Chapter Sixty
"Over 'ere Aberforth!" Hagrid shouted over the heads of the crowds. Hermione could see nothing through the sea of people between her and the landlord of the Hog's Head, but in moments the sea had parted and the impressive form of Aberforth emerged through the crowds. Aberforth took a seat across from Hermione and Hagrid and pulled off his sodden hat.
"Ah, I see you got my message then." Aberfoth said looking at Hermione. "Are you happy for us to talk here or do you want to come to my quarters?" He asked.
"I'm happy where I am." Hermione said, looking puzzled.
"Ok, then." Aberforth began. "Well, the reason I wasn't here when I arrived is that I was setting up a last minute portkey, I don't know if you've heard, (I'm sure you have), that since everything was published about the shrieking shack, it has lost it's status as Most Haunted Wizard Dwelling in Britain and because of this it was recently sold to a mystery buyer. As of yesterday renovations are complete. The buyer is also investing large sums of money into the Village in order to bring prosperity back to the area and there is talk of building a museum dedicated to the history of Hogwarts."
"That's great," Hermione said, "but I don't follow, what has all this got to do with me?"
"Well..." Aberfoth said, "The buyer has decided to move into the Shrieking Shack, and we have been taken a little off guard at the speed of the move. We are expecting the visit within the next 24 hours and we wanted to find somebody eloquent and intelligent to meet him up at the house, to welcome him and also to discover his plans for the village."
"There's nobody more qualified on those points than our 'Ermione 'ere." Hagrid said kindly.
"Why couldn't you have just told me that in the owl you sent? Hermione asked.
"To be honest, I just didn't want to risk you saying no!" Aberforth said honestly. "I was tasked with asking you and I would have had a mob of angry villagers with pitchforks at my door if I had failed."
Hermone saw the funny side of things and agreed to their plan without argument. Aberforth prepared a hearty meal for her which she ate gratefully and soon they were traipsing through the relentless rain to the shrieking shack.
As Hermione and Aberforth mounted the hill the "Shrieking Shack" came into view. It was in no way recognisable as Hermione had last seen the dilapidated dwelling. It's cracked and peeling wooden walls had been replaced by limestone and it was considerably larger than it had once been. Every detail had been beautifully crafted, from the mullioned windows to the heavy oak front doors. Climbing plants grew up the frontage, (surely helped along with a bit of magic), and the whole structure was warm and inviting to behold. The two of them walked side by side up the long gravel driveway, and Hermione saw that the lights were on inside the building.
"You'll need these." Aberforth said, handing Hermione a big bunch of keys, "I'll have to leave you too it I'm afraid or Gladys will have my guts for garters."
"Okay." Hermione said, taking the keys. She watched Aberforth disappear down the track and then walked up to the beautifully studded and carpentered double doors. Hermione unlocked the doors with a big brass key and entered into a homely candlelit hallway. Red roses stood in jars on tables and a line a petals led to a door at the back of the hall. Hermione tiptoed towards the door and put her ear to the door, she could here soft music playing behind it.
Tentatively, she turned the handle and pushed open the door.
The room was alive with thousands of candles burning on every surface, bewitched rose petals fell from the ceiling and beautiful music drifted towards her.
It was what she saw in the centre of the room that made her catch her breath. Her heart began to thump against her ribcage and the cold from the bitter evening was forgotten instantly.