Her Chance Gone
A/N: I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who reviewed the last chapter. It really makes my day that this story is being received so well. Thank you to Ang, who is my beta and friend.
Chapter 6: The Engagement Party.
Two weeks had gone by since Albus had come by Minerva's rooms to give her the present and every day Minerva made a conscious decision to avoid him at all costs. She always made sure she was the first to leave the staff meetings and the last to arrive. The rest of the staff had noticed her strange behavior and were discussing the matter between themselves. Minerva was also glad that she was no longer seated beside Albus at the staff table because Regina had taken her place. Minerva would chat with Poppy and Hagrid, who were seated nearest her. She would avoid any type of conversation with Regina and hardly acknowledged her existence.
Poppy and Xiomara were growing more and more concerned about their friend, who seemed to be wasting away in front of their very eyes. They felt powerless to help her. They knew that only one man would bring back their friend but they were painfully aware that he was taken and for what it seemed, to be very happy with Regina Hardcastle. They had watched for days as the Headmaster tried to engage Minerva in a conversation but she would often cut him short with one-word answers or make up some excuse to leave. In the end, the Headmaster had given up his attempts to talk with her. Regina was, of course, very much aware of what was going on and smiled to herself every time Minerva swept by her.
Minerva was distancing herself from Albus in the vain hope to heal her shattered heart. But if she was honest with herself, not talking to him or being in his presence was hurting her even more. But she felt it was something she had to do. To add to her problems, Minerva had walked into her office to find Regina sitting on her desk obviously waiting for her to arrive.
"Ms Hardcastle!" greeted Minerva through gritted teeth.
"Minerva," infused Regina with a toothy smile. "I came by to give you this."
Regina held out a creamy colored thick parchment envelope for Minerva to take. Minerva could see the initials of Albus entwined with the initials of the woman in front of her. Minerva took the envelope and hoped that Regina hadn't seen the small twitch in her hand as she had accepted the heavy envelope.
"You can bring a guest," said Regina as she slipped off the desk and made for the door. "That's if you can find one."
Minerva simply turned her back to Regina and let her shoulders slump. She didn't care if Regina saw her like this. Minerva could tell that Regina was smirking as she closed the door and left her to open the envelope alone. There was no point in delaying the inevitable so she ripped open the invite and felt sick to her stomach.
Ms. Regina Hardcastle and Mr Albus Dumbledore
cordially invite you to attend
their engagement party
at 19:00 hours
on Saturday 15th
at Hogwarts
Dress Code: Smart dress robes
RSVP
Minerva sighed loudly and was rather relived that it wasn't the actual invitation to their wedding, which would have been too much to deal with at present. Part of her still believed that she was dreaming this whole thing and she would wake up to find that Albus was single and Regina Hardcastle had never existed. She would have to attend this party. Her absence would prove to everyone that she had a problem with the intended marriage and questions would be asked. She would go and toast the happy couple then complain of a migraine and quietly excuse herself. No questions would be asked if she pretended to be ill.
The next day Poppy and Xiomara were standing in Minerva's room looking at their friend as she tried to act as though everything was normal. She was playing the part well but they knew that inside she was heartbroken.
"Minerva," said Poppy softly "you don't have to attend this party!"
"She is right, you know!" agreed Xiomara, who was playing with the hem of her dress robes.
"I have to go," said Minerva looking at them both with determination in her emerald green eyes. "I will be expected and it's common courtesy for me to attend. I nod and smile when I have to and then make a discreet exit."
"But Minerva…" replied Poppy but stopped as soon as Minerva put her hand up.
"I love him Poppy but I have to accept that he will never be mine," explained Minerva. "This engagement will force me to accept that he is no longer a free wizard and that I must move on."
Minerva walked to the door and opened it. She turned and waited for them to follow her. They spoke no more about it as they made their way down to the Great Hall where many of the staff and friends of the happy couple had already arrived. The Great Hall certainly looked lavish and elaborate but as Minerva looked around the hall, she saw nothing that represented Albus' personality.
White drapes were hung from the walls instead of the school banners. White silk tablecloths were draped over the thick wooden tables with bowls of floating candles on top of them. Soft flowery music floated throughout the hall. It was the type of music Albus couldn't stand and so she put the choice of music and decorations down to Regina.
Minerva's musings were interrupted by rapturous applause and she turned around to see Albus and Regina walking into the hall hand in hand, with identical smiles. Regina lapped up the applause and smiles while Albus seemed to be a little fazed by the whole thing but he played his part well. He accepted people's well wishes as Regina told stories of their first meeting. According to her, Albus had sat beside her while she was reading a book and in the process of sitting down, he had knocked over her bottle of water and it had spilled everywhere. They had started talking and now here they were…a couple of months later and celebrating their engagement.
Minerva listened as guests gushed over Regina's story and said how romantic it was. To be honest, Minerva had thought it was a rather boring and unromantic story but that could have been down to the fact that she didn't like the bride to be. Minerva stood in the corner watching many couples dance. She was beginning to feel that she didn't exist until Xiomara and Severus stopped dancing and walked over to her.
"Why aren't you dancing Min?" asked Xiomara bluntly.
"I have a headache!" said Minerva, who was starting to put her escape plan into action.
"Oh," replied Xiomara, trying to sound surprised.
"You know there is hope for you Minerva," said Severus. "If the Headmaster can find someone to take him on at his age, I'm sure you will."
"Well at least I still have a chance Severus," bit back Minerva. "Unlike you who lost that chance they day that they were born!"
Xiomara couldn't help but smile at Minerva's sharp witted reply and looked down at her feet while Severus tried to come back with an equally quick reply but he couldn't.
"If you will excuse me," said Minerva looking at Xiomara. "I need to get some peace and quiet."
Xiomara nodded and tugged a reluctant potions master back on to the dance floor while Minerva made her way towards the door that led out into the Entrance Hall. Regina saw Minerva move towards the doors and decided to bring Albus' attention to the matter.
"Leaving already Minerva?" asked Regina, as she and Albus intercepted Minerva's escape.
"I'm afraid so," replied Minerva. "I have come over with a terrible migraine."
"I do hope it is not too bad," Albus said with concern as he looked at his Deputy over the top of half moon spectacles. This had been the first time they had spoken personally since the night she had refused his gift and he noticed how ill she was looking.
"No it's not that bad," answered Minerva. "I'm sure one of Poppy's potions will do the trick."
"Can't you stay and toast our happiness?" pushed Regina. "It would mean so much to us if you did."
"I'm sorry but I don't think I can." Minerva answered.
"Oh but I wanted all of Albus' closest friends to be here for the toast," persisted Regina. "Please Minerva, don't spoil this for him, for us."
"Regina my dear," said Albus, putting a hand on her arm and squeezing it "can't you see that Minerva is ill? I think the best place for her is in bed."
Minerva gave an appreciative smile in his direction while Regina glared at her with cold unfeeling eyes.
"I suppose you are right, my love," answered Regina as she beamed at Albus. "You had better go then Minerva. Oh look darling, the toast is about to done."
Minerva turned quickly and made her way out of the Great Hall without even saying good-bye to Regina and Albus. The last thing she heard as she made her way up the stairs was a toast to the happy couple.