Chapter 999: Dumbledore and the Pigtail Pub
Chapter 999: Dumbledore and the Pigtail Pub
In the dimly lit room, Aberforth was using a filthy rag to wipe down a glass that didn't seem all that dirty.
At least compared to the rag, the glass was relatively clean.
Perhaps due to the Hogwarts School Break, the usually bustling Pigtail Pub was unusually quiet, with only two patrons.
"Is this really okay?"
After an unknown amount of time, Aberforth finally managed to turn the glass grey and looked up to ask, "You should know better than anyone how dangerous that damn bastard is..."
Sitting, or rather, floating on the stool across from him was someone who looked seven-tenths similar to Aberforth.
"If you're referring to Gellert... yes, I'm well aware," Dumbledore nodded, his gaze fixed on the glass with a conflicted expression.
"To be honest, I really should have listened to the professors' advice and brought my own glass when I came here."
"Don't change the subject. I'm not going to give you a clean glass," Aberforth glared at him, "Answer me, why did you let that bastard roam free!"
"It's not that I let him go, Aberforth," Dumbledore raised his arm, and his entire palm disappeared into the counter in front of him.
"As you can see, I'm just a phantom now."
He withdrew his hand and shrugged, "I can't even hold a wand, how could I possibly stop him from leaving Nurmengard?"
Aberforth twitched the corner of his mouth.
Out of brotherly instinct, he knew Dumbledore wasn't telling the truth, but he couldn't find any evidence.
Because Dumbledore couldn't hold a wand anymore.
In a sense, the current Dumbledore was like the ghosts in the castle, except for being in color.
Without magic, he could only float, and he couldn't touch any objects...
"I believe they can handle this trouble without me," Dumbledore glanced at the castle and continued, "You trust those professors that much?"
"No, I trust Kyle."
"What do you mean?" Aberforth frowned.
He admitted that Kyle was the most talented wizard he had ever seen, even surpassing Dumbledore in his youth.
But to say that he could resolve the issue of Grindelwald, that was a bit of an exaggeration.
Although Grindelwald had been imprisoned in Nurmengard for nearly seventy years, it didn't mean he had weakened.
On the contrary, during those seventy years, Grindelwald had no contact with the outside world, and he wouldn't be disturbed either.
If he had spent all his time studying magic, there was a high chance he had become stronger than Dumbledore at his peak.
Could Kyle, a wizard not yet twenty, resolve such a monstrous issue?
Don't be ridiculous!
"No, brother, you misunderstood," another person spoke up.
For the first time, Dumbledore realized how quickly a person's expression could change. Wasn't Aberforth the type to dismiss him with a cold face? But who was this amiable old man with a beaming smile, like a warm spring breeze?
"Ariana, would you like another drink?" Aberforth used some mysterious magic, and a brand new, spotless glass appeared on the counter.
"No, I didn't bring much money today."
"What does that matter?" Aberforth shouted, "Just put it on Dumbledore's tab, everyone does that."
Dumbledore blinked.
Shouldn't Aberforth have said not to worry about the cost? Why was it on his tab?
But Ariana just smiled and didn't speak.
She didn't like drinking, she just enjoyed the warm atmosphere.
It had been a long time since she last saw them argue... she couldn't quite remember, but it had been a very long time.
Seeing Ariana's refusal, Aberforth didn't say more, but he made a new drink.
A glass of violet soda water with half a bottle of honey.
"You said I misunderstood, what's that about?" Aberforth glanced at Dumbledore, "Don't tell me he made some deal with that bastard?"
"It's a deal, but not really," Dumbledore stared at the remaining glass of violet soda water on the table.
"What are you looking at, you can't drink it anyway."
"You're being unreasonable..." Dumbledore pretended to wipe his eyes.
Aberforth's mouth twitched, and he almost vomited.
Dumbledore sighed, "Fine, you're right, I can't drink it. I'm starting to understand why ghosts like rotten, stinking things."
"Then I'll let it rot and give it to you!" Aberforth muttered, "But now, I don't have time for riddles..."
"Fine, fine, I understand," Dumbledore raised his hand, "You don't need to be so tense."
"Gellert is old too, old people like us would rather sunbathe in the garden than disrupt the wizarding world."
Aberforth scoffed.
He didn't know if Dumbledore was too naive or too foolish.
Perhaps Dumbledore enjoyed sunbathing, but Grindelwald, he definitely enjoyed disrupting the wizarding world... even at over a hundred years old, this hobby wouldn't change.
Aberforth swore, the entire wizarding world might think Dumbledore preferred sunbathing, but not him.
Dumbledore didn't know what his brother was thinking.
He seemed reluctant to discuss the topic and instead asked, "Do you know what state I'm in right now?"
"Of course I do," Aberforth replied casually. "A special kind of phantom formed from memories. You've mentioned it more than once, and I remember."
"Then do you know how I maintain this state?" Dumbledore continued his inquiry.
But this time, Aberforth chose not to respond.
Because he didn't seem interested in the topic.
In the magical world, phantoms were actually a common type of magical creature, one might even say they were quite ordinary.
But these phantoms were all semi-transparent, pearl-like, human-shaped apparitions.
And among them, only Dumbledore was colored, a unique sight.
Previously, Aberforth had found it odd, but since it was Dumbledore, he didn't think much of it, assuming it was some peculiar magic he had learned.
Dumbledore's knowledge of these special magics seemed perfectly reasonable, almost too logical.
"I'm a coward..." Dumbledore suddenly spoke up.
"It shows," Aberforth instinctively agreed, showing no hesitation.
Both men were accustomed to this, and neither found it strange.
"I'm afraid of leaving Ariana again, so I found you," Dumbledore continued. "Rowena Ravenclaw, you might think I'm talking nonsense, but she was in the castle, not long ago."
Aberforth's face remained expressionless, his gaze fixed on Dumbledore.
"She used the power of the crown to preserve my memories intact, allowing me to steal as much time with Ariana as possible, in this despicable way."
The original text contains a reference to a book or bar, which I will omit in this translation.
"Oh, and you, Aberforth," Dumbledore added.
But from Aberforth's expression, it was clear he wasn't thrilled.
If he had a choice, he'd rather spend time with Ariana alone, without this extra person.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It means if someone has the crown, they can make my memories disappear at any time." Dumbledore casually explained. "And this crown now belongs to Kyle."
Aberforth still didn't understand, but Dumbledore didn't elaborate further.
If Aberforth were as clever as Ariana, he'd realize that if Grindelwald wanted Dumbledore to disappear, he'd have to make Grindelwald enjoy sunbathing.
Kyle was different from Grindelwald, and Dumbledore believed that if he was willing, he'd find a way to make Grindelwald enjoy sunbathing.
Though this method exploited Grindelwald's feelings, it was a bit despicable, and Dumbledore admitted he had no other choice.
He was no longer the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot or the Headmaster of Hogwarts, now just a weak and cowardly phantom.
Whether it was cowardice or despicable, it didn't matter anymore.
Dumbledore's body swayed in mid-air, swinging left and right.
Becoming a phantom, shedding all unnecessary things, made him feel much lighter, and he gradually grew fond of this feeling.
No extra factors, no interests, no responsibilities, just pure and simple.
Dumbledore floated for a moment.
Then, he noticed a golden toad in the glass on the bar counter, appearing out of nowhere.
"Damn it!" Aberforth also noticed, "I swear I poured real alcohol this time."
Dumbledore and Ariana both turned to look at him.
"Fine, it's not about the alcohol, it's about Nicolas." Dumbledore explained.
"Who?"
"Nicolas Flamel." Dumbledore clarified. "This little thing is his work from two hundred years ago. I've seen it before."
He leaned closer to the golden toad, the size of a snitch.
Unbeknownst to Aberforth, the toad's mouth opened, and the glass of alcohol on the table spelled out a line of words.
"Kyle's wedding!" Dumbledore exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.
"This is... unexpected..."
But the next moment, he felt it was only natural.
Contradictory, yet this was Dumbledore's genuine feeling.
"Looks like I need to prepare a gift in advance, anyone going to London?"
"I'll go with you," Ariana stood up, a smile playing on her lips as if she had thought of something.
"Guess if Diana will be like us, just finding out about this news."
"I guess... she will," Dumbledore's eyes also lit up.
"Hurry, I can't wait to go to London."
Both in sync, they walked towards the door, and stopped at the entrance.
Dumbledore turned back, looking at Aberforth still behind the bar counter.
"You wait for the customers."
"You're talking nonsense." Aberforth muttered under his breath.
But he still threw the cloth in his hand aside and walked out from behind the counter.
"Just to clarify, I'm only doing this for Ariana, and it has nothing to do with you."
"Ah, yes, I know," Dumbledore smiled.
Ariana, leading the way, also smiled, and opened the door.
Light from outside poured in, and the Pig Tail Pub seemed less dim.
...
(End of Chapter)
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