Thick Smoke

The Fall

A few hours later and Eliza was sneaking around Hogsmeade in her cat form with her new companion.

<Where are we supposed to go?> She asked, shuddering slightly.

Vernon glanced at her over his shoulder and winked, <Trust me. I'm not going to murder you in secrecy> He joked before running across the street.

<I prefer you as Furvus> She mumbled before running after him.

Vernon was very fast and knew how to blend into the shadows. Eliza lost him when he turned a corner towards a dead end. She surveyed the place curiously before she literally got snatched by someone and thrown into a house.

Eliza hissed at whoever was there, confused. A dark figure walked into the light while the witch changed back.

"This is her?" The older man asked doubtfully, her whole appearance not being what he was expecting.

Another figure walked out of the dark, far younger.

"Yes, she is the Gaunt inheritor." Vernon responded, his hands linked behind him, "Her mother found the resurrection stone before she told Albus about it. It's not sure how she found out but I'm guessing it was back when she searched for her father's identity."

"Who's this?" She barely whispered, her throat hurting from hissing.

"Aberforth Dumbledore, brother of Albus Dumbledore. Let's just skip the rest of the story and get down to business. We're here with a mission."

Eliza felt like punching him in the face.

Aberforth Dumbledore was definitely different from Albus Dumbledore but he was a kind man, just very blunt compared to his brother. As Vernon and Aberforth took a seat, Eliza wandered around, her eyes getting drawn to a particular piece of art.

"She let you free, I am impressed." Aberforth seemed to have a constant frown on his face.

"That is not why I came to see you. She's been locked in the Malfoy Manor with Tom," He started, "She knows."

"If he wants her memories, she must trust him." Aberforth mumbled, his eyes grazing over the young woman, "Not that it matters anyway. You-Know-Who's already won the war and everyone who thinks otherwise is torturing themselves."

Vernon narrowed his eyes at the man, "It's not too late as long as Harry Potter lives. Tom wants those memories and I'm pretty sure he will snatch her back with the first opportunity. The best way to stay alive for her right now is to hide in Hogwarts."

Aberforth hummed, still uncertain, "She won't be protected in there. He probably wants her dead so he wouldn't have to worry about another family member in the future. That if she doesn't give him access to her mind."

Vernon snarled, "She will never accept him as family. She's not Ophelia."

Aberforth sighed, "Why don't you hide her somewhere else then? You're sending her on the battlefield, aware that she might die."

Vernon sighed and leaned back against the chair, "I'm going with her. I lived like a cat for long time, I can endure it for a little bit longer."

"You're a fool, Vernon. You caused this in the first place." The elder mumbled, "You were Lillian's Secret Keeper." Aberforth whispered grumpily.

On the other side, Eliza approached the portrait of the young girl and smiled, seeing the resemblance to the former headmaster

"So beautiful," She mumbled, leaning closer.

The girl looked at Eliza with vacant eyes and the witch walked closer, sensing some kind of understanding from the portrait. It was strange but it felt like Eliza was looking at someone who could easily read her.