The feast soon finished and all the houses filed out of the hall to go to their common rooms. Harry and me where walking up the staircase and talking and laughing together. Ron and Heromine hung back to talk since Heromine wanted to talk about something.
But, I never got to the common room. At least not right then. Professor Dumbledore had managed to sneak behind me and was tapping on the shoulder. I turned; thinking it was Ron or Heromine. The instance that I saw Dumbledore the words died on my lips that I was saying and the sparkle left my eyes.
“Ms. Malfoy, if I could have a word with you. Along please.”
He knows my brain was screaming. But, all my lips said were “of course.”
I turned to look at Harry and I wanted to cry. I walked with Dumbledore across the entrance hall and about half way across I turned and ran back to Harry and hugged him. Then I kissed him square on the mouth. And as I was hugging him all I could think to say was” I am sorry. I am so sorry. I just wanted you to like me…hell…maybe even love me.”
I ran back to Dumbledore who stood waiting for me where I had left him. I walked all the way to Dumbledore's office, my head down, silently crying for so many lost hopes.
We reached the gargoyle that lead to Dumbledore’s office and then he said the password. We climbed onto the stairs and where soon in his office. I sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk and he sat behind his desks. I did not have time to take in the wonderment of his office…even to take in all that had happened in the last 3 hours.
We sat in silence for a moment, Dumbledore I assume to be at a loss for words. At last, he spoke.
“I know what you did, Alex. And I know what is going to happen if you hadn’t done what you did,” He said in that painstaking calm voice. “I know what you did because long ago, when Voldermort was in power I placed a spell on me so that I could prevent or change when someone used a Time-Turner and went back in time. The Time-Turner does not affect me. I am glad that you did it though.”
I looked up in surprise.
“I think Harry needs you more than you need him. Alexandria, I believe you will be the only thing that he will believe in for a long time. Be sure not to break his trust or his heart. It is already quite in pieces as it is. I suppose you know about Sirius. He was the closest thing Harry ever had to a father or a brother. It took a great toll on him. Take care of him Alexandria. Love him. Help his wounds to heal and his heart to become a little fuller again. You are my last hope that I have Harry to find love in this treacherous world. You can leave now. I wanted you to know that. It would also be best that you did not say anything to the students or the teachers. It would be a bit difficult to explain.”
I finally spoke for the first time that whole time. Dumbledore had gone to do some work. “Dumbledore?”
He looked up. I spoke the first thing that came to my mind.
“It’s Alex, not Alexandria.”
He smiled; a deep smiled that showed all his wrinkles and creases. It was the first true smile I had seen in a long time,”Alex.” |