The Parent Trap

A/N: We are both over the moon that you are enjoying this story. We are having a great time writing it and we want AD/MM back together as much as you do! Enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen: Quills and Dates

Abigail sat in her father's office, watching him work away. She watched with interest as his bright purple quill scribbled across the parchment at lightening speed. It was a beautiful quill and Abigail had been admiring it since she arrived.

"Papa," she asked, "how did you get that quill?"

"Evie," he said looking up from was his work, "you seem to have lost your memory."

"I just like to hear the story!" she quickly replied. It was getting harder and harder each day to act like Evie would.

Albus Dumbledore laid the quill down on the desk and packed away his ink pot and spare pieces of parchment. He stood up from his chair and made his way over to where his daughter was sitting. He sat beside her on the couch and wrapped an arm around her.

"It is an everlasting quill," he told her "and it was given to me by a very special woman."

"My mother?" asked Abigail.

Albus closed his eyes and nodded silently. The quill, Evie and his memories were all that he had left of his beloved wife. He had loved her so much. She had been his everything but he hadn't realized that he had been taking her for granted. He spent most of his time working away from home because he felt he was the only one who could bring the downfall of Grindelwald and his followers. Even when he was at home with her, he would be working and she would be looking after the twins.

Albus' marriage had failed because he hadn't bothered to put in any effort to keep it going. He had been living in denial that Minerva was unhappy with the situation and he had told himself that once dark magic had been brought under control, things would be better. He missed his other daughter as well and was so looking forward to the start of the new school year. At last he would be able so see what type of young woman she had grown up to be. He also had to talk to Evie about her sister so it wouldn't be so much of a shock. He had no idea what to say. Maybe he should write to Minerva and see how she was handling the situation but then he had never sent any of the notes he had written to Minerva since she had fled from him. The letters were all locked away in a small box that was placed under his bed along with their wedding rings.

Abigail was watching her father closely. She could tell he was deep in thought and she didn't attempt to break the silence that had engulfed the room. She was touched that he was still using the quill that her mother had bought him and she was sure that it meant something. She knew he still loved her.

A knock on the door broke into Albus' thoughts and he sighed with annoyance. He didn't want Evie and himself to be disturbed. Recently Albus had been feeling very guilty about not spending as much time with his daughter as he should be. He had finished the paperwork he had needed to do and had planned to devote the rest of the day with his daughter.

"Come in!" he called out as he shot his daughter an apologetic look.

The door was pushed opened and to Abigail's horror it was the witch who had said that she was going to ask her father out on a date. Nicholette Cline was the Charms professor. She had dark colored eyes and brown wavy hair that bounced off her shoulders. She wasn't a particularly tall witch but she was slim and very feminine. Abigail felt herself inch closer to her father and she couldn't stop herself from glaring at the Charms professor.

"Professor Cline," greeted Albus as he stood up and smiled "what brings you here?"

Nicholette Cline flashed him a bright smile. The whiteness of her teeth made Abigail flinch from the brightness.

"Well," she replied as she walked forward and stood within inches of him "it's actually more what I can do for you."

Albus looked intrigued and wondered what Nicholette Cline could do for him. He raised an eyebrow as he glanced sideways to look at his daughter. He was surprised to find her glaring at the woman standing near him.

"What can you do for me, then?" questioned Albus.

"I have noticed that you have been working so hard and that you haven't made time for yourself," she began. "So some of us are going out on Friday evening for a few drinks and a bite to eat at the Three Broomsticks and we wondered if you would like to join us."

"That would be very nice," answered Albus with a friendly smile. Having a night out with his colleagues would do him some good and Evie could spend the evening with Aberforth.

Nicholette clapped her hands together and smiled brightly "Wonderful!"

Nicholette explained the details and before Albus could have seconds thoughts she was gone. Nicholette was extremely pleased with herself. She was going to spend the evening alone with Albus Dumbledore. She had known that if she had asked him to accompany her to the pub, he would have politely refused so she had told a little white lie and told him that there would be others. She couldn't wait to tell the other ladies about her big plans for Albus Dumbledore.

Back in the office, Albus sat down next to his daughter and tapped her playfully on the nose. Abigail smiled sweetly but couldn't help but wonder what the Charms professor was up to. Abigail was sure that she had heard her informing the two other female professors that she wanted to date the Deputy Headmaster.

"Sweetpea," he asked, "are you okay?"

"I don't like Professor Cline," she voiced her opinion.

"But why," inquired Albus, who was confused slightly but then he was hit by a sudden realization. "It's not a date darling. Just a group of colleagues going out for a drink. You are still my number one and only girl!"

Abigail smiled and hoped that he was right. She didn't want Nicholette Cline getting in the way as she tried to get her parents back together so they could all be a family. Abigail wondered if Evie had read her letter yet. She knew that she would have to write another one to her to update her on the date situation. Abigail missed her mother and wanted to be reunited with her as soon as possible. She also wanted to remain with her father and sister. Abigail knew that the only way to prevent Professor Cline from becoming a permanent fixture in their lives was to tell her father about the switch.

Abigail excused herself from her father's office and told him that she needed to get a few things from her room before they go and have their picnic near the lake. Abigail dashed down the corridor and came to an abrupt halt when she heard excited whispers.

"I told him that a group of us is going out for drink and something to eat on Friday," whispered Nicholette.

"But there isn't." said Meredith.

"Precisely," laughed Nicholette. "It will be just the two of us and I promise you that I am going to make him forget all about that witch who left him alone with a daughter to bring up."

Abigail glared in the direction of the two witches huddled together in the hallway. She definitely had to do something now. She needed to write an urgent owl to her sister and they needed to come clean about the swap.

To be continued