Chapter 3
"Poppy, are you there?" Minerva called out.
A figure moved into view, and much to her mortification, she felt a few tears slide down her cheek. She couldn't seem to find her voice now that one of her best friends stood before her. What could she say?
"Whatever is the matter, dear?" Poppy asked with concern etching her voice. "You should be gone on your vacation by now."
Another voice spoke up from beyond Minerva's view. "Don't tell me he cancelled yet another vacation." Xiomara Hooch came to stand beside Poppy with a cup of tea in her hands.
Minerva could only nod, which had the result of both friends looking shocked and speechless. Minerva's tears began to fall more earnestly and her best friends both began to speak soothingly, trying to reassure her that everything would be okay.
"I can hex him for you," Xia finally volunteered when none of their platitudes seemed to be working. However, her remark only caused Minerva to cry all the harder.
"We're coming right over," Poppy announced as she grabbed Xiomara's arm.
"You don't have to manhandle me," Xiomara's voice called out as Minerva's two friends disappeared from view.
Minerva pulled back and wiped at her eyes as she stood. Her first thought was she couldn't let them see her looking like this. It certainly wasn't dignified, and she quickly made her way to the wardrobe to pull out some fresh robes to wear. She felt comforted by looking through her clothes and calmed enough that her tears stopped once again.
It was while she was rummaging for the light green summer robes that she had bought just a couple weeks ago that she noticed them. The dress robes she had packed for Albus were hanging on his side at the far end, and the blue ones she liked so much were missing. At first she thought she was simply tired but after a thorough search she had to admit he had switched out the robes. But why?
As she charmed her hair back from her face, Minerva's temper once again began to grow. Gone was the overwhelming despair and sadness that had gripped her earlier. The only reason she could find for Albus to switch out his dress robes was that he wanted to look particularly nice at the ball. And there was no reason he should want to look particularly nice unless there was someone to impress. And that someone, since Minerva would not be in attendance, had to be Aurelia.
The more she thought on it, the more her mind began to spin out possibilities and the more furious she became. So when the knock sounded on her door that signaled the arrival of her friends, it was an irate Minerva who answered the door, a rather dramatic change from the crying mess she had been when they had seen her last.
"Darling, are you okay?" Poppy asked as she flew through the door.
As was her nature, and probably a good part of why she had become a mediwitch, the sturdy woman took charge and had Minerva seated and a hot cup of tea in her hands in no time. In fact, Xiomara was still standing by the door and deciding where to sit when Poppy took her own seat and began her questioning.
"Tell us what happened. I can't imagine what could be so important that he would cancel your vacation. You worked so hard on it after all. And I know he was looking forward to it as much as you were."
"Perhaps if you let her speak we could find out," Xia said as she sat down and Summoned her own cup of tea, and a sandwich.
Poppy huffed but stayed quiet to allow Minerva to speak. For her part, Minerva was not really sure where to start. She was still so angry over the robes that everything else was being pushed out of her mind. The banter between her friends had helped ease the tension she felt, but she was still thrumming with energy. She took a deep sip of tea and allowed it to warm her. The two sets of eyes never strayed far from her face.
"On Wednesday, Albus spoke with the Headmaster of Beauxbatons. The two of them have been working jointly on an important research project. The results were to be presented at the International Wizarding Conference this weekend. Unfortunately, Francois, who was going to be the presenter, became ill and Albus had no choice but to take his place."
Xiomara snorted before taking a sip of tea while Poppy tsked in sympathy.
"On top of that, Aurelia owled to ask him to dinner. It appears that her room will be across the hall at the hotel, so there will be plenty of opportunities for them to visit."
This had both of her friends' attention. Minerva had shared a few stories of Aurelia and they both were very aware of her history with Albus.
"Oh dear," muttered Poppy.
"Bloody hell," cursed Xiomara.
"My thoughts exactly," said Minerva calmly, though her voice shook ever so slightly.
"Tell us everything from the beginning," Poppy encouraged as she took Minerva's hand.
And Minerva did, from the romantic lunch where he broke the news until right before they arrived when she discovered the switched dress robes. To her credit she never broke down. There were a few tense moments, and Poppy had even handed her a handkerchief at one point when her eyes became moist, but Minerva never wavered because she wasn't sure that she could ever get through it if she did.
"I know he was just trying to make it up to me with the romantic meals and flowers, but everything he did just made it worse and now he is gone," Minerva concluded. "Was I too harsh on him?"
"There was a reason that all of his romantic notions upset you Minerva. He has done this entirely too many times. He can't expect your feelings and expectations to be trumped time and again and for you to forgive him because he hands you a bouquet of flowers," Xiomara stated sympathetically.
"She's right dear. Albus may be brilliant, but sometimes he can be a bit thick where you are concerned." Poppy squeezed Minerva's hand before letting go.
Minerva went over everything in her mind again as the two witches refilled the tea and requested some chocolate confections from a house elf. Her anger was nearly gone, and she found that she was truly exhausted. Just having someone listen to her and support her had made a large difference in her handling of the events. However, one thing was still bothering her.
"What about the dress robes?" Minerva questioned.
Poppy and Xiomara both stopped what they were doing before looking at Minerva. Neither one said anything until they had both taken their seats. The tension in the air seemed to thicken until Poppy broke the silence and spoke.
"I am sure there is a reasonable explanation. Perhaps he just prefers the blue."
"True," Minerva said. "But he doesn't usually go through his bags so thoroughly. And he has never had a problem when I've packed those robes before. And what about the owl from Aurelia? That arrived a bit faster than I would have expected. How did she know he was suddenly going to be there?"
Minerva was sitting forward in her seat now and she was obviously agitated.
"I am sure…" Poppy began again.
"There is a reasonable explanation," Minerva finished for her with a frown. "Yes, I realize that but what could it be?"
Xiomara had remained quite through the whole exchange and when Minerva turned her attention to her she visibly winced.
"What do you think Xia?"
"Well," she began, "It is a rather odd set of circumstances. What do you think?"
"What if Albus is actually seeing Aurelia…for more than dinner?" Minerva blurted out.
There she had said it. Of course saying it made it all the more real. Minerva felt her heart constrict painfully, but she couldn't hold it in any longer. Of course Albus loved her, of course she was being silly, but she needed confirmation of it from her friends.
"Don't be ridiculous," Poppy said instantly, as Minerva knew she would. "Albus loves you completely. Besides, he never would have showed you the letter in the first place if that were the case."
Xia frowned. "Yes but that still doesn't explain it. How do we know that it is all innocent? And even if Albus is innocent, then how do we know that Aurelia is not setting things up to lure him into a trap to try and win him back? Her husband did die a few years ago, right Minerva?"
"Yes," Minerva answered faintly.
Her original intention of making her ideas seem ridiculous were now flying out the window. What if that was Aurelia's intention? How could she stop it when she couldn't even be there to witness it? And could Albus resist his childhood sweetheart who had broken his heart, especially considering he had left an upset and unhappy wife behind?
"I am sure we are overreacting," Poppy said suddenly as Minerva started to look very pale. "Xia you should be ashamed. How do we know it wasn't a friendly note? She has invited both of them to dinner and drinks before."
At that moment a snowy owl came flying in the window and dropped a letter on the table beside Minerva. Surprised, it took Minerva a minute before she was able to procure a treat and as such was nipped rather harshly by the impatient owl. When it left again, Minerva picked up the note and nearly dropped it when she read the outside. Her laughter, when it burst forth, had an eerie quality to it.
"Who's it from?" Xia questioned with concern and curiosity.
"Who do you think?" Minerva spat, not in reaction to her friend's question but rather at the witch who was invading her life so thoroughly.
"It can't be," Poppy exclaimed.
"It most certainly is," Minerva responded as she tore open the missive.
"My Dear Albus,
I hope this reaches you – the owls here are most unreliable and I was not sure what your departure time would be.
I came across an old diary yesterday from when the two of us had traveled to Italy for a holiday. I was reading through it and was reminded of a little cafe that served the most exquisite coffee and Pane Uva – perhaps you recall how much we loved Indulgenza Di Mattina. It turns out our accommodations for the seminar are around the corner and I was hoping we could meet in the hotel lobby, say around 7, and perhaps enjoy a delicious breakfast on Saturday morning before the dreary lectures begin.
Since learning you'd be here instead of Francois, I've been looking forward to catching up on old times and extremely fond memories with you. And who can resist the pleasures of a delicious cappuccino. I hope you will join me.
Until tomorrow,
Aurelia"
"Oh my," Poppy said quietly.
Minerva, for her part, was trying to decide whether to hex the paper before tearing it into bits and throwing it in the fire or to simply breakdown crying. However, neither happened as the paper was unceremoniously pulled from her grasp. She looked up to find Xia studying the paper intently.
"This seals it," she announced.
"Seals what?" questioned Poppy.
"Well, obviously Aurelia must be up to something," Xiomara stated as she rolled her eyes. "Why else would she bring up all that rot about their trip and old times?"
Minerva wasn't sure what to think, and obviously Poppy felt the same way for neither spoke in response to Xia's statements. A rising panic began to take hold of Minerva's emotions, and her stomach started to churn horribly. How could she stop this witch from stealing her husband's affections from so far away? She could send a letter, of course, but she knew Albus would think she was simply being paranoid.
"What do I do?" Minerva questioned quietly.
"We're going to the conference," Xiomara stated as she began to fold the letter and place it in her pocket.
"What?" both Minerva and Poppy exclaimed in shocked tones.
"You're suspicious of Aurelia, and her intentions toward Albus, and with good reason, Minerva. Rather than waiting to see what happens or fretting over this Aurelia witch, why not go to the conference and see for yourself what is going on?"
"Really, I think that is going a bit too far," Poppy said quickly. "Minerva trusts Albus implicitly, and though he has been distant and not very considerate of late, that is hardly a reason to go spying on him and this woman. I am sure he can take care of himself. "
"Poppy, just look at Minerva. She is a wreck, and she just told us she is worried about his actions. And how do you explain the switched dress robes and how Aurelia knew Albus would be there in the first place? We don't know for certain that Aurelia is the only one with plans." Xiomara said, the last sentence spoken more quietly than the rest. "I trust Albus, as well, but sometimes wizards get odd ideas in their heads, and this Aurelia witch seems to be playing her cards carefully. This will help Minerva, and Albus will never even know we are there."
Poppy took a moment to look at Minerva, who had stayed quiet through the exchanges. "But if we are wrong. After all, I am sure there is a perfectly reasonable…"
"Oh bollocks! That's a load of tripe and you know it."
"The only load of tripe in this room…" Poppy started to say, her face flushed.
"Now, now, you two, the last thing I need is my two best friends fighting over what I should do. I think the decision is mine to make after all," Minerva stated calmly, calmly enough that her friends were eyeing her warily. "How would you propose we get invitations to the symposium?" Minerva questioned Xia.
"Surely you're not considering this?" Poppy asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
"I am," Minerva said as she turned to look at the mediwitch. "If you do not wish to be a part of it then I understand. But I just have to know."
Poppy shook her head. "I don't know why I let you two always talk me into these things."
Xiomara gave a whoop of laughter while Poppy glared at the overzealous witch. Minerva gave a slight smile at their antics. She felt her spirits lifting. She was going to do something, something that did not involve wallowing in self-pity while she waited for her husband to return. She might be angry and frustrated with Albus and his work, but she still loved him and she was damned if she was going to allow Aurelia to come between them.
"So what do we need to do?" Minerva questioned.
"You need to take a nap," Xiomara said sternly. "Poppy, give her some Dreamless, but only enough so she can catch a couple hours of rest. We leave this afternoon, so be sure to pack appropriately. I will take care of everything else, including the invitations, after all, I am the one with the appropriate connections," she stated slyly.
"But…" Minerva started.
"No, no questions or excuses. I will be here by 3 o'clock to go over our plans."
Xiomara rushed for the door, leaving Minerva and Poppy standing there, expecting them to follow her orders.
"Oh, and wear a dark traveling cloak with a hood," she managed to announce just before the door clicked shut behind her.
A/N: Once again, thanks for all the reviews. Up next…the girls head off to the conference and you'll finally meet Aurelia…dun dun dun!
