Chapter Sixteen: All Things Great and Small

Life was much different for that girl once she had lost her ability to heal. The sick stopped visiting the orphanage, the nuns payed more attention to her and even the children seemed less afraid. They would occasionally invite her to join in their games. Still everyone referred to her by something other than her name. What she heard more often than not those days was 'The Girl Who Could'. It was better to her than most anything else, though. She was happier. She was treated like anyone else. Like any other ordinary child. No powers to get in her way.

Yes, things were different for her, for a time. After awhile the days became bleak once more when another tragic incident occurred. She herself was hurt almost beyond repair. She received brutal injuries that only time would heal, and even then she would carry the scars for life. She became quieter after that. She would tell no one of what happened to her. All the nuns knew was that she had gone to bed well, and the next morning she was found covered in pint after pint of her own blood.

A year passed and still none seemed to remember her name, since no one bothered to call her by it. Until one day, when she was nine years old, an aged man came to the orphanage and asked for Adara Sage.

"Yes, I remember that well."

Adara looked up at a chuckling Dumbledore. The joy on his face brought a smile to hers. "I'm terribly sorry, Headmaster. I had not realized the girl slipped out while I was telling her my story. Nor did I take notice when you returned. I suppose I was rather lost in thought." She had not realized at first what she had said, but the look on the aged man's face informed her quickly enough. She clapped a hand over her mouth and stared at him, almost as though waiting to be berated.

Albus shook his head and smiled gently at her. "It's alright, my dear. I believe you about the little girl. In fact, I believe I have seen her myself."

Adara could not help being suspicious. She thought perhaps this was a trick to make her say something. "Oh? And when would you say that was?"

He leaned back in his chair and she heard a joint or two pop in protest. After shifting his position a bit for a more comfortable one, he folded his hands on his lap and looked over at her with a soft grin. "Not all that long ago. Or at least it does not seem like much time has passed."

She continued to watch him carefully, but something about his words made her believe him. "I'm glad I am no longer the only one who knows of her, Headmaster. I was beginning to feel as though everyone thought me to be crazed." She laughed softly to herself and looked over at him.

He nodded in response. "Yes, I can only imagine how that must have been for you, Adara. And I am very sorry to have put you through it, as I know I must have. Will you forgive this old man for his moment of weakness and doubt?" There was a somewhat pleading look in his blue eyes.

"Of course, Sir. I could never be angry with you. Or at least not for very long. You're too dear to me for that."

"Then I'm pleased we could work through this mystery, my dear. I'll take my leave now. Get some rest and perhaps tomorrow you will be able to join the rest of the school again."

Adara nodded and watched him leave the room. A faint smile came to her lips at the thought of finally being able to leave the Hospital Wing. "At last they know I'm well." She settled down in the bed and closed her eyes. As she drifted back off to sleep, she did not realize all was not as well as she thought or hoped.

When next Adara woke, the Headmaster was smiling down at her.

"Is something going on, Sir?"

"Yes, my dear. I'm here to escort your back to your chambers."

She blinked a few times, not quite believing what she'd just heard. "You mean, I'm free to leave now?"

Albus nodded in response, continuing to smile kindly.

Adara let out a sigh of great relief. "Merlin be thanked. I thought I'd never get out of here." She paused for a moment and looked up into his eyes. "So ... do they believe I'm quite sane now?"

"I don't think anyone ever doubted that. Or at least very few did." He waved a dismissive hand. "However, none of that matters now. I believe all you needed was some rest in order to recuperate."

With the Headmaster keeping a watchful eye, Adara rose from the bed and stood on her own two feet once again. At first it felt as though her legs would give out from beneath her, having not been used for at least a week, but she recovered quickly enough and smoothed out her dress. "I think the first thing I shall do when I get back to my room is have a nice, hot shower."

Albus chuckled merrily and nodded. "And I believe you'll enjoy it immensely." He extended his arm toward the door.

Adara nodded and smiled back at him. She paused just before they were about to exit and placed a hand to her forehead.

"Is everything alright, my dear?"

"I'm not certain. Something still doesn't feel right, but I'm sure I'll be fine after I've washed and changed."

He gave her a concerned look, but refrained from saying anything. 'I do hope this does not last long. I'm afraid to know what will occur if it does.'

Adara glanced at her long time friend with puzzlement. "What was that, Sir? I thought I heard you say something."

"No, no, it's quite alright. Perhaps you were just reading the look on my face." He chuckled attempting to hide his true feelings and again indicated the doorway. "Shall we?"

"Yes, of course," she smiled, bowed her head slightly and left the room.

All Hallow's Eve had already passed before she had been permitted to leave the Hospital Wing. This disheartened Adara somewhat, as she had desperately wanted to attend the Halloween feast and Ball. Her spirits lifted when she returned to her room and set her eyes on an envelope that was resting upon her bed. It reminded her that in only a month she would be able to return to the orphanage that was once her home and visit the only 'mothers' she had ever known. The nuns.

"I think you'll find the contents of that envelope quite uplifting, Adara." Albus gave her a wink and nodded toward the bed. "I'd like to watch you open it, if you don't mind."

"Of course, Sir." She gave him another quizzical look, then approached her bed and hastily broke the seal. There were only two things residing within the envelope. A train ticket and a letter written in green. Her eyes skimmed over the brief note, then she looked up at the Headmaster on the verge of tears. "The Hogwarts Express is making a special trip just for me? I'm ... I'm almost speechless. This is astonishing, Sir! How on earth did you manage to arrange this?"

He shook his head and waved a hand. "Never mind about all that. You enjoy the gift, that should be enough. I know it was all I needed." For a moment, Adara looked torn. She was attempting to battle back her fears, if only long enough to embrace the aged man. Desperately she wanted to wrap her arms around him in a tight hug, but no matter how she struggled within, she could not seem to bring herself to it, and this caused her only more pain.

In her desperation, she failed to notice the Headmaster's approach. He stood before her and boldly placed his fingers beneath her chin to raise her face to his. "Do not fight yourself, Adara. I know what it is you want to do, the doing doesn't matter. I do not need to feel your touch in order to know you are holding me in your mind. That is more than this old man could ask for." Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead as a father would their favourite child.

At last Adara threw her caution to the wind. She knew in her heart of hearts that Albus Dumbledore would never do a thing to harm her. She wrapped her arms about his waist and nearly brought him down on top of her in her excitement.

He chuckled when he regained his balance, curled his arms around her in return and lightly rubbed her back. "There, there, my child. No need for tears." He could hear her muffled sobs in the folds of his robes. "Happiness does not call for such a sad reaction."

After a few final sniffles, she pulled back and gazed up at him with all the admiration and love one could possess for another. "Thank you so much, Sir. I don't think even you will ever truly understand how much this all means to me."

He nodded and sat down beside her, keeping an arm around her back. "Ah, but I can imagine from the look on your face, my dear. And there's no need to thank me. I did this because I wanted to make you happy. No more, no less." He stood then and patted her shoulder before turning to the door. "I'll let you carry on with your business now. I'm certain you want to get on with that hot shower. I'll see you in the Great Hall for dinner. I've reserved the seat next to mine for you." Then he swept from the room and closed the door so she would have her privacy.

Adara was too filled with gladness to enjoy a long shower. She washed herself quickly, and dressed even faster. The only thing she took time with was her hair, and that was only because its length forced her to. By the time she was finished, it was nearly time for dinner. She made her way slowly to the Great Hall and found it nearly empty when she arrived. There was still ten minutes before the students and most of the faculty would arrive. In fact, there were only two present aside from herself. The Headmaster and Professor Snape. An uncontrollable shudder ran up her spine when she set her eyes on the latter. For reasons unknown to her, she despised him at that moment, even though he had done nothing to her that she could recall.

She quietly made her way to the table and sat down next to Dumbledore. He was in the midst of conversation, and it was obvious from the low tones he did not want to be interrupted or overheard. Adara minded her own business and contented herself to wait until he was finished.

Her patience was soon rewarded when Albus turned to her with a bright smile. "Feeling better now, Adara?"

"Much, thank you." She quieted again and toyed with her fingers. "I had no idea how refreshing that one act could be until going so long without it."

He nodded and grinned. "Yes, I have no doubt you desperately wanted to get that over with." Then his eyes turned to the doors as others began to filter in.