Chapter 37-Sharing Minaveara

Poppy had been correct to assume that Albus and Minerva would not get a moment alone with their new baby once the others had awoken. The two had had about an hour to take turns holding their newest baby, noticing that their baby girl was much quieter than the rest of the Dumbledores had been as babies, only whimpering when she was unhappy, rather than screaming. They both felt that it was a nice change; after all, Andromeda was still capable of screaming enough for all of the Dumbledore children combined. Minaveara did not even scream once as she was passed around the large group of people, being fawned over and cooed at, though she did fuss a few times. Minerva had to admit she was a bit disappointed that she didn't have a reason to take her baby back, but she decided to relax, as she was going to have the next hundred or more years with Minaveara. She assumed she was a bit on edge because she had nearly lost Minaveara. She had thought that she was going to die without knowing her baby, and it unnerved her.

Albus was absolutely beaming. He looked happier than he had in a long time, and Minerva found that it brought her strength as well, to see his eyes twinkling with such intensity once more as he watched Minaveara. Minerva still felt weak, though Poppy had assured her that there was no trace of poison left in her system, and so she was lying back against Albus, whose arms remained securely around her waist for the entire time the large group stayed in the Hospital Wing.

At one point everyone began to feel hungry, and Albus decided to have a large, extravagant feast in the Great Hall for everyone to celebrate the wonderful turn of events. The elder Dumbledores went home to freshen up and retrieve their families. Albus, who had had Severus send a letter to get Hagrid out of Azkaban, watched over Minaveara while Minerva took a nap. Andromeda, who had woken soon after Albus and Minerva, limped her way to the Hufflepuff common room to inform them of the feast, while Anexandra went to Gryffindor, Callisto went to Ravenclaw, and Daniel went to Slytherin. Io and Perseus waited by Pleis's bedside while Poppy woke him from his Petrified state, and Harry and Ron sat by Hermione's.

By the end of the day, everyone within the castle was happy, except Draco Malfoy and Eliana Dumbledore, who weren't too pleased when Draco's father was fired from the School Board of Governors. The feast was a lot more chaotic than most, owing mostly to the fact that Minerva was too elated herself to care. Students sat amongst friends no matter what the House table, whether it was their own or not. Dumbledores and their families sat at the staff table, or the House table they once sat at themselves, telling some of the eager children about their days at Hogwarts. Many gathered around the Gryffindor table, where Andromeda sat, telling the tragic tale of her journey through the Chamber of Secrets in search of her mother and Ginny, and how she attempted to sacrifice herself to the monster within in order to save her sisters, Harry, and Ron, who had been paralyzed with fear. Anexandra and Callisto merely rolled their eyes and told the rest about the real story.

A lot of timid girls, and even some bolder boys walked straight up to the staff table and asked to hold Minaveara, who seemed frightened by such attention at first, but had gradually gotten used to it as the night wore on. In fact, she even seemed to be enjoying herself, though it was hard to tell, as she was just a newborn. Hagrid burst into the Great Hall halfway through the feast, demanding to see the new Dumbledore baby, and even shedding a few joyful tears at the sight of the baby girl in Minerva's arms, though the tears could have also been from his gratefulness from being out of Azkaban. The children's joy was only heightened when Albus informed them that there would be no exams. And even more so when Minerva stated that Gilderoy Lockhart would not be returning next year, owing to the fact that he needed to go and get his memory back. Even the staff joined into that applause.

The feast lasted late into the night, until Albus and Minerva thought it best to move Minaveara to a more quiet environment. Albus and Minerva said their goodbyes to their older children and grandchildren, and said goodnight to the rest of their children and the students of Hogwarts before returning to their rooms. Once there, they lay Minaveara into a crib and quietly crawled into bed, sighing in short-lived relief when they had gotten comfortable, but the second their eyes closed, the sound of Minaveara's whimpering reached their ears.

Albus mumbled, "I'll get her this time," kissed Minerva on the forehead, and then crawled out of bed.

And so began the beginning of many sleepless nights for Albus and Minerva Dumbledore.

July 1993

Minerva awoke feeling trapped. The sun was searing through her closed eyelids, her long hair stuck to her neck and her face, and a constricting blanket was keeping her far too warm in the summer heat. Not to mention the heavy arm that was draped across her stomach. Shifting uncomfortably and groaning in irritation, she pushed her husband's arm away and kicked the blankets unceremoniously from her sweaty form. Pushing her hair from her face, she rolled over onto her stomach, flopping around uncomfortably and uncharacteristically, before she finally gave in and opened her eyes.

At first, all Minerva was aware of was the clock at her bedside which read, 9:00 a.m. Normally, she would never sleep so late, but all seven of the Dumbledore children had already switched to their summer schedules, staying up all night and sleeping all day. Obviously, the older six could not be left alone, as they continuously argued and fought. However, Minerva did have to admit that the fighting had lessened. Even if the children didn't fight at all, Minerva still felt uncomfortable leaving them alone while she slept, not to mention Minaveara hardly slept herself. When she did sleep, she awoke often, and Minerva could hardly hear her when she began to whimper and cry, let alone if she was asleep. Minerva had tried to convince Albus into bringing Minaveara's crib into their room, but he had insisted that she was perfectly fine where she was, and that there were about a million enchantments over her room so they would hear her if she awoke. So far Albus had been right. Minerva and Albus woke almost every hour to the sounds of Minaveara's whimpers. She still hadn't screamed like the rest of the Dumbledores had as babies.

When Minerva realized that it was only 9 o'clock, she closed her eyes once more, only to have them fly right back open when she remembered the night before. She had actually gotten to bed somewhat early, and she hadn't woken to Minaveara's cries once.

"Albus!" Minerva cried urgently, sitting up quickly and shaking her husband awake.

"What, what is it?" Albus exclaimed groggily, sitting up and looking at Minerva with tired, worried eyes.

"Minaveara," Minerva said quickly. "Did you wake up with her last night?"

"No, did you?" Albus asked.

By the look of terror on Minerva's face, Albus was quite sure that was a 'no.' Both of them lunged out of bed and hurried to their door, flinging it open and running across the hall to Minaveara's room, looking around for anything out of the ordinary. But everything was as perfect as they had left it the night before, including Minaveara, who was lying awake in her crib, her eyes darting around the room in wonder.

Minerva sighed in relief and lifted Minaveara from her crib, checking the infant over twice before being somewhat satisfied that her baby was okay. "Do you think she slept the whole night?" Minerva asked, somewhat breathlessly.

Albus took Minaveara and checked her over two more times before shaking his head and replying, "I have no idea. It seems…uncommon. And she was awake, just now, but she didn't cry once."

"Do you think one of the children got up with her?" Minerva suggested.

Albus smirked. "Our children? No, my dear, I don't see that happening."

"Well, nor do I," Minerva admitted. "But they have been helping out a bit lately. I mean, Anexandra and Callisto hardly leave my side all day, constantly asking if they can help out. Maybe they thought it would be nice to wake up with the baby. And they are powerful enough to turn off the enchantments."

"But you forget, that Anexandra and Callisto were most definitely asleep when you and I retired for the night, and nothing could wake those two once they're asleep. And all the enchantments are in place."

Minerva frowned and took Minaveara back from Albus, checking the baby over once more. "I just don't understand. She hasn't screamed once, including when she was born, and that's just not common for our children. They always have the most powerful set of lungs on them, and they make sure to use them, especially when they were newborns. It worries me, Albus. What if something's wrong?"

"Poppy assures us she's perfectly healthy," Albus said, putting a comforting hand on Minerva's shoulder.

"But what if she's wrong?" Minerva asked. "After all, Minaveara lived in a poisoned body, trapped within a magical barrier for nine months. What if, somehow, the magical barrier did something to where we can't see what's wrong with her by using magic?"

"Minerva," Albus said, placing a hand on either side of her face and forcing her to stare straight into his eyes. "I know you're worried about Minaveara, but I think you're just being a bit paranoid. Now, that is not to be taken offensively, my love, but I'm merely attempting to calm you. You must relax. If you remember, even though the poison is no longer in your system, Poppy told us that you're body is still recovering, and you can't be adding stress. You already have enough to deal with. Trust me, my dear, nothing is going to happen to this baby, and if anything is seriously wrong with her I will make sure it is taken care of-"

BANG!

"WHAT THE – PERSEUS! GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"

Albus and Minerva sighed as Andromeda's screams filled the air. Minaveara began to whimper as stomping and shouting drifted up to her ears.

Minerva shook her head and said, "Already? This early?"

Albus shrugged and kissed Minerva quickly before saying, "I'll deal with it."

And then he hurried down the stairs.

Half an hour later, the battles between the six young Dumbledores had been resolved, and Albus sent five of them to get dressed and ready for the day whilst he spoke with Eliana, who, unsurprisingly, was the beginning of the morning arguments.

"What?" Eliana asked in an irritated tone as Albus stared at her piercingly.

"I'd ask that you not speak to me in such a tone," Albus began calmly. "But I have a feeling you would not listen. So, I will demand that you not speak to me in that tone, understand?"

"But Anexandra can?" Eliana spat, folding her arms across her chest and narrowing her eyes at her father.

Albus raised an eyebrow. "You think I allow your sister to speak to me as you are now?"

"Well of course," Eliana said. "She's the perfect child isn't she? She and Callisto, and Andromeda? They found the Chamber of Secrets, saved mother and the baby, and that Ginny Weasley girl. And now everyone practically worships the ground they walk on."

"What your sisters did was wonderful, but that does not mean that the rules do not apply to them. Your mother and I do not treat anyone of you unfairly, and we are both becoming rather tired of the constant arguments and fighting. I've told your sisters and you brothers, and I'm telling you now. We will not have Minaveara growing up in such a chaotic environment. You will stop picking at your siblings, stop glaring at us all at meals, and treat everyone within this home and outside of it with respect. I've tried to reason with you since the beginning of the summer, Eliana, but if you aren't going to listen I'll have no choice but to punish you from now on. I've allowed a lot of things to get by unnoticed, but that won't happen anymore. I will not have you running off to join the Malfoy family the moment you get the chance."

"At least they treat me like the powerful being that I am!" Eliana shouted. "This family just acts like we're normal! We can't be normal, we'll never be normal, we're gods among insects, don't you see!"

Albus frowned, staring at the daughter he thought he knew. He wondered what had happened, why it was happening again. He felt as if he should have known, should have stopped it, done something to prevent history from repeating itself. He wasn't sure what he would do, what Minerva would do, if Eliana became a deatheater as Ororo had so long ago. The difference this time was that Ororo had actually cared about her family, regretted hurting them, and had come back. But Eliana didn't seem to care anymore, so, would she return? It seemed unlikely. If Eliana got away, she wouldn't come back. But if she was caged, it would only make her want to leave even more.

Albus shook his head, his eyes un-twinkling and his heart clenching painfully in his chest as it had so many times before. "Eliana," he said quietly, pleadingly. "What is it that I've done wrong? Please, help me to understand. This isn't you, this isn't what you want. Ororo returned, she knew the Malfoys and Voldemort were wrong, why can't you see that?"

Eliana shook her head this time. "Ororo was weak."

Albus could only stare at Eliana in shock for what seemed like decades, unable to think or speak. And then he heard Minerva calling his name, and he knew the conversation he was having with Eliana was over. She knew it too, and she waved her hand at her father dismissively before disappearing into her bathroom.

At some point during the day, Albus and Minerva finally managed to get themselves and all seven of their youngest children out the door, everyone bathed and dressed nicely, but informally. Today was the day that Minerva and Albus were taking Minaveara to see Minerva's mother, and then Aberforth. Minerva was not particularly happy about seeing her mother, but she knew it had to be done at some time. Helena was, after all, Minerva's mother, and Minaveara's grandmother. Still, Minerva couldn't help but feel a bit nervous, a voice in the back of her mind telling her what a bad idea this was.

The family arrived at the McGonagall home a few minutes later and began making their way down the stone path towards the front door. Albus ended an argument between Perseus and Minerva, Callisto and Anexandra argued over transfiguring food, Minerva cradled a sleeping Minaveara in one arm and wiped a smudge of dirt off of Pleis's face, much to his dismay, and Andromeda hummed loudly to herself.

"Now, remember," Minerva said as the group got closer to the front door. "Don't touch anything, you know how your grandmother will react. Speak only when you're spoken to, and don't start arguments with her, she's always right. Keep your tempers and sit or stand up straight. Boys, if there aren't enough seats, offer them to your sisters. Eliana, stop scowling, at least pretend you're happy. And if your grandmother compliments you, compliment her back, and always speak properly."

The nine of them reached the door then, and Albus reached up to knock, but Minerva said, "Wait." And then she turned to Perseus, holding her hand out.

"What?" he asked, staring at his mother as if she were crazy.

Minerva raised an eyebrow, and Perseus sighed, reaching into his robe pocket and pulling out a Dungbomb. Minerva continued to hold her hand out, and Perseus frowned, reaching into his other pocket and pulling out Stink Pellets. Minerva shook her head at him, giving him a stern look before the objects in her hand disappeared. She shot Perseus and the rest of the children a warning look before turning back towards the door.

Before anyone could knock, the door swung open to reveal a woman with dark, chocolate brown hair and matching eyes. She smiled shyly at the group and said, in a quiet voice, "Minerva, it's good to see you again."

"And you, Evangeline," Minerva replied, stepping forward to hug her old friend.

Evangeline had been the daughter of one of Minerva's nanny's, born a few years after Minerva. Evangeline had been a squib, but she and Minerva were close friends when they were young, and when Evangeline's mother died, Evangeline took over as the chef, and had lived in the McGonagall home ever since. She had been invited to Christmas dinners at the Dumbledore home, but her loyalty was with Helena, and she went where Helena wanted her. Just another thing Minerva hated about her mother.

"Hello there Albus, children," Evangeline said as she pulled away from Minerva and smiled at the others. The family said their hellos, and then Evangeline's gaze fell to the baby in Minerva's arms. "So this is the little one," Evangeline said excitedly. "And what's her name?"

"Minaveara Ariana," Minerva answered as she passed Minaveara over to Evangeline.

Evangeline smiled at the baby in her arms, her smile widening when Minaveara opened her eyes to reveal the emeralds within. Evangeline looked up at Minerva. "She has your exact eyes, all the way down to the hardly visible red dot. And it looks like she's going to have the same shade of black hair. Aw, Min, she's going to look just like you."

Before Minerva could respond, a high-pitched voice spoke from behind Evangeline. "Evangeline! What are you doing? Is Minerva here?"

"Yes, Mrs. McGonagall," Evangeline called over her shoulder. "Minerva, Albus, and the children just arrived."

"Well why didn't you say anything?" And then Minerva's mother, Helena McGonagall, stepped into the doorway, her nose in the air, her back ramrod straight, her black hair pulled back in a tight bun, her flowing red robes as astonishing and clean as ever, and a thin-lipped smile on her face. "Ah, Minerva dear, there you are," Helena said. "Come in, come in everyone."

Evangeline and Helena stepped out of the doorway and the Dumbledores stepped into the McGonagall home. Evangeline returned Minaveara to Minerva, and the eleven of them began making their way into the pristine living room.

The McGonagall home was about as homely and inviting as the Fudge home had been to Albus. Ancient artifacts and expensive paintings lined the walls, but there was only one family portrait and, while it was rather large, it was quite a depressing sight. Minerva recalled when the portrait had been painted. It had been more of a joke than anything at the time, but times had changed. Minerva hadn't always loathed her mother, in fact, they were rather close. Minerva had loved and admired both her mother and her father, and they had been quite happy. The painting, with Minerva sitting in a chair at the age of twelve, and her parents standing behind her, not one of them smiling, had been Minerva's father, Calibos Perseus McGonagall's, idea. He had thought that it would be rather funny for the three of them to look like an 'ignorant high-power family.' And indeed, it was rather hard for the three of them to keep such straight faces while the picture was painted. At one time Minerva had looked to the portrait and laughed, but now it was merely a reminder of what had been.

Minerva's mother had always preached cleanliness and the need for Minerva to act 'lady-like' in the presence of others, but it had never been enforced so seriously, until Minerva's father was murdered. It had been done by a few of Voldemort's deatheaters, during the war, just a few years before Aurora was killed. After that, Helena had gone into a sort of depression, and told Evangeline to remove all of the family photos from the house, which were now in the Dumbledore home. However, the depressing family painting had stayed, for what reason, Minerva did not know. She too had grieved for her father's death, and named Pleis and Perseus after him years later. And she knew that she could not understand how her mother felt, so she had tried to not be bothered by her mother's sudden overly strict and prim behavior. But it had gotten to the point where Minerva could no longer deal with it. Helena ran off with men she claimed to be her soul mates, only to leave them weeks later, she chose favorites in grandchildren, disrespected Albus, and constantly told Minerva that she had far too many children, which was her excuse for not remembering their birthdays. And so Minerva had cracked, unable to handle the stress, she came to terms with the fact that she had not only lost her father almost sixteen years ago, but her mother as well.

"Evangeline," Helena said, taking a seat in the large, wingback chair in the middle of the room and adjusting the voluminous skirts of her robes. "Make us some tea, will you?"

"Of course, Miss Helena," Evangeline nodded, smiling at Minerva before hurrying from the room.

"Now, let me see the child," Helena said, holding out her arms.

Minerva resisted the urge to grind her teeth and smiled kindly at her mother, passing Minaveara to Helena and then taking a seat next to her, folding her hands in her lap.

"What did you say her name was?" Helena asked, examining Minaveara as if she were a new object Helena was considering purchasing.

"Minaveara Ariana," Minerva answered, looking to her family to make sure they were behaving themselves.

The quadruplets were sitting on the couch, their hands folded in their lap like Minerva's, and Perseus and Pleis stood at either end, their hands behind their backs. Albus stood beside Minerva's chair. Minerva returned her gaze to her mother, who was now staring at her with piercing grey eyes.

"What did you say her name was?" Helena said, as if she needed to ask.

Minerva sat up straight, remaining calm, her eyes unwavering from her mother's fierce gaze. "Minaveara Ariana Dumbledore," Minerva repeated.

Helena blinked. "And what, pray tell, hindered you from naming this one after me? She is, after all, a girl. You know I don't enjoy sounding like a petulant child, Minerva, but Helena is a family name, and when I allowed your father to name you without Helena, I assumed that you would do your part by naming one of your own children Helena the XIV, or even a middle name would have sufficed."

Minerva sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in an attempt to hold her temper. "I'm sorry, mother," she said, forcing a smile. "I guess almost dying after giving birth to Minaveara made me forget." Damn, Minerva thought to herself.

Helena narrowed her eyes, and the rest of the Dumbledores exchanged glances, knowing that their mother was about to lose her temper if something wasn't done.

"Helena," Albus said suddenly. "That's a lovely set of robes, are they new?"

"Don't try to change the subject to spare my daughter the embarrassment," Helena sniffed. "Here." She held Minaveara out, and Albus stepped forward quickly to take the baby into his arms. "The fact remains that no child is bearing the name Helena, and there are how many girls now? Nine?"

"The fact that you have to ask-" Minerva began, but Albus cut her off.

"Perhaps the next daughter," Albus began, attempting to lighten the mood, but he had said the wrong thing.

"Another child!" Helena roared, rising to her feet indignantly. "That's – that's – p-p-preposterous!"

Minerva was on her feet in an instant, her face inches from her mother's, an expensive-looking artifact exploding behind her. Minerva opened her mouth to shout something, her eyes flashing dangerously, but as Minaveara's quiet whimpers filled the suddenly silent room, Minerva blinked, her shoulders relaxed, and she closed her mouth, taking a step back from her mother.

The Dumbledores, as well as Evangeline, who had returned a few moments earlier and stayed back for fear of making things worse, watched Minerva and Helena with bated breath. The two women in question stared at each other, contemptuous looks on their faces. And then Minerva smiled.

"Well, mother," Minerva said in a frighteningly calm voice. "You are correct. I did disregard the fact that Helena was a family name, and I apologize. However, the fact remains that Minaveara is, and will remain to be, Minaveara Ariana. I don't know that Albus and I will have more children, but if we have another daughter I can assure you that she will bear the name Helena."

Helena stared at her daughter for another few tense moments, the Dumbledores and Evangeline watching anxiously. Then Helena sniffed, pointing her nose up in the air once more and saying, "Very well, where's the tea?"

Helena whirled on Evangeline, and the small woman hurried forward, the tea tray shaking in her trembling hands. She placed the tea tray on a side table and quickly poured a cup of tea, whilst Helena and Minerva returned to their seats.

When Helena had received her tea, she looked to the children, who were still staring at her a bit fearfully. "So, children," she began, taking a sip of her tea. "Did you receive your birthday presents?"

The children chorused, "Yes, grandmother."

"Good, good," Helena murmured, turning to Evangeline, who was whispering to Minerva. "Evangeline, do stop that incessant chatter. Perhaps you should check on the bread." Evangeline nodded dutifully before hurrying out of the room. Helena looked back to the children. "Perseus, I hear you're friends with the Minister's step-daughter."

Perseus's cheeks turned red and he shuffled his feet, murmuring, "Yes."

"Do speak up, child, I am getting old you know," Helena said.

"You're not old at all, grandmother," Andromeda said brightly, eliciting an eye roll from her sisters.

"Thank you, Andromeda, dear," Helena said, smiling at her. "I knew there was a reason that you were one of my favorites."

"Mother!" Minerva exclaimed exasperatedly.

"Now hush, Minerva," Helena said, waving a hand dismissively and taking another sip from her tea. "The children know not to be jealous." Minerva was too baffled to say anything, and Helena continued speaking to the children. "Anexandra, must you always wear that smirk on your face?"
Anexandra narrowed her eyes at her grandmother, and Minerva gave Anexandra a warning look, though it went unnoticed.

Helena didn't wait for Anexandra to respond, and she turned to Eliana. "And you, dear, I've heard that you've been associating yourself with the Malfoys. And their son – Draco, is it? – he's your age, isn't he?"

Eliana sat up a bit straighter and smiled slightly. "Yes," Eliana replied. "Yes, Draco and I are in the same House as well."

Helena inclined her head, smiling slightly as well, and Minerva noticed that Eliana's forced-looking, unhappy smile was the same as her grandmother's, and her heart twisted painfully in her chest.

"The Malfoys are a good family," Helena said, and Anexandra, Andromeda, and Callisto snorted. Helena seemed appalled. "Do you three find something amusing?"

Callisto slid forward on the couch and said, "Well really, grandmother, it's merely the insanity of it all. The Malfoys are, in no way, a 'good' family. Are you even aware that they hate your daughter, your son-in-law, and all of your grandchildren? Except of course Eliana, who is more a traitor than a family member anymore. Not to mention Lucius Malfoy himself passed along Tom Riddle's, or rather, Voldemort's diary, which essentially caused the near death of your own daughter and granddaughter. But then again, you were also one of the daft ones too selfish to see if my Mum was alright. I don't know how you even call yourself a mother. No wonder we hardly see you, if you treated your own daughter like this."

There was a stunned silence as Callisto slid back against the couch, folding her arms across her chest and slouching back against the cushions.

But then Anexandra grinned widely, as did Andromeda, and they both punched Callisto lightly on the shoulder and said, "Way to go, Cal!"

Pleis and Perseus broke out into uproarious laughter. Callisto smirked, Eliana looked enraged, Helena continued to blink and stare in amazement. Albus pretended to be smiling at Minaveara, and Minerva couldn't decide whether or not she should smile.

Evangeline entered the living room then, carrying a tray of sliced bread, and she looked around confusedly. "Did I miss something?" she asked Minerva quietly, and Minerva finally decided to allow herself a quiet chuckle.

"Perhaps we should leave, my dear," Albus whispered in Minerva's ear then, suspecting that if the family stayed long enough, Helena would regain her senses and things would not go well.

Minerva nodded in agreement and rose to her feet, giving Evangeline a hug and promising to write her soon.

"Well, I'm not sure what to do with all this bread now," Evangeline smirked.

"I'll take that," Anexandra suggested, stepping forward and taking the tray of bread from Evangeline.

"Now, Anexandra," Minerva scolded. "You'll spoil your dinner if I let you take that whole tray of bread."

"I'm not gonna eat it all, Mum," Anexandra sighed.

Minerva raised an eyebrow. "That's what you said the last seventeen times. You're notorious for your overindulgence of bread, my child, though I have no idea as to why."

Anexandra's bottom lip jutted out and she said, "But, Mummy, I'm hungry. I didn't get breakfast and there's no food at Uncle Aberforth's."

Minerva sighed. "Fine, but don't complain to me about a stomachache." Then she picked up a slice of bread and took a bite before ushering the rest of her children to their feet and on their way towards the door. "I suppose we shall see you at Poseidon's wedding then, mother?"

Helena didn't respond, and the family hurried out the door.

Eventually the nine of them arrived at Aberforth's pub, by which time Anexandra had already demolished almost the whole bread tray on her own, everyone else only taking about one piece for themselves.

The family stepped into the Hog's Head, looking around and seeing no one. Albus passed Minaveara to Minerva, and then began calling out his brother's name, making his way towards the door that lead upstairs to where Aberforth lived. Albus and Aberforth had been estranged when Albus and Minerva had first gotten together, but once Althea and Apollo were born, Minerva wanted she and Albus's children to know their only uncle. And so Minerva had managed to get Albus and Aberforth to speak to one another in a civilized manner, and now they were rather close.

Albus didn't reach the door before it swung open, and there stood Aberforth, looking disgruntled as he muttered, "Yeah, yeah, Albus, keep your pants on."

Albus looked down at his robes and then back up at Aberforth with an amused look on his face.

Aberforth seemed to notice his mistake, and he rolled his eyes, pushing past Albus as he said, "Now where's my niece?"

Andromeda stepped forward, but Callisto and Anexandra grabbed her arm and pulled her back, Anexandra with a piece of bread half protruding from her mouth. Minerva stepped forward with Minaveara in her arms, and Aberforth took the once again sleeping baby into his arms.

Once Aberforth had held Minaveara for a few moments, she awoke, and her eyes fluttered open. Aberforth smirked and shook his head. "Well, Albus, I think you're gonna have a hard time keeping the boys away from this one," Aberforth said, smiling at the irritated look on Albus's face.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Albus demanded.

"Just look at her," Aberforth laughed. "I mean, the same as you kids," he looked to his nieces and nephews standing before him. "You're all beautiful kids, and I'll rip apart anyone who tells you otherwise, and Minaveara…well she's gonna look just like Minerva. I'm telling you," Aberforth continued, turning back to look at Albus. "Every man that ever wanted Minerva is going to want their kid to have Minaveara, and that's not counting everyone that's just going to meet her in her lifetime. Trust me, you'll be threatening quite a few boys as soon as she's old enough to like them."

Albus look disgruntled and muttered something under his breath, and Minerva, too, looked highly irate. Both collapsed onto bar stools and Aberforth chuckled. "Don't worry, any problems with boys, just send 'em to me. And that goes for you four too," he added, looking at the quadruplets, who rolled their eyes. "I'm serious. You'd rather it'd be me too, because your parents will likely kill any boy that comes near you. I, however, have more self-control."

Albus snorted at that, and, surprisingly, Minerva asked, "Abe, do you have anything to drink?"

And that was how the visit to Aberforth began. By the time Albus decided that it was time to go home, Eliana was sulking in a corner, Anexandra was rolling on the floor in pain from her overindulgence in bread. Callisto and Andromeda were attempting to play a card game, but kept falling asleep and hitting their heads off the table. Pleis and Perseus were irritating the goats, and Minerva was slurring her words after having a bit too much to drink. Minerva wasn't one to overindulge in alcohol, especially not in front of her children, but it seemed she had still been slightly bitter over the disastrous events that had transpired at her mother's.

So Albus ushered the children to their feet, asking Callisto and Andromeda to help their mother walk, and then the family bade goodbye to Aberforth…well, all except Andromeda, who shrieked, "OUCH! Mum! Don't step on my toes! That's my bad foot!"

Minerva giggled in a very un-Minerva-like way, Callisto told Andromeda to 'shut-up,' and Anexandra moaned about her stomach hurting again.

All in all, it was a rather eventful night for the Dumbledores, and they were all quite happy when they were able to return to their home, where they kicked off their shoes and fell into bed.