Aberforth Dumbledore lowered his head and fell silent, his gaze dropping to the bar. His breathing gradually grew heavy, and his chest rose and fell violently with it.
His eyes flickered uncertainly as scenes from not long ago surfaced in his mind.
Just as usual, whenever Vizet and Luna came to Hogsmeade, they would definitely visit him at the Hog's Head, and this weekend had been no exception.
In his memory, both Vizet and Luna had indeed looked the same as usual, without anything out of the ordinary.
"Even if you don't trust me, if you think I might become hopelessly obsessed with the legend of the 'Deathly Hallows,'" Dumbledore sighed, "then you should believe Vizet, shouldn't you?"
"Originally, after we left the 'Misty Illusory Realm' last week, Vizet suggested telling you about this."
"But I felt that for something like this, no matter what, I ought to be more proactive. I ought to tell you myself."
"Even if I realized you might not believe me, and might even draw your wand on me like you are now, I should be the one to face it... This is my responsibility!"
"In other words..." Aberforth Dumbledore raised his head, and in his slightly cloudy eyes, a light unlike any before burst forth.
Before Aberforth Dumbledore could finish asking the question, Dumbledore had already nodded and said in a firm tone, "Yes. Ariana is in the 'Misty Illusory Realm.'"
As Dumbledore's words fell, the light in Aberforth Dumbledore's eyes began to flicker instead, and the Hog's Head sank into a deathly silence.
Aberforth Dumbledore lowered his head again without saying a word.
Dumbledore did not speak either, clearly giving Aberforth Dumbledore time to digest the matter.
Aberforth Dumbledore's hands dug tightly into the edge of the bar, his taut shoulders trembling faintly,