When Eternity Ceases

Chapter Four

Minerva sat on a cold, hard rock, watching the stars and praying for Albus. He had been gone for a day and a half, and they had received no word. Minerva knew that the entire camp was nervous and apprehensive. They all knew that Albus was immensely powerful and that he had a far better chance of victory than any other wizard alive, but there was no denying that Grindelwald was immensely powerful as well.

Albus had refused to have anyone accompany him. Minerva knew he would. Although he would not say it out loud, Albus knew he was the only one who could defeat Grindelwald. If any other wizard were to go with him, Albus would have to protect two people, not just one. Chances were more likely that both would perish.

Suddenly, Minerva heard great confusion back at the camp. "Albus," she whispered. She jumped to her feet and sprinted to the noise, ignoring the sharp pain in her newly-healed ribs.

At the camp, there was a large crowd of Healers and Aurors shouting. Minerva ran up to it, trying to make her way through the dense group. She was continually pushed back.

"Hold him down!"

"Get water!"

"Fetch a calming draft!"

Then, above everyone else's voices, Minerva heard her uncle's voice. "Stupefy!"

A shocked silence followed. "Alastor!" someone yelled.

Alastor yelled back. "Now get him to St. Mungo's, damn it!"

Minerva watched in horror as the witches and wizards lifted a bloody, limp body into the air. "Albus!" she screamed.

Minerva felt someone take her around the waist. She fought as hard a spossible to get free until she realized it was her uncle.

"Minerva, calm down. I need you to listen."

"Alastor, no! I need to see Albus! I promised him! I promised!" Minerva had tears pouring down her face.

"Minerva!" Alastor said, shaking her. "Minerva!" He turned her around to face him. "You can't see him."

"What do you mean, I can't see him?" she demanded.

Alastor took Minerva's face in his rough hands. "Minerva. You know that I love you, and that I never want to hurt you. Albus loved…loves you more than I can fathom, and he would never want to hurt you either. There has been far too much hurting these past days. But I have to tell you…Albus is gone."

Minerva jerked out of his reach. "What?"

"He isn't dead, Minerva, but…he might as well be."

"What the fucking hell do you mean?"

Alastor felt himself stop breathing. It was terrifying to see Minerva so out of control. "He doesn't remember, Minerva. Anything. Anything other than his battle with Grindelwald. We think he was tortured somehow…he just keeps shaking and crying. He says he is sorry…."

Minerva was suddenly still as stone. She had stopped crying. Her expression of emptiness was worse than her previous state.

Alastor looked at her uneasily. "Minerva…say something."

When Minerva finally spoke, looking off into the distance, her voice seemed to come from far away. "For eternity."