Cure for Insomnia 01

Disclaimer: Everything here belongs to the woman herself, the almighty JKR, and so I claim none of it. Except for Joshua, but he's not much. Poor baby.

A/N- Yadda yadda yadda denotes thoughts. Yadda yadda yadda is Minerva's, umm, inner voice I guess. Please R/R!

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Albus Dumbledore, an older man with twinkling blue eyes and silver hair, sat in a plush red chair, gently stroking his beard and holding a letter. He stared at the crackling fire that danced in front of him. The room he sat in was obviously furnished to the owner's taste. The different pieces of furniture were of extravagant colors, including several bright shades of orange and purple. Behind him, perched up high on, slept a beautiful red and golden bird with long tail feathers. He cooed softly in his sleep.

When will Fudge admit Voldemort has returned? Why must he be so stubborn? He frowned and continued to stroke his beard Maybe if- Suddenly, a rather weathered looking grandfather clock began to chime. Albus pulled out a watch with planets around the rim. He quickly glanced at it before returning it to the pocket of his purple robes. It's midnight and with all of this on my mind I will never be able to rest. Best go down to the kitchens and get a cup of hot chocolate. His mood somewhat improved, he stood, glanced at the snoring bird, and left the room.

* * * *

Mmmm… Now maybe I can sleep.

"Minerva!"

The woman, wearing square glasses and her raven hair down, stumbled, almost spilling her mug. She stepped all the way out of the portrait. "Albus! What are you doing up?"

"I should be asking you the same question," replied the silver-haired man. He glanced at her hands, "What are you drinking?"

Minerva blushed slightly, "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that. What if I was Alastor Moody? I would have hexed you into next week! Then what would you have done?"

Albus' eyes began to twinkle more than they usually did. He could never pass up a chance to tease her. "So you took my advice?"

"Don't avoid the question."

"Then I kindly ask you not to avoid mine."

Minerva rolled her eyes and smiled, "I couldn't sleep with all this work to do before school opens and decided to get something warm to drink."

"My hot chocolate?"

An exasperated sigh, which was so quiet he almost didn't hear it, reached his ears. "Yes, Albus, your hot chocolate."

Albus smiled, "The exact reason I came down to the kitchens. I couldn't sleep so I decided to get some of my delicious hot chocolate to help. Seems we have the same problem my dear."

Minerva raised an eyebrow, "Insomnia?"

"Or a heavy work load," he chuckled. "If you will wait here I will endeavor to acquire one of those mugs of hot chocolate and then, if I may, I will escort you back to your chambers."

Minerva smiled and took a sip from her mug. "I will wait."

"Wonderful."

* * * *

The halls, silently lighting their torches as Albus and Minerva walked by, were empty, which was no surprise for so late in the night. As they strolled to their rooms, with her left hand tucked in his elbow, they each sipped from their steaming cups.

"I sometimes forget how beautiful Hogwarts is. You can't really see its beauty with all of the children in the hallway," Minerva sighed.

Albus turned to her, "Yes, the founders did a fine job when they built it. They each included their own interests into the architecture, sparking many arguments on decoration I'm sure." She smiled and turned away. Albus took the chance to study her features. Such a beautiful woman. Lovely black hair, deep brown eyes… He frowned, just realizing she had dark rings under said eyes. He noticed she wasn't carrying herself as upright as she normally did. Over the many years he had known her, he had learned that this was a sure sign that she was working too hard and not getting enough sleep. She prided herself in being strict and appearing unmovable.

"Minerva," he said gently, not wanting to spark her Scottish temper. "How hard have you been working?"

Her brow furrowed, "Why do you ask?"

"You seem a bit more tired than someone who'd only spent one night up late."

Minerva's nostrils flared and she tensed in annoyance. "Albus, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides, you know that I'm always up l-"

"Minerva," Albus said sternly, the twinkling gone. He stopped their progression down the hall and made sure she was looking at him before continuing. "I know you have work to do. We all have work to do. You need to rest as well though. I bet you have fallen asleep at your desk almost every night this week." He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her answer.

She relaxed and nodded, avoiding his eyes. What is it about him that makes me calm down so fast? Probably the fact that you are enamoured with him. Hush you! She didn't need to start thinking like that while he was standing in front of her! Minerva nodded again, an action to reassure herself more than Albus.

The real Albus, whose image was prancing around in her thoughts, smiled. "I can't have you passing out on me from exhaustion." A look that she couldn't quite place appeared in his eyes, but as soon as it was there it was gone. "Then again, if you do during one of our chess games I may actually win for a change," Albus smiled, the twinkling having returned.

Minerva chuckled, "Don't count on it, Albus." He chuckled as well and they continued down the hall. Soon they stopped in front of a large painting. It was a wonderful piece of art with mahogany framing and a picture of a young man sitting by a fire with a rather large book. He seemed fascinated with its contents as his large, brown eyes ran across the page. In his lap sat a purring, golden-eyed cat, which he gently stroked. He looked up after turning a page.

"Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall," he said, nodding to each in turn.

"Hello, Joshua," they said at the same time. "How goes the reading?" inquired Albus.

"It's a wonderful book," answered Joshua, excitedly. The cat looked up and meowed, as if to support his opinion. "It's full of dragons and what not."

"Don't let us interrupt then." Joshua smiled and returned to his book. Albus turned to Minerva and kissed her cheek. "Well my dear, I do believe this is where I should leave you."

Minerva smiled. So charming… "That doesn't mean you have to."

"Unless you want to share your bed." Albus teased her gently.

"I wouldn't mind," she said softly. They both suddenly stopped and stared at each other. Even Joshua looked surprised at Professor McGonagall's words. After what seemed like minutes, but was actually seconds, Albus was the first to regain his voice.

"Minerva-"

"Albus, I'm really tired and you're right, your hot chocolate is a cure for insomnia," she spoke quickly and looked at everything except him. "I should go to bed."

"Yes," he sighed, allowing her to, once again, avoid the situation they had gotten themselves into. One of these days I'm not going to let her do this. "You should get some sleep. Promise me you will try not to stay up until some ungodly hour working?" he teased her lightly, trying to get her to look at him.

She refused to though, scared he would be able to read right through her like he always could. "Yes, I promise. Goodnight, Albus."

He sighed, "Goodnight, Minerva. Sleep well."

She turn, mumbled the password, "Pallas Athena" allowed the picture to swing forward, steeped into her room, and closed the picture behind her. Professor Dumbledore, with one last nod to Joshua, walked down the hall to try to get some rest.

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