Chapter 20
Bella's POV
(A/N: You all will hate me for the cliffie. Give me 25 reviews in an hour, and I'll update. KK?)
When I woke, I still felt drowsy. Almost immediately, I realized it hadn't been long since I'd escaped. When the memories of earlier hit me, I sat up so quickly, I was surprised I didn't get whiplash.
I was in the hospital wing…again. Crap. Why wasn't I surprised? I was lying on one of the clean cots. My robes were still covered in blood, and I felt the gashes in the fabric from the Sectumsempra spell Voldemort had cast. But the actual wound was gone. I felt gauze wrapped around my forehead tightly. My friends—including the Cullens—were around my cot.
"Bella!" Alice cried, embracing me in a tight hug.
"Alice!" I exclaimed, "Can't—breathe!" She released me immediately. "What happened? Where were you?"
Briefly, I explained what I'd realized, what happened in the cave, Dumbledore being delirious, and Voldemort attacking me. As soon as I finished explaining, I asked, "Is he okay—Dumbledore, I mean?"
Madam Pomfrey came over, looking weary and worried, and said, "Speaking of whom, the headmaster wishes to speak with you and Harry." I nodded and jumped off the cot. I winced. I was sore all over from fighting the Inferi and Voldemort. My head felt especially sore—probably from that first explosion when I hit that rock.
The Cullens noticed, but I shook my head at them. It wasn't a time for me to be weak. I'd have to deal. I've been through worse.
Quickly, I went to the neighboring cot, with Harry on my heels.
On the cot was Dumbledore. He was a sickly pale and he looked ill—
Deathly ill.
"Professor!" I exclaimed. "Are you…?" I trailed off.
Oddly, he smiled faintly. "I am fine. Did you get the Horcrux?"
I nodded and took it from my pocket. He nodded slightly. "Good. You must destroy it—as soon as possible."
Harry and I nodded fervently. We knew we'd do it as soon as possible.
"What…happened? I am afraid my memory is muddled because of the potion…" he murmured, his eyes far off.
Quickly, I explained, "After I got the Horcrux, I got us to shore. The Inferi began to attack, but I fought them off with fire, like you told me." He nodded approvingly and I continued, "Just before we got to the cave's entrance, he showed up—Voldemort." My throat closed up at the memory. The fright I'd felt was terrible. I'd been pretty much alone. Cornered. By Voldemort, who was trying to finish off both me and Dumbledore.
"He attacked me, and I—I had no choice but to duel him. I inadvertently caused an explosion. I accidentally dropped the Horcrux in the confusion. Voldemort was thrown away from me. Before the smoke cleared, Kreacher appeared."
Harry added, "We'd realized she'd gone after you, so I sent him to be sure you two were safe."
"I told him to take you back to Hogwarts, to the Hospital Wing. He seemed hesitant. He apparently didn't want to leave me by myself…He's changed a lot." I said, thinking of how bitter he'd been when Sirius was his master. "Anyways, he left just as the smoke cleared, taking you with him. Voldemort saw you two Disapparate, and was furious. Somehow, I managed to avoid the curses he threw at me. Just as I snatched the Horcrux from the ground, he hit me with the Sectumsempra curse. I caused another explosion, then scrambled out of the cave. I Apparated here…and passed out."
I chuckled humorlessly. "Figures."
He smiled weakly. He was getting pale. Deathly pale—like one of the Cullens. "Tell Severus it's time." He said quietly. "What?" Harry asked, confused and alarmed, like me.
"Tell him. Kill the Snake. Destroy the Horcruxes. Now." He whispered, ignoring our confusion.
"Madam Pomfrey!" I called, concerned. "Carlisle!" She was over almost before I could blink, with Carlisle.
Suddenly, McGonagall burst into the Wing too, the other professors at her heels. She was at her husband's side in an instant.
"Albus!" she exclaimed, concerned. "What happened?"
He chuckled softly. "Drank a bad potion…I love you, Min."
She smiled sadly but lovingly. "As I love you, Albus."
I had never seen her show much emotion. Tears were flowing down her cheeks.
Suddenly, Dumbledore's head slumped on the pillow, and his eyes closed.
Madam Pomfrey had a hand on his wrist, checking his pulse. The air came from her lungs in a rush. Tears were in her eyes too. "He's gone…" she whispered hoarsely.
Tears were streaming down my face now.
Dumbledore was gone…Dead.
A/N: Remember, 25 reviews in an hour. I cried while typing this and the next chapter. So sad. REVIEW!
