Bleh… sorry for that short chapter… My exams are coming and I have no time… here is the next chapter!!! This would be extra short as I have totally no idea how to continue this.
// memory //
Seventeen year old Minerva McGonagall stood in the Room of Requirement with Professor Dumbledore.
"I have to go, Minerva." Albus said, lightly touching her cheek.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"For how long?" She asked in return.
"I don't know, my dear. Until the war is over and Grindelwad is stopped."
Minerva sighed.
"I'll miss you."
An uneasy silence fell upon them then.
"Will you promise me one thing?" Albus asked Minerva, breaking the silence.
"What?" She replied, drawing herself in his tight embrace.
"Be safe. And don't do anything drastic." He replied.
The two parties hugged once more and departed. Albus, to fight Grindelwad, and Minerva back to her dormitory, where she spent most of the night crying herself to sleep.
The memory shimmered a little and turned into a new one. Harry glanced around curiously.
Minerva slumped in front of the fireplace. It has been two months since Albus left. News of the war wasn't very comforting. Forty five deaths has already been reported and each time, Minerva worried that one of them might be Albus. Minerva sighed again. Her N.E.W.T.S exams where just round the corner and she did not want to break her promise to Albus that she would do well for it.
The memory shimmered again and this time, Harry found himself in the Astronomy tower.
It has been 4 months since Albus left. Minerva was sick with worry. Ever since the N.E.W.T.S examinations are over, she has fallen into some kind of depression. She did not talk to anyone anymore, not even to Rolanda or Poppy, her closest friends. She did not eat with the rest of the school anymore, often going to the Great hall only when everyone left. Minerva sank down in front of the Astronomy tower's staircase. Finally, she could not take the pressure anymore and took out her penknife. It was a gift from her mother before she died and she hoped it was the last time she saw it. She drew up her courage, and slashed deep into her wrists. Blood spewed out almost immediately, and about 5 minutes later, Minerva was unconscious.
The memory shimmered for the third time and Harry found himself in the infirmary.
Poppy Pomfrey, Rolanda Hooch and Pomona Sprout sat beside a white clad person lying on the bed. Harry moved closer to get a better view. It was Minerva, lying on the bed, with her two wrists wrapped in white gauze that have been stained red. Rolanda pushed a strand of hair away from Minerva's face.
Minerva slowly opened her eyes and stared at those of her friends.
"Where… am I?" she asked.
"You are in the hospital wing, Minerva." Rolanda replied, "We, no, actually Poppy found you when she was searching for the Ancient runes professor. She rushed to the hospital wing and told us what happened."
"Why Minerva?" Poppy asked her softly.
"Albus's gone for more than four months already. I can't go on without him." Minerva burst into tears at that point.
// end of memory//
Suddenly, Harry felt a hand on his shoulders. Glancing up, he saw that it was his mum, with tears rolling down her cheeks. "Come on Harry, let's go." She said. Without further ado, she pulled him out of the pensive.
"Mum?" He asked Minerva once both of them returned to the present.
Minerva sighed slightly and turned to face him.
"Did you get what you wanted, Harry?" she asked.
Harry nodded. At that moment, Madam Pomfrey came out from her office.
"Well, how's my only patient today?" she asked cheerily. Receiving no answer, she turned to look at Minerva.
"You told him?" she asked.
Minerva nodded. Madam Pomfrey sighed.
"Well, that is all over now. So how are you feeling, Min?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
Minerva frowned.
"For the last time, don't call me "Min", and yes, I'm feeling fine."
"Well, your wounds are fine now…" Madam Pomfrey trailed off.
"Yes. So can I go now?" Minerva asked irritably.
Madam Pomfrey nodded and Minerva swept out of the infirmary, leaving Harry behind. When she was sure that Minerva was out of earshot, she turned to Harry.
"Keep an eye on her, will you?" she asked.
Harry nodded.
"Thank you. She hasn't been herself these days." Madam Pomfrey replied.
Harry nodded once more and exited the room.
Harry found his mum in her rooms, against the door, clutching her wrist, sobbing slightly.
"Mum?" He asked.
Minerva hurriedly wiped her tears away.
"Yes, Harry?" she asked.
"Mum?" He asked. "Are you alright? You have been crying for days now."
At that, Minerva broke down.
"I miss Albus everyday… His touch, his voice, and even his irritating sherbet lemons!" Minerva cried.
"I know, mum. I miss him too." Harry whispered comfortingly to her.
"I yelled at him before he left…" Minerva sniffed slightly, "the last thing I told him was that he had to sleep on the couch when he returned. He just touched my arm briefly, and told me how much he loved me before he left." At that, Minerva burst into fresh sobs.
Harry patted her on the back again as he hugged her. His presence seems to soothe her as she slowly stopped crying.
"Thanks, Harry." She mumbled.
"Don't bother thanking me mum. I miss him too." Harry replied.
"Do you think he would be back? I mean, Albus." Minerva explained as she saw Harry's puzzled look.
"Do you think he would be back? I mean, Albus." Minerva explained as she saw Harry's puzzled look.
"I don't know, mum. I really don't know. But I have a feeling that he might be alive after all. I keep getting that feeling that someone is watching me." Harry replied, putting an arm over Minerva's shoulders.
Minerva sighed.
"I keep getting this feeling that someone is watching us. I hope its Albus. Don't you think it funny that Fawkes came to you almost right after I cut my wrists?" Minerva asked.
"I don't know, mum. I really don't know." Harry replied.
Minerva glanced at the clock then.
"Its really late now. You have to go for lunch, Harry. Ron and Hermione would want to know where have you been."
Harry nodded and started to go out of the room. Noticing that his mum wasn't coming along, he stopped.
"Mum? Are you coming?" He asked.
Minerva shook her head slightly.
"No. I wish to stay here. I'll eat my lunch at a later time. Don't worry, Harry." Minerva attempted a reassuring smile, but failed miserably.
Harry glanced carefully at her.
"Mum, have you been eating?" He asked, concerned.
Minerva looked down at the floor in silence.
"Tell me the truth, mum. Please."
"I have not been eating for the past few days, if you want to know." Minerva replied.
Harry gaped in shock.
"How did you manage to cover it up?" He asked.
"I used some concealment charms." Minerva replied.
"Take them off, mum." Harry said.
Minerva paled slightly, but removed the charms. Harry gasped in shock as he saw how Minerva looked. There was dark circles under her eyes, and her robes hung on her emaciated frame.
"You are going to eat today, no matter what." Harry exclaimed.
Minerva protested lightly but was overruled by him. She was dragged to the Great Hall by Harry, who seems very determined to get her there. Before they reached the hall, Harry let go of his mum's arm, and pushed her into the hall. Most of the pupils were already eating when the both of them entered. Ron and Hermione glanced curiously at them as they entered.
"Where have you been, mate?" Ron asked Harry curiously once her sat down.
Looking around for any would be eavesdroppers, then said "I'll tell you later".
Ron and Hermione nodded. Harry looked up at the staff table, where he saw his mum eating. He sighed in relief. After about ten minutes, Minerva left the staff table.