When Eternity Ceases

Chapter Three

Albus refused to leave Minerva's beside at all during the next few days. He held her hand as the Healer cleaned the blood off, squeezed it when her head wound was healed, and kissed it when she had her ribs reset.

Minerva was given blood replenishing potion every few hours, as it turned out she had lost more than a third of her blood. Albus sat with her without fail, spending his nights with his forehead rested on the bed. One night, Albus awoke when he felt something on his neck. He reached back to take hold of it and grabbed Minerva's hand. His head sprung up and he stared at her. "Minerva?"

"Albus," she whispered.

Albus ran his fingers along her forehead. He thought he would never see those green eyes again. She looked so beautiful. "Minerva…I have been so worried. I thought you would never wake up."

"I could not leave you."

Albus leaned over and kissed Minerva gently. "I love you, Minerva." He carefully got into the bed beside Minerva and held her close. Minerva ran her fingers through Albus's auburn hair.

Minerva tilted her head slightly so she could kiss Albus again. She sighed into his mouth as his hands sat on her lower back. "I love you, Albus."

Just as the stars began to go out and birds began to sing, Albus and Minerva joined for the first time in a beautiful display of their love fulfilled.

"Tomorrow, my love, I must leave you," Albus said gently.

Minerva stroked his bare chest. "May I not go with you?"

Albus kissed the top of her head. "I must go alone. This is my task." He took Minerva's hand and brought it to his lips. "But I will be back for you."

Her eyes shining, Minerva gave a small smile. "I will wait forever."

Albus smiled back, but he could not help but be troubled. Minerva's lack of quips was unnerving. He had never seen her so silent and vulnerable.

At length, Albus rose. "I love you, Minerva. For eternity."

Minerva gazed back at him, the man who had so recently been her professor, but her greatest love for years. "For eternity," she echoed.

With one last kiss, Albus walked out of the tent to meet Grindelwald, his trembling frame silhouetted against the rising sun.

A/N:

Thanks for reviewing!

Quill of Minerva- The chapter was supposed to end there, but after I read your review and looked back at the chapter, I realized that it did seem kind of abrupt. I added a couple words and I think it makes more sense now. Thanks!

Angeldust-aka-Evilwoman- Yeah, sorry about the cliffhanger! I hope you like this chapter!

Aurinko- Again, sorry about the cliffhanger. I think all of my chapters end up being cliffhangers in all of my stories, which is strange now that I think about it. Hmmm… thanks for reviewing!

bigkihap- Thanks for reviewing! I hope you continue reading and reviewing!

foci- I'm glad you like it so far! Just so you know, I really do not like writing AU things (the farthest I will take it is making up things that could have happened, i.e. moments between Albus and Minerva, and really, their relationship in general), so Minerva will never die in any of my stories unless that is what JKR ends up doing. Thanks for reviewing! I hope the suspense keeps on interesting you!