F is for Flowers
Dear Minerva,
I must see you immediately. There is something I must give you. Can you come up to my office at your soonest convenience?
Albus
Minerva crumpled the parchment and strode out of her study. Her robes billowed out as she swept up the marble staircase leading to the Headmaster's office. Pausing at the gargoyle entrance, she waved her hands and the stone guardians sprang away wordlessly. She knocked crisply on the mahogany door and waited for his response.
"Come in," he said quietly.
Minerva entered; her keen eyes took in the dismal havoc that surrounded Albus' normally tidy office. Scraps of parchment littered the desk, Albus' strange silver instruments whirred listlessly on the floor, and foul-smelling potion dripped onto the plush carpet.
"Albus! What on earth is this?"
"Minerva," he whispered plaintively. "If it were that I was on my deathbed, would you promise me something?"
Minerva snapped a quick breath and stared hard at Albus. "Well, Dumbledore, you obviously are not, so what is this ridiculous mess for? Just because I haven't visited your office in a week, you think it is okay to leave everything sprawled across the floor?"
"But I am, Minerva. I am."
"What do you want me to promise?" Minerva now looked slightly worried. She looked over to his pale, clammy skin and dimmed blue eyes.
Albus did not answer her immediately. He pulled out his wand and stood in front of her. She tilted her head back slightly to keep his face in sight. He smiled slightly as he conjured up a bouquet of winter roses, heather, and lilies. Minerva's lips parted in confusion.
"What…?"
"I only just figured out how to give flowers to the loveliest lady in the world. And that would be to convince her I was dying."
"You…! What…? I…"
"I love you."
"I have no need to tell you that your method is anything but effective but…you're insufferable, you darling old man. Thank you." Minerva took the roses and buried her nose into them. She set it down and kissed him very lightly on the cheek. He grinned at her before pouting dramatically.
"That's all? I risked my extreme allergies to present to you roses on our anniversary date and all I get is a peck on the cheek?"
"Yes," she replied simply. But then she leaned in closer, her breath tickled his cheek. "We're outside your private rooms, Albus, and you know how gossipy those portraits are."
"Aha," Albus beamed. He cleared his throat significantly and adopted a businesslike tone.
"Minerva, as my Deputy, you know full well the duties that come with your job description."
"Indeed I do, Albus."
"Come with me, I have something I want you to do."
The door shut behind them as the curious, feigned-snoring past headmasters and headmistresses let out a collective sigh of disappointment.
A/N: heehee…so review, please?