Unexpectedly Expecting

52: A Strange Hogwarts Reunion

Harry

The village of Hogsmeade was eerie in its silence, but both wizard werewolves kept moving down the twisted cobblestone streets that lined the main thoroughfare of the wizarding village. Remus sniffed the air, and narrowed his eyes. "We have to get inside somewhere. I smell deatheaters patrolling the area, can't you?"

"Yeah," Harry replied. "And I sense that Riddle and the snake are close, probably up at the school."

Remus was about to say something else, but then a piercing caterwalling charm went off. The owner of the Hogs Head Bar came out, lighting a cigarette casually.

"Welp, get in here, before the snake cultists find you both," Aberforth drawled.

Harry and Remus looked at each other, and Remus gave him a look of 'It's your call.' Harry decided to go inside, and Aberforth closed the door behind him, and went behind the bar, and tapped his ashes into a dusty ashtray as he made a terrible pantomime of cleaning the bar counter with a rag that looked like it had last been cleaned when his parents were alive.

Harry noticed a portrait of a pretty red haired witch behind the bar. She seemed sad, but she favored Harry with a shy smile before retaining her previous impassive expression. Aberforth noticed him looking at his painting, and frowned at him.

"Before you ask, that's my sister Ariana," He spoke up, his voice gruff, "She ain't alive no more because my all wise, all knowing brother and his boy toy decided to duel, and she tried to stop them."

Remus cleared his throat, "Harry and I are both sorry for your loss, Mr Dumbledore, but we urgently need to get inside the castle tonight. It is very important to our mission."

Aberforth fixed them all some butterberrs. "Yours? Or Albus's? I'll go with Albus since he's not here for me to berate for his stupidity. Word to the wise: stay out of my brother's affairs. The only thing my brother has ever done so well was to sacrifice his very soul on the altar of his self righteous Greater Good. Did he even mention Ariana once? Eh? Don't worry, I know the answer to that."

Harry drank his butterbeer quickly, fuming as Aberforth Dumbledore talked.

"Nevertheless, Harry and I must sneak into Hogwarts," Remus insisted, finishing his drink.

Aberforth nodded. "Fine, fine, I won't keep you two here any longer than you want. But it's a damn suicide mission is what this whole thing is, make no mistake." He turned to the portrait of Ariana, and said more gently, "You know what to do, Ari."

She nodded, and walked out of frame. Harry's eyes widened. "Um, where did she go?"

"You'll find out soon enough..."

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Ariana walked back into frame ten minutes later, and she had Neville Longbottom with her. He got closer and closer until the portrait opened up, and formed a real, tangible door that Neville opened. He looked well, buff, and wait, was that a freaking wedding ring on his finger?? Who the heck did he marry?

Neville crushed him in a bear hug, and politely shook Remus's hand awkwardly. "When Aberforth told me the news Seamus and I were so excited, Ginny too, but...well, she won't be in Hogwarts tonight because she's at home due to not being able to apparate."

Harry fought down the shock he felt, and smiled, "Wait, you and Ginny? That's...that's great, man. You work fast."

Neville grinned. "Yes, well, we mesh well together oddly enough. Anyways, everyone is just going to be so chuffed to see you. Um, you too, Professor."

Remus laughed, "I haven't been your Professor for four years, Neville, it's perfectly fine for you to use my given name if you like."

"Nah, I'll still call you Professor Lupin, calling you Remus is just weird," Neville decided. "No offense."