Minerva stood grimaced as she stood, "Although I applaud your tenaciousness Minerva, your body is still extremely weak."
Minerva lifted her gaze to that of Helena, "True," She stated, her Scottish accent more pronounced than she would have liked due to her fatigue. "But, I can rest as just as easily at Hogwarts versus here Helena."
Helena opened her mouth, but stopped at seeing the witch's glare and thin set of her lips. If only all of her patients were this determined to be well. "It has only been…"
Minerva held up her hand, wanting to hear nothing about how long she had been here. For as far as she was concerned, it had been three days too long. "I am quite aware of how long I have been here."
"It doesn't change the fact, Minerva." The healer placed a gentle and friendly hand upon her long time friend's forearm. "You are not young anymore." At her blanched look, she added with a soft smile. "None of us are." Her kind eyes melting some of Minerva's reserves. "And it takes time to recover from any wound, let alone one as severe as yours."
Minerva sighed, "I understand what you are saying Helena, and though I wish it were untrue, I know it is." Her body seemed to take pause, her eyes focusing on the window and the clear sky beyond. "I am not a young witch as I once was, however, I am neither old. And I do have responsibilities that must be attended to." She brought her green eyes back to Helena, "Whether I would prefer to stay or leave would indicate a choice that you of all people know I do not have the luxury to have." Her voice sounded tired, drained. "I must return to Hogwarts." Albus needs me. She finished silently.
"I do not doubt your devotion to one of our pillars within the wizarding community, Minerva. Hogwarts is as crucial as St. Mungos. But, I also am no fool and have known you and Albus for far too long." She squeezed her arm before letting go, "It is not for Hogwarts that I will let you go, but for the man within whom has long since captured your heart and who is as always, lost without you."
Minerva could feel the faint hue of color rising up her cheeks at Helena's commentary, but did not rebuke her statement. How could she, she loved him. She had for years. He was her best friend, her confidant…the man who held not only her heart, but her soul. With a gentle clearing of her throat, Minerva forced a quaint smile upon her face. "You give far too much credit Helena, Albus may be many things, but lost is not one."
Helena raised her eyebrow, "Either way, I shall let you return to Hogwarts and I will stop by tomorrow…" She thought for a brief moment. "Say around 10."
"I will not…"
Helena's voice overrode Minerva's with such ferocity that Minerva felt her face blanch at Helena's words. "You will, Minerva McGonagall or so help me I shall bring the very foundation of your precious Hogwarts level to my knees. If you refuse to take care of yourself, you endanger not only yourself, but your students, the staff, the Order, Hogwarts and Albus." Her eyes flashing, "And I will not allow that to happen. So you will heed and follow my advice, or I shall keep you here until summer draws to a close." Minerva clenched her jaw trying to hold her temper and Helena shook her head, knowing the look passing across her friend's face. "Do not test me on this Minerva." Her voice softening, "You will lose."
They stared for several moments into each other's eyes, finally Minerva consented. "As long as it is only between us, and no information is shared with another soul – Albus included."
Helena nodded, "Agreed."
"Obstinacy does not suit you." Minerva stated, waving her hand as she wandlessly packed the last of her items.
"Yes, but it matters not for I have learned to be quite effective at it."
Minerva shrunk her last book, placing it in her tartan travel bag, the latch clasping on its own. "I find that most unfortunate."
Helena permitted a small smile to grace her features, softening her face, as she once again became a friend from Minerva's childhood. "We have both changed, dear friend." She placed her hand upon the tartan bag, fingers curling around its handles. "Let me." Her head tilting towards her walking stick.
Minerva's eyes darted to Helena's hand and for a fraction of a second thought about commenting on how she could very well carry her own bags…but knew in her heart, that she was far from well…while not as weak as she was even yesterday, her body struggled with every move and depth of her magic stores were far less than she had felt in near five decades. Sighing, she gave a brief nod, accepting her friend's help. "Thank you." She said as her fingers wrapped around the sturdy wooden walking stick.
At once the two witches began to slowly make there way through the glistening marbled halls of St. Mungos, her walking stick echoing off the walls and blanketing out the softly spoken words between friends. "I do not believe Albus has opened any of the floo networks…"
Minerva pressed the brass button, calling the elevator. "Due to He Who Must Not Be Named return, only Albus' office is open on the floo and it will only open if he is at Hogwarts."
"Your's has been closed too?" Helena asked in disbelief as they boarded the elevator.
Minerva waited for the half of a heartbeat until the doors closed, "Not entirely." She said, a whimsical grin spreading across her face.
"I have a feeling that for all intense and purposes, if you needed to, the one connected to your office would work for either you or Albus."
The elevator doors opened as Minerva responded. "I believe you are accurate in your assessment."
"Mmmm." Helena merely gave a shake of her head, "And the reason you do not use it today?" She asked as they drew near the apparition point.
"Like most things, Helena." She drew to a halt, shafts of light streaming onto her rich ebony hair that was streaked with grey. Her weight resting heavily upon the walking stick, as she stilled her breathing. "Appearance."
Helena processed the comment, realizing it would not do well for Minerva to simply appear back at Hogwarts when the rest of wizarding world believed all of Hogwarts floo networks had long since been closed. "Then here." Helena handed Minerva her bag, her other upon her wand, while whispering "Portus." She smiled at Minerva as her slender hand curled around the worn leather straps. "I shall see you in the am, and consider…" Helena tilted her head to the bag, "This a gift…for I fear you will not have ample time to recover upon returning. And your magic is still quite weak."
"The truth rings out from your words, but…" Minerva inwardly bit her cheek as she straightened, pulling herself up to her fair height and into her regal appearance. "If we are to win this war, it will not be based upon magic but on belief…hope…and the ability to outwit our opponents."
Helena nodded, "True…but…magic will indeed be a part of the final conflict, you cannot deny it."
"Nor will I try, but there are many a week between then and now…weeks in which we must show the world strength and resolve."
"Hope." Helena whispered, staring at her friend.
"I shall see you tomorrow."
Helena smiled, "Of course." With that, she reached out, fingers barely touching the surface of the tartan bag, "Hogwarts." And then Minerva was gone. Helena's face turning grave as she stared into the morning light where Minerva had just stood moments before; she was worried that the cost of what was to come would be far greater than any had foreseen.
Her heart seizing at the notion of a world without Minerva…or Albus within it.
A/N: Hope you have enjoyed this snippet; and THANK you to all those who have reviewed. Going to try and finish this over the next week. Probably two chapters in less I can squeeze it into one.