Witch Sitting

Disclaimer: The characters, sadly, do not belong to us but to the great JK Rowling.

Summary: Albus asks his brother to keep an eye on someone while he is away. Misunderstandings lead to confusion, anger, embarrassment and love.

A/N: This is a joint story written by Ang, from Hogwarts Duo, and me. We hope you enjoy the story and take the time to review. We have decided that we won't update unless we get ten reviews.

Going Home: by Clayre

Albus Dumbledore pushed open the large cast iron gate that led to a dirt track. The gate creaked open and he made a mental note to see to it once he was settled. As he looked into the distance, he noticed smoke coming from one of the many chimneys belonging to the gothic style mansion. The smoke coming from the chimney told Albus that his younger brother, Aberforth, was home and probably toasting marshmallows over the open fire.

Albus walked slowly along the dirt roadway. Looking around him he saw that the grass was overgrown and nettles seemed to be taking over the front lawn. It had been some years since he had been home. His home now was at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he was Professor of Transfiguration and Deputy Headmaster. Aberforth had taken up residency of the Dumbledore Estate but he had neglected his duty to look after the place.

Within minutes, Albus was standing at the bottom of the steps and looking up at the finely crafted gargoyles that guarded the doorway. The gargoyles stood out dramatically against the cool grey color of the stone the house was built in. They were craved from granite and had fierce faces. Albus remembered that they had been his great, great grandfather's pride and joy because he believed they made the house what it was, a mansion of greatness and achievement.

Albus made his way up the steps that led to a heavy large oak door, with a black hinges and a black gargoyle head for a knocker. The door swung open before Albus had chance to root around in his robes for his key, he walked and smiled for it was good to be home.

The hallway was exactly the same as when he had left it, with large wall hangings that were bright and depicted major events in muggle history. There were also a number of muggle items in the hallway that ranged from umbrella stands to muggle lighting. The Dumbledores had a history of liking all things muggle and Albus' father had chosen to live the muggle way once he retired from the Ministry of Magic. No house elves resided in the Dumbledore estate. They had had servants but they had all left when Master Dumbledore had passed way eighty years ago. Albus made his way along to one of the living rooms and opened the door, only to be met by the smell of burnt marshmallows.

"About ruddy time!" exclaimed Aberforth as he poked his head up over the large chaise lounge that was upholstered in thick, plush crimson material.

"Hello Aberforth," replied Albus as he sunk down into a nearby chair that was covered in the same material as the chaise lounge. "How did you manage to burn the marshmallows?"

"I was trying to keep an eye out for you and I couldn't do two things at once," replied Aberforth.

"How are you, Abe?" asked Albus using his brother's nickname.

"I'm just great," answered Aberforth. "Been busy working with the goats and I have come up some with interesting results. Would you like to see them?"

"What the goats?" asked Albus "They aren't in the house are they?"

"I meant the results," replied Aberforth rolling his eyes. "But as you mentioned my goats, I've put them in father's old room. He was quite fond of them when he was still around."

"They will make such a mess Abe," said Albus with a groan. "Why didn't you put them in the stables?"

"It's cold in those old stables! How would you like to sleep in one?" questioned Aberforth, who had never understood his brother's dislike for his goats. "So what brings you home prodigal son?"

"I have come to ask a favor!" said Albus.

"Should have known," replied Aberforth with a smile as he got to his feet and walked past Albus. A smell caught his senses and he looked at Albus strangely. "Either you have started to wash using lavender or you have a lady friend."

"What in the name of Merlin are you going on about?" questioned Albus with confusion.

"You smell of lavender!" pointed out Aberforth. "Spill the beans, oh brother of mine."

Aberforth had stopped by the door and waited for his brother to answer him. He knew that he was probably in for a long wait as Albus was very private when it came to the matters of the heart. Albus looked at his brother with a frown. He had no idea what he was going on about till a thought suddenly popped into his head. He had been transferring some of the Order's traveling cloaks from the banister at their headquarters to the cupboard under the stairs, and the smell of lavender reminded him of one person and one person alone.

"I have no lady friend and I have certainly not been washing in lavender essence Abe," replied Albus gruffly. "I was putting away some cloaks that belonged to the younger members of the Order.

"Likely story!" thought Aberforth. "How is setting up the Order going?"

"Slowly," admitted Albus. "I have a fine but small team put together at present, made up of a few aurors and a couple of ex-pupils of mine."

"It's bound to take time," assured Aberforth. "There isn't a lot you can do at present anyway with Grindelwald ruling as he is."

"Speaking of him," said Albus "this is partly the reason I have come to see you."

"Oh!" replied Aberforth, as he lifted his head up and looked at his older brother with interest.

Albus wondered how he was going to ask his brother this without facing a barrage of questions. He knew that there wasn't going to be any way to get around the subject. Albus leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"I'm going after him," explained Albus. "Tonight in fact."

"Look Albus," cut in Aberforth "I would come with you, if I thought I would be of any use but you know my skills at dueling are less than perfect. I would end up killing myself rather than one of his dark followers."

"I am not asking you to come with me," continued Albus with a small smile. "You would indeed be useless!"

"Only you can get away with that," pointed out Aberforth as he poured him a firewhiskey "You don't want to ride my goats into battle do you?"

"Will you just shut up and let me continue?" asked Albus clenching and unclenching his fist. "I am taking members of the Order with me apart from one. She is the youngest of the group and, though powerful and strong, I don't want her coming. I have said that it's because she suffered an injury several weeks ago, that I don't want her pushing herself. She isn't very happy with me but she will listen to me. I want you to keep an eye on her."

"You want me to witch sit?" questioned Aberforth as the words sunk in.

"I suppose I do," replied Albus. "And whatever you do, do not let her know what you are doing because she will hex us both into next year and further."

"Why do you think she needs to have me look out for her?" asked Aberforth, who was beginning to get the feeling that there was more to this than his brother was letting on.

Albus stiffened in his chair as he saw the way his brother was looking at him. He should have known better that to try and pull the wool over his brother's eyes.

"I -I th-think she may come after us." stammered Albus.

"I know that glint in your eyes, Albus," said Aberforth as he walked over and flung himself down on the chaise lounge. "You like her, don't you?"

"No!" lied Albus quickly.

"The way you answered that makes me think differently," replied Aberforth looking at his brother. "What is so wrong about liking her? It's about time you found someone. I have been worried about you brother."

"I hardly think you can preach to me on the subject," snapped Albus. "After all, you are the man who prefers to spend time with goats rather than people!"

"I'll look after your girlfriend, Alby!" said Aberforth using the pet name their mother used to call his brother.

"She isn't my girlfriend," replied Albus briskly. "Will you stop looking into things like that?"

"You can say all you like Albus," said his brother. "But I know you all too well. You care for this woman and you don't want her to get hurt. It's completely understandable and there is no shame in looking after the one you love."

Albus moaned slightly. Aberforth had hit the nail on the head. The whole reason he wasn't taking her with him was because he loved her and didn't want her getting in harms way. He hadn't told her that of course because he would probably get a slap on the face. She had been his student for Merlin's sake! How much more unprofessional could he be? He decided to let Aberforth know exactly what he was feeling because he knew that Aberforth wouldn't tell anyone, apart from his goats.

"I admit I care deeply for her," began Albus slowly. "She doesn't know this. I can't tell her Abe. She is eighty years younger than me for Merlin's sake. She is intelligent, witty, enchanting and so beautiful. What would she see in a old man like me?"

"You won't know until you ask!" said Aberforth wisely.

"I am not going to make a fool of myself Abe," snapped Albus. "Will you just promise me you will look after her? Take her out for a meal or a walk, something like that."

"Albus," said Aberforth calmly "you might not make a fool of yourself. Tell her."

"Are you going to do what I ask or will I have to find someone else?" asked Albus sternly.

"You can dodge the subject all you like Albus Dumbledore but you can't deny your heart!" pointed out Aberforth. "I will keep an eye on her. You have my word."

"Thank you!" replied Albus getting to his feet. "I must go now and meet the rest of my team."

"Albus," asked Aberforth, as his brother was about to leave, "haven't you forgotten something!"

"What?" questioned Albus?

"Her name!" said Aberforth.

"Oh sorry," answered Albus "Minerva McGonagall!"

to be continued…

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