He was in Hogwarts' infirmary, yet once again.
But how did he arrive here? Looking around the infirmary he quickly spotted Fawkes. Ah, so his familiar was responsible for bringing him back (and he had a nagging suspicion that the bird was also to be thanked for his quick recovery).
He inclined his head to Fawkes in thanks and the bird thrilled happily.
Merlin's beard, he'd never been hospitalized once in his life, and now that he had been sent back it seemed all he ever did was ending up here...
Maybe Fate was joking, when she told him that, if he made things right, Death would claim him later than the first time?
But then if she was joking, why did she send him back in time? It couldn't all be an elaborate hoax, could it?
Silently groaning in his head, for the headache he had developed while trying to find how the mind of a supernatural deity worked, Dumbledore started to get out of the bed.
Now he knew why Harry was always so reluctant to go to the infirmary and he couldn't blame the boy for always trying to get out of here after he felt well again. After all, he was doing the same thing right now ( and he dearly hoped Poppy wouldn't be around because... well... she had threatened to chain him to his bed... and he didn't really care to test her patience, he had things to do...).
A sudden flash of light made him blink.
"Albus Dumbledore, I don't know what possessed you to do such a foolish thing! And after you had assured me you'd be a model patient!" Madame Pomefrey was angry at him, and, let me tell you, when angered she's a terrifying witch to be around...
Her protective nature reflected on the treatment her patients received: while they were in her care she would protect them from everyone and everything, including themselves...
"Poppy how is he?" An anxious voice was inquiring about his health, once more that day. It was Minerva. The Deputy Headmistress despite her stern and strict countenance had a big heart, and tended to worry about the staff and the students' wellbeing, even if she didn't like them.
"He will recover" said Poppy briefly, busying herself with the administration of the necessary potions: first a Blood-replenishing potion ( his wounds had reopened due to the premature stress he had put on his body ), then some Dittany essence to close said wounds. What she didn't see was Fawkes quietly crying on the bowl containing the Dittany essence.
After a while McGonagall spoke "Sorry, Poppy. I have to go to Albus' office. His phoenix dropped in with a bound Pettigrew and insisted on me guarding him, if a phoenix can insist, that is. I stunned the man as soon as I saw his Mark but I fear he could wake and escape. I need to ensure the students' safety first..." before exiting the room, she turned around once more "Kindly update me on his condition, when you come to administer the Draugth of the Living Dead to Pettigrew".
"I will, but now I need to stabilize Albus" said the matron, while applying some Murtlap essence to help reducing the scarring.
When she was done, she spoke to him in an angry voice:" Albus Dumbledore, if you leave this bed before you're completely recovered, I will personally chain you to it, are we clear?"
He was barely conscious but managed to smile in response. Then Poppy dosed him with a light Dremless-Sleep potion and he stopped clinging to awareness and let himself surrender to unconsciousness.
It was lunchtime, so he doubted the staff would be around, but it never hurt to be careful. He quickly put on the magenta robe, that had been folded neatly beside his bed, and made his way to his office.
The portraits cheered at his passage and a few of them even wanted to know where he had been. He only smiled, amused, without answering; there was a reason Hogwarts' rumor mill was so efficient: the portraits were terribly bored all the time, and, in a school full of teenagers, drama wasn't in shortage, so they occupied themselves with gossip. He didn't doubt that the whole school would be informed of his return from a "business trip" by dinner.
After a short walk he arrived at his office, he found an unexpected, or rather forgotten, letter from none other than Severus Snape, requesting a meeting for that night. To be honest, it had been sixteen years ago for him, so it was no wonder he had momentarily forgotten about the young man, his future most trusted confidant and spy but, above everything, a son to an old fool...
In his first life he had initially seen the man as a pawn to be exploited, only to fully discover the hidden depths of Severus' heart and soul years later and with many pains: the man wasn't overly prone to pouring his heart out to anyone.
Although, in his defense, it should be said that he had always believed in him, he knew Severus had the capacity to accomplish great feats if given the chance to. This time, however, he would strive to give him something resembling a family, somebody to love. Severus deserved that much from him, at least.
So he quickly penned an answer to send him, and gave it to Fawkes.
No sooner had the Phoenix disappeared that footsteps could be heard approaching the door.
It was that Minerva entered his office a few moments later.
"Albus, What. Are. You. Doing. Out. Of. Bed?Poppy was worried sick when she couldn't find you in the Hospital Wing, or anywhere else, for the matter."
Ah, again the exasperated "what should I do with you" tone. He honestly marveled at his ex pupil ability to scold him.
In truth, it was half of the reason he had requested her to teach at Hogwarts; the other half was her exceptional talent, of course, but she had always known that, even if she had never bragged about it.
"Ah Minerva, it's wonderful to see you too. Sherbet lemon?". He offered the ever-present bowl of sweets on his desk to her, only to be rebuffed with a curt : "No, thank you, Headmaster".
Oh, she was using his title, now, to make him recall his duties; very clever. He nodded slightly to acknowledge her strategy. She must be either very angry, or the matter of which she desired to speak must be extremely important. Most probably both.
"What troubles you, Minerva?" He said calmly, peering from the top of his half-moon spectacles.
"Albus, yesterday night Fawkes appeared in Hogwarts with Pettigrew, bound and with both of his forearms exposed. He was bearing the mark!" The Transfiguration teacher looked most anxious about it, even slightly vulnerable.
Dumbledore sensed her discomfort and her unanswered question lingering in the air. He couldn't do much to comfort her, but he could tell her the truth.
"Yes, I had a sudden rivelation yesterday, after I woke up from my comatose state. We've been accusing the wrong people of being the spy, while the culprit stayed safely hidden among us. Pettigrew was the spy. Not Sirius. Not Remus. Peter betrayed the Potters." He let a bit of sadness being perceived when he mentioned the young couple. Minerva understood.
"But why Albus? Why? They loved him!" Minerva didn't want to believe her mentor. She couldn't believe him, because if she did, if she accepted was he was saying as the truth, then she would also have to accept Lily's death. Lily, whom she had always considered as the daughter she hadn't been blessed with. Lily, who reminded her of her youth, with the auburn hairs and a fiery temper. Lily, who worked harder than everybody, to prove that her blood status wasn't a measure of her worth. Lily, always ready to defend those who couldn't defend themselves. Lily who confided with her, when she was upset with James or Severus.
"I'm afraid that Peter never felt loved, nor included and so he sought protection from those more powerful. From Voldemort. Instead, he found nothing more than slavery, misery and pain to welcome him. " His voice had an hard edge now, a cutting edge, brought forth from anger, sadness and disgust.
"Is it true, then? Is it true that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is gone? That Harry vanquished him?"...That Lily is dead?
"Yes, yes, it's true. But I fear he will return Minerva, and, when he will, we must be prepared." Sadness mixed with a grim determination filled his words.
Her child was dead. A single tear escaped Minerva's eyes, sliding down her right cheek and darkening a small spot on her robes' collar. However, when she spoke, her voice was firm:
"What should we do with Pettigrew, then? He is currently kept unconscious in the hospital wing ".
"Call the aurors and make sure he is detained in the Ministry's cells. Tell Moody he is an illegal rat animagus an has to be guarded 24/7. I don't doubt that in a week the Ministry will have organized the trials for the Death Eaters. Also, the Longbottoms have to remain uder Fidelius until the trials start. Send Kingsley to them."
" I will proceed immediately. Remember that Poppy wants you to go and have a complete check up before tomorrow. If I may be excused, Albus?"
"Of course. Oh, and Minerva? "
"Yes?"
"My condolences for your loss."
"Thank you, Albus. Now, I must go."
The Transfiguration teacher left his office swiftly, to accomplish the tasks she had been given and to mourn the loss of her daughter.
Dumbledore, in the meanwhile, busied himself waiting for nightfall and for his appointment with Severus.