Chapter 7: Pets and Guests
Monday morning to Thursday afternoon, work kept Albus away, and he was glad to come home Thursday night, hoping to surprise Minerva. When he arrived home, he crept around the house until he reached the study where he stood in amazement for a moment. "My dear, you're going to spoil him," he finally said with an affectionate smile.
Turning to smile at him, she explained, "Albus, you never told me how adorable Fawkes is after his burning." Albus moved to put one hand on the small of Minerva's back and with the other he stroked Fawkes. "Poor little thing was flailing around when I got home. On the floor!"
"Usually he knows to stay on his perch when his burning time is near."
"Maybe he feels a little uneasy with me around."
"I doubt that will last long, particularly after spending considerable time cradled in your bosom."
Minerva rolled her eyes as Albus took Fawkes from her and placed him where he belonged. "You're jealous?"
"Of anyone you would hold that close."
"Now that you're here, I could hold you that close."
Albus was losing himself to the pleasure of holding and kissing her when they were interrupted by a cough from the doorway. Parting as little as necessary to look, they turned to see Aberforth.
Minerva took a step towards him. "Aberforth, are you still here?"
"Hi, Minerva. Hi, Albus. I got another one." He reached into a pocket of his robe and pulled out a tabby cat. "She did leave the property, so you may need to have my brother put yet another spell on his grounds."
"Thank you, Aberforth," Minerva replied, taking the cat from him.
Albus was still surprised to see his brother. "When did you get here?"
"Last night." Moving his eyes from Albus to Minerva, he continued, "That makes two cats in the house. Are you sure that will be safe?" he asked, pointing at Fawkes.
Albus chuckled as he turned and stroked Fawkes again. "Phoenix chicks may look helpless, but they do retain the ability to disappear at will and reappear elsewhere, though as chicks this power is used only as defense."
"Also, my cats recognize and respect owls and other pets, and I expect they'll realize Fawkes falls in that category." Sophie, the cat currently in Minerva's arms, had been very interested in smelling her blouse and mildly interested in watching the chick Albus was stroking.
"So, when's dinner?" Aberforth asked.
Glancing at Minerva, who shrugged, Albus answered, "Maybe an hour or so. Why don't you see if you can find the other cats while Minerva and I cook?" He estimated more time than they'd need, hoping for time alone with Minerva.
"The cats might be more likely to show up if Minerva comes out and calls them."
Albus considered and nodded. "Minerva, if you agree." She put Sophie down and kissed Albus on the cheek before following Aberforth out.
As he worked in the kitchen, Albus frequently found himself looking out the window, hoping for a glimpse of Minerva. It was ridiculous. He knew Minerva loved him, and she was barely acquainted with his brother. Despite knowing that it was irrational to feel jealous, Albus couldn't help it. If Aberforth hadn't been there, then right now Minerva would at least be by his side, and perhaps even in his arms or his bed. It felt like the longest hour of his life.
But the sound of Minerva's laughter was not what he had hoped would herald their return. "Thanks for helping me gather the cats." She came into the kitchen throwing a grin over her shoulder at Aberforth who was close behind her. And she seemed completely unaware that Albus was upset.
Dinner conversation consisted mainly of Minerva and Aberforth talking and laughing while Albus watched. His brother continued to tease Albus about being very old and overly serious. Albus mused that few people had ever called him too serious. Afterwards, the three moved to the sitting room, and Albus began to despair of ever getting rid of his brother.
Finally, he simply asked, "Aberforth, are you staying here tonight or going home?" Minerva seemed as surprised by the abruptness of the question as the brothers were, and Albus hastened to add, "You are welcome to stay, of course. But I am growing sleepy and will soon go to bed."
"If I thought you were trying to get rid of me because you planned to take this beautiful young woman to bed, then I'd leave right now."
Albus was speechless, horrified at the idea of telling his brother something that personal. But Minerva rose and held out her hand. "Well, then. Good night, Aberforth."
After looking skeptically from one of them to the other, Aberforth shook her hand, punched Albus's shoulder, and headed for the fireplace.
Minerva put her arms around Albus, kissed him, and pointed out, "I'm not embarrassed by our relationship, Albus. Now come to bed."
Friday they both went to work and returned home at about the same time. After making and eating dinner and cleaning up, they went out in the yard to practice dueling.
"Are you still holding back, Albus?"
"My dear, I told you. I always hold back."
"Which doesn't give me a good idea of whether I could really block spells."
"Minerva, I won't."
"Just choose a few relatively simple hexes and give it all you've got."
Albus reluctantly considered this for a few minutes before nodding his agreement. Unfortunately when he did let loose with some hexes, a bird happened to fly in the way of one, and they spent the remainder of the evening reviving the bird.
They spent a quiet weekend together. Their only unusual activity was ensuring the cats could no longer leave the property while other animals were free to come and go.
It was late Friday before Albus could come home again. He stepped out of the hearth to the sound of Minerva's voice.
"Nonsense. I'll serve the tea. I told you that you must wait to speak to Albus."
Dealing with someone Minerva didn't want to deal with wasn't what he had hoped for this evening. As he came around the corner, he could see Minerva sitting in an armchair. Apparently the other chair was occupied by her visitor, but this person was too short to be visible over it. "Hello, Minerva."
She smiled and rose but did not come towards him. "Albus, please come and meet Tripsy." As Albus walked towards her, he was sure he must have misheard her. "Tripsy, this is Professor Albus Dumbledore. Albus, this is Tripsy."
Albus tried to conceal his surprise as he held out his hand to shake the house elf's, but instead Tripsy had curtsied deeply. "How do you do, Tripsy?"
"Tripsy is well, sir, though Professor McGonagall has insisted on cooking and cleaning and serving and treating Tripsy like a guest."
He noticed the resentful expression and tone and gave Minerva a curious glance before asking Tripsy, "And what did you expect when you came here?"
"Tripsy did not expect anything, sir. Tripsy is seeking employment. But Professor McGonagall insisted that only you could address that question."
"Tripsy, I can't help but notice that you're wearing a shirt, skirt, and socks. May I ask how you came to be unemployed?"
"Tripsy takes too much initiative, Professor Dumbledore."
"That doesn't sound bad."
"Tripsy converted the Herold's lawn into a vegetable garden while they were away on vacation, but it turns out that Mr. Herold was quite attached to his grass. Tripsy reorganized the Warfield's home office, but threw away irreplaceable family documents. And at the Maillart's, Tripsy repaired an old wardrobe, not knowing that it was a transfigured cousin."
Albus nodded thoughtfully. "You must realize I'm surprised that even given all that, you're here. Generally house elves seek estates to serve in."
Her face and ears drooped as she confessed, "Tripsy has been turned away from dozens of estates. Sometimes just hearing Tripsy's name gets doors slammed in her face."
"Tripsy, would you please wait here while Minerva and I speak in the kitchen?" At Tripsy's nod, Albus held out a hand to Minerva.
As soon as they reached the kitchen, Minerva whispered, "She arrived Wednesday looking like she hadn't eaten in days. You don't have to let her stay. I just wanted to make sure she got some proper food."
"I'm not particularly fond of the traditional relationship between house elves and wizards and witches," Albus mused. "But Tripsy's initiative is likely to make her unemployable elsewhere."
"Of course there's also the damage she could do here."
With a laugh, Albus commented, "There is little she could hurt here that I care for. You can take care of yourself and Fawkes – surely she can be instructed not to interfere with him."
Minerva smiled. "It sounds as though you've made a decision." They kissed gently before returning to talk with Tripsy.
In a very serious tone, Albus began, "Tripsy, if you were to work here, there are a few things you must agree to."
"Tripsy agrees!"
"It is very secret that Minerva is here, and we will be secretly wed soon. We will be away much of the time, teaching at Hogwarts, so you will need your initiative to run the house. My phoenix, Fawkes, may be here some of the time, and we'll have to talk about him – he doesn't take kindly to new people being too close to him or his perch."
Jumping up and down, she enthused, "Tripsy can take care of everything!"
"Even though Minerva and I are not yet married, you'll need to follow her instructions, too."
"Yes, professor! What can Tripsy do first?"
"I haven't had dinner yet. Were there leftovers that can be reheated?"
"Professor McGonagall left them warming in the oven. Tripsy will go and prepare them!" While she was still speaking, she ran from the room.
Albus finally turned and hungrily kissed his future wife. "I guess there won't be quite so much privacy around here."
"I guess not."
Albus was surprised by his brother's voice and turned to see him laughing in the doorway. "Aberforth."
Minerva explained, "I hadn't yet mentioned to Albus that you were here, Aberforth."
"So he was referring to that little creature?" Aberforth asked.
Darkly, Albus corrected, "Her name is Tripsy."
"Yeah, I know. I came over Wednesday after she arrived."
"You've been here since Wednesday?" Now Albus was surprised and disturbed.
"I didn't think you'd want Minerva alone in the house with someone we knew nothing about."
Albus worked hard to keep a straight face. "Aberforth, I think Minerva is quite capable of defending herself against a house elf." He resisted adding that he wasn't sure what Aberforth could contribute. Certainly nothing magically.
"Dinner is probably ready," Minerva gently reminded, pulling on Albus's arm.
By the end of a rather uncomfortable dinner conversation, it had been agreed that Albus and Minerva would leave in the morning to spend the weekend with her parents. Albus was disturbed b how distracting he found trying to be intimate or sleep with Minerva was knowing that Tripsy and Aberforth were in the house.
1
Monday morning to Thursday afternoon, work kept Albus away, and he was glad to come home Thursday night, hoping to surprise Minerva. When he arrived home, he crept around the house until he reached the study where he stood in amazement for a moment. "My dear, you're going to spoil him," he finally said with an affectionate smile.
Turning to smile at him, she explained, "Albus, you never told me how adorable Fawkes is after his burning." Albus moved to put one hand on the small of Minerva's back and with the other he stroked Fawkes. "Poor little thing was flailing around when I got home. On the floor!"
"Usually he knows to stay on his perch when his burning time is near."
"Maybe he feels a little uneasy with me around."
"I doubt that will last long, particularly after spending considerable time cradled in your bosom."
Minerva rolled her eyes as Albus took Fawkes from her and placed him where he belonged. "You're jealous?"
"Of anyone you would hold that close."
"Now that you're here, I could hold you that close."
Albus was losing himself to the pleasure of holding and kissing her when they were interrupted by a cough from the doorway. Parting as little as necessary to look, they turned to see Aberforth.
Minerva took a step towards him. "Aberforth, are you still here?"
"Hi, Minerva. Hi, Albus. I got another one." He reached into a pocket of his robe and pulled out a tabby cat. "She did leave the property, so you may need to have my brother put yet another spell on his grounds."
"Thank you, Aberforth," Minerva replied, taking the cat from him.
Albus was still surprised to see his brother. "When did you get here?"
"Last night." Moving his eyes from Albus to Minerva, he continued, "That makes two cats in the house. Are you sure that will be safe?" he asked, pointing at Fawkes.
Albus chuckled as he turned and stroked Fawkes again. "Phoenix chicks may look helpless, but they do retain the ability to disappear at will and reappear elsewhere, though as chicks this power is used only as defense."
"Also, my cats recognize and respect owls and other pets, and I expect they'll realize Fawkes falls in that category." Sophie, the cat currently in Minerva's arms, had been very interested in smelling her blouse and mildly interested in watching the chick Albus was stroking.
"So, when's dinner?" Aberforth asked.
Glancing at Minerva, who shrugged, Albus answered, "Maybe an hour or so. Why don't you see if you can find the other cats while Minerva and I cook?" He estimated more time than they'd need, hoping for time alone with Minerva.
"The cats might be more likely to show up if Minerva comes out and calls them."
Albus considered and nodded. "Minerva, if you agree." She put Sophie down and kissed Albus on the cheek before following Aberforth out.
As he worked in the kitchen, Albus frequently found himself looking out the window, hoping for a glimpse of Minerva. It was ridiculous. He knew Minerva loved him, and she was barely acquainted with his brother. Despite knowing that it was irrational to feel jealous, Albus couldn't help it. If Aberforth hadn't been there, then right now Minerva would at least be by his side, and perhaps even in his arms or his bed. It felt like the longest hour of his life.
But the sound of Minerva's laughter was not what he had hoped would herald their return. "Thanks for helping me gather the cats." She came into the kitchen throwing a grin over her shoulder at Aberforth who was close behind her. And she seemed completely unaware that Albus was upset.
Dinner conversation consisted mainly of Minerva and Aberforth talking and laughing while Albus watched. His brother continued to tease Albus about being very old and overly serious. Albus mused that few people had ever called him too serious. Afterwards, the three moved to the sitting room, and Albus began to despair of ever getting rid of his brother.
Finally, he simply asked, "Aberforth, are you staying here tonight or going home?" Minerva seemed as surprised by the abruptness of the question as the brothers were, and Albus hastened to add, "You are welcome to stay, of course. But I am growing sleepy and will soon go to bed."
"If I thought you were trying to get rid of me because you planned to take this beautiful young woman to bed, then I'd leave right now."
Albus was speechless, horrified at the idea of telling his brother something that personal. But Minerva rose and held out her hand. "Well, then. Good night, Aberforth."
After looking skeptically from one of them to the other, Aberforth shook her hand, punched Albus's shoulder, and headed for the fireplace.
Minerva put her arms around Albus, kissed him, and pointed out, "I'm not embarrassed by our relationship, Albus. Now come to bed."
Friday they both went to work and returned home at about the same time. After making and eating dinner and cleaning up, they went out in the yard to practice dueling.
"Are you still holding back, Albus?"
"My dear, I told you. I always hold back."
"Which doesn't give me a good idea of whether I could really block spells."
"Minerva, I won't."
"Just choose a few relatively simple hexes and give it all you've got."
Albus reluctantly considered this for a few minutes before nodding his agreement. Unfortunately when he did let loose with some hexes, a bird happened to fly in the way of one, and they spent the remainder of the evening reviving the bird.
They spent a quiet weekend together. Their only unusual activity was ensuring the cats could no longer leave the property while other animals were free to come and go.
It was late Friday before Albus could come home again. He stepped out of the hearth to the sound of Minerva's voice.
"Nonsense. I'll serve the tea. I told you that you must wait to speak to Albus."
Dealing with someone Minerva didn't want to deal with wasn't what he had hoped for this evening. As he came around the corner, he could see Minerva sitting in an armchair. Apparently the other chair was occupied by her visitor, but this person was too short to be visible over it. "Hello, Minerva."
She smiled and rose but did not come towards him. "Albus, please come and meet Tripsy." As Albus walked towards her, he was sure he must have misheard her. "Tripsy, this is Professor Albus Dumbledore. Albus, this is Tripsy."
Albus tried to conceal his surprise as he held out his hand to shake the house elf's, but instead Tripsy had curtsied deeply. "How do you do, Tripsy?"
"Tripsy is well, sir, though Professor McGonagall has insisted on cooking and cleaning and serving and treating Tripsy like a guest."
He noticed the resentful expression and tone and gave Minerva a curious glance before asking Tripsy, "And what did you expect when you came here?"
"Tripsy did not expect anything, sir. Tripsy is seeking employment. But Professor McGonagall insisted that only you could address that question."
"Tripsy, I can't help but notice that you're wearing a shirt, skirt, and socks. May I ask how you came to be unemployed?"
"Tripsy takes too much initiative, Professor Dumbledore."
"That doesn't sound bad."
"Tripsy converted the Herold's lawn into a vegetable garden while they were away on vacation, but it turns out that Mr. Herold was quite attached to his grass. Tripsy reorganized the Warfield's home office, but threw away irreplaceable family documents. And at the Maillart's, Tripsy repaired an old wardrobe, not knowing that it was a transfigured cousin."
Albus nodded thoughtfully. "You must realize I'm surprised that even given all that, you're here. Generally house elves seek estates to serve in."
Her face and ears drooped as she confessed, "Tripsy has been turned away from dozens of estates. Sometimes just hearing Tripsy's name gets doors slammed in her face."
"Tripsy, would you please wait here while Minerva and I speak in the kitchen?" At Tripsy's nod, Albus held out a hand to Minerva.
As soon as they reached the kitchen, Minerva whispered, "She arrived Wednesday looking like she hadn't eaten in days. You don't have to let her stay. I just wanted to make sure she got some proper food."
"I'm not particularly fond of the traditional relationship between house elves and wizards and witches," Albus mused. "But Tripsy's initiative is likely to make her unemployable elsewhere."
"Of course there's also the damage she could do here."
With a laugh, Albus commented, "There is little she could hurt here that I care for. You can take care of yourself and Fawkes – surely she can be instructed not to interfere with him."
Minerva smiled. "It sounds as though you've made a decision." They kissed gently before returning to talk with Tripsy.
In a very serious tone, Albus began, "Tripsy, if you were to work here, there are a few things you must agree to."
"Tripsy agrees!"
"It is very secret that Minerva is here, and we will be secretly wed soon. We will be away much of the time, teaching at Hogwarts, so you will need your initiative to run the house. My phoenix, Fawkes, may be here some of the time, and we'll have to talk about him – he doesn't take kindly to new people being too close to him or his perch."
Jumping up and down, she enthused, "Tripsy can take care of everything!"
"Even though Minerva and I are not yet married, you'll need to follow her instructions, too."
"Yes, professor! What can Tripsy do first?"
"I haven't had dinner yet. Were there leftovers that can be reheated?"
"Professor McGonagall left them warming in the oven. Tripsy will go and prepare them!" While she was still speaking, she ran from the room.
Albus finally turned and hungrily kissed his future wife. "I guess there won't be quite so much privacy around here."
"I guess not."
Albus was surprised by his brother's voice and turned to see him laughing in the doorway. "Aberforth."
Minerva explained, "I hadn't yet mentioned to Albus that you were here, Aberforth."
"So he was referring to that little creature?" Aberforth asked.
Darkly, Albus corrected, "Her name is Tripsy."
"Yeah, I know. I came over Wednesday after she arrived."
"You've been here since Wednesday?" Now Albus was surprised and disturbed.
"I didn't think you'd want Minerva alone in the house with someone we knew nothing about."
Albus worked hard to keep a straight face. "Aberforth, I think Minerva is quite capable of defending herself against a house elf." He resisted adding that he wasn't sure what Aberforth could contribute. Certainly nothing magically.
"Dinner is probably ready," Minerva gently reminded, pulling on Albus's arm.
By the end of a rather uncomfortable dinner conversation, it had been agreed that Albus and Minerva would leave in the morning to spend the weekend with her parents. Albus was disturbed b how distracting he found trying to be intimate or sleep with Minerva was knowing that Tripsy and Aberforth were in the house.
1