AN/- Very...very mild MMAD action in this chapter.
Chapter 22
Apologies
A week flew by, as Lyra and Sara continued to work, tirelessly, to revive Aries Shorthorn. His body, was now completely fluid. The only thing, that remained, was for the man to open his eyes and respond verbally. So, Lyra proposed to bring Zeus in, everyday. Come and talk to his brother. Just because, Aries, was petrified, did not mean, his brain wasn't functioning. Perhaps, upon hearing his brother's voice, Aries would realise that his life was no longer in peril and he'd open his eyes.
Zeus followed their instructions meticulously. He used to come by diligently and have a monologue with his sleeping brother. That day was no different.
The Janus Thicke ward, was having a rather slow morning. No new people had indulged in stupidity that week, so there were no new patients to attend to either. Zeus strolled into the quiet ward, passing the two aurors who had been stationed outside the doors on Healer Myers' orders, after he had heard what had transpired. Myers had been aghast by what he had heard. He demanded that Lyra and Sarah ask for personal security from the ministry. But they had denied his request. He knew why, and he withdrew the demand quickly. Afterall, he too was a silent supporter of the Order, but he didn't want their lives at risk either.
Zeus sat down in the chair next to his brother's bed. Holding the man's hand, he began to talk.
"Aries…how are you today? I've come to see you again." Said Zeus, starting his one-way conversation.
"Do you plan on waking up sometime and saying something back, brother?"
"I suppose not…"
"Well…did I tell you? I am dating the beautiful girl, who is bringing you back to me. She's an amazing woman. I can't wait for you to meet her." Said Zeus as his eyes glanced over to Sarah who had been tending to a patient who was getting discharged.
"She's risking her life to bring you back to me. And I was a complete, an utter arsehole…to her. I think, I've lost the love of my life, for good, Aries. I don't know what to do…" Zeus stated. He began to cry softly into his hands. Hoping, no one would notice.
"Apo...logize…" Said a raspy voice. Zeus looked up and cleared his eyes.
"Sarah!" He turned and called out to her. He was too shocked, to say anything else. She walked over to see, Aries Shorthorn, opening his eyes. She in-turn alerted Lyra.
The three gathered around the bed. Sarah and Lyra, began checking his vitals.
"Mr. Shorthorn, my name is Lyra Marks. I'm the head of this ward, at St. Mungo's. You're in the hospital, right now, and you are safe. I just need to check your vitals. Stay still please." Lyra said urgently. She waved her wand over his body. Aries nodded taking in every word she said.
"Everything seems to be in top shape. Welcome back to the land of the living, Mr. Shorthorn." Said Lyra smiling at him. He threw her the most grateful smile.
"This is my apprentice...Sarah. She'll be looking after you today. And hopefully, you can go home with your brother, tomorrow. Zeus, he's awake now. I suggest the two of you sit down, and fill him in on the years he's missed. Slowly though! We don't want him to have a heart attack." Lyra said sharply as she stepped away from the bed.
Zeus and Sarah, sat down on the chairs next to the bed. And began, talking to Aries excitedly, filling him in on every detail they could think of.
Albus walked into the headquarters, very late that night. Since, there was a meeting early next morning. He decided to spend the night there.
He heard shuffling on the staircase. He peered over to see, who it was. He smiled at what he saw. Zeus and Sarah were kissing each other. It seemed like they had made up. The boy, had genuinely apologised. It was nice to see love win. Even in the times, they were living in.
With that thought in mind, Albus moved towards the kitchen. Hoping to find the sweets, he had hidden in his secret corner. Praying, that the Weasley twins hadn't discovered them yet. As he walked into the kitchen. He stood still by the doorframe.
The kitchen lights were dim, and Minerva sat at the dining table, reading a book. Her raven hair, was flowing past her shoulders. Her lips pursed and curved into a smile, as if she was reading something rather juicy. Albus stood there, just admiring her. She had aged, but that didn't mean, he didn't find her just as beautiful and attractive, as the day, he had first met her.
He remembered it so clearly. Alastor Moody, had brought her to the headquarters, when they had been raising a resistance against Grindelwald. Moody had introduced her as a junior auror, who had just topped her class and been put on the strongest team as a squad leader. Alongside, Theseus Scamander, which was saying something. She was probably, a couple of years younger than him. So Albus, had no recollection of her, from his Hogwarts days. But he knew her sisters rather well. Margery and Athena, had been at Hogwarts with him. She had wanted to join the 'good fight'. That was the first thing, she'd ever said to him. He had been enchanted by her gusto and ambition. Very soon, they'd begun working very closely, to build up the resistance. She was always supporting him in missions, with masterful strategies. Successfully, implementing so many herself.
Albus smiled, as he remembered the night, they had revealed their feelings for each other. It had been an accident. She had returned, slightly injured from a mission. He had walked in on her barely covered from the top. He had immediately apologised. She had raised her head in surprise. He had frozen still in embarrassment. She had simply, walked up to him after putting on her bra, and asked him to help her, apply some healing salve on her back. He had just looked at her stupidly, for a moment. But quickly, agreed to help her out. Being a gentleman, he tried his best not to let his eyes wander. However, it made him realise, how fast his heart was beating. He was worried, she could hear it. But she, just sat there barely moving. He couldn't help it, he was a man too. His eyes had roamed all across her bare skin, wishing he could touch every part of it.
"I think, that should be fine. Thank you, for helping me, Albus." She had said. Turning around and touching his hand to take the salve back.
He'd taken in a deep breath and smiled politely at her. They'd shared a look. He'd never forget that look. His world had stood still in that moment. He had felt so wildly drawn to her. Thankfully, she had felt the same, because at the exact same time, their mouths had inched closer to each other. Sealing their fates together, for the next three years. At the end, of just the first he had proposed, and she had said yes!
He had loved her like he had loved no one else. Minerva had always been a fierce person. Her love was fierce as well. She had loved him with a passion and devotion compared to no other. That was until, a measly little tabloid magazine, had printed a cover page article, on his torrid affair, with one of the daughters of the famous McGonagall family.
From that day on, Albus had grown very worried. Frightened, that if Grindelwald, had read that article, which Albus knew, he would have. He would go to the great lengths to find Minerva and do things to her, that Albus could not even fathom. He did not have the courage to lose her. So, he had made a difficult decision. He had to end their relationship for the greater good. He tried everything. From picking pointless fights, to being physically and emotionally unavailable. But Minerva, had been undeterred. Every time, he had asked to break their engagement. She had said, that every couple had issues, and that they were going to be fine. She used to melt him, with just her hopeful and loving smiles.
Coming to his wits end, Albus knew, that if she continued to be with him, he was putting her in harm's way. He would never be able to forgive himself, if anything happened to her, because of him. So that night, when he went home to her. She'd told him, that she had a surprise for him. He remembered, how happy she had been. Maybe, he could let it go, for one more night. He was there to protect her, no one was going to touch her, if he was there.
But he had made up his mind. Being the stubborn man, that he was, he lied to her coldly. A rather convincing lie…with false memories and details he had planned in his head. Since, he had been spending, so much time away from her, she believed it! He told her, he had cheated on her, that she wasn't enough for him anymore. That his heart, was won over by another. Minerva had been shocked. Then she had cried. Then she had furiously, thrown the house apart. It had shattered his heart. He had never seen her cry. And he had certainly, never wanted to be the one to make her.
So, he left. He left her there, alone. He had been the coward that he was. He had turned his back and run. After that night, he never saw her again. Not even when the war had ended. Albus, had looked everywhere for her. To tell her, he had lied. To beg. To plead. Fall at her feet, if it meant she'd take him back. Or just consider, the fact that what he'd done, he'd done selfishly, out of love!
Minerva had only resurfaced, almost six years later. When Armando Dippet, had introduced her, as the new Transfiguration professor. Albus had been ecstatic to see her. He began his efforts to speak to her in private. She had avoided him like the plague. He couldn't even blame her though. She was making it evident, that she didn't want anything, to do with him. As time passed, they slowly grew comfortable once again, with each other's presence.
Although, the comfort they had shared with each other was forever missing. Minerva was always wary of being alone with him. But, beggars can't be choosers. So, he would take every minute with her, as a blessing. Years passed by, as a friendship of some kind, grew between them. There were still things left unsaid, but neither, ever tread into that space. Both were equally worried, about bringing their haunting pasts back to life. Worried, it would put an end to what little they had rebuilt.
Albus stood there watching her, changing page after page. Sometimes, she silently chuckled at something she'd read. Or raised the warm cup of tea to her lips.
In all those years, in all those secret glances, he had stolen, unknown to her. His heart had always, pushed him to speak to her about their past. Albus frowned to himself. In all those years, he had never apologised to her. She had never given him the chance to.
He cursed himself, for being so heartless. Then he cursed, the young couple upstairs, who had just made up. He then cursed, Lyra Marks! She had no business to put this thought in his mind, when they had had their private chat on the stairs. It had been, playing on his mind ever since those words, had left her mouth.
"Albus? What are you doing?" Minerva asked. Breaking Albus's train of thought. He continued to look at her awkwardly. She had caught him, standing there and staring at her. A deep blush crossed his face.
"I…" He began guiltily. She raised an eyebrow and shut her book. Making him feel, like a school-boy caught pulling pranks.
"Albus? Did you need something?" She asked confused by his staring. He finally walked into the kitchen. Her eyes followed his movements.
"Why are you still awake, Minerva?" He asked sighing. She frowned at his odd query.
"I have the night shift." She responded simply, closing her book.
"Alone?" He asked puzzled. Usually, there would be two people, each taking shifts. But most times, both would just stay awake and entertain the other.
"With Lyra. I think, she was delayed at work. She should be home soon. So should, Severus. He came looking for you. Stepped out just a few minutes ago, for a walk. He said he had some business to discuss." She said casually, relaying Snape's message.
"You really care about her, don't you?" He asked smiling gently. She seemed slightly put-off by his questioning. She began tying her hair into her customary bun.
"Leave it open." He let slip. She paused suddenly, letting her hair cascade down. Her lips parted in slight surprise.
He stepped closer to her. He had no idea, where that sudden surge of bravery came from. He ran, his hand through her hair. Minerva didn't move away from him. They just looked at each other, just like they had so many years ago. On that night.
"Minerva…" He began softly drawing closer to her, running his hand through her hair. She was unresponsive, but her defensive instincts soon kicked in and she pulled away. She quickly, tied her hair up and began gathering her book and empty cup of tea, but he blocked her way.
"Albus…I can't…" She began helplessly. She knew, what this was. But, he had never ambushed her like this before. Why was he doing this…after all these years?!
"I just want to talk." He said softly. She looked away, biting her lower lip. She knew this wasn't going to be just a casual conversation. Nor was it going to be, an easy one. She had dodged it for years. And if she could help it, she'd dodge it, for many more. Minerva knew, that if he was guilty of his secrets and lies. So was she. He stepped closer once again. Shifting her face with his finger, so that he could look at her. He needed her to face him, when he said this. When he revealed the truth.
"I wanted to apologize. I just…what I did…was unforgivable. But, you should know…it was also a lie, Minerva." He said softly, sounding extremely ashamed. Why had he waited so long to tell her this?
She looked at him with intense anger in her eyes, both of which, were covered in tears that threatened to fall.
"I know! I am not as foolish, as I was many years ago!" She snarled at him, pulling away from his touch this time.
Albus looked at her in surprise. He didn't know what to say. She knew. She knew…and all this time she never said anything? All this time, she ignored him. Was he the only one, who was living in misery with his feelings for her?
"Alastor, came to me, when I joined Hogwarts. He was angry, that I broke my ties with him, because of you. He then told me, what you did, Albus. How you had pushed me away and lied about cheating on me!" She snarled at him.
"I had no choice, Minerva…" Albus began trying to explain. She scoffed, clearing her tears.
"You had a choice, Albus! You just selfishly chose to ruin both our lives!" She replied, once again trying to leave. He blocked her way.
"Yes! Yes! I did! I did it. Because, if I hadn't...if I hadn't, Grindelwald, would have come after you! I didn't want, anything to happen to you, Minerva. I couldn't live with myself, if he'd...If something happened to you, because of me. I didn't want to lose you…I…I…I loved you!" He snapped in response. She froze when he said those words.
They stood there looking at each other in silence. Minerva couldn't contain her fury.
"But you lost me anyway…and I never needed your protection! I was good enough to defend myself!" She snarled bitterly. She sounded utterly heartbroken and angered by his words. Albus didn't know, what to add. He knew she was right. Nothing, he could say, could possibly make this better.
Minerva sighed and rubbed her temples.
"Why do this now, Albus? We were getting on with our lives…" She muttered tiredly.
"If this is what you call, moving forward, Minerva. Then, I want nothing to do with it..." He said softly. She rolled her eyes and was about to retort, but he cut her off.
"I tried to speak to you, Minerva. But, you refused to even acknowledge my presence. I looked everywhere for you, after the war. To explain. To beg for your forgiveness. Hoping, that you'd understand…that one day you'd give me another chance."
"And you think you deserved it?" She snapped questioning him. Her anger radiated off her. He did not withdraw. He continued to block her. She was trying to run away from this, like she usually did. But, Albus was determined to get her to listen. She needed to hear him out.
"Do you still think you deserve it?!" She asked softly. Looking straight into his eyes. She searched for an answer, wondering if his arrogant self, would dare to provide one.
Albus didn't say anything. Their argument had grown extremely heated.
"You waited years instead…and for some reason, you're apologising now. Why Albus? What is the point of this?" Minerva asked shaking her head pitifully.
Years of anguish of not having this conversation and built-up feelings of her, being so close to him again, made him extremely vulnerable. Albus did not want to repeat his mistakes. Afterall, if he wasn't vulnerable with her, who was he going to be vulnerable with.
"Do you really...not know the reason, Minerva?" He answered tersely.
She looked at him defiantly. As if daring him, to show his true colours. Waiting for him, to do what he did best. Leave her, because it was convenient for him! But he didn't. He stood there, with an explanation. He didn't quit on her. He never had. Minerva knew that. But, she refused to let him win.
This old wound that he had opened up. He deserved to feel her pain.
Minerva's face softened. Perhaps, it wasn't just her pain, alone. He had always shared it. She had just refused to see it that way. Perhaps, because, she was equally, guilty.
The many times, he had tried to have this conversation. It had broken her heart to stay away from him. She herself had wanted to go back to him. Bang down his door. Yell and scream at him! Until, he came to his senses and begged for her to come back! Neither of them, had had the courage then, not him nor her.
But, after all these years, she was getting what she deserved. He wanted to make amends…he said he had loved her…but he had hurt her. It still pained her to even think about it. However, Minerva knew. If Albus found out, what she'd done in return. He would never forgive her either. Perhaps, now was the time for things to change, they had to get even, after all these years! But try as she might, her secrets, were probably, worse than his. And she couldn't tell him. She still couldn't!
"I don't expect you to forgive me, Minerva. But I'm tired! I'm tired of waiting, in corners just to catch a glimpse of you. I'm tired, of formulating plans and manipulating situations, just so I can have a conversation with you. I'm tired, of hiding…behind this…this pretentious curtain of normalcy. I don't expect anything from you. And if you want to continue this...this charade of a friendship. I am happy to. But, I needed you to know Minerva. I can't live with myself, knowing that, I hadn't apologised for making the biggest mistake of my life!" He said taking a step closer to her. His hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her closer to him, until their faces almost touched. His words radiated a powerful magic.
"And if you still want a reason, Minerva. It's because I love you! I never stopped! And I never will! Even if your feelings for me may have faded. I will never stop, Min." He finished his piece.
She said nothing, and for a moment, neither did he. They just stood there, staring at each other deeply, in the tense moment.
Neither, knew who moved towards the other first. Perhaps it was a moment of vulnerability for both of them. Maybe time had healed their wounds. Maybe they'd stayed apart, for so long, neither saw the sense, in continuing the act anymore. But they kissed, ever so fiercely. Not stopping to worry about their situation, or circumstance anymore.
Undoing her bun, he ran his hands through her hair freely, as they continued to kiss each other. Neither letting go of the other. Fearing, if they did; they might go back to pretending, this never happened. He pushed her up on the dining table and stood between her legs. Finally, breaking their kiss as his lips trailed towards her neck. She arched it, to let him have his moment there. Even after so many years apart, this did not feel foreign to either of them. Both wanted it desperately, that neither wanted to discuss what it meant!
Her hands, began to undo the buttons on the shirt under his muggle jacket and run across his chest. He returned to take her mouth into his. Just to make sure, that she knew, he was there, that he was never going to repeat the mistake of leaving her again. She kissed him again; making it abundantly evident to the both of them, that she clearly still loved him too. Just as much as she had before. She had never stopped either!
They were forced apart, when they heard the front door creak open and Mrs. Black's portrait scream her profanities at the people who had disturbed her slumber. His lips still stole soft pecks, both panting and red faced from their passionate encounter. He pulled away finally, when the voices grew closer.
"No, Marks!"
"Why not?"
"You can't just go around burning things down! Are you completely thick?"
"Better...than doing nothing...Snape!"
"Silencio!"
"I know, sending fireballs is your new past-time. But, I think we'd all prefer it, if you didn't burn down this wretched house with us in it!"
"Oh, shut up...before I set your ass on fire!"
Snape and Lyra, walked towards the kitchen, engaged in a heated argument.
"Just because you think something is right…doesn't make it so!" Snarled Snape, as he and Lyra walked into the kitchen together.
"And just because, you can't do it…doesn't make you right either! Besides, who goes for a walk at two in the fucking morning?!" Lyra snapped back at him.
"Remind me, how it is any of your business?" He sneered.
"Go on Snape, I know you weren't walking around...I can smell the whiskey on you...had a bit too much?"
"I am not drunk! Don't project, your disappointing misgivings onto me, Marks!"
He angrily threw open the door to the kitchen. Lyra continued to smirk. She loved teasing him. He got riled up, so easily!
Their arguing stopped, when they noticed Albus and Minerva standing in the kitchen together. A suspicious silence was shared between them. Lyra raised an eyebrow, as if to ask why the situation in the kitchen seemed so tense. Snape on the other hand, who had never seen Professor McGonagall without her bun, felt extremely awkward.
Minerva was the first to break the tension.
"Good…you're both back! Lyra, I hope you don't mind taking this shift alone. I think, I will return to my room. I have an early start tomorrow." Said Minerva looking straight at Lyra. Lyra frowned at her behaviour. She and Snape, had walked in on a rather intimate situation. Lyra simply nodded quietly, not wanting to make it anymore awkward. She looked at Dumbledore, whose shirt buttons were put on incorrectly. Lyra smirked. Perhaps, Albus, had taken her advice a little too seriously. She looked at him trying to suppressed a smile. He didn't have the courage to look at her. He just stroked his dishevelled beard to put it back in place.
Snape who seemingly, had no idea as to what had transpired, picked something off the floor. Minerva walked past them towards the door. He called out to her.
"Minerva…" Severus began, holding up a hair tie.
"I think you forgot this." He said unwittingly.
A huge blush crossed, Minerva's generally stoic face. She quietly snatched the hair-tie from his hand and left the room.
"Albus…I was wondering, if we could discuss the agenda for the meeting in the morning?" Snape asked, looking away from Minerva's retrieving form. Albus looked a little muddled before nodding.
"You're an idiot!" Lyra hissed at Snape, shaking her head. He glared at her vehemently, mild confusion on his face.
"If any of you need me, I'll be in the living room. And Albus…before you manage to pull your beard off…you might want to fix your shirt buttons." She said smirking at him.
Albus mouthed something, but she winked at him and strolled out of the kitchen.
AN/- Thanks for reading everyone! Hope you're enjoying the story, just as much as I enjoyed writing it.
