Poetics  McGonagall¹

 o. it's magical

o. it's magical

 BOOKS LINED THE WALLS OF HIS office, and the sun was bright as it shone through the glass of the window. It was quiet; Saturdays were always so quiet in his secluded office. Joel McCoy had a wonderous view of the Black Lake and the trees that had begun to change colors as Autumn started to settle across the land of Scotland. He was leaned back in his chair, with his feet propped up on the desk, his book laid out in his lap and his cheek rested in his open palm. An aroma of pumpkin, tea and old books surrounded him.

This was Joel McCoy's favorite place; in the castle, in the world. This was Joel's heaven, and he couldn't think of a reason to leave this all this behind.

He lifted his head from his hand, and flipped the page in his book. He never removed his eyes from his muggle book and reached for his tea. He had read the book too many times to count, but he always came back to the same story, to simply enjoy it all over again. He taught it in his classes every year.

Joel only tore his eyes away from the pages when he heard a soft knock and his door creaked open. He kept an open-door policy with all his students, even those he had never taught; and he kept it that way for whatever reason, if a student had decided they needed a bit of help in class, needed a bit of advice, or even just a cup of tea and some peace. However, Joel was pleasantly surprised when Albus Dumbledore poked his head through the door instead of a student.

He immediately straightened his posture; taking his feet off the desk and repositioned himself in his chair. His book was closed and disregarded on the desk.

"Good afternoon, Professor." Joel greeted formally, his manners still ever so strong from his days as a student. "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. McCoy, and a tea would be lovely." Albus responded as he pulled out the extra chair in the younger man's office. He sat down, and gazed at the man over the edge of his glasses. "Thank you."

Joel nodded, and picked up his wand from his desk while he muttered a quiet charm. Clinking replaced the previous silence that filled the office, and no less than a moment later, a full cup of tea floated through the air towards the older professor.

"Not that I don't enjoy your company, Albus, but what brings you here today?" Joel questioned, and his expression became tense at the thought that one of his students had caused some trouble. It didn't happen often, but students knew that it wasn't too terribly good if they had gotten detention and had to serve it with one of the coolest professors. "Nobody was harmed?"

Albus shook his head and laughed softly, "No, Mr. McCoy, nobody was harmed and nobody has landed themselves into unfortunate circumstances. I've decided to leave the Transfiguration post, the post in Defense Against the Dark Arts has opened up once again, and I've decided to take it. One of my brightest students will be taking my place." He paused for a moment, "Perhaps you'll remember her. Minerva McGonagall; she's agreed to take the post next autumn. She was in your year."

Joel smiled slightly, and picked up his tea. He took a quick sip before placing the cup back onto the desk.

"I do remember Minerva," Joel laughed nervously, "I remember I had quite the schoolboy crush on her some years back. She's the one taking your position?"

"Yes," Albus nodded. "She was one of my top students, bright one at that. I always thought, for sure, that a competition would come from you two. Ah, but you, Joel, were always more interested in education than coming out on top. Anyway, it's been quite awhile since we've sat down and talked. How's the term coming along for you?"

"My students are wonderful." Joel mentioned, "I believe we're getting ready to start Shakespeare and I plan to change some plans," he chuckled softly. Each year, his students always groaned at the mention at Shakespeare, but Joel never blamed them, he hated Shakespeare when he was much younger. "With the chills settling and the gorgeous colors of the wood, I may take them out to the lake for a couple study days. They seem to like those days."

Albus agreed, "It's amazing what a gorgeous day and a good book will do to someone."

"It's quite magical, don't you think?"

author's note ➫ joel being an absolute cutie?? yes please 🥰 and I cannot wait to elaborate on joel's schoolboy crush