If I had known we would be Apparating into knee-deep of snow I would have worn a snowsuit, Hermione thought as she and Ron materialized within Hogsmeade's boundaries. No sooner than when they had set foot in the village, a loud wailing sound was heard from all over. Hermione let out a small curse word as she realized what it was.

"It's a Caterwauling Charm!" she yelled at Ron over the noise. "We've got to hide!"

"Where?" Ron yelled back.

Hermione was quick to notice that the Hog's Head was the closest building nearby. She grabbed Ron and they both ran toward the pub. The door was thankfully unlocked and they hurried inside, hiding underneath the windows as Death Eaters spilled out onto the streets.

"Someone's around here!"

"They can't have gone too far!"

"We'll search this end of the village. You lot search the other."

The sound of snow crunching under feet faded away. Ron and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief but their moment of relaxation was short-lived. Footsteps were coming down the stairs, making them creak loudly, and a yellow glow was illuminating the said stairs. Hermione watched, frozen with terror, as the figure approached them, the lantern it was carrying held low so as its face was completely obscured by the shadows. Hermione felt Ron recoil against her as the light hit them. She gasped as the figure lifted its lantern and revealed its face.

The figure was the owner of the Hog's Head who also happened to be its bartender. But it wasn't the surprise of seeing the elder man that had made Hermione gasp: it was the man's striking resemblance to Dumbledore. They both had the same piercing blue eyes and they bartender also had long hair and a long beard (although not as long as the late headmaster's had been). They might have had the same nose if Dumbledore's hadn't been crooked. The man watched the two teenagers for a few seconds before speaking.

"Come with me," he said quietly. He turned on his heels and returned upstairs. Hermione gingerly got to her feet and pulled Ron onto his. She was about to follow the bartender when she felt a tug on the back of her cloak. Hermione looked over her shoulder and she saw Ron watching her with a worried expression. She read the question in his eyes.

"I don't have a bad feeling about him," Hermione whispered. "He's better than those Death Eaters out there."

"Yeah, but," Ron said softly, "doesn't he remind you of someone?"

So Ron has noticed it, too. "Yes, Dumbledore," Hermione replied.

Ron nodded to show his agreement. He then took Hermione's hand – Hermione couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat – and together they cautiously went to the second floor.

This level was well-lit and the man was sitting in an armchair by the fire, waiting them. He gestured for them to sit on the couch facing him and Ron and Hermione welcomed the invitation. The man folded his hands in his lap as he watched them sit.

"You're Potter's friends," he said. It wasn't a question.

"Y-Yes," Hermione stammered nervously. "A-And you're Aberforth, aren't you? Dumbledore's brother?" Ron gave a look that clearly showed that he wondered how she knew that.

"That is correct," Aberforth replied. He leaned forward. "Now, what are you doing here?"

"We came to help Harry. He's trapped inside Hogwarts –"

"I'm aware of that. As much as it is noble of you to come and get him, seeing you will just add another burden on his shoulders. It's too dangerous for you to be here. It's no better for Potter but as I understand it he was brought back to the school against his will. Do yourselves a favor and run off, live a little longer. Potter has other people around here who can help him."

Hermione suddenly realized that her mouth had been hanging open during Aberforth's speech and she snapped it shut. She couldn't believe what she was hearing: she and Ron have finally reached Hogsmeade and they were being told to go back! By Dumbledore's brother out of all people! Hermione had expected that he might have helped them break into Hogwarts or maybe given them a bit of useful advice but he seemed to be very dissimilar to Dumbledore, who would have not hesitated to help them.

"You – You can't mean that," Hermione said in astonishment. "Harry needs us and we're more than willing to fight this war."

"There is no war. You-Know-Who has won; the Order of the Phoenix is finished. Anyone who claims otherwise are fooling themselves and neither of you strike me as a fool, especially if you hang around the likes of Harry Potter, Miss –?" Aberforth said fervently.

"Hermione Granger, sir," Hermione sighed. "And this is Ron Weasley."

"Miss Granger, then," Aberforth continued. "My brother has told me about you. You are the brightest witch of your age and you are a Muggle-born, which means that for you coming here is the equivalent of a suicide mission. You're better off leaving the country and bring Mr Weasley with you."

"You're not Dumbledore's brother in any sense, are you?" Ron said suddenly, looking extremely irritated.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed warningly. He ignored her.

"Your brother would've helped us; he would have not given up. He gave Harry a task to finish and we're tagging along, no matter how hard it is. But now our friend is stuck within the grasp of a murderer and what kind of friends would we be if we didn't do our best to help him? And here you are, telling us to practically trade in Harry's life to save our own. Run away? I don't think so."

A slightly shocked silence followed Ron's words but Hermione was certain that she and Aberforth were shocked for different reasons. If she had not seen Ron's mouth move, she would have not believed that it was he who had spoken. Hermione had never known that Ron was capable of confronting someone with a cool reasoning and use powerful words that left an impact. She felt rather proud of him and her love for him grew.

Aberforth was staring at Ron with slightly wide eyes. It was apparent that he too had not expected those words to come out of Ron's mouth. Aberforth took a few seconds to regain composure and to find an answer to Ron's statement.

"Wise words coming from someone so young," Aberforth finally said. "Who said that I have given up?"

"'There is no war. You-Know-Who has won; the Order of the Phoenix is finished,'" Ron quoted impatiently. "If you haven't given up, you've got a funny way of showing it."

"What I have said is the truth! The Order of the Phoenix has scattered –"

"Only because its members are smart enough to not gather all in one place and attract unwanted attention! Only a stupid prat would even consider staying in a large group and risk everyone's lives. And until there is no one left standing on our side, we'll keep fighting until we either win or die."

Hermione watched Ron and Aberforth glare at each other. She had no idea how passionate Ron was about this war though she had an inkling to why that was. He probably wanted nothing more than to protect those he cared about. His entire family had come into contact with danger at the wedding and he was determined not to let that happen again.

Aberforth's shoulders seemed to sag in defeat under Ron's steady stare. The elder man turned toward a portrait of a young girl that was hanging above the fireplace. She smiled sweetly at him.

"You know what to do," Aberforth said quietly.

The girl nodded and walked away. But instead of walking out of the side of the portrait she was following the path painted on her canvas that led out to the distance. Hermione and Ron looked at Aberforth questioningly.

"That was my sister Arianna," Aberforth said mildly. "She will provide you the help you need."

"Thank you, Mr Dumbledore," Hermione said gratefully. He nodded and left the room, leaving both teenagers to wait upon Arianna.

"Where," Hermione said, turning to Ron, "did all of that come from?"

Ron shrugged. "I guess I just don't appreciate quitters," he replied.

Hermione smiled gently at him. "I don't think he has quit," she said. "I think he just doesn't want us to have the same fate as many other people who have opposed You-Know-Who."

"If you say so," Ron replied. He looked at the portrait. "Hey, she's coming back. Who's that with her?"

Hermione followed his gaze and saw that Arianna was indeed returning and that she was not alone. She was accompanied by a young man and just as they were almost close enough to be identified, the portrait swung open. Ron and Hermione gasped as they recognized Arianna's friend.

"Neville!"

All right! Everyone's at Hogwarts! I think they'll be happy to be reunited once more.

Thanks for the reviews! Much appreciated.