Disclaimer: I am not Timothy Zahn or J.K. Rowling.
Aberforth, Ginny, and Goldstein watch as Grindelwald's forces approach the Isle of Drear.
Goldstein. He came in from Apparition about ten minutes ago. Captain Ogden signaled two minutes later, asking for you personally.
Aberforth. Any signs of landing craft or brooms?
Goldstein. Not yet. But from his insertion angle, I'd guess he'll be dropping some soon, downpoint probably somewhere in this part of the forest.
Aberforth. Where did we wind up putting the Ford Anglia?
Goldstein. It's over on pad eight.
Aberforth. Take two men and go throw a camo net over it. There's no point in taking chances. And do it quietly. We don't want to alarm our guests.
Goldstein. Right.
Exit Goldstein.
Aberforth glances at Ginny.
Aberforth. Interesting timing, this visit.
Ginny. If that's a subtle way of asking whether or not I called them, don't bother. I didn't.
Aberforth. Really? I'm a little surprised.
Ginny. So am I. I should have thought of it days ago. You going to talk to him or not?
Aberforth. I don't suppose I have much choice. [into transmitter] Captain Ogden, this is Aberforth Dumbledore. My apologies for the delay. What can I do for you?
Enter Floo image of Gellert Grindelwald.
Grindelwald. Good afternoon, Captain Dumbledore. I'm Grand Admiral Grindelwald.
Aberforth. Good afternoon, Admiral. This is an unexpected honor. May I ask the purpose of your call?
Grindelwald. Part of it I'm sure you've already guessed. We find ourselves in need of more hinkypunks and would like your permission to harvest some more of them.
Aberforth. Certainly. If I may say so, you seem to be running through them rather quickly. Are you having trouble keeping them alive?
Grindelwald. [raises an eyebrow] None of them has died, Captain. We simply need more of them.
Aberforth. Ah. I see.
Grindelwald. I doubt that. But no matter. It occurred to me, Captain, that as long as we were coming here, it might be a good time for us to have a little talk.
Aberforth. What sort of talk?
Grindelwald. I'm sure we can find some topics of mutual interest. For example, I'm in the market for new warships.
Aberforth. Warships?
Grindelwald. Yes. [smiles] Don't worry. I'm not expecting you to actually have any capital broomhips in stock. But a man with your contacts may possibly be able to acquire them.
Aberforth. I doubt that my contacts are quite that extensive, Admiral. I don't think we'll be able to help you.
Grindelwald. You'll try anyway. And then there's the matter of your refusal to help in our search for Harry Potter.
Aberforth. I'm sorry we were also unable to help there, Admiral. As I explained before to your representative, we were under several tight scheduling deadlines at the time. We simply couldn't spare the brooms.
Grindelwald. At the time, you say? But the search is still going on, Captain.
Aberforth. Still going on? But your representative said Potter was flying a Firebolt. If you haven't found him by now, his life support will surely have given out.
Grindelwald. Ah. I see the misunderstanding. Normally, yes, you'd be correct. But Potter is an Auror. And among an Auror's bag of tricks is the ability to go into a sort of comatose state. So there's still plenty of time for you to join in the hunt.
Aberforth. I see. Interesting. I suppose that's just one of the many things the average person never knew about Aurors.
Grindelwald. Perhaps we'll have time to discuss such things when I arrive on the Isle of Drear.
Aberforth. I'm afraid we don't have much to entertain you with. Certainly not on such short notice.
Grindelwald. No need for entertainment. As I said, I'm simply coming for a talk. A brief talk, of course. I know how busy you are.
Aberforth. I appreciate your consideration. If you'll excuse me, Admiral, I need to begin the preparations to receive you.
Grindelwald. I look forward to our meeting.
Exit Grindelwald.
Aberforth. [to Ginny] Contact Borgin. Tell him we have Ministry guests coming, and he's to begin preparations to receive them properly. Then go to pad eight and have Goldstein move the Ford Anglia farther back under cover. Go there in person. Nurmengard and its shuttles might be able to tap into our transmissions.
Ginny. What about Weasley and Thomas?
Aberforth. We'll have to get them out, of course. Move them into the forest, perhaps at or near their car. I'd better deal with that myself.
Ginny. Why not turn them over to Grindelwald?
Aberforth. With no offer of a bounty? Relying on the Grand Admiral's generosity after the fact?
Ginny. I don't find that a compelling reason.
Aberforth. Neither do I. What I do find compelling is that they're our guests. They've sat at our table and eaten our food . . . and like it or not, that means they're under our protection.
Ginny. And do these rules of hospitality apply to Potter, too?
Aberforth. You know they don't. But now is not the time or the place to turn him over to the Ministry, even if that's the way the decision ultimately goes. Do you understand?
Ginny. No. I don't.
Aberforth. It's a matter of relative strength. Here on the ground, with a Ministry cruiser orbiting overhead, we have no bargaining position at all. I wouldn't do business under such circumstances even if Grindelwald was the most trustworthy client in the galaxy. Which he's not. Now do you understand?
Ginny. [sighs] I don't agree. But I'll accept your decision.
Aberforth. Thank you. Perhaps after the Ministry leaves, you can ask General Thomas about the perils of making bargains while Hit Wizards are strolling around your territory. So . . . Anglia moved. Weasley and Thomas moved. Potter and the droid should be all right where they are. The four shed has enough shielding to keep out anything but a fairly determined Sneakoscope.
Ginny. And if Grindelwald is determined?
Aberforth. Then we may have trouble. On the other hand, I doubt that Grindelwald would be coming down himself if he thought there was the possibility of a firefight. The upper military ranks don't achieve that status by risking their own lives unnecessarily. Enough talk. You have your job. I have mine. Let's get to them.
Ginny nods and rises.
Aberforth. Where did you put Potter's lightwand?
Ginny. It's in my room. Why?
Aberforth. Better get it and put it somewhere else. Lightwands aren't supposed to be highly detectable, but there's no point in taking chances. Put it in with the resonator cavities in three shed. They ought to provide adequate shielding from stray Sneakoscopes.
Ginny. Right. What was all that business about capital broomships?
Aberforth. You heard everything that was said.
Ginny. I know. I was talking about your reaction to it.
Aberforth. I'd hoped it wasn't that obvious.
Ginny. It wasn't.
Aberforth. Ask me again later. Right now, we have work to do.
Exit Ginny.
