The next day Professor McGonagall apparated again to give Abbey the potion she promised. She also gave Garret a copy of Hogwarts a History, one of the books he'd need for the year. Despite it being pristine and well taken care of, the loose spine and slightly yellowed pages marked it as an older and well used book.
I wonder if it's hers. The professor does look like the sort of person who would care for her books, and she's been nice to us, especially given the circumstances.
Garret thanked her sincerely, which caused the middle-age witch to smile in a way that was discontinuous with her image of being equal parts wicked witch of the west and severe school mistress, and for that reason was actually rather pleasant.
She didn't seem comfortable staying around the house though, and left promptly, but not before the Crosses had apologized for attacking her, for probably the sixth time.
In her haste she missed Garret's Uncle, Adam Meier, who was coming to visit that day.
"Hello Sis, Hello little Garret! How are you both doing?" Adam boomed as he walked into the living room, setting down his things. "Uncle Bear!" Garret yelled as he ran over to embrace the Cambridge professor of Chemistry. He had well earned the nickname of 'bear' being a huge and bearded man, his barrel chest straining his suspenders contrasting against the rest of his families' more lithe frames. All together he looked more like an archetypal Canadian lumberjack than your typical academic.
"How are you doing little bear?" He said, effortlessly picking up his nephew with one arm, and leaning in to hug his sibling. "You look… well the both of you," he lied, rather poorly, noticing his sister's still tear-stained face. She had been crying on and off since she had gotten her memories back; it wasn't easy sorting through years of lost time, of a lover she had only been made to forget.
"Here Garret; I brought something for you" the man said, bending down and passing Garret heavy box which read; Magician's kit, which depicted a child in a top hat holding cards and a wand.
Garret's eyes widened "You know about Hogwarts too! This is great! Thank you Uncle Adam!" and he began to open it, oblivious to his mother's face going suddenly pale.
"Hogwarts? Is that some game kids are playing now days? Anyway why don't you get started on that while I talk to your mother in the other room. Who knows" he said, rustling the boy's hair, "maybe you'll have mastered the ring trick by the time I get back."
Garret nodded, happily, as he opened the box and examined all the wonderful devices within, as the two adults went to the kitchen for some tea, and more serious matters.
"How's it going sis? Anything I can help you with?" He asked, as Abbey choked slightly unable to meet his eyes. She'd never liked lying, and trying to keep this form family was… was…
"No, I… Actually things are going really well. I saw the doctor the other day, and it seems that I'm in remission, I've" she had to pause again to steady herself, she'd always considered herself a strong person, but the emotional weight of years of love and loss is not something one can deal with in only a day. She still cursed what she considered weakness in herself as she met her brother's gaze with a melancholy smile.
"I've started remembering things as well. It can be a bit overwhelming at times."
"That's, That's unbelievable!" The man said jumping to his feet. "You're getting better!" I mean, he hushed his voice suddenly, "are you sure, I mean, have you told Garret yet?"
"Yes, he knows. He's going to be attending a new private school as well soon," she chuckled, not quite naturally, "with all their formal uniforms he's gotten it into his head that it's a school for sorcerers!"
"Oh that's fantastic! Just as well I got him that magic kit then. It's important you know; that he learns early to be skeptical of claims of the supernatural. Once you learn how the trick is done you can't be taken in by it. Who knows, with his chutzpah I bet he'll be showing those so called magicians a thing or two before long!" Said the scientist, so wrapped up in the pleasant thought that he didn't notice that his sister was sweating nervously at the close call.