Chapter Twelve: June 1954

Chapter Twelve: June 1954

Minerva, Marlene, and Albert returned from Hogsmeade much later that evening, after having supper at the Three Broomsticks. When they returned, Marlene and Albert were bundled off to get ready for bed. Albus was still sitting in the parlour where they had left him. Minerva joined him.

“You’ve got to confront Colleen, Albus,” Minerva said, joining him on the sofa.

“I know,” Albus said, his head buried in his hands.

“Go tonight, after we tuck the children in,” Minerva urged him.

“All right,” Albus agreed reluctantly, just as Marlene and Albert filed in, neatly attired in dressing gowns.

“Good night, Mummy, good night, Daddy,” Marlene said, walking over and pecking her mother and father on the cheek.

“Good night, Minerva, good night, Daddy,” Albert added, kissing them each on the cheek as well.

“I’ll tuck you in,” Minerva said, standing up from the sofa and extending her hands to the two children. She led them to their bedrooms and said good night before rejoining Albus.

“I’ll go now,” Albus said, standing up and kissing Minerva.

“Good luck, Albus,” she said. “I love you.”

“And I love you, Minerva,” he said, before walking to the fireplace. He threw a handful of Floo powder into the fireplace and stepped into the emerald green flames.

A few seconds later, he stepped into his ex-wife’s home. She was sitting on the sofa, reading, and looked up in shock when Albus stepped out of the Floo.

“Albus! What are you doing here?” she asked, utterly shocked.

“I know that you got married, Colleen,” he said.

“Well, you had to find out sooner or later,” she replied calmly, setting her book aside.

“I’m no longer going to pay alimony, Colleen,” he declared.

She smiled smugly. “You will continue to pay alimony if you want custody of my son,” she said.

“Wait – your son?” he asked. “Not our son?”

Colleen looked down nervously, avoiding his gaze.

“Albert is not my son?” he asked her, utterly furious.

Colleen closed her eyes, hiding her face in her hands.

Albus towered over her, fury radiating from every pore of his body.

“No, he’s not your son!” Colleen exclaimed, utterly terrified, cowering in the corner of the sofa. “He’s not,” she repeated. “He’s not.”

“I cannot believe you!” Albus yelled. “You – you lying... ugh!”

“Please, Albus, don’t hurt me,” she whimpered, curling up into a ball.

“I won’t hurt you, Colleen – you’re not worth my energy,” he spat, turning on his heel, walking to the fireplace. He paused before he threw in the handful of Floo powder. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said, before stepping into the emerald flames.

Minerva was waiting for him on the sofa.

“Albert’s not my son,” Albus said.

Minerva’s eyes widened; her hand flew to her breast in shock. “What on earth do you mean?” she asked him.

“He’s not my son. Colleen cheated on me – Albert is not my son,” Albus said, collapsing on the sofa. His magic literally crackled with anger and sadness, and Minerva was afraid to touch him in comfort.

“You’re not my daddy?” Albert said, stepping out of the doorway. Both Albus and Minerva looked up at him.

“No, I’m not,” Albus replied heavily. Albert’s lower lip trembled, and tears began to fall down his face. Minerva rushed to his side, embracing the sobbing boy. She looked over his head to Albus, who was still on the couch, his head in his hand.

“Let’s go to bed now,” Minerva said, leading Albert down the hallway to his room. She tucked him in once more.

“Minerva, does Daddy still love me?” he asked her between his tears.

“Of course he does,” Minerva soothed him.

Albert hiccupped as his sobs slowed. “Who is my father, then?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Minerva admitted. “Now, get some rest. We have a difficult day ahead of us.”

He nodded and closed his eyes obediently, and Minerva left the room to rejoin Albus.

“What can I do, Minerva?” he asked her as she stroked his hair gently.

“Do you still love him?” she asked.

“Of course! I thought that he was my son for years; I can’t change that in a night,” Albus replied.

“Then continue to treat him as a son, and everything will be fine,” Minerva said.

“I won’t be able to have custody of him, though,” he said.

“We’ll see,” Minerva replied, standing up from the couch. “Let’s go to bed – we’ll have a long day in store for us tomorrow.” He allowed her to lead him to their bedroom, but could not fall asleep.

The next morning, Albus Flooed to Colleen’s house once again. She was prepared for him this time.

“Good morning, Colleen,” he said coldly.

“Good morning, Albus,” she replied timidly.

“I still want custody of Albert,” Albus said.

“No,” she said firmly. “He’s not your son, and you have no legal right to custody of him.”

“Then I’ll see you in court,” Albus said.

“Fine,” she spat. Albus stood up and walked over to the fireplace, throwing a pinch of Floo powder into the fireplace. “Hogwarts,” he said, and stepped into the flames.