"What do you want? War's over - no need for us to talk anymore."
"I understand, but I do need to talk to you."
"Tough."
"I'm going to keep coming back until you've heard me out."
Aberforth growled, but let his brother in. Albus Dumbledore put the Sorting Hat carefully on the table and took a seat opposite his brother.
"It's about Rex and Minerva McGonagall," he began, "You heard about them?"
"Dead and destroyed. Shame."
"She's innocent, Aberforth, and I need..."
The Hat cleared its throat.
"You were in Hufflepuff, Mr Dumbledore," it said quietly.
"What of it?"
"Brave enough, but not foolhardy. Hard-working and ceaselessly loyal and compassionate. I remember your head, Aberforth, I remember your heart. Your sister put you in Hufflepuff."
Aberforth was silent for a moment after the Hat finished speaking.
Dumbledore decided to have another go, following the Hat's advice.
"Aberforth, did Rex tell you why he switched his allegiances?"
Aberforth nodded silently.
"The first time I met him and he gave me little Dorcas, he showed me a toy broomstick - he said Minerva had one just like it when she was little. Apparently she loved to fly when she was little."
"Just like Ariana," said Aberforth softly, "Before..."
Dumbledore nodded. "He took a big risk coming to us Aberforth, and coming back again and again."
"He only came again because you summoned him, because you'd destroyed his box, lest there be any risk to the great Albus Dumbledore," Aberforth's voice was bitter.
"Yes," said Dumbledore sadly, "It was my fault. And he should have refused me when I asked him to come again, he knew the risk he was taking in sneaking away to meet me. But still he came. And the fact that he did had nothing to do with who asked him..."
"He came for her."
"He died for her, Aberforth. And not so she could spend her life in Azkaban."
"Isn't that a worthy punishment," said Aberforth sarcastically, "For attempting to kill the great Albus Dumbledore, saviour of us all?"
"That's not who I am," said Dumbledore quietly, "You of all people know – I am no hero."
"Not even close."
"Do you know his last words?" Dumbledore asked softly, "He said 'Minerva, please, you promised.'"
"He should have known better than to trust you."
"Perhaps, but it's too late for him to learn that lesson now. He was a brother fighting to save his little sister, Aberforth. He died for her to have a life, and right now she doesn't have one."
Aberforth looked at the glass in his hand for a while. Dumbledore went to speak again, but the Hat caught his eye and he stopped. A silence lay between the two brothers, forever parted.
"And you are here because you think I can help her?" Aberforth scoffed, "I think you have more chance of managing a breakout from Azkaban than me."
"We don't want to break her out – we want to get her released."
"And now you have finally lost it! Overturn the conviction of a woman seen – by aurors, no less – aiming the killing curse at you."
"She never finished the curse. It is clear from my memory that she never intended to. I know Edgar can be convinced if he is given a reason – and then the Ministry too. We have a plan, Aberforth."
"Hmm," said Aberforth, raising his glass to his lips.
"We will discover a letter from Rex, saying that he has recruited Minerva as a spy, and that she will do what it takes to maintain her cover with Grindelwald and his followers – including appearing willing to kill me. The letter and the memories, together with my testimony and, I hope, Edgar's, should be enough to clear her."
"And what am I in this great plan of yours?" demanded Aberforth, draining his glass and reaching to refill it.
"The one with the letter."
"What?"
"It can't be me, everyone knows I am trying to free Minerva. And Edgar won't present a forgery as genuine – we need the letter to convince him. You are the only other person who had contact with them."
Aberforth sighed.
"And everyone knows of our enmity, Aberforth, they would not expect you to be doing me a favour."
"And I won't," said Aberforth determinedly.
"Aberforth…"
"I'll be doing it for Rex McGonagall," he looked Albus straight in the eye, "A man who understood what it was to be a brother."
"Thank you, Aberforth," said Dumbledore gently, although couldn't meet his brother's eyes.
