LAST VISIT TO HOG’S HEAD - A NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE OF ASTRONOMY TOWER

He loved goats; his inn was full of them. Infact his patronus took the shape of a goat. He never fancied academic education and had attended Hogwarts just because of his insistent brother. He wanted to stay at home and look after his sister. Unfortunately his sister died in her youth; a tragic mishap, if you ask me. He, then, operated an inn at Hogsmeade. It had a small, dirty and dingy room that contained windows encrusted with dirt. He is a man, isn’t he!

As usual, he was not expecting customers; he rarely had a couple in two days. Even when Hogwarts students paid a visit to the village, he would be without customers. Due to the ‘shady’ rooms, Hog’s head was favorite to ‘shady’ costumers -- those who wished to remain anonymous.  But he never seemed to be bothered about it.

It was a fine evening, that day; everything was normal and was not a special day for writers like us, until, Aberforth thought he heard Fawkes, the phoenix. He wiped the glasses facing the stairs that followed the main entrance of the door. Is it Albus, he thought.

And yes, indeed, his brother was there with his bird.

The sun was still on the horizon. It was certainly a fine evening.

It was strange for Albus to visit Hog’s Head alone. He always had his company when he came there. Today, his visit seemed important; it was strangely very normal.

There was a knock, finally.

Aberforth opened the door. Albus was smiling.

Aberforth greeted,” Come in.”

Albus slowly went inside; he went to the portrait of Ariana and gave her a smile. Ariana smiled back. She was his sister we talked about earlier.

“How come you are here?” Aberforth broke the silence.

“Ah, no reasons really; I thought it was about time” Albus answered in his usual brevity. He was smiling.

“Anything to do with the Order …?”

“Ah, thanks for reminding! As to the Order, I guess you will have to take the charge … most probably from hmm … yes, tomorrow night. I believe you have no objections.” He spoke in a strange and unusual voice. It lacked the charm it usually had.

“Where are you going … to the world tour again?” Aberforth spoke sarcastically. Albus had left for the world tour in his youth with Elphias Dodge, leaving his family alone.

“Beyond” The smile was still fixed on his face. Aberforth gave a perplexed look. Albus widened his smile, “wait for tomorrow night, Fawkes will pay you a visit” Dumbledore patted his phoenix.

Aberforth did not get a word. “Why not that Snape … for the Order?”

“Alas, he has something more important.”

Dumbledore then whispered something to the portrait of Ariana.

“I won’t leave my inn.”

“I don’t want you to.” He wasn’t looking at Aberforth.

There was a long silence. Aberforth thought he saw tears in his brother’s eyes. Maybe it was reflection from his half moon spectacles. Albus was not looking at him.

“While I am away, Hogwarts may need you.”

“I am not teaching there.”

“That would be unnecessary.”

Aberforth wanted to see his brother’s eyes. Albus wasn’t looking at him.

 “The seven secret passages will be sealed next year. “

“What for?”

“I wish you to build a new one.” Dumbledore ignored the question, “From the room of requirement.”

“To?”

“Here”

“Here where?”

“Ariana will tell you.”

Albus finally sat down. He seemed gloomy and hideous. He was not known to be sad even in the most difficult times. Today, Aberforth thought, he was sad.

“Want a butterbeer?” Aberforth offered.

“Let us have it together, if you don’t mind.”

Aberforth felt strange. It was almost a century back that they actually had something together. He brought two cups of butterbeer.

“How is inn going?”

“As always”

“You can employ an elf.”

“I don’t want slaves.”

“Oh this one is different.”

“This one?”

“Yes, calls himself Dobby. It is crucial that he stays here and not at Hogwarts.”

“What for?”

“For the greater good”

Albus had finished the butterbeer. Aberforth hadn’t started.

“I may well leave now, you know … preparations.” He stressed the word “preparation”. He stood up, Aberforth did the same. Albus looked at him for some time and came forward. He hugged his brother,

 “Good bye Aberforth”

Aberforth was lobotomized. Never in his life had his brother hugged him or taken his proper name. Tears rolled down his eyes.

Dumbledore turned around quickly and disapparated.

Aberforth wanted to see his eyes; he couldn’t. He looked outside. Albus was not there.

The sun was nowhere to be seen. The evening was over.