Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-114-

The room got quiet. There is this stunned look on all three of our faces as we stare at the old man in front of us, wands still ready. He..- He said 'Albus'. So he knows Dumbledore? I mean, who wouldn't? The man then suddenly continues without taking his eyes off me:"Two firewhiskys and a glass of white wine - sweet, not dry.". Huh? My face goes even more confused right now. That's what I usually order when I go out for drinks with Minerva. Who..- Who is this man?! Before any of us could say anything else, the man lets out a sharp groan:"Argh!!". We all flinch out of surprise what just happened. "Muffin!!" I gasp when I realize she had jumped down from my shoulder and has now her tiny - yet sharp teeth digging in this man's ankle!

"Damn you, little..-! If this is the thanks I get for giving a shelter - I should have said 'no' to that House-elf when he first brought them here!" he curses while wiggling his left leg so the niffler would let go, but for vain. "Elf? What elf?" Remus question. Since Muffin isn't letting go, the old man gives up and puts the leg back down and looks at us:"I'm going to say this one last time; put down your damn wands, or I won't be selling any more drinks for you nor any of your friends.". Drinks? "Who are you?" I lower the wand, still completely baffled by this. Remus won't let down his guard as easily as I just did. The man sighs deep before speaking, still very annoyed by us:"The owner of this pub - Aberforth Dumbledore.". All three of our eyebrows raise. Dumbledore?! "We are in the Hog's Head Inn. The pub where students are not allowed. Well, technically in the backroom of it." Luna suddenly managed to speak.

We all turn to take a glance at the girl. "Why didn't you tell us?!" I exclaim. "I didn't have the change." she simply reply. Right... Guess we got too hang up on the idea she's in danger, we didn't even consider she was being safe here. "I have remarkably good memory. Every costumer and their order sticks with me." the owner of the pub pointed out. Now Remus lowers his wand too:"Dumbledore? As in... Albus Dumbl..-", "Yes, yes. He's my brother. Believe it or not. Surely he 'forgot' to mention he has siblings..- Or, had." the old man grumbles. His brother?! "Just be thankful I didn't pull out my wand..." Aberforth scoffs, this time little bit more softer tone. Just now I noticed how he's wearing an apron around his waist.

Shaking my head here to get the thoughts back in order:"Hold on a minute. How did Luna ended up here? And what House-elf?". Aberforth is just about to answer for my question when we hear another person walking down the stairs Luna came down from just a minute ago. "M-Mr. Lovegood!" Neville recognizes the man with shoulder length hair with the texture of candyfloss, and straightens up his back little bit nervously. Mr. Lovegood? "My... We have guests?" the man smiles, happily surprised by the sight. "There are no 'we'!" Aberforth snorts like he's done hosting these people. Only just now Muffin lets go of the leg and runs up to me. "Hello, daddy. Neville and two of our teachers came to visit." Luna greets her father casually with small smile on her face.

Ten minutes later, we are all gathered around the small table to talk about what has happened while nibbling sandwiches and drinking some butterbeer. Muffin keeps eating and playing under the table without a care. Both of the Lovegoods told us everything about how Death Eaters snatched Luna away after Xenophilius's article about the Choisen One got published. How eventually both of them got brought to the cellar of the Malfoy's Manor - the place I was kept few months back. Harry and his friends appeared there too and pretty soon after that, it was Dobby who used the Apparate spell to get them out of there. Aberforth has then sheltered them in the upstairs. Serving them food and place to sleep. "What happened after Dobby brought you two in here? Did he go get Harry and the others? Do you have any idea where they might be right now?" Remus asks and they dive back in to talking. Seeing Luna next to her father makes this gentle smile appear on my lips for some reason. They really do look alike daughter and father. No doubt in that.