Squib 27 End of Summer 1975
Minerva arrived at Hogwarts in mid August, in time to enroll Minnie in school and find a tutor. She rented a small flat in Aberdeen to use as their address, though mostly it was to be a safe apparition or portkey point. The school was most sympathetic and helpful with the elderly Aunt suddenly raising the small child. Her transfer was managed neatly. Minerva was told where to buy the uniforms and supplies, and given a bus schedule. She was even provided with a list of popular after-school activities in the area. They suggested a grief counselor, which was something Minerva had not thought of.
She told an elf to decorate the flat so it looked as though they lived there, but to keep it simple. Minnie's room was stocked with muggle books and toys, many from the vacation trips, and her new school things. Family photos were hung, and a large framed shot of her parents put in her room. A tray on an end table near Minerva's straight chair was filled with embroidery supplies in tidy order, with a half-finished scene of sleeping dragons draped over each other, forming the stones of the walls and crenelations of a castle. A gray tabby was sleeping on a cushion near the unlit heater. The second small end table was half-covered in a fine wooden puzzle, a scene of Venice. There was a much squashier chair next to it, clearly where Minnie sat. Wide windows provided plenty of air and light, and there were lamps for Winter. Hanging on delicate chains in the biggest window were crystal snowflakes and hearts, casting rainbows around the room.
When the School Visitor came, she asked why there were few older things around. "I live in the country with my cat, and rented this flat because Minnie is used to being in a town. This is near where I grew up – my Father was the Presbyterian Minister." She indicated a genuine Daguerreotype, showing a stiff family in front of the nearby church, at least 10 children lined up by size, adults down to a tiny girl. "That's me. I certainly was a wee thing! I was about the same age Minnie is! Minnie is the Great-Granddaughter of my oldest brother, Paul; his only direct Heir. I'm the only one in this picture still living." She looked sad, and went back to her seat.
"I own my little house, and we'll be going there for weekends and breaks to care for the gardens . Minnie's things are in transit, or packed in crates at my house. We'll move things where we need them. We'll have clothes at each place, rather than pack back and forth. I don't see any need for her baby things, or for much of her parent's things. They can stay packed until she sorts them herself. I do intend to pick up a radio but I've never been interested in the telly. There's a phone box in the hall downstairs, so I won't bother with a phone but I can call the Doctor or the school."
She indicated another of the family photos on the wall. "We have plenty of family, and my nephew Malcolm will take Minnie if aught happens to me. Malcolm is one of John's Grandsons, and has several children. They offered to take her now, but I wanted her. We already spend every Summer together, so Minnie will be well. That paperwork is already signed and Malcolm's address is on file at the school." A timer in the kitchen went off, and Minerva pulled a tuna-noodle casserole out of the tiny oven. Satisfied, the Visitor left. The elderly lady was certainly chatty, but the important thing was she was able to take care of the child. The apartment was not luxurious, but the things there were quality.
At Hogwarts Minerva did the last schedule checks. The Reply date was past, though that had never really meant anything. Children sometimes simply turned up on the Express. As long as the Hat was willing to Sort them, they stayed. This year it looked as though Albus had decided to have a larger than normal class. That was good for her chances of arranging Betrothals. She had names left from the last two years that had never been matched. She'd need to go over these families to see where the good matches were. The only problem was that the men had not bothered to get any signatures on the MG forms, so she would have to get all of those in person. She would need to start making Betrothal visits early. She would ask the Goblins for some general Contract forms where she could fill in details quickly.
She tweaked the class schedule so that her own classes ended at 4 every afternoon, and at Noon on Thursdays and Saturdays, so she could collect Minnie from school. Getting her there was easy. They would eat Breakfast at the Castle, be elf-popped to the flat, and deliver Minnie to the school by 7:30 each morning. In emergency, the elf could assume Minerva's appearance to deliver and collect Minnie. To compensate, she took more of the evening duties, which the other teachers would appreciate. Minnie could either sit with her in Detention to do her homework, or perhaps attend a muggle study group. Minerva knew about them, of course, though she didn't know why so many children were bothering. There were always a few, but this was the most she could remember, and the best organized groups. She peeked in on her rounds, but there was never any trouble in those rooms.
Thursday was Half-Day for Minnie's school. Minerva was on time to collect her, turning the corner just as the teachers brought the children out. Minnie broke out of the line and ran to her. They bought fish and chips as they walked to the bus stop, and rode to the skating rink. They were going to try each of the suggested list of after school activities before the weather got bad.
Miriam saw them come in. Little Eddie had to have skates half a size larger, and James was still lacing him properly. "OK, what did you DO? Here comes Minerva!"
James turned green! "I swear! It's still August! I haven't done anything!" Then he saw her laughing. "OK, you got me good that time! You ornery prankster! My turn! I claim a penalty!" He stood and folded the giggling Miriam into his arms, one hand behind her head and the other sliding down her thick braid. Until,
"ICK! I know, you explained, you gotta do that at home, but you don't have to do it here! You're embarrassing me in front of all my friends!" Little Eddie spoke right up! Miriam continued to giggle, but she disentangled a distracted James.
James shook his head to get his balance back, and turned back to finish lacing Eddie. Then he turned white, and Miriam had to catch him, because he spotted Minerva! "You win. I yield. I am a prisoner of the Heart!", he whispered in her ear. She giggled even harder. James loved that sound. He'd do almost anything to hear it!
Little Minnie disappeared into the dressing room with her bundle, coming back in play clothes with her school uniform neatly folded. Minerva nodded politely at them as she went to the counter to get skates for Minnie, where the wrinkled old skate guy was laughing so hard he could barely fit the tiny girl. She had thick fleece stockings, which he approved, but he suggested a few strategic band-aids. James offered to lace her up, showing Minerva how to do it. Leaving Minerva seated in the side area, the young couple took the little ones on to the floor. Eddie immediately took off for the speed lanes while they helped Minnie find her balance and learn her way around. "See, I can skate! We went skating last Summer, with my cousins!" She could, a bit wobbly, so they left her in the children's circle where Minerva could see her, happily greeting her classmates.
Minerva had bought them all lemonade and slices of pizza, in thanks for helping her with Minnie."Do ye come every Thursday? Your little brother seems good, and you two are good dancers!" Little Minnie and Eddie were at the next table, scarfing pizza and giggling because they were exactly the same size though he was two years younger.
"Usually on Friday nights, if I don't have a match in the morning. We'll be in a Dance Contest this Saturday, so today we came as a warm-up. Miriam starts her new classes on Monday, and of course I will be coming back to school in two weeks. Is Minnie going to stay with you now? We could bring her with us sometimes, if you like? Please don't blame me if she turns into a speed demon like Eddie!"
"We'll see how the year goes. Yes, she's staying with me now. I'll have Detention duty on the Friday nights, so she might like to come some weeks. I'll ask her, but she does have school on Saturday mornings so she can't stay out late. I have the list of activities from the school and we are planning to try them all at least once. We're going to the Cinema next Thursday, if you would like to bring Eddie? The showing is 'A Window to the Sky', and it's about a skier. I thought we'd try skiing after Yule."
On the Saturday morning, there were several invisible elves with Memory Vials stationed around the Rink. A Flamenco danced on skates is a show-stopper, and it is no wonder they took First.