A Path To Forgiveness by Ang

"I can't believe they're back together, Albus. They act as if they've known each other all their lives and yet I know it is because of me that they've lost all those years," Minerva finally said as they closed the door and returned to the sofa. "All that wasted time and it's all my fault."

"Minerva, you know that's not true. Neither of them blames you for what happened between us. I feel like you do though. If I had not been so foolish or set in my ways, I would have realized what was happening between us and gone after you both. Instead, I chose to believe you would come back and when you did not, I made myself believe it was too late."

Minerva stared into his face, his eyes no longer twinkling but filling with unshed tears. "If you had come to me a year after we left and offered a sincere apology, it would not have been too late, Albus. I loved you and leaving you was the hardest thing I've ever done. But what's worse is I left my child behind. Talk about the worst of mothers…"

"How were you to know that you were leaving her behind? I am positive had you actually thought I would not follow, you would have packed up both our bundles of joy and taken them with you." He reached over and took her hand in his. "You are a wonderful mother. Just look at the amazing job you've done with Abigail. She's just like you in so many ways and for that I am most grateful."

Minerva gave a weak smile in response to his praise. "And I meant what I said about Evie. She's a true delight and I can see your influence in her life." She paused to look into the dying embers of the fire. "Now it seems we have a slight dilemma on our hands."

"And what would that be, my dear?" Albus had always used that phrase as a term of endearment for Minerva. It had started long before they were actually lovers or married, back to the days when she was his student. And even to this day, whenever she heard it, her heart gave a slight quiver for it evoked so many emotions and memories.

"What do to with the girls between now and when they start school? I don't think it's fair to deny them this time to get to know each other. We've already seen to it that they've lost eleven years. I know I will not allow them to lose another month or even another week on my behalf."

"Why can't you and Abigail stay here…with me and Evie? There's plenty of room. The staff at Hogwarts will certainly understand once things have been explained." He looked deep into her emerald eyes. "And it will give us a chance to spend time with both of our girls at once."

"I don't know Albus. While that sounds like a logical and workable plan, there are so many things to consider. First and foremost, you still have duties to attend to and I will not go back to the way things were when I left. I cannot live here and take care of our daughters while you fight evil wizards, attend meetings, and basically visit us whenever we can fit into your schedule." Minerva felt her temper beginning to rise as well as her voice and she quickly worked to subdue both. "I think I've had a long day and I need to get some sleep. We can discuss this later, but for now I think it's best if we just take each day as it comes."

Albus watched as Minerva gracefully rose and crossed the room towards the bedroom door. "Thank you for the use of the bedroom, Albus. I'll send some blankets and a pillow out to you in a few minutes." She turned to walk inside the bedroom but turned and glanced back at the man still sitting on the sofa, seeing his head buried in his hands. "Albus, it took both of us to destroy what we had and it is going to take both of us to make a suitable life for each of our daughters. But it will take time." She paused as he looked up at her and gave a faint smile. "Good night and sleep well." With that, she closed the door leaving him all alone with his thoughts.

And those thoughts plagued him all through the night. He wasn't sure what time it was when he finally drifted to sleep but even then his memories would not leave him alone. He recalled scenes from the happier days with Minerva. Their wedding and honeymoon, the day they learned they were having twins, their first birthdays, and all the nights he held Minerva in his arms all ran though his weary mind. And then, just as quickly as those memories had appeared, they were gone and replaced with the dark days.

Those were the ones that haunted his dreams, even before Minerva was around to remind him of what he had lost. He could still hear Evie calling for her mommy after a nightmare. He heard her asking why her mum wasn't there for her birthdays. Even the times when she hadn't thought he could hear, she had cried for the woman she was too young to remember. Waking in a cold sweat, he rose and walked to the bedroom door of his sleeping children. As he eased the door open and peered inside, he felt a hand on his back.

"I couldn't sleep either. I had to check to make sure I wasn't dreaming," Minerva whispered.

"I'm sorry Minerva…for everything," he quietly said in reply.

"Now is not the time, Albus. Give us time to heal and perhaps one day things will be different." Minerva walked over and drew the blankets up around each of her daughters, kissing them each once more before returning to bed, leaving Albus to follow in her path.

"Did you hear that Evie?" Abigail asked excited. "Mum thinks that there's a chance for change."

"And Papa actually said he was sorry," Evie whispered back to her sister. "I think there's hope yet, sis, and all we have to do is help them along just a bit."

"How do you suggest we go about that? We're not even sure how long Mum will stay here and what will happen to us if she decides to leave. I'm sure they'll each want us for a little bit of what's left of our summer." Abigail had always been the logical thinker between the two and it was evidenced by her questioning of her sister. Evie, on the other hand, liked to dream up ideas only to have her father or Uncle Aberforth show her the flaws.

"I'm not sure but we've got to think of something. Maybe if we leave them alone tomorrow they'll actually feel free to talk and that's always good. I just know that if they sat down and really talked about what happened all those years ago, they'd both see how wrong they each were for splitting up like they did."

"Well, I can tell you for a fact that it is going to take a lot more for Mum to forgive him than just that simple apology. I've lived with her long enough to know that when she puts her mind to something, it's very hard to change it."

"Ah but my dear sister, that was before Papa and I were back in her life. She might be able to deny one of us, but never both of us. If we can just get Papa to see that he might have a chance at winning her back, then she'll have three of us to contend with and as you've already seen, Papa can be a very persuasive man." It was another hour before the two scheming witches finally stopped talking long enough to drift back to sleep.

Albus was the first to wake the following morning and despite his rough night, he was a happy man. It had been ages since his entire family had been under one roof and even though things were far from settled, he felt optimistic. Taking matters into his own hands, he hastily wrote Armando an owl telling him of the recent events and begging for a little time to get his family business taken care of satisfactorily. When he received a prompt reply stating that his request had been granted, he felt like a new man…a man who had a wife and a family.

Minerva rolled over in bed and snuggled deep into the bedding. It smelled of lemon drops and Albus' cologne. A broad smile broke across her face as she drifted between the deep sleep and the hazy awake period which often came with morning. For a brief period, she was transported to a time when she would reach across the bed, hoping to snuggle with Albus before the morning started. When she fully woke, she chastised herself for becoming so sentimental and for even entertaining the notion of him lying beside her. Drawing his dressing gown around her slender frame, she walked into the sitting room to greet the day.

"It's about time you got us, Minerva. I thought you'd be up with the sunshine this morning," Albus said handing her a cup of freshly brewed tea. When she looked around, she was shocked. He had moved the furniture and instead of a sofa and end tables, there was a grand table set for four.

"I thought it might be nice for the girls if we all sat down to breakfast together, just like a normal family. I took the liberty of having the house elves prepare a feast with lots of choices. I wasn't sure what you liked to eat for breakfast but I did remember what you used to eat all those years ago."

"That's very kind of you, Albus, and it looks delicious. I admit that when I woke up this morning, my stomach was growling. Shall I go wake the girls?"

"Perfect and I'll pour their juice," he answered. Before she had taken the first step towards their door, Albus was already pulling out their chairs and making sure everything was in order.

"Albus, come quickly!" Minerva yelled from their bedroom.

Dropping the pitcher of juice on the floor, he dashed to her side and looked into the room in confusion. His little angels, his darling girls were gone. Rushing to their beds he pulled back the sheets, hoping to find them hiding beneath. Instead all he found was a note pinned to Abigail's unicorn.

Dear Mum and Papa,

We thought we'd like to explore the castle together this morning and maybe some of the grounds too. Evie promised to show me around and help me become familiar with the school since I'll be starting here soon enough. Since we're not sure where our adventures will lead us, there's no use looking for us. Besides, you know we won't be easily found and you can take this quiet time to talk about our futures, hopefully as a family.

If you feel up to it and would like to spend some time with us as a family, we'll be at the east side of the lake around lunch. Evie talked to the house elves early this morning and they're going to bring a picnic basket for us.

Enjoy your morning together!

Love,

Abigail and Evie

Minerva sank onto the bed and tried to catch her breath. She had been scared that their children had grown angry with them and run away. Instead, they were just being mischievous children, rising early to seek an adventure together. A giggle escaped her lips and Albus looked at her in confusion.

"Can you imagine what it would have been like if they'd actually grown up together? I dare say we would have had our hands full in keeping up with those two lassies!" Albus shared in her humor and before long, they were both overcome with a wave of relief, knowing that their girls were safe and most likely having the time of their lives…together.

"Come on my dear, let's not waste this glorious breakfast. The least you can do is help me eat it since your daughters have deserted me."

"My daughters? You're the one who always sought the thrill of the unknown," she teased taking his offered hand. "Besides, I seem to remember a story about yourself and Abeforth pulling a similar trick to your mother and father once so they have to get it from your side of the family."

"Perhaps they do but I know one thing for certain." Minerva raised her eyebrows in silent question. "They get their looks from your side of the family and I couldn't be more pleased." Holding out her chair, he waited for her to be seated before taking his place across the table and beginning to enjoy their first full day together again.

TBC…