Three Days: Rings and Things
"Here you go Min, some nice hot tea. It'll be good for your throat."
"Thank you," she reached out her arms, and took the cup. "Albus, the next time you come up with a twisted idea like that, I suggest that you think it through first. I blame you if I'm sick tomorrow."
"My dear Minerva, you're as well as sick now...but I make a point in saying you're the most beautiful sick person I've ever met," he sat down next to her, and smiled. She was in her bed, sick, as if no one could have predicted that. Over the past seven hours she'd slowly fallen with the minor ailment, now her nose was red, her skin as pale as ever, and her cough sporadic.
"Don't try to win me over with sweet talk, you're in deep trouble."
"How so?"
"I'm taking your Christmas present back and bringing you a rock instead."
"That's if you get well quick enough, Frosty."
"Go and get Lynn, I don't want to talk to you anymore," she stuck her nose up haughtily.
"Why not? Did I hurt your feelings that badly Miss Minnie?"
She looked up at him, a smile creeping on her face. "Tell you what, you tell me a story, and let me get some sleep so I can get better, and I won't be mad at you."
"Why don't you just sip your tea, and fall asleep? I'm not all that great at telling stories."
"Please?" she batted her eyes, and smiled sweetly. "I love you."
"You are NOT allowed to use those words like that. It's very unfair. It makes me unable to say no."
"I'm sorry...but that's kind of the point dear."
"Maybe tomorrow. I'm sorry Min," he looked up at the clock, "but it's time for me to head to the Great Hall for dinner. I'll bring you some soup or something."
"Don't go," she said quietly, "I don't want to be alone."
He smiled, and took her hand. "I'll be back, but I don't think it's a good idea for us to be together over night again. And you know Min, you're far more needy than I had thought you were," he smiled, "I think I like it when you stop with the independent concept."
"Stop being all mushy on me, and leave. But, if you want an explanation over me being like this, you can blame it on Greg...I've been obsessed with insomnia these past few evenings. Have you...heard anything about him?"
"Must we start a dreary subject like Greg?"
"Albus, stop. He got to St. Mungo's okay?"
"Yes. They want to have the trial during the summer next year. He's going to be in close watch of the ministry until then. Are we done now?"
"I suppose so. You don't need to come back, I'll see you tomorrow," she turned her body to face the other way. Albus reached out a hand to her left hip, "Are you angry at me now?"
"No."
He stared at her a few seconds. Somehow, even now, Greg ruined their special moments. He stood up from the bed, and headed towards the door. "Min, I'm sorry, you know what I think of him. I was under the impression that you could care less about him...I just don't see what he has to do with what's going on."
He waited a few moments for a response, but none came.
***********************************************************
Minerva didn't see Albus for the rest of the night. She hated herself for saying that. Now he thought she was mad at him, which she wasn't. It's not like she had any anything for Greg, she hated Greg, she didn't think that was a lie. But it still mattered. What if someone let him out of their sight? What if he came back to the school? What if he hurt someone?
She curled up tightly in her bed. A day of being with the only person she'd ever loved, and it already felt as if it were slipping away. 'Yes Minerva, just like a fictional story, one of those muggle novels. Boys fight over girl, girl falls inlove with the boy that wins, and then they split. Lovely. No, stop thinking like that,' she shook her head beneath the pillows, 'First thing you say to him in the morning is that you're sorry. Then, if you're well enough, kiss him.' She smiled, she wouldn't let herself think like that anymore. She finally had the real thing, she wasn't about to let it go.
"A-a-a-CHOOOO!" She quickly opened her drawer in the bureau, and pulled out a pink handkerchief.
She breathed in deeply. She was so stuffed up. 'I take that back, if I'm well enough, I'm going to slap him clear across the face.'
***********************************************************
Albus walked slowly towards the one eyed witch's corridor. Dinner was nothing special, with the exception that Minerva wasn't there. He felt so horrible for getting her sick...even more horrible for acting so childish earlier. What was Greg to him anyway? He had won, what was the big deal? 'Minerva chose me, not him,' he almost smiled at the thought, 'oh did she ever choose,' he chuckled. 'She was so wonderful, so absolutely wonderful. I hate to be like this, maybe it's just because I was actually able to admit the fact that I loved her before it happened that made it so special, I suppose this Christmas, it's my turn to make her feel special.'
Albus came upon the one eyed witch, and checked to makesure no one was around. He half chuckled as he remembered the night he saw James and his lot sneaking away to Hogsmeade. He hadn't said anything at the time, but took a mental note of the passageway. He muttered "Dissendium," and the witch's hump opened. He had already alerted the keeper of Honeydukes that he was coming, they were good enough friends. He just hadn't wanted to worry him about burglars or anything of that nature.
The walk down the passageway took an eternity, but he found his way to the cellar. He made not a sound, he was in town for one reason, and one reason only, to buy a ring. He slipped through the door of the little shop, and found himself on the empty street of Hogsmeade. The thought came to him, as he passed shop after shop, he didn't have a clue what to buy her. A ring yes, but what kind? How large? He rolled his eyes, 'half wit.'
He came to the end of the street, where hardly any of the usual crowd would go. Here, there were some of the more 'antiquish' kind of stores...jewelry, expensive books, some muggle artifacts, and some furniture sales. He walked into "Talarin Jewelry", and immediately a small senior aged witch came up to him. "Can I help you?"
"If you would be so kind. I need to buy an engagement ring."
"About time," the witch smiled, "a great man like you should have a woman beside him."
Albus looked at her for a few seconds, she didn't look familiar, "I beg your pardon, but have we met before?"
"Not directly, no. You've been in the papers for quite a while Mr. Dumbledore. I suppose you've been told many times that you're destined for great things."
"Well at the moment, I'm hoping I'm destined for a wife, if you understand."
The witch looked up at him with a smile. "I'm sure it's none of my business, but may I ask who she is?"
"She's um...actually, she's one of the staff members. Minerva McGonagall is her name."
She stared at him awkwardly. "Minerva McGonagall?"
"Yes, that's her name," Albus shook his head.
"I've heard she's a lovely person," she turned, and headed towards a glass counter where there were many different rings. "My grandson had the priviledge of working with her a while ago. He'd send letters and letters telling me about her, I found it rather odd that they never had dated."
"Oh really? What's your grandson's name?"
"Gregory."
Albus stared...'No, it couldn't be.' "Well, I'm sorry to drop the conversation, truly, but I don't have much time before I need to get back to the school...and I'm planning on giving this to her for Christmas."
"Oh yes," she went behind the counter, and pulled out a jewelry box that contained near thirty rings. "These are among the most expensive, but if you're going for something less weighty on on the account, the ones behind the glass are good choices as well."
Albus stared at the box. 'Wow.' He thought quietly. It all looked very expensive, there had to be at least three different stones on each ring. "Um...I think I need something a bit more simple. She may not want to wear it during teaching time if it's that ostentatious."
"I understand. What about these," he pointed below, and there was a row of neatly cut rings. They all had beautiful diamonds on them, though not nearly as attention grabbing. "Much better. How much, if I were to choose one of these?"
"They price anywhere from sixty galleons, to eighty."
He swallowed. 'Too much? No, not for her,' he nodded his head. "May I see a few of them?"
"Certainly," she pulled up the little line of rings, and he picked them up one at a time. He had never been one for jewelry, or antiques of any kind. He certainly wasn't inclined to perform the choosing of Minerva's ring. He picked up one in particular. There was a circle cut diamond in the middle, and dark green emeralds beside it. 'She likes green,' he thought to himself. "How much is this one?"
"Seventy-two galleons even."
Albus stared from the ring back up towards the witch. "I just don't know. It's very pretty, but...I don't know if she would want something as flashy as this. It's not...out there or anything, but really. What do you think?"
"I think it's a lovely ring. Any person to receive it would be lucky...especially if someone as well known as you were giving it to her."
"Please, I'm not what everyone thinks I am. I'm just a school teacher."
"That may be so, but you're rather known. You've helped the ministry several times with all those horrid cases."
"Yes, but it's all in the job," Albus stared down at the ring, "Yes, I think I'll get it. Um...do you know what size this is?"
"It's an eight."
"Well, good enough I suppose. She doesn't have huge fingers or anything. I suppose an eight would be good...I think. Well, can you ring it up for me?"
"Of course dear." She took the ring, and copied everything down onto a piece of parchment. "Seventy-two galleons please?"
He breathed in, and pulled out his coin bag. He took out the remaining eighteen galleons, and handed the witch the bag. "There are seventy-two of them in there on my word, if there isn't come and get me at the castle. May I have the ring?"
"Of course," she handed him the ring, which was now inside a sparkling glass case. "She'll love it."
"Thank you." And Albus left the store. He made his way down the long road, and into Honeydukes again. The journey back to the castle was a short one, hardly even noticeable. As he made his way up to his rooms, he smiled. They'd make up, and they'd be happy. His eyes began twinkling at this point, "Happy Christmas."
****************************************************************************************
Did any of you catch a hint within this chapter? Hint hint, look back at the name of the jewelry shop. :-) The wheels in my mind are turning, are yours?
Oh people! woa to me...doubtful the update will be tomorrow, I have a softball game for my school team...I'm pitching :-) sorry, I had to share that.
Um...hopefully on the 16th. I'm trying my best to make it 4 updates. Christmas is getting SOOO close!
:-:-:-: happy christmas :-:-:-:
"Here you go Min, some nice hot tea. It'll be good for your throat."
"Thank you," she reached out her arms, and took the cup. "Albus, the next time you come up with a twisted idea like that, I suggest that you think it through first. I blame you if I'm sick tomorrow."
"My dear Minerva, you're as well as sick now...but I make a point in saying you're the most beautiful sick person I've ever met," he sat down next to her, and smiled. She was in her bed, sick, as if no one could have predicted that. Over the past seven hours she'd slowly fallen with the minor ailment, now her nose was red, her skin as pale as ever, and her cough sporadic.
"Don't try to win me over with sweet talk, you're in deep trouble."
"How so?"
"I'm taking your Christmas present back and bringing you a rock instead."
"That's if you get well quick enough, Frosty."
"Go and get Lynn, I don't want to talk to you anymore," she stuck her nose up haughtily.
"Why not? Did I hurt your feelings that badly Miss Minnie?"
She looked up at him, a smile creeping on her face. "Tell you what, you tell me a story, and let me get some sleep so I can get better, and I won't be mad at you."
"Why don't you just sip your tea, and fall asleep? I'm not all that great at telling stories."
"Please?" she batted her eyes, and smiled sweetly. "I love you."
"You are NOT allowed to use those words like that. It's very unfair. It makes me unable to say no."
"I'm sorry...but that's kind of the point dear."
"Maybe tomorrow. I'm sorry Min," he looked up at the clock, "but it's time for me to head to the Great Hall for dinner. I'll bring you some soup or something."
"Don't go," she said quietly, "I don't want to be alone."
He smiled, and took her hand. "I'll be back, but I don't think it's a good idea for us to be together over night again. And you know Min, you're far more needy than I had thought you were," he smiled, "I think I like it when you stop with the independent concept."
"Stop being all mushy on me, and leave. But, if you want an explanation over me being like this, you can blame it on Greg...I've been obsessed with insomnia these past few evenings. Have you...heard anything about him?"
"Must we start a dreary subject like Greg?"
"Albus, stop. He got to St. Mungo's okay?"
"Yes. They want to have the trial during the summer next year. He's going to be in close watch of the ministry until then. Are we done now?"
"I suppose so. You don't need to come back, I'll see you tomorrow," she turned her body to face the other way. Albus reached out a hand to her left hip, "Are you angry at me now?"
"No."
He stared at her a few seconds. Somehow, even now, Greg ruined their special moments. He stood up from the bed, and headed towards the door. "Min, I'm sorry, you know what I think of him. I was under the impression that you could care less about him...I just don't see what he has to do with what's going on."
He waited a few moments for a response, but none came.
***********************************************************
Minerva didn't see Albus for the rest of the night. She hated herself for saying that. Now he thought she was mad at him, which she wasn't. It's not like she had any anything for Greg, she hated Greg, she didn't think that was a lie. But it still mattered. What if someone let him out of their sight? What if he came back to the school? What if he hurt someone?
She curled up tightly in her bed. A day of being with the only person she'd ever loved, and it already felt as if it were slipping away. 'Yes Minerva, just like a fictional story, one of those muggle novels. Boys fight over girl, girl falls inlove with the boy that wins, and then they split. Lovely. No, stop thinking like that,' she shook her head beneath the pillows, 'First thing you say to him in the morning is that you're sorry. Then, if you're well enough, kiss him.' She smiled, she wouldn't let herself think like that anymore. She finally had the real thing, she wasn't about to let it go.
"A-a-a-CHOOOO!" She quickly opened her drawer in the bureau, and pulled out a pink handkerchief.
She breathed in deeply. She was so stuffed up. 'I take that back, if I'm well enough, I'm going to slap him clear across the face.'
***********************************************************
Albus walked slowly towards the one eyed witch's corridor. Dinner was nothing special, with the exception that Minerva wasn't there. He felt so horrible for getting her sick...even more horrible for acting so childish earlier. What was Greg to him anyway? He had won, what was the big deal? 'Minerva chose me, not him,' he almost smiled at the thought, 'oh did she ever choose,' he chuckled. 'She was so wonderful, so absolutely wonderful. I hate to be like this, maybe it's just because I was actually able to admit the fact that I loved her before it happened that made it so special, I suppose this Christmas, it's my turn to make her feel special.'
Albus came upon the one eyed witch, and checked to makesure no one was around. He half chuckled as he remembered the night he saw James and his lot sneaking away to Hogsmeade. He hadn't said anything at the time, but took a mental note of the passageway. He muttered "Dissendium," and the witch's hump opened. He had already alerted the keeper of Honeydukes that he was coming, they were good enough friends. He just hadn't wanted to worry him about burglars or anything of that nature.
The walk down the passageway took an eternity, but he found his way to the cellar. He made not a sound, he was in town for one reason, and one reason only, to buy a ring. He slipped through the door of the little shop, and found himself on the empty street of Hogsmeade. The thought came to him, as he passed shop after shop, he didn't have a clue what to buy her. A ring yes, but what kind? How large? He rolled his eyes, 'half wit.'
He came to the end of the street, where hardly any of the usual crowd would go. Here, there were some of the more 'antiquish' kind of stores...jewelry, expensive books, some muggle artifacts, and some furniture sales. He walked into "Talarin Jewelry", and immediately a small senior aged witch came up to him. "Can I help you?"
"If you would be so kind. I need to buy an engagement ring."
"About time," the witch smiled, "a great man like you should have a woman beside him."
Albus looked at her for a few seconds, she didn't look familiar, "I beg your pardon, but have we met before?"
"Not directly, no. You've been in the papers for quite a while Mr. Dumbledore. I suppose you've been told many times that you're destined for great things."
"Well at the moment, I'm hoping I'm destined for a wife, if you understand."
The witch looked up at him with a smile. "I'm sure it's none of my business, but may I ask who she is?"
"She's um...actually, she's one of the staff members. Minerva McGonagall is her name."
She stared at him awkwardly. "Minerva McGonagall?"
"Yes, that's her name," Albus shook his head.
"I've heard she's a lovely person," she turned, and headed towards a glass counter where there were many different rings. "My grandson had the priviledge of working with her a while ago. He'd send letters and letters telling me about her, I found it rather odd that they never had dated."
"Oh really? What's your grandson's name?"
"Gregory."
Albus stared...'No, it couldn't be.' "Well, I'm sorry to drop the conversation, truly, but I don't have much time before I need to get back to the school...and I'm planning on giving this to her for Christmas."
"Oh yes," she went behind the counter, and pulled out a jewelry box that contained near thirty rings. "These are among the most expensive, but if you're going for something less weighty on on the account, the ones behind the glass are good choices as well."
Albus stared at the box. 'Wow.' He thought quietly. It all looked very expensive, there had to be at least three different stones on each ring. "Um...I think I need something a bit more simple. She may not want to wear it during teaching time if it's that ostentatious."
"I understand. What about these," he pointed below, and there was a row of neatly cut rings. They all had beautiful diamonds on them, though not nearly as attention grabbing. "Much better. How much, if I were to choose one of these?"
"They price anywhere from sixty galleons, to eighty."
He swallowed. 'Too much? No, not for her,' he nodded his head. "May I see a few of them?"
"Certainly," she pulled up the little line of rings, and he picked them up one at a time. He had never been one for jewelry, or antiques of any kind. He certainly wasn't inclined to perform the choosing of Minerva's ring. He picked up one in particular. There was a circle cut diamond in the middle, and dark green emeralds beside it. 'She likes green,' he thought to himself. "How much is this one?"
"Seventy-two galleons even."
Albus stared from the ring back up towards the witch. "I just don't know. It's very pretty, but...I don't know if she would want something as flashy as this. It's not...out there or anything, but really. What do you think?"
"I think it's a lovely ring. Any person to receive it would be lucky...especially if someone as well known as you were giving it to her."
"Please, I'm not what everyone thinks I am. I'm just a school teacher."
"That may be so, but you're rather known. You've helped the ministry several times with all those horrid cases."
"Yes, but it's all in the job," Albus stared down at the ring, "Yes, I think I'll get it. Um...do you know what size this is?"
"It's an eight."
"Well, good enough I suppose. She doesn't have huge fingers or anything. I suppose an eight would be good...I think. Well, can you ring it up for me?"
"Of course dear." She took the ring, and copied everything down onto a piece of parchment. "Seventy-two galleons please?"
He breathed in, and pulled out his coin bag. He took out the remaining eighteen galleons, and handed the witch the bag. "There are seventy-two of them in there on my word, if there isn't come and get me at the castle. May I have the ring?"
"Of course," she handed him the ring, which was now inside a sparkling glass case. "She'll love it."
"Thank you." And Albus left the store. He made his way down the long road, and into Honeydukes again. The journey back to the castle was a short one, hardly even noticeable. As he made his way up to his rooms, he smiled. They'd make up, and they'd be happy. His eyes began twinkling at this point, "Happy Christmas."
****************************************************************************************
Did any of you catch a hint within this chapter? Hint hint, look back at the name of the jewelry shop. :-) The wheels in my mind are turning, are yours?
Oh people! woa to me...doubtful the update will be tomorrow, I have a softball game for my school team...I'm pitching :-) sorry, I had to share that.
Um...hopefully on the 16th. I'm trying my best to make it 4 updates. Christmas is getting SOOO close!
:-:-:-: happy christmas :-:-:-: