A Potter Secret

Aberforth's Warning

A tray of food is set down on the table. Ron and Hermione set to, they haven't eaten for days. Aberforth pours himself a glass of mead. Not his first. "Do you hear much from the others? From the Order?" Hermione asks.

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

The trio exchange glances as Isabella says. "We would have heard if something like that happened. It isn't over until there's a victory."

Harry doesn't touch the food, just stares quietly at Aberforth. "We need to get into Hogwarts. Dumbledore gave us a job to do," Harry explains.

"Did he now? Nice job? Easy?" Aberforth asks.

An awkward silence, the tension heavy. "We've been hunting Horcruxes. We think the last one's in the school. But we'll need your help getting in. 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," Harry says.

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

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

"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 gestures to the painting of the girl.

"Why should he?" Harry asks.

"Keep secrets? You tell me."

"I only care about the Dumbledore I knew. I trusted him."

"Did you now? And why is that?"

"I had no reason not to-"

"That's a boy's answer. A boy who goes chasing Horcruxes on the word of a man who won't even tell him where to start. You're lying. Not just to me, which doesn't matter, but to yourself as well. That's what a fool does," Aberforth says.

"You're drunk."

"You don't strike me as a fool, Mr. Potter. So, I'll ask you again. There must be a reason. Why do you trust anything my brother ever said to you? Why?"

Harry stands mute, his face at war with itself. For a moment, it's unclear which competing emotion will win out, then, finally, he speaks, his voice steady. "Because I need to. Because if I don't, I don't know who I am anymore. I've lost too many people to lie down now. I'm not interested in what happened between you and your brother, I don't even care that you've given up. I trust the man I knew. I'm going to see this through. I need to get into the castle tonight."

Silence. Hermione and Ron exchange a glance. Aberforth regards Harry darkly, but Harry merely stands, waiting. After several seconds, Aberforth's gaze shifts to the painting. "You know what to do," Aberforth sighs.

The girl smiles, turns, and walks away, growing slowly smaller in the painting with each step she takes. "Where've you sent her?" Harry asks.

"You'll see soon enough."

"That's Ariana, isn't it? Your sister. She's beautiful," Hermione smiles.

"She'll always be beautiful," Aberforth replies.

Ron and Harry glance at each other, confused. "She died very young, didn't she," Hermione asks. This hangs.

"My brother sacrificed many things, Mr. Potter, in his journey to find power, including her. She was devoted to him, he gave her everything, but time," Aberforth says. Aberforth looks to the empty frame.

"Mr. Dumbledore thank you," Hermione thanks. Aberforth stares hard at Hermione, nods curtly, exits. As he disappears Ron looks to Hermione to explain her "Thank you." "Did save our lives twice. Kept an eye on us in that mirror. That doesn't seem like someone who's given up, does it?" Ron and Harry exchange a glance, eye the empty doorway. "She's coming back! And she's got someone with her!"

Just then, the painting blooms faintly and Ariana emerges from deep within the dark canvas. "Who's that with her? Bloody hell-" Ron notes.

As Ariana draws closer, the limping figure beside her comes clear, Neville. "I knew you'd come! I told them all! Harry Potter would never abandon Hogwarts!" Neville cheers.

"Neville," Hermione notes.

The gilded frame swings open, revealing, in actuality, what the painting had replicated. Harry pelts forward.

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Into the passageway as Neville comes into the light drifting from the sitting room. Long hair. Gashed face. Swollen eye. Clothes ripped and torn. Harry starts saying, "Neville, you look-"

"Like hell? I reckon. This is nothing. Seamus is worse. You'll see. Hermione! Ron!" Neville cheers. Neville embraces them, then turns to Aberforth. "Hey, Ab. There might be a couple more people on the way." The trio turns, see Aberforth standing in the doorway, watching Ariana drift back into the canvas. Neville turns to Harry, Ron, Isabella, and Hermione. Smiles again. "Well? Ready?"

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Neville leads the others down the passage. "I don't remember this being on the Marauder's Map," Ron says.

"That's because it never existed till now. The seven secret passages were sealed off before the start of the year. This is the only way in or out now. The grounds are crawling with Death Eaters and Dementors," Neville replies.

"How bad is it, Neville? With Snape as Headmaster," Hermione inquires.

"Hardly ever see him. It's the Carrows you have to watch out for," Neville says.

"The Carrows?" Harry asks.

"Brother and sister. They're in charge of discipline. Like punishment, the Carrows," Neville says. Neville points to a gash on his face.

"They did that to you? But why?" Hermione asks.

"Today's Dark Arts lesson had us practicing the Cruciatus Curse. On First Years. I refused. Hogwarts has changed," Neville informs. The others look shocked. Neville grins. "Aw, c'mon. Don't be grim. We're all used to it by now. And the thing is, it helps when people stand up, gives everyone hope. I used to notice that when you did it, Harry. C'mon, we're almost there." The trio exchange glances, follow Neville.

"So, what are you doing here, Izzy?" Neville inquires. "I figured you were a little young for this. You shouldn't have to be here."

Isabella takes a deep breath. "Even though we were separated, I stand by my brother. I will fight for him and if necessary, I will die with him."

Neville's steps falter. "Brother?" Neville asks. "You mean-"

"Isabella's a Potter," Harry assures. "I'll explain more later. Come on."

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