A/N: This chapter is based on a prompt given to me by my cousin, who also loves ff. The prompt is: broom, green, velvet. Darn this is hard...thanks Viv. This chapter is more like a oneshot, at least I think so. If you, dear reader, would like, I can extend this into different parts. Ahem...-hint review hint- I know it's been a while since I've updated. I hope you still like the story.

"Minerva, will you do me the honor of going on a midnight broomstick ride with me at the tallest tower of the Astronomy towers?"

"I have to grade papers, Albus, I'm so sorry. Perhaps another time?"

"Well… I can only make it tonight. Please do come. Please?"

Albus knew that Minerva could never resist his pout, which he used to full advantage now.

"Oh, all right," she sighed resignedly.

Albus beamed.

"Wear something pretty, Minerva."

"For heaven's sake, Al, it's just a broomstick ride."

"Please?"

"Fine."

Back in her rooms, Minerva swished around the length of her office and muttered frantically to herself. Her hair had come out of its tight bun and fell haphazardly to her shoulders. In desperation, Minerva called Hermione for help.

"Miss Granger, a word, if you please?"

Hermione stared as the disembodied head of her Head of House disappeared in the flames of the Gryffindor Common Room.

"What'd you do?" Ron and Harry asked worriedly.

"I guess I better go."

Five minutes later, Hermione knocked gently on her strict teacher's door and heard a quiet, commanding voice order her to come in.

"G-good evening, Professor," Hermione said cautiously. Her eyes took in the ragged look on her normally impeccably dressed professor.

"Evening, Miss Granger. I wondered if…" Here Minerva dropped her stern façade and her eyes supplicated to Hermione.

"I have to… go somewhere tonight and I don't know what exactly to wear."

Hermione bit her lip and nodded, even though she was puzzled from Minerva's odd statement.

"All right," Hermione said gently. She crossed to Minerva's wardrobe and ran an expert hand through her mentor's dress robes. Mostly dark green and emerald met her eyes, but Hermione was looking for something different.

At last, at the very back of the wardrobe, Minerva had a dress of gold-trimmed brocade with red velvet sleeves. The collar was modestly leveled so Hermione felt that the dress qualified for Minerva's strict standards.

Carrying the dress over her arm, Hermione faced Minerva with a smile. Minerva's mouth fell open and her face flushed bright red.

"Miss Granger!" Minerva said weakly.

"It's perfect," Hermione declared. She turned Minerva around and expertly slipped the beautiful gown over her shoulders. Hermione took out her wand and waved it deftly, pulling Minerva's hair into an elegant chignon. Minerva's wide emerald eyes took in her new appearance and Hermione gulped, as she stood behind her mentor.

"D-d'you like it?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"I… well, I… yes. It's beautiful... both the dress and my coiffure. The dress used to be my mother's, you know," Minerva said softly. "Thank you, Hermione."

"Have a good evening, Professor," Hermione replied, smiling slightly.

Minerva bit her lip in deep thought as she checked the clock on her desk. It was now 11:55 and in five minutes, Albus would come pick her up for their midnight ride. She nervously checked her reflection and licked her dry lips. If only he would come… soon…

A light knock sounded on her door. In her trepidation, Minerva thought it sounded as loud as a gunshot. She flinched and threw a quick, darting look at Hermione. Hermione smiled encouragingly and quietly left her rooms to give Minerva some privacy.

"Come in… Albus," Minerva whispered.

Albus strode in briskly.

"Good even-…my Gods, Minerva! You look….you look…!"

"Do you like this?"

"You know I love it. You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Albus."

Minerva smiled hesitantly and came forward to smooth the wrinkles from his dress shirt.

"You look very handsome, too, Albus."

"Come, my love. Come with me."

/-/-/

The night was cool and the stars twinkled brightly in the inky sky. Minerva took a deep breath as she gazed outside. Albus looked down at her and his blue eyes twinkled just like the stars. Minerva bit her lip and tore her eyes away from him to watch two doves begin to coo.

"Very sentimental, Headmaster," she murmured.

"The night is young, my dear. Let us take a ride."

Suddenly, a pristine Nimbus 2001 broom appeared next to Minerva. She shakily took the gleaming handle in her grip and mounted it. She glanced at Albus.

"You know it's been years since I've mounted a broom, Albus. Will you… stay by me?"

"Forever and always, Minerva. I will be here till I fall…from a broom. Which has never happened yet."

Albus grinned impishly and held Minerva close. He kicked off the ground and they soared upwards. The cool night air caressed their faces. Minerva gradually relaxed and leaned backwards into Albus' warm body. So comfortingly near, she realized. Her eyes closed briefly and she let her husband carry her to new heights.

Then, she felt a slight shift in weight on the broom. Albus had gently lifted her to her feet and now was standing behind her on the broom. Minerva still did not open her eyes, though her eyelashes fluttered in anticipation. Albus kissed the side of her neck as he held her securely in his arms.

But then she opened her eyes and found herself balanced precariously on the thin broomstick handle. Looking downwards quickly, Minerva realized they were cruising at an eerie high altitude. She gave a small shriek and slipped sideways.

"ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, ARE YOU MAD?"

Albus, momentarily stunned, recovered quickly enough to catch her. As they drifted weightlessly to the earth, Albus righted themselves and by the time their feet thumped gently on the grass, they were enveloped in each other's arms.

Minerva closed her eyes again as Albus removed her loose hairpins and brought her lips up to his.

"I'm sorry I frightened you, Minerva," Albus whispered meekly. "Though you know I'd never let you fall."

"I do know, Al. Nevertheless, you still scared me half out of my wits! but… the rest of the ride was very nice. Awfully romantic, too."

Minerva chuckled and gazed into his sapphire eyes.

"I love you for your eccentric behavior, Albus. I'd say this is the best yet." Her smile widened and Albus beamed. Her eyes, usually a bright emerald green, darkened in the night blackness until Albus found them an entrancing forest green.

"Happy Anniversary, darling."

A/N 2: Well, if that doesn't beat all. Trust Albus to be so...eccentrically sweet. :D