Hogwarts: Chill, I'm Not That Riddle-Chapter 520: Aberforth… Joining the Acolytes?

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After storming out of the room, Aberforth was still fuming.

The Dumbledores had always been an emotional lot, fiercely protective of their own. Their father had died in Azkaban for avenging his daughter, refusing to reveal anything about the Obscurus even under interrogation.

So why was his brother, Albus Dumbledore, so cold?

What was wrong with Ariana’s idea? Even if Grindelwald had influenced her, her goal wasn’t bad. As her brothers, they shouldn’t be shutting her down. They should be helping her accomplish it safely and shielding her from Grindelwald’s schemes.

For the first time, Aberforth understood why Ariana didn’t want to stay at Hogwarts. If he were in her place, stuck with an older brother like Albus, he’d run too.

...

In the next room, Albus wasn’t feeling any better.

Who said he didn’t care about his family? Who said he lacked emotion?

Love is the greatest magic. That had always been his creed. He believed it was the ultimate truth behind a wizard’s greatness.

But decades of carefully maintaining the balance of the wizarding world, constantly restraining his own desires and feelings, had pressed his nature flat.

No matter what he did, he calculated consequences first.

Knock knock knock.

Just as he was sighing to himself, a knock came from the neighboring room.

"Aberforth..."

"You’re not asleep yet, are you?"

The door creaked open and a small head peeked in.

Aberforth’s scowl vanished instantly. He forced a smile onto his weathered face.

"Ariana, didn’t you say you were going to bed? What brings you back?"

"Can’t sleep. I’ve slept long enough already."

Ariana stepped inside. Aberforth hurried to seat her properly and flicked his wand. Juice and steaming late-night snacks appeared on the table.

She smiled sweetly and took a small sip from her cup.

"Aberforth, you argued with Albus just now, didn’t you?"

There had been a silencing charm, so she hadn’t heard anything. But judging from Aberforth’s mood, she could guess.

"Was it because of me?"

"No, it wasn’t—"

"Oh, it’s fine. I understand." Ariana cut him off, giving a faint, self-mocking smile. "The greatest white wizard in history probably thinks my ideas are childish."

Aberforth’s teeth ground together.

’Albus, you’re really something else.’

"Ariana, let’s just pretend we don’t have that brother."

He let out a cold laugh. "Let him keep polishing that noble, radiant image of his. Let him grow old alone. I just want you to be happy. Do what you want."

"No matter what you become, I’ll support you."

"Aberforth, you’re the best."

Ariana looked at him with misty eyes, admiration shining in them. Aberforth’s pride swelled instantly. At that moment, if someone had told him to assassinate his own brother, he might have considered it without blinking.

If Andros or Grindelwald had been there, though, they wouldn’t have fallen for it. They’d seen that pitiful little act more times than they could count.

"Ariana, even if I support you, you still need to be careful of Grindelwald," Aberforth said seriously. "He’s like Albus. Everything he does has a purpose. There are factions within the Acolytes. They’re loyal to him, sure, but that doesn’t mean they accept you."

"I know," Ariana replied with a bright smile.

Aberforth’s concern wasn’t unfounded. When Ariana had appeared out of nowhere and taken a high position among the Acolytes, plenty of members had bristled.

They thought they were indispensable to Grindelwald. They didn’t understand the situation. They certainly didn’t understand the bond between him and Ariana, nor the contract binding them.

Grindelwald had listened to their "advice" with an indulgent smile, cast out bait, and waited.

When the fish bit, he reeled them all in at once. He showed no mercy, even to his own people.

After that, no one in the Acolytes dared question Ariana’s position again.

"Aberforth," she said softly, eyes shining with appeal, "if you’re so worried about me, why don’t you join the Acolytes and help me?"

"I’m just a child. And a Dumbledore, at that. I really don’t feel safe there."

Join the Acolytes?

Me?

Aberforth felt like he’d just heard the most ridiculous joke of his life. His relationship with Grindelwald could only be described as blood-deep hatred.

Even if his sister had come back to life, his son had died because of Grindelwald. That debt was still unpaid.

Then again...

If Credence could also be brought back...

Would forgiving Grindelwald really be impossible?

That was precisely why Tom had no intention of resurrecting just anyone. Everyone carried regrets. One successful resurrection was like cracking open Pandora’s box, filling hearts with impossible fantasies.

"Aberforth, you’ll say yes, right?"

Ariana’s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.

He resisted in every way he could. But how could he refuse her?

"I... fine." Aberforth forced the words out. "Tomorrow I’ll talk to Grindelwald. I’m willing to join. Whether he agrees is another matter." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Honestly, joining the Acolytes had its advantages. He could help Ariana solidify her authority, deal with anyone who dared oppose her, and maybe even look for clues about resurrection behind the scenes.

"That’s wonderful!" Ariana jumped up in delight.

"Don’t celebrate too soon," Aberforth warned. "Even if I’m willing, will Grindelwald agree? If I weren’t Albus’s brother, he’d have killed me a dozen times already."

"He won’t," Ariana said seriously. "And I won’t let anyone hurt you, Aberforth."

...

..

Outside, a fine drizzle began to fall. Hogwarts Castle was swallowed in mist, and when the students arrived in the Great Hall, their robes were soaked through.

To welcome the visiting schools, Hogwarts had declared today an open day. All foreign students could visit Hogsmeade and experience British wizarding culture.

But that wasn’t what had everyone excited.

Early in the morning, far earlier than a normal weekend, hundreds of students crowded into the Entrance Hall. The staircases and the doors to the Great Hall were packed tight.

The Goblet of Fire had been placed in the center of the hall the day before, encircled by a thin golden line about ten feet in radius.

"Has anyone put their name in yet?" a newly arrived student asked.

"Only one Ravenclaw girl made it," someone replied. "Everyone else got bounced back by the line."

Bounced back?

The newcomers didn’t understand at first. They didn’t have to wait long for a demonstration.

A seventh-year Hufflepuff stepped up to the golden boundary, holding the special parchment required for entry. The Hufflepuffs cheered him on.

Under dozens of eager eyes, he stepped over the line.

Almost immediately, pain twisted across his face, as if an invisible force were shoving him back. He pulled out his wand and forced himself two steps forward. His hand was inches from the Goblet, ready to toss in his slip of parchment.

Then he couldn’t hold on any longer.

A powerful surge blasted him backward.

"..."

A collective sigh filled the hall.

He was the fifth failure of the morning. If you couldn’t even pass the headmasters’ preliminary test, what chance did you have of becoming champion?

At the same time, another question surfaced in everyone’s mind.

Could Daphne actually cross the line and enter her name?

If she couldn’t... would Riddle flip the table?

With that delicious anticipation of watching drama unfold, no one was in a hurry to head into the Great Hall for breakfast. They lingered, waiting for the next "hero" to challenge the line.

---

Meanwhile, at the Astra Abyssum Guild in Diagon Alley.

The guild, once lively, fell silent the moment one particular person walked in. Only a few staff members remained at the counter, maintaining polite smiles.

"Did you fall out of bed or something?" Aberforth looked at Grindelwald limping slightly and smirked. "You look rough."

Grindelwald’s face darkened.

Was he supposed to admit he’d been beaten up by Tom? The brat had dragged him out before dawn and given him a thorough thrashing.

Keep pushing, old goat. You asked for a meeting just to laugh at me? Fine. I wanted to beat someone anyway.

"I didn’t come here to fight," Aberforth said, cutting off any escalation. "I’ve got something serious to discuss."

He was here to ask for something today. Not the time for bickering.

"Spit it out," Grindelwald said impatiently. He still needed to find Snape for treatment. And maybe knock him around a bit while he was at it.

If Snape hadn’t gone on that rant yesterday, he wouldn’t have nodded along like an idiot. And none of this would have happened.

"I want to join the Acolytes."

Aberforth took a deep breath and said it in one rush, eyes shut.

"Ha?"

Grindelwald stared at him, utterly baffled.

"Say that again."

.

.

.