A chance to survive: An Aberforth Dumbledore Story

A chance to survive: An Aberforth Dumbledore Story

Chapter One: The chance

June 8, 1944

I watched as the guards took her away. The dust blew on my eyes, stinging them. Five Jewish women have been taken from my town...my fiancé' being one of them. I should have done something, but I would have risked not only my life, but my mother's also. My brother Albus wasn't here...if he was, then Catherine, my lovely fiancée' would be here with me right now. Why does every wizard and witch support the Nazis? Can't they see what's happening? The Nazis are taking away our lives, our families, and everything that we have and own. Maybe Uncle Albert was right; maybe we should have never come to this town. Everyone in our family blames us for the loss of Father. We should have listened to Uncle Albert. I stared at the cart which took Catherine away, until it was far away from eye-view. I slowly walked back to my home, letting my cloak drape over my shoulder. At home, mother was setting the table for dinner. I went to help her, but she just motioned to me to change out of my day clothes. Dinner was silent that evening. Albus wasn't even there to lighten up the gloomy mood. Finally, mother spoke.

"Abby dear, I know you are upset about them taking her away, but it's for the best. I loved her dearly too; until I found out she was a dirty Jewish girl."

"Do not talk about her like that!" I hissed. I could feel the anger overtaking me. All the rage which was bottled up inside of me was now rising like hot magma. "She didn't deserve it! I loved her! I loved her so much and they just snatched her away!"

"Aberforth Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore! You will not talk back to your mother! I have raised you all my life and this is what I get? Tongue-lashings from my own son?"

Mother rose to her fullest height (which wasn't very tall, but she looked quite frightening) and her ears gave off steam. She was boiling like a tea-kettle. How could I hold it in? I simply had to laugh.

"What are you laughing at young man?"

"Nothing mother, perhaps you should check the stove; I think you left the tea on too long."

She shrank and ran to her kitchen.

"A woman's kitchen is her domain," I mumbled to myself, and then I ran outside for a bit to relax and pull myself together. While outside alone, I had time to think about what had happened. Perhaps I should sit down and have a talk with Mother. What if she gets strange and doesn't want to talk about it, like all those other times I wanted to talk about Father's death? Why is my mother always like this these days? Maybe Albus can answer these questions better than Mother. Where is he anyway? He usually comes back soon. He's never been away this long. Maybe Mother was moody because Albus was away too long. She was probably worried. Yes, that explains her temper.

I walked in a full circle and came back home again. Nothing was solved in my mind. In fact, everything was just more jumbled up and mixed everywhere. At least Mother didn't bother me when I went in. For once in her life, she let me go to my room without any trouble. Maybe I could send an owl to Albus. The last I heard about him, he went to get a job at Hogwarts as a Transfiguration professor. I always knew Albus had a talent for these things. When he went to Hogwarts, people praised him beyond belief. He received several medals of recognition. I have always been shadowed by my older brother. But he was a good brother, so I didn't care for that. I sighed as I pulled out a piece of parchment. I started writing:

Dear Albus,

Everything has gone awful while you have been gone. Mother is having fits every time I see her. I think that is because you have gone away for work. Catherine has been taken away. The Nazis have just found out...I have just found out, that she is Jewish. Four other women from our town (I only know one of them-Sara Aldridge-you know, the washer woman who cleaned for us last year. I can't believe she was Jewish.) have been taken to France to work in death camps. Everyone here is grieved. Albus, as a brother...no, as a friend, I ask that you come back to Rutland. We desperately seek help, and you are the perfect person to give us happiness in a time of misery. You can fight for us. All the townsfolk support the Nazis. I have a very bad feeling about them, and I know you do too. Please come Albus, please come...

Sincerely,

Aberforth

Suddenly, as I attached the letter to my small owl, another owl flew into the room. I didn't recognize the owl, yet I decided to open the letter and package attached to it. I opened the letter and started reading the contents. It read:

There is a way to stop the madness. A dangerous way, but a way nonetheless. The Nazis will bother no one any longer, if you do as I say. Enclosed in the package, is the Crystal Orb of Nackernshire and a Time Turner. Go to the future and find Hermione Granger. Give her the crystal orb and tell her to be very careful with it. She will know what to do with it. Leave the future immediately and come back to the present time. I have already adjusted the settings. If everything goes as planned, the Nazis will be erased from history and a war will never break out. Your life, and many others, will be saved. If the orb is broken or damaged in any way, many lives will be in jeopardy. Be very careful with it. Do this quickly! Do it now!

I stared at the letter, my hands trembling. It was all so confusing. Who sent the letter? What was the plan? Was I to bravely fight and risk my life, or was I to run away like a coward and not do anything about it? I heard voices contradicting each other in my mind.

"Do it! Why care about your life, when you can save many others?"

"No! Don't do it! It could be a trick of some sort! You don't even know who sent it! It could have been sent by a dark wizard!"

"What rubbish! There is nothing suspicious about it! What have you got to lose?"

"His life! And many others! Do not be so rash, Aberforth! Think about all the people that love you and care for you! Think about Albus!"

I stood there, tears pouring out of my eyes, in the cold silent night listening to my mind fighting with itself. What was I to do? Suddenly, a thought came to my head. Mother. I can't lose her. What if they take mother away? She isn't Jewish, but they are Nazis. They will do anything to get their hands on a woman. It isn't safe for anyone. I must leave. I have to do this.

Trembling, I took my wool cloak and covered myself, holding the orb in one hand, and the time turner in the other. I could see it was already adjusted to 60 years ahead, and I pulled the notch and waited patiently for something to happen. I gasped. The whole world was spinning around me. I had a feeling I was going to vomit. I clenched my teeth for that spinning sensation to cease. It felt like hours before the area around me stopped spinning. I looked around and I heard a scream and the clatter of broken glass. I frowned. A girl of about twenty-four was standing before me. She had brown and bushy hair and her eyes looked sharp and focused. She also looked...well, frightened. She was wearing the most peculiar clothes...then it hit me. I am in the future. There must be some difference in culture between my time and her time. I started stammering. "Uh-um...I, um..." I cleared my throat and started to continue "um-ing", when she stopped me.

"Who are you?" she asked. "What are you doing in my house?"

"Oh...my name is Aberforth Dumbledore. Who are you?"

"Hermione Granger..." the girl answered.

"Ah, I have come here from the past to give you something. You will know what to do with it. I have to go now. Whatever you do, do not break it or damage it," I said. I gave her the crystal orb and her eyes widened. There was a long pause.

"So you are from the past?" she asked breaking the silence.

"Yes," I said hurriedly. "I must leave now! Farewell Hermione Granger! We won't meet again!" And with that, Aberforth disappeared off into the time tempest. Hermione looked questioningly at the crystal orb. Suddenly, her husband Ron burst into the room, shutting the door with such force that the orb slipped from Hermione's hands.

"Oh!" Hermione said, caught by surprise. The orb slowly fell to the ground, shattering into millions of silvery pieces.

"I got to fix that door," Ron muttered hanging his coat on the rack. He stopped when he saw Hermione bent over the remains of the orb. She was crying. Ron immediately rushed to comfort his wife softly stroking her hair, asking her what the matter was.

"Ronald...I have destroyed his life. Not only his life...but many other innocent lives. I have committed murder," she said sobbing onto his chest.

"Hermione, please stop crying. Everything will be all right. You haven't done anything, Hermione. Please stop crying, it is so painful when I see you cry."

"Ron, I lost the chance to stop World War 2," she said looking straight into his eyes. Ron gasped. At that very place 60 years ago, I landed with a thud onto the cold wooden floor. I looked around. It looked...different. Everything was there...my house, my belongings, the picture of Albus, Mother, Father, and I all huddled together, smiling. Wait! That was what was wrong! Mother wasn't there! Where was Mother? I ran around the house, looking for any trace of mother. She wasn't there. I went into her bedroom. All her possessions were there. Her bed lay crumpled, though. She hadn't bothered tidying up the room, that was for sure. Where could she have gone? The medicine man told me that she was getting old and sick by the day, and that she should stay at home as much as possible. What was so important that she had to leave? I went outside the house and stopped. The whole town was empty. Not a trace of civilization. Not even any animals. The streets were empty and the street lights were turned off. I decided to knock on someone's door and see what the matter was. Knock, Knock. No one answered. I waited several minutes, before I decided that something was very eerie. I went back home, still very confused. Did something happen in the future? Did Hermione Granger break the orb? I didn't know anything at that moment. I sat down on one of the chairs and stared at the star-filled sky. Peck I blinked. What was that? Peck There it was again. I turned around to see a handsome gray owl perched on the table staring at me with its big brown eyes. Dumbledore's owl. I sighed with relief as I took the letter that the owl was delivering. I opened the letter and began reading.

Dear Aberforth,

I have heard about the attack on your town just now. Everyone there has been taken to Siberia to work in concentration camps. I know that you are safe because you left mysteriously a few days before the place was attacked. My owl, Hester, is the smartest of her kind and will find you, wherever you are. I am trying to find a place for you to stay with me. Until then, you will have to manage on your own. When I find a place for you to stay, I will notify you immediately and arrange plans for your travel here. I have a job in Hogwarts as a Transfiguration teacher. I can pay for your travel expenses and food and shelter too. I can't say any more. The owls may be intercepted. Farewell, my brother.

-Albus

The town has been attacked? They have been taken to concentration camps? I slumped onto a chair. That's it. I had one chance to save lives and then some stupid and clumsy girl breaks the only thing that could save those people. What was I to do? Where was I to go? How was I to survive? I stood up to look at the amount of food left in the cupboard. Nothing. There was no food at home. But there was water. I rushed to the well that was built near the house. I grabbed the bucket of water that I fetched and started drinking quickly. The water was bitter, but I didn't care. Anything that could save my life was welcome. I looked around. One dandelion was growing on a patch of grass near the well. I grabbed it and stuffed it down my throat. My stomach grumbled clamorously. Food. I needed food. And there was no food. What was I going to do about it? I was going to do absolutely nothing, because I can't do anything. There is no hope. No chance for survival. All I can do is sit here and cry. I can never speak again. I can never do anything again. I spoke my truthful last words at that very moment.

"I WILL SURVIVE!" I yelled to the sky. As if the sky answered, rain started pouring down on me. I sat down letting the water drip onto my wet face.

Five Days Later...

"Aberforth! Aberforth, wake up!"

I opened my eyes. He was there. My savior. My brother. He was holding several dried fruits and nuts on his hands. I plunged my hand into the food and began eating quickly. I looked at him. He sighed.

"You have been asleep out here in wild. What were you doing?" he asked.

I looked at him a little, but did not answer. After I was satisfied, he pulled me up and held on to me.

"Let's go to London. I am going to taking you to the Leaky Cauldron. We can rent a room for you there. Here, we are going by portkey. Hold on to me!"

Suddenly, a familiar sensation filled my lungs. It was like the time I was traveling by the time-turner. I suddenly jerked out of Albus' hands and fell straight onto the ground. I looked up and gasped. I was in London. The streets were bustling with people and large buildings surrounded me in every direction. Tall cathedrals which were nothing like the ones back home, stood proudly scattered across the city. It all looked so active. Albus didn't look too surprised, though. He led me to a small pub. It looked as if all the men were drunk, but I kept quiet as usual. He led me to a small brick wall. He started tapping different bricks on the wall. I felt a little silly watching him tap on the wall waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, the wall opened and revealed a town of some sort. Like London, it too looked amazing. Only, in a different way. A magical way.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley!"Albus exclaimed excitedly. I followed him to a small motel/restaurant. A small man at the counter smiled at me and Albus.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir. It is wonderful to see you again. Are you looking for a room?" the man asked.

"Er, no Robert. I am looking for a room for my younger brother, Aberforth. Can you please find one for him?"

"Of course, professor. Follow me young Aberforth," the man said gesturing to the stairway. I followed him to a small room.

"You will be staying here, young master. If you ever need assistance with anything, please call me."

I nodded to him as he walked out the door. I sat on the bed. This was going to take a lot of getting used to. I could tell.

Days passed by quickly. I got bored of the same routine, so I decided to travel somewhere. I needed a vacation. I had heard from Albus, that Vineland was a beautiful place to visit. Or maybe I could go to Switzerland. I needed some peace and quiet. I sent a rushed note to Albus, telling him that I am going on a quick vacation to Switzerland. I packed my bags and apparated to a small cottage in Switzerland. I happened to land right on top of an old woman who was churning butter. I don't think she took it very well, because she started screaming and running as far away as possible from me. I tried the butter...it was very sweet. I decided I liked the taste, so I kept taking little tries of the butter. A few hours later, all the butter was gone. With a satisfied belly, I walked outside the cottage. The fresh spring morning air hit my face. Suddenly, a small goat walked by me. I stared at it for a while, and decided that I needed to amuse myself. I had learned many illegal charms from a book that I picked up in Diagon Alley. To freshen my skills, I decided to practice a few charms on the goat. It was just a goat. Its life didn't matter to me. I pulled out my wand and began prodding the goat. Its poor pitiful cries saddened me, but it was fun, so I continued. Suddenly, an owl landed on my shoulder. I took the letter and began reading.

Dear Mr. Dumbledore,

We have just received notice that you have been practicing illegal charms on a poor animal. This is extremely dangerous and could have killed the animal, and those charms were unforgivable, so we need you to attend a hearing on the 5'Th of July at the Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement at 9:30 AM. It is required that you attend, or a more severe action will be imposed. Hoping you are well.

Sincerely,

Justus Pilliwickle- Head of Department of Magical Law and Enforcement

I sighed as I read this. I was in so much trouble...Albus would kill me if he read this. Maybe I should run away. No...it says that if I don't attend, then severe measures will be taken. I don't want to cause any more trouble. I apparated myself back home and waited all week for Dumbledore to come check on me. He finally came that dreaded Saturday. He softly knocked on the door. I almost jumped a mile. Well, maybe he won't be upset. He might even help me. Oh, who am I kidding? He will be furious! I might as well run away and get a job as a barkeeper at Hog's Head. It's the best choice I have right now. I went to open the door. Dumbledore stood in front of me, his legs tapping furiously on the ground, and his hand holding a newspaper. I guess he must have found out.

"Inappropriate charms on a goat? What in the world were you thinking? How could you have been so irresponsible?"

"You found out..."

"Of course I found out! It's all over the papers! Aberforth, you know that you are not supposed to do illegal magic! How could you?"

"Well I am sorry! You know what? I am not hiding away! I am not running away from all this. I am going to keep my head up straight and stand up tall! I will not let a bunch of ministry loonies keep me from living my life! So you can just leave me alone! I am leaving this place!"

"Where do you think you are going? It's a dangerous world out there! You can be killed! It is not safe. Grindewald is picking out people one by one! The next one could be you!"

"I don't care about Grindewald! I don't care about anyone! Not even you! I am getting a job. I am going to live as I please and you can't stop me!"

And with that, I stomped off furiously. I will go to that hearing and I will be innocent and I will get a job at Hog's Head. I will be very happy and content.

35 years later...

I sat there wiping the drinking jugs like I always do. The only customers complained that the place smelled like goats. My favorite dish became goat curry after the ministry declared me guilty and forced me to serve one year of imprisonment in Azkaban. I guess the smell of guilt never wears away. Anyways, as I set there wiping the jug with a washcloth, a tall man entered the pub. This man happened to be my very own brother. My own flesh, blood, bones...my great brother. Albus Dumbledore. The greatest headmaster that Hogwarts has ever seen.

"What took so long?" I asked him, grinning widely.

"I am sorry Abby," he said. "I shouldn't have been so rough with you."

"No," I said. "It isn't your fault. It's mine. I shouldn't have been so irresponsible. I shouldn't have done anything to that goat. I shouldn't have left like that."

"No. Don't blame yourself. Anyway, the worst is over. You have finished your sentence in Azkaban and you have learned from your mistakes. Now, let us just be peaceful."

I smiled and pulled him into a large brotherly hug. After a few seconds, he let go and began speaking seriously.

"I have one other thing to tell you. One of my old students...he averted to the dark side. He has now grown up and he is killing men one by one. He calls himself 'Lord Voldemort'. I have formed an order. The Order of the Phoenix. It helps people keep safe from him and we try to backfire his plans. As a fellow wizard, will you please join the Order of the Phoenix?"

An order? Wow...what an honor. I had to join!

"Count me in Albus!" I said

We laughed as I pulled out a special drinking jug for my best friend and brother: Albus Dumbledore.