It Feels Like A Dream
Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me, unfortunately!!!
A/n: This story is for my grandad who passed away on 13th October 2003. As you'll notice, this is mainly based on that day, the events that followed, and how my grandma and I reacted. Like my other story, 'I Never Meant To' I find it helps to do this, allows me to put my feelings down and things like that.
This story is AD/MM and all those present know about Dumbledore and McGonagall. If you don't like AD/MM well sorry, but really they're a bit like my grandparents, and it's kind of fitting.
More students filtered into the Great Hall in dribs and drabs finding places at their houses tables to eat their evening meal. A murmur of curiosity travelled round the hall as the absence of their Headmaster was once again noticed. This was the third meal of the day that neither he, nor the deputy headmistress had shown up for. The absence of Professors Snape and Hooch added more to their curiosity. However for the only two students with any knowledge of the previous events knew all too well the reason for their absences.
"Do you think Professor McGonagall will come and announce it tonight?" Ron whispered to Hermione, his eyes flickering from the faces of people around him to make sure they couldn't hear him.
"I doubt it will be McGonagall, you saw how upset she was last night, it'll probably be Snape or Hooch. I wonder how Harry's coping?"
"Don't know I went to speak to him this morning before the others woke, but he'd already got up and gone. I assumed he'd gone straight to Dumbledore's office."
Hermione nodded her head, and was about to reply when a silence shrouded the Hall. All heads turned to look up at Professor Snape who was standing in front of the teacher's table.
"I know that many of you have been wondering about the absence of our Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, and it is with much sadness that I must tell you, that last night at 9.30 Albus Dumbledore passed away."
A ringing silence followed Snape's words, and all eyes remained on him as his words began to sink in.
"Out of respect, and in mourning for our loss, all classes will be cancelled until next Monday."
One by one the students turned to look at the remaining members of the staff, noticing the tears that had sprung to many of the females eyes, and quite a few of the males, it sank in that this was real.
All eyes followed Snape as he strode out of the Hall, headed for the Headmasters office; once he'd left a quiet whisper began all telling anecdotes of the former headmaster to their friends.
The door to Dumbledore's bedroom opened, and Harry looked up to see who had entered. Madame Pomfrey walked in closely followed by Severus Snape.
"Minerva?" Minerva's face slowly lifted from its position on Harry's shoulder to look at Madame Pomfrey. "I have written to the Daily Prophet and informed them of the news…"
"…And I have made an announcement to the students, and cancelled all classes until Monday." Minerva slowly nodded at their statements,
"And… the err… funeral?" Her voice wavered at saying the last word.
"It has been arranged Minerva, it will take place in four days time, on Wednesday, he is now in the chapel at rest. The funeral will take place for close family and friends of your choosing, and a memorial service has been planned for Friday." Madame Pomfrey told her of the arrangements made while Snape vigorously nodded his head.
"The Chapel of rest? Can I visit him?"
"Of course Minerva, but do you think it is wise?" Madame Pomfrey's questioned was answered with a sharp glare. "When ever you feel ready Min, but before you can go they need to dress him in the clothes that you choose." This was met with a quick movement as Minerva swept from her position on the bed to the large oak wardrobe that spanned the one wall. Opening the far left door she leafed through the first drawer, the sock drawer. After a few minutes of rummaging, she came across the item she was searching for, and threw it onto the bed. She then continued to move down to the bottom drawer, and glance through the numerous pair of pyjamas, until she came to the pair she'd been looking for.
"I know they will clash, but they were his favourite." The occupants of the room smiled as she lay out the outfit.
The pyjamas were of a deep royal blue colour, decorated with many moons and stars that seemed to glimmer and reflect the light. Made of a satin material, they were a fine contrast to the stripy, brightly coloured cashmere socks.
"He'll look fantastic." Harry murmured, and a brief smile graced Minerva's face at this.
"Yes, yes he will. Severus?" He glanced towards her at the sound of his name, and nodded to show he was listening. "I'd like you to inform those who will be attending the… the thing." She could still not bring herself to say the word funeral, as it made the whole situation feel so…so real. "Inform them that if they wish, they may write a letter to Albus that will be place in that 'thing' with him." She then turned to Madame Pomfrey.
"Poppy, can you draw up a list of people to be invited, you know who I mean, the staff, the order, his family, friends and a few members of the ministry, but under no circumstances Fudge!" Madame Pomfrey nodded and left the room to start her task. Snape, who had gathered the items of clothing with the obvious intention of stopping by the Chapel of rest, quickly followed her.
"I think I handled that bit quiet well." She sighed as she came to sit on the bed once more.
"I agree Professor." Harry murmured as he sat next to her.
"I hope you'll be writing a letter Harry, he'd like that." Harry nodded and smiled slightly; tears began to spring to his eyes at the use of the present tense in his Professor's last statement.
"Of course Professor, I think I may go and start it now." She nodded as she felt the weight of Harry's body leave the bed.
She sat there all alone, the sun had set a while ago, and darkness had enfolded the room, changing her position she curled into a ball, lying in the middle of the bed. Her time alone gave her the chance to think about the man she had loved, and now lost. She could remember it all the year of correspondence over the movements of Grindelwald and his followers. This was the year after she'd left Hogwarts, her old transfiguration teacher, who just happened to be Albus had asked her to act as his London correspondence, tracking any unusual activities of known followers. The mission was risky one, but the information she gained was vital to some of the Order's movements. During they're letters however, their relationship had moved on from that of a student – teacher, to that of a friendship. It was until their first meeting, under the large clock at Waterloo Station in London that she realised that she may well have fallen in love with her old Professor.
Curled up on the bed, tears began to roll down her face at those memories. The feeling she felt when she first set her eyes on him at the train station came back to her. The feeling of fluttering butterflies in her stomach whenever he looked at her. She had just turned 19 that year. At these thoughts her body became racked with tears, and she decided that perhaps it was best to sleep off these memories.
Slowly opening her eyes she glanced at the figure standing in front of her. His long white beard and hair were tucked into the belt around his robes. His wizarding hat was no where to be seen, but she could see a small piece of white paper sticking out of his right hand side pocket. The paper could only belong to a paper bag containing at least a dozen sherbet lemons.
"A…Albus" he nodded his head the twinkle in his eye was back just as Minerva remembered.
"Hello Minerva." She pulled the covers closer to her as, she raised herself slowly to a sitting position on her knees.
"Albus, you left me! Why?"
"I didn't leave you Min, I'm right here. I'm not leaving you; I'm waiting for you. I told you I wouldn't leave you, I can't go anywhere without my Min. Nothing will ever change that. I'll always be here waiting for you until your time comes, and you come and join me. Then, like I always said we'll go together." Tears were rolling down her eyes at his words, she wanted to reach out and touch him, but was afraid that this might cause him to go away.
"Now don't cry Min, I'm ok, I'm so proud of you, you know that don't you, I really am proud. Just remember I'm here, right beside you all the time."
"I love you Albus!"
"And I love you too Minerva."
With that he slowly began to fade, and she watched as he disappeared for the time being, she curled herself back into a ball and let the tears freely roll down her face, slightly comforted at the sound of her husbands voice and words.
A/n: I'm sorry if its all a bit jumpy, and if the grammar's bad, but it was quite hard to write, so please excuse any big mistakes. Sorry for the short chapter, and long update time, but I've had school, and well it's been a bit difficult to write. The next chapter will contain Minerva and Harry's letters, and then straight onto the funeral I think. Please bare with me as the update time may increase as I have a lot of exams coming up.
I was also thinking of writing a prequel to this fic, with more detail on how Albus and Minerva met, already mentioned in this chapter. I'd love people's comments on that, please feel free to e-mail me at its_amy_louise_darling@hotmail.com
Please read and review, and please no flamers, I know it may not be good, but it's from the heart.
I'd also like to thank my reviewers:
Insaneflautist, LinZE, crystalunicorn14, Dumbledore's Quill, Jestana, Liz O'Brien, evilwoman, Princess witch, Emutet and Hermione Gardiner. Thank you for taking the time to review, and leaving such wonderful comments.