Hufflepuff boy - Cedric Diggory x male oc x Viktor Krum

80

Cayden turns to Aberforth, which has just appeared on the landing.

"You bloody fools! What were you thinking coming here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is--" Aberforth's words were cut off by Cayden hugging him. He ignored the shocked look on the trio's face and hugged the boy back. "Hello, Cayden." He said, rubbing the boy's back.

"Hello, Aberforth." Cayden said, pulling away from Aberforth and goes to sit down in front of the fireplace.

"You're Aberforth." Harry said, recognizing the name Cayden had said.

Aberforth turns, eyeing Harry.

"Dumbledore's brother. It's you I've been seeing -- here. It's you who sent Dobby." Harry said, holding up his mirror shard.

Aberforth eyes it briefly. "Where've you left him?" He asked, turning to look at Cayden.

"He said he will be with Cedric." Cayden answered, looking up at Aberforth. "He's safe."

"Good. I like that elf." Aberforth said.

"How'd you come by it?" Harry questioned, nodding to the shard in Hermione's hand.

"Mundungus Fletcher, 'bout a year ago." Aberforth said.

"Dung had no right selling you that. It belongs to--"

"Sirius. Albus told me. He also told me that you'd likely be hacked off if you ever find out I had it. But ask yourself where you'd be if I didn't." Aberforth said, looking at Harry who doesn't respond. "Right then. Reckon you're hungry. Let's get you fed, then think of the best way to get you out of here."

"I'll help." Cayden said, standing up. "I don't think I can stay still anymore." He said, following Aberforth.

≪ °❈° ≫

Cayden placed the tray of food on the table, and Ron and Hermione took it and instantly started eating the food Cayden and Aberforth cooked.

Aberforth pours himself a glass of mead.

Cayden sat himself down in front of the fireplace, his own food in his hand.

"Do you hear much from the others? From the Order?" Hermione asked.

"The Order is finished. You-Know-Who's won. Anyone who says otherwise is kidding themselves." Aberforth said.

The trio exchange glances. Cayden is used to this, eating his food. He noticed Harry doesn't touch his food, just staring quietly at Aberforth.

"We need to get into Hogwarts. Dumbledore gave us a job to do." Harry said.

"Did he now? Nice job? Easy?" Aberforth asked, glancing at Cayden who looked away from him but he was the one to talk.

"We've been hunting Horcruxes. We think the last one's in school. But we'll need your help getting in." Cayden said, staring down at his hands. "If we can find it and kill it, then we kill him, and then we can end this war once and for all. We need to get into Hogwarts tonight." He said, turning to Harry and pointing to his food and telling him to start eating.

Aberforth stares at the twins for a moment, until the silence grows. "It's not a job my brother's given you, it's suicide mission. Do yourself a favor boy. Go home. Live a little longer."

"Dumbledore trusted me, to see this through." Harry said.

"What makes you think you can trust him! What makes you think you can believe anything my brother told you! In all the time you knew him, did he ever mention my name? Did he ever mention hers?" Aberforth asked, gesturing to the painting of Ariana.