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I can't believe my eyes. There is no way... Aunt-Ruby – my aunt-Ruby is standing there, surrounded by bunch of Dark Wizards in this pub. Wha..- What is she doing in here?! The stern look hasn't fade away from aunt's face as she stares back at the men and women in front of her. There are eight to ten of them! "You heard him. Go cry somewhere else, old hag." one of the female Dark Wizards snorts proudly, like they own the place. Just when aunt-Ruby is about to give a piece of her mind, the look on Aberforth's face is quite stern towards the louts:"I'm only going to say this once; please leave. For this instant. Before I'll give you something to cry about.". As expected, his words does not please the Dark Wizards.
They are all now turned to look at him while he stands behind the counter. "I'd advice you to keep your mouth shut, old man." one of the wizards spat. Soon they began to throw more insults towards the owner of the place - ordering him to go back to the backroom with warning tone. This doesn't look too good. Then, I hear how the door behind me slightly creaks open. Hm? Immediately, I take a glance over the shoulder, only to see Remus peeking out from the tiny gap. "(Y/N). Get back in here." he whisper hisses. Quickly I shook my head as a 'no' and turn to look what's happening on the other side of the wall. Remus mutters under his breath how I'm going to get us all killed while glaring at me. But what he didn't take in his consideration, is now that he has the door slightly open, the little niffler escapes from the backroom to get where her owner went. But... Instead of running to me, she runs right past me - into the pub area where the others are. "Wh..-?! Muffin!" I whisper hiss when I notice the niffler quickly passing by. Remus also looks surprised by all of this. Shit!
It all happens so fast; Dark Wizards are quick to notice the little niffler running and squeaking as she past their legs. "A RAT!?!?" one of them yells out of fear. "Huh?! What..-? Where?" few of them takes a step back surprised and start looking around baffled. Aunt-Ruby looks down too, but not as afraid as some of the others around her. She's quick to realize it's not a rat that keeps running around the place, going under everyone's long capes and robes. People around the bar are freaking out. Almost like one person's fear of rodents spread like a wild fire around them. In seconds, the fear in me raises Muffin might face the same fate as Sniffy did, so without any hesitation, I rush out behind the corner. Remus's yelp gets stuck in his throat when he realizes this. In middle all of the mess, Ruby lift her gaze up and sees me standing other side of the room over these people. Our eyes meets right away. "(Y/N)!!!" she exclaims surprised. "Aunt!" I automatically respond back.
In that very moment, Aberforth's head snaps onto his left to see me, but before he managed to upbraid me, couple of the wizards turn to look over their shoulders to see what's going on. They are quick to recognize me. Muffin then runs up to me and climbs into my arms. To be able to feel her soft fur on my palm makes me feel slightly more calm. At the same time, Remus rushes behind the corner too to stand beside me, which then raises everyone's attention in the room one by one. One of them draw their wand, ready to point it at me:"Well, look who..-", "Oh, no you won't!!" Ruby is quick to see red and pulls out her own wand to use Expelliarmus. The wand flies out of the wizard's hand right away and lands somewhere further away. Making this little 'diling' - sound when it hits the floors. Oh..- There is a pause. Everyone is staring at the wooden stick on the floor in silence. Feels like we are all holding our breaths. Shit.
In seconds, everyone in the room draw their wands out and began to attack us all three. Having no time to think any spell to use against them, I yelp and dodge their attacks just in time by leaping under the counter near me while holding Muffin close. Remus is quick to go take cover behind the wall he just walked behind from. Ruby starts fighting against three other wizards and the rest of the enemies are trying to get us two. Remus tries to cast spells back anytime there is a change. Different kinds of spells are flying and bouncing around the pub - breaking some of the chairs, tables and glasses along the way when missing their targets or trying to hit with them. While sitting on the floor, back leaning against the counter and holding the niffler close to my chest, I try to think what charm I should use to get these bad guys to stop. How did this turn out like this?!
Then, I glance up to the man next to me - who is still standing there like a tree, having his eyes on the people around the room. My lips apart a bit. For a second there, it really did seem like Albus Dumbledore himself was standing there. It somehow made this heavy feeling in my heart. Albus. Aberforth watches all of this happening. No matter how close some of the spells flashes right past him, breaking the glasses behind him that once were neatly arranged on the wooden shelf, he won't budge. Like he's not afraid to get hit. He really is a brave one. But then, someone's spell hits one of the pictures on the wall and it falls to the floor, breaking the glass of it. It was a picture of a goat. "ENOUGH." his strong voice thunders around the pub, making us all flinch. Even the Dark Wizards. And before anyone could do anything else, he already had whipped his wand and freezed all of the enemies at once. Woah!
We all look at the scene stunned for a moment longer. It really made me feel small how powerful this old man really is. Ruby then lowers her wand and breaks the silence that had landed in the room as she runs to me with shuddered breath:"(Y/N)!". I quickly got up and step away from my hide:"Aunt..-", her body pretty much thuds against mine when she scoops me into this tight hug. Muffin almost gets crushed between us and lets out this little squeak, so I gently push aunt away just a bit to let the niffler jump down to the floor, who's quick to go find some treats for herself. Right after that, Ruby pulls me back into the hug, tearing up a bit:"Ouhw..!". I wrap arms around her and press my face the crook of her neck, tearing up a little bit as well. It feels good to see her again.
Just then, the door to the backroom opens when Neville and the Lovegoods came to take a peek what happened. Remus gives them a slight nod to come forward. All three of them then came behind the corner to see me and aunt hugging each other. The bitter sweet moment breaks quickly when Ruby then sharply inhales thru her nose, pulls away from the embrace and pinches the side of my arm. Rubbing the place it hurts:"Ouch! What the hel..-", "That's for making me worried SICK!! I send you at least fifty owls and never got a letter back! NOT A SINGLE ONE!! At first I thought it was because you were focused on snogging with that man William and I had a bet on why you wish to move back in the Wizarding World, but after not receiving a letter on Christmas from you - I knew something was wrong!" she keeps on yelling like the Howler itself. Others behind me are looking stunned by the way this woman in front of them keeps pouring her heart out, like none of them are even here.
Really don't know what to say here:"That's..- Uh..-", "Then..- THEN, I finally got a hold of the Daily Prophet where they told what has been happening in the Wizarding World lately, I had to come see you. Oh, William told me not to go, but I refused to just stay in the Muggle World, twirling my thumbs when I know my nice is in trouble. I just couldn't!" she now has a lot softer look in those eyes that once looked very irritated. Seeing her like this warms and breaks my heart at the same time:"Oh..-", "Hate to interrupt the moment between you two, but I got work to do." Aberforth mutters as he walks between us to get out behind the counter. He then nudges his head as a sing for Remus to help him to get the 'costumers' out. Remus is quick to follow.
Just before they left, I managed to catch how Aberforth said something about using Obliviate and throwing the Dark Wizards in the dungpile that is in the back of the pub. The Lovegoods and Neville walks deeper into the pub to greet Ruby. Pointing one person at the time:"Ruby, this is Neville, Luna and her father - Xenophilius, who you might already know.". "Oh, yes. Yes, indeed I do! Big fan of your writings." her eyes began to sparkle as she shakes hands with Luna's father. Xenophilius smiles a bit shyly by the admiration he's receiving at the moment. "And this is Ruby - Ruby Harris. She's..-", "(Y/N)'s aunt. From mother's side. Older sister. Believe it or not." she chuckles. "Fascinating." Xenophilius breath out.
Soon after, after using Reparo to fix all of the things that got broke during the battle, we went back to the backroom and sat down around the little table to catch our breath. Ruby then gave a quick run thru about herself; how she used to live in Wizarding World just like I did when I was young. How she got sorted in Slytherin back when she went Hogwarts. How obsessed the whole family has been about being Slytherins and Pure bloods thru generation to another... But years later when she happened to visit in the Muggle World, she fell in love with her now husband - William, and she left the Wizarding World behind to stay with him instead. However, she did wanted to stay in touch with her own family. Perhaps, she wanted to proof them wrong about Muggles. That they are not as bad as they think. But for vain... "My sister and rest of the whole family did visit in our home time to time if I invited them, but they were always very stiff and uncomfortable. They barely even touched the tea if they knew William made it!" she babbles. They are all listening every word she's saying amazed.
Before she gets to tell them about how abusive my parents really were, or anything about me and Edward, the door to the room opens. It's Aberforth and Remus. Phew. "There. All taken care of." Remus wipes his hands together. "You mean..?" Neville doesn't know how to finish the sentence. "They are laying right back of the building. Covered in filth. In the morning when they wake up, they will think they had a rough night out and had passed out." Aberforth mutters as he once again walks up to the painting where the young girl still stands with the fade smile on her face. My thoughts trails off for a moment while watching him standing beside the fireplace. When all of sudden, Ruby shoots up from her seat to shake hands with Remus:"Ruby - Ruby Harris. (Y/N)'s aunt. But please, call me Ruby or aunty. Whatever suits you, dear.". Remus and I are looking at her baffled. What the..? "It is a pleasure to finally meet the man who has sweeped my niece's feet off the ground." she smiles widely. What?!
Remus looks little bit taken aback by this. And I don't blame him... The embarrassment hits:"Aunt! Remus is my friend. He's also ma..-", "I'm afraid I can not take the credit on this one, aunty." Remus gently places his hand on top of hers with kind eyes. "As lovely as your nice is - I'm happily married man with a wonderful woman named Tonks, and we have a beautiful, one year old son - named Ted. Whom actually (Y/N) is the godmother of." he answers politely with proud smile on his face. Both of her eyebrows raise:"Oh, my apologies, dear. It's just so rare to see my little (Y/N) standing next to a handsome man like you. She used to have a hard time to mingle with men when she was..-", "AUNT." I interrupt her babbling. She glances over her shoulder little bit confused I interrupted her like that:"What?". There are no words, so I just roll my eyes out of annoyance. Oh, Merlin... Remus chuckles:"It's alright. (Y/N) has been doing just fine here in the Wizarding World. I believe she is quite popular among other men, actually.". "Oh, my!" Ruby giggles. Someone..- Anyone, kill me now. Please.
Before these two can continue torture me any longer, I quickly shook my head and refocus:"You still haven't told me how did you get here.". Ruby turn to look at me, still little bit surprised. "By the train, silly." she simply reply. "No, no, no! I meant here. How did you ended up in Hog's Head?" I ask. She finally lets go of Remus's hand and fully turns to me:"Oh, well - I did try to get in Hogwarts, to make sure you're alright. But there were some guards with Dementors at the gate. They wouldn't let me in.". Knowing her, she must've not leave easily... "Did they say anything to you?" Neville managed to ask. It seems that he's impressed how brave Ruby is. "They were so rude to me. I did however gave them a piece of my mind." she explains. But before I could ask what she means by that, she quickly continues:"By using my words - not magic, my dear.". Good. Don't need her to start anymore fights.
She then went on telling us how she demanded to see the Headmaster himself. When she said that, I could feel my heart raising and body going more intense. Did she meet Severus? Without anyone else's notice, Remus shift his eyes on me to read my body language. To see how I'm feeling about all of this. But then she told how one of the guards went to get the Deputy Headmaster - or one of them; Alecto Carrow. The fact they didn't bring the real Headmaster already made aunt feel irritated. Apparently, their whole conversation lasted under a one minute, and it was all done while the big barred gates were closed. "What a rude woman, I must say. She didn't even listen to me! All I asked was to see my niece!" she huffs like it had just happened. With the corner of my eye, I can see how Aberforth looks more intense. Probably his social battery has become to its end. Then, I turn back to my aunt:"That still doesn't explain how'd you end up in here.". "Don't rush me, dear. I haven't got in there yet." she waved her hand carelessly. Right...
After little bit more talking, she finally get to the part where she decided to try again getting in contact with me tomorrow, and came in Hogsmeade to find a place to stay the night. Soon enough, when she came in Hog's Head Inn, the Dark Wizards were quick to notice her because of her Muggle way of dressing, and started to throw shady comments 'behind her back', even they were fully aware she'd hear them. "...and that's when you came in." she ends the whole story. "You truly are... A remarkable woman, Mrs. Harris." Luna's father's eyes seems to sparkle out of pure admiration. And no wonder. Aunt-Ruby is pretty cool and strong woman. The fact one of her idols gave that much of a compliment makes her cheeks turn red:"Ouwh, it was no..-", "So I will make another bed ready then." Aberforth suddenly says while slowly walking towards the stairs. We all turn to look at him, realizing maybe it'll be for the best if we'd head back to the castle.
Just when he's about to climb up the stairs, I rush to him:"Wait.". "Hm?" he stops at the first step and turn to look at me. "Here." I hand him the picture of the goat that fell during the little fight. It is now fully fixed. Like a brand-new. Aberforth tries to maintain the same calm and collected look on his face as he takes it. But I could have sworn there was a little spark of gratitude in those eyes which makes me feel happy inside. He then turns away and continues to climb up the stairs:"Close the passange when you leave.". Soft chuckle comes out of me:"Yes, sir. Thank you.". With that, I gave a quick hug to my aunt, waved the goodbyes to Xenophilius, took Muffin in my arms and the rest of us went thru the painting.
As for now; Ruby and Xenophilius will spend the night in Hog's Head, while the rest of us go back in Hogwarts. Of course, Luna can't be seen wandering around the school how ever she pleases. She is still 'missing', after all. So she'll be sleeping the night in the Room of Requirement with Neville beside her. Bet the room can make a bed or two for them as soon as we'll arrive. While walking couple meters behind, I can see how they are holding hands during the whole walk towards the castle. They look so cute together! Both of them must feel extremely relieved to finally be together. My thoughts starts trailing off while still watching them walking like that. Severus... This heavy feeling in my heart once again makes a visit. The unknown... When will be our turn to walk like that without any fear? Without having to be afraid someone will tear us apart if they would know how we feel about each other... The image of how Severus would act like a black cat if I tried to hold his hand in public just because makes this gentle smile appear on my lips without even realizing it.