15 May 1985
Minerva had been sitting in a chair beside Elphinstone's bed for the last ten minutes. In all that time his eyes had remained shut and he had barely stirred when she had first taken his hand in hers and softly spoken his name. The gentle rise and fall of the sheets draped across him were the only indication that he was still breathing.
Not for the first time that day, Minerva thought of all the ways this could have been prevented. If only she had stopped him from going out that morning, or gone with them instead of marking those essays. One extra pair of eyes and that Venomous Tentacula might not have managed to strike him as he was shopping. One other person and the plant may not have had the chance to attack again. Then, Elphinstone would not have been lying, fighting for his life, in a hospital bed so far from home.
Minerva's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of movement from the bed.
"Minerva," Elphinstone said softly.
Minerva's head jerked up as his eyelids tentatively broke apart. Relief and sadness spread through her body simultaneously as his sparkling blue eyes came into contact with hers. She tightened her grip on his hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore," Elphinstone answered truthfully. He tried to smile but ended up wincing. "I think that plant might have got me a bit."
"Maybe a little," Minerva agreed as tears welled in her eyes.
"What have they said?" he asked.
Minerva swallowed. "That it could be better," she answered quietly. "The tentacula bit you on your neck and your chest. The mediwizards stopped the spread of the venom, but it's—"
"Not good," Elphinstone finished, reaching out and wiping away a tear that had trickled down her cheek. The act should have caused him pain — however, if it did, he did not show it.
"This shouldn't have happened," Minerva said after a while, her voice breaking slightly. "The shop was not licensed to sell that plant."
"I should have been more careful," replied Elphinstone. He closed his eyes and shivered despite the warmth of the room. His teeth were clenched in pain and Minerva found it hard now to ignore what the Healers had told her before she had come in — that he had hours at most.
"It will be all right," she said. "You will be all right."
Elphinstone shook his head as another small shiver coursed through his body. "We've survived a lot together," he said, his voice barely higher than a whisper. "But I think this may be—"
"No," Minerva interrupted quietly. She squeezed Elphinstone hand a little tighter as though willing that if she did, he would stay with her. "Please don't say it."
Elphinstone opened his eyes again and looked at her. "I think this may be our last adventure, Minerva," he finished.
His arm became limper, and Minerva lowered his hand so that it rested on the bed again. "It can't be," she said. "You—We were—"
"Meant to be having tea and biscuits in the garden?" He smiled sadly at her, his struggle to stay awake becoming more visible with every passing second. "With the children probably playing Quidditch around us?" Minerva nodded and tears filled his eyes as well. "I know," he said softly.
Minerva tenderly wiped his tears away, tilting her head to one side and biting her lip to stop it from trembling. "You can't go now," she whispered finally.
"I think this may be beyond our control, Minerva," he said, his voice breaking slightly with the emotion he was trying so hard to control.
"I don't want it to be," Minerva replied. "I can't let you go."
Elphinstone smiled sadly and reached out to hold her hands. "I'm glad I spent these past 3 years with you. Certainly one of the best decisions I have made."
Two tears slowly trickled down Minerva's cheeks. "I'm sorry it took so many years for me to say yes," she said.
Elphinstone chuckled. "Don't be," he mumbled as his eyelids drifted shut once more. A few minutes later and he opened them again. He turned his head slightly and it seemed to take all of his remaining energy to say these last few words. "I love you."
Minerva gently kissed his forehead. "I love you too," she murmured.
Then, with one last smile, Elphinstone closed his eyes, sighed, and was gone.
I'm so sorry! I really didn't want to do this! Blame Pottermore :(
Thank you for all the reviews! :) I promise things will get more cheerful soon!