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 )
So when a little elf in a pink chintz pinafore popped into the sitting room at 10 o'clock, Arabella wasn't at all surprised.
"Hello, Cai. I'm Arabella Figg. Thank you for coming."
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"Cai," Arabella said firmly, with a nod, "you may unpack my clothing, personal items and the box with the small things for the kitchen. Please do not unpack any of the furniture yet."
She looked at Caradoc. "Well, young man, shall we find ourselves some lunch? We could stop at that pub just north of the river."
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As they were preparing to leave, Caradoc remembered the stop at the Ministry. "Arabella, do you have your Floo forms and any other papers you'll need? We can always come back, but the Ministry is next to the pub. It seems silly to make two trips."
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They took a seat at a table by the windows and waited for a server. "How does it feel to be leaving the old and beginning the new, Arabella?"
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"It's very exciting, dearie, though I won't deny it's a bit frightening too," she answered. "But it's not as though I'm moving to London or Manchester or even some little town where I don't know anyone. I've got friends here already," she said, smiling benevolently at him, "you and Minerva and anyone else from the Order who might have settled here. So who have you seen recently that I might remember? And how is the new school coming along?"
A server came up and offered them menus. As it was already one o'clock, Arabella ordered the ploughman's lunch and a cup of tea without bothering to read the menu.
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Caradoc thought for a moment, "Do you know Bill Weasley? Molly and Arthur's eldest was an Order member during the last war. But as I'm not sure who all were members after Albus shipped me off to America, I don't know who else would qualify."
Caradoc ordered a cider, the stew, and asked if the server if she'd bring a few extra of the dark rye rolls in the bread basket. He was disappointed to hear that there was no pumpernickel available at all. At least they had the stew.
After the server left, he decided to tell about his neighbor. "I have discovered that I supposedly live with someone quite fa... ahem, I have discovered that someone in my building is a fairly well known journalist, Rita ( ... )
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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 ( ... )
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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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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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