"Professor Mills?" Minerva poked her head around the door to the Head of Slytherin's office a couple of days before the end of the Easter holidays, seeing the woman at her desk pouring over essays that the Head of Gryffindor guessed had been handed in at the end of the last term but Regina hadn't had the chance to look at until then. "Can I have a word?"
"Of course, Professor McGonagall." The younger woman nodded, putting down her quill and motioning for her to take a seat. "How can I help you?"
As soon as the door was closed, Regina cast the Muffliato Spell while Minerva magically locked it to prevent them being interrupted. Smiling and offering her colleague a glass of Firewhisky, which was gratefully accepted as the two women seated themselves in front of the fireplace. They sat in companionable silence for a moment, each sipping their drinks, before Minerva cleared her throat and turned to look at the younger witch carefully. She seemed to be weighing up the woman, determining how she would react to the information she had brought her.
"You were aware that the Malfoy's were playing host to some… guests?"
Regina's countenance darkened. "I am…"
"Well… it appears that there have been some… surprises." Minerva informed her guardedly. The younger woman looked at her in confusion, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make sense of her words. "Potter and his friends."
"What?" Regina's mouth dropped open as she realised what that might mean. Her eyes searched Minerva's almost desperately. "What happened? Is… are…?"
"I'm not sure of the details, Regina; I only know what Mr Longbottom has told me. There was some kind of rescue and Miss Lovegood, Mr Thomas and some unspecified others have been taken to a safe house."
"I'm sorry… I don't understand." Shaking her head, the younger woman tried to get her head around what she was hearing. "How did Neville…?"
"Apparently members of the D.A. carry special coins that allow them to communicate with each other. It seems that Mr Longbottom received a message from Miss Lovegood on his coin."
"How did he–?"
"I don't know, Regina." Minerva admitted. "I would suggest you question Mr Longbottom yourself, but–"
"He doesn't trust me." Regina nodded, seeing the problem at once. "I can't ask my sister for information, without raising suspicions. We'll just have to wait and see whether Narcissa choses to enlighten me."
"What about your mother or Bellatrix?"
Regina snorted. "I severely doubt it." She shook her head. "No, if I hear about this from anyone, it'll be Narcissa. I know she was just as uncomfortable as I was about the situation at Malfoy Manor."
"And you'll–"
"Of course," she smiled, "I'll let you know what she says. Can I tempt you with another, Minerva?"
"Just a small one." Minerva agreed, inclining her head and accepting the tumbler from her colleague. "Are you ready for the students' return?"
"I… I think so." The younger witch agreed. "It's a lot of pressure… I mean, the older students sitting their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s… I just hope I don't fail them…"
"Let's just hope we get to the exams." Professor McGonagall sighed, looking at her meaningfully.
"We owe it to the students to keep things as normal as possible. After everything…"
"I know."
"Any thoughts on how we can actually get something done, yet?"
Minerva sighed and shook her head. "No…"
"Another?" They both looked at the empty tumblers clutched in their hands, realising that they were empty already.
"I shouldn't, really."
Regina chuckled. "Neither should I, but I am."
Minerva laughed too, holding out her glass as the younger woman carried the decanter over to the sofa and settled herself back on the cushions. Using the opportunity to look at her properly, the Head of Gryffindor was concerned to see how much toll her situation was taking on Regina. Dressed simply in jeans and a t-shirt with her hair tied back form her face, presumably to keep it out of her eyes as she perused the essays on her desk, Regina looked younger and more innocent than normal. She also, without her usual makeup, looked exhausted.
"How are you, Regina?" The older witch asked gently.
"I'm fine."
Arching an eyebrow, Minerva shook her head. "You're not fine, dear. Please don't try to fool me."
"I'm worried." She admitted with a sigh. "For Henry and Emma… Professor Swan…"
Sending her a knowing look, the older woman snorted. "I'm not blind, Regina. I'm well aware that you and Emma Swan were in a relationship." Seeing the incredulous look passing over the younger woman's face, she smiled weakly. "Where is Emma? Do you know?"
"No."
"Really?"
"OK… maybe I have an idea but… it's not safe."
"Quite." Minerva agreed with a nod. "As long as you have some idea."
"I would tell you, but…"
"It's safer not to?" The older witch mused. "Or perhaps you know more than you're letting on?"
Regina chuckled. "Maybe after a few more of these I'll let you in on my secrets."
They both laughed as the Head of Slytherin shook her tumbler carefully at her friend. For a couple of minutes they sat in thoughtful silence, staring at the roaring fire in the grate and sipping slowly at the liquid in their glasses. Perhaps because it was their third, the burning in their throats as the Firewhisky slipped down had less of a kick, or perhaps it was because both were preoccupied by their thoughts.
"Were you aware that Albus had a brother? A younger brother?"
"I had heard some talk of it, yes. Wasn't there some trouble with a goat?"
Minerva snorted. "It was a mountain made out of a molehill. But Aberforth, Albus' brother, owns the pub The Hog's Head in Hogsmeade." She looked at Regina seriously. "There are, or rather were, rumours of a tunnel connecting the pub to Hogwarts."
"Are you sure?"
"I am. Albus mentioned it a couple of times, but as it had never been discovered I believe it has fallen into the realm of legend."
"Are you suggesting that we find it?" Regina queried, wondering whether she was on the right lines.
"Perhaps speaking to Aberforth about it would be beneficial." Minerva agreed.
"You want me to do it?" The younger witch read between the lines and interpreted the look that her colleague was sending her. Exhaling sharply, she nodded. "Fine, I'll go tomorrow."
That was why, late the next afternoon, after finally finishing her marking, Regina headed away from the castle in the direction of Hogsmeade. Minerva had gone to her office just before she left and talked her through the best way to deal with the wizard the younger woman was going to visit. Regina had wondered whether Aberforth Dumbledore could really be as cantankerous as the older witch was making out, but apparently every time Minerva had met him he had been as grumpy, if not grumpier, than the time before.
Passing the invisible boundary that separated the school grounds from the village beyond, Regina paused, before continuing into the settlement. She kept her head down as she walked, not wanting to bump into anyone or be drawn into conversation with anyone.
Hesitating for a moment, Regina stood on the threshold of The Hog's Head, considering her next move. She didn't want to go inside and yet that was the only reason she was here. Minerva had pointed out that if Aberforth realised who he was dealing with straight away it would go down better than if he found out later. While she couldn't deny that was probably true, it didn't put the brunette any more at ease.
"You're not welcome here."
Taken aback by the vehement words that met her ears as soon as she pushed through the door, Regina blinked and faltered in her step as she looked towards the bar. Killian Jones was standing behind it, his arms folded across his chest and his eyes narrowed as he scowled furiously at her. Neal Cassidy stood beside him, less angry, but apparently equally determined that she didn't stay in the pub. Steeling herself, not letting her anxiety show on her face, Regina arched an eyebrow at them.
"Lucky for you I'm not planning on staying long."
"You're not staying at all, love."
"Right…" Regina looked around and then laughed derisively. "Who's going to stop me?"
As Killian moved as though he was planning to round the bar, Regina raised her wand and flicked it in his direction causing him to stop in his tracks, clutching at his throat as he realised he was unable to speak. When Neal didn't make any move towards her, she rolled her eyes. She knew enough of Killian and Neal to know that the shorter of the two men was less impulsive than his friend and tended to use his words to reason with others, rather than act rashly.
"What do you want?" He asked calmly, staring intently at her, throwing out an arm to stop Killian moving.
"I've come to speak to your boss." She replied cooly. "Is he in?"
Neal motioned over his shoulder. "He's out back… boss?"
There was a slight pause and then the door the barman had pointed to opened and a tall, thick-set elderly man appeared. He stared at her carefully for a moment, before he raised an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly. Aberforth's eyes trailed over her for a couple of moments, almost as though he were sizing her up, before he nodded slowly.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Regina Mills."
Regina smiled weakly at the centenarian who was regarding her across the bar with a mixture of interest and suspicion. She could see his brother in him; the piercing blue eyes and the tiny hint of a smile that seemed to be playing around his lips.
"Mr Dumbledore."
"Aberforth, please." He corrected, leaning on the surface between them. "What can I do for you?"
"Is there anywhere a little less… conspicuous?" She asked in a low voice.
"Can you release my barman from your Silencing Charm, please?"
With a sigh she waved her wand again. "Better?"
"You bitch! I'm–"
Aberforth cut across the barman as he started complaining loudly. "Thank you. Now…"
Considering her for a moment, the man nodded. He motioned for the Neal to take over and jerked his head towards a door that led to a backroom. Following him quickly, Regina closed the door behind them and then paused, suddenly unsure of herself. As Aberforth continued to stare at her, clearly enjoying having a member of the Black-Mills family in such a situation, it was evident that he had no intention of making her feel comfortable.
Taking another step into the room, Regina allowed her eyes to roam over the furniture and decoration slowly, giving herself time to settle her nerves and collect her thoughts.
"Minerva McGonagall sent me." She informed him at last, making sure to keep her tone even. "She thought that you could help us."
"Help you? Help you how?" He narrowed his eyes. "From what I've heard you and Minerva aren't even on the same side."
"That's… that's for appearance sake." Regina informed him.
"Appearance sake? You playing a double bluff?"
"I suppose that's one way of putting it." She agreed with a curt nod. "So? Will you help us?"
"What do you expect me to do?" Aberforth queried, settling himself in a worn looking armchair and folding his arms. He regarded her with a closed expression as she stared back, equally guardedly.
Pausing for a moment, the woman glanced towards a framed painting of a young girl. "Word has it that you have a way of entering the castle completely undetected."
"Word might be right." He acknowledged. "But word might also be wrong."
Exhaling sharply, Regina steeled herself. "I understand that you don't trust me. That's fine. But this isn't about me."
"It's not? I thought with you lot everything was about you."
"What 'lot' are you referring to, Mr Dumbledore?" She enquired, arching an eyebrow at him. "Death Eaters?"
"The Black family."
Regina scowled. "I am not part of that family. I am a Mills."
"Not much better, really."
Clenching her jaw, the brunette witch inhaled sharply. "Mr Dumbledore…"
"Aberforth."
"Aberforth…" She corrected, balling her hands into fists at her sides as she struggled to stay calm. "Is there a tunnel between here and Hogwarts Castle?"
"Perhaps."
Almost screaming in frustration, Regina gripped the back of the armchair in front of her tightly. "OK… let's say, hypothetically, that there is a tunnel running between here and the castle, would you, hypothetically, know where the entrances of that tunnel are?"
"Perhaps."
"Aberforth…" Regina smiled tightly. "Things at the castle are getting worse. The existence of the tunnel would be a great help to us."
"I will bear that in mind when I think about whether I know about the tunnel." He assured her. The mischievous glint in his eyes and the hint of a smirk around his lips was doing little to keep the brunette witch's blood pressure down. "Is that all you wanted?"
"Yes." She agreed, sighing deeply. "No… Mr Dumbl– Aberforth, I need to ask you a favour. Please do not mention what I told you about speaking to Minerva or–"
"Or being a double agent? Playing both sides?"
"Quite. It wouldn't be… helpful."
"Your secret is safe with me." He promised, standing and motioning towards the door that led back through to the pub.
"Thank you." Regina said softly, sending him a grateful smile.
Nodding sharply, she moulded her expression into one of disdain and waited for him to open the door. Stepping out of the backroom, Regina strode towards the doors without sparing Killian or Neal a second look. They were staring between their boss and the woman, clearly wondering what they could possibly have been talking about and why the witch was now storming out with a thunderous expression on her face.
"Oh, Ms Mills?" Aberforth called.
Turning to look over her shoulder, Regina saw that he was leaning against the bar again, a smirk firmly on his face. "Yes?"
"Tell Cora I said hello… tell her I'll see her in hell."
Stiffening at the mention of her mother, Regina didn't need to force herself to scowl at him; it came naturally. Spinning on her heels, she slammed her way through the door, not bothering to apologise to the diminutive wizard she almost knocked to the ground as she barged past him. Minerva had been right in her description of Dumbledore's brother and Regina was determined that the next time they needed to speak to him it would be the older witch doing the talking, not her.
