As Noctua and Minerva landed before the castle, Minerva smiled. The look in Noctua's eyes was priceless. Yet, she knew that so many years earlier another ebony-haired Scottish girl had stared at the place in exactly the same way.

"Yes, it is beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is amazing," Noctua stammered. "It is so- large!"

Suddenly, she sobbed softly. As she wiped her tears away, she muttered

"I am sorry. Beautiful things tend to make me cry now. I hate it- I always thought crying was childish and-"

Minerva laid an arm around her niece's shoulders.

"It isn't, dear. It's perfectly normal to cry after you've lost your, your…"

"My parents." Noctua completed flatly.

"Yes," Minerva muttered silently. "your parents."

"Noctua, dear!" Dumbledore smiled.

"Uncle Albus! How are you?"

Albus embraced the girl and smiled.

"I am fine, dear. I'd only wish I could say that about you…" he added, as he saw the paleness of her face.

"You look very white, Noctua, and you- well, I'd say I'd show you your rooms immediately- so you could get some sleep- but we, I and Aunt Minerva, have to tell you something."

Noctua frowned.

"I hope it is not too serious, Uncle- I have really had my lot of serious things those- last three days…"

Albus took his nieces arm and the three of them went to his office.

"It is not too serious- well, it is, but it isn't anything terrible, dear. By the way, would you like a lemon drop?"

"A what?"

Behind her husband's back, Minerva articulated soundlessly

"Muggle sweet."

"It's a muggle sweet, dear, and you should really try one."

Minerva rolled her eyes.

"Albus, I have told you a thousand times- there is a time for lemon drops, and now is not it!'

With a last stern look at her spouse, she turned to Noctua.

"You see, Noctua, it is a secret."