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 18 – Good bye

Albus saw Hermione leave Minerva's room and he entered as soon as he could without looking rude. He saw Minerva, laying there, her eyes closed and her hair loose around her face. Despite her obvious sickness she still looked beautiful to him.

She was obviously tired and weak but when she heard him in the room she opened her eyes and smiled at him. Her happiness at seeing him evident. Albus couldn't help but smile back, even if he was crying inside.

He walked towards her, never losing eye contact, before sitting on the bed next to her. He held her hand and felt her tug at it, "Lie with me Albus," she rasped.

Albus smiled down at her and with a whispered spell lay down in the enlarged bed. She pulled her hand from his and laboriously turned on her side, resting her head on his chest and her left hand by her face. He reached up and entwined their fingers, his other arm around her body while he kissed her hair.

They lay together for an hour or two, Minerva asleep and Albus stroking her hair and back. Slowly though Minerva began to awake again, slowly coming back to awareness, knowing she had to say good bye.

"Albus?"

"I'm right here Minerva, rest," Albus soothed.

"No," Minerva said, her voice strengthening. "I need to talk to you, its important. Please Albus."

Albus was determined for Minerva to rest but her sweet please and the look in her eyes squelched his determination and he nodded for her to speak.

"I love you Albus. If there is anything I regret in my life it is not telling you that when I knew. I also regret not telling you I was sick sooner. I know I should've but, I just wanted to have that feeling of happiness, without it being marred by death. I…it's just, I love you with all of my heart and I'm so sorry that I'm going to be leaving you. Sometimes I just wish I hadn't told you I loved you but instead told you I was sick and would be leaving at the end of the year."

Minerva wiped away the few tears that had begun to fall. "But I know I wouldn't want to give up this short time I have had with you either. Albus, I love you and there's something I need to tell you. In my bedside table there are three letters and a plan. One letter is for you, another for Hermione and the last for the newspaper. After I die I want you and Hermione to read yours and the other to be sent to the newspaper, it explains our relationship and my sickness, I don't want the press hounding you or getting the information wrong. The plan is one for…for my funeral."

Albus started to speak but Minerva placed her finger on his lips, halting him. "Things will be bad enough for you without planning my funeral as well. I love you so much Albus, never forget that."

Albus kissed her on the lips, he loved her so much, her thoughtfulness, her love, her intelligence, her practicality but most of all her loved her. Albus gently pulled her to him and just held her in his arms, staring straight ahead at the plain, white wall. How he wished he was plain at the moment but instead he had so many emotions rushing through his mind. The time had come, earlier then he ever would have thought possible. He hated it and he hadn't even hated Tom. He hated the disease but then all he could think about was how it had brought them together.

It was a double-edged sword. And it had dealt him a blow he didn't know how to deal with. Him. One of the most renowned and admired wizards in the world. He had been through three wars and dealt with the deaths of people he loved for 150 years. How could he possibly find it so hard to say good bye to one woman. But that was just it she wasn't just one woman. She was his wife, his love of all time, the woman he had ached for, for almost 40 years. She held his heart and he didn't know if he could live without her.

He had to tell her. Now.

"Minerva?"

"Mmm," came the drowsy reply.

"I love you. I always thought Hogwarts would be my whole life because I could not have you. But in one moment my whole life changed because you found your Gryffindor courage and told me you loved me. I was overwhelmed with such feelings then. Disbelief, you know while I was sitting there as you left I actually thought you were joking but then I thought about what you said and how you had acted. You were truly anxious and upset and I went after you."

Minerva smiled into his chest, no doubt remembering their first kiss and their peaceful night together.

"Going after you was the best thing I ever did. Then I proposed and hearing your answer fall from your lips made me the happiest man in the world for a second time. Soon after you told me you were sick. I was so shocked and unsure and confused, all I knew was that I loved you and you would be leaving me. I knew it would happen just like I knew how long you had left but now that the time has come I just don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything Albus; I already know what's in your heart."

Albus began to cry, heart wrenching sobs that wracked his body. Minerva held him the best she could in her weakened state, stoking his face and murmuring words of comfort.

"I will always love you Albus, you can do this. The school needs you to get through this and to lead them. The students need you, Hermione does. Lead them Albus, through your pain show them that strength you possess. You have always been the strong one. Show them Albus, show them for me."

Through his tears Albus noticed her voice growing weaker, her hand movements slowing. She was sinking down into him, she was truly dying. Albus held her, stilling her movements. Just holding whispering that he would do it for her.

He held her for what seemed like only moments but in reality was almost an hour.

It was in his arms that she silently slipped from life, the only sounds in the room being that of Albus' increased tears as he held her lifeless body in his arms, finally letting her go in a flood of tears.

To be continued…

A/N: This chapter was a little up and down with the crying for me. I know they were strong at this line.

But that was just it she wasn't just one woman. She was his wife, his love of all time, the woman he had ached for, for almost 40 years.

Anyway, only the epilogue left which will be the funeral.

Thanks to the reviewers bookwmnjan, Tartan Lioness, Quill of Minerva, Palanfanaiel and TabbyMinerva

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