Post by Sensiblyquirky on Sept 4, 2004 14:58:56 GMT -5
I own nothing, not Harry Potter or Their Eyes Were Watching God.
The order of the Phoenix was in an uproar, not twenty minutes ago several of the men had brought Albus Dumbledore into the living room passed out. Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Weasley clan, and Hermione and Harry were all in the living room reading or playing chess when the commotion started.
As they brought Dumbledore in Minerva immediately moved so they could place him on the couch, and asked what happened
“We don’t know, Minerva,” Alastor Moody spoke, “we were all scheduled to meet him at the Leaky Cauldron, and this is how we found him in his room. He hasn’t woken up.”
Minerva paled at that knowledge, and being the strong woman she was she took over, “Alright, Alastor go and get Poppy. Bring her here immediately. I want everyone out of this room but Molly and Ms. Granger.”
“But,” Remus Lupin started.
“No buts, Remus, I mean it. Go with Alastor to get Poppy, and assist her in anyway possible. Tell her he is still breathing, but it is not as strong as usual. His face is very pale, and tell her exactly how long it has been since you found him, and tell her I am here. Now go, please.” When finished speaking to the men Minerva turned around, and began taking some of Professor Dumbledore’s clothing off.
“Professor, are you sure I should be in here,” Hermione asked rather uncomfortable.
“Yes, don’t worry, Hermione. I need you to perform a spell while I get him comfortable.” Minerva wrapped a blanket around Dumbledore before ridding him of the rest of his clothing.
“Hermione, I need you to say these words three times without a break in a row Aithne Gainisg. They are Gaelic, and I need you to tell me what you hear when you say them. It is quite powerful, so you will be tired when done,” moving to place a hand on her shoulder Minerva continued, “I have no doubt in your ability to perform it.”
Hermione nodded, and performed the spell but she heard nothing. So she raised her wand to do it again, but Minerva stopped her.
“No child, just tell me what you heard,” Minerva asked.
“I didn’t hear anything, Professor, I’m sorry…” Hermione answered dropping her gaze to the floor.
“Ms. Granger,” Minerva called waiting for her to raise her eyes, “there is nothing to apologize for. It is good news if you hear nothing; it means death is not coming. I’m very proud of you, now go get some rest.” Minerva smiled at Hermione and turned her attention back to Albus.
“Albus, wake up. It’s Tabby, I need you to wake up,” she pleaded with him to no avail, so she was doomed to await Poppy’s arrival.
Ten minutes later Hogwarts school nurse, Poppy Pompfrey, was rushed into the living room ordering everyone out of her way, “You too, Minerva. I’ll check him out, and then I’ll come speak to you. Wait in the kitchen.” Leaning over him Minerva placed a gentle kiss to Albus’ forehead before she left.
The scene in the kitchen was one of anxiety, every body in the house, save Hermione, was sitting in the kitchen waiting to here what Poppy had to say. Minerva had gone around to each of them trying to ensure them that Albus was strong and he would be fine, but she was most worried about Harry. She sat beside of him and put her arm around his shoulders, to her great surprise he leaned into her.
“He’ll be ok, Harry.” Harry just nodded, and laid his head upon her shoulder. Minerva held on to Harry as she waited with everyone else. Finally three hours later Poppy emerged from the room, and Minerva jumped up immediately.
“Poppy, what did you find out?” Poppy sighed looking sadly at Minerva, “I can’t find anything Minerva. I don’t understand. All he seems to be is tired. He is awake now, just barely though and he wishes to see you. I’ll be back later tonight with some more results, and to check up on him. Do not let him out of bed.” Minerva nodded, and hurried into the living room. She had to stifle a gasp at Albus’ face. He looked to worn out, and his blue eyes no longer twinkled or sparkled. She approached him cautiously, fixing the blankets in case he was cold.
“Hi,” Albus said weakly.
“Hi,” was all Minerva could think to say for the moment. They sat there for awhile until she offered to read to him. “I found this interesting muggle book I was going to try, and you might like it, would you like me to go get it and read to you?”
Albus just nodded. In no time Minerva was back, and had settled herself in a chair very close to the couch.
“Their Eyes Were Watching God: by Zora Neale Hurston. Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men.”
Albus weakly interrupted her, “That is very true, my dear.” For some reason Minerva felt the need to touch him, so she slid from the chair to the couch and softly ran her hand over his chest as she continued, “Now, women forget all those things they don’t want to remember, and remember everything they don’t want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly...” and so it continued for days. Whenever he was awake, or even asleep Minerva read to him.
She rarely left his side feeding him, talking to him, sleeping by him just in case something happened. She had lost weight, and was looking worn out herself as the days turned into a week without any improvement. His illness still baffled Poppy, and they feared to move him.
One afternoon he started to toss and tumble, mumble, and scream as he slept. Minerva, who had been in the kitchen, quickly ran into the other room to try and placate him. Whenever she touched him he would quiet down, and in an attempt to rid him of the dreams Minerva laid beside of him on the couch. Albus moved so his head was resting on her chest, and she was holding him firmly in her arms. Poppy and Harry looked on from the doorway, “Madam Pompfrey are the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall more than friends,” Harry asked quietly. Poppy looked at him before answering, “Yes and no.”
When Harry looked confused she elaborated on her response, “They love each other very much, but they have not told each other. You should have seen him when she was hit by those stunners. I found him one night in the hospital changing her bandages, or trying to since she was still under a sheet. The bandages had started to bleed through, and he was attempting to make her feel better. It was so sweet and so sad. I had thought he would have told her then, but he didn’t. Now, look, she is about to make herself ill willing him to get better.” Harry looked on in silence as Minerva continued to hold the Headmaster, and for once he seemed to see them for who they really were: two people trying to save the world they love so much, but still searching for the that intimate love they could only give each other.
Minerva extracted herself from Albus when he had finally fallen into a deep sleep, and she stumbled into the kitchen. She has just sat down when he screamed again, and this time Poppy followed her into the room. When Minerva was settled back on the couch she let all the frustration and fear slide down her cheeks in the form of tears. She laid there holding him, and crying.
“Poppy, why can’t we find out what’s wrong with him? Why? Oh Albus hang on. I know you can beat this, just hang on. You have so much to live for Albus: Hogwarts and all our children, Harry, and the peace that will follow this war. You can survive, Albus, you have to. Please, Albus don’t leave me. I wouldn’t be able to take it if you left. Please, Albus, I’ll help you. Let me carry some of your burdens, lean on me, just come back to me.”
Poppy was in tears as she stood there and bore witness to Minerva’s breakdown, “Albus, just don’t leave me, you can’t,” she whispered, “Come back to me…I love you. I love you so much, and I need you.”
Poppy quietly left the room when Minerva had fallen asleep with Albus safely in her arms.
Minerva awoke the next morning to the feeling of someone tracing her facial features. She opened her eyes lazily to see who was doing this to her. Her eyes widened in shock when she realized it was Albus. He was practically laying on top of her, and staring down at her with those bright blue eyes, the twinkle had returned. Not concerned with their position Minerva threw her arms around his neck, “Albus, h-how are you ok? What h-happened?”
“I don’t know, Minerva. I just know I heard you talking to me last night, and I knew I just had to get better. It was the weirdest feeling, like I was stuck between internal sleep and being awake. I could always hear you or feel you, but never see you. I felt fine, just tired, but last night I knew I had to try and beat whatever it was.”
“S-so you heard me, all of what I said,” she asked weakly.
“Yes, all of it.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I should not have broken down like that and about the last thing I sa-,” but she never finished because Albus had covered her mouth with his own.
Shocked at first Minerva didn’t respond to the kiss, but in no time she was kissing him with every bit of passion she could muster. When they broke apart gasping for air Albus whispered in her ear, “I love you, too. I need you, too. I couldn’t live without you.”
Minerva felt the hot happy tears roll down her face, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was that he loved her, he actually loved her.
They were never able to find out what illness had inflicted Albus so, but he always joked it was unrequited love killing him. It might have been, but Minerva didn’t care what it was as long as he never got it again. He never did.
The order of the Phoenix was in an uproar, not twenty minutes ago several of the men had brought Albus Dumbledore into the living room passed out. Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Weasley clan, and Hermione and Harry were all in the living room reading or playing chess when the commotion started.
As they brought Dumbledore in Minerva immediately moved so they could place him on the couch, and asked what happened
“We don’t know, Minerva,” Alastor Moody spoke, “we were all scheduled to meet him at the Leaky Cauldron, and this is how we found him in his room. He hasn’t woken up.”
Minerva paled at that knowledge, and being the strong woman she was she took over, “Alright, Alastor go and get Poppy. Bring her here immediately. I want everyone out of this room but Molly and Ms. Granger.”
“But,” Remus Lupin started.
“No buts, Remus, I mean it. Go with Alastor to get Poppy, and assist her in anyway possible. Tell her he is still breathing, but it is not as strong as usual. His face is very pale, and tell her exactly how long it has been since you found him, and tell her I am here. Now go, please.” When finished speaking to the men Minerva turned around, and began taking some of Professor Dumbledore’s clothing off.
“Professor, are you sure I should be in here,” Hermione asked rather uncomfortable.
“Yes, don’t worry, Hermione. I need you to perform a spell while I get him comfortable.” Minerva wrapped a blanket around Dumbledore before ridding him of the rest of his clothing.
“Hermione, I need you to say these words three times without a break in a row Aithne Gainisg. They are Gaelic, and I need you to tell me what you hear when you say them. It is quite powerful, so you will be tired when done,” moving to place a hand on her shoulder Minerva continued, “I have no doubt in your ability to perform it.”
Hermione nodded, and performed the spell but she heard nothing. So she raised her wand to do it again, but Minerva stopped her.
“No child, just tell me what you heard,” Minerva asked.
“I didn’t hear anything, Professor, I’m sorry…” Hermione answered dropping her gaze to the floor.
“Ms. Granger,” Minerva called waiting for her to raise her eyes, “there is nothing to apologize for. It is good news if you hear nothing; it means death is not coming. I’m very proud of you, now go get some rest.” Minerva smiled at Hermione and turned her attention back to Albus.
“Albus, wake up. It’s Tabby, I need you to wake up,” she pleaded with him to no avail, so she was doomed to await Poppy’s arrival.
Ten minutes later Hogwarts school nurse, Poppy Pompfrey, was rushed into the living room ordering everyone out of her way, “You too, Minerva. I’ll check him out, and then I’ll come speak to you. Wait in the kitchen.” Leaning over him Minerva placed a gentle kiss to Albus’ forehead before she left.
The scene in the kitchen was one of anxiety, every body in the house, save Hermione, was sitting in the kitchen waiting to here what Poppy had to say. Minerva had gone around to each of them trying to ensure them that Albus was strong and he would be fine, but she was most worried about Harry. She sat beside of him and put her arm around his shoulders, to her great surprise he leaned into her.
“He’ll be ok, Harry.” Harry just nodded, and laid his head upon her shoulder. Minerva held on to Harry as she waited with everyone else. Finally three hours later Poppy emerged from the room, and Minerva jumped up immediately.
“Poppy, what did you find out?” Poppy sighed looking sadly at Minerva, “I can’t find anything Minerva. I don’t understand. All he seems to be is tired. He is awake now, just barely though and he wishes to see you. I’ll be back later tonight with some more results, and to check up on him. Do not let him out of bed.” Minerva nodded, and hurried into the living room. She had to stifle a gasp at Albus’ face. He looked to worn out, and his blue eyes no longer twinkled or sparkled. She approached him cautiously, fixing the blankets in case he was cold.
“Hi,” Albus said weakly.
“Hi,” was all Minerva could think to say for the moment. They sat there for awhile until she offered to read to him. “I found this interesting muggle book I was going to try, and you might like it, would you like me to go get it and read to you?”
Albus just nodded. In no time Minerva was back, and had settled herself in a chair very close to the couch.
“Their Eyes Were Watching God: by Zora Neale Hurston. Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men.”
Albus weakly interrupted her, “That is very true, my dear.” For some reason Minerva felt the need to touch him, so she slid from the chair to the couch and softly ran her hand over his chest as she continued, “Now, women forget all those things they don’t want to remember, and remember everything they don’t want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly...” and so it continued for days. Whenever he was awake, or even asleep Minerva read to him.
She rarely left his side feeding him, talking to him, sleeping by him just in case something happened. She had lost weight, and was looking worn out herself as the days turned into a week without any improvement. His illness still baffled Poppy, and they feared to move him.
One afternoon he started to toss and tumble, mumble, and scream as he slept. Minerva, who had been in the kitchen, quickly ran into the other room to try and placate him. Whenever she touched him he would quiet down, and in an attempt to rid him of the dreams Minerva laid beside of him on the couch. Albus moved so his head was resting on her chest, and she was holding him firmly in her arms. Poppy and Harry looked on from the doorway, “Madam Pompfrey are the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall more than friends,” Harry asked quietly. Poppy looked at him before answering, “Yes and no.”
When Harry looked confused she elaborated on her response, “They love each other very much, but they have not told each other. You should have seen him when she was hit by those stunners. I found him one night in the hospital changing her bandages, or trying to since she was still under a sheet. The bandages had started to bleed through, and he was attempting to make her feel better. It was so sweet and so sad. I had thought he would have told her then, but he didn’t. Now, look, she is about to make herself ill willing him to get better.” Harry looked on in silence as Minerva continued to hold the Headmaster, and for once he seemed to see them for who they really were: two people trying to save the world they love so much, but still searching for the that intimate love they could only give each other.
Minerva extracted herself from Albus when he had finally fallen into a deep sleep, and she stumbled into the kitchen. She has just sat down when he screamed again, and this time Poppy followed her into the room. When Minerva was settled back on the couch she let all the frustration and fear slide down her cheeks in the form of tears. She laid there holding him, and crying.
“Poppy, why can’t we find out what’s wrong with him? Why? Oh Albus hang on. I know you can beat this, just hang on. You have so much to live for Albus: Hogwarts and all our children, Harry, and the peace that will follow this war. You can survive, Albus, you have to. Please, Albus don’t leave me. I wouldn’t be able to take it if you left. Please, Albus, I’ll help you. Let me carry some of your burdens, lean on me, just come back to me.”
Poppy was in tears as she stood there and bore witness to Minerva’s breakdown, “Albus, just don’t leave me, you can’t,” she whispered, “Come back to me…I love you. I love you so much, and I need you.”
Poppy quietly left the room when Minerva had fallen asleep with Albus safely in her arms.
Minerva awoke the next morning to the feeling of someone tracing her facial features. She opened her eyes lazily to see who was doing this to her. Her eyes widened in shock when she realized it was Albus. He was practically laying on top of her, and staring down at her with those bright blue eyes, the twinkle had returned. Not concerned with their position Minerva threw her arms around his neck, “Albus, h-how are you ok? What h-happened?”
“I don’t know, Minerva. I just know I heard you talking to me last night, and I knew I just had to get better. It was the weirdest feeling, like I was stuck between internal sleep and being awake. I could always hear you or feel you, but never see you. I felt fine, just tired, but last night I knew I had to try and beat whatever it was.”
“S-so you heard me, all of what I said,” she asked weakly.
“Yes, all of it.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I should not have broken down like that and about the last thing I sa-,” but she never finished because Albus had covered her mouth with his own.
Shocked at first Minerva didn’t respond to the kiss, but in no time she was kissing him with every bit of passion she could muster. When they broke apart gasping for air Albus whispered in her ear, “I love you, too. I need you, too. I couldn’t live without you.”
Minerva felt the hot happy tears roll down her face, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was that he loved her, he actually loved her.
They were never able to find out what illness had inflicted Albus so, but he always joked it was unrequited love killing him. It might have been, but Minerva didn’t care what it was as long as he never got it again. He never did.
