It was time.....
All the new first years rowed closer to Hogwarts and Minerva prepared herself for when she would have to make her yearly speech about the sorting ceremony. She put on a strait face and stood perfectly tall at the top of the staircase leading into the Great Hall. As the chatter grew louder the students appeared in front of her all glaring up nervously. She smiled at them and started her speech, she could see them all looking over at one another in anticipation for the sorting ceremony.
"Follow me this way!" She said as she turned on her heel. She walked toward the large oak doors pushing them both open to reveal the Great Hall, as she led down the tables she heard all the "ooooosss" and "ahhhhhss" She looked up to Albus sitting in his regular spot and he winked at her. She blushed slightly smiling at him. She grabbed the sorting hat and the long process took place.
During dinner Minerva looked past Albus down the table at the new teacher. She had the biggest most fake smile plastered on her face, she wore all pink. (a colour Minerva despised) She sat perfectly upright and a few times Minerva caught her staring at Albus. Which made her a bit jealous but she maintained the right attitude. She was sure not going to get along with the toad.
--//--
When everything was finished and all the excitement had died down for the day and exhausted Minerva walked solemnly up to her chambers. Upon climbing the staircase the hallway and paintings started getting blurry she gripped onto the sturdy stone railing and closed her eyes placing her hand on her head. Everything started to spin and she began to lose her balance, she fell on the steps and let out a little grunt. Fear beginning to take over she choked out the word help a few times, she could hear someone running toward her but when they got there she passed out. Everything went black.
--//--
Minerva's POV
Slowly I started waking up. I remembered what happened last night and shot up. I was in the hospital wing, why did that happen? is something wrong? All these questions popped inti my head and I started to panic. The room starting spinning again and I gripped my head, unwillingly I feel myself fall back into unconsciousness.
--//--
No Ones POV
"Where is Minerva?" Albus asked all the professors at the table during breakfast. She didn't come to his chambers last night of even send a letter. He was a bit concerned, he had noticed Poppy was also missing, wild scary thoughts ran through his head. He ate quickly then made his way toward the hospital wing.
"Poppy?" He called out and the Medi-Witch appeared from behind a curtain.
"Oh Albus....Come it's Minerva..." She said worrisome. She was the only one who officially knew of their relationship, she was of course Minerva's oldest friend. Albus quickly followed her into a back room specifically for teachers. He saw Minerva laying there white faced and unconscious.
"Poppy what happened?" Albus began to panic rushing to her side.
"I found her last night....right before she passed out! I need to run some tests.....Albus....She hasn't woken up yet...." Poppy said. Albus looked up at her worry written all over his face. Poppy knew she needed to give him a minute alone, so she silently turned and walked out, closing the door behind her. Albus dropped to his knees beside Minerva's bed and gripped her hand between his bowing his head.
"Not now Min....I-I need you....I can't lose you..." He said his eyes starting to glaze over. He heard a knock at the door and Poppy peeked her head in.
"Im sorry....But I need to run those tests asap." She said. Albus sniffled and stood back up wiping away his tears.
"Would you mind if I stayed with her?" He asked. Poppy nodded and pointed to a chair in the corner of the room. Basically for the rest of the day Albus sat watching over Minerva. Her blood was drawn, iv's stuck in her arms and multi tests were run. Minerva was put under a sleeping curse just in case she would wake up durning one of the tests and freak out.
--//--
It was well past 12 and Albus still sat waiting for Minerva to wake up. She began to stir and Albus stood from his chair and walked to her side. Her eyes slowly blinked open, as she became aware of where she was. She slowly looked over to Albus, her eyes widened and she reached for him. Albus grabbed her hand and sat on the edge of her bed.
"Albus...." she called out weakly. Albus began to tear up again.
"Yeah...I'm here Minerva..." He answers softly.
"I....I don't know what happened...Albus I was walking-to-to see you and and....then everything started to spin..." Minerva started to choke up, Albus placed his hand on her cheek.
"Don't think about that Min.....You are going to be fine..." Albus didn't actually know if she was going to be alright, all he knew is that she was a strong woman and she could push through anything. Poppy walked in and was glad to see Minerva awake, she had her drink a few potions and her colour started to return in her face.
"Poppy...." Minerva asked softly. Her friend looked over to her sadly.
"What's wrong....is there something not-not right...." Minerva asked dreading what her friend was gonna say. She felt Albus squeeze her hand, Poppy looked at both of them and let out a loud sigh.
"Minerva...." She started "So far....I have found no traces of cancer........" Minerva smiled over to Albus, but he was still worried.
"But what?..." He asked. Poppy looked down at the ground.
"I-I do believe....Minerva you have a very very intense disease.....CAD....Coronary Artery Disease. I am surprised it took this long for symptoms to show up...." Minerva's friend started to choke up. "And-and I am afraid its to late to do anything about it..You're arteries are full of plaque causing oxygen flow to lessen....and I am afraid that parts of your heart is dying...." Poppy looked down the the ground wiping away tears. Minerva's mouth dropped as she looked forward into nothing. She was going to die. And she could do nothing. She was far to shocked to cry, but Albus was absolutely heart broken. He wasn't afraid to show how he was feeling, he let his tears flow freely and gripped Minerva's hand with a death grip.
"I can slow the process down....You may have another year! but I can not cure it....I am so so sorry Minerva...." Poppy said a few tears running down her face. Minerva looked up at her with glossy eyes and grabbed her hand. She smiled through her tears.
"You have done everything you can dear...." She said reassuringly. Poppy nodded and slowly walked out of the room leaving Albus and Minerva alone. Minerva looked over to Albus his gorgeous blue eyes red and puffy, she broke and let out a sob wrapping her arms around his neck pulling them together. Albus held her body tightly in his arms burying his face in her neck. The couple cried together not knowing how else to deal with the situation.
"Min...." Albus whispers. Minerva squeezed him tightly.
"I know...." she choked out letting her tears pour out. "Listen...I still have time..." She whispered kissing his cheek..." Albus clung to her desperately.
