Chapter Four
Chapter Four: July 1988
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate this, Arabella," Minerva said. "I know it's a bit much to throw a birthday party for a neighbourhood child."
"Well, Harry's more than that, isn't he?" Arabella laughed. "Living here is more than my job now. I feel very protective over the boy. I spend enough time with him that Harry feels like my nephew."
If you ever end up marrying Aberforth, Minerva thought wryly, he would be.
"And what do the Dursleys think is happening today?"
"That I'm taking him off their hands so they can go to some event at the shopping centre," Arabella replied, shrugging. "I think they like to have time as a family of three."
Minerva sighed wearily. "That worries me."
"Harry is well-adjusted, Minerva. You've seen that for yourself. He is kind and caring. He may not know about the magical world, but he is a sweet little boy. The Dursleys may not have the most...affectionate of households, but Harry is not mistreated. He does more chores than Dudley, mind you, but I don't think that's a horrible crime."
"Have they moved him out of that cupboard under the stairs yet?" Minerva asked bitterly.
"No," Arabella admitted. "No, they haven't. But I've asked Harry about it—he says he prefers to be away from Dudley, anyway."
"And that worries me for other reasons," Minerva muttered. "Ah, well. What time will he arrive?"
Arabella looked at the scuffed watch she wore around her wrist. "Soon. Do you need anything before you turn into a cat?"
Minerva shook her head. "No, thank you."
With that, she transformed into her cat form and waited for her grandson.
When Harry knocked on the door, he smiled at Arabella before running to Minerva. "Hi, kitty."
Minerva purred and rubbed against his leg.
"She's your favourite cat, isn't she?" Arabella laughed. "You always go straight to her."
"She plays with me, Mrs. Figg," Harry said. He sat on the floor and pulled Minerva into his lap. "Your other cats don't really like me."
"I daresay they don't like me much, either," Arabella agreed. "They prefer to be alone, I think." She nodded in Harry's direction. "Have you named that cat?"
"Named it?" Harry's forehead scrunched up. "Haven't you named it? It's been here forever!"
"Maybe, but she has always seemed like your cat, not mine. What do you want to name her?"
Minerva would have growled at Arabella if she didn't think that Harry would take it personally.
"Ummmm." Harry peered down at Minerva with his big eyes. "What kind of cat is she?"
"She's a tabby cat, if I'm not mistaken."
"Then why don't we call her Tabby?" Harry suggested. "Seems good to me."
"Tabby it is," Arabella agreed. "Do you think she likes that name?"
Minerva didn't particularly want any name for her cat form, but she had to admit that Albus' nickname for her made perfect sense for her feline self. To signal her approval, Minerva rubbed her nose against Harry's hand, causing him to laugh. "Yeah, I think she likes that. Wait, Mrs. Figg—why are her eyes so green?"
"I don't know the answer to that, Harry. Because cats have eyes just like us?" Arabella asked, clearly amused.
"I need to see closer," Harry murmured, leaning down to pick Minerva up.
It wasn't necessary because, suddenly, Minerva found herself levitated in the air.
She wasn't a fan of the sensation.
"Woah, Mrs. Figg?" Harry asked, amazed. "I wanted to look at the cat's eyes, and all of a sudden, the cat is floating and looking right at me!"
"Meow!" Minerva tried to find her way back down to the ground, but her flailing legs just caused Harry to laugh.
"I think I—I think I did that, Mrs. Figg!" Harry exclaimed.
"That's wonderful, but be sure to keep this a secret between you and me, all right?" Arabella said kindly. She affectionately ran her hand through Harry's messy hair.
"Wouldn't Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia think this is awesome?" Harry frowned. "Or maybe they'd just be mad if Dudley couldn't do it, too."
Arabella paused. Minerva could see the woman was trying to figure out what to say, and exactly how to say it. "I think, Harry, that they wouldn't understand it."
"No," Harry said sadly. "They wouldn't."
"Dear, why don't you release Tabby now, hmmm?" Arabella asked kindly. "I'm very proud of you for doing that, but I think the cat may be more comfortable on the ground."
"I don't know how to stop it." Harry frowned and gently reached forward to take hold of Minerva. He relaxed as Minerva fell into his hands. "Oh, good. Are you okay, Tabby?"
Minerva pressed her nose against Harry's cheek and licked it.
"That tickles!" Harry laughed.
"I think that means she's not angry," Arabella said, smiling. "Now, Harry, why don't you put Tabby down, and come and have some cake?"
The rest of the afternoon passed smoothly—and, happily for Minerva, there were no more levitation incidents.
"Thank you again, Arabella," Minerva said as she Vanished the crumbs from Harry's slices of cake. "I cannot tell you what it means to me."
"You say the exact same thing every time Harry leaves," Arabella laughed. "There's no need to keep saying it. As you well know, Albus compensates me for my time."
"Yes, but today was Harry's birthday—and I even got to see him use accidental magic! Oh, here, Arabella, I can Banish the rubbish to the bins," she added, seeing Arabella struggling to tie an overflowing rubbish bag.
"Thanks for helping me clean, Minerva," Arabella said, her voice frostier than it had been a moment before, "but there's no need to use spells. I can clean, you know. I've managed to do it my entire life—without magic."
Minerva rubbed her forehead. She liked to think of Arabella as a friend, and she didn't want to upset Arabella by using magic in front of her—or with her excitement at seeing Harry's magic.
"I didn't mean anything by it," Minerva responded quietly. "If I offended you, then I apologize, Arabella."
Arabella huffed and smiled grimly. "You didn't offend me. It's just that here, in Little Whinging, Harry is the only magical person I know. I'm not confronted with my inabilities as often. I'm not a stranger to magical culture, though—I can appreciate that Harry demonstrating magic will make his life easier, and you certainly cleaned my kitchen a lot faster than I would have been able to."
"Thank you for understanding," Minerva said gratefully. "Is there anything else I can help with?"
"Of course I understand; I grew up with it. And, no—you've done more than enough already."
"Are you sure? I can help with the—"
"Minerva, I really do appreciate it, and I promise I'm not angry with you for what you said, but you can go now." Arabella fidgeted with her sleeve. "I can handle the rest."
Minerva cocked her head and smiled. "Are you trying to get rid of me, Arabella?"
Arabella sighed. "Not to put too fine a point on it, but yes. Aberforth said he'd come down tonight. It's a Sunday, so he's not too busy at the Hog's Head, and we were going to have a night out and, hopefully, a morning in."
Minerva laughed loudly. "Well, good for you both. I'm glad you're making the long-distance work. Tell Aberforth I said hello."
"If you have a beau, perhaps we could have a double date sometime," Arabella offered. "That could be fun. It would be nice to spend more than ten minutes with you in your human form."
"I do have a beau, but I'm afraid he and Aberforth wouldn't be well-suited to spending an evening together. We can do something just the two of us, though."
"No one is well-suited to Aberforth, Minerva, but there's only one person he won't bear to spend an evening with. Your beau is Albus, I take it?"
Minerva looked at Arabella, surprised. "I beg your pardon?"
"Look, I'm sorry if I'm wrong, or if I offended you by suggesting you were shagging your boss," Arabella replied, raising her hands, "but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities."
"Albus and I work closely together, and we're good friends," Minerva lied smoothly.
Arabella arched an eyebrow. "You're just friends, and yet Albus pays for someone to watch over your grandchild?"
"I'm very fortunate," Minerva said, shrugging. She Summoned her coat and purse. "He knew that I was devastated after losing my child. He wanted to ease what burdens he could."
"From what Aberforth tells me, Albus wouldn't go to such lengths for just anyone."
"I wouldn't take what Aberforth says about Albus at face value." Minerva snapped her bag shut. "Thank you again, Arabella."
"Minerva?" Arabella's voice was soft. "Now it's my turn to apologize. I genuinely didn't mean to offend you. I'm afraid Aberforth's gruffness may be rubbing off on me."
"You didn't offend me. I was surprised, that's all."
"I like to think we're more than acquaintances," Arabella continued, "and if you don't want to tell me about your beau, that's fine. Regardless, whatever your relationship is to Albus, you two are very close. I'm happy for you both if friendship is all that's between you." She sighed. "It would also make me happy to know that my lover is happy. I can tell that this brotherly fight is still a bleeding wound, Minerva. If I can convince Aberforth to stop drudging this anchor around, I will."
Suddenly, Minerva understood Arabella's motivation behind her curious line of questioning.
"It's more than a fight," Minerva replied quietly. "But if you think there's a genuine chance that Aberforth will be open to the idea of reconciliation, then yes, I can talk to Albus."
"I think there is a chance," Arabella said. "I don't know how often you see Abe, but he has changed. Not a lot, mind you, but enough."
"Enough for what?" Minerva asked, her voice soft.
"A civil conversation with witnesses," Arabella responded, a wry smile on her face. "I'd be there—there's no way I'd miss it. I'd suggest you be there, too, but that depends on your beau and if Albus has anyone else he'd rather bring along." She smirked. "But somehow, I doubt it."
Minerva sighed. "I'll let Albus know, but I can't promise anything."
"I know. Now," Arabella said, checking her watch, "off to your house, you go! Abe will be here soon."
Minerva said her goodbyes and Apparated back to the grounds of her family manor. She now had much to discuss with Albus, and the idea of talking about Aberforth was not a comforting notion.
"Al, I'm home!" Minerva called as she entered the front door and sent her light Muggle jacket to their closet.
"I'm in the library!" Albus yelled. "I have a pot of tea steaming and waiting."
"Marvellous," Minerva murmured happily. She entered the library and sat next to Albus, gladly accepting the cup of tea. "Thank you."
"Of course," Albus said, smiling. "So, how was your visit?"
"It went well. Harry seems to be doing very well. He is kind and intelligent." Minerva chuckled. "Arabella made him name me today. He named me, Albus!"
Albus laughed. "What did he name you?"
She blushed. "Tabby."
"There are worse names, Minerva," Albus said. "In fact, I called you Tabby myself, back in the day. Sometimes, I still call you Tabby—depending on the situation."
Minerva smiled knowingly. "Yes, you do. You also know the type of situation you normally use it for—which is precisely why I don't want our grandson calling me that, no matter how fitting it is."
He bit back a smile. "Other than your new name, the visit went well?"
"I believe so. Arabella gave him our presents, and he seemed to enjoy the birthday cake."
"Good. How's our boy doing?"
"He released some accidental magic, but other than—"
"What?" Albus asked incredulously. "Forgive me, my dear, but that's more noteworthy than the name he gave you. What happened?"
"He levitated me," Minerva sniffed. "I am proud of him, but it was not a comfortable feeling."
"I would imagine not. I don't much enjoy the feeling of levitation as a person."
"Your Animagus form is a phoenix, Albus. I'm sure you would manage the feeling better than I did."
"It's very different when in avian form, my dear." Albus shook his head and clasped her hands. "This is marvellous news! I'm so very thrilled."
"It is exciting, but I would love him if he were a Squib," Minerva said, reflecting on her conversation with Arabella.
"So would I, but that's not my point." Albus looked at her earnestly. "This means he'll be joining us at Hogwarts in a few years. Harry'll join us at home!"
Minerva smiled wistfully. "Oh, that will be wonderful. We'll have him back with us. I can watch over him in Transfiguration."
"I wonder if he'll be in Gryffindor like the rest of us."
"Al!" Minerva swatted his arm gently. "He only just released some accidental magic. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, all right?"
"If you say so, my dear."
"I'm afraid I must broach a less amusing topic." Minerva exhaled slowly. "Arabella mentioned that she wants you to have a conversation with Aberforth."
"Why?" Albus asked as he raised his eyebrows. "Why would she want Aberforth and me to be alone in the same room together? My mother didn't even want that, God rest her soul."
"She actually intended to be there herself. And," Minerva added, "she thought I should be there, too."
"But why?"
Minerva sighed. "I believe Arabella wants Aberforth to heal from your quarrel. I can't say I disagree with her motives, but I am far less optimistic than she is."
"I appreciate her intentions."
"As do I. Merlin knows we've been married for two decades, and I can't convince you to make peace with Aberforth. Heaven knows how Arabella is managing it with your brother."
"I have no idea. Why did she bring this up with you? Does Arabella know we're married?" Albus asked.
"No." Minerva shook her head. "She suspects that we're a couple, but that's it. Arabella suggested I could be there for moral support. Unless," Minerva added, smiling ruefully, "you have a different spouse I should know about."
Albus chuckled. "No, just you, my dear. I wonder why Aberforth never told Arabella about us. I don't like the idea of him keeping secrets for our sakes."
"Albus, I think the fact that he has kept your secret demonstrates that a peace treaty may actually work. Clearly, he cares about you enough not to run his mouth about your relationships."
"Or perhaps Abe cares about you."
Minerva sighed. "While Aberforth and I have never disagreed, per se, we have never been close friends. Besides, I could never fully embrace him as a brother-in-law, not while he still held so much disdain for you in his heart."
"You've invited him to holidays and such," Albus pointed out.
"Yes, to be polite. To try and create a bridge of understanding and peace. It was never for my own sake, I assure you. Besides, you were once at a point where you invited Aberforth to meet Violet. I remember feeling jealous," Minerva added.
Albus laughed. "I don't think that dinner was as planned as I made it out to be."
"Oh, no?" Minerva asked, raising an eyebrow. "Now that's a story you have to tell."
"I took Violet back to my family home—the one you stayed at when you were in hiding—for a getaway. It was the only place I could think to bring her. It's not a very magical place; you would have seen that for yourself. Aberforth happened to be there whilst I was preparing the place. When I mentioned I was bringing my Muggle paramour, Aberforth wanted to come and meet her. He didn't quite think I could manage the ruse."
Minerva laughed. "Sounds very brotherly of him."
"I suppose it does, doesn't it?"
"Aberforth didn't betray you to Violet, though," Minerva said softly. "I think that Arabella is right and, deep down, Aberforth loves you. I don't think he ever stopped loving you."
"He sure as hell stopped liking me," Albus snorted.
"Perhaps, but I think that this would be good for your soul, Al. You never stopped loving him. Or liking him, for that matter."
Albus scratched her scalp gently. "Do you really not think that this might devolve into a screaming match?"
"It might, but Arabella and I will put a stop to that."
"This matters to you, doesn't it?"
"It does—for your sake. You both need to heal." Minerva looked at him earnestly. "You know that I've wrestled with the idea of telling Molly about Harry, and I haven't. It has never felt quite right to drag a former student into my life."
Albus' forehead creased. "What does this have to do with Aberforth?"
She smiled softly. "Molly is not in my life, and given our former relationship, I don't feel it's fair to burden her with my issues. Aberforth is in your life, and his presence should be a blessing. Instead, it in and of itself is a burden, and a complicated one at that. Un-complicate your life, my love. Make peace with your brother. Allow him to be open with Arabella. Get to know Arabella as your brother's partner. Let them be as involved as they want to be—whilst adhering to your own boundaries, of course."
Albus sighed heavily. "You know that I'm not the one who forced this distance between us."
"No, but you're comfortable with it."
"And all of a sudden, you think I shouldn't be."
"I think that the two of us have experienced more than our fair share of heartbreak and grief. I'm not suggesting that you break bread with him every week, but burying the hatchet seems like a good idea after more than fifty years of feuding."
"Hmm," Albus mused. "I'll—"
"You think it over," Minerva interrupted gently. "It's not like Arabella expects an answer tonight. Now, I think I'll take a nap."
Minerva turned over, settled into the cushion with her head against Albus' chest, and slept peacefully.