Minerva waited impatiently for Albus to come. For most of the morning she was pacing around the room. Like a lioness caught in a cage, she was aggravated easily. Finally the door opened and she turned around smiling hoping for Albus, but it wasn't him. It was Artimus.
"Oh, it's you."
He laughed. "Yes, it is me. Albus sent me."
"Did he now?"
"Yes, it was unfortunate for him because father caught him before he could get you. He has been in my fathers study for hours now. He made me promise that if he could not come to show around, there was no better person then me."
"So, instead of telling your father no, he let himself become trapped and sent you."
"Pretty much."
"Well, he should know that I won't go now."
"Look, I think it might be good if you came out even just to the fields. You have been trapped inside houses and rooms long enough."
She knew this was true, but she hadn't seen Albus in a long time either. She couldn't help but be stubborn until he paid attention to her. "No."
"Don't make me drag you out." He said with a laugh. Something she recognized as something like Albus would say.
"You would do that?"
"Oh most certainly."
She shook her head and laughed. "Fine, I'll go to the fields." He smiled happily and offered his hand. She laughed and took it.
He led her through a series of corridors and chambers. She looked at everything with interest. She asked dozens of questions and Artimus answered them with perfect clarity. He took her too the fields but didn't stop until they came to the far edge. It was a cliff and the perfect view of the lake and its mists.
"It's a beautiful sight."
"Indeed, I spent most of my free time as a child here, with Amadeus."
"Sounds like you were close."
He smiled. "He was my twin brother."
"I can see that. It must have hit you hard to know he died."
"Yes, well I didn't understand it then. You know, why it hurt so much. But, now it doesn't because I realized my true brother died long ago and it was Grindlewald who enslaved me. I would not weep for him."
"What about Amadeus?"
He looked her in the eye and an orange flash came across his eyes. "I already shed tears for him." She nodded and gentle sat down. He moved to help her, but she pulled away. He sat beside her, looking out onto the water. "I can see why my brother is in love with you." He finally said.
"Really? Why do you think he is in love with me?"
"You're a beautiful person. Not just on the outside, but on the inside." She blushed and looked away. Artimus pulled one of her stray hairs behind her ear. "He is very lucky to have you."
She felt a gentle nudging in her stomach and she smiled. "One of the babies is kicking." He looked at her.
"Really?"
"Yeah, here feel."
She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. He smiled and she could see the family resemblance between Albus and him. After a moment he took his hand back. He looked at the ground in almost a sad fashion. "What is wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing."
"No something."
"Nothing."
"I am not stupid you know. Is it Albus?" he shook his head. "You father or any of your family?" he shook his head again. "Then is it me?" He didn't respond nor did he move. "What is wrong with me?"
"Nothing."
"This has to do with what Autumn told you, doesn't it?"
"No." he said blankly avoiding her.
"You know if Albus and I get married this little problem could cause our relationship to be uncomfortable."
"It's already uncomfortable."
"Really? How so?"
"I can't say."
"Yes you can."
"No, I can't!"
Minerva stared at him hard and he stared even harder back. Before she knew what happened he put his hand on her cheek and then kissed her. He then quickly backed off and stood up.
"Come, I should get you back to your room. Albus should be done by now."
Out of shock she followed him back to her room.