Sorry for the long wait my Professors insisted upon giving me exams...can you believe the nerve of them? ;)
Albus and Minerva walked around Times Square amazed, and in awe of the billboards and all the people.
"Albus I bet this looks even better at night," Minerva said looking up.
"Yes, my dear, but I have a feeling we will be passing by here at night so you will get to see it."
They walked around for hours just leisurely taking in the sites, and acclimating themselves to the street numbers and the fast pace with which one everyone rushed around. It was near four when they made it back to their hotel room only to collapse together on the sofa. The combined effect of jet lag, and one hour of sleep had finally caught up with them. Choosing to stay in that night so they could be well rested for the remainder of the week Albus and Minerva accidentally fell asleep together on the couch; and when they awoke the next morning Minerva was safely in Albus' arms with her head resting on his chest.
"Good morning, my dear" Albus said jovially as she raised her head.
"Good morning, Albus. I take it we fell asleep here," Minerva replied withdrawing herself from his arms.
"It would appear so." An awkward silence fell between them as each was lost in his own thoughts about how it had been one of the best nights of sleep they had gotten in a long time. Finally Minerva rose to go take her shower, and Albus decided he could use one as well. An hour and half later they were heading out of the hotel.
"Were to today, Albus," Minerva asked as he steered her left out of their hotel rather than right.
"Well I heard that Fifth Avenue has a lot of shopping, and it leads up to Central Park. I thought maybe we could walk along it, and you could stop anywhere you wanted to and then maybe we could wander around the park if we aren't too tired." Albus suggested as he looped her arm through his. Albus had noticed yesterday that some men's eyes had followed after Minerva and he wanted to give them all a signal; Minerva, of course, had seen none of it.
"That sounds fine Albus; I too heard that there were some excellent muggle shops along here. One in particular I want to stop in. It is called Tiffany's, and is a jewelry store. I would just like to see it, if that is alright," Minerva suggested as they crossed the street.
They spent the next few hours ducking in and out of stores. No real purchases had been made, and finally they arrived at Tiffany's. "The stone is beautiful, Albus." Minerva said referring to the outside of the building.
Agreeing they quickly made their way in. "Minerva look at this what do you think," Albus asked pointing to a necklace of emeralds and diamonds.
Walking toward him Minerva leaned over the counter, "Too gaudy for me, and Albus," she whispered, "look at the price."
"It's too small, Minerva, I can't read that," Albus complained his nose almost touching the glass.
Pulling him up Minerva dragged him away from the counter before whispering in his ear, "Forty thousand dollars" Albus looked stunned, "Are you sure you want to continue looking in here," he asked.
"Of course, and there are five floors total. So come on," she added smiling as she dragged him away.
Looking over the first floor Minerva did find a beautiful black pearl necklace she liked. It was a solitary pearl hanging on a eighteen inch platinum chain, with diamonds on the top of it holding it. "Now that I like," she said pointing to the case.
"It would look very lovely on you, my dear, how much is this one," Albus asked looking over her shoulder.
Trying hard not to blush she said, "Two thousand seven hundred, not as much as the other but still more than I'm willing to pay."
Walking on Albus looked at the necklace a bit more and decided when Minerva was in bed he would need to look over his financial situation. They wandered to the second and third floors looking carefully. They realized the third floor was for engagement rings. As Minerva was looking at a few Albus noticed a flicker of longing dash across her eyes.
"Partial to any, my dear," he asked as she stopped at one.
Smiling softly she said, "Well many are so big, too big if you ask me. How some of these young people even have enough money left to live on beats me after a young man buys one of these. I would want something a little smaller."
Walking around a bit more Minerva found the ring she would want: it wasn't an engagement ring, but it could operate as her wedding band and an engagement because it had diamonds all around it. Yellow gold, with diamonds all over the band she thought it was perfect.
"This one, Albus, I would want this one. It isn't an engagement ring, but it could be both bands. It would be beautiful, but simple."
Albus looked at the price, three thousand six hundred, well at least it wasn't forty thousand, "Why don't you try it on, Minerva," he asked noticing her soft smile.
Her smile immediately faded, "What would be the point. You just asked which I'd like, so I thought I'd show you which one I did."
"My dear, it can't hurt to try it on," Albus tried again.
"Albus I just don't want to!" Minerva said in a dangerous tone and he knew to drop the subject.
Deciding they had spent enough time in the store they made there way toward the exit, and back out on Fifth. The walked in silence for awhile, before Minerva asked if she could go in Bloomingdale's to look around. Nodding he stopped her right before she entered, "Minerva I didn't mean to make you upset, I'm sorry."
"No, Albus, I shouldn't have snapped. It's just, well...I mean why try something on I'll never get?" she said trying to smile.
"You don't know that, Minerva." Giving him a skeptical smile they moved into the store. It didn't take long for Minerva to find the ladies section, and she was in the dressing room trying a few things on in no time. Albus was waiting for her, hoping he could see a few of the dresses she took.
"Albus, what do you think of this, I just can't decide," Minerva asked as she walked through from the changing rooms. Albus had to consciously stop himself from drooling. It was a red dress that stopped a little below her knees showing some leg, and it was made of a flowing material that hugged her curves and flared out all at the same time. The back of it was stunning, dipping to the small of her back leaving her milky white skin exposed.
"Albus, Albus what do you think?" Minerva asked exasperated.
"You look stunning, Minerva," was his only response as his eyes traveled over her again.
Blushing, she softly asked, "Really? You don't think it is too revealing?"
"My dear I think it is perfect. It reveals more than your usual attire, but it still leaves a lot to the imagination. You look beautiful," Albus replied finally looking up to meet her eyes.
Whispering a thank you Minerva quickly retreated to the dressing rooms wondering how she was going to make it for four more days when he said things like that. After purchasing the dress they hadn't wandered far when Albus found a store he wanted to go in. Taking Minerva's hand he dragged her into FAO Schwartz.
Albus looked like he had just walked into a dream. A children's store with huge toys, and a candy section, he didn't know where to start first! Minerva chuckled to herself as she saw Albus' face, and she knew they would be there for awhile. Following Albus around she simply smiled at his reactions, and questions. Making their way upstairs Albus had a huge grin on his face when he saw the keyboard. After watching a few people he went up there, and started touching the keys. Minerva stood by on the side trying to give him a reproachful look, but failed. She was trying not to laugh, because she didn't want to encourage him. Just then he came over to her and grabbed her hand dragging her on the keyboard.
"No, Albus, no we are too old for this," Minerva said in horror at being unable to get away.
"You are never too old for anything, my dear. Now, do you know twinkle, twinkle little star?" he asked smiling.
"I am not going to do a song with you, Albus" Minerva replied mortified at the thought.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Albus started looking at Minerva, "help me convince my beautiful companion to play twinkle, twinkle little star. Don't you all want to hear it?" Clapping they all indicated that they did, and turning to Minerva Albus noticed she was bright red.
"Our audience awaits we can't disappoint them, my dear."
Moving to set her bags down Minerva grumbled, "You are going to pay for this Albus Dumbledore." Trying to salvage her dignity Minerva played the song with Albus, and when it was over they were greeted with a sounding round of applause.
Half an hour later they finally made their way out of the store, "Albus Dumbledore, I'm going to kill you!"
"My dear you have to admit you had fun. Sometimes you just need to let loose a little bit," he replied leading her across the street.
Minerva just narrowed her eyes. "Well, my dear, here we are Central Park. Now what do you want to do?"
"How bout some dinner, and then we head back. My feet are so sore," Minerva replied reaching down to rub her ankle.
Deciding they had time to explore the park further they found a nice little restaurant for dinner, and spent the time talking about what they were they were going to do tomorrow. They decided to take the subway down town to visit the business district, and then they could get a better look of the Statue of Liberty from the ground. Albus informed her that that night he had plans for them, but it was a surprise.
Try as she might Minerva couldn't get a single detail out of him all the way back to their hotel. Once back they changed into night ware, and then collapsed on the sofa. Taking her small feet into his hands Albus started to give her a foot rub.
"Oh Albus that feels nice..." Minerva mumbled as she closed her eyes and leaned further back into the pillows. By the time he was done Minerva was fast asleep. Gently picking her up Albus carried her to her bedroom, and placed her down on the bed tucking her in.
"Goodnight, my dear," he whispered before he leaned down to kiss her cheek, but Albus didn't notice the soft smile that had formed on her place after his kiss. Moving to his own bedroom Albus quickly fell asleep dreaming about the witch in the other room.