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The room got quiet. There is this stunned look on all three of our faces as we stare at the old man in front of us, wands still ready. He..- He said 'Albus'. So he knows Dumbledore? I mean, who wouldn't? The man then suddenly continues without taking his eyes off me:"Two firewhiskys and a glass of white wine - sweet, not dry.". Huh? My face goes even more confused right now. That's what I usually order when I go out for drinks with Minerva. Who..- Who is this man?! Before any of us could say anything else, the man lets out a sharp groan:"Argh!!". We all flinch out of surprise what just happened. "Muffin!!" I gasp when I realize she had jumped down from my shoulder and has now her tiny - yet sharp teeth digging in this man's ankle!
"Damn you, little..-! If this is the thanks I get for giving a shelter - I should have said 'no' to that House-elf when he first brought them here!" he curses while wiggling his left leg so the niffler would let go, but for vain. "Elf? What elf?" Remus question. Since Muffin isn't letting go, the old man gives up and puts the leg back down and looks at us:"I'm going to say this one last time; put down your damn wands, or I won't be selling any more drinks for you nor any of your friends.". Drinks? "Who are you?" I lower the wand, still completely baffled by this. Remus won't let down his guard as easily as I just did. The man sighs deep before speaking, still very annoyed by us:"The owner of this pub - Aberforth Dumbledore.". All three of our eyebrows raise. Dumbledore?! "We are in the Hog's Head Inn. The pub where students are not allowed. Well, technically in the backroom of it." Luna suddenly managed to speak.
We all turn to take a glance at the girl. "Why didn't you tell us?!" I exclaim. "I didn't have the change." she simply reply. Right... Guess we got too hang up on the idea she's in danger, we didn't even consider she was being safe here. "I have remarkably good memory. Every costumer and their order sticks with me." the owner of the pub pointed out. Now Remus lowers his wand too:"Dumbledore? As in... Albus Dumbl..-", "Yes, yes. He's my brother. Believe it or not. Surely he 'forgot' to mention he has siblings..- Or, had." the old man grumbles. His brother?! "Just be thankful I didn't pull out my wand..." Aberforth scoffs, this time little bit more softer tone. Just now I noticed how he's wearing an apron around his waist.
Shaking my head here to get the thoughts back in order:"Hold on a minute. How did Luna ended up here? And what House-elf?". Aberforth is just about to answer for my question when we hear another person walking down the stairs Luna came down from just a minute ago. "M-Mr. Lovegood!" Neville recognizes the man with shoulder length hair with the texture of candyfloss, and straightens up his back little bit nervously. Mr. Lovegood? "My... We have guests?" the man smiles, happily surprised by the sight. "There are no 'we'!" Aberforth snorts like he's done hosting these people. Only just now Muffin lets go of the leg and runs up to me. "Hello, daddy. Neville and two of our teachers came to visit." Luna greets her father casually with small smile on her face.
Ten minutes later, we are all gathered around the small table to talk about what has happened while nibbling sandwiches and drinking some butterbeer. Muffin keeps eating and playing under the table without a care. Both of the Lovegoods told us everything about how Death Eaters snatched Luna away after Xenophilius's article about the Choisen One got published. How eventually both of them got brought to the cellar of the Malfoy's Manor - the place I was kept few months back. Harry and his friends appeared there too and pretty soon after that, it was Dobby who used the Apparate spell to get them out of there. Aberforth has then sheltered them in the upstairs. Serving them food and place to sleep. "What happened after Dobby brought you two in here? Did he go get Harry and the others? Do you have any idea where they might be right now?" Remus asks and they dive back in to talking. Seeing Luna next to her father makes this gentle smile appear on my lips for some reason. They really do look alike daughter and father. No doubt in that.
The fact that Xenophilius ratted out Harry and his friends in order to save his own child... To be honest, I don't blame him. Sure, we all would have hoped there was another way to deal with in situation like that. But he was desperate to get his only child back from the most dangerous wizard of all time. As Remus and Xenophilius are talking, my focus goes to Neville, who's sitting on the right side of Luna. The boy hasn't take his eyes off the girl ever since we got here. No wonder. He was really worried for her. And now she's sitting there. Safe and sound. I'm so glad. It also looks fun to see him little bit nervous because of Luna's father - who's actually very nice and polite person. For some reason I thought he'd be more stern and grumpy, considering how he likes to write in the Quibbler. When I happened to mention how much my aunt loves his magazine, the look on Xenophilius's face light up. Almost like he wasn't expecting that.
The door that leads to the pub opens and we all turn to the old man who walks in. "Did I miss anything?" Aberforth asks while wiping his hands to the apron. We all shook our heads. "Well, then... Continue." he grumbles and walks deeper to the room, close to the painting of the girl on the wall. Wonder if that's his daughter that has passed? Hard to tell, but I don't think it'll be appropriate to ask about it anyway. Just before the door he walked thru closes, we hear how the wooden chairs are being dragged against the floors and a glass breaks as it hits the floor. Is there a fight? Aberforth sees the worried look on my face and sighs:"Dark Wizards. Those bloody fools keeps coming in here every night before wandering around Hogsmeade to look for the Choisen One. Without any luck so far, of course. They will be leaving soon.". "And you let them in? Every night?" I ask. He shrugs unbothered:"They give the good money. Gotta feed the goats somehow.". Even thought they do look alike, he's nothing like his brother.
Soon after, Remus and I start telling our side of the story what happened in Diagon Alley and how are the things in Hogwarts. They all listened to us very carefully. When we got to the part where we talked about Snape being the Headmaster of the school, Aberforth scoffs:"Knew there was something wrong with that bloke.". Huh? All of our attention goes to him. He shook his head a bit and start slowly walking back and forth beside the painting:"When Albus made his last visit here before his death, I told him he shouldn't trust that man like that. But did he listen? No. And look what his foolishment got himself into. Dead. Six feet under because of that ineligib..-", something snaps in me, and without thinking, I quickly jump on my feet - making the chair do the awful sound as it sharply drags the floor:"He did what he had to.". Everyone turn to look at me all stunned by my sudden out burst, unsure if I meant Albus or... Someone else. My (e/c) eyes are shimmering from the light of the fireplace that is growing behind the old man as this certain anger keeps bubbling inside me.
For a moment longer we stare each other in silence. At first, the owner of the pub looks a bit baffled. But then slowly nods his head couple of times and turns back to the painting:"I see.". The fire in the fireplace calms down and goes back the way it was before. Right away, the feeling of guilt of lashing out like that washes over:"I..-", "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" a loud squawk rings out in all of our ears. Huh? Immediately, all of our heads snaps towards the wooden door that leads to the pub. Even Aberforth has now turned around to stare at the same direction. It's like none of us know what to do here. Then, we hear how more chairs are dragging the floors at the same time, letting us know someone has just pissed off all of the Dark Wizards inside this pub. What the..-? Aberforth won't waste any more time and rushes to see what the hell is going on there. "Stay here." he orders as he quickly walks us by. Neville and Mr. Lovegood are quick to jump off their seats and put their arms around Luna, ready to lead her either back to the upstairs or thru the painting. Remus jumps off the chair too, pulling out his wand at the same time.
As soon as the door closes behind Aberforth, we stay still and listen. Almost like we are frozen to our places. Ready to take the action if things escalate. I can feel how my heart is now beating fast out of nervousness. But everything should be alright. Right? Aberforth is used to deal with these kinds. Right? ...Right? Very faintly, we hear Aberforth's voice, asking what is going on and if there's anything he can do to help. With the hint of sarcasm - of course. "Tell this old bitch hag to shut up and leave." one of the Dark Wizards claims. "EXCUSE ME?! You did not just call me that!!" that same shrilling female voice snaps back. My heart drops and eyes widens when it hit me. Wait..-! Without thinking any further - like my body moves on its own, I rush to the door. "(Y/N)..-!!" Remus whisper exclaims surprised and tries to grab me. But little too late - I was already out of the room. The door opens to a small storage room which is separated from the actual pub by a thick stone wall. With slight hesitation, I go and take a peek behind the corner. Immediately, my jaw almost drops to the floor when I saw the familiar woman surrounded by the wizards in middle of the room. AUNT-RUBY!?!?