Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Rainforest Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 16 - Summer of Love
Once NEWTs and OWLs were finished there was only a week left of school. Minerva had tests to mark for first through fourth years as well as sixth years but she also had Hermione to help. Hermione also volunteered her services because she wanted some extra experience with the more theory related practices of teaching Transfiguration.
The two also just spent time together as their relationship of student and teacher had changed over the year to that of friends. Through Hermione's learning experiences and sharing of information in their lives the two had come to know one another well and found many shared thoughts and ideas. Minerva knew in her heart that she had also come to see Hermione as a daughter. She looked after her Gryffindors as if they were her children but she loved Hermione as a friend and a daughter.
When the time came though Minerva had to say good bye to her seventh years, probably one of the bravest groups in years, for all had been prepared to fight in the war even if it had not come to that in the end. So with a heave heart Minerva watched them leave in the carriages to catch the train from Hogsmeade. Hermione was with them, eager to spend some time with her parents before coming back to the castle to plan her lessons for the coming year.
As the last carriage passed through the gates Minerva left the front steps of the castle and quickly made her way to Albus' office. She found him there finishing up the last reports for the year. It was then she realised there was something she had overlooked.
"Albus, who will be your Deputy?"
Albus laughed softly, "I wondered how long it would take you to realize that you had not given a though to who should fill that position. I chose someone. Severus."
"Severus is a good choice Albus but shouldn't you have asked Filius since he has been here longer?" Minerva asked concernedly.
"I did Minerva but he said he wished to spend more time on research rather then the duties that come with being my Deputy."
"Severus then, I must congratulate him. He would've been my second choice you know," Minerva said, defending herself.
"I know Minerva, I know," he comforted her. She had become more emotional since her last Healer appointment, wanting people to have a good opinion of her and getting upset if she thought they didn't. Albus had sent a discreet owl to her Healer and found that it was a side effect of the potion since the potency of it had been increased.
All Albus found himself being able to do was assure her that she was loved by all and that they knew she felt the same. It was sometimes trying but Albus never let himself slip, it was about her, not him. He wanted to treasure what time with her he had left.
It was this that led them to a summer both had always envisioned, with some slight differences. They spent mornings in bed, Minerva sleeping while Albus did some light reading. At about ten or eleven Albus would call a House Elf and order breakfast; by the time the House Elf was back Minerva was awake and hungry for breakfast.
They would then dress and go for a slow walk around the lake some days, others they would spend sitting in their rooms reading or cuddling. Others they would go swimming in the Great Lake, but only on the hottest days.
But on the days when Minerva had the most energy they visited with their friends. This included many people but all were valued friends. Minerva's fondest memory had been knocking on the door of the Burrow and seeing the shocked face of one Ronald Weasley open the door. She and Albus had laughed for hours that night about it, although he had quickly apologized and just said that he hadn't expected to see them.
But as the summer progressed mornings in bed became longer and longer and longer. There was another visit to the Healer but the outcome was the same, although with a stronger dose of potion. Albus was just glad that the disease did not cause Minerva pain, even though in some ways it would have been welcomed.
They slowly changed their routine so that by the end of the holidays Minerva was able to wake in the morning. She would wake for a few hours before taking a short nap; this short nap lasted till the evening when she would then wake for dinner. Then she would sleep once more. This was so Minerva would be able to attend the two main meals at Hogwarts so that everything would still seem realistic.
The students knew Minerva would be staying and not teaching but Albus and Minerva had still not informed many people of Minerva's illness, in fact only Poppy knew. They didn't want to worry people and more importantly Minerva didn't want people with her everyday unless she wanted to see them. She didn't want their pity.
So their days were spent together, Hermione joining in when she came back, seeking help from Minerva about lesson plans. All too soon school started again and the students were back, filling the great empty halls with laughter and happiness. But it also made Minerva happy. To have children in the castle, learning and achieving was something Minerva had been doing for a lifetime and to see it and know it will continue even after she passed was something wonderful, at least to her. Teaching had been her life and her passion, as had Albus.
One of the few she had to say good bye to. But how do you say good bye to someone you have loved for years when you have been together for such a short time and deserved many years together?
A/N: Okay that was their summer, not very much happened but the sickness developed quite a bit. I assumed there would be only one chapter after this one but I assumed wrong so we have two more now plus an epilogue.
Also to TartanLioness I wish I knew where "nowhere" was as well, I rarely find it and then it moves, much like the Room of Requirement in the middle of the night.
Please review!