Disclaimer: It's obvious I don't own the characters But I do own a notebook filled with the plot bunnies that some of you seem to enjoy.
If you've read my fanfics before you know the rules. Reviews=Love, Flamers welcome, and as always I hope you enjoy!
Dedicated to a new and young fanfic author, goes by the name of Courtpaige.
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The Children Just Know
The Children
Albus was extremely nervous as he walked the stone path to Minerva's home. It was a large, two story, house, painted white and the shutters painted a dull light green. The property was surrounded by a white picket fence, with flower beds in the front of the house. This was the first time Albus had been in her home with her many children there. He had been there a few times in the past but normally just to get an urgent message to Minerva. Or to pick up something that took less than a minute.
Albus was quite concerned about Minerva. With her kids and the death of her husband it had took a great toll on Minerva. It was about two years since Daniel was killed in a tragic car accident one terribly rainy morning. He remembered quite clearly when it happened. It was during the school term. It was morning when Minerva flooed from her home to Hogwarts, which she did often to spend time with her family. She arrived for breakfast and when the owls came she was urgently informed that her husband had died in a car accident after dropping their daughters off at his mother's house. Minerva had dropped her letter, completely in shock. Albus of course asked what was wrong. She wouldn't talk so Albus had read the letter himself. When he looked back up a single tear fell from her eye. Albus quickly escorted her out. After settling Minerva in his office he went to fetch Poppy.
It was a long terrible day for Minerva. She said nothing, she didn't cry, she just sat there. As if she was immobilized by misery. It broke Albus' heart to see her that way. Albus wanted nothing more but to hug her but he found it entirely inappropriate. She needed time to register what exactly happened. Minerva, being the strong and stubborn woman she was she did everything to comfort her children but did nothing for herself. It was seven months until her mother-in-law convinced to go to grief counseling. And then eight months later her mother-in-law tried to convince her to go back into the dating world.
Albus had met Daniel quite a few times. He was a very charming muggle, loving Minerva with every fiber of his body, even when he had found out she was a witch, he simply took it as if she had told him her eyes were green, as if he'd already known. Albus of course was happy when he heard the news that Minerva had met Daniel while on her usual visits to see her squib uncle. And when Minerva had told him that she would be marrying him it of course broke his heart but he was happy for her. Minerva never knew this but Albus was deeply in love with her. But Albus had thought it best if he didn't tell her.
Albus was far too old for her anyway. He may have his auburn colored hair but he could see the gray sneaking in. Minerva was even his student in the past! He didn't want her to think of him as some old pervert. Beside why would she want Albus. He was childish and he could admit that. But Minerva had six children. He hadn't meant them but heard both great and terrible things about their behavior. They all seem to like pranks like their mother did when she was young, and still secretly does. He had seen her eldest, Millie, once when she was only three. But it was unlikely she'd remember him.
Albus rapped on the front door. He heard glass shatter from the other side. "MUM! Allison broke the lamp!"
"Shut it Olivia or I'll break YOU!"
Albus suppressed a chuckle and the door opened showing the ravishing looking Minerva. She wore a stunning black, knee length dress. Her ebony hair laid on her shoulders. She smiled as she pushed her earring though her ear.
"Good evening Albus? What do I owe this unexpected visit?" She stepped back letting him into a small hallway.
"Actually my dear you and I have planning to do for next year." Albus smiled but it soon faded as Minerva sulked. Minerva walked into the sitting room, while Albus stood in the archway.
"I've completely forgot. Albus I am so sorry. You see, I have a date." Minerva sighed. Albus took a deep breath. She's dating again. Albus mentally cried out in anguish but hid it pretending to be enthused and excited that she was going back into the dating world, forcing a grin on his face. "Oh course I could cancel."
"Minerva it's fine. Perhaps another time."
"Albus that is really sweet of you. But I can't do that to you." She smiled.
Before Albus had a chance to say something the telephone rang. Minerva dashed to the phone.
"Where are you?" She asked. "What do you mean you can't babysit? It's a little late notice isn't it?" Minerva slammed her phone down.
"It looks like I'll be planning for the next school year with you. My babysitter canceled last minute." Minerva tried to smile which just ached Albus' heart.
"What if I babysit?" Albus asked not fully thinking about what he just said.
"What?" Minerva was a bit shocked by Albus' suggestion.
"Well I'm already here, and I have no plans for tonight. I'd be more than glad to take care of the children while you went out." Albus was fine with doing a favor for Minerva, even if it meant that Minerva would be going out with some guy.
"Albus that's too kind of you but-" She was cut off.
"Oh come on Minerva. I owe you anyway. Remember when you saved me from that dreadful meeting at the Ministry?" He smiled, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Let me pay you back."
"Albus?" Minerva bowed her head smiling and covering his hands.
"I would love to." Albus said.
"Albus you are a wonderful man." Minerva kissed him on his cheek. There was a loud knock on the door. Minerva jumped.
"Kids! Hurry down I have someone I'd like you to meet!" In an instant six children stood in front of the pair. They stood from tallest to smallest and smiled, all except two. "This is Albus, my boss, and one of my dearest friends. Anita from down the street has canceled tonight-"
"YES!" Allison cheered but shut her mouth seeing that she was receiving a warning look from her mother.
"So Albus will be here to watch over you while I'm gone for," she hesitated, "well dinner."
"You mean on your date." The tallest crossed her arms and glared at the floor. Minerva sighed.
"I'll leave it to them to introduce their selves but I must go." She turned to her kids. "Kisses." She kissed all her girls, even the tallest, which Albus assumed who was Millie. While she kissed her eldest daughter Millie kept her eyes down. Minerva grabbed her purse and dashed out the door. They waited for the click of the door and for the sound of a car engine start and the sound slowly fading away.
"I'm Allison! But you can call me Alli. Alli with an 'I' not a 'Y'" Allison stuck her hand out in front of Albus. He took it shaking her hand.
"A pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Miranda. But I go by Millie. My grandma gave me the nickname." Millie seemed completely different after her mother left. She smiled brightly. "I'm the eldest." She stared at him for a moment. "Have we met before?"
"When you were three." Albus watched as Millie raised her brow. She looked exactly like Minerva. She stood closer lightly tugging his auburn beard. "I remember you. You had that bird in your office."
"A phoenix." Albus was astonished that she remembered him, and Fawkes.
"Oh yeah, because it burst into flames and then is reborn in the ashes." She smiled. "I remember him."
"I'm Celeste." A shy looking girl with a book in her hand. She had her mother's eyes but her father's dark brown hair."
"I'm Olivia."
"And I'm Sophia"
"We're pleased to meet you." They said in unison. Both twins that looked just like their father. Brown hair, and dark blue eyes.
"The pleasure is all mine." Albus took both hands bowing his head to them.
He turned to the youngest. She looked nothing like her father and barely like her mother. She looked almost exactly like Minerva's sister Alexandra however. She had blonde hair with green eyes like her mother. She smiled holding a stuffed teddy to her chest.
Albus went down to one knee. "And what is your name?"
"Julie." She whispered.
"How old are you Julie?"
"I'm five." She held up her hand showing her age.
"It's very nice to meet you."
Julie came close to whisper in his ear. "You aren't mean are you?" She asked stepping away.
"No." Albus whispered back.
"Good." Julie grabbed his hand and led him out of the Sitting Room. "This is the kitchen." It was rather large but not surprising. Minerva loved to cook the muggle way and she did an amazing job. Her food was always the best. She took a step down the hall to the bathroom. "I don't want to tell you what you do in here. Maybe you know already." Albus chuckled. Julie passed the sitting room. Everyone had fled except Celeste who was sitting on the floor reading her book. "You've already seen the Sitting room." Went past a closed door close to the stairs. Albus pointed to it.
"What's that room?" Albus asked.
"That was Daddy's office. No one ever goes in there. Sometimes mum will just stand there. I think she wants daddy to come back." Julie smiled as she led him up the stairs. She opened the door which was the master bedroom. "This is mummy's room. I don't know how she keeps it so clean." There wasn't much to the room, very simple, Gryffindor colors of course. She led him to a room with Millie's name on the door. Julie knocked on her door.
"It's rude to go into a room when someone is in there." She nodded her head agreeing with herself. "Come in." They heard, and Millie was on her bed drawing on paper. "This is Millie's room." It was brightly painted blue but you could hardly tell with all the drawings, photos, and cards on her walls. On card said happy 12th birthday. Millie didn't have any magical powers. So she didn't go to Hogwarts.
"Julie you don't have to show him around the house."
"It's the pilot thing to do."
"Don't you me polite?" Her older sister corrected her with a laugh.
"Yeah! That word!" She smiled, closing her sister's door.
This is Allison's room. It was a dark room. Very messy and very well lit up. "Allison hates the dark." She whispered.
"This is Celeste's room." She opened the door. It was bright yellow. Books stacked everywhere. "Sissy is very smart. She reads lots of books. Allison calls her a nerd. But I don't know what it means."
"This is Olivia and Sophia's room." Their room was a mixture of pink and green. Two twin beds separated by a night stand.
"I'd hate to interrupt this lovely tour but if your sister's aren't in their room and aren't down stairs, where are they?"
"The attic." She smiled "Grandpop fixed it up for us with magic. We can go there after you see my room." Julie smiled opening her door. It was filled with stuff animals. It was extremely colorful. Albus was sure that this room contained every color known to man or wizard. Albus was lead into her room and ushered to take a seat on her bed.
"This is my room. I have a tea set, lots of toys, and many fuzzy aminals to keep you company."
"You have quite the collection." Albus chuckled.
"Maybe another time you can come over for a tea party!" Julie said enthusiastically. "It'd be really fun. And Mum can make us some little foods to eat." Julie beamed. Albus nodded his head.
"We'll have to schedule it."
"How about Wednesday? Mum has to go to visit her aunt." Julie whispered in his ear. "Aunt Gloria pinches your cheeks until their purple and she smells weird. Don't tell anyone I told you."
"I won't." Albus assured her.
"You wanna see that attic now?" She grabbed Albus' hand once again. Julie lead him to a closest down the hall. She opened the door and a latter was the only thing in there. Julie climbed up first and Albus followed.
The room was definably made with magic. The stuffed animals moved themselves, birds made of paper were flying in the air. It was incredibly spacious for an attic. There was no doubt in Albus' mind that their grandfather had enchanted the room. The twins were playing a hand game, while Allison was working on something that maybe shouldn't be worked on. Because as soon as she saw Albus she covered it with a blanket, trying to look as innocent as possible.
"So what shall we do now?" He looked down at Julie.
"A puppet show." Millie said as she climbed the latter.
"A puppet show!" The twins yelled excitedly.
"Puppet shows are lame." Allison said.
"Then you don't have to come." Millie replied. "What do you think Julie?"
"I think it's a wonderful idea!"
"How about you Al?" Millie smiled.
"A brilliant idea."
They set up a box in the sitting room. Albus used many different spells and charms of magic impressing the girls as he made what Allison called "The Ultimate Puppet Theater". They spent an hour making puppets of themselves. While they worked they threw question after question to Albus.
"So how long have you known Mum?" Millie asked.
"Since she was a fifth-year at Hogwarts. She wasn't the happiest when she found out I was her new Transfiguration professor. Luckily after a few years and then her applying for a job at Hogwarts we became dear friends."
"Why haven't you come to our house at all? We heard a lot about you but never seen you except for pictures that she has." Celeste asked.
"Well, I was never invited, and I am always busy with the Ministry and running the school."
"So why didn't you and Mum get together?" Allison asked not looking up from her puppet. Albus was hesitant for a moment.
"Because she was in love with your father, and I'm a bit too old for her."
"Age doesn't matter." Sophie smiled.
"Love is for all ages." Olivia said, all her sisters nodding in agreement.
"Uncle Bill and Aunt Maggie are sixty years apart." Julie said.
"She means sixteen years apart." Millie whispered.
"Well you're mother and I are different."
"How?" Julie asked.
"We're best friends."
"Mum and Dad were best friends." Olivia said.
"Mum said it's always good to marry someone who is your friend." Sophia added.
"Alright girls enough with the interrogation. Is everyone done with their puppets?"
"Yes." They all said.
"Good." Albus took out his wand and waved.
Minerva opened the door quietly shutting the door quickly to make it clear to her date that she wouldn't be kissing him. Minerva laid her purse down. She kicked off her heels and rubbed her temples to try and release the stress. She didn't know any wizard that could talk so much about himself. It' was absolutely dreadful. Never would she be seeing that Lockhart fellow again.
Minerva heard nothing which worried her. She walked into the sitting room. She smiled leaning against the wall. There was a large pile of pillows which Albus was laying on. All her girls were snuggled close to him. She was surprised to see Millie. Millie had been spending most of her time in her room drawing recently. It was the first in a while that she saw her playing with her sisters.
Millie hadn't been the same after her father died. She seemed more reclusive. Drifting away from Minerva. Millie had showed some magical ability. Only enough to close and open her door. But after the accident she couldn't seem to do anything. She couldn't go to Hogwarts which Minerva knew it broke her heart when she found out she couldn't go.
Minerva looked over at the box. Their puppets were moving themselves. Albus really outdid himself with this.
Minerva didn't have the heart to wake them. She kneeled kissing all her girls' cheek. She hesitated but gave Albus one as well. She turned her back not seeing Millie quickly opening her eyes, raised her brow, and shut her eyes again.
That's all I got for the first chapter. I hope you leave a comment and tell me what you think. There is nothing more important than reviews for the first chapter. What you need to tweak, if the plot is good, yada, yada ,yada. Thanks for reading!