The Letter Speaking from beyond
Post HBP--I swore I would never write anything AD/MM after this book, but alas, I have. After finding out about Albus' death Minerva does some soul searching and makes some interesting discoveries along the way.
Title: The Letter
Author: GEM
Rated K+
Category: Romance/Angst
Author's Note: I didn't like the end of book six and swore I would never write a story about it but here it is. This is a one shot although there could be more. We'll see. Thank you to my beta Vangoghadmirer.
Minerva sat in shock. Harry's words floated around in her head. "Dumbledore is Dead." It couldn't be… it had to another one of Albus' sick jokes. Minerva stomach was in a knot and she was most certainly numb. She sat for a long while, in the hospital wing, unable to move. She listened to the conversation around her, and adding to it as she was needed.
The conversations continued as she finally found a way to make a discreet exit. She wandered around the castle for a while letting the events of the past few hours sink in. Albus was gone… he wasn't returning. She held herself together and made her way to the headmaster's office—now it belonged to her, but she didn't want it. She never strived to positions of power.
Albus was always the heart of this school. She would never be able to replace him nor did she want to do so.
She walked up to his desk and looked around the large room. She noticed that Fawkes was of course absent another part of her heart ached. She was broken for certain. Albus was the one who completed her. She paced the office area, and as she looked up at the portraits on the wall she noticed a new one of Albus hanging in its rightful place.
She wiped tears from her eyes as she looked up at the portrait. "Why did you have to leave me?"
Albus looked down at her from his place on the wall and smiled. "I had no choice, I am sorry my love, truly I am."
Minerva turned her back and cried. She collapsed into his office chair and turned away from the portraits on the wall. Albus watched the love of his life wallow in agony…tears falling from his eyes as well. He wanted to reach out to her but he couldn't. He wanted to hold her but he couldn't. He wanted to comfort her but he couldn't.
--
Minerva calmed after a short time and turned around and looked at the desk. This was her responsibility now, and there was much to do. She picked up a quill, a piece of parchment, and began writing to the parents of the students to inform them of the arrangements for the end of the year. As she pulled the parchment from the corner of the desk she noticed a letter on the desk addressed to her. She hadn't seen it before in her grief stricken state.
She opened it and read the familiar handwriting.
My dearest Minerva,
I am sorry, my love. Please do not let grief consume you. I need you to be strong for me and for the students. I will always love you my dear. I am in a better place now. You were and remain my one true love, Minerva. I'm sorry I didn't open up to about the importance of my missions. I'm sorry I didn't see you before I left with Harry. Remember that you were always in my heart. I will love you for eternity my dear. Brush away the tears for we will meet again.
Love Always,
Albus
Minerva wiped away her fresh tears, folded the letter and placed in the inside pocket of her robe. She put the letter close to her heart for that is where Albus would remain for the rest of her life and she didn't doubt that they would meet again.