New Associates Ⅲ

However, Dumbledore does not go into any more details despite all of them turning to stare at him hoping for more words on the grave subject. Rather Dumbledore abruptly changed the topic. "We shall not be meeting for some time until the new Order Headquarters are in place. I believe that the Hogs Head Inn has served us long enough but is a security risk. I shall send word when everything is ready. Is there anything else that is to be mentioned?"

"Well, there is something that needs to be mentioned," Benjy Fetwick slowly said. They all turn to glance at the young wizard in question. "I've noticed that Runcorn has been working rather closely with Dolores Umbridge despite her having been demoted to the lowest rung within her department."

"I suspected as much," Doge smugly declared. "Runcorn was being far too quiet as of late. However, Umbridge holds no power for him to use whatsoever. I've made sure of that."

Fetwick privately winced and stiffly says, "That may very well be the case, but that still does not explain what Runcorn is doing with her."

Kingsley Shacklebolt wisely observed, "If Runcorn shares sympathies with the Dark Lord than given that line of reasoning Umbridge does as well. But the better question is what exactly does Umbridge have to offer?"

"Oh, I know why," Caradoc Dearborn unknowingly muttered out loud.

Everyone's eyes turn to gaze upon the poor nervous young man. Wild-eyed with eyes darting everywhere, Dearborn trembles like a tiny fawn. Fetwick pats his friend on the back comfort and motions for him to speak.

Quivering like a leaf in the wind, Dearborn in a trembling voice said, "Dolores Umbridge is a half-blood, but more importantly her father was Orford Umbridge, a low-level worker in the Department of Magical Maintenance."

Dearborn paused to gather his breath and courage. "Umbridge made her father retire early in her career and is infamously known for making unpleasant things happen to anyone who has ever asked about Orford Umbridge."

Swallowing to take another breath, Dearborn croaked, "However, in the past Orford Umbridge was in charge of cleaning the old tunnels beneath the Ministry of Magic. Forbidden from access to anyone without authority and is not even known to most Ministry members, but without a doubt, Orford Umbridge must have told his daughter, Dolores Umbridge. Umbridge no doubt knows exactly how to go enter and use those old tunnels."

There is a gasp of air as Alastor revaluates the paper and pusher, Caradoc Dearborn. A weakling, maybe, but a rather useful one at that. He'd have to give Dumbledore credit when he was due. The Headmaster knew a useful pawn when he spotted one.

"Then we will have to ensure that the wards on the tunnels are not broken into," Doge loudly said. "I personally know a few members within the Magical Maintenance department that can keep an eye on the tunnels if asked. I'll ensure that they're daily checked at least if not at twice."

Dumbledore nods in approval of one problem is resolved. "Then that shall be it for now. Be safe and careful and leave in no more than pairs of two."

The newest Order members naturally team up, Marlene McKinnon with Dorcas Meadows, Kingsley Shacklebolt with Sturgis Podmore, and Benjy Fetwick with Caradoc Dearborn. Everyone else departs with their usual partner, the Bones Brothers, Fabian accompanying the lovely Emmaline, and Gideon with Alastor Moody.

With the last of the Order members, gone footsteps can be heard as someone climbs up the creaky stairs. Dumbledore turns to face the door only to see his younger much cleaner and neatly-haired brother.

Aberforth snorts at seeing his older brother and says, "I say, finally, good riddance. I take it that you've found a secure place for the Order, Albus?"

"I have Aberforth," Albus quietly replied. "Thank you for having permitted the Order's Headquarters to be temporarily hosted on the premise."

Aberforth sneered, "T'was not for you."

"I know," Albus muttered. "Still I am immensely grateful to your doing so."

Aberforth's lips twitch with a frown as he says, "And what of the Giant's, Albus? Surely you will not just wait until they attack?"

"No, but the Ministry will not act without proof," Albus declared. "However, I will send word to the magical creatures via the Goblins. They will ensure the message is conveyed and at any sighting, they will report to the Goblins."

"How unusual," Aberforth mumbled.

"What is?"

"You are being prudent for once. For sure, I thought you'd wait in your castle-like every other time until the enemy was at that moat. Who would have ever thought that the pride of Gryffindor, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, would finally learn? But even more surprising, you have even heeded my advice on Mundungus. Demons in Hell must be skating on ice as we speak."

Albus frowned a bit at his younger brother's words but did not rise to the gambit. And instead merely said, "Take care of yourself, Aberforth."

"I always have," Aberforth spat back. "I trust that you know the way out?"

Albus nods, before briskly walking past him and down the stairs. Aberforth hears the door slam down below as his lips curl with a bit of satisfaction. Sighing he makes his way to his living room. The blond, blue-eyed girl in the portrait hanging above the mantle blinks and looks at him.

"How did it go?" Ariana asked.

Aberforth sniffs and says, "Finally, Albus found a secure headquarters for his Order and will finally be out from under my feet!"

"That's good," Ariana muttered. "You would have been in danger before long had the Order kept using the pub as its headquarters."

"As if Albus ever cared about our wellbeing," Aberforth snapped.

Ariana makes a hurt expression causing Aberforth to immediately feel guilty. "I'm sorry, Ariana," Aberforth paused and took a deep breath. "I know that Albus did what he could. But I cannot bring myself to even attempt to breach the divide between us. There is too much hurt, anger, and unspoken words in the gulf that separates us both."

Ariana looks remorsefully at Aberforth. "None of this would have ever happened if not for me, Aberforth," Ariana quietly said. "I am the linchpin that broke our family apart with each day of my existence."

"No, no, Ariana," Aberforth protested. "We've spoken about this before, none of it was your fault."

"Was it truly not?" Ariana woefully said. "Then what of mama? Did she not die at my hands?"

"It was not your fault," Aberforth whispered.

"It was," Ariana quietly stated. "We both know it was."

Aberforth is silent for a moment gathering his wits about him. "You were ill, Ariana, and it was no more your fault than a sickly person, who coughed. That is the truth of that day and I have never blamed you for it."

Ariana makes a bittersweet smile and softly says, "Then it is time to forgive, Albus, Aberforth. That day was no more his fault than mine was on that day."

"He brought Grindelwald into our home!" Aberforth roared.

"He was lonely," Ariana whispered. "Albus was so desperate to believe in a future beyond the four walls of our home and then he met another misunderstood boy. A boy who saw as his whole world and his."

"Pretty words," Aberforth chocked. "The arrogant pair of twits wanted to find the Deathly Hallows and lead a revolution to rule over the muggle world! Tell me how any of those ideas weren't just vile and pure madness?!"

"They were," Ariana sighed. "But Aberforth, he was just a boy too. Albus suddenly had to take care of me with mama gone. Had mama still been alive Albus would have surely gone into the Ministry and maybe even have been Minister of Magic one day!"

"I would have taken care of you!" Aberforth protested. "I wanted to leave Hogwarts to take care of you, but Albus would not have it! Albus said, how would it have looked if a Dumbledore did not graduate from Hogwarts?!"

"I know," Ariana flashed Aberforth a pity filled smile. "But he was lonely, Aberforth. And he was in love. Should he be condemned for the rest of his life for that single mistake in his youth? If the blame is to lay on anyone's shoulders, Abeforth, it is squarely on my own. For it was I, who commenced the derailment of our family."

Aberforth makes a face at the statement, but before he can reply Ariana pointedly interjects, "And love always makes a fool out of the best of us. Albus was no exception, neither were you, Aberforth. No one ever is exempt."

Aberforth is very still as he turns to look away from Ariana's portrait. "We swore never to speak of her again, Ariana."

"And I have not mentioned her again by name," Ariana argued. "But surely, Aberforth, you can no more condemn Albus for loving Gellert than you did her."

"I've always blamed myself," Aberforth whispered.

The logs in the fireplace crackle in silence until Ariana says, "Will you at least think on my words, Aberforth?"

"I will," Aberforth finally promised, before closing the door shut behind him making his way back to the bar down below.

Ariana sadly stares at the closed door. She had, had so many dreams as a child, but they had all crumbled away at the mere age of six years old. She had never gotten a wand at the age of eleven or attended Hogwarts nor was ever even sorted. But more importantly, she never met a boy, who made her heart sing like her mama used to tell her about her papa.

So many things had been lost that day and all because she wanted to make wildflowers bloom in the field when she had been specifically told not to. A child's folly that had cost her and the rest of her family everything including their futures, and possibly even their very souls.