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Chapter Six: The Long Road to Recovery

Albus lay still, waiting to see if Minerva would continue. When she didn't, he gently reached his hand across the bed. His fingertips grazed her hand, and she made no effort to pull away. They laid there, their hands barely touching, until both were asleep.

Minerva awoke first the next morning. She desperately wanted to take a shower, but fought the urge. She couldn't possibly be dirty; she had showered so much the last three days. Instead she lay in bed, staring at her husband.

When Albus woke, he immediately knew he was being watched. He opened his eyes to find himself looking into his wife's own hazel orbs. Minerva quickly looked away. She couldn't stand eye contact with her husband. Not only did she fear what he might see, she also felt it was far to intimate.

"Minerva."

"Yes?"

"It wasn't your fault."

"We should get dressed."

Minerva went into the bathroom to change, while Albus remained in the bedroom. He wasn't going to push his wife; she had taken a huge step last night. He didn't want to inhibit her progress.

The two walked to the Great Hall together. Most of the professors were already there, except Madara and Horace. Nearly Headless Nick was also present to congratulate Minerva, and offer his services if ever she should need him. It was most unfortunate that Horace picked then to make his entrance.

"What are you congratulating her for, Nick? The ability to lay down and open her legs?" he asked, cruelly.

"That's enough, Horace." Albus nearly shouted. Only a select number of people on the staff knew he and Minerva were married, and Horace had most certainly not been trusted with this informaion.

"Sorry, Albus." he mumbled.

Halfway through breakfast, the Daily Prophet arrived. On the front page was an article about the changes in administration that had been made since Headmaster Dippet died. It praised Albus for his speech at the service, but went on to question his judgment in naming someone as young as Minerva deputy.

"Well," they heard Slughorn remark to several of the other professors, "you can't blame the Prophet, can you? She is young, and she really has no other position she could take except that of headmistress. She has been given too much power too soon. She must be an exceptionally good whore."

The last comment was too much for Minerva. She jumped up and ran out of the Great Hall, tears running down her cheeks. She never heard her husband demand for Slughorn to go down to his office and stay there.

Albus quickly followed his wife to their rooms. He entered to the sounds of the shower running. He sat on the couch and tried to calm himself enough to speak with his distraught wife. As she emerged from the shower, he heard her sobbing. He was going to kill Horace.

She came into the sitting room a few minutes later. As soon as she saw her husband, she turned around and went back into their bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Albus stood and went to the door. He knocked, but received no response. Carefully, he opened the door just a crack and peeked in.

Minerva had thrown herself across the bed and buried her head in a pillow.

"Minerva?"

"Go away."

"Minerva, please. Don't push me away. Horace is not going to get away with what he said. He is waiting in his office right now, and ."

"You-you don't understand." Minerva sobbed.

"Then explain it to me."

Minerva raised her head off the pillow. "That-That's what h-he call-called me."

"Who?"

"Gr-Grin, the dark lo-" she sounded as if she might be choking. "Him." she said desperately.

"Oh, Minerva. It's not true. Not at all. You must know that."

"But, but you were supp-supposed to be the on-only one." At this, she buried her head back in her pillow and sobbed uncontrollably.

Albus wanted more than anything to be able to go and comfort his wife. He was unsure of how much contact she would allow, however. They had only touched hands twice since she was raped. He didn't want to frighten her. He carefully walked across the room and laid a hand gently on her back.

Minerva tensed and tried to move away. Albus immediately moved his hand and she relaxed slightly.

"My love, can you look at me?"

Minerva shook her head.

"Can you at least raise your head up and listen for a moment?"

This time she complied, so he continued. "I still am the only one. I am the only one you have ever given yourself to. I remain the only one you have ever made love with. You have no idea how it feels to know that there is someone in the world who will only ever give themselves to you. For that, I am truly grateful."

"But." she protested. "But, I-I have been with someone else."

"No, you have not. Rape is not the same as sex, Minerva. Sex is an act of love between two people who love each other; rape is an act of violence, in which the woman has no control. You were not with someone else. You were violated."

Minerva said nothing, but her sobs slowed.

"If you wish to speak about anything, anything at all, you may. If not, you need not say anything." her husband said.

She looked in his direction, but not in his eyes. "Do-do you really believe what-what you just said?"

"I would not have said it if I did not believe it."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. There was only a couple of people it could have been, and it had to be an emergency for either of them to come to the couple's quarters. Albus rose and went to answer the door while Minerva blew her nose.

"Poppy, is everything all right?" asked the concerned headmaster.

"That's what I am here to ask you." the mediwitch replied as she entered the sitting room. "Is Minerva okay?"

Minerva joined Albus and Poppy a moment later before he had time to answer.

"Everything is fine, Poppy." she said.

"You don't look fine. How have you been sleeping?"

"All right."

"Have you been using the potions I sent you?"

"I don't need them."

"You look tired. Have you been having nightmares?"

"No." When she said this, Albus, who had been watching the pair intently, made an odd noise in the back of his throat.

"Hm. Are you sure about that, Minerva?" Poppy asked.

"As that does not relate to my health, I don't see what concern it is of yours." snapped Minerva.

"It concerns your mental health, which makes it very much my concern." answered Poppy, just as snappishly.

"I'm fine."

"No you are not. You are obviously not ready to accept that, though." Poppy took a few deep calming breathes before continuing. "I would like you to come to the hospital wing this afternoon, Minerva."

"Why?"

"So I can examine you again. I need to make sure all the bruising is healing as it should be."

"Absolutely not. I am fine. I would certainly know if something was not healing."

"Professor Dumbledore," Poppy pleaded, "can you please talk to her. I will be in the hospital wing all afternoon. Good day to you both." With that, Poppy turned and left their chambers.

"Minerva."

"NO" screamed Minerva, right before she ran back into the bedroom.

Albus once again followed her. "Minerva, darling. It's only Poppy. You two were friends during school. Why does this bother you so?"

"It's not something I can explain to you."

"Please go see her. I want you to be all right. Please allow her to make sure you are."

"Perhaps."

"Well," thought Albus, "it's better than nothing."

After lunch, which Minerva skipped, she did go to the hospital wing. She didn't want to, but she had treated her husband so lousy lately. The least she could do was what he had asked. He only wanted her to be okay.

"Poppy." Minerva called as she entered.

The mediwitch came out of her office. She looked genuinely pleased that her friend had come. She asked Minerva to change into a gown, and then left to give her privacy. It took all of Minerva's determination and bravery not to run out of the ward. When she had changed, she called Poppy back in.

When she was asked to lay back and spread her legs, she started to cry. Poppy put her arms around her and hugged gently. Minerva didn't flinch as she did when Albus touched her.

The two remained as they were for some time, until Minerva stopped crying. When she had composed herself, Poppy pulled back and looked at her.

"Do you want me to get Albus?" The mediwitch desperately hopped Minerva would say yes. She needed her husband so badly right now, and this might be just the motivation she needed to open up to him.

Minerva hesitated. She did want him, but what if he got there and then she changed her mind. He would have come all that way for nothing. "All that way?" she thought to herself. "It's the hospital wing. You aren't asking him to leave the country. Let him help you."

"I-I don't know." she said outloud.

"I'll go floo him. If you change your mind, he can leave."

"Okay."

Albus arrived only a moment later and went straight to his wife. He carefully touched one of her hands with his and, to his delight, she did not pull away.

"Poppy said you might need me."

"I- oh Albus, I-I don't know if I can do this."

"You've come so far already. You're doing so well." he encouraged.

"Can't you put me to sleep and then do it?" Minerva asked Poppy.

"I could, but psychologically that would be doing you no favors."

Minerva took several cleansing breathes, and laid back on the bed. Albus moved toward her head, so she would have no question about his intentions. She continued to hold his hand and when Poppy began to examine her, she squeezed it.

"Minerva, what in Merlin's name happened to your thighs?" Poppy questioned.

Minerva didn't even try to answer. She once again had tears leaking out of her eyes. She was conscious of the fact that her husband was trying to catch her eye, but she stared resolutely at the ceiling.

When it was time to examine her breasts, Albus left the curtained off area and stood right outside. He heard Poppy gasp, and became very worried.

"Minerva, whatever has happened to your thighs has also happened to your breasts. What is going on?"

"Nothing."

"Headmaster, I'm finished. You can come back."

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"Her skin looks very raw and has been bleeding in several places." Poppy answered him. Then, turning back to Minerva she asked again "What happened?"

"I-I suppose I have just been taking too many showers." she said, quietly.

"You have rubbed your skin raw trying to get the feel of his hands off of you, haven't you?" Poppy asked sadly.

Minerva simply nodded while Albus looked distressed.

"Have you considered talking to someone?"

"I-I've been talking to Albus."

"I mean a professional who can help you sort through your feelings."

"Poppy, you don't understand. I can barely speak with my own husband about this. I would never be able to talk with a stranger about something so private." Minerva was on the verge of tears again.

"I am going to give you some ointment to use on your skin. You have got to stop doing this to your body though. You are going to make yourself sore, and may even risk an infection."

"I understand."

"If you need me, you know where to find me."

"Thank you, Poppy." Albus said, as Minerva nodded.

Albus left Minerva to change in private, then walked her back to their rooms.

A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers. I really appreciate you taking the time to review. I also love all the great things you say! Please keep it up:)