Chapter 2 – Master Dumbledore

Aberforth was awoken by a tapping at his window. He rolled over and looked at his tie displayer. He saw that it was only six thirty in the morning.

Who in the world wants to wake me so early? He thought while getting out bed. He put on his slippers and opened the window for a very beautiful red and gold phoenix.

Aberforth recognized the phoenix immediately. This particular bird belongs to his brother, Albus Dumbledore.

Fawkes extended a leg on which he had a letter attached. Aberforth took the letter and began to unfold it. He recognized his brother's handwriting and began to read.

Dear Aberforth,

I extend an invitation to you to come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm sure you apprentices will be fine alone for a few days. If you still are unsure of leaving them alone I am willing to send one of our professors to look after them during your absence.

Please respond promptly. Fawkes will not leave until you do and you know from much experience how persistent he can be.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Aberforth looked at Fawkes with some trepidation.

"You're not going to peck at my hand like you did the last time." He said while rubbing the back of his hand.

"I think I still have some marks from where you struck." Fawkes cocked his head and looked at him with a piercing look.

"Oh, all right. I'll respond immediately so you will leave me alone!" he said. The bird seemed to relax a little as if satisfied he was finally getting through to the old man.

Every time Fawkes was sent to Aberforth with a letter, he would have to wait at least two days, if he was lucky, for Aberforth to respond. Fawkes hated being away from Albus for so long, but on the other hand he did like the girl living with Aberforth. She always gave him candy and pet him while he was there.

After one incident, when it took Aberforth 2 months to respond, Albus started to tell Fawkes to peck him until he wrote back. This gave Fawkes great pleasure and Aberforth never took more than a few minutes to respond to his brothers letters.

Aberforth began to write a letter with a smirk on his face.

My brother knows me well. He thought.

It was true that Aberforth was always worried about leaving his apprentices alone. True they were both old enough to take care of themselves, especially Sam, but he had been teaching them from the age of 7 and had grown quite attached to them. He saw them as his own children. He had seen them grow into the individuals that they are today.

They showed great potential and loved to learn. Although Sam had a slight attitude problem; Aberforth believed it was because of the blow life had dealt him.

Sam had lost both of his parents at the age of 5 and was then sent to an orphanage.

That is where Aberforth had found him while walking by. Sam was in a corner by himself making a ball he was holding float all on its own. Aberforth felt great power surge from the boy. He immediately went into the orphanage and adopted the boy. The staff was only too happy to get rid off him. He was always causing trouble and he scared the other orphans with what they could only describe as, magic.

Sam was quite difficult at first, but when Veronica came along he seemed to brighten up and accept Aberforth as his teacher. He smiled more and was more relaxed and willing to learn.

Although, when Veronica went away he would lock himself in his room and would not come out until she returned.

Veronica on the other hand was always happy. She took a liking to Aberforth immediately and always wanted to learn something knew from him.

She was sent to Aberforth by her father who knew Aberforth personally. When she started to show signs of magic Veronica's father thought it would be best if Aberforth taught her. He knew of no other teacher who would take care of his daughter.

Aberforth had to keep them together because one would not learn without the other. The only class they had separately was advanced charms for Sam and advanced potions for Veronica.

Class would start at promptly at eight o'clock and ended at four o'clock. They had four classes a day; breakfast was at seven thirty, lunch at twelve, and dinner at six.

Sam had a strong interest in the Dark Arts, Dark Lords, and charms. Veronica had an interest in the Light Arts, Good wizards, and potions and healing powers.

Aberforth was afraid that Sam would become a Dark Wizard, but then he saw the effect Veronica had on him and he knew that Sam would never do anything to harm Veronica. And becoming a Dark Wizard would kill her.

What would happen if something were to happen to Veronica? Aberforth often asked himself. Aberforth always had a close eye on Veronica to make sure no harm came to her. When Veronica was hurt by something or someone Sam would go on a rampage. He would make the sky as dark as night and thunder and lightning until he was satisfied that Veronica was alright.

Aberforth knew that both Veronica and Sam were elementals. And it frightened him to no end. He didn't know how to teach them those powers because he didn't have them himself. He would have to let them learn to control them on their own accord. He didn't really know when they would show these powers. Sometimes they would come when Sam was upset, but other times he wouldn't show them at all.

Sam seemed to control fire and earth, while Veronica seemed to control air and water. Although for some strange reason they could both control the weather, which confused Aberforth.

Fawkes pecked at Aberforth's hand bringing him out of his daze.

"OWW! I'm sorry I was thinking about what to write!" He lied rubbing his arm where the bird had pecked.

Aberforth grabbed a parchment from the top drawer of his desk. He took his eagle feather quill, dipped it in the ink bottle and began to write the letter to his brother.

Dear Albus,

I would be delighted to come and visit you. I would be grateful if you sent me a professor to watch my students while I am away. I will see you in a week's time.

Sincerely,

Aberforth Dumbledore

Aberforth attached the letter to Fawkes and led him to the window on his arm. He watched the bird fly away, still rubbing the sore spot where the bird had pecked him earlier.

There was a light knock at the door.

"Come in."

Veronica entered the room timidly.

"Sorry to bother you, Master. I hope I didn't wake you." She said quietly.

"No, my dear, I've been awake for a while. What can I do for you?"

"I was just wondering if you were going to join us for breakfast this morning."

"Of course, but it is not yet…." He said looking at his time displayer noticing that it was already eight o'clock.

"Oh my, is that the time. Have you been waiting for me all this time?" he looked at her and she nodded.

"I am so sorry. I will be down shortly." He said and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

When Aberforth got the dining room he saw Sam and Veronica sitting at the table waiting for him. He noticed that they had put a warming spell on the food so it would not get cold while they waited.

"I am terribly sorry. I received a letter from Albus this morning and his bird would not leave me alone until I wrote him back." He said with a small bow.

"That is alright, sir. Sam and I were just talking about your brother." She said looking at Sam.

Aberforth knew they were communicating with each other, but did not know the cause.

"Is something the matter?" He asked sitting in his usual seat.

"Well sir, the strangest thing happened to us tonight. Veronica and I had the strangest dream." Sam said looking back at Master Dumbledore.

"Care to inform me of this strange dream. Maybe I can be of some assistance." Master Dumbledore said looking from one to the other.

"We hope so!" Veronica said in an undertone which didn't go unnoticed.

Sam and Veronica looked at each other. After a moment Veronica nodded and Sam began to speak.

After telling Master Dumbledore the dream they had, Sam sat silently looking down at his plate. Master Dumbledore put a hand on Veronica's shoulder after noticing her discomfort.

"Do not worry, my children. I'm sure it was just a dream and since you two are very attached emotionally and mentally one just pasted it on to the other; thus causing both of you to have the same dream." He said

Breakfast continued as usual and the feeling of concern left the table. They spoke of the day's classes and what would be expected of them today. Master Dumbledore was a little concerned at their story and was even more worried when they had had the dream the same night he had gotten the letter from Albus.

After breakfast Master Dumbledore walked up the stairs to his room with the intention of writing another letter to his brother. He would tell Albus that it would be impossible to go to Hogwarts.

What he found in his room would change all of that.