Out of her Hands

[griseldalafey]

Ohhh.... *bites nails* EVIL cliffhanger. I really hope they can work this out. In a way I can understand Albus' reasons, but stil...

Wonderful fic, I'll be checking for updates now in a very obsessive manner

[Sensiblyquirky]

Ok he just needs to come over, and they need to fall in each other's arms. Happy ending, pleeeeease. Good job.

Christy

[Kamdra]

I am glad that at least he's found her although I can't imagine her being so forgiving at first.

[angeldust]

ohhh! now that was a very evil place to stop!!!! Am really lookin forward to what happenes next update soon

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter Five: As the shock sinks in

Minerva walked deeper into the kitchen and stood beside Poppy, her emerald green eyes wide with shock just as if she had just seen a ghost. Poppy placed a comforting hand on Minerva’s arm and squeezed it tight. Minerva’s spare hand came to rest upon her friends’ as she looked into the fireplace.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” announced Poppy. “Just call if you want me!”

“Thank you Poppy!” replied Albus softly, his eyes never leaving Minerva.

Poppy smiled before quietly exiting the kitchen. She had no idea how Minerva was going to take this and she didn’t want to be in the room if Minerva exploded. Poppy hoped that Albus was prepared to do a lot of grovelling because she knew that Minerva wouldn’t let him off easily. Her mind wandered to where he had been for the last eight months. Why hadn’t he made contact before tonight? She felt angry with him but also she felt relief that he wasn’t dead. She continued to think as she made her way to find Alastor.

Back in the kitchen, Minerva still hadn’t spoken since she had first said his name. She had retreated backwards and had bumped into a chair. She had sat down on the chair and stared into the flames. Staring back at her was the man who she had finally accepted was dead. He looked exactly the same as when he had left her all those months ago. She felt numb apart from the confusion that was going on in her mind. She could see him but for some reason her eyes weren’t taking him in. They had glazed over and all she could really see was a faint outline of a human head dancing around in the green flames.

“Minerva!” came his voice.

She shook her head and tried to drown out the sound of his voice. This had happened so many times before that she wasn’t sure if her mind was deceiving her again. She remembered the times when she had thought she had seen him walking down the busy streets of Hogsmeade. She had chased after him and embraced him only to find it was someone else and another time she had been sure she had heard his voice calling to her.

“I know this is a shock,” he continued. He was aware of how pale she had turned and he wanted to floo straight to her but he knew that it wasn’t wise just yet. “Minerva, it’s me!”

“How do I know this is really you and not a cruel mind joke?” she questioned softly, her voice so low that Albus had to strain to hear her.

“I swear Tabkins,” he said using his own private nickname for her. “It’s me, Albus!”

Minerva’s head jolted upwards and her eyes pieced into his blue ones when she heard him use her pet name. Only Albus was aware of such a name so it had be to him. Before, when she had seen him, she had been too shocked to really to comprehend his existence but as he spoke to her the shock turned into something else. That something else was anger mixed with a drop of confusion and hurt.

“Where in the name of Merlin have YOU been?” she demanded, finally letting all her emotion flow out through her words

Albus had expected this. How could he have not? Any woman would react this way after her partner had disappeared for months. Minerva had Scottish blood running through her veins and that made her more passionate and angrier than anyone he had ever met. Even when she was angry with him, she took his breath away and the sight of her now, as angry as she was, was like heaven to him. He was taken back by her appearance. She did seem the shadow of her former self but she was still beautiful.

It was seeing her like this that brought home the awful truth of what his selfish decision had done to the one person he loved more than anything in the world. He was going to make it up to her some how. He had too. He had hurt her in such way that he may not be able to win her back. Seeing her standing in the kitchen was wonderful to him because he had convinced himself, like he did with many things, that he would not see her again.

“I know you are angry,” he said softly “but…”

“You have no idea how I am feeling right now!” she snapped as she glared at him.

Minerva was feeling a rush of emotions all at one time. She was happy and relieved to see that he was alive and well but she was angry, hurt and confused. Her unhappy emotions exploded and took control of what she was saying and thinking. Questions thumped in her head, demanding answers but at the moment she wasn’t in the mood to ask them because she was angry. She looked at him closely. Though the green floo flames distorted him slightly, she wasn’t aware of any damage to him. He looked healthy, perhaps a little tired, but that was nothing to how she was feeling inside. She had just accepted that he was dead and then he decided to finally show himself and act like nothing has happened.

“You just turn up and expect me to run into your arms?” she continued. “Well that is not going to happen Albus ‘almighty’ Dumbledore. You can’t just appear, disappear and then appear like this.”

“Minerva, will you let me explain?” he asked.

“I don’t want to hear your excuses Albus,” she replied as she shook her head. “I thought you were dead. You led me to believe you were dead. I hope you enjoyed your eight months of freedom because you are going to have a lot more freedom from now on since I want nothing to do with you!”

She turned on her heel and swept out of the kitchen, letting the tears fall from her eyes as the kitchen door banged shut behind her. She ran to the guest room that Poppy and Alastor had set up for her. She flung herself on to the bed and sobbed loudly.

to be continued...

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Oh my Lord, Clayre...well, of course you get your Kaylee-wolf treats but I have to admit they are lime-flavored...a bit sour, you know? I really feel bad for Albus and Min both...I hope they work this out!

Hugs,

Kaylee, who's sobbing right now

[Kassandra]

I really feel for Minerva. Hopefully she can forgive him and Albus needs to plead on bended knee. Kassie

[griseldalafey]

ai, that didn't went well Poor... both of them, I feel so sorry for them.

I really hope Albus can win her back, but he's got one fight on his hands.

Wonderful story though!

[Kamdra]

I didn't think she would run to him with open arms but it was still heartbreaking.

[Karlynne]

Boy, do they have major problems to work out. I will like to see how you resolve this.

[Lady Lavendar]

I would act the same way if someone did the same thing to me! This is really getting better and better!

LL

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter 6: If I were in your shoes!

Poppy and Alastor looked at each other as they heard Minerva storm up the stairs. Poppy was listening closely and she was able to hear the faint sound of Minerva crying. She hadn’t expected it to be easy for her friend but she was surprised that Minerva had retreated to her rooms so quickly. Perhaps Albus had caused more damage to her heart by telling her what she feared more than his death, that he found someone else.

Poppy rose to her feet slowly and was about to walk out of the room when she felt Alastor’s hand on her arm. She turned around and looked at him. She could tell that he knew what she was going to do and she knew what he was thinking.

“Let it be, Pop!” he told her.

“Alastor, she is my friend and she needs me,” Poppy replied. “I won’t get involved. I promise.”

Alastor rolled his one good eye as his magical one stayed fixed on his wife to be. He still hadn’t grown accustomed to having the cold replacement eye in his socket.

“I know you and you can’t help yourself darling,” he told her. “Just be a friend and no storming to the fireplace and demanding Albus’ presence. It won’t do Min any good and it certainly won’t do you or our baby any good either.”

Poppy smiled softly at him. He had such a good heart, which not many except a chosen few had the privilege to see. Even though he was utterly useless at arranging a wedding or even making a decision on what color the flowers should be in the chapel, she loved him with all her heart and couldn’t wait to start her married life with him. She blew him a kiss and promised that she wouldn’t get to involved in what had gone on in the kitchen before waddling out of the sitting room.

It took Poppy longer to make her way the stairs, gravity seemed to be pulling her downwards and she came to a stop mid way up the stairs. She had never expected pregnancy to be such hard work and she still had two months to go till the big day, plus she had a wedding to fit in. She was supposed to be blooming now but she just seemed to be tired and hungry all the time. Poppy finally reached the top of the stairs and made her way over to the room where Minerva was staying. Poppy pressed her ear against the door and heard muffled crying. Minerva must have been crying into one of the pillows on her bed.

“Minerva,” called Poppy as she knocked softly on the door.

There was no answer and Poppy hadn’t really expected one. She opened the door and stepped into the room. Minerva lay on her tummy on the bed. Instead of crying into the pillow like Poppy had thought, Minerva was crying into a pair of brightly colored robes. The bright orange with purple swirls embroidered on the robes could only belong to one person, Albus Dumbledore. Poppy sat on the edge of the bed and placed her hand on the small of Minerva’s back.

“Min,” she asked softly “what did he say?”

Minerva looked up from the robes she was crying into, her eyes red and wet and her skin all blotchy.

“He doesn’t contact me in eight months and he thinks he can just appear back in my life as though nothing has happened,” she sobbed. “How dare he do this to me!”

“What did he say?” asked Poppy as she rubbed her friend on the back.

“Well I didn’t let him make his lame excuses,” sniffed Minerva.

“Minerva!” sighed Poppy. “You should of have at least listened to him.”

“That’s isn’t the point Poppy,” replied Minerva as she glared down at the robes she was holding.

“Then what is the point?” asked Poppy, the tone of her voice rose slightly higher than usual.

Poppy was shocked that Minerva hadn’t heard Albus out. She would have thought that Minerva would have reserved judgement until after she had heard what he had to say. Minerva was always one of these people who had to know both sides of the situation and then she would make her decision. That is how she had become renowned as being a fair and noble head of house.

“He may have had a perfectly reasonable excuse for being away so long,” Poppy told her friend. “But you won’t know because you won’t let him explain.”

“I can’t Poppy,” replied Minerva. “I am afraid of what he may say!”

Poppy looked into the teary eyes of her best friend and saw that Minerva was afraid. It was an emotion that she rarely saw in her Gryffindor friend but it was there now. Poppy opened her arms and indicated for Minerva to have a hug. She had no idea of the struggle Minerva was going through internally but she wanted to ease it as much as she could.

“Do you know what I would do if I were in your position?” asked Poppy softly.

“What?” questioned Minerva as she sat up the bed and looked at her friend. She had politely refused the embrace Poppy had been offering, knowing that it would probably cause discomfort to her pregnant friend.

“I would go and see him,” said Poppy “demand answers to my questions and then tell him what exactly I went through over the eight months he had been gone, presumed dead.”

“But you aren’t me Poppy!”

“No I am not but I am only giving you the advice that you would have given me,” replied Poppy as she rose up from the bed and made her way over to the door. “I can’t force you into anything but think about what I have said my dear. Alastor and I are here for you always.”

With that final thought, Poppy slipped out of the room and left her friend to ponder her words. She knew that Minerva take the words and think on them now that she was alone and Poppy hoped she would go and speak with Albus so she could find out what had happened. It would give her peace of mind and it might heal the wound that had been inflicted.

to be continued!

[KayleeTonksLupin]

Ooh, so this is why you were so busy! *grin* Happy Valentine's Day Clayre and a good update! *is proud of Clayre, and so gives Clayre many, many Kaylee-wolf treats*

Hugs,

Kaylee

[Karlynne]

I hope Minerva plans to at least hear Albus out before he does anything else foolish. Karlie

[griseldalafey]

Go Poppy! I hope Minerva will take up her advice and let Albus explain. I still feel sorry for her though.

Griselda
Still biting her nails.

[Kamdra]

I think Albus had better watch out. Once Minerva gets over her anguish she is going to be one angry Scot and I hope she unleashes her temper on him. I still say shame on him but part of me feels so sorry for both of them that I can instantly forgive him. Kammie

[Aurinko]

Albus had better have some very good answers, though I do feel sort of bad for him. Err, like your story lots!

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter Seven: Feeling Lost

Albus withdrew his head from the flames and settled back into his chair. A sense of failure overwhelmed him and he sighed loudly. He had remained in the fire for several minutes before finally admitting to himself that she wasn’t going to come back through the kitchen door. He hadn’t expected her to take his reappearance well but he had expected that she would have at least heard him out, let him explain what had happened and why he did what he did. He wished that she had let him explain and then she could have stormed away. She would have had her answers then and she could have made up her own mind. With a defeated sigh, he rose from his chair and made his way to the kitchen. He needed to think and the best way was to sit down with a mug to steaming hot chocolate and ponder over things.

It had been wonderful to see her again. She was just as beautiful as the day he left her on the doorstep. He remembered that day so well. She had asked for no goodbyes because it seemed so final. She hadn’t asked him to promise her that he would return to her because she knew that promises could be broken. He remembered telling her on the doorstep that he loved her and they would be together again. She had smiled and kissed him with all the passion her small, delicate body held. The memory of that kiss had kept him company on many lonely nights away from her.

She had stood on the doorstep watching him walk away and he was sure he heard her sniffle. He had wanted to turn back and comfort her but he knew that it would make the parting more painful. It was hard seeing her again after eight months and though she was still beautiful, she had changed. The weight loss was visible to him. She had always been slim but with curves in the all the right places. Now her once clingy robes hung loosely from her frame. Her facial features had hardened a little bit and her eyes weren’t as bright as he had remembered. It caused him pain that his absence from her life had caused this.

When she swept away from him, part of him wanted to step through the flames and follow her but the other part of him had stopped him. He knew Poppy and Alastor would be there for her and he knew that they were true friends. Poppy and Minerva were like sisters and the bond had only increased over the years. He didn’t even know if Minerva was relieved to see him alive but could he even expect her to? He had put her through hell these past months and it was all down to his pride and vanity. These were the two things Albus had despised in people but he was no better than them. He had been one of those people who he disliked most and had hurt people in the process.

In fact, he was worse than them because he had caused pain to the most important people in his life. He hadn’t even contacted his own family. What type of man was he?

Taking his hot chocolate back into the room where he had just left, he sat back down and stared at the fire. He had half expected Poppy or Alastor’s face to appear and give him a dressing down but they hadn’t. They were probably with Minerva, as they should be. Taking a sip of thick, rich hot chocolate didn’t even comfort him but he had known that all along. He didn’t want Minerva hating him. He wanted her to know what had happened during his fight with Grindelwald and what had happened after he had been found. He wanted to make it up to her and try to win her back. Deep down he knew that had he had been in her shoes that he wouldn’t have given himself a second chance. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to be where he was now, alone and feeling sorry for himself.

The house he had built from them felt empty. He felt like a trespasser in each room he wandered into. He had built this home for him and his family and it looked like that there was to be no family life for him. His heart belonged to Minerva and he feared it always would. No one could replace her in his affections and he wouldn’t want anyone to try. He had found his soul mate in the fiery Gryffindor. They were kindred spirits who had found each other. His mother had told him on her deathbed that some people look for the love he and Minerva had all their lives and never find it and so he should cherish and adore her to the ends of time. His mother’s words had affected Albus deeply and he had repeated them to Minerva. She had appreciated them just as she was meant to and they had decided that they would include them in their wedding vows.

Albus shook his head and sighed. The memory of them deciding on their wedding vows brought the reality of what he had lost. They would have married on the 27th of the previous month/ They had been preparing arrangements on the morning when the letter had arrived. He had forgotten about their wedding plans till now and he hated himself even more. He had left it all up to her to cancel the wedding she was so looking forward to. No bride-to-be should have to go through that…ever. He didn’t deserve a second chance. He wasn’t worthy of a second chance. Preoccupied in his thoughts he failed to notice the presence behind him until the person spoke.

“I suggest you tell me everything!”

To be continued.

[Kamdra]

Poor thing. I hope its Minerva speaking to him to hear him out. I am glad Albus can see the huge mistake he made and hope he can rectify things.

[Lady Lavendar]

Wow!! Wonder who that could be behind him. This such a wonderful story! Hope you update soon!!

LL ;D

[TartanPhoenix]

Poppy to the rescue..I hope! Another wonderful chapter, but I still can't believe Minerva just left without giving him a chance to explain. Please let them get this all worked out.

[KayleeTonksLupin]

I agree with all you girls...MIN, LET ALBUS EXPLAIN! *grin* I can't wait for them to get this sorted out! *showers Clayre with Kaylee-wolf treats!*

Hugs,

Kaylee

xxx

[Rikki]

Oh my god, he forgot about the wedding. Poor Min. But I hope she'll hear him out and let him explain. Update soon, it's a great story.

Love, Rikki

[Kassandra]

Albus just keeps falling further. I hope he can dig himself out of this hole he dug. I can't wait to see how you resolve it. Kassie

[Karlynne]

I completely missed this update. I am so glad it looks like they will be talking or at least clearing the air. Karlie

[Miss Q]

This story is fantastic! I love it! And I can not wait for you to update so we get to know whom has come for a visit...... Like the rest of the board I hope they work things out!

M

[DumbledoresKitten]

I was reading this on ff.net it is soo wonderful.

Minerva has to let Albus explain . . . before she kils him for being a selfish prat and letting her believe that he died

I can't wait to see the next exchange between Albus and Min

Please, in need of updates

Cat

[QuillofMinerva]

Chapter 8: The beginning is a good place to start

The broken form of the most celebrated wizard of recent times forced himself to look up and look in the direction of the voice. Albus felt like he was staring into a mirror or looking at a photo of his younger self as his blue eyes met with another pair of twinkling blue eyes. Aberforth Jonathan Theodore Dumbledore stood leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest. It was clear that he was waiting for answers but he wasn’t going to push for them, as he knew his brother all to well. Like Minerva, Aberforth had accepted his brothers death only days ago and this was like seeing a ghost.

“Aberforth,” greeted Albus sadly “how did you know?”

“Someone told me,” answered Aberforth sadly as he walked into the living room and flopped down on a chair. “It;s not the way I wanted to find out, better coming from you!”

Albus nodded. He agreed with his brother that he should have been the one to tell him of his return but it had slipped his mind. Aberforth was just another name to add to the list of people he loved but had let down. His Minerva, his brother, and his friends had all been hurt because of him.

“Minerva contacted you then!” Albus concluded as he leaned forward and rested his chin on his fingers.

“No,” replied his brother. “I contacted Min to see how she was doing and I spoke with Alastor. He mentioned that you had popped up in the flames unannounced.”

“She didn’t even let me explain, Abe.” Albus said with a deep sigh.

“Can you honestly say that you deserve a chance to explain?” questioned Aberforth. “You put her through hell Albus. I saw her go through it every one of those days for the entire eight months you were gone. I watched as she made herself ill as she refused to give up looking for you. You’re my brother and I am overjoyed that you are well and back with us but I am finding it hard to choose between hugging you and hexing you for what you put us through. I am supposed to be the wayward brother, not you!”

Albus looked at his brother. The words he had spoken were not that different to what his conscious mind was telling him but they seemed more real as his brother spoke them. It was true; the Dumbledore brothers were like chalk and cheese but the best of friends. Albus was the intelligent one who acted responsibly but still kept that childlike quality of fun within him. Aberforth didn’t like responsibility unless it included his beloved goats. He lived for fun and never held back from doing exactly what he wanted to do, regardless of the consequences. Albus had covered for his brother on many occasions and even in his youth, had gotten into fights because of something his brother had said a bit too loudly and people had taken offense.

“What can I do Abe?” asked Albus, who felt as though he had nothing in the world.

“Albus Dumbledore asking me for advice?” mused Aberforth with a playful smile. “I thought I would never see the day and you do know that Father, will never believe it when I tell him.”

“Abe, I’m serious here.” Albus snapped without meaning to. He knew his brother was only trying to lighten the heavy mood that had engulfed them both in the living room.

“Well tell me, what in the name of Merlin happened to you?” suggested Aberforth.

Albus explained in detail about stumbling across Grindelwald by chance. Albus had been following the latest coordinates to the Dark Lord’s supposed lair and had found the coordinates to be wrong. Albus had decided to head back to the Aurors headquarters to tell them but on his way back he had seen his target. He knew of his destiny and he knew that he had to do it alone. Albus had sent no word of where he was and didn’t even ask for backup.

Albus admitted to his brother that he had pounced not even knowing if Grindelwald had his followers around him or nearby. He simply took a chance when he saw one. The Dark Lord hadn’t been expecting it and so it had been easy for Albus to quickly gain the upper hand in the duel. Albus explained that all sorts of ancient spells had been cast from both sides and both men had been weakening. Albus couldn’t remember how long the battle had lasted between them. It could have been minutes, hours or maybe even days. He had no memory of the spell that had cost Grindelwald his life or on the spell that rendered him at deaths door.

“You are a brave but stupid man Albus!” Aberforth pointed out.

“Yes, thank you for that evaluation Abe.” Albus replied.

“Well what happened then?” asked Aberforth.

“I woke up in a hospital,” explained Albus as he tried to remember all the details he could. “They told me that I wouldn’t be able to walk again and that I was lucky to be alive. I felt anything but lucky Abe. I felt like a failure and I wished he had killed me. My thoughts turned to Minerva. They were always of her. She is the only woman I have ever loved but I couldn’t put her through this. I didn’t want her to see me like that. I didn’t want her to stay and pity me. I was disgusting, vile and a disgrace. I made myself believe that not telling her was for her sake when really I was doing it for my own vanity.”

“What about your own family?” asked Aberforth who was trying to understand his older brothers reasons. He knew that Minerva’s own mother had nursed her husband towards the end of his life and he had heard that it had been hard so he could understand why his brother had chosen as he did but it had been wrong. Aberforth had seen the love between his brother and Minerva. At times he had even envied it so he knew that Minerva would have stuck by his brother, regardless. Albus had always been the one in charge of things. He had always saved his pocket money and bought useful things when they had been boys. Albus wanted to protect and help people, especially the ones he loved so Aberforth could see that Albus would have hated not being able to be useful

“If I had told you,” said Albus breaking into his brothers thoughts “you would have told Minerva and I would expect no less. I am truly sorry for the pain I have caused but I was suffering as well. I was alone and suffering for a long time before I finally realized I had people to live for. I worked hard and set myself goals and here I am now, walking and among the people I love.”

“But surely you didn’t expect to arrive and it to be like nothing happened!” said Aberforth softly.

“Of course I didn’t,” answered Albus irritably. “I thought I might get the chance to explain. I don’t know what I am going to do without her Abe. This house reminds me of her. When I close my eyes I can see her and when I open them, she is still there.”

“Time is a great healer Albus,” said Aberforth wisely. “You just have to give her time and space.”

Unbeknownst to the two brothers, they were not alone in the cottage that Albus had built for the love of his life. Sitting on the stairs, hugging her knees to her chest sat Minerva McGonagall with silent tears running down her porcelain colored cheeks.

To be continued!

[Kandice]

I am glad Minerva was able to overhear Albus speaking at least. I was surprise you chose Aberforth but it was a good choice. Kandie

[DumbledoresKitten]

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you
so happy you updated, and it was worth the wait. awesome chapter ;D ;D ;D

great choice having Abus tell Abe, i was wondering when his family would come into play.

I feel so bad for AD/MM. They need to be together *puppy eyes *. . . i'll give you chocolate *grins*

I really liked the way Min found out about what happened to Albus. He got a chance to explain, and she has the time to think things through.

Loved it
Cat