8.
Warning: this chapter contains partial nudity and sexual themes.
I guess it's rated R. I do not own "Bonny Barbara Allen" or any of
the characters.
"Jus' sit down," Hagrid said. He swung the enormous chair towards
Professor McGonagall and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Thank you,Hagrid," she said,and Dumbledore steadied her as she sat.
"A cloth soaked with cold water,please,Hagrid."
Hagrid handed one over. Dumbledore immediately began cleaning
the wound in her hand. "Don't worry,Minerva. I'm fully certified
in First Aid."
Someone knocked on the door.
Harry opened it. Professor Snape entered,walking right past him.
"I think I can be useful," Snape said. He held the dagger,which
was stained with Professor McGonagall's blood. "I want to be sure
she didn't poison the blade."
"Severus,I doubt she'd have the imagination," McGonagall said,
cradling her hand. She looked back at Hagrid and Sprout.
Her mouth fell open. Hagrid had taken his shirt off. She could
not help but gasp at the sight of his bare back and massive shoulders; she almost shuddered thinking of the power they held,
considering how gentle he could be.
"Hagrid,what-"
He turned around; the thick hair on his enormous chest was as dark as his beard. It continued down towards his stomach,and then disappeared, as he still had his pants on. To use a muggle term,Hagrid was ripped. He was muscular without being musclebound,and the amazing thing was he didn't seem to be aware of his own beauty.
But the most amazing thing was Adrianna Sprout,torn between
getting Hagrid another shirt and further undressing him.
Hagrid looked down at Professor McGonagall. Hagrid's eyes were so expressive. She saw concern,but also calm. "Yeh bled on me,Professor,
ma'am."
"Hagrid,give me your shirt," Snape said.
Hagrid handed over his shirt to Snape.
"I'm going to make some tea," Snape said.
"Go right ahead," Hagrid said.
"This looks wonderful on you," Sprout told Hagrid,handing him a
different shirt-a massive brown one he'd knitted himself.
Sprout beckoned to Dumbledore. He did not leave Professor McGonagall.
He stood by her,rock-solid.
"We need a minute,Albus. Just make Minerva comfortable."
"Of course," he said.
He knelt down in front of Minerva.
"Sibyl was right," she said.
"She was not," Dumbledore said.
"Yes,she was,I'm dried up. My students hate me-"
"That's not true," Harry said.
"Harry,it's pointless trying to console me."
"I'm not trying to console you," Harry said."I'm just saying,none
of us hate you. It's the truth."
"What Sibyl said was uncalled for," Dumbledore said.
"But true."
"No," he said. "Particularly what she said about no one wanting you."
Their eyes locked.
"I think I'll go help Professor Snape," Harry said.
"Thank you,Harry."
Harry beat a hasty retreat.
"Minerva," Dumbledore said,"You know how I feel. You always have."
"I know," she whispered,remembering. "Albus,I-"
"Shhhh..." he said. "You don't have to say a word."
He took her wounded hand in his. He kissed her fingertips.
She managed a smile. "Is that part of First Aid training?"
"No," he said. "But it is sincere."
She pulled him closer.
"I can't stand to see you in pain," he whispered. "When she stabbed
you,I swear I felt it."
She pulled his hand to her cheek,closing her eyes at its warmth.
Actually,the heat surrounded them. She knew it well; its
familiarity was welcome. She had the terrifying,wonderful urge
to kiss him, wanted their bodies writhing together again, and wondered if he felt the same. She-
"Here we are," Sprout said.
Minerva nearly jumped.
Hagrid placed a bowl before her. A clear, gummy substance filled the bowl to the brim.
"What is it?"
"It's like gauze," Sprout said. "Only more organic. It's almost like skin. Hagrid and I created it. We're thinking of taking out a patent.
I'll administer it,if you don't mind,Albus."
Reluctantly,Dumbledore and McGonagall separated.
"Now-"
Behind them,Harry began choking.
"All right,there,Harry?" Hagrid asked.
Snape whacked Harry on the back.
Harry coughed a bit more. "Professor Snape," he gasped,"This tea is
awful."
"As it should be," Snape said. "Give it to me."
Harry handed him the teacup; Snape took the knife and dipped part
of the blade in the liquid. Fortunately,there was no blood on that
part of the blade. He left it there for a moment. Then he took a
sip and grimaced.
"She didn't poison the blade," he sputtered.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Dumbledore led them outside,leaving McGonagall and Sprout in the hut.
"This will feel rather cold," Sprout said.
She took Minerva's hand and spread some of the gluey paste over the wound. Minerva noted that she had washed her hands; Adrianna Sprout was a woman with grit,she thought. She wondered how it felt to be as in touch with nature as Sprout.
As she worked,Minerva said "Addie?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want to pry into your personal life," she said,"But...are
you and Hagrid-"
Adrianna smiled. "We certainly are."
She tried to find the right words.
All she could muster was "How?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well,he's...Addie,isn't his..."
Sprout raised her eyebrows and laughed. Addie had a wonderful laugh
that rang with dry sarcasm.
"Hagrid is quite well-endowed," she said.
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"You know how gentle Hagrid is," Sprout said. "Besides,it's not as
if he's sporting a yard-long erection,Minerva. There wouldn't be
enough blood in both our bodies combined to support that. Hagrid
is the kindest man I've ever known. He's good company." Her
grin turned devilish. "And I'm sure you noticed his muscles."
Minerva covered her mouth.
"Even with all that muscle,he's so gentle. He's a great kisser."
"What about Olympe Maxime?"
"Madame Maxime...well,she prefers women."
"...Oh."
"Yes. It took him awhile to find out."
"What about children? You might have-"
"I can't have children,Minerva. You didn't know that?"
"I'm sorry,I didn't know."
"That's all right," she sighed. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course you can."
"What did it feel like?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Breaking Sibyl Trelawney's face. We've all wanted to do it. How did it feel?"
Her lips twitched. In a moment,she was laughing. She hugged
Sprout; Sprout hugged her back,laughing equally as hard.
A moment of silence: then Sprout said "You know,it should be done
by now."
Minerva pulled away from her and examined her hand. It was absolutely
smooth,as if she had not been stabbed at all. "Addie...what-"
"It healed the wound quite well. Your skin absorbed it."
"Thank you," she said.
"You're quite welcome," Sprout said. "Now let's go sit outside,
shall we?"
"Let's go," Minerva said.
They emerged from the hut to a standing ovation.
Sprout sat down beside Hagrid. Minerva took her place beside Albus.
He leaned into her ear."Nothing's going to ruin our Halloween," he told her. "What else could possibly happen?"
He put an arm around her shoulders; she relaxed.
The fire sent glowing blue cinders into the sky.
Moody,watching them,began singing a melancholy ballad; his singing voice wasn't bad.
"It was in and about...the Martinmas time...when the green leaves were a-fallin'..."
Albus joined in. "...That Sir John Graeme...in the West country...
fell in love with Barbara Allen..."
Hagrid started the next verse. He was a bass,of course.
He sent his men down through the town
To the place where she was dwelling:
'O haste and come to my master dear,
Gin ye be Barbara Allen...'
Now Madame Hooch took it.
"O hooly, hooly rase she up...to the place where he was lying,
And when she drew the curtain by...'Young man, I think you're dying.'
She began singing the next verse-"Oh,ah'm sick,and very very-"
Then she stopped abruptly.
She stood up,and moved past the fire.
"Something's coming out of the forest," she said.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
Madame Hooch said nothing for a moment. Then she scowled.
She turned back to the group.
"It's the Quidditch dad from Hell," Madame Hooch said. "Looks
like he had quite a time in there,too."
Suddenly everyone was looking at Severus.
"Don't look at me like that," Snape said. "I don't know what he's doing here."
"I'll handle this," Dumbledore said.
He stood up and headed towards Lucius Malfoy. Lucius was covered in
mud and blood-ha ha,who's the mudblood now,Lucius?-and,strangely
enough-some sort of custard.
Dumbledore put on his best smile. "Lucius. This is certainly a surprise."
"Dumbledore," he said, "Now is not the time."
"Lucius-"
"SHUT UP,YOU SENILE OLD NITWIT-"
"Did you know nitwit is one of my favorite words?"
"YOU ARE THE WORST HEADMASTER THIS SCHOOL HAS EVER HAD-" he took
a breath-"YOU'RE DRIVING HOGWARTS DOWN THE TOILET-" he had to take
another breath,the poor man-"WHY DON'T YOU HURRY UP AND DIE SO WE CAN
SALVAGE WHAT'S LEFT OF OUR DIGNITY?"
"Really,Lucius,I had no idea you felt that way."
There was just enough sarcasm in his voice.
Lucius screamed like a berzerking barbarian and charged Dumbledore.
Dumbledore held his ground.
Lucius ran one more step and then ran into an invisible wall that
had suddenly sprung into existence between them.
"Take this away," Lucius snarled. "I want a piece of you."
"No,you don't."
Then he turned from Lucius and walked back to the fire.
Warning: this chapter contains partial nudity and sexual themes.
I guess it's rated R. I do not own "Bonny Barbara Allen" or any of
the characters.
"Jus' sit down," Hagrid said. He swung the enormous chair towards
Professor McGonagall and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Thank you,Hagrid," she said,and Dumbledore steadied her as she sat.
"A cloth soaked with cold water,please,Hagrid."
Hagrid handed one over. Dumbledore immediately began cleaning
the wound in her hand. "Don't worry,Minerva. I'm fully certified
in First Aid."
Someone knocked on the door.
Harry opened it. Professor Snape entered,walking right past him.
"I think I can be useful," Snape said. He held the dagger,which
was stained with Professor McGonagall's blood. "I want to be sure
she didn't poison the blade."
"Severus,I doubt she'd have the imagination," McGonagall said,
cradling her hand. She looked back at Hagrid and Sprout.
Her mouth fell open. Hagrid had taken his shirt off. She could
not help but gasp at the sight of his bare back and massive shoulders; she almost shuddered thinking of the power they held,
considering how gentle he could be.
"Hagrid,what-"
He turned around; the thick hair on his enormous chest was as dark as his beard. It continued down towards his stomach,and then disappeared, as he still had his pants on. To use a muggle term,Hagrid was ripped. He was muscular without being musclebound,and the amazing thing was he didn't seem to be aware of his own beauty.
But the most amazing thing was Adrianna Sprout,torn between
getting Hagrid another shirt and further undressing him.
Hagrid looked down at Professor McGonagall. Hagrid's eyes were so expressive. She saw concern,but also calm. "Yeh bled on me,Professor,
ma'am."
"Hagrid,give me your shirt," Snape said.
Hagrid handed over his shirt to Snape.
"I'm going to make some tea," Snape said.
"Go right ahead," Hagrid said.
"This looks wonderful on you," Sprout told Hagrid,handing him a
different shirt-a massive brown one he'd knitted himself.
Sprout beckoned to Dumbledore. He did not leave Professor McGonagall.
He stood by her,rock-solid.
"We need a minute,Albus. Just make Minerva comfortable."
"Of course," he said.
He knelt down in front of Minerva.
"Sibyl was right," she said.
"She was not," Dumbledore said.
"Yes,she was,I'm dried up. My students hate me-"
"That's not true," Harry said.
"Harry,it's pointless trying to console me."
"I'm not trying to console you," Harry said."I'm just saying,none
of us hate you. It's the truth."
"What Sibyl said was uncalled for," Dumbledore said.
"But true."
"No," he said. "Particularly what she said about no one wanting you."
Their eyes locked.
"I think I'll go help Professor Snape," Harry said.
"Thank you,Harry."
Harry beat a hasty retreat.
"Minerva," Dumbledore said,"You know how I feel. You always have."
"I know," she whispered,remembering. "Albus,I-"
"Shhhh..." he said. "You don't have to say a word."
He took her wounded hand in his. He kissed her fingertips.
She managed a smile. "Is that part of First Aid training?"
"No," he said. "But it is sincere."
She pulled him closer.
"I can't stand to see you in pain," he whispered. "When she stabbed
you,I swear I felt it."
She pulled his hand to her cheek,closing her eyes at its warmth.
Actually,the heat surrounded them. She knew it well; its
familiarity was welcome. She had the terrifying,wonderful urge
to kiss him, wanted their bodies writhing together again, and wondered if he felt the same. She-
"Here we are," Sprout said.
Minerva nearly jumped.
Hagrid placed a bowl before her. A clear, gummy substance filled the bowl to the brim.
"What is it?"
"It's like gauze," Sprout said. "Only more organic. It's almost like skin. Hagrid and I created it. We're thinking of taking out a patent.
I'll administer it,if you don't mind,Albus."
Reluctantly,Dumbledore and McGonagall separated.
"Now-"
Behind them,Harry began choking.
"All right,there,Harry?" Hagrid asked.
Snape whacked Harry on the back.
Harry coughed a bit more. "Professor Snape," he gasped,"This tea is
awful."
"As it should be," Snape said. "Give it to me."
Harry handed him the teacup; Snape took the knife and dipped part
of the blade in the liquid. Fortunately,there was no blood on that
part of the blade. He left it there for a moment. Then he took a
sip and grimaced.
"She didn't poison the blade," he sputtered.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Dumbledore led them outside,leaving McGonagall and Sprout in the hut.
"This will feel rather cold," Sprout said.
She took Minerva's hand and spread some of the gluey paste over the wound. Minerva noted that she had washed her hands; Adrianna Sprout was a woman with grit,she thought. She wondered how it felt to be as in touch with nature as Sprout.
As she worked,Minerva said "Addie?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want to pry into your personal life," she said,"But...are
you and Hagrid-"
Adrianna smiled. "We certainly are."
She tried to find the right words.
All she could muster was "How?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well,he's...Addie,isn't his..."
Sprout raised her eyebrows and laughed. Addie had a wonderful laugh
that rang with dry sarcasm.
"Hagrid is quite well-endowed," she said.
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"You know how gentle Hagrid is," Sprout said. "Besides,it's not as
if he's sporting a yard-long erection,Minerva. There wouldn't be
enough blood in both our bodies combined to support that. Hagrid
is the kindest man I've ever known. He's good company." Her
grin turned devilish. "And I'm sure you noticed his muscles."
Minerva covered her mouth.
"Even with all that muscle,he's so gentle. He's a great kisser."
"What about Olympe Maxime?"
"Madame Maxime...well,she prefers women."
"...Oh."
"Yes. It took him awhile to find out."
"What about children? You might have-"
"I can't have children,Minerva. You didn't know that?"
"I'm sorry,I didn't know."
"That's all right," she sighed. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course you can."
"What did it feel like?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Breaking Sibyl Trelawney's face. We've all wanted to do it. How did it feel?"
Her lips twitched. In a moment,she was laughing. She hugged
Sprout; Sprout hugged her back,laughing equally as hard.
A moment of silence: then Sprout said "You know,it should be done
by now."
Minerva pulled away from her and examined her hand. It was absolutely
smooth,as if she had not been stabbed at all. "Addie...what-"
"It healed the wound quite well. Your skin absorbed it."
"Thank you," she said.
"You're quite welcome," Sprout said. "Now let's go sit outside,
shall we?"
"Let's go," Minerva said.
They emerged from the hut to a standing ovation.
Sprout sat down beside Hagrid. Minerva took her place beside Albus.
He leaned into her ear."Nothing's going to ruin our Halloween," he told her. "What else could possibly happen?"
He put an arm around her shoulders; she relaxed.
The fire sent glowing blue cinders into the sky.
Moody,watching them,began singing a melancholy ballad; his singing voice wasn't bad.
"It was in and about...the Martinmas time...when the green leaves were a-fallin'..."
Albus joined in. "...That Sir John Graeme...in the West country...
fell in love with Barbara Allen..."
Hagrid started the next verse. He was a bass,of course.
He sent his men down through the town
To the place where she was dwelling:
'O haste and come to my master dear,
Gin ye be Barbara Allen...'
Now Madame Hooch took it.
"O hooly, hooly rase she up...to the place where he was lying,
And when she drew the curtain by...'Young man, I think you're dying.'
She began singing the next verse-"Oh,ah'm sick,and very very-"
Then she stopped abruptly.
She stood up,and moved past the fire.
"Something's coming out of the forest," she said.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
Madame Hooch said nothing for a moment. Then she scowled.
She turned back to the group.
"It's the Quidditch dad from Hell," Madame Hooch said. "Looks
like he had quite a time in there,too."
Suddenly everyone was looking at Severus.
"Don't look at me like that," Snape said. "I don't know what he's doing here."
"I'll handle this," Dumbledore said.
He stood up and headed towards Lucius Malfoy. Lucius was covered in
mud and blood-ha ha,who's the mudblood now,Lucius?-and,strangely
enough-some sort of custard.
Dumbledore put on his best smile. "Lucius. This is certainly a surprise."
"Dumbledore," he said, "Now is not the time."
"Lucius-"
"SHUT UP,YOU SENILE OLD NITWIT-"
"Did you know nitwit is one of my favorite words?"
"YOU ARE THE WORST HEADMASTER THIS SCHOOL HAS EVER HAD-" he took
a breath-"YOU'RE DRIVING HOGWARTS DOWN THE TOILET-" he had to take
another breath,the poor man-"WHY DON'T YOU HURRY UP AND DIE SO WE CAN
SALVAGE WHAT'S LEFT OF OUR DIGNITY?"
"Really,Lucius,I had no idea you felt that way."
There was just enough sarcasm in his voice.
Lucius screamed like a berzerking barbarian and charged Dumbledore.
Dumbledore held his ground.
Lucius ran one more step and then ran into an invisible wall that
had suddenly sprung into existence between them.
"Take this away," Lucius snarled. "I want a piece of you."
"No,you don't."
Then he turned from Lucius and walked back to the fire.