Oh wow, this took a long time to update. I was working on my other story, One Heck of a Year, and then I became SO busy with schoolwork I had almost no time to write. But, I'm proud to say that I finished chapter 9 of this story, and I'm almost positive that chapter 10 will be the last chapter (though a long one, hopefully!)
Enjoy, and please keep reviewing!
Chapter 9
Life Goes On, Until Something Stops It.
The next day was spent with Harry catching up with Dumbledore. They talked about everything that happened ever since Dumbledore's "death." Harry told Dumbledore about what happened over the summer, his uncle beating him, Lupin coming to his help, how he decided to run away in order to protect the others, his conversation with his Aunt, and anything else he could think of. Dumbledore told him about his months in hiding, a more in-depth story of why he had to have Snape fake his death, and more about his life in general. Harry asked him all his questions he wanted to ask him at the end of his 6th year and couldn't, such as where he learned to speak with merpeople. Apparently Dumbledore had to live in the great lake for a month and Mad-Eye Moody had transformed him into a merperson.
Harry and Dumbledore spent their time researching useful spells. In one of the books, "Ancient Spells and Jinxes for Enemies Only" by Shatkil Brincklhoff, they found a highly useful spell which blinded the enemy for 15 seconds, allowing adequate time to escape if necessary. Another spell was the 'Apenso' spell, which played the enemy's thoughts in a sort of movie clip so that the other can foresee what the enemy is trying to do. Another spell was one that put extra gravity force on the enemy so that he will be pulled to the ground and will not be able to get up. And so the days went on, and with each day they found more and more spells for Harry to use in his final combat with Voldemort. Harry was slowly mastering them and was getting much better at Occlumency now that Snape wasn't the one teaching him. He also gained some skill in Legilimency, which was helpful because now he would also be able to tell if Voldemort was trying to trick him.
Back at Hogwarts classes were going very slowly for Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. No Harry, no Dumbledore, meaning absolutely no cheerfulness…though they were dealing with the absence of Snape and Draco pretty well. Classes went by so slowly--even Hermione stopped listening to Professor Binns. One day McGonagall approached Ron and Hermione after her class.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, if you would please come up to my desk," she said.
Ron and Hermione walked over to McGonagall's desk. When they reached it, she looked up at them, and asked, "How are you two doing?"
"Ok," they mumbled, and looked down at their feet.
"I can obviously tell you're not…you shouldn't worry though, it's perfectly natural to feel depressed. Just make sure you're coping with it, not keeping things bottled up…and if you ever need to talk to anyone…ahem… I'm always here for you…I know I don't come off as a conversational person, but you can try me; I'm a very good listener."
Ron and Hermione looked up at her and smiled; Ron said, "Thanks…we might take you up on that offer."
McGonagall smiled at them, and before she knew it, her eyes became very watery and it was very hard for her to see her notes. The two in front of her, so innocent yet experienced so much on behalf of Harry…and Dumbledore, how she missed him…
Ron and Hermione saw that McGonagall was crying, and Hermione went over to her side and put an arm over her, patting her comfortingly. McGonagall suddenly grabbed Hermione and pulled her into a hug.
Hermione, not knowing what to do, hugged her back consolingly. Ron stood beside them, staring awkwardly. He never saw McGonagall so emotional; that is, unless she was furious with a student.
McGonagall dried up her tears and said, "I'm sorry, I cry too much. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
Hermione and Ron looked at each other with an understanding look. Hermione then looked at McGonagall and asked, "Professor…would you maybe want to come to Hogsmeade with us…in two weeks…to talk?"
She wasn't sure if it was proper to invite a teacher to Hogsmeade with them, but at that time it seemed appropriate. The second Hermione saw McGonagall's expression, she immediately regretted asking her. McGonagall looked like she was about to cry even harder.
"Ms. Granger…Thank you! You don't know how much that means to me, to know that I still have someone to confide in, though my husband is gone…Thank you!
"You're welcome, Professor; it is our pleasure," Hermione answered her warmly.
"Wait…I think I heard you wrong…did you just say your husband is gone?"
"Yes, Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbldore and I were married," she admitted.
Ron looked shocked; Hermione, however, did not seem surprised at all.
"You knew, I assume, Ms. Granger?" McGonagall asked her with a smirk.
"Yes, of course…you two were kind of obvious," she said gently. She didn't know if McGonagall felt comfortable talking about Dumbledore openly.
"No they weren't! I never knew about this! How did you find out?" Ron asked her, completely astonished that there was a love story happening right under his nose for the past 6 years and he hadn't noticed. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and continued to speak to McGonagall.
"Ok, so we will see you at dinner Professor McGonagall…take care."
"Thank you, same to you two…and, please, you can call me Minerva when we're not around other students," she smiled at them.
Ron looked as if he didn't know teachers had first names; Hermione just smiled at McGonagall, and together she and Ron left McGonagall's classroom.
Harry and Dumbledore we're enjoying a nice cup of tea after a long day of hard work.
"Harry…I
was wondering, maybe it would be a good idea if you tell everyone
you're still alive…at least your friends, and the Weasleys, and
maybe Professor McGonagall and
Remus…you miss them Harry, I
know you do, and you know they miss you too," Dumbledore said
gently.
Harry looked as though he was seriously contemplating the matter, but sounded quite resolute when he answered, "Albus, you know I can't do that. If anyone finds out I am alive, there is a chance that Voldemort will also find out, and then we will both be in danger again. We will both be better off if no one knows…but, I am open to compromises…if you tell, I'll tell," he smirked at his favorite teacher, who was becoming more of a father these days, despite his old age.
Dumbledore looked at Harry, amazed with his astute answers. He knew how much it pained Harry to be away from his friends, from his loved ones…
"Harry, I can't do that either…I can't even tell my own wife, for she will be in great danger if anyone even suspects us. It can't be done safely."
"Your wife? You mean…Professor McGonagall…you were…a couple?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, Harry, Professor McGonagall and I were married; for quite a long time, might I add."
"You must miss her...I've only been with Ginny for a year, and I miss her like crazy…I can't imagine what it's like to separate from someone you were with for almost half of your life…"
They looked at each other sympathetically, but quickly changed subjects as to not depress themselves. Dumbledore had just offered Harry a lemon drop, when suddenly Dumbledore's wand started vibrating; soon enough, his wand was levitating itself in the air, glowing brighter and brighter with every minute that passed. Dumbledore looked at the wand gravely, and Harry looked at Dumbledore, comprehension slowly taking over him.
Suddenly, the wand fell back to the floor, and two snakes erupted from its tip. Dumbledore looked at Harry, and said, "Harry…the time has come. "
