Chapter 29: Dumbledores at Home
Albus groaned as he turned over in bed trying to drown out the sound of his child crying.
"Is she all right?" he yawned propping himself up on his elbow.
"You go back to sleep Albus," Minerva sighed. It was clear she was close to tears.
Honoria had colic and had not stopped crying since she was brought home. She was quickly driving her family to the brink of melt downs.
"I'll take her mum. You haven't slept in days," Harry said tiredly as he entered his parents' room rubbing his tired eyes.
"No Harry you're a growing boy still. You need it much more," Minerva cried as she bounced her baby.
"But you are still recovering my dear. You need it far more than the rest of us. Here you lay down and Harry and I will take Honoria down stairs to let you rest," Albus stated as he gently took the little one from her mother.
Minerva sighed; too tired to protest and she was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
Albus and Harry went down stairs with the screaming little one and attempted every form of ways to soothe her they know and all was to no avail.
"This is hopeless dad! As hopeless as that prophecy! I shall either live or die by Voldemort and we shall go mad before she silences," Harry exclaimed in exasperation.
After the trouble at the Ministry Albus had sat his son down and explained the prophecy. Harry had screamed in anger and run out of the office only to return hours later apologize and explaining his grandmother had explained things to him better and he was ready for what ever would come.
"I'm afraid you may be right in both aspects," Albus sighed as he rocked the child.
There was a knock at the door and Harry went to answer it blinking in shock when he saw that it was Katherine with a suitcase and black eye.
"What happened Gran?" Harry asked hurriedly pulling the woman in.
"Your Great Aunt is as mean as a bull and twice as strong. She's kicked me out until I decide whether I want to be charged as the new minister or not," Katherine sighed setting down the suitcase, "I was hoping to stay here."
"Normally we would love that…but I don't think you will want to stay after an hour of this," Albus sighed walking into the foyer holding the screaming child.
"Colic?" Katherine asked seeing the tired looks.
"Immeasurably," Albus nodded.
"And no one thinks to call grandmother. Tsk tsk," Katherine sighed clicking her tongue as she took the baby in her arms.
"Come come my wee bonnie one. Let's us silence ourselves and sleep peacefully," Katherine soothed as she placed a few drops of the liquid in her flask on the baby's tongue. The baby quieted and snuggled into Katherine's breast falling to sleep.
Albus and Harry stared at Katherine with their mouths hanging open and their eyes wide.
"What did you just give her?" Albus asked.
"I shall tell you when you're older," Katherine smirked, "Now if you will excuse us this little lady and I shall retire for a nap."
They nodded and watched her go up the stairs before collapsing on the two couches asleep.
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Minerva woke up a few hours later to find her son and husband sleeping on the couches in the sitting room. All was quiet and she was curious where her daughter was.
"Harry, Harry darling wake up," Minerva said quietly shaking his shoulder. Harry slowly opened his eyes and looked up at his mother.
"Where's Honoria?" Minerva asked.
"Upstairs with Gran," Harry yawned and rolled over back to sleep.
Curious what her mother was doing here she went upstairs looking for her. Katherine was found curled up on the second floor guest bed sleeping quietly with Honoria curled up to her stomach sleeping as well.
Minerva leaned in the door way and smiled as she remembered seeing the same sight many times over the years. There was just something about grandmother that just seemed to calm the little ones.
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Katherine woke up an hour or so after her nap to find Honoria slobbering all over her hair.
"You silly little thing," she laughed gently tugging her hair away and securing it in a ponytail. Annoyed her toy was taken away Honoria started to get fussy and scrunch her face up in anger.
"Oh no you don't your horrid little thing. Mummy and daddy are far too frazzled for that," Katherine said sternly as she sat up and stared down at the baby.
Honoria sniffed quietly and held up her small hands with tears in her green eyes.
"Now that's better. How about we try that when mummy and daddy when they see you," Katherine smiled as she gently lifted the baby and got off of the bed.
Katherine cooed to the small creature as they walked down the steps toward the kitchen.
"You look so much like mummy. But I think you'll be like me…which is not necessarily a good thing to say because you'll get into too much trouble. I suggest you be like your big brother. He'll lead you in the right direction," Katherine explained.
The baby listened as though she understood but really….how much does a two month old understand?
They entered the kitchen to wonderful smells as Minerva stood at the stove wearing a red apron. Her walking stick close by. Albus and Harry could be seen sitting on the back porch swing talking quietly.
"How has your chest been dear?" Katherine asked placing the baby in the little bouncing seat that was on top of the table.
"It hurts but it's not really that bad. I've been using the potions you sent me," Minerva answered with her back to her mother.
"The next time Honoria has colic stick your finger in a brandy bottle and swirl it in her mouth. Brandy is good for colic and teething," Katherine replied as she played with the baby's toes smiling at her.
"I really rather not give her brandy mother," Minerva replied turning around.
"Suit yourself but it did you no harm," Katherine shrugged.
"Why didn't you heal your eye?" Minerva asked cocking her head to the side and staring at her.
"A reminder till I make my decision," Katherine responded, "In your opinion should I be Minister?"
"In all honesty I think so," Minerva nodded, "You are well aware of both muggle and wizarding happenings and you've always been able to pacify politicians. Plus you don't ask Albus to make decisions…you make decisions for Albus," she said with a giggle, "I really think you can do it."
Katherine nodded as she stood and left the room. She really needed to be alone and think.
The Dumbledores did not see any of their matriarch the rest of the evening and night. When they went upstairs that night to sleep they found her already asleep.
