InsaneJournal

FIC: 'Ice Cream and Quidditch' for nimrod_9
Recipient: nimrod_9
Author: tattoedsappho
Title: Ice Cream and Quidditch
Rating: PG
Pairings: Ollivander/McGonagall
Word Count: 1270
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the universe. I just play with them to amuse myself.
Summary: A trip to get a new wand doesn't end as Minerva thought it would.
Author's Notes: -----

***

Minerva paused a moment to let her eyes adjust to the murky light of the shop, the bright sunlight outside did not penetrate the dusky storefront windows and the atmosphere of the place was all the more surreal because of it. Once she was able to fully take in her surroundings she gazed in awe at the stacks upon stacks of small dusty boxes, piled to the high ceiling in no discernible order to the untrained eye; the glass counter in front of her enclosed some very ornate looking wands and she heard a shuffling noise coming from the rows of tall shelves behind the counter. After a moment a young man poked his head out and smiled before brushing the dust from his sleeves and walking briskly toward the front of the store.

"Hello, hello. My father is not in today, how may I help you?"

"I need a new wand, it seems my first one just isn't up to the advanced Transfiguration work I am embarking on."

"Ahh, Transfiguration. I would think something in mahogany then, give me a moment miss?"

"McGonagall. Minerva McGonagall."

"Gwydion Ollivander at your service." With a wink and a smile the young man disappeared into the shelves for a few moments before returning with a dusty grey box. "Here, give this one a try."

Minerva reached into the box and pulled out a short wand with an intricately carved handle. Before she even got to swish it once the pile of papers on the counter blew off and scattered across the room; with a sigh she handed the wand back to Gwydion who tilted his head, looked her up and down and again vanished into the back of the of shop. He returned with a triumphant smile and opened a deep crimson box, motioning for her to remove the wand contained within.

"I think this one will fit you perfectly."

Minerva grasped the wand carefully and felt a warm buzzing course through her body, unable to control herself she laughed aloud and blushed when she realized that Gwydion was watching her with a smile of his own.

"What did I say? A perfect fit. You look more radiant now than you did when you came through the door and I wouldn't have thought that possible."

Minerva's blush deepened as she found she was unable to articulate anything remotely resembling speech. Laughing again, to hide her inability to speak, she placed her new wand on the counter and drew a breath before looking up at the man across from her.

"How much do I owe you?"

"Ten Galleons. But I'll call it nine if you agree to join me for lunch," he replied with another wink.

"Ten it is then. I'll join you for lunch but I wouldn't want your father thinking you were shirking your duties while he was away." Minerva smiled.

"Stickler for the rules much?"

"Most of the time."

"Then there is still hope for you." With a chuckle and flick of his wand Gwydion dimmed the lights and cleared the counter; after escorting Minerva outside he hung the closed sign in the door and set the security wards before taking her hand in his and walking down to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.

Over a lunch of sandwiches and gillywater the pair soon found themselves discussing the outcome of the upcoming Quidditch match between the Pride of Portree and the Appleby Arrows. Minerva had been a Pride fan all her life and took up the defense of "her" team just as readily as Gwydion was proclaiming the prowess of the Arrows. Player stats, team records, new brooms, old injuries, everything was dissected and compared, much to the enjoyment of the participants. They cooled their tongues with a shared bowl of ice cream; reclining in their chairs and watching the shoppers pass them by, attempting to steal glances of one another only to get caught and erupt into a fit of giggles.

"Minerva my dear, lunch has been a pleasure. Will you do me the honour of accompanying me back to the shop before you return to your day?" He stood and offered her his hand.

"Nothing would please me more Gwydion." Minerva clasped his hand with a smile and the pair strolled slowly back toward the shop.

Standing in the entranceway, Gwydion looked into Minerva's eyes and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. She closed her eyes, sighed softly and smiled as she tilted her head into his tender touch. Running his finger down to her chin, he raised her head up before whispering for her to open her eyes.

"Minerva, may I see you again?"

"I think I would like that very much."

"Shall I owl you?"

"Please do. This has been the most enjoyable outing I have had in ages. That might have something to do with all the studying I've been doing lately but I like to think it has more to do with the company I was with."

"I'd like to think that too." His eyes found hers and they gazed into each other's souls for a long moment before the screech of an angry owl at the Owl Emporium broke the spell they were under and brought them back to reality. Turning to go, Minerva was halted by Gwydion's hand on her arm. "You can't leave just yet."

"Oh?"

"You're forgetting something." Gwydion stepped toward her and Minerva was lost in the sweet caress of his lips upon hers. Forgetting where she was, she wrapped her arms around him and lost herself in the wonderful sensation of kissing and being kissed.

"Gwydion?"

The pair broke apart as a rough voice forced them to their senses.

"Father." Gwydion replied sheepishly, stepping in front of Minerva as if to shield her from him.

"Charming as this young woman appears to be, I do not believe our customers would appreciate to see such a display when they come to find the perfect wand." Turning to Minerva he spoke again, "If you will excuse my son, he needs to get back to work." Gwydion flushed as he followed his father back into the shop and waved a sheepish farewell to Minerva.

Minerva was sitting on her bed that evening, replaying the events in her mind when there was a tapping at her flat window. She let the owl in, gave it a treat and relieved it of it's package, settling down again on her bed to read the parchment that was tied with a crisp bow.

Minerva,

I apologize deeply for this afternoon. Nothing could have been more embarrassing than having my father scold me in front of you. I hope that wasn't too uncomfortable an experience for you. This afternoon was wonderful and I would like very much to call on you again, if it would please you. You are truly a remarkable witch and I am glad that we were able to share our lunch. I am looking forward to many more amusing and engaging conversations with you.

Yours,
Gwydion Ollivander

With a smile Minerva reread the letter and kissed it softly before pulling back her tartan duvet and snuggling down into the warmth of her bed for a night of hopeful dreaming.