Hiding in a cave up there with

Grawp ever since they tried to arrest him."

"We're not leaving," said Harry. "We need to get into Hogwarts."

"Don't be stupid, boy," said Aberforth.

"We've got to," said Harry.

"What you've got to do," said Aberforth, leaning forward, "is to get as far from

Here as from here as you

can."

"You don't understand. There isn't much time. We've got to get into the castle.

Dumbledore - I mean,

your brother - wanted us - "

The firelight made the grimy lenses of Aberforth's glasses momentarily opaque, a

Bright flat white, and

Harry remembered the blind eyes of the giant spider, Aragog.

"My brother Albus wanted a lot of things," said Aberforth, "and people had a

Habit of getting hurt while he

Was carrying out his grand plans. You get away from this school, Potter, and out of the

Country if you can. Forget

my brother and his clever schemes. He's gone where none of this can hurt him, and you

don't owe him anything."

"You don't understand." said Harry again.

"Oh, don't I? said Aberforth quietly. "You don't think I understood my own

brother? Think you know Albus

better than I did?"

"I didn't mean that," said Harry, whose brain felt sluggish with exhaustion and

From the surfeit of food and wine.

"It's... he left me a job."

"Did he now?" said Aberforth. "Nice job, I hope? Pleasant? Easy? Sort of thing

you'd expect an unqualified

wizard kid to be able to do without overstretching themselves?"

Ron gave a rather grim laugh. Hermione was looking strained.

"I-it's not easy, no," said Harry. "But I've got to - "

"Got to? Why got to? He's dead, isn't he?" said Aberforth roughly. "Let it go, boy,

before you follow him!

Save yourself!"

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I - " Harry felt overwhelmed; he could not explain, so he took the offensive

instead. "But you're fighting too,

you're in the Order of the Phoenix - "

"I was," said Aberforth. "The Order of the Phoenix is finished. You-Know-Who's

won, it's over, and anyone

who's pretending different's kidding themselves. It'll never be safe for you here, Potter, he

Wants you too badly.

So go abroad, go into hiding, save yourself. Best take these two with you." He jerked a

Thumb at Ron and Hermione.

"They'll be in danger long as they live now everyone knows they've been working with

you."

"I can't leave," said Harry. "I've got a job - "

"Give it to someone else!"

"I can't. It's got to be me, Dumbledore explained it all - "

"Oh, did he now? And did he tell you everything, was he honest with you?"

Harry wanted him with all his heart to say "Yes," but somehow the simple word

Would not rise to his lips,

Aberforth seemed to know what he was thinking.

"I knew my brother, Potter. He learned secrecy at our mother's knee. Secrets and

lies, that's how we grew

up, and Albus... he was a natural."

The old man's eyes traveled to the painting of the girl over the mantelpiece. It was,

Now Harry looked around

Properly, the only picture in the room. There was no photograph of Albus Dumbledore,

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 547