Chapter 2: Present need
"Forgive my frankness, but I fear the reason you are here."
The room was small and sparsely furnished but tidy. With two people; even seated as they were, it was a little cramped but the fire blazing in the hearth bathed all in a feel of homely comfort, as the warm colours danced along the walls.
"I have to admit, I wish I were here under better circumstances." Albus replied solemnly.
"Then we would not be keeping with current times. The theme of late being that of the dark and disturbing. Why change what is?"
Dumbledore nodded glumly; wanting to smile at her bleak attempt at humour, but his next words were not of the flippant kind. "I'm afraid you're right, but we must remember also that there is the need for light, that there are those in which are fighting for its splendour. You once were apart of those ranks."
"So soon to the point Albus? I had thought you would at least try to soften me up before landing the blow."
He allowed his humour to show this time by admitting a small, yet hearty chuckle at such a bland remark. "Then I would be doing you a great injustice my dear, for you knew why I had come the second I walked through the door."
"Perhaps." Full lips parting in a smile of her own. "But you could have humoured me at the least." The smile turned to a small put upon pout, before she began sipping lightly at the tea she had kindly prepared upon his arrival.
"Well?" Albus sighed gravely as he folded his arms in his lap, an expression of concern gracing his aged features.
"You know why I left?" She asked sombrely; gently replacing the cup to its saucer, as her eyes flashed with the pained light of memory.
Albus nodded slowly, unsure of how much he was truly supposed to know. He knew enough, more then he thought she realized he did. But that was better left unsaid. "Then you must understand why I can't return with you." She continued.
"At Hogwarts you will be safe. At Hogwarts he'll find it very hard to touch you."
An eyebrow raised in surprise, as her words came as nothing more than a whispered gasp. "No promises of utter protection Albus? Have things really progressed so badly?"
"Voldermort's powers are increasing." Dumbledore replied matter of factly. "He is gaining strength as well as followers with each passing day and we are thinly stretched to match him."
"Then I cannot see how my return will be of any assistance to you." She pleaded. "If anything I will be nothing more than a hindrance."
He leaned forward suddenly, hoping to impart on her the sheer ferocity of his next words. "There are some things that are more important, some things that are worth the risk." He knew that was unfair. She was by no means a coward, but he had deliberately made his words hard in the hope of rousing her. He needed her and would not relent until he had her acquiescence.
As hoped for a flash of anger ignited her eyes; a roaring fire of emerald flames, as she bounding from the chair.
"And what of the Hunter that you so lightly disregard?" She roared. She was an attractive woman, more than enough to make many a heart flutter yet right now; in all her raging fury, she was a fearsome thing to behold. "He still pursues me, ghosting my every step, mirroring my every move." Quick angered steps followed as she began pacing the room.
For a few minutes Dumbledore lost himself in the soft rhythmic swish of her robes, the silken Swiss, Swiss catching him up, before forcing himself to address the matter at hand.
"Nihal." Her name; spoken as though the word were a caress, jarred her person and stiffen her back. Yet stubbornness prevented her from turning to him. "How long since the last time you encountered him?"
"Six months." She whispered softly as her steps carried her to the dusty window.
"And how many months more before you do so again, if months you are lucky enough to have? If I can find you, then so will he."
"Is this supposed to convince me to come with you?"
"And what about Harry?"
"I promised Lilly I would keep him safe, the only way I can do that is by staying away from him. If anything Harry certifies things."
"And what about his parent's sacrifice?"
A light misty haze slowly covered the window pane as Nihal let out a resigned breath. "I have not forgotten the fight Albus." Utter exhaustion held her in its grip, crippling her person and lacing her words.
"Then what better way to revenge their memory, then by returning to it." He watched in sympathy as her entire body slumped dejectedly. "You forget one thing Nihal." He rose slowly, making his way carefully towards the dishearten woman. "This war will come to you, to all of us whether we wish it or not." Standing just behind her he could make out her image in the window pane. The dabble colours of the fading street lamp bathing her reflection in an eerie gloom. "But at Hogwarts you won't have to face it alone." He told it. "At Hogwarts you'll be amongst friends. I cannot protect you from your past, but I can help you face it. We need you Nihal." Sharing in her heartache he watched in total distain, her eyes close in weary resignation.
He had got what he wanted, but he feared at what price.
He sought her. He sought her with a desperation not satified, a thirst not yet quenched. Through Italy and the plains of Africa. Through Libya and the baking sun of Spain. Through Norway, Finland, Austria and Germany. But all had ended; for now, in vain.