For Starters, there will be another chapter soon, but I wanted to post this part and see what kind of a response it go. Well anyhow I don't own Harry Potter, but I do like to borrow the characters from time to time. So with that I will go work on some of my other stories which are still not complete.
"I won't be coming back tonight." He said looking at Minerva who was trying to find something on his desk while he was gazing out the window.
"Alright then, should I expect you in the morning?" she asked still looking for a letter that had arrived yesterday.
"I think my dear, that you misunderstand."
"What do you mean Albus, and where did you put that letter from Augusta Longbottom? I really need to send her a reply."
As she was still shuffling through the papers on his desk, Albus Dumbledore merely waved his hand and the letter in question popped to the top of the stack.
"Magic, Minerva, Magic," He chided.
"I bloody well know I could have used magic, but I sometimes prefer to do things myself." She said glaring at him as if he was one of her students.
"Well, I don't have all day, and besides I need to tell you something and would prefer your undivided attention."
Darn her luck. She had noticed that he was acting a bit more reserved and almost, well…depressed, If Albus Dumbledore was ever depressed. She had planned to find something to do and beat a hasty retreat before he told her the horrible news she knew he had been holding back all morning. She wanted to be there for him but it was just too hard for her to share those emotions and awkwardness afterwards. Even more than that, Albus only sought her support when it was something big, and those times she could count on one hand.
Although she was hesitant, she couldn't leave. She would always be there for him, whatever the cost to herself.
"Alright," she said leaving the letter on the desk.
"Should we go somewhere a bit more comfortable?" he suggested, opening the door to his quarters.
She walked through the door and into his sitting room, sitting in her usual chair in front of the fire. Dumbledore followed afterwards, closing the door and sitting in the other chair.
He spent a few moments gathering his thoughts then turned to Minerva and said, "My apologies, I should have offered you some tea."
"That's alright, I don't think it is quite the time for tea."
"Well then…I guess I should tell you that I will not be coming back tonight."
"You have already said that Albus." She reminded him thinking about how strangely he was behaving.
Gazing into the fire, not daring to look at her, he explained. "Although I am never sure of these things, I have a striking feeling that I will perish before this night is done."
"What?" she asked loudly, standing from her chair to pace an area of the floor that was furthest away from him.
She couldn't believe this, "How, Why?" she couldn't even ask proper questions.
"I have tracked down one more horcrux, and I am taking Harry with me to retrieve it tonight." He told her.
"Then put it off for another day and take an army if need be." She offered as an alternative.
"Perhaps that would put off destiny for a time but that may not be the only factor. Regardless, I intend to go through with this mission."
Looking back at him, He looked resigned to his fate. She wanted to argue but knew it would be useless.
Walking back over and sitting down, she asked quietly, "Why have you told me this, what do you need from me."
"I…," he started then continued, "I want you to be ready to defend the school if need be, but you must not let anyone know what I have said to you."
"Of course," she answered then paused, knowing there was something else that he wanted to say.
"I apologize if what I say offends you, but I cannot face this day knowing that I have had a lifetime of chances and done nothing." Standing, he walked over to the window.
Without looking back he said, "I don't expect you to feel the same way, but I must tell you that I love you. I have felt this way for more years than I care to count but I could not risk disappointing you and myself until today."
To Be Continued