Chapter 8

Snape gently placed Minerva's lifeless body down on a bed in the far end of the room. Madame Pomfrey was preparing a potion which would hopefully revive her. She too had been very shocked to see the Professor in such a fragile state. "It has happened again." Snape said. Dumbledore turned to face him while Filch raised his eyebrows. "Minerva is not dead. Her life has been spared." finished Snape. "But it must be a miracle!" cried Filch. "It's not every day you fall down a seven storey flight of stairs and live!" Snape nodded. "Indeed, Indeed. In fact, the last time this type of miracle occurred, Harry Potter lived." He said bluntly. Dumbledore narrowed his eyes. "Are you implying her fall was the work of Dark Magic?" he asked Snape. Snape shook his head. "I can assure you Dumbledore it was not the work of Dark Magic. However, there was something that protected Minerva." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "And just like the Potter boy, it was love." Snape finished.

Neecholi and Aleckseia sat in the green house, sweating away in the heat. This herbology lesson seemed to be dragging on forever as they sat together with the sun shining down through the glass roof. Neecholi usually loved herbology but this lesson they were dealing with phyllshoots which were a most boring and useless plant. Each student had their own phyllshoot to look after and had to sit there all lesson and observe their growth. Neecholi's phyllshoot had grown about half a centimetre in thirty minutes. Aleckseia's phyllshoot had shot up a full three centimetres in its first ten minutes of existence but had ceased to grow any more after that. Aleckseia sighed and rested her head on her hands. This had to be the most boring lesson ever.

She looked around the greenhouse at all the pretty and exotic plant life that lived there. One in particular caught her eye. It seemed to be a flower but was very large and had green velvety leaves covered in a thick fungus. Each large petal was a different colour and had an intricate lace pattern on it. This plant was captivating. Aleckseia elbowed Neecholi. "Hey check out that that plant!" she whispered, pointing in its direction. Neecholi looked up. She did not seem very interested. "Ah, I see you have spotted the lofitus laceycharm!" said Professor Sprout, toddling over to the girls. "Oh, but you don't' want to go messing with this one! A frightfully aggressive plant she is!" Professor Sprout chuckled. Neecholi suddenly became very fascinated. "What does it do?" she asked inquisitively. Professor Sprout shook her head. "My girl, while she looks harmless and very pretty- this very plant has the power to KILL."

Aleckseia looked shocked. But Neecholi's expression remained thoughtful. "So why isn't the plant illegal?" she asked slowly. "Because," replied Professor Sprout "while this plant is able to kill it is also able to heal. Of course nothing can bring one back from the world of the dead, but I would say the laceycharm is the next best thing you can get!" Neecholi nodded. "Like phoenix tears?" asked Aleckseia. "Yes, but much more powerful" replied Professor Sprout. Neecholi nodded to herself again. A plan seemed to be flourishing in her mind.

Harry ran his fingers through his wet matted black hair. He had just had a shower after being released from the hospital wing. Well actually, Madame Pomfrey had practically booted his ass out of there. Harry certainly did not regret being discharged at all, though it would have been nice to spend a few more days relaxing in bed. Then again the demeaning glare of Madame Pomfrey was not something Harry wanted to see in the near future. Harry changed into his fluffy warm pyjamas and walked back to his dormitory. He suddenly remembered he had left his glasses down in the common room. Harry cursed to himself and made the journey down the cold stone steps to retrieve them. It was dark and his vision was blurred because he wasn't wearing his glasses.

He stumbled down the stairs and walked over to the table where he had left them earlier. Harry found his glasses and slid them onto his nose. "Much better!" he thought to himself. He could now see clearly. Harry noticed a shadowy figure hiding in the corner of the common room. Curious, he tiptoed up behind the person who was seated in a wing chair over the far side of the room. Harry could see they had frizzy brown hair and if his eyes were not deceiving him, a blue mist was coming from where they were sitting. Harry approached the mysterious figure. He turned to face them and was shocked at what he saw. There in the chair sat a young first year girl, curled up reading a novel. She looked up at him and smiled. "Uh, sorry" stammered Harry. "I thought I saw.never mind". The girl continued to smile sweetly. "It's getting late I think my eyes are playing tricks on me again!" he laughed. She uttered a small giggle. "It is late" she agreed. "I was so wrapped up in this novel I lost track of time!" Harry smiled. "Well I better go now, goodnight" he said. She nodded. "Sweet dreams". Harry yawned and set off to his dormitory. "Strange" he thought he had never seen that young Gryffindor girl in the common room before.

Dumbledore sat on the edge of Minerva's bed. He had been there for hours, sitting there, waiting for her to awaken. But much to his disappointment nothing had happened. Minerva had started to breathe normally after Madame Pomfrey had given her a potion but she said it would be a long time before she was fully awake. There was so much Dumbledore wanted to tell her. He had missed her like mad and was relived she was with him again, although the circumstances were quite unfortunate. Minerva lay there on the bed. She looked so peaceful, she looked so vulnerable. Dumbledore reached out and held her hand. Her hand was cold and her fingers were bony. He looked at her innocent face, longing for her to wake up so he could see those beautiful blue eyes of hers again. But her pale face, which was lined with age, remained lifeless. Dumbledore could remember the time when her face was youthful and radiant. She had always looked very pretty although she tried her best to conceal it.

All these years later Dumbledore was still infatuated by her beauty and sweet nature which she still kept under wraps. Yet she still did not know about his secret feelings for her. Dumbledore could hear Madame Pomfrey approaching him and he knew it was time to leave. He took one last look at Minerva and stood up. "I love you" he whispered softly and slowly let go of her hand. He walked away from her bed and met Madame Pomfrey who was pushing a trolley of medicine. He wished her goodnight and left the infirmary. Minerva slowly opened her eyes and watched him walk out. Then she smiled and felt a sense of warmth rush through her body. There was no mistaking the words she had just heard Dumbledore say.

Neecholi met her Slytherin friends at the breakfast table in the morning and greeted each of them with a broad grin. She bounced over to her seat and sat down then poured herself come cereal. "Well aren't we in a happy mood this morning" said Jissikah sourly. Neecholi took no notice of her grumpy friends and poured some milk into her bowl. "Yes, I am very happy!" she replied. "Why is that?" asked Aleckseia. Neecholi gave them a mysterious smile. "Oh no reason." She said. Aleckseia shrugged and Jissikah scowled. "I just have a feeling this is going to be a very pleasant day" Neecholi said. "Very pleasant indeed".

Minerva saw the sun shine through the infirmary window. She was still glowing with happiness from Dumbledore's visit last night. She had woken up when he touched her hand but had been too weary to move. Madame Pomfrey was overjoyed Minerva was making progress and regaining her health. She guaranteed Minerva that her recovery period would be speedy if things went to plan, and she took her medication. Minerva was secretly hoping Dumbledore would come to see her soon.

Although she looked a mess with her hair untied and her skin a sickly white, she knew he would not mind what she looked like. Her wish finally came true later that night when Dumbledore came to visit her. Minerva was sitting in bed, still too weak to stand up. Her auburn hair was falling gracefully over her shoulders and her skin did not look so severe in the softly lit room. Minerva's heart soared when she caught sight of Dumbledore. Yet she maintained a calm exterior. Dumbledore approached her beside and sat down. Minerva wanted to just fling her arms around his neck. She thought about it for a moment and then did so. Dumbledore seemed quite surprised but none the less happy." I have so much I have to tell you" he said. Minerva smiled sadly. "And I have so much to apologise for" Dumbledore beamed at her and squeezed her hand. "I am just grateful you are back" he said.