Summary: Minerva feels there's something wrong with her husband and decides that she needs to know. But what if the truth is simply unbearable? Set during Half-Blood Prince.
Author's Note: This is my take on how Minerva would deal with Albus' impending death because in my Harry Potter universe they are secretly married, of course ;)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all its characters belong to J.K. Rowling who is a genius – as we all know ;)
Unbearable Truth
Minerva McGonagall woke from her uneasy slumber when a silent noise reached her ears. She opened her eyes and needed a few seconds to orientate herself. She sat in Albus' favourite armchair near the fireplace in his office, and apparently, she had dozed off quite a while ago because the light of the fire was almost extinguished.
It was pretty dark around her, but Minerva didn't need lights to recognize the silhouette of her husband. His entering had probably caused the noise that had woken her up. But Minerva was grateful for that. After all, it had been her intention to wait for Albus, but fatigue had almost thwarted her efforts.
While her husband reached for his wand to light the flames anew, Minerva rose to greet him.
"Albus, you're back." She gave him a short kiss.
"Minerva, what are you doing here? I told you it would get late and that you shouldn't wait for my return," Albus replied however.
"You were gone for three days. I missed you. It happens you know," Minerva defended herself although missing her husband was more like a permanent condition these days.
Albus' expression softened. "I know. I am sorry. I just don't want you to work yourself up because of me."
Minerva snorted. "It's a bit late for that. But don't worry about me. I'm fine. Now," she took his travelling cloak from him to put it away and then conjured two cups of tea up for them. "is there any point in asking you where you have been off to?"
Albus' silence was the answer she had expected. He merely moved to sit in the second armchair and reached for his teacup with his left hand – as he always did ever since he had rendered his right hand practically useless.
"Didn't think so." Minerva reached for her teacup as well and intended to let go of the matter. But she couldn't.
"If you at least told me what it is you are looking for," she complained instead and set her cup down again. "There are so many people who could help you. Or don't you trust the members of the Order you personally handpicked? Don't you trust me?"
Albus' eyes met hers and she could see how tired he was – both, physically and emotionally. "We both know that I trust you with my life," he replied silently.
"Yes, your life, maybe your heart, but not with what's on your mind," Minerva added, fully aware that the 'maybe' part would hurt him, but she was hurting as well.
"There are just some things which are not meant to be shared."
They looked at each other and Minerva shook her head. "Fine, then never mind what you're looking for – tell me what you did to your hand."
Albus sighed. "We already talked about that, Minerva, every single day since it happened, I might add."
"No, we didn't talk, Albus. I asked and you said nothing. But I'm your wife. If you're not telling me where you're going and what you're doing, I at least have the right to know how you hurt yourself!" She was well aware that they had been at this point a thousand times already, but that knowledge didn't keep her from asking.
"I am tired. I will go to bed," Albus however replied and got up.
"Albus!" Minerva rose as well. "Why do you insist on deliberately hurting the both of us?"
He looked at her and this time she did regret her words because there was so much pain and guilt in Albus' eyes that Minerva would have done anything to relieve him.
"You know there is nothing I want less than seeing you hurt, Minerva, but at this point there is just no other way," Albus said in that matching pain-stricken voice. "Good night, my Love," he added and vanished into their bedroom.
Minerva was left alone with her fears which each day threatened to overwhelm her eventually.