keeps flaunting her perfect brown hair and hour glass figure and he'd never give me a second glance." So that was it.
"I don't know if he fancies you or not, but I'll watch. No way does Poppy like him back, even if he did. She's mooning over our popular Head Boy. A Head Boy who may well be on his way to ask her to the ball." Xiomara squealed, back to her usual self.
"Wait until she tells us before we say anything. Who are you going with, Min?"
"Myself." They started retracing their steps back towards the castle, arms linked.
"I'm ashamed to say that I'm jealous."
"Why?"
"You'll see." She wouldn't say any more on the matter. "I'm sorry I was a prat, Min. I really am happy for you-" They climbed the steps to the entrance hall.
"I promise we'll spend more time together. We- shit! I'm late. We'll catch up later, okay?" Minerva made a mad dash for the sixth floor.
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Albus wondered where it was Minerva was heading. She had been so busy recently, preparing for animagus training, running a study group, patrolling the corridors, doing schoolwork... but she still made time for him. Minerva had taken to doing her homework in his quarters. They had fallen into an easy routine with one another, spending almost every evening together. Albus knew that he couldn't function without his able minded apprentice. She had inspired his network of trusted people in the fight against Grindelwald, and the effect had been immediate. There were fewer deaths and several more foiled attacks by the followers of the dark wizard. How Gellert had changed...
Still, Minerva would be here soon. She had the last two periods on Fridays free, so they had spent the time working on her animagus training. That meant this evening she could relax with him, helping with marking or playing chess. He wondered who she was going to the ball with. He knew that Minerva enjoyed the time they spent together, but surely a girl as attractive as she had a boyfriend. He wondered how she would fit a boy into her schedule. Was Minerva seeing anyone? He couldn't bring himself to question the uncomfortable feeling this caused in the pit of his stomach. Surely it was the natural response of a caring friend- he recalled how concerned Nicholas and Pernelle had been over his emotional welfare during a series of ill fated relationships. He was fifty four to her seventeen, too old for it to be anything more. The click of the door announced the arrival of Minerva herself, completely unaware of the turmoil she was causing him. That was exactly how it should be, he told himself.
"Are you looking forward to the ball?"
"Mmm, since Fabian used his charms to convince half of the Ravenclaw girls in the year below to help us decorate the hall." She walked into his kitchen and helped herself to a piece of shortbread.
"What happened to the social committee? Are they ill?" She nibbled her shortbread thoughtfully.
"'Well, like, Kate sooooooo had a bad hair day, so she totally can't make it after lunch tomorrow. Amy is just, like, devastated because the number four on her crush list asked Serena to the dance. And Serena is waaaaay upset about what a bitch Amy is being. Michelle and Anne bought the same dress, a total like, crime against feminism, and they're too traumatized to see each other like ever again. And I, like, need to check up on them.' That is what happened to the social committee."
Albus stared open mouthed. She shrugged and kept on eating. "They have a sickness that can only be cured by the demise of American culture, if I may be so liberal in my use of the word."
"Gosh."
"Indeed."
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The next chapter will be the long awaited Halloween ball. Will the social committee survive? Will Albus open his eyes? Review if you wish to be sent a link depicting the outfit Minerva will wear.