Querencia

Harry threw his invisibility cloak over the boy, briskly walking between people towards The Hog’s Head Inn. His feet patted against cobblestone, as he tried to balance the child on his shoulder. Excuse him for not building enough muscles in this life, he was more dainty…It pissed him off. He kicked at the door to the inn with his left foot.

Bolts grind, hinges squealed and the door opened revealing Aberforth Dumbledore, frowning.

Harry grinned impishly at him. “Abe-”

The door slammed in his face.

He scowled. “Open the door old man, I have a kid on my back and it feels like I’m carrying a bloody hippogriff.” He kicked harder at the door.

Aberforth Dumbledore slammed the door open, pulling Harry in and bolted it closed. “Are you out of your mind?”

“I need you to raise this kid for me.” Harry sighed.

“Really is that all?”

Harry nodded hopefully.

“No.”

Aberforth entered a room with threadbare carpet and a small fireplace, above which hangs a large oil painting of a blonde girl with a sweet, but vacant stare.

“Aberforth please,” he pleaded, following him and laying the boy down on the carpet. “She wants him.”

Mildly shaken by this, He led Harry to the table where a tray of food was already plated out, like he expected Harry to come.
Harry chuckled, one of the reasons he preferred him over his brother is this exact reason. Aberforth always had an inkling when Harry was in trouble and helped him rather than leaving him to shoulder things on his own. Well, helped Harry in his own way to put it exactly. He was like a friendlier version of Severus. The thought made him snicker.

“Losing your mind already Harry?” The old man huffed, sitting in his own chair and drinking a glass of Meade. “I can’t even blame ‘her’ for making you act foolish. You were born like that multiple times from what I've heard and seen.”

Harry stared at him, remembering the day he told him about his past lives. He only had told Abe, he refused to risk telling anyone else, not knowing if they were taking part in the war. Harry grinned he knew he could always count on his pessimistic friend.

“So? Are you going to take him in then?” He questioned, already knowing the answer.

“How did the boy even get involved with her?”

“He was watching us in the forest, she was teaching me old magic…” he paused, sipping his tea.

Aberforth spat out his Meade, laughing. “You?” He wheezed. “Used old magic?”

Harry scowled and stared at the fireplace. “Don’t be childish. I’ve grown since then-”

“You mean, you didn’t set someone’s arse on fire this time?”

“I’m done.” Harry stood, slamming his teacup on the table and standing up.”

Can you hear me?

He stared at the small girl in front of him.

“Harry-”

Harry raised his hand to silence Aberforth without even looking at him, keeping his eyes on the girl.

“Someone is going to die sir” The girl mumbled, looking down at her walnut colored shoes.“Soon-”

“What do you wish for me to do about it?” Harry chuckled. “Everyone dies at some point, no? I mean take yourself for example.”

“But, sir-”

“Enough, run along. I refuse to deal with dead again, I settled that when I walked away from Death’s offer.” Harry scowled. Why the hell did he always have to be the one to save everyone? Bloody fate is always messing with his shitty life.

The girl’s face twisted in annoyance. “You say it like you have a choice, you lousy redundant man.”

Harry grinned. There it is. “What happened to your sweet disposition? The life of being dead isn’t as blissful as you thought?” Harry cooed.

“Don’t you dare mock me. Do not. For a second, think that because of my age I'm not able to put you in your place. I was princess of-”

“And now you’re a dead forgotten princess.” He chortled.

“NO! No one has forgotten who I am. I came here trying to help you- Stop snickering!”

“Please. You’re trying to save yourself. What’s wrong little witch? Trying to make me look like a fool and help you steal a body for you to reside in? You’re dead. You aren’t coming back. Now deal with it like a big girl.”

Aberforth silently backed out of the room.

The girl began to scream, as the lights flickered above them. “TRUST ME WHEN I SAY SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE, AND IT WON’T BE YOU HARRY POTTER. She chuckled. No never him…

She dissipated, leaving him alone.

He groaned. Thana’s bloody servants.