AN: Thanks for everyone who reviewed, and yes, I am sorry. Yes, Minerva is dead and no, even though I haven't been asked yet, she is not going to come back to life. She is dead.

Takes place the morning after.

Disclaimer: JKR really does own Harry Potter and Nickelback owns the song "I'd Come For You."

Disregards all evens after Harry meets Hagrid.


Just one more moment, that's all that's needed.
Like wounded soldiers in need of healing.

He made his way across the courtyard and glanced up at her window, odd, he thought to himself, her curtains are still closed. A deep sense of forbidding and guilt rose up in his chest and he shook his head, trying to ignore it. Making his way into the tower where her chambers lay, he hurried up the staircase, noticing that breakfast would be beginning in a few moments.

Time to be honest, this time I'm pleading
Please don't dwell on it, cause I didn't mean it.

He paused at the door, knocked once and waited, leaning against the door. Turning again, he knocked a second time and upon hearing no answer, Albus Dumbledore pushed open the door.

I can't believe I said I'd lay our love on the ground
But it doesn't matter cause I made it up.

She lay draped across the arm of a chair, as if she were sleeping, her eyes her closed and her wand lay at her feet – next to a pile of letters. Those letters – one numerous ones he had thought her had gotten rid of. He made his way across the room and smiled fondly at her sleeping figure.

"Minerva, it's almost time for breakfast – you overslept."

Forgive me now.
Everyday I spend away my souls inside out

"Minerva?" Albus' voice became more worried when she didn't respond and he reached for her, hoping he would wake her. As his fingertips touched her arm, he drew back and surprise, her skin was ice cold. Dread filled his chest as he rose to stare into her face, his eyes searching for a sign of life.

Gotta be some way that I can make it
up to you now, somehow.

No, he thought, shaking his head. Minerva's just fooling around with me. He smiled, knowing exactly what would wake her up as he brought his lips to hers. They remained that way for a few moments then he felt tears begin to slip down his cheeks, landing her hair, which was still damp, as if she had bathed before – well … he didn't believe it.

By now you know that
I'd come for you

"Poppy!" Albus cried, bursting into the Hospital Wing moments later, Minerva cradled in his arms. He had tucked the pile of letters, her wand, necklace and her note into her pockets, making sure they wouldn't be found.

No one but you, yes I'd come for you
But only if you told me to

The mediwitch came towards them, her eyes widening as she ran towards the figure in Albus' arms.

"Minerva," her eyes darkened, "what happened?" she spoke the second part to Albus, knowing the witch in his arms wouldn't respond.

"No idea," Albus responded faintly, tracing her features with a shaking finger, "please, tell me she's not dead." He whispered, more hot tears slipping down his face.

"She's dead." Poppy Pomfrey whispered, her eyes staring at the floor, "bring her back up to her rooms."

And I'd fight for you
I'd lie, it's true

Albus cradled her in his arms, ignoring the surprised looks from a few members of the staff as he pushed open her door, leaving it to slam shut behind her. Nudging back the thick, woolen covers of her bed, Albs laid Minerva on it and tucked her in gently, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring around the room.

Give my life for you
You know I'd always come for you

Removing Minerva's wand from his pocket, he held it in his hand, "Prior Incantato," he whispered, waiting quietly. Then his eyes widened as the spell took effect. A faint outline of a mirror with golden rimmed edges, and a figure pointing it's wand towards it. The green light of the spell shot from the wand tip and hit the memory-mirror and the figure collapsed – falling gracefully to the floor.

I was blindfolded, but now I'm seeing
My mind was closing, now I'm believing

"Minerva …" Albus whispered, "my Minerva." Tears fell fast and thick, blurring his vision.

"Albus?" Poppy had returned and she held a steaming mug of hot cocoa, "I'll inform the staff that you nor Minerva will be at breakfast today..." Her voice trailed away and she left quietly, leaving the wizard alone.

I finally know just what it
means to let someone in …

His eyes had not blinked once since he watched the spell take effect and now he blinked rapidly, his eyes still fixed on the woman besides him.

To see the side of me that no one does or ever will

So if you're ever lost and find yourself all alone

Rising, Albus moved slowly around the room and, as if it was planned, his eyes caught a familiar photograph. He picked it up, and his eyes widened. It was the photograph they had taken when in Italy on their conference – he could still remember it. The way Minerva had looked at him made it plain to him that she loved him, even then, almost thirty years ago – she loved him. Then, he had loved her more than anything, even life itself, but he was too scared to show it. But when she had stepped from the bathroom that evening wearing that baby blue, floor length dress, he momentarily forgot to breathe.

I'd search forever just to bring you home,
Here and now this I vow.

Her figure was almost flawless as he could remember. The dress showed off every curve of her body and he felt completely lost in her beauty as she stepped towards him.

"Ready Headmaster?" she had laughed, her voice much lighter than he remembered. Then, hesitantly, he had placed one hand on her back, and kissed her cheek,.

"Ready when you are my dear," he had whispered.

No matter what gets in my way
As long as there's still life in me

Now he regretted that night, when she had come to him, carrying the photograph which, he too, gazed so fondly at every night. He held it between his fingers, tracing each of the torn edges and then bent down, grasping the pile of letters in his hand, and tucked the photograph in between two of them.

No matter what, remember you know
I'll always come for you

He then rested them besides Minerva's head, a little higher up and towards the right, so the first rays of sunlight could peer into the curtains and shine upon them.

No matter what gets in my way
As long as there's still life in me

He brushed his lips against the witch laying on the bed and rose, walking towards the mirror, staring as his reflection. Tears stained his face and his eyes were bloodshot and red from crying.

No matter what, remember you know
I'll always come for you

He raised his wand, pointing it at the blinds and they swished open, light streaming onto Minerva's face, and smiling, Albus pointed his wand towards the mirror.

I'd crawl across this world for you
Do anything you want me to

"Hold on Minerva," Albus whispered, "I'm coming for you." His wand hand dropped a few inches and he closed his eyes.

"Avada Kendavra."

No matter what, remember you know
I'll always come for you
You know I'll always come for you

And as the spell hit him, he staggered backwards, falling onto the bed besides Minerva, his wand hand clasped in her cold one.


AN: Still one more part! And please ... don't kill me for killing them both.