Uh, he still hadn't forgotten to take a jab at Professor Dumbledore?
"Do you often go to the Three Broomsticks and get this drunk?"
Aberforth shook his head. "No, not really. Whenever Christmas draws near, I just like to drink a little extra now and then. It's been a habit for decades."
Then he immediately added, "Don't ask why. Children wouldn't understand."
"..."
Edward hesitated, then looked at Ariana's portrait and asked, "Mr. Dumbledore, may I ask who the girl in that painting is..."
"She's my younger sister, Ariana."
Aberforth's expression softened a little. "If you're hoping to court her, I'm afraid I can only say... she passed away a long time ago."
"I'm sorry."
"Your headmaster is the one who should be sorry."
He snorted and waved a hand. "Get going. I'm closing up!"
Edward felt that if he asked something like, "Are you sure your sister really died?" right now, Aberforth would definitely reward him with an Avada Kedavra chain lightning attack!
Seventh Floor, Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office.
Lilith and Susie were sitting obediently in front of a small blackboard. Dumbledore was sitting on the floor too, writing on the board as he spoke, while Fawkes perched lazily on his stand.
His voice was exceptionally gentle and patient, and his eyes shone with amusement throughout. He was clearly enjoying teaching the two little ones.
The two little ones listened with serious expressions too, nodding or shaking their heads from time to time.
"Have you come to pick Lilith and Susie up from class?"
Seeing the two enter, Dumbledore adjusted his glasses and asked with a smile.
"No."
"There's something we'd like to tell you."
Dumbledore noticed the seriousness on Edward's face. He patted his robes and stood up. "Think about what I just taught you for a while."