A chance to survive: An Aberforth Dumbledore Story

CHAPTER TWO: UNDER THE COUNTER

Albus told me of all that was happening outside my little bar. 'Lord Voldemort' was killing off members of the order one by one. Two of them who used to be Albus' students, were probably next. So, Albus is finding ways to protect them. He says that he will probably use the Fidelius Charm. Unfortunately, the Potters-that's the two students- are unwilling to cooperate. They refuse to go into hiding. They want to just live their own life. They are thinking of having a child. I felt the same way after people talked about me charming the goat. I wanted to be brave, too. Not hide like a coward. Albus had vague suspicion that somebody on our side was passing information to Lord Voldemort. I hope no one is betraying us. That would be terrible. Albus decided to depart after some while. I felt bad for him. He was getting a bit old. His auburn hair started turning whiter. His face grew wrinkled and he walked slower than usual. I guess he has changed over these years. After he left, I decided that I would remain here forever. That would be my job for the order. This place is a bit dodgy. People who don't want to be overheard, come in here all the time. I would spy on them and use the information for our side. I started wiping the tables and counters and dusting the fine silverware which Albus gave me. Mother's silverware. Albus went back to Rutland to get the silverware just for me and he gave it to me as a present. I sat down on my bar stool and anxiously waited for some customers. Finally, two men entered the pub. They looked a bit suspicious, so I decided to spy on them. One of them came up to me and ordered two firewhiskies. I pulled out two jugs of firewhisky from an open shelf below me. The man grimaced as he saw the condition of the jug. I just gave him a knowing nod and he walked away. Another customer entered the pub. It was a woman wearing a flowing dress and several shawls. Colorful beaded necklaces hung on her long and bony neck. She came up to me with a dazed expression and said, "Good evening. My name is Madame Trelawney. The spirits of my ancestors informed me that I should come here to look for a place to stay. As I am a gifted seer, I need a room which will not cloud my inner mind. Will you please find me such a room?"

"Uhhh...sure...whatever you say," I stammered. "Right this way..."

I led her up a stairway which led to the housing part of the pub. Like the Leaky Cauldron, Hog's Head was a pub, as well as an inn. I made sure that she was all settled in before leaving. She had that dazed expression on her face again, so I left quickly. When I got back down to the pub, I decided to hide behind the bar counter and eavesdrop on those suspicious men.

"Lily and James Potter? Yeah...they are next. I can't believe they used to be my friends. They were never nice to me, Lucius. I am glad I left them and joined you lot."

"Good...let us hope you are feeding the Dark Lord accurate information, Pettigrew. He will be most unpleased if you betrayed him," the man named Lucius said.

"Most unpleased? I am his most loyal servant! He would never hurt me!" Pettigrew replied.

"I was his most loyal servant a few years ago. Then, I made the mistake of being afraid to kill a woman who knew about our plans. He used the Cruciatus curse on me when he found out. I am just a normal Death Eater now. Do not make that mistake if you want your life to be spared, Pettigrew. Now, where is that barkeep? I need another firewhisky."

I gasped. I was going to die now. Those were dangerous men, I could tell. I think Dumbledore mentioned them to me. I am not quite sure, though. The man named Lucius came up to the counter. He looked very angry when he saw me whimpering under the counter. He could tell I was eavesdropping.

"Damn! You heard none of this, do you understand? You will not repeat this to anyone, otherwise your life will be snatched away! The Dark lord will find out!" he hissed. I nodded at him. These were definitely bad men. The two men left the pub, leaving me to whimper on the cold stone ground.

TWO YEARS LATER...

I had still not forgotten those evil man's words. They were imprinted onto my brain and they just stuck there. Albus asked me if anything was wrong because I was pretty quiet that day. I responded a quick 'yes' before leaving to dust the staircase.

"Aberforth...I have cast the Fidelius Charm on the Potters. Peter Pettigrew is their Secret Keeper."

Those words struck me as hard as a hammer on a nail. Peter Pettigrew...where have I heard that name before? Then it dawned on me. Pettigrew was the man in the pub. He said that he used to be a friend of the Potters and that he was glad he joined the other side. 'Lord Voldemort' was the Dark Lord! So, if Pettigrew told Lord Voldemort the whereabouts of the Potters, then the Potters would die. I wished I could tell Albus. I really wish...but I just can't. I never felt so guilty in my life.

"Oh and, did you know? They have a baby now. Young Harry Potter. I really hope they are well-protected and that nothing goes wrong. Harry is just a year old," Albus said.

"So, how are you doing? Are you keeping well?" Albus continued.

I nodded.

"Remember that seer who lived here some time back? I interviewed her for Divination teacher, remember? Well, I gave her the job and I have just discovered that she is a fraud. She predicted the death of eight students today. I wish I could just remove her, but we are desperate for a teacher. I was thinking of hiring a centaur, but none of them are willing to help humans. She isn't a complete fraud, though. The day I interviewed her, she recited the prophecy in a strange voice. Thank you, by the way, for kicking out that er...unpleasant eavesdropper that day. This place is a gold mine for eavesdroppers."

I stared at him and gulped.

"Ah well, you seem a bit unnatural today. Maybe you are catching sickness. Take some rest. I have to leave to the school now. Take care, dear brother."

I nodded as he left the bar. "A goldmine for eavesdroppers," I repeated. I sighed and went back to dusting the room.