The Seventh Year

Hogsmeade Trouble

Few updates were given throughout the day about Michael Corner. It sounded painful, but Ginny thought he got lucky that Luna and Padma were there to help him to Madam Pomfrey.

After breakfast, the students went up to their common rooms. They had some free time before they set off for the village. She went to sit on the couch, but Neville pulled her aside, away from everyone so they wouldn't be heard.

"I've been talking with other members of the D.A.," he said in a low voice, "and I think we should discontinue our meetings. Everyone's scared out of their minds. With Michael Getting tortured, they're worried next time it'll be them." Ginny understood. She didn't expect anyone to want to sneak out again after hearing Michael's dreadful screams.

"Okay. Neville," she said, sounding hopeful, "can we please talk? About... you know."

Neville looked like he was about to say no, but instead, he responded, "At Hogsmeade. I've got to figure out how to tell everyone to meet at the Hog's Head." At that, he pushed past her and hurried up the stairs.

----

The students gathered their sweaters, scarves, and gloves before leaving the castle. Flakes of snow powdered the icy ground, but the snowfall could not conceal how cold and bitter it felt outside.

Ginny met Luna out in the courtyard of the castle. Her fiery hair was covered in snowflakes by the time Luna appeared at the entrance. She walked over to Ginny and smiled.

"Lovely, isn't it? When it snows, the world goes quiet. It's calming; even if it's only a second, everyone deserves to have a little bit of peace." Ginny thought Luna's statement was wiser than usual. All she could manage was a smile, though, as the Gryffindor Sword was the only thing she could think about.

As they neared Hogsmeade, Luna students began to scatter into the shops. Some entered Gladrags Wizardwear (probably for warmer clothing items); others went to Honeydukes for sweets. The last few headed to Zonko's Joke Shop, and Ginny and Luna, plus a few other D.A. members, were the only ones left outside. They headed to the Hog's Head to meet with Neville.

"I bet no one wants to pull any more stunts after Michael Corner," Ginny said glumly. Luna just looked down at the snow-covered ground and continued walking.

As they reached the Hog's Head, Ginny held the door open for Luna and Zacharias Smith. Neville was standing at the counter, talking to a man with stringy grey hair. He had brilliant blue eyes hidden behind his mucky spectacles. Both Ginny and Luna noticed how closely the man resembled Dumbledore.

"...Aberforth, please?" they heard Neville beseeching. "Can we use this place? The Carrows won't think to come here. It's just for today, I promise." After a moment, the bartender nodded and turned away to grab more glasses. Ginny pulled Luna aside to the table nearest to the door.

"Luna, he's—" she began, but Luna cut her off.

"Dumbledore, I know!" she interrupted, loud enough for the man called Aberforth to hear her.

"Indeed I am," he called out to them, not looking up from filling the mugs with butterbeer.

Neville walked over to them, three butterbeers in hand. "So, I guess you know that's Aberforth." Ginny furrowed her brow, but Luna looked unsurprised. "Erm, Dumbledore's brother," he whispered, turning around to see if Aberforth had heard.

"I— Luna, why aren't you surprised?" she asked, bewildered.

"I read about him in Rita Skeeter's book. Ya know? The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. It's mostly lies, but I remember he was mentioned quite a few times. Didn't you read it?" Neville nodded, but Ginny shook her head.