Chapter 12
Grandma M
Hogwarts really took Christmas seriously. Decorations just appeared literally everywhere. There was not a single spot that wasn't covered with something red, green or white.
On the day of Christmas Eve was when the castle got covered with a thick blanket of white snow. Lyra sighed as once again, Burst, had been the one to wake her. Having recovered from her burn day, Burst was back to her usual self.
"Yeah…yeah…I know…you love the snow…" Grunted Lyra pushing herself out of bed and scrapping her feet, her body under her large quilt, moving towards the window, which she opened to let the big beast fly out and explore to her heart's content.
Lyra checked her watch and collapsed back into the bed. Unlike Burst, she did not want to start this day. She had to be at Hogsmeade by 12 o'clock sharp for her mother's Christmas lunch. It had been pushed to Christmas eve, seeing that the ball was to be held on Christmas, and her mother had decreed that she wanted Sarah and Lyra to enjoy the ball after a good night's sleep, besides, they'd be busy getting dressed and what not! Something, Lyra didn't want to go through the effort of doing.
She pulled back the comforter and drifted off to sleep again.
There was fire, everywhere! The bed was on fire, her clothes were on fire, her hands were on fire. What was going on, she panicked and looked around everywhere. Had she somehow? No! That wasn't possible. She'd left that dark magic behind, years ago. She had no motive to even think of it, but the fire had burnt the entire room, the walls were on fire…was that her childhood bedroom? What the hell was going on! Lyra held up her hands as roaring flames caught hold of them, she tried shaking them off, but they stayed steady, how was she not in any pain though? Then came the banging.
"Lyra!"
"Lyra?! Are you in there?!"
"LYRAA! OPEN THE DOOR!"
Lyra woke up suddenly, her body was drenched in sweat. She panted loudly. She was back in her room. Everything was fine, there was no fire.
The hammering on the door, startled Lyra.
"LYRA! We're late! Grandma is going to murder us!" Shouted Sarah from outside.
Lyra checked her watch, it was already 11:30 and she hadn't even brushed her teeth. She opened the door in her pyjamas and let Sarah in.
"Merlin! You're not even dressed!"
"Just a quick shower and we'll be there in no time. Do me a favour and pull out something decent." She instructed her niece as Sarah shook her head. She rummaged through the clothes in the closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a thick maroon woollen jumper. She then waved her wand and ironed the clothes with a quick charm and laid out a black long wool jacket.
Lyra stepped out in her towel and began to dress in the clothes that Sarah had laid on her freshly made bed. Sarah now went around the room muttering, cleaning and rearranging charms wherever she found a mess.
Lyra strapped on her wand holster and then hurriedly pushed her arms through the long black wool jacket. Picking up her favourite green scarf and black gloves, Lyra stepped outside into the sitting area, where Sarah roamed around flicking the garbage into the bin with her wand.
"You're smoking too much." Complained Sarah making the ash disappear.
"Shall we?" Asked Lyra rubbing her hands to warm herself a little.
"You live like a pig!" Sarah snapped as Lyra pushed her out of the room.
"How do you find anything in that place?" Sarah wondered, as both aunt and niece walked towards the village.
"Hope you didn't clean up too much in there. I have a system!" Lyra said genuinely worried.
"What system? That was just chaos!" Sarah scolded her aunt.
"Also…how systematic of you to wear two different socks…" Said Sarah sarcastically shaking her head.
"Damnit!" Cursed Lyra.
"Well…let's just hope your grandmother doesn't notice."
"She hardly gets to see you as it is, Ly. And when she does, she looks at you like you haven't eaten for years…you think she won't notice the socks?" Sarah said shaking her head in amusement.
"You're probably right…should have worn my boots!" Muttered Lyra shaking her head. That dream earlier had really rattled her, and then not having had the time to contemplate what it meant, it was bothering her immensely.
"Merry Christmas, Harry!" Said Sarah as she stopped near Harry, giving him a tight hug. He blushed deeply. Sarah wished his other two friends as well, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Lyra watched this interaction kindly, as she cordially wished the three a Happy Christmas as well.
Lyra felt a large weight hit her in the back almost toppling her over. She turned around, ready to snap at whoever did that but her frown turned to a smirk.
"Oh…it's you…you thief!" She said crouching down to the big black shaggy dog, who was panting happily, sniffing her pockets.
"Sorry buddy…no treats today!" Said Lyra showing the dog her empty hands.
"He's so cute!" Sarah said sweetly, as she petted the dog along with her aunt. The dog licked Lyra's face as she laughed.
"Alright…uh…that's enough!" Said Potter awkwardly, pulling the dog back.
"Is he your dog, Mr. Potter?" Lyra asked standing straight.
"Uh…yeah…sort of…" replied Harry trying to keep the dog away from Lyra.
"What's his name?" She asked looking at the dog and then at Harry.
"His…na…name?" Harry mumbled looking like he'd been caught on the spot. The dog stopped struggling and stood still, looking up at Harry.
"Uh…his name…"
"His name is Snuffles…" Replied Hermione quickly.
"Really…who names their dog Snuffles?" Ron muttered absent mindedly, as the other two glared at him.
"Well…aren't you a good boy…Snuffles!" Cooed Sarah as the dog wagged its tail and gave her a happy bark.
"We better get going…we're already late…" Said Lyra as Sarah nodded. They bid the three goodbye and began walking towards the Three Broomsticks. When they arrived, they saw Michelin and Zenia talking outside with a family of blondes.
"Isn't that the little creep who started the duel?" Sarah snapped angrily looking at Lyra. Lyra frowned; it most certainly was the little creep.
"Hey…I'm here!" Said a voice from behind them. Sarah turned around and hugged Zeus Shorthorn, who seemed to have really put in an effort. Lyra was a little taken aback though.
She cleared her throat, as she looked at her niece and her…boyfriend?
"Ly…you obviously know Zeus…"
"Yeah…as the Hogwarts champion…why is he at this stupid lunch?" Asked Lyra uncertainly, waiting for Sarah to go into detail about what exactly…this was.
"Well…because he's, my boyfriend." Replied Sarah proudly. Zeus looked warily at Lyra, who eyed him suspiciously.
"Boyfriend…is it?" Lyra asked Zeus intimidatingly.
"Yes! Do you a have problem with that?" Sarah snapped.
Lyra shook her head. She had a huge problem with it. How had neither of them understood the optics of this. Champions from two rival schools were now suddenly in a relationship…did they not know how suspicious that looked for either of them?
"Sarah…Lyra…" Michelin called his daughter and sister over, introducing them to the Malfoy's.
Lyra shook hands with the members of the Malfoy family. The man who had been having a typical ass-lickery conversation with Michelin seconds ago, eyed Zeus Shorthorn with disgust.
"Something bothering you, Mr. Malfoy?" Lyra asked looking cuttingly at him. The man did a double take and smiled slimily at her. Lyra clenched her jaw to avoid showing her grimace.
She knew his type. He looked like one of those with generational wealth. One of those who threw money around to get out of sticky situations, sucked up to people in positions of power and then paid to see his purpose through. He was rotten from the inside, and his family, was clearly not far behind. All smug looking pure-bloods, who had no idea of what the real world looked like, comfortable in their mansions somewhere in the countryside. All while looking down on people who they believed were beneath them.
"No…not at all…" He replied smirking at her.
They said their goodbyes. Sarah now dragged an extremely bothered looking Zeus Shorthorn towards her parents.
"Mom…Dad…this is my boyfriend…Zeus." She said throwing the information at them like it meant nothing. But it meant a whole lot, because this was the first time Sarah had ever introduced a boy to her parents…as her boyfriend.
"Aren't you the Hogwarts champion?" Zenia asked with a confused look on her face as she looked at her daughter and her...boyfriend. Michelin however, looked pointedly at his sister. She simply shrugged in response.
"Don't look at me…I thought they were just hooking up…I'm hearing of this for the first time!"
"Hooking…hooking up?!" Michelin thundered murderously at his sister and then turned to his daughter and Zeus, while glaring daggers at the boy. He looked like he had a lot to unleash on this boy.
"Michelin…please…it's Christmas." Said Zenia singing under her breath. She looped her hand through her husband's arm.
He pulled back and threw a sharp glare at Zeus, who took a step back.
"Apologies for that…Zeus…I'm Zenia…this is my husband, Michelin. Welcome to the Lincolns family Christmas Lunch." Said Zenia kindly offering him her manicured hand to shake. He was grateful for her kindness.
"Shall we get out of the cold?" Zeus offered charmingly. Zenia smiled and nodded. Zeus led the way and opened the door for them courteously.
"Ridiculous!" Michelin muttered under his breath as his wife shot him a glare. He huffed and followed her into the pub.
"Don't worry…he'll…come around…" Said Sarah shaking her head at her father's antics.
"Sarah…maybe I shouldn't be here…" Began Zeus unsure of the situation, his hand keeping the door open for Lyra and Sarah.
"You are the boyfriend, aren't you? Why must we suffer through this alone?" Lyra asked pushing him inside. He looked around the place anxiously.
"Might as well…initiate you into the madness now, rather than later…" Lyra added smirking, as she shoved him forward.
The table inside the Three Broomsticks was exceptionally large. It looked like in her excitement to throw her annual party, Margery Lincolns had cordoned off an entire section of the inn. The older guests were already sitting at the table. Margery and Franklin sat, side by side talking to Minerva and Athena at the opposite side. They already looked like they were a few drinks down.
"Lyra!" Margery chimed happily. She hugged her daughter tightly. Lyra patted her mother's back jesturing her to loosen her grip. Lyra then hugged her father who held her chin and kissed the top of her head like he always did.
Sarah then produced Zeus, who seemed to be fiddling with his coat buttons. She introduced him to her grandparents as her boyfriend. He definitely got a much warmer welcome from them than he had from their children. Much warmer than he'd anticipated, as they went into a barrage of questions, that he tried his best to answer. He was thankful that Professor McGonagall vouched for him. He bowed his head gratefully as she smiled at him. Although, he had the misfortune of sitting right opposite Sarah's father and next to Lyra Marks. Michelin gave him nothing but cold looks.
The waiters brought over jugs of mulled wine and served each of them in lovely goblets, placing dishes of snacks down on the table.
"So, Zeus…how did you and Sarah start dating?" Zenia asked over her goblet looking at the boy.
"Uh…I…I…uh…told her…that…that I…uh…liked her a lot…and we just went out a couple of times…"
"We have a ton in common, mom. Zeus wants to be a healer too! And guess what…he loves potions." Said Sarah smirking as if that was supposed to help sell him. Zenia looked at the boy with sparkling eyes.
"Really? Is that true? How delightful…you hardly find young people these days interested in the subtle art of potion-making…" Said Zenia thrilled. She was now clearly interested in knowing more. Sarah looked at her mother with an odd expression. Did all potion-makers talk like that?
Zenia continued to spark a conversation with Zeus about the proper uses of antidotes and his take on exotic ingredients that apothecaries these days were stocking. He intelligently began going on and on about it. They shared jokes and it looked like they were getting along just fine.
Sarah seemed pleased. However, her mother wasn't who she was worried about.
"Merlin! Are you going to look so sour, through this already morose party?" Lyra hissed at her brother. He glared at her.
"My daughter…is dating this boy and you didn't think it was important for me to know?"
"I didn't know either!" She hissed back at him.
They continued their conversation as if Zeus Shorthorn wasn't sitting at the same table as them.
"Sounds like an excuse." Michelin snapped at his sister, who rolled her eyes.
"Ugh! Can we get some real alcohol?" Lyra called over to her mother, who shot her a strict glare.
"I guess, fucking not!" She muttered grumpily rolling her eyes. She never really liked wine, she found it so pointless. It was too expensive, you needed too much of it to get drunk, and the next morning it was sure to leave you with a hangover that no potion could cure. Her brother shook his head at her.
Michelin's sour mood however, lasted only for a couple of minutes. He stretched his neck to see the tall man, who had just entered the inn as people greeted him happily.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Michelin waved half off his seat, as Dumbledore turned his attention towards Michelin. He walked over to the table. Zenia rolled her eyes. She leaned on the table and looked at Lyra who raised her eyebrows at her.
"He hasn't stopped gushing about meeting him…I don't know how much more of this I can take!" hissed Zenia over to Lyra who chuckled over her goblet.
"Zenia…scooch over…" Michelin said hurriedly, as his wife raised a pointed eyebrow at him.
"Darling…I meant…please…" Added Michelin softly correcting his tone, looking at his wife who was throwing him a dangerous look. She rolled her eyes at her husband's antics and moved over a seat.
"Professor…I insist you join us for lunch!" Said Michelin standing and shaking the man's hand vigorously.
"I really don't wish to intrude, Mr. Lincolns. Perhaps, another time…Merry Christmas!" Said Dumbledore looking at the table. He then tried to make a quick exit.
"Intrude? YOU! Rubbish…please sit…mom…you don't mind, do you? Of course, she doesn't…please…please do sit down." Michelin insisted, not letting his mother get in a word edgeways. He forced Dumbledore to sit down. Michelin was so excited by the man, that he had not bothered to check the table for the uncomfortable looks that were directed towards Dumbledore.
Dumbledore himself looked exceptionally uncomfortable, being forced to intrude on this intimate family gathering.
"I told you…he's obsessed with you." Lyra whispered as Dumbledore looked at Michelin over his half-moon glasses with an amused smile.
Michelin poured him a glass of the wine and offered him the snacks on the table. Dumbledore declined the snacks, but gratefully accepted the wine. Something to cut the tension, or so he thought.
Michelin then engulfed him in the most boring conversation on the table. Lyra looked at Zenia, who seemed exceptionally bored, and had begun to inquire about Zeus and his ambitions as a healer and not a potions master.
"Has he ever looked at you so lovingly?" Lyra teased Zenia. Her attention moved from Zeus, towards her best friend. Zenia looked across Dumbledore at her husband, and noticed what Lyra meant. Michelin had been in the foulest of moods, but he had now flipped a complete 180. He was laughing and talking to the man next to him with extreme enthusiasm.
"Calm down, Michelin! Christmas is still a day away." Lyra teased as Michelin shot her a glare.
"You know…we're discussing world laws and policies…you should actually be listening in!" He scolded her.
"Why the hell would I want to listen to any of that?" Lyra cribbed as she poured herself a third glass of wine.
"Because…because you're LAW ENFORCEMENT!" He said loudly, shaking his head in disbelief at her. Dumbledore looked at the banter between brother and sister. She was trying to bait him and he was for some reason…letting her.
"Right now…it sounds like you are law enforcement for this lunch!" Chuckled Lyra as her brother just shook his head.
"Come on Mich! Stop being so boring…" Zenia contributed to Lyra's plea.
"World politics and justice is not boring, Zee and Lyra. It is crucial to wizard-kind…your generation will never understand, why it's so important…" He began his customary rant; they were literally just a few years younger than him. The two women laughed looking at each other.
"Oh! I get it…this is funny because Michelin is boring…Michelin doesn't know how to have fun…" He snapped, finally irritated by the two who were ganging up on him like they always did.
"It's also as boring as that yam pie that Athena attempts every year for thanksgiving. Honestly…I think that'd be more entertaining that this…" answered Lyra as Zenia laughed louder.
"Well…if you're so bored…drink some more…" He snapped at his wife and sister. They chuckled evilly.
"I would, if there were any decent booze here…" Lyra muttered back.
"You'd like that very much, wouldn't you?" Said a smooth female voice behind Lyra.
She instantly froze, gripping the arms of the chair. Her teasing smile vanished. In fact, the amusement of the fight on Michelin's face vanished as well. Zenia looked extremely bothered too, when she noticed that vile woman standing regally behind Lyra's chair.
"Grandma M…" Michelin began to rise slowly from his seat to offer it to her.
"Oh no! Stay right there Michelin." Said Grandma M pointedly at her polite grandson.
"I didn't know we were allowed guests, Margery. I would have brought some of my own." She then added scathingly, looking from her daughter to Lyra.
"Mother…please…" Margery began snappishly. She was harrowed by how this party was quickly turning into something out of her nightmares.
"What? She is a guest…isn't she…in your home…your family. She sure behaves like one. Wouldn't you agree with me, Lyra? You don't really think you're a part of this lovely celebration for the family…do you?" said Grandma M sweetly. But her words were poisonous.
"Are you going to get up…or have you already had too much to drink to manage it?" Added Grandma M rudely.
Lyra clenched her jaw tightly. Without a single word, or look towards anyone at the table, she just stood from her chair, and walked straight out of the inn. Zenia half stood, but Michelin gave her a look begging her to sit down for his mother's sake. Zenia glared at her husband angrily for letting his sister be bullied by this horrid woman. But everyone at that table was used to this. In fact, it was expected.
Every Christmas, Grandma M said something extremely rude to Lyra. However, Lyra had learned to ignore it. So, the family would uncomfortably ignore it as well. But, today was different, it was evident that she felt insulted in front of Dumbledore and Minerva, who didn't know her like everyone else at the table did.
"Lyra…" Margery called out to her daughter as she stormed past her. The woman didn't even turn around to look at her, or hug her; just walked out in a temper. Margery glared at her mother, who had now taken Lyra's seat and was introducing herself to an extremely worried looking Zeus Shorthorn.
The table that had been full of laughs was now completely silent.
Dumbledore began to stand from his seat.
"Sir! No…Professor Dumbledore…please don't…leave…" Michelin said noticing the man rising. That was when Grandma M and Dumbledore's eyes met. She looked at him with extreme disgust…something Michelin, found unsettling, that was the look she usually reserved solely for Lyra.
"I think I've overstayed my welcome, Mr. Lincolns." Said Dumbledore, trying his best to leave politely.
"No…of course you haven't!" Michelin said shaking his head.
"Let him go Michelin, it's what he does best…leave." Said Grandma M looking at Albus. He looked calmly at her and bowed his head gently. Which clearly made her angrier. The look that she threw him was truly terrifying. Not even something, Lyra had been subjected to.
"Grandma M! No…Professor Dumbledore…please…" Michelin called dejectedly in confusion. Dumbledore nodded politely at the rest of the table in thanks and then left them.
"Margery…is this what you call a Christmas dinner? Where's the turkey?" Grandma M scolded, as Margery Lincolns held her head in her hands.
The other two McGonagall sisters glared at their mother, as they tried to soothe their oldest sister with kind words. But it was clear, that Margery Lincolns' annual Christmas party, had officially been a disaster.
Lyra stood there, right outside the pub, trying to light herself a cigarette.
"Come on…" She said clicking the muggle lighter in hope to light it quickly.
"Come on…you stupphid ding…" She muttered with the cigarette between her lips.
"FUCKKKKK!" She yelled angrily as the lighter refused to start. However, she felt it burn her hand. Lyra watched in horror as a flame rested on her finger, she tried to put it out, not sure what the hell had just happened. The lighter was thrown to the ground, but the flame on her finger still burnt strongly.
"Ms. Marks? Are you alright?" He asked as Lyra looked at him and nodded. The flame died away instantly. But he had seen it. Lyra looked at him worriedly, but he put her at ease.
Dumbledore looked at her carefully, while he pulled out a cigarette from his robes.
"I…thought you didn't smoke…"
"I lied…" He replied smoothly, placing the stick between his lips as he pulled out an emerald green lighter. He lit his cigarette and offered it to her. She lit her own with it.
He then walked towards the alley on the side of the Three Broomsticks, making sure he wasn't spotted by students. Lyra joined him.
"Why are you not still inside with my brother? Did he really bore you so much?" Lyra asked as Dumbledore chuckled. He held back for a moment, considering her as she raised her eyebrow at him. He then spoke.
"It wasn't your brother, my dear…"
"Now, you're just being nice."
"It was your grandmother." He replied bluntly.
Lyra frowned. Grandma M? What did she have against him? He was the great Albus Dumbledore, one of the most loved wizards across the world. What could he have possibly done to incur the wrath of one Magnolia McGonagall?
"Yeah, she's a—piece of work." Scoffed Lyra, as Dumbledore looked at her again.
"Would you…would you like to join me for lunch, Ms. Marks?" He offered as Lyra took a long drag; a frown rested on her face.
"I…Albus…I wouldn't want to intrude on your plans…" She replied blushing. She didn't need his pity.
"Please…it's just lunch with my brother. Trust me…you would be making it bearable. I've heard he's quite the fan…" Dumbledore smiled looking at her.
"Your brother is my fan?" She asked, she thought he was pulling her leg. He began directing her towards where he was headed.
"Oh yes! He calls you his favourite customer…" said Dumbledore, his blue eyes twinkling mirthfully.
"Aberforth! Aberforth is your brother?" Lyra asked in surprise.
"He is…my younger brother…"
"You're nothing alike…I would have never guessed it!"
Dumbledore chuckled. He held open the door to the pub for her. The Hogshead was completely empty, just Aberforth standing behind the bar wiping down glasses.
"You're late…" He snarled at his brother and then his entire look changed when she walked in.
"Lyra! What…what're you doing here?" Aberforth asked a rather happy smile on his usually grumpy face.
"Not happy to see me today, Abe? Hope you don't mind, but may I join you for lunch?" Lyra countered with a smile. The man beamed at her.
"Nonsense! I'm always happy to see my favourite customer! But if some people weren't so late…lunch would still be hot!" Snapped Aberforth.
"How about a drink before you throw me out?" Albus commented. His brother glared at him and muttered under his breath.
"Here you go…share it…!" Said Aberforth, slamming a bottle of Fire Whiskey on the table and placing three glasses next to it. He then went into the back room and came out with three plates of roast beef and potatoes.
"Your grandmother, doesn't like you very much?" Asked Dumbledore swirling this glass looking at the amber liquid inside. Lyra sighed and shook her head.
"Feeling is mutual though." She replied picking up her glass.
"Why?" He wondered. She shrugged in response.
"I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours…" She said childishly smirking, as she lifted the glass of fire whiskey to her lips.
"Who doesn't like this fool?" Aberforth interjected.
"Magnolia McGonagall…" Replied Lyra drinking from her glass, eyeing Albus carefully.
"Minerva's mother?" Aberforth asked frowning.
"Aberforth…" Albus started warningly.
"She's…your grandmother?" Aberforth asked with surprise.
"Not…really." Said Lyra shaking her head.
"What does that mean?" Aberforth asked frowning.
"Look at you being all chatty today, Abe…" Lyra chuckled darkly. Aberforth pulled back, as she looked at him with an amused look.
"Just curious…"
"Well, if you must know…it's not really a secret…but…I was six…when I was adopted by the Lincolns. All I know is that…my biological parents were the Marks…and that I was born in England…" Said Lyra recounting something she didn't want to. She looked at the food on her plate, and played with her peas.
"Why does she dislike you though?" Asked Dumbledore unsure as to what Lyra was getting at.
"Because she's a horrible person…because she's a heartless bitch…because she thinks the Lincolns made the biggest mistake by adopting a random child off the street…because I'm a charity case…because she thinks I don't deserve to be loved…because she thinks I am a vile creature, who has been punishing her daughter and her family cruelly…"
"Although…she might not be so wrong about the last point…but apart from that…take your pick. She's been nasty to me ever since, I met her for the first time. I was six! It used to be very painful, initially…to see her dote over, and love everyone else…but she's the reason I discovered I was adopted. She told me once, after one of these Christmas lunches. I've been hunting for my birth parents since then. Just to know who they are…were…I don't know! Every time I've tried, I've come upon nothing. I've even tried accessing my own memories…but…I keep hitting a wall…it's like they've been wiped clean." Said Lyra pouring herself what seemed like the fourth glass of Fire whiskey.
"Alright…I'm cutting you off…" Snapped Aberforth taking the bottle. Lyra stiffened, when she heard him say that, but she managed to compose herself, hoping they hadn't noticed.
"What about you? Why does she hate your guts?" Lyra asked picking up her glass.
Dumbledore lit himself a cigarette. Aberforth grumbled about him burning the bar down.
"She has a strong reason to." Said Dumbledore sombrely.
Lyra frowned. She pushed, hoping he'd speak.
"What reason?"
"That's a hard potion to swallow, eh Albus?" Aberforth piped looking at his brother carefully. Then he turned to Lyra.
"He doesn't like talking about the biggest mistake of his life…makes him feel like the undeserving bastard that he is…" Said Aberforth. Albus looked at his brother and then looked down disappointedly at his glass.
"I'm not here to judge…" Said Lyra lighting a cigarette for herself, ignoring the glare Aberforth threw at her.
"Years ago…" Began Dumbledore as Lyra watched the man speak.
"Years…ago…your aunt…Minerva…and I…were engaged to each other." He said taking a sip from his glass.
"Wait…what! You…and Minerva?" Lyra asked in surprise.
"So, what did you do?" Lyra asked trying to put the pieces together. It made sense, why Athena was so curt with him, why Minerva was not kind to him, why Grandma M was horrid to him. It had to have been something he did.
"He broke her heart…is what he did…like the right awful sod that he is." Huffed Aberforth. He was obviously not pleased with his brother's decision from years ago.
"I had no choice." Replied Albus defensively.
"We all have choices Albus, you just made some bad one's in your youth…" Stated Aberforth shaking his head.
"What did you do?" Lyra asked again frowning. Dumbledore remained silent, so Aberforth spoke.
"They were inseparable…you know. She was an auror, just simply the most brilliant witch that she is…you didn't want to cross her in those days. She was fiery as hell! She joined the fight against Grindelwald…and that's how they met. Obviously, we knew them…long before Minerva met Albus…Athena and Margery were in school with us. I remember Minerva too, won Gryffindor those quidditch cups single-handedly…and she was a genius at duelling…made many taste dirt in school." Aberforth spoke fondly.
"They fell in love…and…because of my brother's fame…a tabloid carried a story about their engagement. Worried that Gellert Grindelwald would use this information against him. He selfishly broke their engagement."
"He told her, he was in love with someone else…and that…"
"You cheated on her?" Lyra cut in shocked.
"No, he didn't…he would never. It's just something he said…to you know…get her to leave him. In his head, he thought if she wasn't associated with him…she'd be safer."
"That's stupid…from what I've seen of Minerva…she looks like she's capable enough to take care of herself…" Said Lyra thoughtfully.
"Exactly! What I told him! But Albus…always thinks he knows better than us all…"
"What happened to Minerva then?" Lyra asked looking at Albus.
"She disappeared. For a few years. Even after the war…I looked everywhere for her. But she just…disappeared! I reached out to everyone she knew…hoping to reconnect and have a conversation, but I couldn't find her." Said Albus sighing.
"Many years later, she resurfaced…I have no idea from where. She had applied for a job at Hogwarts and Professor Dippet, the headmaster then…introduced her as the new Transfigurations professor…" Said Albus looking at his drink.
"Merlin! That's messed up!"
"It is, what it is…"
"And then…did you not talk to her about it? Tell her you lied…tell her you loved her?" Lyra asked growing annoyed with him.
"I did. I tried everything to reach her. But she was cold and didn't want anything to do with me!"
"Can you blame her?" Aberforth grumbled.
"We…slowly adapted ourselves to being professional with each other…and more recently, we've become friendlier…but that's the extent of it." Added Albus looking guilty.
"You still love her…don't you?" Lyra said, her frown turning into a pitiful look.
"Best not dwell to on our past, Ms. Marks." He replied downing the rest of his drink.
"Best advice in the world." She said raising her glass to him and following suit.
AN/- Hope you liked the chapter. Do let me know what you guys think! Would love it if you left a review. Thanks!