Albus was deathly pale. He held Minerva's ice cold hands in his, his tears dropping onto her skin. "Minerva! Minerva, stay here!" Her breathing was slowing. "Please," he said in a tortured whisper. "I'm never letting go, Minerva."
Minerva took a deep breath. Her heart raced and a little warmth returned to her hands. Albus looked at her with glorious surprise. "Minerva…." He clutched her hand more tightly. "Wake up. Please wake up, Minerva. Open your eyes. I love you, Minerva. Come back."
Minerva groaned softly. Her eyes fluttered open, then closed again. Albus stroked her forehead. "Minerva."
She opened her eyes. She looked around in confusion. "Professor?" she asked weakly.
"Albus," he replied.
"Albus…." Minerva squeezed her eyes tightly, trying to clear her head. Her eyes snapped open. "Albus!" She tried to reach out to him, but she fell back.
Albus smiled at her with tears in his eyes. "I thought it was over. So many times, I thought you were gone. But you came back."
Minerva used all her strength to caress his face. "You wouldn't let go."
Albus leaned down and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you so much, Minerva."
"I love you, too."
After a few more days of recovering, Minerva insisted that she be allowed to leave the hospital wing. When Albus offered to levitate her about the castle to save her energy, she offered to cover his face with tentacles, so everyone decided to let Minerva walk by herself.
Minerva and Albus went to his office as soon as they could both get away from their duties. They sat across from each other at Albus's desk, and Albus surveyed Minerva over his fingers. "You know what I must ask you to do, Minerva."
Minerva nodded mutely. She had been dreading this since she awoke. He wanted her to tell him what had happened. She took a deep breath and began. She told Albus about the Cruciatus Curse and seeing her parents' bodies. When she said this, Albus threw his hand across the table and took hers. It was cold.
When she reached the part about the Veritaserum, Albus froze. "But…Minerva…that's impossible. No one can resist its effects. That's…it's…how did you do it?"
Minerva shook her head. "I don't know. But resisting it, the feeling I got…it was worse than the Cruciatus Curse. It's lucky they gave up so quickly."
Albus continued to stare at her. It was incredible. He could not believe how much power she had.
Minerva continued on until she reached the part about the raping. She was still sore, and she did not care to feel its effects in two ways.
"How many, Minerva?" Albus asked quietly.
Minerva looked down. "Why does it matter?" she answered softly. "The number makes no difference." She looked back at Albus after a moment.
"Please, Minerva. It will help you."
She sighed. "Nine." Almost at once she took her eyes off of Albus. She did not like seeing anyone cry for her.
"Minerva…Minerva. I'm so sorry. I was trying to find you for so long, but I couldn't." He swallowed. "When I found you…I thought you were dead, and I knew it was my fault."
Minerva jumped to her feet, wincing slightly. She went to Albus's side. "No, Albus. You saved me." She wiped a tear off his face. "It was not your fault. I love you."
Albus pulled Minerva into his chair with him and wrapped his arms around her back. She tucked her head under his chin.
They sat together for hours, neither moving nor speaking. When the clock against the wall struck twelve, droplets of rain began to fall, as if on cue. Minerva turned to gaze at the streaked, star-filled sky.
Rising silently, as if in a trance, Minerva reached for Albus's hand. She led him out onto his balcony to the stone railing.
Albus felt her hand slip from his grasp as she went to clutch the rail, her face turned up to the heavens. His breath caught in his throat as he watched her, the rain dripping off her skin and hair.
After a moment, Albus was sure he saw tears mingling with the rain on her face. Albus wanted nothing more than to comfort her, but he knew she needed this. He had never seen her cry before, and she had been through more horror in the last few days than anyone deserved, much less a seventeen year old girl. Even Heaven cried for her.
After a long time, Minerva opened her eyes. "Albus," she said softly. Albus stepped carefully to her, loath to break the spell. She looked breathtakingly ethereal. Minerva said nothing more, but Albus could tell from her body language that she wanted him to touch her. Without utmost tenderness, Albus snaked his arms about her waist and pulled her gently so her back was against his chest. She leaned into him and Albus felt her relax completely, the ultimate display of trust. They stood as one, the rain flowing over them, drenching them and cleansing them.
Minerva spoke hours later. "I need you, Albus." She guided his hand to her heart. "I love you."
Albus went with her back inside, never wanting to let go of her again. They stopped in front of the fire. Minerva began peeling Albus's wet robes off his shoulders. He seized her lips with his and pulled her own robes down her slender body. Minerva shivered as she became completely exposed to the air and Albus's gaze.
"Merlin, you're so beautiful, Minerva," Albus whispered. He gently lowered her to the floor. His fingers played across the smooth skin of her abdomen and she trembled. "I love you, Minerva."
"I love you, Albus," she said tremulously. She gazed into his eyes, drowning in them.
As Albus and Minerva joined their bodies for the first time, their union proved to be a more powerful catharsis than rain could ever be, and the power of their love overshadowed all other powers, good or evil.
A/N: Again, thank you so much for all of the reviews! In response to Intelligent Witch's comment about Minerva not being able to have sex a week after being raped so much, I agree. I never said how long it was between the events. Minerva is unconcious for a long time after the whole ordeal, then she remains in the hospital to recover further, and then she and Albus meet when they can find the time, so that could be weeks later.