Date: 26 March 2005
Characters: Caradoc Dearborn [Cai], Arabella Figg, Marietta Edgecomb
Location: Little Whinging, Exeter, Stoatshead Hill
Status: Private
Summary: Arabella makes her move with a little help from Cai and Caradoc.
Completion: Complete
(
Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new )
She pursed her lips in thought. "I know Bill as well. He was a cursebreaker for Gringott's Bank, I believe, somewhere in the middle east before the recent war began. Handsome, intelligent young man, he was, before... well, I'm sure he's still quite handsome despite any scars."
"Rita Skeeter?" Arabella thought for a bit. "She used to write some sensational articles for the Prophet about 10 years ago. She seemed fixated on poor Harry, and I'm sure some of it must have been tosh. Though she did write a lovely piece in The Quibbler around the same time. Harry explained about how Vo-- You-Know-Who came back."
The server returned quickly with their food, and Caradoc, with his lovely manners, waited for Arabella to begin eating before he tucked in.
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"Bill and I mostly chatted about how much he reminded me of his uncle Gideon Prewett, and my music. I met him playing trumpet by the river one night. Along with one of your young friend Potter's best mates, the young lady, Miss Granger."
Caradoc laughed at learning Arabella's thoughts on Rita. His neighbor certainly seemed suited to the sensational, although he could tell she was very serious about her business.
The stew was excellent as usual. It wasn't long before he had nearly finished.
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"You've met Miss Granger?" she asked. "Harry used to speak of her often. What's your impression of her?"
Arabella picked at her bread and cheese. She was much too excited about moving to the new house and selling the old one to be able to eat much. When she'd drained her tea cup and Caradoc seemed close to finished, she checked her watch. "It's a quarter of two. I don't mean to rush you, dearie, but we should visit the Ministry now." She raised a hand, hoping to attract their server so she could settle the cheque.
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"Yes, I met Miss Granger briefly. She was at the same trumpet recital as Bill. She seemed shy but she also looked tired. It was evening, so perhaps I caught her after a long day. She was a polite young lady for sure. She owns a publishing company, along with another of Molly and Arthur's boys and Potter's friend, Ron Weasley.
"I planned to write them both this evening or tomorrow on Minerva's suggestion. I need to arrange publishing our school texts. I've volunteered to help with the task of textbooks, finding them for the other teachers to review and arranging to have them printed. It seemed something to keep me busy and it leaves Minerva and Remus free to focus on hiring and overseeing the restoration."
He finished his cider and set his napkin aside. "I'm ready when you are." After Arabella took care of the bill, they walked next door to the Floo Office where they had picked up the request form on their last visit.
Caradoc wanted to make sure the young lady understood the importance of having the floo connected as soon as possible. "Is there a method for setting priority for individuals who have a greater need for Floo than others? While Mrs. Figg is a remarkably healthy woman, quite capable of taking care of herself, the facts are that she is of retirement age and has no magic of her own. If there was an emergency, she would be incapable of disapparating. Also, as a friend of the Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, I am sure that the two ladies would be appreciate being able to easily visit each other." Caradoc did not want to pull strings... well okay, he did want to pull strings, but he was being completely truthful. Arabella, as a squib, would very much need her floo for travel, communication, and emergencies.
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Once done with their meals, Arabella settled up with the server. Then she and Caradoc walked next door to the Floo office. A young woman with curly red-blonde hair assisted them. She seemed tired and overworked, which wasn't surprising given the number of Floos probably needed to get the town up to Wizarding snuff. Arabella chuckled inside herself as Caradoc regaled the young woman with her desperate need to jump to the top of the queue (or near it) for a Floo connection.
The young woman, a Miss Edgecombe, seemed appropriately respectful of an elderly squib's need for a Floo and promised to take care of the situation personally. "You're moving here today? I'll be there tomorrow, or Wednesday at latest, to inspect your cottage and make the necessary measurements."
"Thank you, dearie," Arabella told her as they finished the paperwork. "I'll make us some tea when you come over."
Finally done with their pressing business in Stoatshead Hill, Arabella checked her watch. It was now half past two. "Oh dear, I suppose we should get back to Little Whinging now. It wouldn't do at all to be late for the signing."
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Caradoc also thanked Miss Edgecombe for her understanding. "The fireplace is quite small. My house elf will be on premises and you may instruct her in completing any modifications required if it would speed the installation. I did not want to direct any changes myself when we had ability to obtain the expert advice of your department for any modifications."
After they left the Ministry, it was time to return to Little Whinging. "I'm fairly familiar with the town, Arabella. Where do I need to take us next?"
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"The estate agent from Foxton's will meet us at Seymour's on the High Street," she replied. Clutching Caradoc's arm, she Apparated with him to Little Whinging, where they walked to the mortgage broker's office, arriving at ten minutes of three. Arabella pulled a book of crossword puzzles from her handbag and worked on one, while Caradoc read a magazine. At 3 o'clock Mr Barnham, from Foxton's, ushered them into the office where Arabella signed the papers handing her house over to the Pattinsons. Half an hour later, she left with Caradoc, who Apparated them directly to Exeter so that Arabella could open a new bank account with her cheque for £187,593.
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Caradoc shrunk their purchases, trolley and all. "I will return the shopping cart after we empty your purchases. I don't think they'll miss one for 20 minutes or so, do you?"
They arrived outside her home. "I'll have to go over everything with you after we unload and I've returned the cart... trolley. If you want to know where everything is, we'll need to keep an eye on Cai and her magic fingers or she'll have it all put up faster than you can say shopping."
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Caradoc took care of making their purchases more portable. "No, I don't suppose so," she agreed. When they returned to the new house, he voiced some concerns about dealing with Cai. She nodded her agreement. "I've already noticed that Cai has quite an independent streak. So please, show me whatever I need to know first."
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