The Parent Trap

A/n: Many thanks to all of you that have taken the time to read and review this chapter. We are both over the moon that you are enjoying the story. On with the story.

Chapter Six: Answers, Plans, and A New Identity-by Ang.

Abigail found it incredibly hard to move her feet towards the young reflection that was her twin sister. But, with a slight nudge from Madame Malkin, she began walking towards the girl with awe and wonder. The closer she walked to the girl in the Hogwarts uniform, the more nervous and excited she became.

"Umm, hello. My name is Abigail McGonagall," she said softly yet with a critical eye and a determined tone that was almost identical to her mother's tone of voice.

"I…I'm Evelyn Dumbledore but my Dad calls me Evie," was the other girl's reply.

Madame Malkin wasn't exactly sure what she should do. She watched the two young women begin a conversation and suddenly she was torn between helping them learn who they really were and owling Minerva McGonagall and Albus Dumbledore. Deciding that it would only cause a scene to own the most powerful witch and wizard with this kind of news, she walked to the back of the shop towards the confused girls.

"It seems that you two have met formally and I'm sure that you have a lot of questions for each other. Why don't you come into my private office upstairs and you can get to know each other? If anyone comes looking for you, I'll send them up straightaway." Madame Malkin smiled sweetly at the girls and patted them each on the back as she watched their matching blue eyes cloud over with curiosity.

"Do you know anything about this?" Evie asked the woman bluntly, mirroring Minerva's ability to get straight to the point.

"In all honesty, I can say no. I had no idea there were two of you until a few moments ago. But it wasn't my place to say anything to either of you."

Both Abigail and Evie eyed the woman curiously and deciding that there was no harm in taking her up on her offer, they followed the woman upstairs as thousands of questions formed in their minds.

"I'll be downstairs if you should need me, ladies," the older woman said as she gently closed the door behind her. She listened outside the door for a few moments, making sure that they were at least speaking to one another before quietly descending the stairs to her shop. She couldn't help but wonder what on earth would happen if Minerva or Albus appeared and she had to explain the situation to either or both of them. Nervously, she watched the door for any sign of the guardians for those two lovely young girls upstairs.

Evie was the more outspoken one at first and not long after the girls were left alone, she began to fire question after question at the girl who looked identical to her. She wanted to know so many things and her only problem was where to start in finding her answers. Up until a few moments ago, Evie had always assumed, like Abigail, that she was an only child.

"What's your name again and who is your mother?"

"My name is Abigail McGonagall and I live with my mother, Minerva, in the Highlands of Scotland on a rather large bit of property. What did you say your name is?"

"I'm Evelyn Dumbledore and my Father is Albus Dumbledore. Perhaps you've head of him?" she said with a hint of superiority. She was accustomed to people fawning all over her once they learned the identity of her father and it was not something she liked very much. She had learned at a tender age that most people only wanted to meet her so they could get closer to her father, something she did not like at all, especially if it took his time away from her.

"Yes, I have and he's remarkable. I just bought a book about him in Flourish and Blotts that I've been dying to read. Mother never would let me buy it but I managed to sneak it in among my schoolbooks and she doesn't know." Abigail offered a smile that matched her mothers and for the first time Evie realized she had seen that smile before. She didn't get a chance to ask her question because Abigail spoke first. "Is he really as powerful and kind hearted as he appears? I bet he's a wonderful father with lots of stories and interesting thoughts of magical things."

"Oh yes, he's wonderful…when he's around," Evie finished softly. "But what about your father? You didn't mention him at all but you have to have one."

"I've never met my father but I know he was in Gryffindor and he was older than my mother. She doesn't talk about him much and I don't ask questions because it upsets her terribly. I'm sure he was a fascinating man and I think some of my habits remind her a little of him because of the way she acts."

"That's odd because my Father is the same way. Every time I mention my mother, he gets the same way. I've tried to ask him about her but he will only tell me that she was beautiful and that he loved her very much. I've never met her but I do have a picture of her. My Uncle Aberforth gave me a locket to wear around my neck that has her picture inside. It's our little secret because I think it would upset Papa if he knew. Would you like to see her picture? She's the most attractive woman I've ever seen!"

Abigail nodded her head as she tried to pull all the pieces together. So much of Evie's story matched her own, only with different parents and that caused her analytical mind to race wildly with all sorts of scenarios. As Evie took the locket from around her neck and handed it to her, Abigail took a deep breath and felt goosebumps rising on her arms. Taking the silver piece of jewelry in her hands she shivered and looked down at the all too familiar face smiling back at her.

"This…this can't be! How did you get this picture? What kind of trick are you pulling on me?" Abigail practically yelled at a bewildered Evie as she backed away from the other girl.

"I'm not pulling any tricks. What's your problem? This is my mother. I don't know her name but I do know that she is a powerful witch and she left me when I was just one year old."

"But…Evelyn…this is my mother. Her name is Minerva and I live with her. My parents separated when I was just one year old and mother refuses to speak of father. Quick, what's your birthday?"

"June 25, 1945" they said in unison and then fell utterly silent for several minutes, each too shocked to form a coherent thought.

Abigail was the first to regain her composure as she removed the book of Albus Dumbledore from her pocket and made it the correct size again. She flipped through the pages of the book and marveled at the handsome man that seemed to be smiling at her from each of the pages. "This is so unbelievable. The man I've always admired and dreamed of meeting for years is actually my father. He's the one person I've always found mesmerizing, aside from mother of course, and look, I think we even have the same eyes," she said pointing to a particularly close up photo of Albus. Then, looking at Evie, she realized that her sister also had the same stunning blue eyes she had seen looking back at her from the mirror for the last eleven years.

"And you've been living with our mother, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. I've always wanted to know so many things about her. What does she smell like? Is her hair as soft as it looks in this picture? How does her laugh sound? You've had her all this time and I'd kill for the chance to spend some time with her. Just to have her hug me once would be the best feeling in the world."

That was how the simple plan was formed. Abigail had always wanted to spend time with the great Albus Dumbledore and now that she knew he was her father, the intrigue, mystery and desire to meet him was undeniable. And Evie had dreams of meeting her mother and learning all small details that perhaps Abigail took for granted.

It wasn't long before both pairs of crystal blue eyes began to sparkle and twinkle madly as an idea was formed separately and yet together inside their minds. And it didn't take long to realize that they were each thinking the same thing.

"If we switch today, that'll give us several weeks before we have to start Hogwarts. Then, we can go back to being ourselves and they'll be none the wiser," Abigail suggested. "That will give us the chance to spend time with our other parent and…"

"And we can try to sneak around and find out why they each took one of us in the first place. I'd like to know how they chose which one got us and why they aren't together anymore."

After discussing at length the layout of their living arrangements and some of the more important details that could prove to be the downfall of their master plan, the girls promised to owl each other with any information they obtained and to stay in touch throughout the remainder of the summer. They switched clothes and made their way back downstairs, catching the attention of Madame Malkin and calling her back to one of the dressing rooms and having her put a silencing charm on the small changing room.

"Okay, you know our secret but we are begging you not to tell anyone that we've met today. We'd like to switch places at least until it is time to go to Hogwarts so please don't mention to Uncle Albus or Minerva McGonagall what's happened today."

"And don't you dare tell Albus Dumbledore either," Abigail chimed in rather forcefully. "We promise to switch back once we're at Hogwarts and our parents won't be any the wiser about our little deception. After all, they had to know that we'd figure things out as soon as we spied each other in the Great Hall."

Several more moments of listening to the girls' well thought out yet hurried plans had the wise old woman convinced that they were going to proceed with their plans with or without her help. And she'd rather they had someone to confide in and trust if things got shaky so she willingly agreed to keep their secret but only if they kept her updated on any developments.

"Deal," they both said simultaneously.

"Evelyn Dumbledore, your Uncle is here waiting for you," a young woman called towards the back of the shop. With a swish of her wand, Madame Malkin switched their clothing and wished them luck before sending Abigail out to meet her Uncle Aberforth and to begin the adventure of meeting her already beloved father for the first time as Evie waited impatiently for her mother to arrive.

To Be Continued…