Moments In Between

Reunion

"Professor!"

Andromeda screamed out in horror and sprinted toward Professor Fig after witnessing him fall to the ground. She knelt over him, frantically trying to think how she could save him. He let out a painful gasp as he struggled to breathe.

"Miriam..."

Her hand dove into her pocket and pulled out Miriam's wand, carefully placing it in his hands. Professor Fig let out a sigh of relief and held it close to his chest. He turned to look directly at Andromeda.

"Miriam would have loved you...my dear friend." He sharply inhaled and grimaced. "The wizarding world is in safe hands due to your efforts."

He took his final breath.

"Your father would have been so proud of the witch you have become."

Tears streaming down her face, Andromeda began to sob uncontrollably. She gripped his hands and rested her head on top of her knuckles.

She defeated Ranrok.

It was finally all over.

The repository was safe.

She did what the Keepers wanted her to do...and yet in the end, none of it mattered.

Professor Fig was gone.

Her powerful ability with ancient magic could not even spare his life. The stories that she had read as a child told her that when the hero wins...they feel victorious and triumph.

Were they all lies?

The loss of her father was hard enough but to experience the pain and grief all over again only made it worse.

Andromeda lifted her head to the sound of footsteps, it had to be the other professors. She rubbed at her eyes and took several deep breaths to compose herself.

Professor Weasley was the first to appear and immediately kneeled at her side. She placed her hands on Andromeda's shoulders and said, "Oh, my dear child."

Professor Sharp cautiously walked around them and knelt to check Professor Fig's pulse. He sadly shook his head at Professor Weasley.

"He's gone."

Professor Weasley let out an exhausted sigh and looked back at Andromeda. "Are you alright?"

Andromeda nodded and whispered, "I'm okay..."

Professor Weasley brought Andromeda to her feet and turned her away. "Let's get you to the hospital wing. You have done more than enough to save not only our school but the wizarding world as a whole."

Andromeda withdrew from Professor Weasley's grasp. "That will not be necessary Professor. Physically, I am unharmed."

"Miss Black, I insist that you at least heed my advice. What you have just gone through-"

"Professor!" Andromeda held up her hand. "I am sorry to interrupt but I promise that if I need to go to the hospital wing, I can go there on my own. This is not my first time handling Ranrok and his loyalists. There is only one thing I need and he..." She closed her eyes and bit her lip.

She knew exactly who she needed at this very moment.

Professor Weasley observed her for a minute before she gave her a small smile. She motioned with her head for Andromeda to leave. "Very well. Go on...go find him."

Andromeda's eyes flew wide open, shocked by what Professor Weasley told her to do. Maybe she did bump her head at some point during the battle with Ranrok.

"Professor?"

"Miss Black, I am not going to repeat myself. You heard what I said. We will take it from here and discuss this later." Professor Weasley stepped away from her to join the group of professors.