Title: In the Middle of the Night
Author: GEM
Date: 7-28-09
Pairing: AD/MM
Rating: K
Word Prompt ~ Colorless
Albus Dumbledore rolled over in bed and put the pillow of his head. He did not hear knocking. He did not hear knock. It will go away. He tried to go back to sleep but the knocking on his door persisted. Albus sat up and swung his feet over the edge and onto the floor. He made his way out of the bedroom toward the door. Since he had gotten the knocking was getting weaker and as he got closer to the door he could have sworn he heard his name.
"Albus are you in there? Please be in there." Minerva slid to the cod stone floor to weak to stand."
Albus opened the door and found Minerva curled up in a ball on the cold, stone floor. "Minerva? Albus kneeled down next to her and put his hand against her forehead. She was running a fever and her skin was so pale it was almost colorless.
"Albus?"
"I'm here Minerva, love. I 'm here." He picked her up and carried her inside, kicking himself for not opening the door earlier. He placed her on the bed and placed a cooling charm in the room. He contacted the Hospital Wing in hopes that Poppy would be able to come see her.
"Poppy is on her way me dear."
"I tried to get there but I…t..wea…"
"Don't talk, Tabby. Just rest." Albus conjured a cool cloth and wiped Minerva face.
"Oh, dear." Poppy said as she entered the room. Poppy moved over to the bed and took in her friend's condition. She waved her wand over her and the room was filled with the different colored lights of several diagnostic spells. She watched as Albus' concern grew. "It's as I though, Professor."
"Minerva, Did you have the chicken this evening?"
Minerva nodded." Poppy summoned a potion and it appeared seconds later. "It's food poisoning. The hospital wing in filled with students and staff with the same symptoms. She needs to drink this and keep her close to the bathroom." Poppy told Albus as he lifted Minerva head and watched Poppy pour the colorless liquid down her throat. Poppy stepped away and surveyed the scene "I would take her back with me but there is no more room in the wing. " Poppy looked at Albus. "Could she stay here with you? She shouldn't be alone and…"
"Poppy think nothing of it. Minerva is always welcome here."
Poppy smiled and left two more bottles of potion on the bedside table. "She'll need another dose in eight hours. The other one will help control the nausea when it hits."
Albus stood up and walked Poppy to the door. "I'll call if we a have problem."
"Of course, professor. Good night."
"Good Night Poppy."
"Albus," Poppy put her hand on his arm. "I know how you feel about her. Don't worry. She'll be fine. The shakes and fever will pass. It will all pass in time."
"I know. I just don't like to see the woman I love in pain, Poppy. I've never been good at that."