"Avada Kedavra?" Aberforth was truly bewildered, but then he caught on. "I know what that place is."
Aberforth lowered his eyes dejectedly and gave a bitter laugh.
"That place... I suppose you could call it the world beyond the veil, the border between life and death."
"Once you cross it, you reach the world of the dead."
"No!" Aberforth raised his eyes and looked Su Er up and down several times. "An ordinary wizard has virtually no chance of surviving the Avada Killing Curse. No exceptions! As far as I know, only one person has ever survived it."
"I'm puzzled by that myself, sir." Su Er shook his head. "I should have died, yet I came back to life."
"But that isn't important."
"What matters is that I can let you see Ariana. I just need some time."
"What? Time to learn the Unforgivable Curses and then fire one at me?" Aberforth suddenly laughed.
"Don't be ridiculous, young wizard. From what you've said, that place can only be reached at death's door. Limbo-that's its proper name."
"I'm not joking, sir." Su Er drew his wand, pointed its tip to the right of the liquor cabinet, and recited the incantation. "Expecto Patronum."
Before long, a luminous white badger leaped from the tip of Su Er's wand. After circling a few times, the little creature landed lightly on the bar and stared unblinkingly at Aberforth with lively eyes.
"A Patronus?" A question mark seemed to appear above Aberforth's head as he examined the Patronus Su Er had summoned.
"I admit, being able to produce a Patronus at your age is quite remarkable. Exceptional talent. This Patronus in particular has clearly touched upon the highest level of the Patronus Charm-the realm of the corporeal Patronus."
"But what does that have to do with