Talk between men

Arthur nearly ran out of the hospital wing. Outside the door bumped into Alastor Moody and stumbled over Filius Flitwick.

"Oy, not so fast! Where are you going? Aren't you in there with Molly?"

Moody yelled after Arthur. But he didn't react. Albus could understand Arthur because he felt the same way about Minerva. He too felt unsure and lost. All he wanted to do was to take care of his wife and hold her. But Minerva was so obviously broken that he wasn't sure if he could reach.

Instead Albus reached out to Arthur and squeezed his hand, hard, and Arthur held on, squeezing back.

"A word, if you please, Professor Dumbledore", Arthur said, and let go. "I wouldn't speak so now, but there may be no good time later, but we don't have much time."

He sounded calm but there were a broken things in his voice. Albus heard it clearly and nodded to his former student, trying to reassure him.

"Say then."

Arthur took a deep breath, and shrugged a bit, as though his robe were suddenly too tight.

"Can a man feel the same for a child that isn't his?"

"What? I don't quite understand."

"Think, Albus, think."

Albus was thinking, wondering what Arthur was talking about. Evidently this thought showed, for Arthur ducked his head in acknowledgement of the need to explain himself further.

"I know ... it's not likely, but it is possible. Molly might be with child by one of those bastards, do you see?"

Albus did see, with a blow like a fist under the breastbone. Before he could get breath to speak, Arthur went on.

"There's a day or two, perhaps, when I might ..." He glanced away, and a dull flush showed through the dirt of the night's fighting. "There could be doubt. But ..."

He swallowed, that "but" hanging eloquent.

Arthur glanced away, involuntarily, and Albus' eyes followed the direction of his gaze. Beyond the screen in the hospital wing lay Molly, naked, battered and bleeding. Beyond appearance, though, it was her attitude that struck him. She was remote, somehow, and still. It was impossible to see the inner damage done by Lucius Malfoy. Albus had seen his wife and that far-away-gaze in her eyes. He feared that he had lost her. But Molly seemed to be in a somewhat better state than Minerva. But could Arthur really risk sleeping with his wife after what she had been through? Albus wasn't sure.

Apparently neither was Arthur.

"What about Minerva? She didn't seem alright when I chanced a glance at her. And do you think it's better if we knew what happened to them, Albus? I mean could we help them better if we knew? I'm not quite sure if I want to."

Arthur looked down, miserably. Moody and Flitwick were casting glances to and fro between Arthur and Albus. Neither of them had been in a similar situation. Moody not being married and Filius with a wife safely at home. Neither man could even begin to imagine what their friends must be feeling right now.

"I don't know. I can't and I don't want to imagine what happened to my dear Minerva. It would only make me sorry for not killing Voldemort."

"But wouldn't it be ..."

"No. It wouldn't be easier on the women or us. One day there will have to talk about it but let them decide when the time is right. Let them come to us. I don't want to force Minerva to anything. Do you really have to know?"

"No and to be honest I'm afraid of finding out. I can't even imagine what Molly had to go through and knowing for sure would make it only worse. Especially for the kids."

"All we can do right now is to be there and try to comfort them."

"I'm not sure what to do about Ron. He stopped and nearly killed Lucius Malfoy. Not that I would be sorry for his death! But now with Voldemort dead, do you think there will be a trial?"

"Oh, most certainly. I want justice for what happened to my wife. Death would be too kind for them. All of them. Imprisonment and the chance to think about their faults might improve and return them into proper members of society. I haven't given up hope yet."

"Surely you don't mean that! Do you really believe that Voldemort will be stopped by bars and a bit of water? I don't think so. And Lucius Malfoy was a jackass since I can remember. She was brutal and mean when we were in school and he is still. His wife wouldn't have left him if he weren't."

"So you don't even want to give him a chance? No, you're right. Lucius Malfoy won't change but I have hope for his son. If we just kill his father Draco will only feel anger and betrayal. He will try to revenge his father. If his father faces trial and gets a proper sentence then we show Draco what justice means. Don't you think that it is not the proper way to thank Narcissa for her help to make her a widow?"

Arthur bowed his head in submission. Albus was right. A proper trial and fair sentence would be much better and would give Molly and Minerva a chance to face the memories of their ordeal.

"Let's go back in. Our wives need us."

Albus led the way into the hospital wing and went straight to the bed where Minerva lay. Poppy was still bustling around her and Molly sat next to her friend, watching her closely. Albus turned to Arthur and said gently:

"I think it's better if we get both settled in quiet rooms. To get them peace and quiet ...", lowering his voice, he went on, "and you some privacy for the night."

Molly just heard the part about separate rooms and protested.

"I'm not leaving Minerva! She is scared and I won't leave her alone."

"That is a very honourable thought, Molly, but she won't be alone. I'll watch over her", said Albus kindly.

Molly Didn't seem convinced. The deep frown was on her forehead and she regarded Albus sceptically. But Arthur moved to her side and placed a gentle hand over her shoulder. Molly turned to gaze upwards to search her husband's eyes. What she saw in them obviously convinced her that it would be safe to leave Minerva in the care of Albus and Poppy.