A Horrible Christmas
a Harry Potter story
by Lady_Gallatea_Ravenclaw
It had to be one of the most miserable winters Scotland had ever seen, Albus Dumbledore thought as he stared out of the window in his office. Normally, he loved the snow and Christmastime, but this year, it just irritated him.
He sighed. Because of the dreadful blizzard that had been going on for the three days since term ended, he hadn't been able to go visit his family, like he had arranged to do. For once, Minerva had been able to convince him to take Christmas off, but then a blizzard had to go and ruin his plans.
The Dumbledore family, extended from his uncle's side, had arranged for a family reunion in France. He had been enthused to go, extensively purchasing gifts for his many cousins and their children. Albus had been unable to see them in many years, so even a few days with his family was better than a lemon drop.
Unfortunately, three days prior, a storm had come up, making it impossible for him to travel down to Hogsmeade to Apparate to France. Not for lack of trying, though. Albus smirked, remembering his attempted escape.
As soon as the term ended, Albus shrunk his packed luggage and donned a warm winter cloak. He exited his office, carefully locking it for the winter. He had left Fawkes in Hagrid's patient care earlier that day, so he wouldn't have to worry about the phoenix's meals and general health.
Almost skipping in happiness, he snuck downstairs and out the front doors. Minerva had assured him that everything would be handled and he wouldn't have to worry about a thing. Albus shivered as a cold wind struck through his cloak and down, into his very bones. A very large storm had whirled up, out of nowhere, in the past hour, causing many of his faculty to worry about his safety.
Albus had assured them of his capability before wishing them good tidings for the holiday and New Year. Nothing, not even a silly storm, was going to keep him from visiting his family.
But as the older man made his way down the path towards Hogwarts' front gates, the blustering winds and freezing snow hit him hard, causing him to stumble more than once as a foot got caught in a snow drift. Albus cursed lightly after the fifth time he slipped on an icy patch, annoyed that the wards prevented him from using a portkey or Apparating. Due to Voldemort's threat in the 1970s, Albus had been forced to extend the Hogwarts wards to keep portkeys from functioning within the castle and grounds. And he still hadn't taken them down, for fear of rogue Death Eaters.
But, by lemon drops, he was going to do it as soon as he returned from his holiday! Albus grumbled and groaned as he realized that he had only made very little progress to the gates in the half hour he had been walking.
He sniffled; oh bugger, he did not want to get ill before Christmas! But seeing little point in going back to the castle and getting stuck there, he tried to forge ahead, using his wand to levitate snow drifts out of his way.
Albus shook his head, remembering when he had finally returned to the castle. Hagrid, on his way to dinner, had seen him struggling through the blizzard. Just before the half-giant had reached him, a hail stone the size of a fist had hit Albus on the head. Luckily, Hagrid had been able to catch him before he had fallen into a very icy and cold patch of snow.
Hagrid had carried him, the honorable Headmaster of Hogwarts, back to the castle and to the Infirmary. Madam Pomfrey had been prompt in ridding his concussion and the large and uncomfortable bump on his head. But before the matron could confine him to his bed, he pulled a leaf from his pupils' books and escaped.
And hence, that was why Albus Dumbledore was stuck in his quarters on Christmas Eve with a miserable head cold.
He had left before she could give him a Pepper-Up Potion, and was therefore unable to do more than bear an ailment that he hadn't suffered in almost a century. And he felt too ashamed to go to her for a potion.
Albus blew his reddish nose in a damp handkerchief and miserably plodded back to his bed, intent on curling up in his quilts for a wonderful nap. He had spent the entire day sneezing, coughing, blowing his very much abused nose, and sleeping the head cold that had sprung up the night before.
He climbed into the large bed, relishing the warmth that a well- placed warming charm was giving to the sheets. Albus distinctly remembered his childhood years, when he had to use blankets and body heat to warm the bed from its chilly state. And now, he was an old man of 150 years old, the Headmaster of one of the most prestigious schools for magic in the United Kingdom.
The venerable headmaster pulled his warm, feather blanket over him, relishing in the warm sleepiness that enveloped him. His eyes drooped and the soft lull of silence helped him drift off to sleep.
Or, at least it would have, if a knock on his door hadn't startled him awake. Albus snuffled into a handkerchief and looked blearily at the entrance to his private rooms. It had to be Minerva—she was the only staff member with enough boldness to bother him in his personal quarters. Of course, she was the only person who had been his close companion and friend for the forty years they had been at Hogwarts together.
Albus sneezed wearily into his piece of cloth, hoping that he wouldn't have to answer the door. He closed his eyes, thinking hopefully that if he didn't answer, maybe she'd go away to let him sleep in peace. A knock at the door pushed those hopes out the window.
"Albus! I know you are in there!" Minerva shouted from the other side of the barrier. Albus knew that her hands were on her hips at that point, and her nostrils were flaring. "You have been in your quarters all day. Come down for Christmas dinner. I know you are upset about not going to France, but that doesn't mean you cannot have a nice holiday here at the castle. I assure you, you will be able to visit your family next year!"
Albus gave up. He would not be able to sleep with her yelling, and she would never go away until he answered her. With a sigh and a small groan, he got up from bed, reluctantly leaving the confines of his warm sheets. He pulled on his dressing gown, feeling a sudden chill, and tucked his socked feet into bedroom slippers. Albus snagged a few handkerchiefs from his stack and shoved them into his pockets, leaving one for use.
He blew his nose thoroughly, making the previously pristine cloth damp and dirty. He threw it into a bin he kept for soiled handkerchiefs, and went to answer the door.
Minerva McGonagall was frustrated and irritated with her colleague. He had always been a jovial man who would put setbacks behind him within minutes and move on to the next item of business. Of course, she thought, he was entitled to moping after his holiday plans had been abruptly squashed by the blizzard raging outside.
But it was her duty, as a close friend and confidant, to encourage him to enjoy the rest of his break, no matter what setbacks it had started out with.
Minerva was about to bang on the door again, when she heard a shuffling from behind it, and a creak as the door was opened. She smiled, happy that Albus had come around, but her grin dropped as she saw his haggard face.
"Albus! Why, you look terrible!" she exclaimed.
Quickly, she herded him back into his rooms and made him sit down in bed before the conversation could continue. She had seen the signs in students too many times over the years, to question what was wrong with Albus, now.
"Why, thak you Miderva," Albus said wryly. He leaned back on his pillows in relief, snuffling into a handkerchief. "I'b sorry, but I seemb to have caughd a code frob the code."
Minerva smiled slightly at the congestion that was coloring Albus' normally clear tone. She examined his reddish eyes, red nose, pale face, and the flush in his cheeks. Albus coughed, a deep, chesty cough that worried her. Minerva stretched her hand out and felt his forehead, frowning at the heat.
"Albus, why did you not tell someone that you were ill? I'm sure Poppy would have given you a potion in a moment," Minerva said.
Albus looked sheepish. "I rad away frob the idfirbary afder Hagrid resdcued be," he said, blushing.
Minerva rolled her eyes and shook her head. Even at his age, the headmaster acted more childish than the students. She spoke, "If that is all, then I am going to call her. You are ill and running a temperature. At your age, no offense meant Albus, an illness is dangerous."
Albus sighed and looked at her serious expression. "I suppose I cad do nodhig to chadge your bind," he said.
Giving up, he leant against his pillows and shut his eyes. Surprised at his admission, Minerva grew even more worried. She ran to the fireplace and threw in a pinch of Floo Powder. While Hogwarts did not have an external Floo Network, it did have one that connect the staff to each other and the Infirmary.
"Poppy!" she called, sticking her head in. The fireplace whirled and finally rested on the inside of the healer's office. Luckily, the matron was still there.
"Minerva! What can I do for you?" Poppy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Albus is ill in his rooms. He's running a high temperature and I am dreadfully worried about him," Minerva said hurriedly.
Poppy stood up quickly and nodded, rushing around, gathering supplies as fast as she could. She shared Minerva's worry. A man of Albus' age could not handle illnesses as well as a younger wizard or witch could, which therefore made even a head cold dangerous.
The witch threw Floo Powder into the vacated fireplace and passed through to Albus' private quarters. She saw in front of her, a very sick Albus Dumbledore and stressed Minerva.
Poppy set to work, taking Albus' temperature and administering Pepper- Up. Immediately, she saw an improvement in his color and his fever. Within five minutes, he was looking much better and healthier. Both women heaved sighs of relief. Minerva hit Albus lightly on the arm.
The man pouted and rubbed it in mock hurt. "What was that for?"
"That was for being a complete and total arse. Do you have any idea how worried you made me?" Minerva scolded.
Albus apologized and thanked both women.
"Yes, well, despite your display of foolishness, I'm confining you to your bed for the next two days, so I hope you are comfortable," Poppy said. Albus groaned and lay down in the bed, knowing that while he was tired then, he wouldn't be so happy about the confinement when he woke up.
Minerva and Poppy exchanged a smile, and the latter left. Minerva pulled the blankets up to cover Albus and patted his shoulder comfortably.
"Sleep well Albus. And Happy Christmas," she said softly.
Albus was already asleep, his even breathing soft in the silent rooms. Minerva left, dimming the lights and leaving the fire blazing as she closed the door to his quarters.