(Untitled)

[shh_ginny]

Date: 7 September 2005
Character(s): Ginny Weasley, Arabella Figg, Anyone
Location: Five Alarm
Status: Public
Summary: Having a bite and a pint.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_arabella]

"You've got a very thoughtful mentor," she said. "And don't sell yourself short, young lady. I'm certain it must take a lot more than determination to become a healer, and I've heard you're a good one. Let's hope I don't need your services any time soon, though at my age one never knows."

Arabella frowned in concern when Ginny mentioned the situation in America. "Oh, that hurricane, and the flood, such frightful things, aren't they? I was worried about Caradoc Dearborn's family, but he's assured me that everyone is fine though a few have been displaced for awhile. I do hope they can return home soon. I went with him to New Orleans a few months ago when he attended a family reunion. I've become their surrogate great-aunt and I do worry about them."

She finally smiled at again when Ginny reassured her about Molly. "I think I shall owl her," she said decisively. "She and I were friendly in the old days, you know. During the First War. I knew her brothers -- your uncles -- quite well too. A wonderful, brave family, the Prewetts." She found herself drifting back to memories of "the old crowd" and shook her head sharply when Ginny asked how she'd been.

"Oh, I've been a bit bored, actually," she said, thanking the waiter as he brought her stew and butterbeer. "I have my garden, of course, but I'm too old to spend all day working in it. Same with the animal shelter; I enjoy volunteering there but some days just a few hours with the animals wears me out. I turned 76 in July and, being a Squib, I'm about as old as a Muggle of the same age. No magic to protect me and keep me young." She sighed heavily. "But there's nothing for it, is there? So I just soldier on. I'd like to find some people who also like to play cards, or knit, you know, quieter things that wouldn't wear an old woman out."

[shh_ginny]

"He's all right as mentors go." Ginny allowed with a smirk, thinking of the grumpy older wizard as she spoke. "That's awfully nice of you to say, Mrs. Figg, and I do hope you don't need my professional services anytime soon."

"Caradoc? Dearborn? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with anyone by that name. A friend of yours then? I'm sure he's right then, that his family is safe. It's a dreadful thing to happen but it gives one a sigh of relief to hear good news like that. I've a few..." Ginny paused, thinking of Rabastan. "friends over there trying to help as well."

"76? Merlin, that can't be right. You don't look a day over 50, Mrs. Figg." She smiled, reaching out and patting the older woman's hand. "If you are bored, well, I'm sure there's something that could be done around the hospital. We have a volunteer who helps at the front desk and our receptionist, Lyda, is a lovely older witch. I'm sure you would get on famously with her."

[shh_arabella]

Arabella was surprised that Ginny Weasley, of all people, had never heard of Caradoc Dearborn. "Well, I know your mother knows him," she insisted. "He was in the Order back then too. His wife and most of the rest of his family were killed by Death Eaters in the First War, and he took his own children and nine nieces and nephews and settled in America. He taught Charms at the wizarding school in New Orleans for many years. He's only been back in England since last autumn. He tells me he's teaching charms at the new wizarding school now."

Ginny must have been having her on about her age, but Arabella was a willing victim. "Oh, you're just flattering an old woman, but thank you. So there are volunteer opportunities at the hospital?" She paused, biting her lip in thought. "That could be interesting. Not too taxing, I would hope. I suppose I could sit with people and talk with them, perhaps read them books and so on. I've not met Lyda, but I've been ridiculously well since I came to town, barely even a cold, so I've had no reason to go to hospital. I'll remedy that soon, pardon the pun."

Her stew had cooled enough to be edible now, so she took a taste. "Ahhh, wonderful as always. I don't know if this is Rosmerta's recipe or someone else's but it's really brilliant."

[shh_ginny]

"Oh, Mum knows everyone." Ginny chuckled. "I don't honestly know how she does it. I'm pants with remembering names or faces. Was he? That's awful what happened to his family, poor man. It's doubly good that you're looking out for him then. Oh! He's the charm bloke. I saw a bulletin around town after the burgleries."

"Always are, Mrs. Figg. Lots to do and we're low on staff so every bit helps, you know." She popped a chip in her mouth and chewed before continuing. "Oh, loads of reading would be lovely and it's always welcome to have comforting company for the folks in the waiting room. Lyda would be happy to go over all that with you, I'm sure."

Ginny smiled and relaxed back in the booth, taking a draught of her pint. "It's one of my favorites as well. I get more than my fair share of Five Alarm take-away these days. How are things at the shelter going?"

[shh_arabella]

As Ginny described some of the hospital's needs for other volunteers, Arabella nodded sympathetically. "I suppose I could be helpful in the waiting room," she offered. "Most people who are sick or in pain would appreciate a friendly face while they're waiting for someone to take care of them. I could probably volunteer one or two days a week for a few hours. Do you know, I'm not even sure where the hospital is, as I've had no reason to use it yet. It has a Floo, doesn't it? It would be easiest for me to Floo there, though I could walk when the weather isn't bad. Yet another disadvantage of being a Squib; I can't Apparate. Though I did get swept along with my parents when I was a wee girl, so I know what it feels like; I just can't do it myself."

"The animal shelter is getting along very well," she said, eating more of her stew and taking a long sip of butterbeer. "Unfortunately we always have a lot of animals, and not just dogs and cats. We had a kneazle a few months ago, and at least one crup. Well, I don't really see any of the paperwork or the shelter census, so I don't know for certain; mostly I play with the cats and walk the dogs. You might have heard that the shelter is expanding; if memory serves, the new section will open in a few weeks. So everyone at the shelter seems quite happy about that, at least."

[shh_ginny]

"Only if you want to, of course. It's not something for everyone but it is certainly a change of pace for you and an opportunity to meet new people." Ginny replied, pushing her book to the side and sliding her pint closer. "The hospital has a Floo and it comes right out in the reception room so you'll be in the right spot."

"A kneazle? I haven't seen a lot of those since before the... war." She said, taking a moment to eat more of her chips. Ginny was certain she was going to regret eating so unhealthy so much but she didn't like cooking for herself when she got off of work. "I did hear that when I stopped by. A cat found me and let me take it home. He's quite the character but thankfully he minds my long hours less than most blokes."

[shh_arabella]

An opportunity to meet new people...

"That sounds lovely, dearie," Arabella said, slipping unconsciously into her mode of speaking with someone she really liked. For all that she loved Harry Potter, and she did love him dearly after keeping an eye on him for fifteen years, she had too much history with him to think he would ever be tremendously comfortable around her. He'd only just learned a few months ago that she'd done her best to keep him from liking her so that he wouldn't want to hang around her house in Little Whinging to get away from the Dursleys. It had been too much to hope that he would come round on his own to visit her. But Harry wasn't the only young person in Stoatshead Hill. The animal shelter was a noble venture, but not a place where she met a lot of new people. The hospital would be much different. "You know, I live south of the river and I really don't have many neighbours. If I spent some time helping at the hospital, I would probably meet half the people in town at some point!"

She cocked an eyebrow as Ginny mentioned casually that a cat had adopted her. "Kitties are like that, you know, very discerning about the company they keep. And not nearly as much trouble as most men, are they? Though I wouldn't know about that, really. I was married for a long time but I've been widowed almost as long and I'm too old to be bothered about men anymore. Other than my late husband, bless him, most of them aren't worth the trouble they put women through. You're a beautiful young woman, though, and very smart too. I think there's a man out there for you somewhere, but with all the studying you're doing, you don't really have time for him yet. So, not to worry. Good things come to those who wait."

She was done with her stew and needed to move along. Catching the waiter's eye, she asked him to bring the bill quickly. "Blimey, look at the time. My own kitties will be expecting their dinner soon. Please excuse me, Ginny, for racing off. If you'd ever like to visit, I live on F Street, just east of the south end of E Street. Please give your mother my regards."

[shh_ginny]

"I'm sure you would. When I'm on staff duty, I can't get over the number of people that I meet." Ginny gave her a bemused smile, blushing. "That's awfully nice of you to say, Mrs. Figg, but I'm not too worried about blokes - I've got my brothers if I ever need reminding of what it's like to be around one. You're right, cats are not as much trouble."

She finished her chips and pushed the plate aside as Mrs. Figg settled her bill, asking for another butterbeer in the meantime. "No worries, Mrs. Figg. You have a good night. I'll be sure to tell Mum you stopped by and I'll come by for a visit when I have a moment."

Ginny resumed her research after her dinner companion departed, pleased to have been able to spend time with the older woman who was so kindly.