To Escape the Eye

By: Griselda La Fey

Disclaimer:

J.K. Rowling ownes everything.  I’m just twisting things for my own amusement.

Summary:

After Minerva is hit by four Stunners, Albus visits her at St. Mungo’s. This story has been done before, but I promise, this story holds a twist.

"So- back again, Harry?

Harry felt as though his insides had turned to ice. He looked behind him.

Sitting on one of the desks by the wall was none other than Albus Dumbledore.

Harry must have walked straight past him, so desperate to get to the mirror,

He hadn’t even noticed him.

"I- I didn’t see you sir".

"Strange how short- sighted being invisible can make you", said Dumbledore

From: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

 

Epilogue:

She wondered who had put them there. Again.

Ten beautiful crimson red roses stood on her desk. Like three days ago and three days before them.

It had started ever since Albus Dumbledore was forced to leave the school by Umbridge and Fudge. Every other three days fresh roses would appear in her study. Without a note or any sign of the sender.

Minerva wondered from who they came.

* * *

Pain was everywhere. It stabbed through her body like knifes. The skin of her chest, were the stunners had hit her burnt, like a dragon was breathing on them. Her limbs were sore, her back was arching and her head was throbbing from a headache.

The room was poorly illuminated and the moon that shone through the window formed eerie shadows on the wall. Minerva McGonagall had never felt more helpless, or alone.

Tears began to trickle down her face. She was no longer able to take care of them. Of Harry, Ron and Hermione, of her other students, of Hagrid, even of Sybil. She felt like she had failed them. She had promised Albus to stay at Hogwarts, to protect their students, their school. She felt as though she had failed him too. A soft sob escaped her throat, making the scars burn even harder.

Suddenly the form of a tall man appeared next to her bed. Minerva watched in shock and then she recognised her friend.

"Albus!" she gasped not believing her eyes. She tried to sit up, but winced in pain as her body protested.

Albus pushed her gently down on the pillows again.

"Don’t move", he told her softly, "don’t move an inch". He pulled out his wand and draw up a chair. Then he sat down next to the bed and took hold of her hand. With his other hand he brushed away the tears. "Don’t cry Tabby", he voice was just above a whisper, "Don’t cry".

Upon his words, even more tears started to flow, tears of relief and happiness.

"How’s Hagrid?" Minerva asked.

"He is all right", Albus told her, he is in hiding now. I have spoken with him today, he was very worried about you". He paused for a moment and his hand moved to her hair, gently caressing it, and added, "and so was I".

Minerva smiled at him.

"I will be all right. I’ve been through the worse I believe. But what about you? Isn’t it dangerous for you to be here? What if Fudge"

Albus shook his head.

"Don’t worry, they won’t find me. I had to see you. When I heard what that Umbridge woman had done to you¼ She could have killed you. Four stunning spells without any warning. She will pay for this, Minerva, I promise you".

"Don’t." Minerva answered softly, "Don’t start a personal vendetta against Dolores Umbridge, there is enough to worry about".

In response he kissed her hand. "I should have been more careful", Minerva continued, adverting his gaze, "I have failed you and the school¼"

Albus cupped her face with his hand and forced her to look at him. His brought his face only inches from hers.

"It’s not your fault, Minerva", he said urgently, "you were so brave last night. It is I who failed you. I should have been there in time, to save you".

She covered his hand with her own.

"How could you? You weren’t there".

"I was there", he told her softly. I’ve never left Hogwarts".

Minerva frowned.

"How is that possible, no- one saw you¼ I didn’t know¼" Another thought stuck her, "and how did you get here?"

"Easy Tabby", he answered smiling, "I’ll explain it to you. There is something I have never told you. I am an Invisiblearus"

She almost sat right up again. His hand moved quickly to her shoulder to prevent that.

"You are an Invisiblearus? For how long? And how? The last one was Godric Gryffindor!"

"I have been an Invisiblearus for sixty- two years or something", Albus began to explain, "I never told anyone because if it was widely known, I could not take advantage of it. I stayed at Hogwarts over the passed months. I told you I would not go into hiding. But tonight I was too late, too late to save you".

Minerva smiled at him wonder.

"I can’t believe it", she said eventually, "I have known you for so many years and you still manage to surprise me".

Albus grinned back at her.

"I am glad I still posses that ability, even after so many years.

She continued to stare at him.

"I can’t believe I didn’t notice you were there".

"Oh, there were a few close calls", he admitted. "You once almost caught me in your study".

Her eyes widened in realisation.

"Those roses came from you".

"Yes", he replied, stroking her cheek.

It was such a tender, loving gesture it made her cheeks flush. She knew he liked her, they shared a strong friendship, but he had never expressed his feelings so openly. He had been touching her from the moment he had came in. Soft, loving touches that made her wonder if the dream she had buried in her heart so many years ago was possible after all.

Suddenly, they heard voices on the corridor.

"I demand access", a voice was saying, "I have reason to believe he is here".

"That’s Fudge", Minerva hissed, "Quick, you have to leave, he must not find you here".

Albus rose to his feet and with a flick of his wand the chair had disappeared.

"Don’t worry", he told her softly, "he won’t find me here, but I will not leave you either".

Minerva watched him turn invisible again. Right after he had gone, the door burst open and Fudge came in, followed by a healer.

"Where is he?" Fudge demanded.

"Sir, please", the healer said weakly.

Minerva felt Albus’ hand on her shoulder, softly brushing her hair.

"Who do you mean?" she asked innocently.

"Albus Dumbledore of course", Fudge snapped. "Has he been here?"

"No", Minerva replied, feeling how Albus covered one of her hands with his own.

Fudge made a move as if wanted to drop down on his knees.

"I didn’t hide him under my bed either", Minerva said, rolling her eyes. Albus squeezed her hand gently.

"Sir, I really think you should leave", the healer said.

"One moment", Fudge replied, pulling out his wand, "there is a spell to check if she is speaking the truth". He raised his wand. "Reveallarus Corpus", he bellowed.

Minerva’s entire body tensed.

‘This is it, he will be discovered’, she thought franticly, ‘he will be send to Azkaban’ But nothing happened. Fudge stuffed his wand in his pocket again.

"Well, it seems she is speaking the truth", he said sounding very sorry indeed. Without saying anything more he left the room.

After a few minutes, when they were sure everything was safe again, Albus re- appeared.

"How is it possible Fudge couldn’t reveal your presence by using Reveallarus Corpus?" Minerva asked.

"That’s the point of being a true Invisiblearus", Albus answered. "You become completely invisible, you are not to be found, in any way. It’s quite useful, I must say".

"He had me worried for a moment though", Minerva said. Albus reached out and stroked a strand of her hair out of face.

"I really should leave now", he said regretfully, "you need your rest".

"I’ll be back soon", she promised him.

Albus became invisible again.

"Are you still here?" Minerva asked after a while.

"Yes, I am", his voice whispered near her ear, causing a shiver to ran through her body. Then she felt his lips covering hers. He kissed her gently, but so full of passion, it brought tears to her eyes.

"Get better, Tabby", he whispered some time later, "I need you".

Then he really left. She could no longer feel his presence. Closing her eyes she relived the last hour. His touches, his kiss. The war may have just began, they may have one hell of a ride in front of them, for now it didn’t matter. They were together.

Fin