It seemed the investigation into Hogsmeade had spooked whoever was stealing the animals. No further incidents had been reported since their search a little over a month ago. Regarding their investigation, they had found the other two townsfolk who had been under the imperious curse. One was Jasper Zonko, owner of Zonko's Joke Shop, and rather shockingly the other turned out to be Aberforth Dumbledore, owner of the Hog's Head Inn. Albus' younger brother.

Just as Ambrosius has said, they didn't seem to know when exactly they'd been placed under the curse. They only knew that it had been sometime shortly after the new school year had started. Whoever they were dealing with was smart and covered their tracks well. They were using the start of the school year so that it seemed a possibility that a student or teacher were the culprit; widening their pool of suspects. It wasn't a possibility they were discounting either.

"Are you listening Abigail?"

"Hm? Oh I'm sorry Minerva! I was just thinking about Ambrosius and the others." She lifted her tea pot and refilled their cups. The older woman gave her a look of understanding.

"I'm the same way, dear. I'm most shocked about Aberforth."

"Yes, it seems odd that he'd be caught like that. I've actually been thinking, since neither of them seems able to recall the event or which night precisely that it took place, is it possible they were totally fluthered at the time?"

Minerva paused with a bite of lemon traybake halfway to her mouth. For a moment she rolled the thought around in her head.

"I do believe you may be onto something. Aberforth owns a bar and they have been known to drink together on occasion. If plied with enough alcohol even Albus could be caught under the curse. To keep them under for so long though." She shuddered and set down her fork.

"Perhaps he used a potion to keep them pliant. Something that acted like alcohol so that he could keep someone like Aberforth under. Would something like that have shown up on Poppy's medical report?"

"It might. She tends to keep a copy of any tests she runs. You can ask her first thing in the morning."

"I'll be sure to."

They sat quietly for a moment, sipping tea and eating cake. Abigail enjoyed having tea with Minerva now and then. She was still new to the whole teaching business and the older woman was a great source of information and encouragement. It helped that she liked card games as well. Playing chess with Snape was enjoyable and wonderful for flexing her brain matter, but cards were just plain fun. Something she needed at a job where the only person even close to her age was so dour.

"You and Severus seem to be getting along much better now."

"It helps that I've stopped asking about his past."

"His past?"

"Yes. I didn't trust him when I came to work here. He's a former Death Eater after all and no one knows why he switched sides."

"Dumbledore has always said he knows something that proves Severus' loyalty without a shadow of a doubt. He's quite tight lipped about it, though."

"Yes. He wouldn't tell me anything. So I tried to go to the source, and well you saw our behavior after that. I'm sure that tells it all."

"My dear I thought he may curse you in the hallways with the way he was glaring at you behind your back."

"I was less than kind about it. After I apologized for my behavior and our subsequent jaunt through the forest I dropped the subject. We all have our secrets and for different reasons; something I'd forgotten in my self-righteousness. I'll judge him by his behavior from now on. That will tell me all I need to know."

"I trust Dumbledore. If he trusts Severus then so will I." Abigail hummed quietly at that and took a sip of tea. "Do you trust him now?"

"Who? Dumbledore?" Minerva gave her an exasperated look.

"Severus, dear." She looked at the young woman as if she were daft. "You said you didn't trust him when you came here. What about now?"

"I'm not sure. He saved me in the forest when we were attacked by those spiders. Even if he's not the chivalrous heroic type he still wasn't about to just let die in there. I don't think a Death Eaters would have bothered. Plus it would have left him with one less person doubting his alliance. He may not be one to form attachments or to care in general, but he'll save someone because it's what's right. That's enough for me for now I guess."

She smiled and took a sip of tea.

"That and he's bloody brilliant at chess. How can I dislike someone who likes board games?"

"You play?"

"I have my own set. Wanna go?"

"My girl, let me show you where Severus learned to play."

"You and Abigail seem to be doing a lot better."

Albus didn't often patrol the corridors like the other professors; one of the perks when one becomes Headmaster. That night however he felt the need for a walk and decided to accompany his favorite Potion's Master.

"She is tolerable." Severus replied flatly.

"Tolerable? From what I hear you are visiting her quarters at least one evening a week."

"It is not like that!" He sputtered. "We are playing chess. Nothing more!"

Dumbledore chuckled.

"I see. Have you finally found someone besides Minerva who can challenge you?"

Severus glared at him and passed his wandlight across the hall rather aggressively.

"She is fairly skilled. I have lost twice." He admitted. Albus smiled at him.

"Well I'm glad to see you finally fostering a budding friendship."

"I am doing nothing of the sort. I have no need for such things."

"Come now Severus. She's close to your age and you're both rather intelligent individuals. You work together wonderfully. Where would be the harm?" The Headmaster peered in an empty classroom. "Do you not want someone who you can have friendly banter with? Someone you can see outside of work and have a bit of fun with. A person whose company you can just enjoy."

A sad looked passed over his eyes quickly and then it was gone.

"I told you Albus, I have no need for such things. She is capable partner, tolerable company, and a challenge at chess. There is nothing more to our relationship, nor shall there ever be."

"Very well Severus. Just know that even if you don't think you need it, you do deserve it. This is a second chance for you; one that you can make the right decisions with this time."

With that the Headmaster bid him good night, leaving him in the hallway looking stricken.