Sorry it's been so long, guys. I hope no one gave up on my fic. :) . I hope you're all having a great summer--hopefully I'll be able to wrap up this fic soon. I'm now beta-ing for "Cutegirl612", so I want everyone to go and check out her story, "Harry Potter and The Golden Amulet." She's one of the few writers out there who can create a non-Mary-Sue original character, and she's got an excellent fic. Which brings me to my next request--if you need a beta, I am available to do that. Just email me at DreamerMarie07yahoo.com. I'd be glad to help you out, and so far, I haven't had any complaints :) . Special thanks to Jestana for helping me to catch my mistake (it said 'at least four stunners,' but I'll go with four anyway). Hope you enjoy it, and Happy Summer!!!
Hogwarts Duo---Hugs and Kisses?? Hmmm...if only I could tell you....Keep Reading, Find Out, Tell Me What You Think...it's pretty simple. Thanks alot!!
Liz O'Brien-Thanks a bunch!
Yet again, I find myself alone in my office. I miss our nightly chess games, Albus. They were often the only thing I had to look forward to in my day. Well, more than often. Mostly.
I hear something. It sounds like shouting--almost like a fight. I'm too old for this.
It's Hagrid. I'm running as fast as I can, and never have I wished more for your help. There are so many wizards. Hagrid can't take them all.
"How dare you!" I scream so loudly that the words rip my throat. "How dare you!" I shout again, my voice a shrill screech. "Leave him alone! Alone, I say! On what grounds are you attacking him? He has done nothing, nothing to warrant such--" Red light rushes towards me from all directions-- no time to dodge. White hot pain--curtains are folding over my vision...
I don't have time for it. I place my hand firmly over her mouth, and ask in a whisper, "Where's Minerva, Poppy?"
"Oh, Albus," she whispers, eyes filling with tears. "She's at St. Mungo's. They don't know if she'll be all right..." her voice ran off.
Somehow, I resist the urge to sprint to St. Mungo's. I want nothing more than to be at your side, than to know that you're well. But I can almost hear your voice in my head, Minerva, snapping, "Good Lord, Albus, you can't solve a problem if you don't know what it is!"
"What happened?" I ask urgently, forgetting to whisper as I grasp her shoulders firmly, searching her eyes for information.
"It was Hagrid--he was trying to fight off the Ministry when they tried to take him away to Azkaban. Minerva rushed out to help him, and they stunned her. Four times in the chest," Poppy finishes worriedly. "They took her to St. Mungo's...there was nothing I could do." I feel her tears dampen my robes as I pull her to me swiftly for a moment. I know this is what she expects of me; to hold her and to comfort her. But right now I have no comfort to spare.
"Poppy," I say, my voice strangely aloof. "I'm going. Whatever happens, make sure Hogwarts is safe."
"Can't you disguise yourself?"
"Of course. But if it goes wrong..." Her fear is obvious. "If something happens--above all, protect Hogwarts." I am sorry to lay this on her. Professors Snape, Flitwick, Firenze...so many others loyal to Hogwarts. If they can stay together, Minerva, Hogwarts may become the last fortress standing against the great evils brewing in the world.
I stride out of the hospital wing, out of my school. And my concern for Hogwarts, for the first time, is outweighed.
At this moment in time, you are what matters the most.
As it always should have been....