Disclaimer: I am not George Lucas or J.K. Rowling.
Still stranded, Harry awakes from his hibernation trance at a call from Hedwig.
Harry. All right, Hedwig. I'm awake. What seems to be the matter?
Harry glances over and notices the arrival of the Hog's Head.
While activating the Firebolt's engines, Harry reaches into the Magic to the test the Hog's Head's crew.
Hedwig. [whistles]
Harry. Yes, I noticed that, too. But a normal bulk freighter might be able to pull that kind of deceleration if it was empty. Why don't you do a quick analysis of the sensor readings, see if you can spot any weapons emplacements.
Hedwig. [beeps]
Harry flips on the transmitter.
Ginny's Voice. . . . need assistance? Repeating: unidentified Firebolt, this is the freighter Hog's Head. Do you need assistance?
Harry. Hog's Head. This is a Wizards' Council Firebolt 777. As a matter of fact, yes, I could use some help.
Ginny's Voice. Acknowledged, Firebolt. What seems to be the problem?
Harry. Hyperdrive. I've lost both motivators. Cracked shield cases, probably some other problems, too. I don't suppose you'd be carrying any spares?
Ginny's Voice. Not for a broom that size. I'm instructed to tell you that if you'd care to come aboard, we can offer you passage to our destination region.
Harry reaches out into the Magic to detect Ginny's motives, to no avail.
Harry. Sounds good. Any chance you could take my broom, too?
Ginny's Voice. [dry] I doubt you could afford our shipping rates. I'll check with the captain, but don't get your hopes up. We would have to take it in tow, anyway. Our holds are pretty full at the moment. If you'll hold your present position, Firebolt, we'll move up close enough to throw a force cylinder out to you . . . unless you'd rather suit up and spacewalk across.
Harry. The cylinder sounds fastest. I don't suppose either of us has any reason to hang around this place. How did you happen to wind up out here, anyway?
Ginny's Voice. We can handle a limited amount of baggage. I imagine you'll want to bring your messenger droid along, too.
Harry. Yes, I will.
Ginny's Voice. All right, then, stand by. Incidentally, the captain says the transport fee will be five thousand.
Harry. Understood.
Harry dons his flight suit, preparing himself for vacuum.
Hedwig. [whistles]
Harry. No, she didn't answer the question. But I can't think of any legitimate reason for them to be out this far. Can you?
Hedwig. [whistles]
Harry. Agreed. But refusing the offer doesn't buy us anything at all. We'll just have to stay alert.
Harry clips his rifle, his transmitter, and his lightwand to his belt.
Ginny's Voice. Okay, Firebolt, we've got the cylinder established. Whenever you're ready.
The Hog's Head turns its docking bay toward the Firebolt.
Harry. Here we go, Hedwig.
Harry and Hedwig dismount the Firebolt and navigate toward the Hog's Head.
Hedwig. [whistles]
Harry. I've got you, Hedwig.
Harry lands on the Hog's Head, using the Magic to ensure that Hedwig follows him. The airlock seals shut behind them.
Enter Goldstein.
Goldstein. Welcome aboard the Hog's Head. If you'll follow me, the captain would like to see you.
Goldstein leads Harry down the corridor.
Harry. Come on, Hedwig.
Goldstein leads Harry and Hedwig to the door to Aberforth's quarters.
Goldstein. Captain Dumbledore will see you now.
Harry. Thank you.
Exit Goldstein.
Harry and Hedwig step into the room.
Enter Aberforth.
Aberforth. Good evening. I'm Aberforth Dumbledore. And you, I presume, are Commander Harry Potter.
Harry. Private citizen Potter. I resigned my Army commission nearly four years ago.
Aberforth. [smiles] I stand corrected. I must say you've certainly found a good place to get away from it all.
Harry. I had some help choosing it. A small run-in with a Ministry cruiser about half a light year away.
Aberforth. Ah. Yes, the Ministry is still quite active in this part of the galaxy. Growing more so, too, particularly of late. [shakes his head] Though I presume you've already noticed that. Incidentally, it looks like we'll be able to take your broom in tow, after all. I'm having the cables rigged now.
Harry. Thank you. Allow me to thank you for the rescue, as well. Hedwig and I are lucky you happened along.
Aberforth. And Hedwig is . . . ? Oh, of course, your messenger droid. You must be a formidable warrior indeed, Potter. Escaping from a Ministry cruiser is no mean trick. Though I imagine a man like yourself is accustomed to giving the Ministry trouble.
Harry. I don't see much front-line action anymore. You haven't told me how you came to be out here, Captain. Or, for that matter, how you knew who I was.
Aberforth. [smiles] With a lightwand attached to your belt? Come now. You were either Harry Potter, Auror, or else someone with a taste for antiques and an insufferably high opinion of his swordsmanship. You're not really what I expected, somehow. Though I suppose that's not all that surprising. The vast majority of Auror lore has been so twisted by myth and ignorance that to get a clear picture is almost impossible.
Harry. You almost sound as if you were expecting to find me here.
Aberforth. As a matter of fact, we were. Though I can't actually take any of the credit for that. It was one of my associates, Ginny Weasley, who led us here. She's on the bridge at the moment.
Harry reaches out in the Magic and detects Ginny on the bridge, sensing her cold hatred toward him. His reaction is noticeable on his face.
Yes, that's her. She hides it quite well, actually . . . though not, I suppose, from an Auror. It took me several months of careful observation to establish that it was you, and you personally, for whom she had these feelings.
Harry. I've never met her before.
Aberforth. No? [shrugs] A pity. I was rather hoping you'd be able to tell me why she feels this way. Ah, well.
Aberforth rises to his feet.
I suppose, then, there's nothing more for us to talk about for the moment . . . and let me say in advance that I'm very sorry it has to be this way.
Harry reaches for his lightwand, but is struck from behind by one of Aberforth's agents. Stunned, Harry succumbs to unconsciousness, weakened mainly due to the close proximity of the hinkypunks.
Exit all.
