RP: Moving On

[shh_caradoc]

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

Comments

[shh_arabella]

Caradoc described Miss Granger, who sounded like a good sort of friend for Harry Potter. "And Harry is living here in Stoatshead Hill too? I shall have to visit him once I'm settled. The publishing company is just the ticket, I think; so many people will need new copies of old texts and handbooks."

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."

[shh_caradoc]

"From what I understand he is. The young lady also operates the local bookshop. It is on Alpha south of the river."

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?"

[shh_arabella]

Arabella was relieved when Miss Edgecombe agreed to work with the house elf to ensure the necessary modifications to the fireplace. Of course, it would be in the young woman's interest to make sure her customers were happy, and she did seem a reasonable type; Arabella was glad she'd not happened to get a surly or snappish one helping her.

"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.

[shh_caradoc]

The banking was very simple, as was the marketing. Before too long the pair was ready to return to Stoatshead Hill.

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."

[shh_arabella]

Arabella had enjoyed the trip to the bank in Exeter immensely. Once the bank manager got over the shock of a little old lady handing him a cheque for 187,593 pounds he'd expedited all the paperwork for setting up a chequing account and several investments. Arabella had taken out several hundred pounds so she wouldn't have to worry about cash for awhile, and she'd spent close to 50 pounds at the Tesco in Exeter. Of course some of that was new food and a nicer kitty bed and some toys for Tufty, who was sure to be anxious due to his human's extended absence that day.

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."