-1Chapter Seventeen

Note from Author: I have no idea if this is how the real book will turn out, but I thought this was a really good idea. And as for some of the things that 'he' says -- this is a fanfic. My fanfic. So, I can write what I want, as long as its slightly relevant to the books. Again, all characters, yadda yadda yadda, are JK Rowling's. The plot, for now, is mine. After reading HP 6 I was sure that Aberforth would play a role in Book 7, and perhaps be quite a significant character. I know he was in book 6 with Mundungus (been doing my research), and so therefore, here's an idea how Book 7 might include him.

Harry's POV

The stars wheel. The worlds spins. I am heaved from my position amidst the rubble. My eyes dart from the mysterious brass handle set into the rock, and my mind slips into memory…

Where am I? Who are you?

I struggle. A hand clamps over my mouth, another restricts my sight. I try to breathe against the suffocating darkness of the cloth covering my face. The gentle hush above me only makes me struggle more. My hand darts to my pocket, grasping my wand. I pull it out, and sightlessly; obliviously, I think with all my might. Snape, I can do wordless jinxes. And you'll find that out, sooner or later…

Petricificus Totalus!

The person is obviously not expecting such an onslaught from a stunned and disorientated teenager, and they become rigid immediately, their grip around my mouth and eyes slackening. I struggle upwards, breathing raggedly, tearing at the cloth that covers my face, prevents me from seeing.

The moonlight illuminates the ground; the stars pinpricks in the velvet night. It's night already. How long was I unconscious for? It's strange how haunted the world is right now, and how it is able to produce such an exquisite scene as this. Sirius, can you see this? Mum? Dad?

No, this is no time for wishes and fantasies…

I look down at my rigid captor, and am shocked to see the straight and unmoving form of a younger Dumbledore. Who is this? No… it couldn't be…

He must see the shock on my face. It's something about that look, strangely piercing and wise, that reminds me of my previous Headmaster. It's that that makes me release him.

He stands up. It's as if nothing happened; he brushes his black coat, huffs slightly and mutters something about cufflinks being a nuisance. Then, without further words, I am granted his unfaltering, undivided attention; something that I am disconcerted about. I'm not all sure this is the man I thought it was anyway…

'Who --?'

'My name is Aberforth, and I must say that although my dear brother spoke most highly of you, he never mentioned you had a tendency to assault older members of the public, like myself…'

'But… I never saw you at the Order…'

'Well, be that as it may, Harry. I feel I was never welcome with your Phoenix gang, anyway. Oh no -- don't worry. I haven't gone off and joined the Death Eaters - greasy fellows, I always thought. I am still,' he glanced up at the sky, 'quite, how to put it? Dedicated, I suppose you could say. Just not committed; I think, if you look hard enough you'll find that there's quite some difference between those two words.' His unwavering gaze swept towards the moon in its full glory. He sighed.

'I'm afraid poor Remus is probably in for a terrible night.'

I look at him warily. Aberforth, Albus Dumbledore's brother. Now I look at him again, I realise I do know him. I've seen him before. In no way whatsoever does he resemble Dumbledore; apart from his eyes. His eyes reflect his heritage.

'You know Professor Lupin?'

'He's hardly a professor now.'

I can't think of a retort to that, so I pace. I look on him with a cold stare. 'Why'd you ambush me like that? Sneak up on me? Take me here and knock me out? Not the kind of conduct young people like me expect from the 'older community', such as yourself, either.' I say angrily.

Aberforth gives me a cold stare. 'I always did think you were trouble.' Then he ruins it slightly by looking back up and muttering. 'I always did look up to my brother. Helped him out, lots. Always at hand, living where I did. He always overlooked my little dabbles outside of the law, you know. Yes, I shall miss him. But, you know. It's my duty. I gave him a lot of grief, being so eager to step outside the lines all the time. And so now, well, now I've come to help you out, because I know that you were Albus' hope for conquering Voldemort.'

Well, I didn't ask for his autobiography.

Still, I lower my wand. 'That doesn't explain why you brought me here and knocked me unconscious and covered my face up with what looks like some kind of rag from a pub…'

Aberforth frowns down at me. 'I don't like your attitude,' he growls, 'anyway, I appear to be doing you a favour. Professor Lupin will have figured out where you went to by now, and I took you away just in time. As for why I took you here, I believe you wanted to meet your friends soon? Oh… don't look at me like that. Albus may have got the lion's share with the brains, but he left me a fair bit. I'm no amateur in invading people's minds… having a little shuffle around, finding all their secrets…'

The cheek!

'And it just do happens I'm local to Hogsmeade. I could give you shelter, Mr Potter. For only a small fee…'

I furrow my brow. I feel I was so close to obtaining a Horcrux. Surely, surely there was one at my parents' house. And then again, I want to see Ron and Hermione so much. Can I really do this without them? Do I really want to do this without them?

…No.

I look at Aberforth, with his now outstretched, rather grubby palm held out towards me. I know what he's talking about, and he knows I won't be able to refuse. We shake hands.

Note from Author: Book 7 Rumour: Done some internet research! Wow! Maybe Aberforth will play a role in book 7? Can't wait:o Please R&R. Now to Hermione, and Draco…

Again, just in case, and 'cause I'm paranoid, everything except general storyline is c) JK Rowling!