The Parent Trap

Chapter Fifteen: Stalling for time by Clayre

Abigail had received word from her sister that their mother knew of the switch and was going to come to Hogwarts. Evie had written in her letter that she could expect them at lunchtime on Friday. It was now four o'clock that Friday afternoon and there had been so sign of Evie or their mother. Abigail was feeling uncomfortable. It was getting closer and closer to the hour that her father was going to meet up with that woman and Abigail couldn't do much about it.

She had complained of stomach cramps during the morning and her father had sent for the school medi-witch to check her over and the nurse had found nothing wrong with her. She had also informed her Uncle Aberforth what was going on but he had been unable to help. He told her that her father was a grown man and able to handle the situation easily. Abigail hadn't mentioned about Evie returning and bringing their mother with her.

Abigail glanced at the large, ornate grandfather clock that stood in the far left corner of the room and shifted uncomfortably. Time was ticking away and Abigail felt useless. She didn't want to blurt out that she was actually Abigail and that they were soon to all be reunited again. She hadn't told her father who she was yet. She couldn't find the words to speak to him about it. He had also been rushed off his feet with one thing after the other all day. Armando Dippet had been called away to a meeting and her father had been left in charge. Once again, he had been taken away from her by his work and Abigail was beginning to understand how her mother felt so many years ago.

The days she had spent with her father had been wonderful, full of laughter and eating sweets together while talking about a range of different subjects. He hadn't been with her all the time because his work had taken over and Abigail had been left to her own devices. She spent most of the free time thinking. Her thoughts wandered to her mother and father's relationship. To her they seemed the perfect couple. She had seen a picture of them together beside her father's bed and had stared at it for hours. (If he had the picture there, Evie would have recognized Minerva in her locket that Aberforth had given her. Maybe Abigail went snooping in a special drawer that she managed to unlock with an advanced charm or something and found the photo…just a suggestion.) They seemed truly happy.

For a while, Abigail had blamed her mother for parting the family. She wasn't proud of doing that but she couldn't help her feelings. Her emotions were on overload and her mother seemed the best person to blame. Aberforth had laid most of the blame at her father's door, which had surprised Abigail. She would have thought he would have been on his brother's side. The more time her father was away, Abigail realized what her mother must have felt. She resented her father for having the job he had. He was a great professor but she wanted him to be a dad. She was so used to being the center of her mother's world that living with her father had been a shock. Abigail knew that her father's love for her was strong and that she was the apple of his eye, well Evie was. She couldn't blame him for working hard. It was something he had to do but she wished he didn't. Abigail wondered why he hadn't searched for them once he knew they had gone. She had heard his excuses but she couldn't help but think they were pitiful. She supposed he found it harder each day to get up the courage to find them but she wished he had tried though. She knew of the letters he wrote her and where they were all hidden. Perhaps when her parents got back together they could all read them.

"Sweetpea," came the sound of her father's voice "are you here?"

Albus Dumbledore walked in and smiled at his daughter. She was looking more like her mother each day now and it pulled at his heartstrings. He, once again, felt bad for working while he should be spending time with her before she started her school life.

"Hello Papa," Abigail replied as she sprung from the chair she was sitting in and launched herself into his arms.

"Oh, what a welcome," he chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly, kissing her forehead. "How's the stomach?"

"Oh," said Abigail pulling back slightly "it's a little better."

"Would you like me to cancel tonight?" he asked her.

Abigail thought for a moment. She was unsure what to say. It would be perfect if he stayed but she also wanted the woman who was trying to trick her father to be caught in her devious plan of deceiving Albus.

"Would you mind?" she questioned.

"Evie," answered Albus "you are my main concern. Dinners can be rearranged, unlike you."

Albus chuckled and stared down at his daughter. She had definitely changed over the last few days and to him she seemed like a totally new person. It was decided that Albus would cancel the drinks and dinner with the staff and stay with his daughter. They were going to play a selection of muggle games that had been given to Albus for Christmas last year and have their own little feast up in their rooms.

While her father was finding the games, Abigail glanced at the clock again and worried. Where were they? Had something gone wrong? Had there been an accident? She hadn't heard a word from her sister since the note she received that morning saying that they would be all together for lunch. But that had been five hours ago now.

"A knut for your thoughts?" asked Albus as he walked over and placed the games down on the table.

Abigail looked at the pile and smiled. There was Snakes and Ladders, Connect 4, Scrabble and Monopoly. She had played all of these before with her mother and had always enjoyed them.

"My thoughts aren't worth that much!" she replied with a smile.

"Well if you want to share," he continued, "then I am all ears."

Abigail smiled and nodded her head before leaning forward and began to unpack Snakes and Ladders. They both got into the game with Abigail ahead when there was a knock on the door and Abigail's heart started to beat faster. They were finally here. Albus rose from his chair and walked over to the door. He opened it and greeted the visitor politely.

"Nicholette," he said with a smile "what can we do for you?"

"Can I come in Albus?" she asked even though she had already walked into the room and was scanning it as if she was looking for something or someone. "Evie dear, how are you feeling?"

"Fine thank you," answered Abigail through gritted teeth. She didn't like it that Nicholette had appeared unannounced.

"Good," replied the Charms professor "you won't mind if I steal your father for an hour then."

"Nicholette," interrupted Albus "I am staying in with Evie tonight. She hasn't been too well today and I would like to keep an eye on her. I am sure we can arrange another night. I have responsibilities here."

Nicholette didn't take his words too seriously. She had spent most of the day making herself beautiful for her date with Albus Dumbledore and she wasn't going to give up so easily. All she needed to do was get past the daughter and then Albus Dumbledore would be like putty in her hands.

"Albus," she said sweetly "I really think you need this night out. Evie looks well enough to spend some time with someone else but you. You need some adult company."

"Maybe tomorrow night," answered Albus. "Tonight I have my daughter to keep company."

"May I speak freely?" asked Nicholette who was watching Abigail closely.

"You may," answered Albus who was rather confused by the whole situation. Why was his presence needed so badly at a staff get together?

"I think she is putting it on," declared Nicholette. "She doesn't want to share you with anyone else. She isn't putting your happiness first, just her own selfishness."

"Professor," snapped Albus, slipping into his professional mode. "Evie is only eleven years old, a child. I will not have you speak to or about her like this!"

Abigail had risen from her chair and had gone to stand beside her father, glaring at the witch before her. Abigail might be pretending about her cramps but she was willing to share her father but only with her sister and mother. Albus had placed a protective arm around his daughter. He had been completely taken back by Nicholette's outburst.

"Children can be spiteful," argued Nicholette. "She has you wrapped around her little finger!"

"She is my daughter and I am bound to choose her over some staff drinks this evening," replied Albus. "Now I think you ought to be going."

Abigail tried not to smirk at the look on Nicholette's face. She looked down at her feet so she could stifle a giggle. Nicholette was about the turn on her heel and storm out when there was a gentle tapping on the door and a girl with black hair and blue eyes peered around it mischievously.

To be continued.