What happened?

[Lady Jolly]

HHEHEHEH I KNEW IT!! I knew it was boggart but that is funny. A boggart that's been trapped in that classroom because they couldn't vanish it ehehehehe. But that's really sad of course darn that thing. I hope Albus gets better and they fix their relationship!!

Lady Jolly

[TartanPhoenix]

AN: Well, here it is, the end. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who reviewed. I had a lot of fun writing this story, and I'm glad some of you enjoyed it too.

Minerva finally allowed her shoulders to slump while she watched the now steady rise and fall of his chest from beneath the blankets. When he collapsed she panicked. Levitating him, she all but ran through the halls, and it was only by some miracle that she arrived back in the hospital wing before his heart stopped. The strain on him had been too much for his weary body to handle, and it had simply shut down.

It took Poppy hours and a near collapse of her own before he was again stable. She had taken up vigil beside him as soon as Poppy had stepped away, and no amount of pleading, and then threatening, had been able to move her. It had been another three hours, the sun had long ago set, and on several occasions Minerva could hear Poppy shooing away people as they tried to enter. Her mind genuinely didn’t register the intrusion.

She wondered when things had gotten so dreadfully complicated. A boggart; she almost laughed at the sheer stupidity of the moment. At least now she could understand Albus’ reaction. She, reportedly one of the greatest witches of the century, was taken in and decimated by a simple boggart. But, it just made no sense. A boggart couldn’t be bound to a single location, could it? And why, in the name of that is sane in this world, had she never heard of it? She had lived the entirety of her adult life, and a major portion of her childhood within the confines of the castle, so how could she, when everyone else knew, have missed it?

No matter the reason, she and Albus would need to have a serious talk about what would come next. ‘Just not now,’ she thought as she watched him sleep. Since their arrival back in the Hospital Wing, she had not allowed herself to touch him, but the urge was overwhelming. She needed that contact that reassured her of his continued existence. Her hands slid around his much larger one, and the tiny hairs along her neck stood on end at the sensation. His hand was hot and clammy, and it seemed to lack subtle strength that she always remembered. Idly, her thumb began to trace patterns along his palm. There would be time to talk later, but for now, as her eyelids began to droop, she needed rest almost as much as he did.

This was how Poppy found them half an hour later. Albus was still sound asleep, but now, so was Minerva. She still had his hand encased within her own, and her head rose and fell from its place on her chest. Her tense posture showed just how uncomfortable the position was for her. So, without any thought to the feelings of the two, or regard her own personal safety, Poppy waved her wand.

The once single bed was now a double, and it only took the span of a breath before Minerva sighed and rolled toward the never forgotten warmth. Albus’ sleep became more restful as his arms slowly wound around her waist, pulling her closer. Her head came to rest against his rising pajama clad chest, and his burrowed into her hair. There were just some things that time couldn’t interfere with. Shaking her head at the whole situation and muttering something that sounded remarkably like “thick as bricks,” she turned on her heel and headed to bed herself. Tomorrow would be a long day.

The sun rose hesitantly the next day, almost aware of what its arrival would mean. Albus sighed and curled farther around the soft warmth in his arms. He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so soundly or woken utterly content despite the dull ache that seemed to penetrate everything. Even in his half woken state, it felt as if he had been hit by a stampede of angry Hippogriffs. It wasn’t until he caught a whiff from her hair that everything from the day before came crashing down around him.

His aqua eyes snapped open, but he was careful not to move as he took in his surroundings. He was back in the Hospital Wing, and dread swiftly took hold of him. ‘I’m a dead man,’ was the only thought running through his mind. ‘But what a way to go,’ was the next as he looked down at the woman who had pillowed her head on his beard, just as she had always done. A gentle smile tugged at her lips, and he wondered if his presence was what put it there. It had been so many years, it was almost impossible to be sure.

The whole debacle that had become his life still amazed him. She had walked in on the boggart, and he had lost his wife. ‘Well, maybe only misplaced,’ he hoped. That boggart had caused him more trouble through the years than he would like to admit, but the fact she had apparently been unaware of its existence was astounding. He had never mentioned it during their long years together, partially due to embarrassment, but mostly because it was common knowledge. It was just something that everyone found out about, and explanation had become unnecessary though the years.

He closed his eyes and the image of her horrified face flashed across them. But, what hurt most was the boggart itself. It is often said that humans fear the unknown, the unexplained. While that is certainly true, people seem to be more afraid of what they believe to be possible, even in the remotest of chances. It’s that nagging ‘what if’ that truly terrifies a person. It’s almost impossible to be afraid that which cannot happen.

She had actually thought he was capable of deceiving and then abandoning her. They had been married for so long, yet it seemed to him as if perhaps, she didn’t know him at all. Even now she was everything to him. He was willing to give up everything and anything for just the slimmest chance of a smile. He was willing to suffer anything for just the smallest of laughs. And, despite this, she thought he would leave her. The fact that she had come back, for whatever reason, gave him a glimmer of hope, but if they had any chance, they would need to talk.

Time seemed to work against him however, when he felt her delicate hands flex on his chest, gathering a fistful of nightshirt and beard between her fingers. He turned his head slowly and looked down at her, simply content to watch her awaken. He had always loved it, the groggy, glazed look of her eyes, and the way her hair mussed. He was not disappointed that morning either. Minerva stretched and flexed in bed before burrowing deeper into Albus’ arms. It was a wonderful dream, and she wasn’t ready to leave it yet, despite what the real world wanted. Licking her lips, trying to dispel the fuzz that had taken up residence in her mouth, Minerva slowly opened her eyes, and stared.

Albus could feel her tense almost immediately, but despite her attempts to pull away, kept his grip as tight as possible. Every intention of talking fled from his mind. “Albus don’t,” she whispered.

“Why not?” He asked just as quietly. She wanted to skate around the issue, but he was tired of running from his demons.

“We..I..it just..” She fought with herself, trying to find a way to explain what she felt. They needed to talk, but his closeness clouded her mind, making rational thought impossible, and he knew it. It had always been that way, and he was using it to his advantage. Severus would be so proud.

Albus reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, letting his finger trail down her jaw line. “How could you think it Tabby? How could you ever doubt how much I love you?”

Minerva shivered and tried once again in vain to pull away. “I don’t know Albus. How do you expect me to explain it to you when I don’t understand it myself? I only know that I walked into a room, and something I thought was you didn’t love me anymore.” She had lifted her head, but was unusually interested in the speck of dust floating just over his shoulder. “I don’t understand how it could have happened. I had never heard of the boggart, and how on earth did it get stuck? Boggart’s can’t become attached to a place; it’s just not possible.”

It was Albus’ turn to be uncomfortable, and in his retreat, Minerva was able to pull back slightly. Propping up on an elbow, she was surprised at the surge of amusement she felt at his predicament.

[TartanPhoenix]

“I’m afraid that was my fault,” he finally admitted. “That was the classroom in use during my time as a student. We were working in class when..” his cheeks grew redder with every second of silence. Minerva raised an eyebrow and simply waited. “Well, a classmate of mine was having some difficulty, and I agreed to help. She was rather appreciative when she received full marks on the homework and gave me a peck on the cheek in way of a thank you. I um..had a bit of a power surge. There was a boggart in the professor’s desk at the time, and by the time the flash had diminished, it was stuck. It seemed as if the desk was also stuck, so we were forced to move next door for lessons, and I spent the next few years known as kissing curser.”

Laughter danced in her eyes even though she was able to hold it back. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

He looked as if the very thought would cause him to break down in tears. “It was rather embarrassing Minerva, and everyone always finds out about the Boggart, so I never saw a point.”

“Well, almost everyone. What do we do now Albus?” He opened his mouth, but the words died on his lips at the sound of rustling robes and a loudly cleared throat.

Albus’ hand snapped back as if burned, and Minerva reflexively brought the blanket up farther around her frame, despite the set of robes she still wore. Knowing what they would find, both dreading it, but one fearing for his life, they turned. They both looked up at the school nurse, who was smirking at them, but she also had a murderous glint that was determined to break free. “And how are we feeling this morning?” Both nodded their heads and muttered a soft “fine” before blue eyes dropped and emerald turned toward him.

“Well, that wonderful to hear. After all of yesterday’s excitement, I would have thought someone would have been flat on his back. Oh,” she said in mock surprise, “look at that. You are!!! Maybe next time, instead of playing stun the nurse and run, you’ll actually listen to what I tell you. Because, make no mistake, if you ever pull something like that on me again Albus Dumbledore, it won’t be pretty. I do have a through knowledge of muggle healing techniques. Do I make myself clear?” Albus only nodded his head, looking like a petulant child.

“I can’t believe you stunned her Albus,” Minerva hissed through her teeth. “It took me almost five minutes to get her up again.”

“She wouldn’t give me my pants!” he whispered back in his own defense.

“And now we know why! Do you have any idea..”

This time it was Minerva who was interrupted by new arrivals. The hospital wing door swung open and half of the teaching staff barreled into the room, the group being led by the now deputy headmaster, Flitwick. “Don’t any of you people listen?!” Poppy yelled at the approaching figures. “I told you to come back later.”

She was completely ignored. “So it’s true; you’re back.” Minerva had sat up as they approached, and soon found herself with an armful of Charms professor. “Thank heavens! Do you have any idea just how much we’ve missed you? It’s been a nightmare!!” As abruptly as the hug had begun, it was over. Instead, she found herself being rather forcibly shaken. “Do you know what kind of an ogre he’s been?!! How we’ve kept from killing him is beyond me. I’ve been doing paperwork for six years Minerva; six years!! What were you thinking woman!!”

“Filius, would you stop shaking my wife? I believe that’s my job.” He looked over the head of the shorter man at the other staff. Most had looks of shock on their face, while some looked more confused then ever. “We will answer your questions, but first,” he turned back to Minerva and grabbed her hands between his own. “If I’m not mistaken, I’m in need of a transfiguration professor, and I think Filius is about to murder me in my sleep if I let him. I don’t suppose you would be interested, would you? The position does come with a quiet dinner for two in London on Saturday; a sort of fresh start if you will. What do you say Minerva?”

She had dreamed of this moment a thousand times, and knew the answer long before she said it, but there was someone else to consider. “Filius,” she said questioningly.

“I don’t know what’s going on with the two of you, but if your willing to deal with those damn governors, it’s all yours. And Albus, if you ever do this to me again, I’ll hex you into next week.”

“What about us Albus?” “He let his fingers stroke along her cheek again, enthraled as she leaned into the touch. “We start again, and live life to the fullest.” That was all she needed to hear.

“Well, when do I start?” He smiled up at her, and placed a loving kiss on the back of her hand.

“How about now?”

[JKMcGonagall]

Ssssiiiiiiiiggghhhh...BEAUTIFUL ending. I have enjoyed your story so much. I always looked forward to each new chapter, checking each day for a new one. Why did it have to end? Now there is nothing to look forward to. Oh, that means you will have to write another story for us. Yea!!!!!

I loved it when Albus had to explain about the boggart to Min. How embarrassing for him, but funny, too. I'm with Albus, I can't see how she can doubt his love for her for one second. Heh, heh, heh...I knew Poppy was going to be one angry mediwitch. I wouldn't have wanted to be Albus for one minute. He was, however, properly contrite. I did love Poppy's statement that she has a thorough knowledge of muggle healing techniques, and the implied threat that she would use them if it ever happened again.

Yea!!!!! Minerva got her husband, her life, and her job back, and Filius is very happy now, also.

Great story...now a command for you...Write Another One Soon, Please. I'll be waiting eagerly.

Kay

[Miss Q]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful lovely ending to this sweet wonderful story!

M

[Sensiblyquirky]

I'm glad they are starting over! Your story was a good idea: those boggarts...nasty things! Keep up the good work, and I hope to see more from you soon.

Christy

[ginger newts]

Oh man, all of that trouble over a boggart. How awful! I'm so glad they straightened things out. This was a lovely ending.

[QuillofMinerva]

I am sad that this story has come to an end but I am glad things are finally straightened out. Blasted Boggart...grrrr but it did make me grin madly when Albus explained why the Boggart was stuck in that room lol

Thanks for sharing

Hope to see more from you on the board

Clayre x

[LadyJolly]

YAY!!! ohhh That was wonderful!! I loved it and I hope to read more soon. That was pretty sweet how they still snuggle up to each other after all these years. How sweet I love ;D heheheheh
Lady Jolly

[Jaya]

This was a GREAT ending!

Really wonderful!

I love the way that they finally got back together... and that Poppy tucked them in to bed together...

Fantastic effort!

Jaya ;D

[tayryn]

aaawww... that was a sweet ending!

i loved Filius shaking Minerva... and griping about the six years of paperwork. ROTFLMAO! that was great!

this was a delightful little story!

[Alesia]

What a great ending to come back to! I loved the explanation about why the boggart was tied to the room. he he he

[Jessabelle]

Wow, what a great story .. Flitwick was hilarious! .. and Yay! they are starting over!
Great work!

[Minx]

Just discovered your story.....EXCELLENT! ;D

I think I'll see what else you've written......

[gingerkitten]

Wow, what an excellent story! I can't believe I missed it. Great Job.

[bestwishes4Maggie!]

Are you willing to continue?
XOXO ~Athena