I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER

Love of the Lioness

By Lionfire5224

1

Doubts, Confusion, and the Overly Complex World of Teenage Dating

We’re the best of friends,

And we share our secrets.

She knows everything that is on my mind…

Why don’t you kiss her?

Why don’t you tell her?

Why don’t you let her see the feelings that you hide?

‘Cause she’ll never know

If you never show

The way you feel inside.

How did it come to this? He just couldn’t bring himself to do it. He just had to ask her, that’s all it would take. It was Albus Dumbledore’s 6th year at Hogwarts. The Triwizard Tournament was currently being held, and the Yule Ball was fast approaching. She was right there. Alone. No one else was around. This was the moment he had been waiting for, but now…the courage that had gotten him placed in Gryffindor house was long gone. All he knew was that there was no possible way that the beautiful Minerva McGonagall would ever say yes to guy like him. Albus was the brilliant genius. Everyone admired his work, but were intimidated by him. All but Elphias Doge, his closest friend, and Minerva, who was also a friend. But Albus wanted more. He dreamed of her every night. Her beautiful, silky, shining curtain of midnight black hair, her deep, intelligent, green eyes that shone beneath her glasses and long eyelashes, and her beautiful, sleek, Animagus form. She was always dancing gracefully across his thoughts. He loved everything about her, from the elegant way she moved to the fiery strength that poured out of her eyes when she was mad.

Albus was crushing hard, but afraid to tell her. Afraid to ask that one simple question. There were too many things that could go wrong. What if she didn’t like him back? What if she had a date already? What if she only saw him as a friend? What if she was too intimidated by his reputation to date him? He was terrified. But this might be his only chance. He took a few deep breaths, prepared to move, but his feet wouldn’t budge. Not an inch, no matter how many times he told them to go.

It was at this moment that Minerva looked up and saw him staring at her. She walked over in that attractive walk she had. Albus nearly lost his balance.

“Hi, Albus,” she said with a most beautiful smile.

“H-he-hello, Min,” he answered weakly, blown away by her gorgeousness like he always was. She tucked a strand of hair nervously behind her ear and started to blush a little.

“Um…Albus, you’ll probably think I’m really stupid for saying this, but, We-we’re alone, and, I need to know, if-if you would, um, oh, I just can’t say it, sorry Albus! Forget I ever said anything!” And she hurried away, mortified. Albus stared at her, her hair billowing brilliantly behind her. And instantaneously he knew. He knew.

“Wouldyougodancewitme?” He called after her. She stopped, and turned around, walking hesitantly towards him.

“Wha-what did you say?” she asked in anticipation. Albus cleared his throat.

“Would you go to the dance with me?” he asked, blushing hard.

“I-Albus, I d-don’t know what to…” she trailed off, blushing furiously. “I-I mean, why me? There are so many other girls out there, more worthy girls, but you decide to pick me? I just don’t understand, I-”

“But why wouldn’t I choose you?” he asked, interrupting her. “You’re beautiful, intelligent, witty, deep, clever, kind, gentle, compassionate, so generous, spunky, and you have this special spark inside of you that I find irresistible.” Albus was quite sure that she liked him now, and he was able to regain his usual demeanor.

“Well, when you put it like that anybody would believe you,” Minerva said softly. “But Albus, I’m too hard to date. No one stays with me long, I’m too…too brave, too kind, everyone’s intimidated by me, I-I’m just unapproachable. ‘You’re too perfect,’ he told me.”

“Theodore is as ignorant as a toad for letting a woman like you go. But I must say I thank him for it. It gave me even a tiny chance with you,” he said smoothly. Minerva blushed furiously. She was still so pretty even when she was embarrassed, he could hardly stand it.

“You’re very smooth, Albus. You really are the gentle, kind, caring, intelligent person who was there whenever I needed you. I’m grateful to that, I truly am, but I still don’t see how someone as amazing and wonderful as you could fall for me. Y-you may or may not know that they call me the Lioness,” she murmured, her voice shaking a little.

“They say I have the manner of one, and they call me that for…well I don’t know if it’s supposed to be compliment or insult, but…”

“Min, you are a lioness. But you are the most beautiful lioness to walk this earth, and the lioness that I…” he faltered.

“That you what?” she asked with bated breath.

“The lioness that I…that I desperately want to take to the Yule Ball if she’ll go with me,” he said affectionately. His emotions were about to overtake him. He wanted nothing more than to sweep her off her feet and kiss her, but he knew Min wasn’t like that. She’d want to wait until just the right time. And so he would too.

“I…but why me?”

“The why’s don’t matter, Min. What matters is that I did choose you, and I want to take you on the most fabulous date of your life, if you would only consent. I must admit, I’m a little impatient,” he said, trying to be patient with her. He knew women had more complex emotions than men.

“I…yes, I will,” she finally answered. Albus couldn’t take it anymore. He wrapped her in a warm embrace, taking in her sweet scent of vanilla and honey. She hugged him back, and he could sense emotion coming off of her in waves. He just hugged her tighter, rejoicing in the fact that she returned his feelings.

“Oh, Albus, I don’t know why you chose me, but I’m glad you did,” she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion. He just hugged her even tighter, never wanting to let go, never wanting this moment of sweet embrace to end. He really hoped it never would.

Song: “Why Don’t You Kiss Her?” by Jesse McCartney