AN: Reminder to go vote on the poll on my profile, I'm asking if you want anyone else from the future brought in. If there is someone you want who I didn't put on the list then feel free to leave the suggestion in a review but the ones I'm seriously considering for now are up there.
Chapter 4: In Memoriam
The room was still in a somber mood from reading about the death of Charity Burbage. Minerva was still wet eyed thinking about her colleague. Ginny, who had been taken Muggle Studies for the past 3 years, was also quite upset and with her head resting on Harry's shoulder and her gaze off in the distance. It was just a reminder to everyone that nobody was really safe.
Slowly Charlie started to read the next chapter, silently hoping for fewer interruptions than the last couple of chapters.
Harry winced slightly when the title In Memoriam was read. He knew what this would be about and he didn't want to have to hear Rita Skeeter's words again. He wanted to remember the Dumbledore he knew and respected.
Everyone else was looking at Harry questioningly, they couldn't understand why a chapter about Harry's summer would be entitled this.
The chapter started out saying that Harry was bleeding.
"That's a rough start to your part of the book, mate." Ron spoke up at the same time as his mother started asking questions.
"What? Why were you bleeding? Oh, Harry dear, I hope you weren't really hurt. Were you?" Molly was talking so fast that all attention in the room had turned from the book to her. "Are you okay Harry? Where are you bleeding?"
When Molly made to get up to go check Harry over Arthur put his arm around her shoulders and restrained her. Harry was sitting there blushing at the attention and hoping that the book would just continue to be read. Finally Remus managed to interrupt. "Molly, this happened days, maybe even weeks ago. Harry is fine now, right Harry?" Harry quickly nodded and Molly quieted down but still was gazing intently at Harry as though trying to figure out exactly where he had been cut.
The golden trio exchanged glances, Ron and Hermione were amused whereas Harry was apprehensive. If this was how they reacted over a simple injury how would they react to the bigger injuries Harry was prone to receiving?
In the book Harry was swearing and the twins grinned mischievously. "What naughty words were you saying exactly?" Fred asked.
"Yes, and don't hold back Harry. How exactly does the golden boy talk when he thinks no one is listening?" George put in.
Harry glared at them and then turned back to Charlie who got the message and immediately started reading again.
In the book Harry had broken a cup of tea left outside his bedroom door; Harry guessed in the book that it was a booby trap of Dudley's.
Molly, after stopping her worrying about Harry, sighed slightly. "Poor china cup, it didn't deserve that."
"Why would he leave a booby trap outside of your door Harry?" Tonks asked.
At the same time Molly said "Why would you jump to assuming it was a booby trap? Couldn't it just be your aunt or uncle bringing you a cup of tea without wanting to disturb you?" Harry looked at her incredulously. Surely she at least knew partially how he was treated by his aunt and uncle, after all the twins and Ron had seen the bars on his window.
In the book Harry was annoyed that he still had four days left of being unable to do magic.
"So this was the day we came to get you?" Remus asked while Harry nodded. Everyone shifted uncomfortably, the events of later that day still fresh in their minds.
Harry in the book was reflecting on the fact that his inability to perform healing charms was a problem in his magical education.
"You are right Harry, you should know this." Arthur told him. "Perhaps one of us should teach you before you have to leave."
"Ya, that would be helpful," Harry said. Then he turned to Minerva, "Professor, how come there is nothing taught about healing over the course of Hogwarts?"
"Well, Harry, normally basic healing charms are taught in 7th year charms and defense classes because you can't use magic outside of school until you are 17 anyway. But maybe you are correct it might be beneficial if we started teaching them earlier." She paused and seemed to be in thought for a moment. "Yes, I will have to speak to Professor Flitwick but that shouldn't be a problem." She then offered Harry one of her rare smiles.
"Harry, while I'm sure Hermione may have an adequate understanding of the necessary spells you really should have someone with some practical experience help you with them." Kingsley told him when, in the book, he made a note to ask Hermione. "Aurors routinely need to use healing spells, I'm sure that either myself or Tonks would be willing to show you."
"That would be great. Thanks." Harry said, while Hermione looked affronted at being told she couldn't do something well enough to show Harry.
Lily shook her head and smiled. They didn't seem to remember that they weren't going to remember any of this for months.
"Harry, was there really a need to slam the door?" Ginny teased him after the book described him doing just this.
"I did not slam the door!" Harry said indignantly.
"Riiiiight." Said Fred, his voice full of sarcasm.
"We totally believe you." George used an equal amount of sarcasm as his brother.
The book revealed that Harry had never completely emptied his trunk.
"You don't empty your trunk every summer?" Hermione asked, appalled by the idea. "Harry, that's disgusting!" Ginny, Molly, Minerva and Remus nodded along with Hermione's word.
Harry just shrugged. "There's not really much point. I take out my clothes and stuff but there is no reason I need to take every little thing out." Ron, the twins, Charlie and Tonks started nodding at Harry's words but Lily burst out laughing.
Everyone turned to look at her. Finally when she recovered enough to speak she said, "Dad, you're such a hypocrite. You always used to yell at James for not making sure he completely cleaned out his trunk every year." Harry, Ginny and Remus all looked up at the name.
"That's probably because not cleaning out mine led to me being cut." Harry guessed at the same time that Remus asked who James was.
"Oh, that makes sense I guess." Lily shrugged her shoulders. "James is my oldest brother," she paused. "Well not really, but sort of oldest." At the questioning looks she received she simply said, "I'll explain when we take a break.
Molly squealed slightly. "Oh Arthur, another grandchild!" Arthur smiled and nodded. Harry and Ginny were looking at each other, both blushing.
Charlie cleared his throat after casting another glare Harry's way and continued reading.
Harry was being scowled at from people all around the room as the book continued to describe just how messy his trunk was.
"So that is where James gets it from." Lily giggled. Ginny scowled at Harry for passing on his messy genes to at least one of their children.
The book described how Harry had injured his hand by just plunging it into the mess at the bottom of his trunk.
"No wonder you got hurt Harry." Bill said. "You shouldn't have just plunged your hand in without looking carefully where to put it." Harry childishly looked away while Tonks and Ron laughed.
Remus looked to the laughing woman next to him and said "Like your one to talk Dora. Knowing you, you would have sliced your entire arm." Tonks then proceeded to hit Remus on the back of his head.
The book began describing what was in the mess at the bottom of the trunk. The first thing it mentioned was one of the badges from the Triwizard Tournament.
"Why did you have one of those Harry?" Hermione asked him.
At the same time Aberforth asked what they were and Minerva answered, "Hufflepuffs and Slytherins and some Ravenclaws wore them at the beginning of the Triwizard Tournament." She then looked to Harry. "You should know, Mr. Potter that most of the staff tried to confiscate them but they were being produced too quickly for it to make a difference." Harry nodded but privately thought that they still could have done a better job.
The next thing mentioned was a sneakoscope.
"Hey! I gave you that for your birthday one year." Ron exclaimed, looking slightly offended. "Why is it at the bottom of your trunk with the other junk?"
Harry just shrugged; at the time he had thought it was broken. Now he realized it had probably been reacting to Wormtail, who had been in their dormitory as Scabbers for most of that year.
The last thing mentioned was R.A.B.'s locket.
"What's that Harry?" Tonks asked him. Harry just sighed and looked away so Ron and Hermione explained what had happened to Harry and Dumbledore the night they had retrieved the fake Horcrux or at least what they knew which was very little.
"So you didn't find the real locket?" Kingsley asked. Harry shook his head.
"What exactly happened in the cave Harry?" Minerva asked him gently. Harry looked up at her and closed his eyes, trying to get rid of the stinging he felt coming from them. He eventually looked back down and shook his head. Ginny gave his hand a comforting squeeze.
Sensing that they wouldn't get any more information from Harry for the moment Charlie continued reading.
When it was revealed that the thing Harry had cut himself on was a shard of the two way mirror from Sirius Remus looked up.
"He gave that to you?" He asked Harry, who nodded. "It was your father's." He said softly.
"Yes, I know." Harry told him. "Do you know where Sirius's is?"
"No, sorry. I haven't seen it since he died." Remus shook his head softly. "Dung stole a bunch of stuff from Grimmauld Place. It's possible he has it." Harry looked up coldly. Nobody should have that mirror but Sirius.
Nobody seemed to notice Aberforth shifting in his seat uncomfortably during this conversation.
Harry bit back a sob as the book described that most of the mirror was now dust. He didn't want to think about that. If only he remembered then Sirius might still be alive. Ginny put her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
Harry looked away from the pitying looks he was now on the receiving end of. He didn't need or want their sympathy.
Hermione opened her mouth to tell Harry it was okay to still feel sad but closed it again after seeing both Ron and Ginny shake their heads at her.
"Some of your textbooks might contain useful information for the journey Mr. Potter." Minerva told him when the book revealed that he had left behind most of his books.
Harry was about to respond saying that he had kept the ones he thought might be useful when Hermione spoke, interrupting his thoughts. "Don't worry Professor, I've packed almost all my textbooks for us to take."
Ron and Harry laughed, remembering the ridiculously uneven stacks from the previous night.
"See, I brought some books." Harry said when the book was listing what he had packed.
In the book it said that Harry had kept the photo album from Hagrid.
"Ooh I love that photograph album." Lily said.
Harry looked at her. "So I still have it in the future?" When Lily nodded Harry smiled, pleased that his photos would survive to for a long time.
"What is the photo album of? And why did Hagrid give it to you?" Kingsley asked.
"It's photos of my parents. Hagrid put it together for me close to the end of my first year." Harry explained.
"Oh, so that's why he wrote to me asking for pictures of your parents." Remus said. Harry just nodded and smiled at him. He had assumed that Remus was one of the people Hagrid had asked but it was nice to have it confirmed.
"The what?" Asked Molly when the Marauder's Map was mentioned.
Fred, George, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Remus and Lily all grinned. "The Marauder's Map." They all said together.
Everyone else in the room was looking at them strangely as though waiting for more of an explanation. When it became clear they were not going to get one Charlie shrugged and continued reading.
Once again the locket was mentioned and once again Harry looked away from the others in the room.
Others in the room were now sniffling quietly. Ginny took Harry's hand and started tracing circles on the back of it wondering what exactly had happened in the cave. Ron and Hermione looked at each other as though just realizing now that Harry hadn't told them what had happened. Minerva dabbed at her eyes.
Aberforth just stared ahead. He didn't know how to feel. His brother was dead and that should make him sad but he had not really cared for Albus in years. It was his fault Ariana had died and Aberforth just couldn't forget or forgive.
Harry sniffled quietly at the mention of his long-time companion when Hedwig was mentioned.
The entire room winced when Charity Burbage was mentioned again.
In the book Harry began reading Dumbledore's obituary by Elphias Doge.
Everyone in the room looked down sadly, except Aberforth who snorted quite loudly drawing many looks.
"Let me tell you something," he said, "Doge didn't know my brother nearly as well as he thought he did."
"But he was his friend for a long time." Hermione tried to reason.
"Ya, but sometimes it's your friends who you think you know the best that turn out to be hiding something." Aberforth told her, drawing even more confused looks. He just shook his head silently and stared ahead.
"Damn right it was savage." Aberforth muttered viscously when the obituary mentioned his father's attack on the muggles, once again ignoring the looks from the others in the room.
Aberforth smirked when it was revealed that Albus had informed Doge of his father's guilt. Here at least was something he and Albus had in common. They were both happy that those filthy muggles didn't get away with what they did.
It was mentioned in the obituary that some had initially speculated that Albus was a muggle hater based upon the actions of his father.
Everyone in the room, with two exceptions, scoffed at this. The idea that Albus Dumbledore was a muggle-hater was absurd. Aberforth was remembering the time when his brother had indeed wanted to subjugate the muggles to wizarding rule.
Lily was looking at Aberforth. She, of course, knew the story of Albus Dumbledore's past. Most of the people from her time looked at it as a youthful indiscretion; one which was greatly outweighed by a lifetime fighting for a more fair treatment of all individuals magical and not. She knew, however, that Aberforth Dumbledore had always resented his brother for the mistakes which led to their sister's death. Her father had told her that Aberforth had never really been able to forgive his brother right up until his death the year before Lily had been born.
The obituary turned to discussing Albus Dumbledore's own brilliance and fame.
Aberforth closed his eyes with only Lily noticing. There was nothing he hated more than people hero worshipping his brother. None of them knew what he truly had done.
Harry, meanwhile, was struggling himself. He remembered Rita Skeeter's article and comparing it to what Doge was saying made him confused. They were so different and he just didn't know who to believe.
The obituary touched on Dumbledore's love for teaching, even when he was a student himself.
Minerva, who was the only one present who had actually been taught by Dumbledore (excluding Harry's lessons), sighed, "He really was a great teacher."
The others nodded. "And a great Headmaster." Remus put in. Lily sighed, sure Professor Sinistra was pretty good but everyone said that she just wasn't the same as Professor Dumbledore or even Professor McGonagall. Teddy always took credit for driving McGonagall out after his 3rd year, saying that it was because of all his pranks.
The obituary touched on the rumours that had always been circulating that Dumbledore would be the next Minister.
"He would have been an amazing Minister!" Ron shouted out. Everyone nodded, except Aberforth and Lily.
Aberforth turned to look at Ron, he spoke for the first time since the obituary of his brother began. He said, very gruffly, "You're wrong." He then turned away from the surprised looks.
Lily, however, fixed him in her gaze. "You should tell them." Aberforth's head snapped up to look at her. What did she mean?
Harry looked at his future daughter. Did she know something about Dumbledore? "Tell us what?" Fred asked.
"Ya, why don't you just tell us?" George asked her.
"Because it's not my story to tell." Lily looked away from her Uncles back to Aberforth. "But you should tell them. They will find out by the end of the book anyway." Everyone else was super confused at this point. Aberforth locked Lily in a piercing gaze. She couldn't mean the story of Ariana. There was no way anyone could find out but he could think of anything else the girl might be talking about. He looked away, either way he wasn't about to blurt out what had happened.
Lily sighed and shook her head when the questioning looks returned to her. It wasn't her place to tell. She was worried though about how long it would take for the book to reveal the true story. Hopefully she could get Aberforth to open up before he did in the book.
Aberforth nodded when the obituary touched on the his comradeship with Albus when they were at school. They had never been very close but they were still friendly towards each other. At least they had been until he came along.
The obituary touched on the trouble of being friends with such an important and intelligent individual and speculated that his brother would have had it even worse.
Aberforth was the one receiving pitying looks now but he stoically looked away. He didn't love that sure but it wasn't his biggest problem with Albus.
While everyone's attention was focused on Albus, no one saw Ron nodding along. He still felt overshadowed by being Harry's friend.
Lily also nodded. She drew attention to herself by speaking. "Al and James both had it bad their first few years at Hogwarts. They both look a lot like Dad."
"They're your brothers?" Ginny asked.
"Yup." Lily said, popping the 'p' sound.
Harry looked down; he didn't want his sons to have to live in his shadow. He wanted them to be able to live their own lives. "Do you get that a lot?" He asked Lily.
She seemed to think for a minute. "Well some, but not as much as James or Al. I just have the last name connecting us whereas they both look a lot like you. I get it sometimes with Mom given how famous she is or sometimes with Grandma Lily from the teachers who knew her." She grinned. "People always say you and Al could be twins except he doesn't wear glasses or have the scar." Ginny grinned but was slightly confused, why was she so famous? She was getting the first description of her sons; she smiled over at Harry blushing slightly. She was glad their sons would look like their handsome father.
As the book touched on the death of Kendra Dumbldore everyone was feeling bad for the Dumbledore siblings.
Aberforth let out a humourless laugh that drew attention to himself. 'Ya, some job he did caring for us' he thought, but said nothing to the questioning looks.
The obituary proceeded to state the death of Ariana Dumbledore.
Aberforth was now blinking back tears and avoiding the sympathetic looks people were sending his way. If only they knew that their precious hero was responsible for killing his sister, he thought bitterly.
Lily, guessing what was going through Aberforth's head, stood and placed a hand on his shoulder. Aberforth, startled, looked up into the blue eyes that shone, not with sympathy, but understanding. A silent communication passed between them and Aberforth knew that she knew. He sighed, reached up and patted her hand before looking away again.
Lily went to sit back where she had been, ignoring all the questioning looks along the way.
The obituary described Dumbledore's feeling of guilt over Ariana's death and Doge's belief that he was guiltless.
Most in the room nodded along with Doge's sentiments but Aberforth muttered so quietly that not even Minerva, who sat right next to him could hear, "Oh, he was guilty alright."
The obituary next touched on Aberforth and Albus's falling out and that they had grown a little more cordial as years went on.
Aberforth sighed. It had barely even been cordial and yet even now he couldn't bring himself to be sorry.
Everyone else in the room had almost a perpetual lack on confusion.
As the obituary began wrapping up Doge stated that he would dearly miss his friend.
Minerva and Harry both sniffed at that. Out of everyone there, besides Aberforth, they had been closest to him. "I really do miss him." Harry said softly to Ginny when she gave his hand a squeeze. "He was always there. I didn't agree with everything he did or said but he always listened to me." He blinked back tears. "He really did care, one of the few who did." Ginny just nodded her head.
Lily got up and gave her dad a hug. "You named Al after him." She told her parents. "His full name is Albus." She decided to leave off the Severus for now. Harry smiled and hugged Ginny to him.
Minerva, who had heard Lily, smiled sadly. "I can tell you that he would have been very honoured by that Harry, Ginny. It would have meant a great deal to him." Harry looked over at her and nodded before turning back to Charlie.
The book said the phrase in his last hour and Harry, remembering Dumbledore's last hour shuddered softly.
Harry in the book finished reading the obituary and described feeling x-rayed by Dumbledore's picture which accompanied the obituary.
Harry was now on the receiving ends of sympathetic glances but he didn't notice, his head was once more tucked into the nape of Ginny's neck.
In the book Harry's thoughts turned to how little he had actually known Dumbledore.
"You did know him mate." Ron told Harry.
"Ya, Harry you knew him better than almost anyone." Hermione added.
"I know you really did care for each other Harry." Remus said.
"Yes, he was always worrying about you Harry." Molly commented.
"Yes, Harry, I do believe Professor Dumbledore cared more for you than maybe any other student he had taught." Minerva informed him.
Aberforth couldn't help but think that maybe if Albus had cared for their sister as much as he seemed to care for Harry Potter she might still be alive.
Hermione looked affronted when the idea of a stupid Hermione was put on the same level as a child Dumbledore.
Ron turned to her. "Come on, Hermione, you can't deny it is a ridiculous concept." He started to chuckle but stopped when Hermione glared at him.
When a friendly blast ended skrewt was put at the same level all the students who had been at Hogwarts the year Hagrid had the Skrewts started to laugh uproariously. When they finally settled down and were able to wipe the tears of mirth from their eyes Charlie continued to read.
In the book Harry's thoughts turned to how little he had asked about Dumbledore and how they had really only discussed Harry.
"That's because he was trying to keep you alive." Tonks told him as though it were obvious. Harry just nodded. He still wished he knew more about Dumbledore's past.
The book revealed that Harry had only ever asked Dumbledore one question about himself.
"What did you ask him?" George asked. Harry looked down blushing.
"What mirror?" Kingsley asked when the question was repeated in the book.
"The Mirror of Erised." Harry muttered so quietly most people had to strain to make out what he said.
"Harry!" Hermione and Molly both scolded at the same time. "That's a really personal question."
The twins, Ron and Charlie burst out in laughter when Dumbledore's answer was given. "Can you imagine-" Fred started to ask.
George continued on his brother's question. "-Dumbledore jumping for joy when he puts his socks on in the morning?" This renewed the laughter, this time Tonks joined in.
In the book Harry began reading the article about Rita Skeeter's upcoming biography on Dumbledore.
"Oh Harry, please tell me you didn't believe anything that woman wrote?" Hermione said. Harry just shrugged. He still wasn't sure what to believe.
Aberforth, who hadn't previously read the article looked up as it began. Was it possible that Rita Skeeter had somehow managed to find out the truth. He had denied her request for an interview but could someone have told her the truth about Ariana? Was there anyone else left who knew?
The writer of the article in the book began by saying that gossip was largely present in her conversation with Rita Skeeter.
"That's right. That's all that woman writes, gossip." Molly said. Harry chose not to mention that it had been her who had written his story of Voldemort's return.
"That's a good question," expressed Remus when the article wondered how she had been able to put the book together so quickly. "It shows that she can't be too relied upon. She didn't do proper research."
The writer of the article quoted Doge as saying that Skeeter's book was in no way true.
"Of course he's right." Tonks said. "If anyone would know it would be him."
Minerva nodded. "I, myself, declined to speak with her about Albus as did all the rest of the teaching staff." She looked around the room. "I don't know a single person who knew Albus well who spoke with her."
Harry looked up feeling slightly more reassured.
In response to Doge's criticism Skeeter tried to make out that he was crazy.
"There is no way that is true." Said Arthur. "Elphias is a good person and completely sane." All the other Order members around the room nodded; they all respected Doge.
"Further proof that she is not credible. She doesn't know whether these people were even telling the truth." Kingsley said as they listened to a section in which Rita discussed her writing process. He looked thoroughly irritated.
In the article Rita was being very careful to point out that many people disagreed with Dumbledore when he stepped on their toes to push his agenda ahead.
"Well of course they did, but only people that didn't agree on equality and fairness." Molly said. "Only people who needed their toes stepped on a bit." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Aberforth was listening intently when Skeeter revealed that she had access to a source that was a fount of information.
"What does that mean?" Ron asked, he hadn't read the article yet either.
"It's just Rita trying to make stuff up again." Hermione told him.
In the book Skeeter claimed that Dumbledore had once dabbled in the dark arts.
"No he didn't!" Exclaimed everyone bar Lily and Aberforth.
Lily glanced at Aberforth to see if he would speak up but when he caught her eye and shook his head, she looked away.
When the discussion in the article turned to the Dumbledore family; it was asked whether Skeeter was referring to Aberforth's charming of goats.
Aberforth scowled while the twins burst out laughing.
"What did you-" George began.
"Do Aberforth? Or more accurately-" Fred continued.
"What did you make the goat do?" George finished.
Just as Aberforth was about to open his mouth to tell them Molly interrupted. "Fred, George! That's enough!"
In the article Rita waved off the questions of Aberforth and revealed that it was really Kendra and Ariana that had interested her.
Aberforth grimaced. He was now very worried. What exactly had Rita uncovered about his mother and sister? Had she found out the truth or was it just another of her lies.
In the article Rita Skeeter said that it would be revealed how and why Dumbledore's nose was broken.
Aberforth grinned at that. It was one of his happy memories. Physically attacking his brother for getting their sister killed. He was very proud of that. "I broke it." He announced to the room.
"What?!" Molly shrieked.
"Why?" Remus asked.
"Awesome!" The twins declared, garnering strange looks.
Harry looked at Aberforth intently. Was any of what Rita said true?
In the article Rita echoed the claims of a wizard who said that Dumbledore had stolen some of his research on the uses of dragon's blood.
"That's a lie." Minerva said. "He discovered most of them on his own and a few with Nicolas Flamel."
Remus nodded. "I don't even know why people would bother lying about that."
"It is indeed common knowledge." Kingsley added in.
In the book Rita mused that there was more to the situation with Grindelwald than was known publically.
Everyone snorted except the usual two exceptions.
Aberforth was getting nervous now. Could Skeeter have found out about it all? Did he want it to be public? He wasn't sure.
When Rita speculated that a duel might not have taken place at all everyone, including Aberforth and Lily, rolled their eyes. There was no sense in denying the duel had taken place.
"How can she even suggest that?" Ginny asked. "Weren't there like dozens of eyewitnesses?"
"Yes indeed Miss Weasley many have written extensive accounts on the subject." Minerva answered.
"In addition the ministry collected countless memories of the event including from Dumbledore himself and they were all found to be untampered with.
In the article Rita was claiming that Dumbledore's interest in Harry was unnatural. The room frowned at that.
"It wasn't unnatural!" Tonks said.
"He just cared a lot about Harry." Said Remus.
Harry smiled, he didn't want to think that Dumbledore was unnaturally interested in him.
It was suggested that it was not in Harry's interest for that level of connection to have existed between the two.
"Of course it was in Harry's interest!" Arthur exclaimed.
"Ya!" Lily piped up. "Dad wouldn't have named Al after him if it wasn't!" Harry smiled again at this.
Ron snorted when Skeeter said that Harry's adolescence had been troubled. "Troubled doesn't even begin to cover it." Harry mock glared at him.
The book mentioned the interview Rita Skeeter had done with Harry about Voldemort's return.
"The one decent thing she's ever written." Hermione said.
"And you're the one who made it happen." Harry reminded her, smiling. She grinned back at him.
Neither noticed Ron's scowl, he knew now that they wouldn't end up together as Harry married Ginny. That didn't stop him from feeling slightly jealous though.
Harry snorted loudly at Rita's assertion that she and him were close.
In the article Rita was claiming that she knew the 'real Harry Potter'.
"As if!" Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione all chorused. Hermione then continued alone. "I'm not sure anyone really knows the 'real Harry Potter'."
Harry snickered. "Well, you, Ron and Ginny are definitely the closest."
Lily then smirked. "I'm not sure any of them really do in my time either." The aforementioned individuals pouted playfully at Harry and he just grinned back.
The conversation in the article in the book turned to the night that Dumbledore died. Rita claimed that not everything was necessarily as it seemed and that it was for the wizarding world to know after they had read her book.
Harry scowled. "No, it's for me to know as I WAS THERE!" He finished by yelling the end. Nobody scolded or questioned him, they just looked sadly at him. When Harry's breathing finally returned to normal Charlie continued reading.
In the book Harry finished reading the article and threw the paper containing it in the trash can.
"Ya Harry!" The twins cheered. "Throw Skeeter in the trash where she belongs." Bill, Charlie and Ron laughed at their antics.
Nobody heard Lily's sigh as she heard her Uncle George joking with his twin.
"Harry, you need to let this go." Remus told him as they read about lines from the article circling around in Harry's brain. "You know Dumbledore. You knew him to be kind and honest and warm. Remember that Dumbledore. Not the thing Rita is trying to paint him as."
Harry nodded but stayed silent, looking down at the floor.
"Potter," Aberforth spoke and Harry looked up. "I'm not going to get into what might have been uncovered by Skeeter until I know exactly what she is saying about my brother's past." He looked intently at Harry but out of the corner of his eye so Lily shake her head sadly but he had made his decision. He would not ruin his brother for Harry Potter unless he had too, the boy deserved to have someone to look up to. "I'm not going to say for now what went on in our childhood because to be quite honest it ain't any of your business." At this point in his mini speech he looked around the room at everyone who was there. "It ain't any living person's business but mine anymore. But," Harry looked up at Aberforth, "I want you to know this, no matter what else might be true or lies, my brother cared about you. He always wanted you to succeed, I know that for a fact. So don't doubt that he wanted only the best for you."
Harry nodded, still not completely satisfied but he was appeased for now. Charlie continued reading
No one noticed Aberforth shift uncomfortably in his chair when the book described Harry seeing something different in the two way mirror.
"Why? What did you think you had seen?" Ron asked him. Harry just looked away.
"Harry?" Ginny tried to get him to respond but he just looked at her, his cheeks tinged with pink and she realized he was embarrassed.
In the book it was revealed that Harry had thought he had seen Albus Dumbledore's eye.
"Oh Harry. It's okay to miss him." Molly tried to assure him. Harry just nodded looking down.
Ginny started to rub comforting circles into Harry's back again.
Minerva looked around the room, she could tell people were starting to get a little antsy. "How about one more chapter and then we will take a short break?" Everyone nodded and Charlie handed the book to Bill.
AN: This is the last of the chapters I had prewritten, I will try to post the next as soon as I finish writing it. Sorry if there wasn't enough interaction between some of the characters in this chapter but I was trying to set up Aberforth's feelings towards Albus. Just so Everyone knows the sitting/reading order in the room is Kingsley, Charlie, Bill, Molly, Arthur, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Lily (on the floor in between her parents), Harry, Fred, George, Remus, Tonks, Minerva, Aberforth. Please Review