Chapter 45:

I follow Harry silently down to the main hall. Pandemonium is currently in control. He looks sideways at me. I nod, and we step behind one of the statues at the base of the stairs to weather out the storm of students up the stairs.

A few minutes later we emerge, the hall empty. My eyes stray to the main hall, certain I saw movement. I motion to Harry to follow me. He does so, withdrawing his wand as he falls into step behind me.

I cautiously peer around the edge of the great wooden doors. Severus and Albus are at the teachers' table at the far end. No one else seems to be there. A second castle-thundering boom is felt. Albus looks up, his face forlorn.

He motions us to join him.

"Albus, what is it?" I ask, allowing the worry to fully enter my voice.

He flicks his eyes momentarily to Severus before returning to my face. "Another attack is upon us."

"Obviously." I spit impatiently. Men are always stating the obvious, wasting valuable time.

Albus raises one eyebrow. "I had not anticipated this situation."

"What situation?" I ask, the exasperation evident. Harry is facing me, a look of concern crossing his features.

"It seems Voldemort is after you again."

"Then let him have me."

"No!"

"Severus," I say, turning to my husband, taken off guard by his vehement denial of my willing martyrdom, "this is beyong you and I. You have known that from the beginning. Tom and I must face one another, just as he and Harry have their time."

Severus throws my uncle a helpless glance, silently begging him to intervene. He does not. Instead, he uncharacteristically folds his hands together and says nothing.

Harry is stirred to speaking. "Professor," he begins slowly. All three of us eye him closely, unsure who is addressing.

"Why does Voldemort want you?" he asks.

I smile, pleased he is able to sort through it all and come up with the one important question.

"Because he needs me." Severus and Albus chokes. I turn to them. "It is true, though none of us has said it in so many words. He does not need me in the way you do, Albus, nor you, Severus. But the need is there. It has been there since my birth. I cannot escape that, though we have tried desperately. I must face him."

The three men, for yes, I will include Harry in that grouping, contemplate me silently. In the respite, a third rumble shakes the old castle. I raise my eyebrows, questioning them. One by one they all nod their approval, reluctant though it may be.

"Very well. I have my wand. I need two things from my rooms first, though. Severus, will you accompany me?" There is nothing I need from our rooms, but it is the least embarrassing way for me to allow Severus his goodbye.

We walk, hand in hand, down the hallway. "Why are you doing this?" he asks hoarsely.

"Severus, you were not made to love." I say softly. "You have tried your best, but it is draining you. I need me, I know that. And you are a passionate man, that is obvious. But you are not a lover. Yet, I married you, knowing it. Your passion is of a colder nature. You will survive this, as you have survived everything before it. That is what you are, Severus. A survivor of the highest degree. This is merely the latest test."

Tears are streaming from his eyes, an unusual sight from my husband. We have by now reached the front door of our rooms. I open the door, motioning with my arms that he enter first. He nods and walks through the doorframe. I immediately shut and lock the door with the strongest lock I know.

I hear him turn and begin pounding the door. "Bena!" I hear him yell. Tears begin to fall from my eyes. I did not want to do this to him, but it is the only way I can guarantee I will be free to approach Tom Riddle. I move my hand along the rough wood of the door, as I hear him sob on the other side. I want to pull him close to me, embrace him, but I cannot. With an air of extreme reverence I place a kiss on the door handle, where his hand may touch it next. I slowly retreat down the hallway, back to my uncle and Harry, ready to begin the next seperation.

Albus looks up, his eyes cold and tired. He knows that I have locked Severus away. He raises his hands and takes mine in his when I am in arm length. "Go as you must, my child." He says, his calmness invading every part of my being.

I feel uplifted, and kiss both of his hands. He places his right hand on my cheek, in a very avuncular gesture, and exits the hall, humming to himself. I have never, and never shall understand him. But I bow before his greatness.

That leaves only Harry and me. He eyes me distrustingly.

"Harry." I say simply.

"Why do you have to do this, Bena?"

"You know why."

"You believe your entire life was mapped out for you before you were born?"

I chuckle softly. "Not entirely. But the decisions made by those in charge of me and my future made certain there would be no other outcome."

"That doesn't mean you can't deny it now."

"Harry." I say warningly.

"No. Walk away. There's a back door to this castle, there has to be. You and Snape have the damn secret tunnel, use that. Leave, Bena. Run away. You don't need to do this." He says, waving his arms around.

"Why haven't you done the same, Mister Potter?" I ask calmly.

He stops in his pacing to look at me. "I can't."

"Can't what?" I push.

"I can't leave." He says. "I have to face Voldemort. He chose me to fulfill the prophecy."

"Just as I was chosen to fulfill mine. It is not a weakness, Harry Potter, to follow one's destiny. It is courage. The weakness is to deny who you are. I will not deny it. I am Bena Dumbledore, a force to reckoned with."

Harry stares at me a few moments more, before closing the four foot gap between us, again embracing me. I pet his hair and whispers quiet words in to his ear for a few moments. Finally, he steps back and eyes me warily.

"I suppose you better go then. He's expecting you."