A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Also I want to REMIND everyone that I promised this story would have a Happy Ending. And this is not the last chapter.
Chapter 9
Minerva awoke in the hospital wing of Hogwarts a few days later. The sun was shining brightly, but her head wasn't ringing so she supposed that was something. "Ah. Feeling better Minerva?" Came the soft voice of Dumbledore beside her. He had woken up the day before and immediately started a vigil over the still unconscious woman.
She blinked a few times before turning to him. "Yes, I think so. What happened Albus?"
"You almost died. And when we dove out of the way, you hit your head." He reminded her. Minerva lay there thoughtfully. She stared out the window directly in front of her bed but didn't say anything. She felt him take her hand into his and turned away from the sunshine to the man next to her. "Minerva, we need to talk….I've had a lot of time to think and…."
Suddenly the door flung open and in ran Poppy, Serena and Helena. They dove over to the bed, clamoring joyously. Dumbledore didn't miss the brief look of relief that crossed her face and he felt his heart break. She didn't feel the same way. Grindelwald had been playing with their minds. He slipped out the door.
Minerva saw him slip away, a sad look in his eye. What did he want to say? She wondered. Perhaps she should have waved them away and let him speak, but she was so relieved to see them alive. She made a mental note to go see him as soon as she was released before turning back to her three friends. They talked ceaselessly until Minerva dropped off to sleep.
She wasn't realsed for three more days. And in those three days she never saw Albus. Poppy, who was taking over as Hogwart's Nurse now that the war was over, insisted that he did indeed come to see her, she just always seemed to be asleep at the time. Finally, she was released and she immeadiatly headed for his office. Albus was at his desk grading papers when she entered. "What were you going to say?" She asked without preamble. He looked at her confused. "Before Poppy and Lena and Ren came in. What were you going to say?"
He sputtered for a few minutes, trying to come up with a plausible lie. She chalked it up to his being caught off guard. "I…wanted to know what your plans were after you graduate from the university."
Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Headmaster Dippit has confided to me that he intends to retire in a few more years and that he will be recommending me to replace him."
"Congratulations!"
He smiled at her outburst. "Thank you. But if that happens, the school will need a new transfiguration professor. I was wondering if you would consider taking it."
"Really?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement. With a chuckle at her childish display, he nodded. "Of course I would! Thank you!"
She began to stand, so he stood with her. "You should be heading back to school soon." She nodded and bit the inside of her lip to keep from crying at the thought of leaving him. She felt so safe with him around. But she knew she'd have nightmares when she left, she'd had enough experience with that kind of trauma to know the old fears would be back, and would intermingle with a slew of new ones. Dumbledore must have read her mind, because as he gave her a farewell hug, he whispered in her ear. "My office and my chambers are both on the floo network if the nightmares get to be to much."
Then he pulled away. "Goodbye Minerva."
She managed a small, fake smile that only seemed to enhance the look of fear on her face before leaving his office.