A/N: Batter- a gradual backward slope in a wall or similar structure. A play on cooking words is fun
This fic isnt meant to perpetuate any stereotypes or judgements. I apologize if anyone's feeling were hurt in anyway, that was never emy intention. I try to handle this sensitive matter as respectfully as possible. I always say, no one person, race, creed, or religion is 100% innocent in the history of humankind. Have a blessed day.
Aberforth had just watched as the boy Neville used the tunnel, behind the portrait of Ariana, to return to the Room of Requirements. With Hogsmeade being quiet, after the death Eaters imposed a curfew, Albeforth had nothing to do. The Death Eaters weren't clambering to the Hogs Head Inn to trade illegal potions or poisons, because Snape provided them with better things. Hogs Head hasn't seem Death Eater evers since they had Snape as their apothecarist in Hogwarts.
Aberforth wiped down the bar as he mulled over the rumors that the Wizarding version of easy bake ovens were now being sold. Some death eaters saw the muggle version on raids and secretly liked them so much, athat they now forced house elves to make wizard versions of them.
Aberforth nicked one of his own, to test it out. Designed by house elf magic, it cooked baked goods very well. It was also useful for simple potions. That was the sole thing death eaters contributed to the world.
As Aberforth used the magical 'elfy bake cauldron' to make himself some brownies, his mind drifted to ambitious wizards. It was always the creative ones that were tied to dark arts. That Snape boy, Regalus, Bellatrix, Black, Voldemort, and before that his brother plus Grindenwald.
Aberforth avoided thinking of his brother, especially since he only went to the funeral under a chameleon charm. Ariana'a portrait told him to go.
Thinking about that brought a tsunami of emotions and memories Aberforth tried to push deep inside a well of his memories. But as he was unsuccessful as darkness fell, and the candles in Hogsmeade burst to light, one came to the forefront of his mind.
Something didn't add up about the three way duel. Aberforth was fighting Grindenwald, their wands pointed at each other. And Albus had his wand pointed at his lover. Albus' aim never missed its mark. And Ariana...
"No one's wand was pointed at me," Arianna spoke, reading his mind.
Aberforth looked up at her in shock. "How did..."
"You and Gellert were locked in a battle while Albus was trying to disarm both of you," Ariana told them. "I can tell what you're thinking. Albus sent a protégé shield charm in front of me the same time my obscural magic went off. The Elder wand was near by and reacted to me almost offing Gellert, like with mum. Gellert had the Elder wand by then. And he didn't use it against you, me, or Albus. Maybe he has a shred of humanity down somewhere down there..."
Aberforth staggered at the revelation. All this time he thought Albus was guilty or was the reason Gellert was able to murder Ariana.
Aberforth couldn't breathe. He staggerd out of Hoggshead with a hasty chameleon charm. He apparated to Albus' final resting place. Once he got there he stood silently for a few minutes then let out his anguish. "You didn't even bother to tell me, did you?" he demanded, looking at Albus' tombstone. After decades, you didn't even try to tell me it wasn't you... or even Gellert... I know you knew, you always knew."
The inscription on it was,
'Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
August 18, 1881- June 30, 1997
To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure. Do not pity the dead, dear ones. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.'"
After leaving Albus' resting site after placing Bluebell flowers, Albus made the trek back to Hogsmeade. A memory came back to him.
A younger Grindenwald turned once turned a Bluebell flower inside out without tearing it, while standing on front of a younger Albus. "Never doubt the feelings that aren't spoken," Grindenwald said to Albus that day.
Bluebells were associated with purity. Turning a Bluebell inside out meant your lover would stay. If you wore a wreath of them, you would be truthful.
Seas Bluebells are filled with fairy magic, and wandering amongst them during twilight brings bad luck. There were certain Bluebells that were enchanted by fairies, the ones fairies sit in and light up. The fairies rang the flowers to summon fellow fairies. If a muggle hears this, it's a bad omen.
If Alberforth remembered corrrcly, Albus was wearing a wrath of Bluebells when he claimed his spell wasn't the one that hit Ariana. He didn't even claim Grindenwald did it. Albus and Gellert had a weird connection to Bluebells.
Mind made up, Alberforth picked up some more Bluebells and turned them inside out. Then he set out for a specific destination.