Title: The Aftermath
Author: GEM
Date: 8-2-09
Pairing: AD/MM
Rating: T
Word Prompt ~ Strangers
Minerva was wandering around the school lost, not literally of course, but she was only going through the motions. She found her days going something like this: get out of bed, shower, dress, eat- if she could stomach it, go to class, go the library, go to quidditch practice, do homework, go to bed, and start all over again the next day
There were no more private lessons. There were no more midday chats or late night chess games. She had given her heart and soul to Albus Dumbledore and he took it from her. He ripped her heart in little pieces and handed it back.
She walked down the corridor toward her next class—transfigurations, she was literally numb, so numb that she was cold.
It had been a week since his return and their night together. Minerva didn't think it was possible that two people such as themselves could grow apart that quickly, but they had.
Albus tried to keep up appears in class but Minerva no longer had the will or drive to keep it up on her end.
Albus heard the classroom door open but didn't look up from his desk. It was time for his seventh year Gryffindors and he was sure that Minerva had just walked through the door. He couldn't stand to look at her every time he saw her, his heart broke. He tried to tell himself that he did the right thing that morning, but every time he looked at her he regretted his actions.
"Professor Dumbledore." Minerva acknowledged him as she sat down and got her books out for class.
Oh that voice is so beautiful "Miss McGonagall."
The greeting was as formal as it could be. It had been like that for a week now and every time Minerva heard it her heart broke again. She'd tried to stay behind after class to talk to him, but Dumbledore, always made an excuse and a quick exit. He was obviously avoiding her.
Minerva had finally had enough; before he collected the homework she unrolled a bit of parchment and added a note to her assignment.
How could two people who have shared so much become such perfect strangers? Please talk to me; I'll be on the Quidditch Pitch at seven thirty for practice meet me before please I can't take this any longer.
Minerva waited until the classroom was empty and walked forward to hand in her homework. "Professor, here is my essay. " Minerva placed on the desk, turned and left the room.
Albus watched her leave, his heart breaking in the process. He looked down at the parchment and saw the note attached. He picked up the note, put on his half-moon spectacles, and read. Albus could feel his heart constrict with each passing word. What he and Minerva shared my have not been at all wise but he had no intention of breaking her heart, but he had and his own as well.
He was the one who pushed her away. He was the one acting as if they were strangers. He was the one, if it were possible, who had to win her back.