Title: A Wistful Leaving.

Rating: 13+

Spoiler: Set somewhere after OotP, and could be throughout HBP. But you might need a magnifying glass to even find the slightest spoiler for HBP Oo

Summary: Dumbledore was gone a lot during HBP, went on various trips that had something to do with war, and Voldemort. Part 2, with Dumbledore coming home after a trip gone slightly wrong.

Part 2

Half a cry, half a quenched sob escaped the woman as she barely made it around a corner of a corridor. She was not walking; she was not running, but something in between. Clutching a shaking hand to her stomach she made herself slow down to a more steady and calm pace. With a resolute strength she stopped dead before a big wooden door, and stood gasping for air. Again it was sheer strength that quietly brushed away her panting and all together shook off any thoughts she might have had of breaking down. With a composed expression and stable feet she went in the door, chin held high.

Despite being prepared for the worst, and having taken the time to consume her own fear, the sight that met her eyes captured words from beyond her mind and permission.

"Albus," the name was spoken with a little voice though on the brink of becoming high-pitched.

The hospital wing should have been dark and empty, but several lights were on and on the nearest bed - with Poppy Pomfrey half in her nightgown rushing in and out of her office and two pale persons standing on either side of the bed – was the object of her confusion and apprehension. She wasn't the slightest interested in Poppy or the others, the only concern she had was the man sitting on the bed, pale and trembling.

"I told you to not to wake her," even his voice was tired and shrill, but the commanding undertone stopped her in her tracks, and she glimpsed Poppy smiling nervously.

"I-"

"You're obviously not well Headmaster, or you would have agreed fetching the deputy headmistress was abrilliant idea," the unruffled voice of Severus Snape interrupted her. Severus gave her a tight uplift of the corner of his mouth as he moved away from the bedside to let her take over. As she passed him with a troubled mind he leaned in and whispered;

"I've fixed him the best I could. At this moment it's all I can do."

His words were like ice, drenching her in cold, heartless fear. Images ran like wildfire, as they had done when Poppy had woken her up, telling her the Headmaster was in the hospital wing. Her stomach turned knots on itself as she neared the bed to finally rest her eyes on him.

And what a shape! Blank blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles rolled up to met her gaze, his mouth could barely conceal his pain behind a forced semi smile. For awhile she let her eyes roam his body, his face but she couldn't find anything fatal, not even a single wound or gash. She watched a bead of sweat roll down from his eyebrow. Why was he shaking?

"I-"

"Professor, I am fine now. Poppy and Severus have done amazing! They've practically cured me. I'm fine," he gave her a half-hearted smile to prove his words while he sat back against a couple of pillows, distancing himself from her further than even his professional title could.

Just then a fateful reaching to grasp his outer robe revealed his injury. She saw it.

"Your hand!"

For a brief second she berated her intelligence; her friend was injured his hand blackened with decay, looking ready to crumble at the smallest puff of air and all she could utter was a stupid childish remark.

"I-"

"He's fine! Snape saved the rest of his arm, but couldn't repair the damage already done to his hand," For a moment she was surprised to see Alastor Moody standing opposite her wearing his usual attire and appearing relatively serene. Moody gave her a curtly nod when she looked at him and continued to talk, "Too bad it wasn't your other hand, Albus, I would be able to win at Fowls & Snails then."

Albus gave a short chuckle, but stopped midway when he winced in pain. Was she in the wrong century? Did she even know these people? What was wrong with them? Joking! Ignoring her! Pretending nothing had happened!

"How did this happen?" Her tone sounded so cold, but on the inside she was burning with rage, yearning to yell and scream. In stead she pressed her lips together and hoped she would be able to appear collected.

"I'm sorry, that's a long and tiring story for later," Albus replied, not even having the decency to look her in the eye.

"The way you keep building up stories and important information for later, I'll assume I'll be six feet under when you finally decide it's time to tell me!"

Never before had she so badly wanted to hit something, or better yet, him! Did he even care how much she had dreaded seeing him the whole way up here, how she feared something like this would happen? Did he know what he had put her through? Most likely not. Too often she wondered whether he was not to oblivious to the world when it was not about war, or greater happenings. Was he even aware of the little things? Letting out a breath she allowed herself to fall down onto a chair and truly calm down.

Seemingly he did not respond to her outburst, but he must have done something for both Severus and Poppy quickly went away, Alastor Moody not late to follow.

"Minerva, I'm truly sorry. If I was up to it, I would be telling you now. Sadly I find I'm too troubled by my situation," he turned his head trying to make eye contact.

"It's back to Minerva, huh," she spit angrily; half afraid she might say something she would regret if she already hadn't. Bewildered she looked at him when he chuckled for the second time.

"My dear, you're always Minerva to me. I am just an old man enjoying seeing you tick when I refer to you by title," this time there was without doubt no mistaking his laughter, or even the slight tones of mirth coming from her own mouth.

She opened her mouth to apologise but he interfered by taking hold of her hand, letting his index finger and tomb gently run over her knuckles.

"I am the one to apologise, not you, dear," he whispered, and she nodded.

The hospital wing was quiet, the Headmaster and his deputy silently watched dawn breaking with rain, holding hands, tightly.

Pal

Let me know if there should be a part 3 ;) I think I have an Idea, but it may take some time. I have just been ill, and am behind on the school front ;)