When Eternity Ceases
Chapter Five
Minerva slowly climbed the stairs to the long-term ward at St. Mungo's. Against Alastor's advice, she was going to see Albus alone. It had been a week since the defeat of Grindelwald and Albus's admittance into the hospital, but Albus had not been allowed visitors before. The Healers still discouraged it, but Alastor had put some pressure on them and they gave in. He had intended to go with Minerva, but he could not when she had wanted to, and she insisted on going immediately.
Minerva could not stop herself from hoping that everything would be normal when she visited Albus: that his hair would fall into his eyes with the same casual elegance, that he would smile at her with the same tenderness as always, that his eyes would, as always, be a mirror of his soul- his joy, his love, his goodness. She tried to stop thinking of how she knew Albus and to prepare herself for what awaited her, but when she finally opened the door, she could not help but lose her breath.
If his eyes were indeed still a window to his soul, then Albus's soul was essentially gone. They showed nothing but emptiness- no sadness, no fear, no happiness. Minerva knew that Albus would not recognize her, if he even realized she was there.
"Albus?" she asked tentatively. He did not respond, but remained as still as stone, looking straight through Minerva. "Albus? Pleaseā¦."
A deafening silence filled the room. Minerva conjured up a chair and sat against the wall. She did not say anything else, but simply watched Albus. She did not know why she was not crying; perhaps because the whole situation was so surreal. She could not believe that this was the man to whom she had pledged her love, her life; to whom she had given her body and soul. This was not Albus. This was not happening.
"Alastra is dead."
Minerva stared at Albus. "What?"
"Aurora is dead." Albus continued to speak, though not to Minerva. "Madoc is dead. Alastor is dead."
"What? No, Alastor is not dead. He is alive, Albus."
For the first time since Minerva had entered, a change came over Albus. However, it was not a good one. His eyes became even emptier, and he started shaking. "Minerva is dead." His hands clenched tightly. "Minerva is dead. Minerva is dead."
Minerva found that she had stood up, but she did not remember doing so.
"Minerva is dead. It is my fault. I am sorry," Albus said.
Minerva went silently to him and put her hand on his shoulder, but he did not seem to notice. "No, Albus. I am alive. Alastor is alive. Nothing is your fault."
Albus continued on, his voice chillingly soft and clear. "Grindelwald killed her. I should have saved her. He tortured her. He raped her. It is my fault. My fault. I was too late. Minerva is dead. Dead." With each word, his shaking became more violent.
Although she did not realize it, Minerva had been backing away from the bed. She had never been more terrified in her life- terrified to be near Albus, the man she loved.
Suddenly, Albus turned to her, his eyes tortured and staring. "Minerva is DEAD!"
Minerva moved to the door so quickly she started to fall over. Only the arms of her uncle kept her from the floor, for Alastor had opened the door only seconds before.
"Minerva!" he said, feeling her out of control breathing.
"He is gone," she whispered. "He's gone."
