Torn Between Brothers

A/n: In answer to a few reviews, Minerva at the moment is unaware that Albus and Aberforth are not the same man. She notices subtle differences but doesn't think too much about them at the time because she is annoyed. She will become aware very soon though so. Thanks for your reviews, I greatly appreciate the feedback.

Chapter Five: Bramstorm's Books.

Half way back to Hogwarts, Albus had suddenly informed Armando that he hadn't gotten enough sherbet lemons and that he needed to go back and get some more otherwise he would find it hard to sleep that night. Albus ignored the disbelieving look in his friend's eye and simply smiled.

"Why don't you just ask them to send a owl with some more!" suggested Armando, through he knew it would fall on deaf eyes

"They tend to end up broken when they arrive by owl," replied Albus "nothing worse than a sherbet lemon without the sherbet in!"

Armando was sure that Albus had plenty of sherbet lemons in his honeydukes bag; he had seen him fill one bag up with just those sweets. The only reason Albus wanted to go back to Hogsmeade was to hopefully bump into the woman who he had managed to knock over and annoy. Armando couldn't quite believe the change in his friend since the morning and he felt responsible for bringing him out in public. He also knew that there was no point into trying to argue with Albus because he had that determined glint in his eye. In the end, Armando simply let Albus do what he wanted; after all he was a grown man. Armando declined politely to accompany Albus back down to Hogsmeade, his feet were aching and he didn't want to see his friend hexed by an angry witch who would probably turn on him once she had dealt with Albus. Albus didn't seem to mind that Armando wouldn't be coming with him and waved his friend goodbye before walking back the way he had just come.

Albus didn't like people thinking badly of him, he had received bad press recently because of his ideas but he had simply let that wash over him because he knew he was right. What he didn't like is people thinking he was rude and arrogant because he was neither and so he needed to settled things with that woman and maybe get to know her better in the process. He knew that it was probable that he wouldn't see her again but at least he knew that he had tried to make amends with her.

She could be anywhere now, she might not even be in Hogsmeade but Albus decided it was best to head in the direction he had last seen her walking in. Thankfully Hogsmeade wasn't as busy as it had been that morning so if she were still around then Albus would have better chance of finding her. He didn't actually know what he was going to say to her but he hoped that it would come to mind when he saw her. He popped a sherbet lemon into his mouth and quietly sucked away on it as he wandered the past the shops and other people, all the while looking out for the witch he hoped to see.

An hour had passed and Albus had not come across her, he hadn't bumped into anyone that he had known well. People knew him from Hogwarts and from what the Daily Prophet printed about him, they would nod their heads in his direction or flash brilliant smile. Albus found his fame uncomfortable, he hadn't done what he had for fame and would much rather have more of a quieter life. He wondered if the witch he had bumped into, had known who he was.

After another half an hour, Albus decided that she was long gone and that he might as well pop into one or two shops so the his journey back into Hogsmeade wasn't a complete waste of time. There was a quiet little bookshop that not many people knew about on the outskirts of the village, it specialised in books about charms and transfiguration. Albus had stumbled upon it accidentally when he had been a Hogwarts student and over the years, he had become their best customer. There was a book he had been after for sometime and today, he decided to check if they had the book in stock. He had been a couple of times all ready but it hadn't been available to him at those times but he had told David Bramstorm that he would pop by regularly and check on the status of the book.

Albus made his way to 'Bramstorm's Books' and smiled as he approached the worn around the edges shop, the outside had seen better days but it also added character to the little shop. He opened the door and the tiny bell above the door, signalled his arrival. A man with wild grey hair appeared from out of nowhere and greeted Albus with a friendly smile.

"Albus," he said, "nice to see you back again!"

"Hello David," replied Albus "my visit has been long over due!"

David Bramstorm nodded his head and then pressed his fingers together, he always did this when he was thinking about something. Albus was almost certain that he could hear the clogs turning in the elderly gentleman's head.

"Until ten minutes ago Albus," he revealed, "I had the book you have been waiting for in."

"Now that doesn't sound promising!" said Albus, cursing himself for not coming to the shop before now.

"No," replied David "but your luck may change because the person who brought the book is still here."

"Perhaps I could convince him to part with the book," Albus wondered out loud "offer him a fine price."

"It isn't a he Albus," corrected David "but a she!"

Albus had to admit that he was surprised to hear that a woman had brought such a book; it wasn't that he had anything against women but the men dominated the subject of transfiguration and so it had been a pleasant surprise to find that a woman had beaten him to the book.

David informed Albus that the woman was sat down in the far right corner of the shop with the book, she had asked if she could stay a while because she was hoping to avoid someone and the shop was also peaceful. Albus wondered if she would mind his intrusion but David seemed to think that she wouldn't mind and that they would probably strike up a wonderful conversation.

Albus made his way the right side of the shop and stuck his head around a bookshelf, he was amazed and delighted to find the woman he had been looking for. She was curled up on a large, tatty but comfortable oversized couch, her feet tucked up under her and she looked completely engrossed in the book she was reading. Her outer robe was hung over the back of the couch and she was wearing a black fitted dress that seemed to stop just above her knee, it was hard to tell though because she was sitting down. Around her neck, she wore a pendant made from silver with a jagged emerald stone as the detail.

"Sorry," she suddenly said without looking up from the book "did you want to sit here?"

Albus couldn't help but enjoy the sound of her sweet voice, her Scottish accent caressed with word lovingly. He had never been the type of person who had been overly aware of other people's accents but to him, her's was the most beautiful one he had come across.

"No," he replied "I actually came by to have a word with you about that book you are reading!"

"Oh," came the reply as she looked up from her book and saw who she was talking too, she noticed that his robes had changed again and she felt irritation sweep through her "I don't believe this!"

"What do you not believe my dear?" he asked with a smile

"Do you never listen?" she questioned as she shut the book and placed it one side.

TO BE CONTINUED….