Adjusting
Today had been the funeral of Aphrodite, her husband and their three sons. The Magical Community had been outraged by this vicious attack and had flocked to pay their respects to the outstanding family. Minerva along with Athena had been present for the service. Minerva had allowed silent tears to run down her face as she tried to console the small three year old crying in her lap. She had refused to stay longer than necessary. They were the first to lay flowers on the tombs then they left with a pop, leaving many to stare at an empty spot with concerned gazes.
Instead of returning to McGonagall Estate, Minerva and Athena had returned to Minerva's secluded vacation home in the Scottish mountainside. She had come to the conclusion that Athena needed time to adjust to her and vice versa. She had decided decorating the child's new room would help them along so that is what they were in the process of doing.
Minerva had picked the guest room across the hall as the one to designate as Athena's very own. She had magically painted the room pink as Athena had asked. She had shrunk the bed, chest and dressing table down to a child's size. She had changed the plain blue bedding into pink bedding with big bright flowers all over them. Athena had squealed in delight when Minerva added a small table with chairs holding a small silver tea set. Just for good measure she added three dolls in the chairs leaving one open for Athena. "I think that should take care of your new room Athena," Minerva said happily.
Athena glanced around the room before a thought occurred to her. She ran over to the chest and opened a drawer only to find it empty. "I don't have any clothes Auntie M," she whined.
Minerva frowned a bit before she thought of a conclusion. She walked over and scooped up her niece in her arms. "I guess we will have to go shopping for new clothes tomorrow," she said excitedly.
"Yea," yelled Athena. "I love shopping."
"I know," responded Minerva then asked, "How about we go down to the kitchens and find something to eat for dinner?"
The little raven hair beauty nodded and hugged the older woman tightly. "I love you Auntie M."
"I love you too," she replied emotionally.
The next day found an exhausted Minerva stretched out on the couch while an energetic Athena bounced around the room playing with her new toys. They had been shopping earlier that day and Athena had secured a whole new wardrobe. The little girl had picked out most of her outfits but Minerva had insisted on helping her pick out her shoes. Somehow Athena had convinced her aunt that she needed a few new toys and Minerva had reluctantly given in. Now Minerva was trying to recuperate from her tiresome shopping spree while keep an eye on the little girl, her little girl.
After nearly fifteen minutes of playing, Athena tuckered herself out and climbed up on Minerva's chest. She rested her head on the older woman's chest so she could hear her heartbeat and quickly fell asleep. Minerva smiled while wrapping her arms securely around Athena. She planted a tiny kiss to the girl's forehead then slowly drifted off to dreamland.
A loud popping sound woke the two peacefully sleeping females on the couch while thoroughly startling them. Minerva turned to see her best friends Rolanda Hooch, Poppy Pomfrey and Georgia Sprout standing in the center of the room holding large boxes. She gave them a quizzical look accompanied by a raised eyebrow. "We thought that Athena might enjoy some of her things," Hooch offered.
"Sky," Athena asked hopefully, still a bit groggy from her nap.
The three standing women shared confused looks but Minerva just smiled sweetly at the curly top girl before answering, "Why don't we take a look in the boxes to see if they brought your stuffed unicorn?"
She nodded her approval then climbed off Minerva and headed towards the boxes that had been dropped on the floor. Minerva stopped her as she levitated the boxes up the stairs, beckoning everyone to follow her. She sat them on the floor in Athena's room and started sorting through the boxes, putting things away as she went. The others jump in and within ten minutes they had everything placed in the room and Athena had found her favorite toy. "Auntie M, I'm hungry," her niece announced then her stomach growled loudly causing the women to bust out laughing.
"Alright wee one, what do you want to eat?" she asked motherly causing her friends to eye her curiously.
"A cheese sandwich," she answered after a few minutes of thinking.
"You can have a cheese sandwich with a bowl of vegetable soup," comprised Minerva.
Athena made a face of distaste but agreed nonetheless. She was extremely hungry and she already knew it was pointless to argue with her Auntie M. "If I eat all of my soup can I have some ice cream?" she asked sweetly.
"Only if you eat all of your soup," Minerva gave in.
Athena jumped up and down in her excitement then grabbed Georgia and Poppy's hands and started dragging them towards the kitchen. Hooch chuckled as she slung her arm over Minerva's shoulders and directed her towards the kitchen. "I guess we're staying for dinner," she laughed and Minerva just agreed her mirth evident in her smile.
Nearly three hours after dinner, Minerva made Athena prepare for bed. When she crawled underneath the covers, Minerva sat down on the edge of the bed and softly began to sing a Scottish lullaby. By the song's end, Athena had been lulled to sleep by Minerva's beautiful voice. Minerva planted a loving kiss on the girl's forehead then eased her way off of the bed. She quietly started for the door and noticed her three friends watching teary-eyed from the doorway. She motioned for them to move out of the way as she closed the door slowly.
"How much did you three see," she demanded once they were in the parlor and seated.
The three witches looked at one another guiltily before Sprout answered, "The entire time, I didn't realize you had such a motherly side."
"Or had such an enchanting voice," Hooch piped in.
"Stop the flattery," she said as she blushed at their praise.
"Minerva, does Athena mention her parents or brothers any," Poppy asked concern evident in her tone.
Minerva focused on Poppy and wondered why she had asked it. She thought about the question she had been asked and then frowned. "Now that I think about it she hasn't uttered the first word about them. She cried when she was first brought to me and at the funeral but that was all," Minerva answered worriedly.
Poppy sighed then jumped up to pace. "A three year old girl should be questioning what's going on. It worries me that she hasn't asked why she is now living with you or where her parents or brothers are. I just don't understand why she isn't being inquisitive," Poppy stated frustrated.
"What do you think I should do for Athena," Minerva questioned her friend.
Poppy turned towards her longtime friend and gave a weak smile. "You have to get her to talk about what happened. Take her to visit McGonagall Estate, the graveyard or any place that holds special meaning for the family. I'm afraid of what will happen to her mindset if she doesn't deal with this tragedy," Poppy answered brutally honest.
Minerva sighed loudly before saying, "I'll start tomorrow. It will be good for both of us."