Chapter 3: Celina and Katherine Meet
Albus led Katherine through the main halls of Hogwarts to the gargoyle that guarded his chambers.
"Lemon Drops," Albus stated as the gargoyle jumped aside.
"Oh Albus does Minerva's mother in this world bake you lemon marble cake?" Katherine asked as they rode the revolving staircase.
"I can honestly say she doesn't," Albus said somewhat sadly.
"You must let me spoil you then with mine. After all…who's to say how long I'll be here and if I can't spoil my beloved son-in-law I'll have to spoil his alternate self instead," she stated while wrapping an arm around his. Albus grinned brightly at the attention.
"So you like me then?" he asked.
"Of course I do. In my world I normally call you Albus Darling. You grew up with my eldest sons," Katherine stated.
The two entered Albus' office and he led her up the stairs to his private quarters.
"Now…I don't know how your Minerva is but this one is very temperamental when pregnant. Plus she's very likely to hex you as soon as you tell her who you are. I give you fair warning," Albus stated placing his hand on the door knob.
"If she's anything like my Mina…I'll be able to take her," Katherine smirked.
Albus gave her an 'I warned you' look before he entered.
As Katherine entered the room she saw two women and a little girl of five sleeping in the younger woman's lap. The girl woke up upon hearing the door open and smiled at the man.
"Daddy..." chirped the little girl as she trotted towards Albus with her sleepy eyes.
"Right off to bed with you Missy..." Albus said picking the little girl up who tried to argue.
"But mommy is alone," argued the little girl.
"Now child don't be so disobedient! Just because your father turned out that way does not mean you should too..." exclaimed the older woman to the little girl, who looked shrewdly at the older woman through her blue eyes.
"Yes, Isabella your grandmother is right," giggled Minerva from behind Celina making Albus pout and look shrewdly at his wife. He knew she was only joking though.
"Yes, and besides your mommy has got grandma and daddy and a new friend of daddy's. Besides its very late for a five year old to be awake," Albus explained kissing the little girl's forehead who giggled.
"Can I play with the new friend too please?" Exclaimed Isabella.
Katherine was about to reply 'yes' but wisely decided to wait. The child was utterly adorable though and she felt certain Isabella would warm to her easily.
"I'm sure you can wait till tomorrow..." Albus stated taking the little girl inside a room conjoining the room they were standing in. Meanwhile Katherine was surveying Minerva; she looked exactly like her Minerva. The only problem was that woman sitting there besides her who Katherine assumed was her mother.
"Right then," Albus started coming out of the room a little later and standing next to Minerva as he wrapped an arm around her waist. This could have been so that she didn't feel left out of place or maybe he could hold her as she tried to faint of shock or kill the woman standing in front of her who was currently smiling very warmly at the lot; especially Celina but Celina remained very hostile towards her.
"Hello dear I'm Katherine, Katherine McGonagall-Black," Katherine greeted stepping froward and hold out her hand to Minerva, who frowned slightly but smiled and shook her hand.
"Min, Katherine here is from another universe another universe where she is well...Your mother," Albus stated quickly and held his pregnant wife tightly.
"What!?" Celina sneered and Augusta exclaimed. Augusta had just flooed into the room with a little boy in her arms who looked to be about five years old. She quickly put the boy in the room Isabella had just been placed in and eyed the new woman.
"Right so what did I miss?" William asked as he walked from the floo into the silent room as his gaze fell on the most beautiful thing. Just like the day he had seen Celina it struck a chord in his heart; but this was different this was very different something Merlin sent, of that he was sure.
"Right," he murmured staring at Katherine. Katherine gave one of her flirtatious smiles that caused him to blush as Celina cleared her throat rather loudly. Katherine turned to the woman who had an aura about her that made Katherine highly annoyed. Perhaps this woman was related to Umbridge?
"William this woman claims to be related to the McGonagall family in a different universe probably your widowed bride," said Celina her lips almost gone but there in a very thin line.
"Oh no I wasn't married to a William my husband's name was Stewart McGonagall," said Katherine smiling, "My husband now is Damien Black."
"Well that's a relief. Isn't it Will?" Celina asked wrapping her arm around William.
"Yes yes of course," William muttered as he silently wished he was married to the goddess in front of him. He smiled at her weirdly and Katherine made a face and looked at Albus; and Augusta and Minerva giggled.
"Well since you are my mother wherever you're from I think you deserve a hug," said Minerva breaking the silence as she hugged Katherine who hugged her back. Albus seemed very impressed by her change in mood maybe her hormones were flowing the right way, thought Albus.
"Daddy…."came a screech from the next room.
"Let me go," said Katherine calmly as she went into the children's room where Frank Longbottom and Isabella Dumbledore were sleeping.
"Hmmm… well mum never does that maybe, she'll be a very nice change and for Merlin's sake stop staring at her dad…"commented Augusta as William blushed. Celina's pouted lips and almost closed eyes followed Katherine all the way into the room.