An Unexpected Marriage
A/N – Another thing my cousin and I wrote over the Easter holidays – but this one's better. It was meant to be a bit silly, too, but it ended up being more serious. Oh, and I don't own any of the characters. Well, I own Ruby and Hagrid's unnamed wife, and Donebus Walvin.
"I'm glad Hagrid finally found a woman as large as he is," said Minerva McGonagall, hefting his one-hundred pound infant. She grimaced and handed the child to Dumbledore, who was standing next to her.
"Yes," said Dumbledore distractedly. "Hello, Ruby."
"Uncle Alby," said Ruby. He grimaced and put her down. She toddled over to Minerva, holding out her arms.
"Aunt Nervy."
Minerva knelt down to the child's level. She met Dumbledore's eyes over Ruby's head. He looked amused.
"Does that make us a couple?" he asked, raising one silver eyebrow. Minerva blushed and hugged Ruby to hide it.
"Perhaps," she said a moment later, getting up. She felt herself go pinker as she did something she'd always wanted to do. She flung out a hand toward Dumbledore's face and said dramatically,
"Kiss my hand."
"Gladly," he murmured, and did so. Just then, someone behind them whistled. They whirled around to see Hagrid, striding toward them. He bent down and easily lifted Ruby.
"Daddy," she squealed. He cradled her in his massive arms and said, "How's daddy's baby?" He noticed Minerva and Dumbledore standing in an embarrassed silence. "Say," he said, "Why don't you two go out to dinner?" I think you's need a break from Ruby and the school."
"An excellent idea, Hagrid," Dumbledore said. He tucked Minerva's right arm through his left one, and led her from the room.
"Where are we going exactly?" Minerva inquired. Dumbledore noticed that she was not protesting the idea of going out to dinner with him.
"The Pegasus Inn," he replied, releasing her. "It's dressy, by the way. " He strode off, calling over his shoulder, "I'll meet you in the entrance hall in half an hour."
Forty minutes later, Minerva hurried down to the entrance hall, where Dumbledore stood, tapping one foot on the stone floor impatiently.
"Sorry I'm late, Albus," she said breathlessly. "But really, half an hour, for a woman . . . "
"Quite all right," said Dumbledore distractedly, eyeing her. She was wearing a green, sparkly dress. It was long and fitted. Her hair was done up in French twist, with tiny braids on each side which came up to meet the twist. Tiny emerald earrings flashed in the low light as she turned her head, and she had exchanged her glasses for contacts. Dumbledore was wearing a snappy black tux with a crisp purple shirt and gold cuff links. He took Minerva's arm, and, as they made to leave, said, "Have you ever noticed how beautiful the Forbidden Forest is, with its deep green foliage and mystery?" He dropped a cloak over her shoulders. "You are that beautiful tonight, Minerva." He held open the door for her.
"Er, th-thank you," she stammered, picking her way down the stone steps.
Dumbledore retrieved his Nimbus from the broom shed, and a moment later it was hovering obediently in front of Minerva.
"Ladies first," said Dumbledore with a smile, helping Minerva onto the broom. She slid back, and he hopped on agilely in front of her. She very tentatively put her arms around his waist. She had never liked flying much; it made her dizzy.
The Nimbus lifted off the ground and shot upward. Minerva's grip tightened instinctively around Albus' ribcage. They leveled out, flying just below the lowest clouds, but Minerva didn't loosen her grip. She didn't get the impression that Dumbledore really wanted her to.
It was a short flight (Thank God, thought Minerva). They touched down in front of a magnificent old Manor on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. A young witch took their cloaks, and they joined the small crowd of people in the dining and ballrooms.
"Dinner first, or dancing?" asked Dumbledore.
"Dancing," said Minerva impulsively, and they wove their way out to the middle of the dance floor.
They were both excellent dancers, much to their mutual surprise, and the first few dances past quickly. After that they took a break and had a few glasses of champagne, then went back to dancing. Three dances later, the broke again, and, to her great surprise, Minerva was asked to dance by a handsome young man who introduced himself as Donebus Walvin. She glanced at Dumbledore, who waved a hand debonairly, and accepted.
Dumbledore watched the two of them dance, standing alone by the drinks table, sipping champagne. Minerva's dress sparkled in the light, and he realized for the first time just how pretty Minerva was. For she was very pretty. She just hid it normally, under her square spectacles and billowing robes, her tight bun and stern expression.
Here, the stern expression was replaced by one of delight, and the green dress accentuated the fine figure he had never known she had. Her hairstyle, the long dress swirling about her ankles, the emerald earrings, the satiny green pumps, it all added to her elegance.
Just then the dance came to an end. Donebus Walvin bowed to Minerva and kissed her hand; she thanked him and made her way back across the floor to Dumbledore. Her face was flushed with happiness, and her eyes sparkled like Dumbledore had never seen them do before. He smiled at her and held out his hand as the music started up again. She smiled back and took it.
There was something there when Dumbledore had his arms around her that hadn't been there when she was dancing with Donebus Walvin. It was like magic. Minerva giggled to herself softly.
"Of course it is, silly," she thought. Dumbledore smiled and pulled her closer.
Minerva felt she could dance forever. Just looking at Dumbledore right now made her smile softly and something stirred inside her. The song ended and they decided to get something to eat. Minerva had lamb with curry sauce, a small salad, and water to drink. Dumbledore had steak (medium-rare) a potato, and brandy to drink.
They talked about the coming school year and the students. The conversation soon turned toward their personal lives.
"No, I've never been married," Minerva told Dumbledore.
"I can't understand why," he said.
"Oh, thank you for the compliment, but I guess I just never met anyone I wanted to marry."
They both leaned across the table to reach the salt. They soon forgot all about the salt, and thought only about only each other. They moved closer, closer, until –
"Would you like anything else?" the waiter asked.
They jerked away from each other, badly startled.
"No, we're fine," Minerva said shortly. The waiter nodded and faded away.
They went back to their dinner, but the moment had been broken, and throughout the rest of the meal, it was not regained.
They left without having dessert, and flew back to Hogwarts in silence. Minerva sat very close to Albus, and wondered where the magic had gone.
It was a smooth landing, much to Minerva's relief, and they stood outside for a moment after Dumbledore's broom was put away.
"The stars are certainly beautiful tonight," commented Minerva. (Yes, the magic was back!)
"Not half as beautiful as you, m'dear." He put his arms around her, thinking she might be chilly. Minerva gave Dumbledore a soft smile, and he smiled back at her. She shivered, and he held her closer. He looked down at her, about to say something, but before either of them could say a word, they moved closer and lips met. They lingered for a moment, then released. Minerva looked down at the ground, embarrassed, but Dumbledore turned her face back up toward him and said, "You need not be so modest, milady."
As they turned to go inside, Minerva said, "Thank you for a wonderful evening, Albus. Perhaps we shall do this again."
"I do hope so," said Dumbledore softly, and they went their separate ways.
The weeks passed by, and Minerva thought about Dumbledore often. She wondered when they would be able to go out again. Then one day, Dumbledore asked her is she would like to take a walk with him that night. She accepted gladly.
They met in the entrance hall a half past eight. Minerva was wearing her customary robes, but she had left her hair down. It shone softly in the moonlight. She had left her glasses off, and hadn't bothered to put contacts in, so everything was a bit blurred.
They walked down to the lake. The reflection of the stars sparkled on the water's still surface. They sat down in the soft grass by the bank, and Minerva lay back, looking up at the stars.
"This was very nice of you, Albus. I do enjoy this sort of thing. And of course, I do enjoy talking with you."
"Well, to tell the truth, Minerva," said Dumbledore nervously. "There was a reason I asked you to come."
"Oh?"
"Well, yes, you see, there was something I wanted to ask you. Um, well –"
"Yes, go ahead. I'm listening."
"Actually," he went on. "I was wondering if, um – here goes – if . . . you'dmarryme." He held on to the 'if' and rushed through the rest. "I know it's rather sudden and everything, but I just can't stop thinking about you. I haven't been able to sleep properly for weeks, and every time I see you in school, I have to consciously stop myself from staring."
"Why Albus," she said. "I feel exactly the same way! It thought you'd never ask. Yes, I believe it is a bit soon, but for heaven's sake, I don't think I can wait any longer to say this: Yes, Albus. I love you, I will gladly be your wife."
They smiled at each other, and spent the rest of the night lying in each other's arms by the lake, staring up at the sky and planning their future together.