Albus let out a frustrated sigh as he rubbed his hand across his face. He had been to three schools already and was unimpressed with all of them. He knew the schools were fine overall but they were not a good fit for Tom.
The boy had been amazingly forward this morning and it had gave Albus some insight on how to help the child. Tom didn't necessarily need more book smarts but he needed moral guidance. He needed to be shown love, forgiveness, and to be encouraged to do his best. He needed to learn to make actual friendships. The boy needed to be guided to help others, not to have an edge on the enemy, but to just help those less fortunate.
Albus shook his head and walked slowly down Diagon Alley. He needed to pick up a few items before he headed back to the castle and to his son. He walked towards The Apothecary and noticed a small child running out the door unaccompanied. Fast as he could, he scooped the child up into his arms and out of the hustle and bustle of the busy street. "Minerva," he heard a woman's voice yell frantically.
Albus shifted the child in his arms more securely before looking over his half moon shaped glasses at the young child. "I take it you are Minerva," he asked gently.
The child, not quite two years old it seemed, smiled and nodded her head at the question. Her raven dark curls bounced and her startling green eyes were breathtaking in his opinion. "How about we go back to your mom now," he asked as the girl just laid her head on his shoulder and plopped her thumb in her mouth. Albus patted her back gently and chuckled at the young girl.
"Oh thank goodness," a woman exclaimed as she rushed forward and plucked the girl out of his arms. "You know better than to run off Minerva!"
"Isobel Ross," Albus placed the young witch before him.
"Hello Professor," Isobel greeted with a smile. "It's McGonagall now though. Thank you for catching this one. She is usually better mannered."
Albus chuckled as he watched the young child attempting to get free of her mother's arms once again. He looked across the street and smiled as he saw the bookstore. "Ah you are a lover of books," he realized as he studied the child's look of longing.
"Book for me," Minerva asked as she looked back at her mother.
The young witch sighed and closed her eyes, shame etched on her features. "Sorry love," Isobel said. "We don't have the extra money this trip. I will try to save a bit and hopefully next trip we can get you a book."
The toddler scrunched up her face in a pout but didn't utter a cry. Albus watched as the child nodded in acceptance, a fascinating feat considering the young age of the child. "Excuse me Isobel," he said as an idea popped into his head. "I find myself in need of books for my newly adopted son and am at a loss on what to pick for him. I seem to recall you having younger siblings and wonder if you could help me pick a few out. I will gladly pay for a few for this young lady in trade for your time."
Before Isobel could utter a word, Minerva had launched herself into Albus' arms and was pointing excitedly to the bookstore. "It appears Minerva has already agreed," Isobel said with a laugh. "Thank you Professor."
"Albus," he stated as he offered the young mother his arm and escorted her to the bookstore across the street.
An hour later, Albus had about 10 books bought for Tom and had purchased 3 books for Minerva. He smiled as he watched the child hug the books to her chest. "Thank you for your kindness Albus," Isobel said. "It's hard making ends meet on a parishioners pay sometimes."
"It's no trouble my dear," Albus answered honestly. "I had wondered why you had stopped your potions apprenticeship. Being a minister's wife probably hinders that."
Isobel sighed deeply before meeting her old professor's eyes. "Robert is fearful of magic," she admitted. "I haven't used my wand in front of him since I told him I was a witch after Minerva's birth. He would never hear of me wasting what little money we have with something he doesn't understand or approve of."
"I'm sorry to hear that my dear," Albus said sincerely. "If you ever change your mind or need help finding some other work, you know where to find me."
"I doubt you can help me find anything, my skills since Hogwarts consists of teaching Sunday children's church and cleaning house," Isobel said matter-of-factly.
Could it really be that simple? A trustworthy witch that was well aware of accidental magic that taught children's church? Tom couldn't find any better moral teacher than a minister's wife! Albus smiled at Isobel and then chuckled. "I think you just helped me more than you realized," he said excitedly. "I have been searching for a school for my newly adopted son all morning and haven't found the right one. He needs more moral guidance than anything. He needs a firm hand and to learn the difference between right and wrong. Fancy being a governess?"
Isobel's mouth dropped open in suprise. "I am flattered but I don't need charity," the witch finally said.
"I promise it isn't charity," Albus said desperately. "I just adopted my son yesterday but I haven't made arrangements yet. If I don't find a suitable place for him while I teach, I will be forced to seek other employment. My son was abandoned by his muggle father after his mother died. Then he was bullied by older children and the staff in the orphanage because of his accidental magic. I am desperate to teach him all muggles are not like that. I want my son to succeed in life and your experience with children's church and with your younger siblings is idea. Even being in a muggle environment sounds wonderful for him."
Isobel searched his face carefully and found honesty. "Do you mind bringing your son to our home for dinner this evening and allow him to meet my husband before I decide?" she asked.
"That would be perfectly acceptable," he said relieved. After getting her home address, Albus bid them farewell and rushed off to the castle. He needed to make sure Tom knew to be on his best behavior this evening.