The feast was over, the students sorted, and Aileen Reid had decided to make a quick stop by her office before flooing home tonight. She wanted to ensure everything was in order after the long summer, and evict any doxies that had nested in the bookshelves (or some other catastrophe). It would just take a few minutes. Stuck at home, Abby was likely watching the fireplace in the living room, waiting to hear every detail and lament about missing the excitement.

Aileen strode down the dim corridor, formal robes swishing, her steps echoing against the stone. Many fashions and uniforms had graced the Great Hall this evening, and she remembered the Beauxbatons Headmistress in white, the Salem Headmaster mingling with the Hufflepuffs, Tapendra and Myrni in their Head of House robes, and the new Deputy Headmaster Storm wearing his usual dour mask. She hadn't expected to enjoy the feast as much as she had, but the excitement in the air that made the students squirrelly gave the professors a little extra pep and pride. They all seemed to stand taller, smile a little quicker, and pay more attention to the Sorting Hat's song.

Perhaps Aileen was biased, but she felt certain the Headmaster had something to do with the change as well. Where Snark had been commanding and powerful, Herschel Reid exuded a friendly, warm, but watchful aura. As Aileen turned the corner and spotted her uncle frowning up at the gargoyle guarding his office, her steps automatically slowed. At one time, she'd hated the fact that her office was so close to Snark's lair. Now, she might very well feel differently.

"Headmaster Reid," she greeted him, then followed the direction of his gaze.

The gargoyle looming over them sported a bloated beak, puffed up cheeks, and crossed eyes. Its head bobbed as it hummed a jaunty tune that sounded strangely familiar. Aileen's eyes narrowed after a moment. Figaro Sellaphix's latest Hufflepuff cheer. That explained everything.

"Peeves!" Aileen scolded, her hand reaching for her wand. The gargoyle's eyes shifted to look down at her. It stopped humming. Then Peeves-Gargoyle let out a raspberry, and flew out of the stone and down the hall, clanging against the armor and tickling the portraits as he passed.

Adjusting its wings with a soft huff, the gargoyle shifted to its usual fearsome form.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts," she commented dryly, and offered the Headmaster a sympathetic smile.

That the gargoyle was singing such a crude tune was unsurprising, and as he was frowning up at the thing- wondering whether it was a charm of some sort- his attention was diverted by the arrival of his niece, who quickly shooed the poltergeist from the gargoyle. Herschel had not considered that the poltergeist might be the culprit. "Thank you, Aileen," he said, pausing for a moment as he pursed his lips before speaking again. "Is it sad to admit that I had missed Peeves, even if it was only a smidgen?" he asked her with a smile before opening the door of his office and gesturing her in.

"The feast went better than I expected," he said to Aileen. "Very little upset in comparison to how I remember feasts being in the past. Nice group of first years, it seems. And the foreign students seem to be enthused and seem to have settled in well enough."

Herschel went over to a cabinet in the corner of the office, pouring himself a scotch. "Would you care for a drink?" he asked, levitating the tray to his desk before taking a seat behind it. "The whiskey is particularly stout, very good year. I find many prefer it to scotch." He sipped his drink and took off his hat, resting it on the corner of his desk. Herschel ran his hand over his head, swiping what bit of hair he had off to the side.

"I hope you are doing well. The first day seems to be quite stressful for most. I imagine things will only get more hectic as the tournament gets into full swing later on in the month." He paused, sipped his drink, and eyed Aileen. "Will it bother you if I smoke?" he asked, pulling a cigar from his pocket.

The gesture inside his office came as a welcome surprise. Aileen took a seat in one of the chairs across from Herschel’s desk, responding politely to his relaxed chatter, and shaking her head at the offer of a drink. She hadn’t realized how uncertain she had felt about her uncle becoming Headmaster until now. Anything would have been preferable to Snark’s threats and vicious smiles, but he knew enough about her and their family to make her miserable, whatever his reasons for doing so.

Luckily, he seemed true to his word and the reassurance he’d offered in his owl. If her expression looked a smidgen relieved, it only lasted a few moments before she smiled back.

"Not at all," Aileen replied smoothly. It was easy enough to magic out the smoke from her clothing later.

“The feast did go exceptionally well," Aileen agreed. "No half-drowned students this time, and Peeves saved his antics for later. Rather generous of him now that I think about it.

“And I am doing well, thank you. The excitement is over and the students are tucked away in their common rooms, celebrating quietly, no doubt," she added with a wry smile. "Classes will be the real test. But I look forward to meeting the foreign students and working with Professor Maras.”

Aileen glanced around the office, noticing the changes already in place. The portraits of the previous Hogwarts Headmasters did not seem as dour and judgmental as she'd imagined them to be when Snark had sat upon her throne.

“I see you’ve been settling in. It certainly looks inviting and welcoming.”

Herschel smiled and let out a short, quiet chuckle. "I do not believe I have ever heard Peeves and Generous used in the same sentence in a positive connotation. Best not to let the poltergeist hear you say such things, Aileen, or he might decide to take his revenge on you at a later date."

"Ah yes, classes!" he said with enthusiasm. "I am glad you look forward to working with our visiting professor. I am certain the educational experience of this year will be unrivaled! I just hope our foreign students can keep up. I saw a few of them relying heavily on translation. Of all the wonderful things magic can do, it is a shame there is no simpler way to communicate with those of differing languages."

Herschel puffed on his cigar, resting it in an ashtray, and sipped his drink. He looked around the office as Aileen claimed it was inviting and welcoming. "I am glad to hear it. It is not easy to make the space your own, and all of the portraits seem to want to have their own say in where things belong. Sir Cadogan was about earlier, claiming I had usurped the old headmistress and challenging me to a duel..." His mouth twitched with a slight smirk, "I prodded his portrait with my wand and he galloped away on that fat steed of his."

"I had missed Hogwarts quite a bit, and it feels as though I am home now that I am back within its walls. It is not the same as educating, but I intend to make the very best of the situation and to find my own little niche. It is nice to already have a deputy head who has adequate experience and is easy enough to get on with- at least, so far."

Herschel picked up his cigar again, chewing on the butt of it as he spoke. "But I suppose once you get to a certain age it becomes easier to either like or hate a person, instead of merely tolerating them."

"How was your summer?" he asked. "I hope the trip to Egypt went well despite the unfortunate incident with the headmistress. I have heard that the students found it very enjoyable. I heard a few girls giggling about miniature camels in the hallway earlier."

As the Headmaster spoke with enthusiasm, Aileen hid her amusement with a small, polite smile. He seemed so excited about the tournament, classes, the talking portraits, and simply being at Hogwarts again, that it made her more aware of the generational gap for a moment. Now she could understand why Abby laughed whenever Aileen went on about teaching and runes.

Even with small talk, Aileen treaded a bit carefully, trying to find the line between professionalism and acknowledging that he'd known her since she was a child. He was family. Though she'd not seen him for years.

She wondered if he remembered that time she'd put Simon's frog into his teacup when she'd been seven.

"I'm certain Sir Cadogan has learned his lesson," she raised an eyebrow. "This week." Portraits never hushed up for long.

She nodded at his mention of Professor Storm, interested to hear they were getting on well so far. She hadn't spoken to the Defense professor much, but she knew that Tapendra regarded him highly, and she could imagine Herschel as the warmer, public face of Hogwarts while Ignan Storm rapped knuckles as needed in the background.

"The summer trip was lovely," Aileen replied with a touch of the same enthusiasm he'd been showing. "I'm glad to hear the students have been talking about it positively. There were some sunburnt noses and unexpected adventures along the way, but overall, nothing serious. We only got trapped in tombs a few times," she added in a light tone that made it difficult to tell whether she was joking.

"And yes, the spitting camels," she shook her head, shifted her posture. "I was lucky enough to avoid their wrath. Others were not." Aileen looked far too amused at this.

"Abby seemed to enjoy herself too," she told him in a more thoughtful voice. "She was even fine on a camel, and she doesn't much like creatures that are bigger than her. I think she appreciated the opportunity to be around people her own age. If you notice an abundance of owls arriving tomorrow morning and heading for the student tables, I can assure you at least half of them are from her."

He must miss his family, being here full-time like this. She supposed there was a reason most Headmasters and Headmistresses were either very old, very solitary, or tended to treat the castle's residents as their substitute relations.

"How did your summer fare? Did you get to spend much time with your son and grandchildren?"

"I'll be happy to battle Sir Cadogan as often as he wishes," Herschel said with a smile. "I have the distinct impression that I am not going to lose." If only the foolish knight would learn that, it might save him and his fat little steed quite a bit of trouble. Even so, he would entertain the portrait as long as the little man did not interrupt anything particularly important going on in his office.

Herschel nodded as she briefly described the trip to Egypt, smiling when she mentioned getting trapped in the tombs. It wasn't surprising. Magical Egypt was a very different place from Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. Ancient magic was upredictable, after all, especially when it came to tombs. But if getting trapped and spitting camels were the biggest upsets of the trip, then it was a success. (Save for the sudden disappearance of the headmistress, of course.)

He couldn't imagine what it would be like to have to care for a squib. Their education was such a fickle one, not really belonging in either world. But he was sure that being around others her age was nice, and was glad to know that she would be sending owls. Herschel wished there was more that could be done for squibs, but unfortunately there wasn't much to offer apart from a basic book knowledge of magic. "I'm sure nobody will mind the extra owls. The students will enjoy the letters. I always looked forward to the mail when I was young."

"My summer was very enjoyable. My grandchildren were pestering me about all of the surprises in store for them this school year. I must admit much of the gossip might have emanated from their lips. I am not very good at keeping secrets from pouting children. My granddaughter was just sorted into Ravenclaw at the feast," He said with a bright smile. "Taking after her father and her grandfather, of course. My grandson is a Hufflepuff. Smart boy, hard working, it's a good fit for him. He was disappointed, though, when he was sorted- but we encourage him all the same."

"You would very much like my daughter-in-law," Herschel told Aileen. "She's a wonderfully sweet lady, a good match to Byron. Though I doubt you'd remember him, well." His falling out with his family had begun when he stopped teaching his son to be purist, and instead encouraged him to branch out. "The family is not happy that I've let him ruin a long line of blood purity." Herschel had struggled with it initially himself- but he had nothing against the woman. She was, at least, a witch. Even if she had been born a muggle.

"Perhaps one day you will get to teach one of them. My granddaughter will probably find your subject fascinating. I'm afraid my grandson will probably be too intimidated to sign up." Herschel might encourage him to do so, anyway, though.

"She sounds lovely," Aileen agreed automatically, not about to question the romantic leanings of the Headmaster's only son, especially when she was hoping to get on his good side.

"Unfortunately, I doubt that some in our family could ever be called 'happy', no matter what choices are made or not made," she added in a dry tone. Her mother was a fine example of that. Aileen imagined the Howler had been invented solely to give purpose to her mother's life and to make daughters everywhere deaf by the time they hit forty.

Privately, she wasn't certain how she felt about her uncle's open attitude. It had been a sore point with her parents and older brother for years, and they had treated it as an attack against their very core. In pureblood society, it was. Aileen had learned not to talk to, talk about, or see that side of the family, to forget any holiday dinners they had once shared, and to throw any cherished gifts into the rubbish bin. He'd been apart of their lives and then not. Aileen had long ago gotten used to it.

Of course, she would be a hypocrite now if she encouraged her friend Myrni to marry who she wanted, threw it in Oz's face, and then didn't apply the same tolerance to her own family. However, like many Reids, she was adept at justifying archaic attitudes in her mind, accepting some, and disregarding others, whenever it was convenient for her.

"Well, we have ample time to convince him," Aileen smiled, finding it far easier to talk about classes and incoming students, who were likely well-behaved if they were related to Herschel.

"I'm sure they will both adjust well to their houses. Being apart might give them the opportunity to develop their talents a bit better." Merlin knew Hufflepuff needed a studious influence, and Aileen wondered if Herschel's grandson would be a Dion Fayette, or a Figaro Sellaphix. "At least in Ravenclaw, your granddaughter will be under the guidance of Professor Trishna, who is rather... encouraging with the students."

Aileen apparently only complimented the man when he was not within earshot to send sappy grins at her.

"I saw many new faces at the staff table this evening, and not just from foreign schools," she commented curiously. "Were many of them appointed this summer?"

Most grandfathers loved talking about their grandchildren. Still, Aileen had to make an effort to find out if the new professors were his doing, or the work of the missing Headmistress. It made all the difference!

Discussing family with Aileen felt a bit forced and awkward. He had been fond of her when she was a young child, but had been removed from a position of influence quite abruptly. He was glad that she seemed to have matured beyond how she was raised- to an extent, at any rate- and was willing to be friendly with him. Of course, that might be due to circumstances- Aileen coudln't very well be rude and hateful to him, considering his new position at Hogwarts. It was best not to pursue that line of conversation for now. Not when they were just re-establishing a connection.

"I had not considered that,. You are very true, it will give them an opportunity to develop. They were quite inseparable as children, hardly a year apart in age. I know that my grandson wishes he were a Ravenclaw, but the sorting hat is never wrong, and I'm sure he will grow into his house and realize there was no error. Many great witches and wizards were Badgers, and you are correct- it will do them good to have some time apart. I'm sure they will still be very talented witches and wizards."

"That is good to know," Herschel said when she mentioned Trishna. "I admit I am worried about his being head of Ravenclaw. I received many letters of complaint about him from parents last year. I intend to meet with him before the week is out to ensure that his continued work at Hogwarts is up to par and that he does not ruin the experience of being a Ravenclaw for my granddaughter. Petty, perhaps, but when you've seen the side of student parents that I have, you begin wonder if their complains hold any merit."

He frowned slightly when she mentioned new faces at the staff table- and the one face which bothered him most which had not been in attendance. "It would seem so. During the small interim where Hogwarts had no true headmaster or headmistress there were many staff appointments made. Most of which done by the board of governors. I would be lying if I said I agreed with all of them. But it would not behoove me to speak ill of my staff from the beginning. I am prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt, and hope that they will impress me." It was evident from Herschel's tone, however, that he greatly doubted it. He was hoping to have Hagrid out by the end of the year and replaced with a proper professor. A half giant with spotty credentials and no real place at Hogwarts seemed ludicrous.

"I do trust those already employed, however. Headmistress Snark was a formiddable woman with excellent administrative skills, and I trust her appointments were well thought out and positions among staff well deserved. But when people are appointed last minute, without much consensus among the board... well... that is a different matter entirely. But I have time to refine the staff of Hogwarts should I find them to my distaste."

Aileen listened carefully, nodding and murmuring agreement at the appropriate intervals. Perhaps later, if they became more comfortable around each other, she'd find out exactly what kind of reservations he had about some of the staff. Prying now would not be wise. Nor would she pick this time to offer reassurance about Professor Trishna, despite her slight urge to do so.

Though his concern seemed to be directed toward the newer professors, Aileen was well aware that anyone could get the boot. 

"An adjustment period for established and new staff seems only natural. Perhaps your positivity will be contagious," she smiled, keeping her thoughts about Snark's unique methods to herself.

"Of course, if you ever have any questions for me or about how I do things, you are certainly welcome to ask. With your teaching experience, you must remember what it was like as a professor. You taught Transfiguration for five years, didn't you?" Aileen wondered in a curious, polite tone. She paid attention to personal details when she thought it could benefit her.

"I had always enjoyed that subject, though I am not quite as sure Professor McGonagall enjoyed us," she admitted with a hint of a smirk. Her, more specifically. Aileen had earned an 'E' on her NEWT, but the professor had shown no patience for her mean streak, and thinking back on it now, Aileen could understand her reasoning. It gave her hope for some of the disrespectful, disruptive sorts taking Runes, at least.

"I hope it will be," Herschel said. "Though I cannot police the opinions of others. Where the Hogwarts staff seems to lack, I hope the foreign staff can pick up the slack." Especially as far as Care of Magical Creatures was concerned. He would have to have a chat with the visiting instructor from Salem and see her take on the subject and politely ask her to help Hagrid along should he seem to be struggling. He did want to make sure his students had a proper education, even if the competition had to provide it for them.

He nodded. "I taught Transfiguration for four school years," he said. "And prior to that I taught Defense Against the Dark Arts for one. I had to leave the original post once my wife fell ill, but was glad to return to Hogwarts to teach Transfiguration. Spellwork has always been my specialty, even when I was employed by the ministry in the Department of Mysteries. "

"The subject is quite enjoyable. I am curious to see how our Transfiguration professor will instruct the class. I shall have to constrain myself not to interrupt if I visit to supervise on period..."

"Did you know I'm an animagus?" Herschel asked. He liked to show off the skill on occasion, especially since it was one so difficult to master. "I have thought I might take a promising student or two under my wing to teach them the particular art of the transformation. Though I wouldn't want to step on the toes of the new professor who will be instructing it. Of course, I am unaware as to whether or not he also shares the particular gift of being an animagus."

Herschel puffed away at his cigar a few more times before settling it carefully in the ashtray, the smoke swirling up and around their heads. "I trust you must be an excellent instructor," he said. "Though I will probably stop by sometime while you are teaching. I intend to do it to all of our professors at least once as the school year starts. More than likely it will be an unannounced visit."

"I always enjoyed Ancient Runes, though I was no master of the art. I received an E on it with my NEWTs, and continued some basic study while working at the ministry. I always thought it quite fascinating. One of the more practical electives we offer, at the very least," Herschel said. "Which is why I intend to encourage both of my grandchildren to take the subject."

She listened to her uncle talk about his teaching experience, unaware that he had taught Defense for a year before his wife had fallen ill. She knew he'd worked in the Department of Mysteries, and so had she, until Snark's influence in the department had grated on her so much that she'd sought out other opportunities. Ministry work and work at Hogwarts seemed leagues apart. At the Ministry, she'd focused on the latest and most exciting projects, and was allowed to work independently at times as well. The job had suited her in many aspects. The boss hadn't.

Yet Hogwarts was growing on her.

"No, I did not," she commented with interest when he told her he was an animagus. "Which form?"

Aileen recrossed her legs and shifted in her seat, wishing she'd taken that drink after all once he told her he'd be watching her class at some point. Though she could understand his reasons, even Snark hadn't randomly checked in. Aileen didn't have the years of teaching experience that some of the other professors had, but at least she wasn't completely new, and the students' grades had stayed steady since she'd begun here.

"That's perfectly alright with me," Aileen lied smoothly. "You are welcome to check in anytime."

A more relaxed smile flitted across her face at the Headmaster's positive opinion of Runes. It was difficult to tell at this early stage whether he truly found it practical and helpful, or just meant to be polite, but she would take what she could get.

"If they do indeed show an interest, I have a few books they could borrow. Appropriate to their level, of course."

Which unfortunately, did not always discourage some students from getting in over their heads.

"The younger years seem to get a lot out of the school trips as well. If we do something like the Egypt trip this winter or next summer again, they might enjoy that, or at least enjoy spending time with the older students in a new place. For some, it helps to supplement what they read and study with experience."

At the moment, she wasn't just sucking up. That's what it had been like for her. Traveling and runes had given her a break from her parent's expectations, her divorce with Oz, and the sense that she hadn't known what she'd wanted to do or be in her early twenties, a time when she was supposed to be happily married and popping out kids.

Herschel smiled when she asked which form. "A basset hound, and I've been told a rather adorable one. I've always found it amusing how the form chooses the human, much the way a wand does and much how we don't really choose our own patronus form. I admit the study was difficult, but it was fascinating. Of course, in my old age the transformation is getting to be rather draining and exhausting, otherwise I'd demonstrate, but I think I'm still perfectly capable of aiding in teaching it."

He was glad to hear that she wasn't opposed to his checking in. Herschel was waiting on the professors to kick up a fuss. He'd heard stories about it had been back when Umbridge had dropped by. But Herschel did not intend to grade the professors. He just wanted to make sure that he was involved and that he started off the school year strong- so that they knew he was in charge and that they would, indeed, have to answer to him. Establishing his authority sooner, rather than later, ought to make the year run much more smoothly.

"Oh, that would be quite wonderful! I'm sure my granddaughter would love the books. She's very much the avid reader, and prefers educational volumes to fiction. I'll talk to my grandson and see what he thinks about looking at the books before he makes his decisions for his electives next year. I want him to make an informed choice, after all. Hopefully he doesn't feel too pressured." Even so, Herschel would be disappointed if his grandchildren didn't take the electives that he personally thought of as interesting and useful.

"I hope they'll get to go on the trips. It's not my call to make, though, of course. Their parents have the final word as far as the yes or no is concerned, but I might be able to help persuade them. It is good to know they have such a solid root in education, these trips. I'm sure the Egypt trip was fascinating. I have visited myself, it is a place full of rich culture and history. I am glad that the children seemed to get so much out of the vacation, even if circumstances were not always opportune..." Especially with the disappearance of the old headmistress in the midst of the trip.

Herschel put out his cigar, and pushed the ash tray way from himself. "I must admit, however unprofessional it may seem, that I am glad to get the chance to get to know you better. I hope that my grandchildren also get that chance. I'm sure that they would love to get to know more about their cousin as well, if you think that would be appropriate? I think that family is a very important thing, and I hate that they have been deprived of learning more about theirs because of my decisions."

Aileen was silent for a long moment, surprise flickering across her face. She hadn't expected him to offer that she get involved with his side of the family so soon.

Perhaps she should have. "It's not inappropriate," she said carefully, wishing for once that she could respond with the natural warmth and earnestness that he seemed to. She was touched by the gesture, but also uncertain and embarrassed for several reasons.

Family was difficult. Her family was already unhappy that she'd stayed at Hogwarts for a year, the 'place where no proper suitors dwelled', and planned on continuing in her teaching role for at least another school year. Herschel as the new Headmaster made them nervous, as if his very presence would encourage her to let purist values go more than she already had. But with Trevor in Azkaban, Aileen was technically the oldest now, and her parents had an interest in keeping her in their lives no matter how much she pushed them, the downside being that they paid too much attention to her activities.

Aileen wouldn't mind getting to know her uncle's grandkids. Professionally, it seemed like a good move. Personally, she liked him. He was enthusiastic, but not obnoxiously so, seemed to want to be involved with the staff, had respect for the subject she taught, and showed interest in her anecdotes and dry sense of humor.

"And it wasn't just your decision," she pointed out in a neutral tone. "Your son made a choice. My father made one as well."

She smiled, and it softened the guarded expression she normally wore. "I would like to get to know them. And you. It's a shame that it took this," she gestured around the office, "to make it happen, but better that than it never happening at all."

Tilting her head, she looked at him thoughtfully. "I think that Abby would certainly appreciate a positive, encouraging influence."

Aileen wouldn't admit it, but there were times when she needed to talk to someone about the teenager driving her nuts, and could use someone who would pipe up authoritatively and perhaps back her up if necessary. All Abby saw were constant arguments between Aileen and their parents. Most of the adults Abby knew happened to be redheads that she developed odd attachments to. If things worked out, a steady, older influence could be good for her (them both, really).

Her reflective silence was almost unsettling- but Herschel was also the sort of person who liked to think through what he had to say, and make sure that he did not misinterpret the other part of a conversation. She was right- that her father made the choice as much as he did. Herschel had abandoned the old ways to an extent, but to him family was more important than ideals that held little water when put to such a stressful test as two wizarding wars.

"Perhaps it is all a blessing in disguise," he offered. "I know that you are a grown woman with a busy schedule, and I do not intend to be overbearing or rush any kind of personal relationship. But I am glad to know that you are open to considering it. It is difficult, more often than not, to be a part of a family with such a history and such high expectations. Looking back on things, I often marvel how I managed to make it through my teenage years with all of the pressure my parents put on me. But I suppose, in the long run, I turned out better for it."

Herschel had a hard time imagining how life would be for him had things turned out any differently. The very idea of shunning his son for marrying a muggleborn, and never getting to be a part of his life or their children's lives was something he couldn't fathom. Further, Herschel couldn't imagine making such a choice and living his life without regretting it. Of course, he was only a brother to Aileen's father- so perhaps that made it easier to sever ties.

He was glad that he had taught his children differently, and that they would have full lives because of it. Their blood line might not be perfect, but he had grown to learn that was far less important than so many people made it out to be.

"I think my granddaughter could benefit from having a female closer in age to talk to. Her mother is a wonderful woman, but being eleven is far from being almost forty. She is a good child, to be certain, but I would hate for her to miss out on all the ins and outs of being a lady because of a lack of feminine friends. If you would not mind, could you ask Abby if she would mind writing with my granddaughter? Of course, I would hate to get her into any trouble with the family over it."

Aileen understood his comment about history and high expectations well. Unlike him, she couldn't say she'd turned out better for it. She liked to think so, because it justified everything she'd done up to this point in her life, but there were some days when she wanted to give it all up and never look back.

"I'm certain you did," she nodded. "I'm glad you asked me; I was only surprised."

When he offered to include Abby without hesitation, a weight lifted off of her shoulders, and though she knew it was risky, she felt grateful that Herschel seemed more welcoming than their other relatives. She and Abby were a package deal now. It was one of those truths that had crept up on her (or in Abby's case, taken a big giant unsubtle leap until Aileen had reluctantly let her into her life).

"I will ask her, but I expect she'd be very happy to have another pen pal, especially a younger relative who she can influence with girly things," Aileen smiled slightly. Despite, or perhaps because of their mother, Abby was not 'ladylike', but she was 'feminine' in her own way.

It would make Abby feel helpful, she hoped. Besides, all Aileen had to say was that their uncle could turn into a basset hound at will, and Abby would pester her about meeting him and his grandchildren as soon as possible.

"She'll have much to tell her. She just got an internship at the new Muggle Affairs office in the Ministry, and seems quite enthusiastic about it," Aileen explained, studying his face to try and gauge how safe this topic would be. "I must admit, I had my doubts at first." Understatement! "It is such a new department, and with the controversy surrounding it, I didn't want her getting hurt or disappointed."

Aileen paused, then went on with a touch of pride in her voice, "But weeks have passed and she still looks forward to going. If she can get away with interning there," she smiled wryly, choosing not to mention the continual scheming and fighting she still had to go through with her parents, "any letters to your granddaughter will be easy to excuse."