I GOT A JOB!! Well 2 actually but I'm only going to work at Donut King

I had a bit of trouble with this chapter so parts sound a little funny, on the other hand it's really long

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Rainforest Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter 7 - Christmas Day

Minerva woke with the uneasy feeling that she was being watched. She opened her eyes and reached for her wand only to be stopped mid-movement by a kiss.

She knew it was Albus so she let herself sink into the kiss and him. All too soon he moved away from her, an excited look on his face.

"Can we go open our presents now?" he asked sincerely, his eagerness evident.

Minerva just laughed and began to climb out of bed, shrugging on a warm dressing gown. Seeing she was already Albus almost ran out to her sitting room where he had brought his own presents.

As Minerva followed him she chuckled, his eagerness and childlike excitement was an endearing quality. The most endearing thing was however the cup of tea he had waiting for her in the sitting room, along with the plate of toast. Minerva smiled her thanks as Albus eagerly looked over his gifts, many were, as always, in the shape of books but then there were one or two others that had a distinctly odd shape about them.

"Well, when are you going to start opening them Albus?" Minerva teasingly asked.

Albus' smile seemed to grow as he picked up present and found it to be from Filius Flitwick. The shape made it obvious that it was a book and when Albus opened it he found it was the latest copy of Hogwarts: A History. Except that when Albus opened it he found it was hollow, although there was a note:

Dear Albus,

I trust you will find a fine use for this hollow book. No doubt an ideal place to hide many of your sweets and candies.

Merry Christmas!

Filius

Albus chuckled as he read the note aloud to Minerva, it was a perfect gift. Minerva smiled, no doubt Filius was right, and it would be a good place for Albus' candy.

The next few presents Albus opened were books and rather studious ones at that. Albus quickly passed over them and opened more presents until there were only two left for him.

With them was a card, from Minerva. It read:

My Dearest Albus,

Men are like the stars; so many to pick from but only one can make your dreams come true.

Albus you are my one and only man so for Christmas I give you my love as well asthese two gifts.

Merry Christmas!

Love always,

Your Minerva

Albus stood and moved to give Minerva a gentle kiss, letting all of his own love for her flow through his lips to hers, and on to her heart.

"I too Minerva, I too."

He then sat down on the couch by Minerva and summoned the presents to him.

"Now which to open first? Maybe this lumpy one or the rectangular one?"

"The lumpy one Albus," Minerva smile. "I hope you like it."

Albus smiled at her before he began to open her present, as he gently peeled away the paper a pair of emerald green socks was revealed to him. However it was the little tabby cats on them that made Albus laugh, particularly the little kitten pouncing on the yarn.

"Oh Minerva they are perfect! I love them. You are also the first person to get me socks in years!" Albus said delightedly.

"Well I'm glad you like them," Minerva laughed. "Why don't you open the rectangular one now?"

Albus began to gently rip away at the paper on this present as well. He found it to be a book but when he read the title he leaned over and gave Minerva quite a passionate kiss. After parting Minerva had a smile on her face.

"I knew you would like ti. It even has recipes which I thought we could try together."

Albus had been flipping through the book in great excitement but when Minerva was finished talking he replied, "I love it Minerva. We'll even be able to make one or two of the recipes before the holidays are over!"

Minerva smiled at his eagerness however his attention soon turned to her to her. "Minerva it is your turn to open your presents."

Minerva smiled and wasted no time in opening presents from her close friends. She received many books since she was a difficult person to buy for. Soon though she was left with two presents, both from Albus. She picked up the card to read first.

Dear Minerva,

There is a lady sweet and kind,
Was never a face so pleased my mind;
I did but see her passing by,
And yet, I'll love her till I die.

Her gesture, motion, and her smiles,
Her wit, her voice my heart beguiles,
Beguiles my heart, I know not why,
And yet, I'll love her till I die.

Cupid is winged and he doth range,
Her country, so, my love doth change:
But change she earth, or change she sky,
Yet, I will love her till I die.

I will always love you Minerva, no matter what. Merry Christmas!

Love Albus

The first was a small rectangular box. Albus picked it up and gave it to her to open. Minerva gently took off the red ribbon before removing the gold paper. Inside she found a plain black box which she opened, once she saw what was inside she gasped in surprise.

Inside were three pink, glass roses, one just a bud, another a half bloomed rose while one was a full rose. They were obviously magical, not charmed though, most likely from one of Holland's magical flower fields. Still stunned by their beauty Minerva gently reached out a finger and stroked one of the roses. She was taken aback when she heard a soft tinkling of music. It stopped as soon as she pulled away. Minerva gently touched the flower again and heard the beautiful, classical music once more.

Minerva gently set the box of roses down on the table and said, "Albus, they are quite simply beautiful. Thank you." Minerva leaned over and kissed him.

"It was my pleasure Minerva," Albus said softly, smiling. "Now open your other one."

Minerva reached down and picked up the last present from the ground. It was simply wrapped so Minerva was able to open it quickly.

Inside she found another black box and opened the lid. She stared in amazement before lifting out the delicate chain. It was a gold necklace, one Minerva recognised, it had three small rubies set in three gold tear drops.

"How did you-" she began to ask.

"I got Fawkes to take it from your rooms. I knew it was your grandmother's and that you did not like the arrangement of the stones, nor the size. So I took it to a jewellery shop and had it rearranged this way. Do you like it?" Albus watched her face, waiting to see her reaction.

"Albus it is exquisite, you are amazing. What did I ever do to deserve you?" Minerva turned her attention back to the necklace, "Will you please clip it on for me?"

Albus stood up and took the necklace in his hand. He tenderly moved Minerva's hair out of the way before clipping the necklace in place. Before moving her hair back he softly kissed her neck.

When he moved away Minerva immediately missed his touch however she was pleased when he sat back down beside her, pulling her into his arms. He lovingly kissed the top of her head before speaking. "We should start to get ready for Christmas dinner, it will soon be ready."

Minerva extricated herself form his arms. "Well we should start getting ready then."

Albus nodded and quickly kissed her cheek before standing. He quickly shrunk his many gifts before leaving via her fireplace.

Minerva stood a smile on her face as she began to dress.

POP

A half hour later many of the Professors and a few students were seated in the Great Hall. There was great food and everyone was relatively happy, even the few Slytherins who had not had a very good Christmas to that point. Despite this however Minerva found herself picking at the wonderful dinner.

The roast did not really appeal to her; actually it was the thought of eating anything at all that didn't appeal to her. Albus soon noticed her lack of eating and how she was just moving the food around on her plate.

"Are you feeling well my dear?" he asked concernedly.

"I'm fine Albus, really. For some reason I just don't feel like eating," Minerva replied honestly.

Albus watched her, his worry etched on his face. "Would you like to see Poppy?"

Minerva seemed to stiffen or a moment, "No Albus, really, I'm sure it will pass."

"If you're sure..."

"I am, now eat Albus. Just because I'm not doesn't mean you don't have too."

Albus smiled at her; however he was still worried about her lack of appetite. Dinner continued and many people left happy but too full and complaining of a stomach ache. Minerva and Albus went back to her rooms to spend the rest of the evening together.

They spent their evening together cuddling, kissing and quietly talking. However as seven o'clock approached Minerva began to become tired, so Albus left her to her sleep.

As he himself prepared for an early night he found himself once again worrying about her lack of appetite and her tiredness. It could just be the holidays and all of the things they had been doing but he was still worried.

The quote in Minerva's card is by Lindy Strahan and poem is by Thomas Ford

Thanks to ginger newts Maiden-of-hope Lady Silver tigger2025643119Always Hopefuland Quill of Minerva

Sorry but the lingerie won't play any part for another few chapters.

I'm not to sure how great this chapter was cause Albus is so hard to get presents for. Anyway review!