4. Prongs, Jr. Learns About Tabby
A/N: Sorry about the delay. Been busy. I had the first part written, but the rest of it took some time. Okay, on with the fic!
"How are you feeling today, Mr. Potter?" Madam Pomfrey asked, examining the teenager.
"_Much_ better," he replied with a smile, glancing over at Minerva, who waited nearby with Mrs. Figg.
Madam Pomfrey glanced at the two sisters. "Well, overall, you're fine, but you need to eat better." She smiled. "I'm sure Minerva will see to that."
"Indeed, I will, Poppy," Minerva inserted.
Harry smiled. Madam Pomfrey left shortly afterwards. Minerva then excused herself to change out of her bathrobe, leaving Harry alone with Mrs. Figg. After fidgeting for a few moments, Harry spoke up. "Mrs. Figg?"
"You might as well call me Aunt Bella," she told him, sitting down on the couch across from the armchair he was curled up in.
"Alright," he replied, absently petting the white, black, and orange calico cat who'd jumped into his lap. "Er, do you know why Aunt Minerva gave Anna and Tiberius the last name Potter?"
"What, you mean instead of Wilson or Linden or a name like that?" Arabella asked. Harry nodded. "Well, I suppose it was because they already had two children with the last name of Potter, so they figured 'why not?'"
"But Sam had treated Aunt Minerva so horribly," Harry pointed out, memories of what the Dursleys had done to him still very fresh in his mind. "Wouldn't she rather have forgotten about it?"
"The mistakes we forget are the ones we repeat, Harry," Minerva commented from the doorway. She was wearing lightweight powder blue robes and her hair was pulled back into a French braid. "I had no desire to repeat the mistake I made with Sam."
"And you didn't, Min," Arabella inserted quietly. "I wondered why you didn't marry Albus in the first place."
"Because Sam asked first," Minerva answered with quiet dignity as she sat down beside her sister on the couch. "And the fact that there's such a large gap between Albus' age and my own."
"Well, you followed my advice in the end," Arabella countered with a smile.
"And what _was_ your advice, Aunt Bella?" Harry asked curiously.
"To marry the old coot and be done with it," Arabella told Harry with a wink.
"I'm glad you have such a high opinion of me, Arabella," Albus commented mildly from the kitchen doorway, bright blue eyes twinkling merrily.
Arabella didn't even blush. "You know I think you're the best wizard in the world, Uncle."
He inclined his head with mock gravity. "Thank you, Arabella."
"You're welcome, Albus." Arabella returned the nod and stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
Harry watched as she disappeared down the hallway. "Why is she here and not in Surrey?"
Albus sat down beside Minerva and looked at Harry. "Because _you're_ not living in Surrey anymore, Harry."
"Oh." Harry looked down at the cat in his lap. "That makes sense."
There was a pause. Finally, Minerva broke the silence that had descended on the room. "Well, Albus? How did Arthur and Molly take the news?"
Harry looked up and watched as Albus turned to look at his wife. "They were a little puzzled by Harry's choice, but they're willing to accept it."
Minerva nodded and entwined Albus' fingers with her own. "I just hope Ron and Hermione will be as accepting."
"Speaking of them," Harry inserted before Albus could reply. Both adults looked at him. "When can they come visit?"
Minerva smiled. "Whenever you wish, Harry, but remember what Poppy said."
Harry made a face and slouched back in the chair, still petting the cat in his lap. "Take it easy and try not to do too much."
"That sounds familiar," Albus commented placidly, looking pointedly at Minerva. The dark-haired witch stared back at him for a moment before a faint blush appeared in her cheeks and she looked away.
Sudden realization hit Harry. "Where's your walking stick, Aunt Minerva? Shouldn't you be using it?"
She gave him stern look. "I don't need my walking stick, Harry. Nor do I need you hovering over me like a mother hen. Albus and Poppy already fuss over me enough as it is."
Harry subsided for the moment, but resolved to keep an eye out for her anyway. A comfortable silence settled over the three of them as they simply enjoyed each other's company. It wasn't long before Harry fell asleep.
* * *
Minerva and Albus watched Harry sleep for a few moments before getting up and leaving him curled up in the chair. They retreated to the kitchen, where Arabella was feeding her cats. "What do you think, Bella?"
She didn't look up from what she was doing. "I think he needs his friends right now. They'll be able to talk some sense into him."
"Have you ever met them?" Albus asked as she set bowls of cat food on the floor, clucking her tongue.
Arabella watched the cats rush in and begin to eat. "No, but friends are what that boy needs most right now." She looked up at the couple in front of her. "As well as family."
Harry followed the cats into the kitchen, looking annoyed. "Your cat clawed me in her eagerness to eat, Aunt Bella."
Arabella smiled at the teenager. "I'm sorry, Harry, I didn't know you were asleep."
He shrugged uncomfortably. "Forget it."
"Harry?" He looked at his great grandmother. "Would you like Ron and Hermione to visit today?"
His face lit up as he nodded eagerly. "Sure!"
"Go get dressed and we'll head over to the Burrow," Minerva told him. He nodded and bolted out of the kitchen. Minerva sighed. "That's the happiest I've seen him all summer."
"We'll just have to make sure the rest of the summer makes up for the beginning, my dear," Albus told her, his hand on her shoulder.
She nodded, covering his hand with hers for a moment. Arabella turned away, blinking back tears. It had been years since Kevin had died, but she still missed him at times.
Harry clattered into the kitchen, wearing a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and his ragged trainers. "I'm ready!"
Minerva smiled at him. "You know how to use Floo Powder, Harry."
He walked over to the kitchen fireplace, grabbed a pinch of the glittering green dust from the bowl on the mantle and tossed it onto the flickering flames. "The Burrow!"
He disappeared in a rush of green flames. Minerva followed not long afterwards.
* * *
"Bloody hell!" Were the first words Harry heard upon his arrival at the Burrow.
"Harry!" Was the next word he heard.
He grinned, dusting the soot from his clothes. "Hi, Ron, Hermione."
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, even as Harry herded his friends back from the fireplace. "I thought you were with your relatives?"
Harry's expression dimmed. "Not anymore."
Before either of his friends could ask, the flames turned green and Minerva rolled gracefully to her feet. "Hello, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger."
"Hello, Professor," they chorused, staring at her.
She calmly pulled her spectacles out of her pocket, put them on, and brushed her dress off. "Have you asked yet, Harry?"
"Asked us what, Harry?" Ron demanded suspiciously, a little startled that their Transfiguration professor had called his friend by his first name.
"Listen, I'm staying with the professor right now and I was wondering if you two would like to come and visit for awhile?" Harry asked hurriedly.
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance, and then looked at Minerva. She nodded reassuringly. Shrugging, Ron answered, "Sure, why not?"
* * *
Albus caught Harry when he tumbled out of the kitchen fireplace. "Alright there, Harry?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry replied, brushing soot off his clothes for the second time in less than fifteen minutes.
Hermione tumbled out of the fireplace next, followed by Ron, and finally Minerva. Albus caught all three, although his hands lingered on Minerva's arms. Neither Ron nor Hermione seemed surprised to find Albus at Minerva's house. Nor did they seem to find the sight of the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress together surprising. "Hello, Professor."
"Good morning, Miss Granger," Albus answered gravely, his eyes twinkling. "Good morning, Mr. Weasley."
"Hi, Professor," Ron replied, looking curiously around the kitchen. There was a cat sprawled on the kitchen counter and another cat was curled up on one of the kitchen chairs. Arabella was nowhere in sight. Minerva calmly shooed the cat off the counter.
Harry's eyes narrowed, but he caught a look from Minerva and hastily composed himself. "C'mon, let's go to my room."
"Right," Ron and Hermione followed Harry down the hall to his bedroom.
Harry seated himself on his bed and gestured to the two chairs. "Have a seat." They sat. "Is there something you two haven't told me?"
They exchanged a puzzled glance. Hermione spoke first, choosing her words carefully. "What exactly do you mean, Harry?"
He snorted. "Neither of you seemed to be very surprised to find Uncle Albus in Aunt Minerva's kitchen."
"Uncle Albus?" Ron repeated. "Aunt Minerva? Harry, are you nuts?"
"What?" Harry asked. "They requested I call them that instead of 'Professor' all summer."
"You're staying _here_ all summer?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Yes," Harry answered firmly. "That still doesn't answer my question."
"What was it, again?" Hermione asked.
"Did you two know there was something going on between Uncle Albus and Aunt Minerva?" Harry asked, trying to keep his temper under control. It did him no good to lash out.
"Well, yeah," Ron replied. Hermione nodded when Harry looked at her.
He threw his hands up in the air. "Were you planning on telling me anytime soon?"
"We thought you knew," Ron replied, bewildered. Hermione nodded her agreement.
"Why would you think that?" Harry asked them incredulously.
Ron looked at Hermione. Her brow was furrowed with thought. Suddenly, her face went pale. "Ron, he wasn't there at the time."
"What are you talking about?" Harry demanded as Ron's face paled so that his freckles stood out.
"Blimey, Hermione." Ron dragged a hand through his hair. "Sorry, mate, we forgot that you weren't there when we found out."
Harry was glaring at them. "Wasn't where? 12 Grimmauld Place?" Both of them nodded. "_How_ did you find out?"
Ron looked slightly ill. "Before Mum found out about the Extendable Ears, we overheard something we wished we hadn't."
"What...did you hear?" Harry asked curiously.
Ron looked at his feet. Hermione was the one who answered. "Let's just say more than we wanted to."
Harry considered that for a moment. "Alright, I understand."
She studied him. "Do _you_ know now?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I walked in on them snogging."
Even Ron's freckles paled. "Oh, yuck."
Hermione elbowed him. "Come on, Ron, would you rather she snogged Snape?"
Ron made a face. "Okay, Hermione, you made your point. Can we talk about something else, please?"
* * *
"Harry's choice is fortuitous, in a way," Albus told Minerva and Arabella as the three sat in the living room.
"What do you mean, Uncle?" Arabella asked, absently stroking the cat in her lap.
Albus paused to gather his thoughts. "You know the reason he had to live with the Durselys, of course." Arabella nodded and muttered something under her breath that Albus and Minerva chose not to hear. "Well, since none of Harry's family on his mother's side still live, it is better that he live with family on his father's side than with people who are not related at all."
"Meaning the two of us," Minerva commented, waving her hand to indicate herself and Arabella.
Albus nodded. "Exactly. You are directly related to him through James and Daniel. Arabella is related because she's your sister."
Minerva nodded, her face grave. "Albus, what do you suppose You-Know-Who will do now?"
He sighed heavily. "Minerva, I should think you wouldn't be afraid to name him by now."
She sniffed angrily. "The name he fashioned for himself is ridiculous, Albus. I refuse to say it."
"So call him He-With-The-Ridiculous-Name," Arabella suggested cheerfully.
Minerva glared at her sister before turning to her husband. "You still haven't answered my question, Albus.
He sighed again. "I don't know, Minerva. I really don't know."
A/N: Sorry about the delay. Been busy. I had the first part written, but the rest of it took some time. Okay, on with the fic!
"How are you feeling today, Mr. Potter?" Madam Pomfrey asked, examining the teenager.
"_Much_ better," he replied with a smile, glancing over at Minerva, who waited nearby with Mrs. Figg.
Madam Pomfrey glanced at the two sisters. "Well, overall, you're fine, but you need to eat better." She smiled. "I'm sure Minerva will see to that."
"Indeed, I will, Poppy," Minerva inserted.
Harry smiled. Madam Pomfrey left shortly afterwards. Minerva then excused herself to change out of her bathrobe, leaving Harry alone with Mrs. Figg. After fidgeting for a few moments, Harry spoke up. "Mrs. Figg?"
"You might as well call me Aunt Bella," she told him, sitting down on the couch across from the armchair he was curled up in.
"Alright," he replied, absently petting the white, black, and orange calico cat who'd jumped into his lap. "Er, do you know why Aunt Minerva gave Anna and Tiberius the last name Potter?"
"What, you mean instead of Wilson or Linden or a name like that?" Arabella asked. Harry nodded. "Well, I suppose it was because they already had two children with the last name of Potter, so they figured 'why not?'"
"But Sam had treated Aunt Minerva so horribly," Harry pointed out, memories of what the Dursleys had done to him still very fresh in his mind. "Wouldn't she rather have forgotten about it?"
"The mistakes we forget are the ones we repeat, Harry," Minerva commented from the doorway. She was wearing lightweight powder blue robes and her hair was pulled back into a French braid. "I had no desire to repeat the mistake I made with Sam."
"And you didn't, Min," Arabella inserted quietly. "I wondered why you didn't marry Albus in the first place."
"Because Sam asked first," Minerva answered with quiet dignity as she sat down beside her sister on the couch. "And the fact that there's such a large gap between Albus' age and my own."
"Well, you followed my advice in the end," Arabella countered with a smile.
"And what _was_ your advice, Aunt Bella?" Harry asked curiously.
"To marry the old coot and be done with it," Arabella told Harry with a wink.
"I'm glad you have such a high opinion of me, Arabella," Albus commented mildly from the kitchen doorway, bright blue eyes twinkling merrily.
Arabella didn't even blush. "You know I think you're the best wizard in the world, Uncle."
He inclined his head with mock gravity. "Thank you, Arabella."
"You're welcome, Albus." Arabella returned the nod and stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
Harry watched as she disappeared down the hallway. "Why is she here and not in Surrey?"
Albus sat down beside Minerva and looked at Harry. "Because _you're_ not living in Surrey anymore, Harry."
"Oh." Harry looked down at the cat in his lap. "That makes sense."
There was a pause. Finally, Minerva broke the silence that had descended on the room. "Well, Albus? How did Arthur and Molly take the news?"
Harry looked up and watched as Albus turned to look at his wife. "They were a little puzzled by Harry's choice, but they're willing to accept it."
Minerva nodded and entwined Albus' fingers with her own. "I just hope Ron and Hermione will be as accepting."
"Speaking of them," Harry inserted before Albus could reply. Both adults looked at him. "When can they come visit?"
Minerva smiled. "Whenever you wish, Harry, but remember what Poppy said."
Harry made a face and slouched back in the chair, still petting the cat in his lap. "Take it easy and try not to do too much."
"That sounds familiar," Albus commented placidly, looking pointedly at Minerva. The dark-haired witch stared back at him for a moment before a faint blush appeared in her cheeks and she looked away.
Sudden realization hit Harry. "Where's your walking stick, Aunt Minerva? Shouldn't you be using it?"
She gave him stern look. "I don't need my walking stick, Harry. Nor do I need you hovering over me like a mother hen. Albus and Poppy already fuss over me enough as it is."
Harry subsided for the moment, but resolved to keep an eye out for her anyway. A comfortable silence settled over the three of them as they simply enjoyed each other's company. It wasn't long before Harry fell asleep.
* * *
Minerva and Albus watched Harry sleep for a few moments before getting up and leaving him curled up in the chair. They retreated to the kitchen, where Arabella was feeding her cats. "What do you think, Bella?"
She didn't look up from what she was doing. "I think he needs his friends right now. They'll be able to talk some sense into him."
"Have you ever met them?" Albus asked as she set bowls of cat food on the floor, clucking her tongue.
Arabella watched the cats rush in and begin to eat. "No, but friends are what that boy needs most right now." She looked up at the couple in front of her. "As well as family."
Harry followed the cats into the kitchen, looking annoyed. "Your cat clawed me in her eagerness to eat, Aunt Bella."
Arabella smiled at the teenager. "I'm sorry, Harry, I didn't know you were asleep."
He shrugged uncomfortably. "Forget it."
"Harry?" He looked at his great grandmother. "Would you like Ron and Hermione to visit today?"
His face lit up as he nodded eagerly. "Sure!"
"Go get dressed and we'll head over to the Burrow," Minerva told him. He nodded and bolted out of the kitchen. Minerva sighed. "That's the happiest I've seen him all summer."
"We'll just have to make sure the rest of the summer makes up for the beginning, my dear," Albus told her, his hand on her shoulder.
She nodded, covering his hand with hers for a moment. Arabella turned away, blinking back tears. It had been years since Kevin had died, but she still missed him at times.
Harry clattered into the kitchen, wearing a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and his ragged trainers. "I'm ready!"
Minerva smiled at him. "You know how to use Floo Powder, Harry."
He walked over to the kitchen fireplace, grabbed a pinch of the glittering green dust from the bowl on the mantle and tossed it onto the flickering flames. "The Burrow!"
He disappeared in a rush of green flames. Minerva followed not long afterwards.
* * *
"Bloody hell!" Were the first words Harry heard upon his arrival at the Burrow.
"Harry!" Was the next word he heard.
He grinned, dusting the soot from his clothes. "Hi, Ron, Hermione."
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, even as Harry herded his friends back from the fireplace. "I thought you were with your relatives?"
Harry's expression dimmed. "Not anymore."
Before either of his friends could ask, the flames turned green and Minerva rolled gracefully to her feet. "Hello, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger."
"Hello, Professor," they chorused, staring at her.
She calmly pulled her spectacles out of her pocket, put them on, and brushed her dress off. "Have you asked yet, Harry?"
"Asked us what, Harry?" Ron demanded suspiciously, a little startled that their Transfiguration professor had called his friend by his first name.
"Listen, I'm staying with the professor right now and I was wondering if you two would like to come and visit for awhile?" Harry asked hurriedly.
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance, and then looked at Minerva. She nodded reassuringly. Shrugging, Ron answered, "Sure, why not?"
* * *
Albus caught Harry when he tumbled out of the kitchen fireplace. "Alright there, Harry?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry replied, brushing soot off his clothes for the second time in less than fifteen minutes.
Hermione tumbled out of the fireplace next, followed by Ron, and finally Minerva. Albus caught all three, although his hands lingered on Minerva's arms. Neither Ron nor Hermione seemed surprised to find Albus at Minerva's house. Nor did they seem to find the sight of the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress together surprising. "Hello, Professor."
"Good morning, Miss Granger," Albus answered gravely, his eyes twinkling. "Good morning, Mr. Weasley."
"Hi, Professor," Ron replied, looking curiously around the kitchen. There was a cat sprawled on the kitchen counter and another cat was curled up on one of the kitchen chairs. Arabella was nowhere in sight. Minerva calmly shooed the cat off the counter.
Harry's eyes narrowed, but he caught a look from Minerva and hastily composed himself. "C'mon, let's go to my room."
"Right," Ron and Hermione followed Harry down the hall to his bedroom.
Harry seated himself on his bed and gestured to the two chairs. "Have a seat." They sat. "Is there something you two haven't told me?"
They exchanged a puzzled glance. Hermione spoke first, choosing her words carefully. "What exactly do you mean, Harry?"
He snorted. "Neither of you seemed to be very surprised to find Uncle Albus in Aunt Minerva's kitchen."
"Uncle Albus?" Ron repeated. "Aunt Minerva? Harry, are you nuts?"
"What?" Harry asked. "They requested I call them that instead of 'Professor' all summer."
"You're staying _here_ all summer?" Ron asked incredulously.
"Yes," Harry answered firmly. "That still doesn't answer my question."
"What was it, again?" Hermione asked.
"Did you two know there was something going on between Uncle Albus and Aunt Minerva?" Harry asked, trying to keep his temper under control. It did him no good to lash out.
"Well, yeah," Ron replied. Hermione nodded when Harry looked at her.
He threw his hands up in the air. "Were you planning on telling me anytime soon?"
"We thought you knew," Ron replied, bewildered. Hermione nodded her agreement.
"Why would you think that?" Harry asked them incredulously.
Ron looked at Hermione. Her brow was furrowed with thought. Suddenly, her face went pale. "Ron, he wasn't there at the time."
"What are you talking about?" Harry demanded as Ron's face paled so that his freckles stood out.
"Blimey, Hermione." Ron dragged a hand through his hair. "Sorry, mate, we forgot that you weren't there when we found out."
Harry was glaring at them. "Wasn't where? 12 Grimmauld Place?" Both of them nodded. "_How_ did you find out?"
Ron looked slightly ill. "Before Mum found out about the Extendable Ears, we overheard something we wished we hadn't."
"What...did you hear?" Harry asked curiously.
Ron looked at his feet. Hermione was the one who answered. "Let's just say more than we wanted to."
Harry considered that for a moment. "Alright, I understand."
She studied him. "Do _you_ know now?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I walked in on them snogging."
Even Ron's freckles paled. "Oh, yuck."
Hermione elbowed him. "Come on, Ron, would you rather she snogged Snape?"
Ron made a face. "Okay, Hermione, you made your point. Can we talk about something else, please?"
* * *
"Harry's choice is fortuitous, in a way," Albus told Minerva and Arabella as the three sat in the living room.
"What do you mean, Uncle?" Arabella asked, absently stroking the cat in her lap.
Albus paused to gather his thoughts. "You know the reason he had to live with the Durselys, of course." Arabella nodded and muttered something under her breath that Albus and Minerva chose not to hear. "Well, since none of Harry's family on his mother's side still live, it is better that he live with family on his father's side than with people who are not related at all."
"Meaning the two of us," Minerva commented, waving her hand to indicate herself and Arabella.
Albus nodded. "Exactly. You are directly related to him through James and Daniel. Arabella is related because she's your sister."
Minerva nodded, her face grave. "Albus, what do you suppose You-Know-Who will do now?"
He sighed heavily. "Minerva, I should think you wouldn't be afraid to name him by now."
She sniffed angrily. "The name he fashioned for himself is ridiculous, Albus. I refuse to say it."
"So call him He-With-The-Ridiculous-Name," Arabella suggested cheerfully.
Minerva glared at her sister before turning to her husband. "You still haven't answered my question, Albus.
He sighed again. "I don't know, Minerva. I really don't know."