So here's what we know:

1) JKR has confirmed that the Hogshead barman is Aberforth Dumbledore (Albus's brother).
2) In OoTP, we find out that Mundungus Fletcher had to disguise himself to be able to go into the Hogshead because, according to Sirius, he was banned from it about 20 years ago and the "barman has a long memory." So that means that Aberforth has been the barman at the Hogshead at least 20 years and for some reason he and Dung are not on good terms.
3) Toward the end of HBP, Harry comes upon Dung and the barman (Aberforth) conducting some kind of business on the street in Hogsmead. It seems that Dung is selling something to Aberforth that they don't want others to know about. It is in this scene that Harry discovers that Dung has stolen some items from #4 Gimmauld Place and is selling them. Many people have speculated that the "heavy locket that no one could open" that was mentioned in OoTP is Slytherin's locket that was taken from the cave by "R.A.B." who is probably Regulus Black.

OK, so after all of that, here's my question:

How come Aberforth (the barman) is suddenly on speaking/business terms with Mundungus all of a sudden? Does it have something to do with the locket or is it just a coincidence?

Any ideas?

You say JK confirmaed it is Alberforth, but is this just the goat connection, and the prescence of him at the funeral, or has she said something else?

Btw intresting topic, i never picked that up. It is very possible that Alberforth is another member of the OotP, ans could it be him that is now in charge?

Wow, I never realized that before. i mean, I knew it was dumbledores brother, but I forgot all the other stuff. Interesting. I think it had something to do with the order, otherwise he would not have talked to dung. But here's a thought: maybe dung was banned because he would go there after a mission, get drunk, and tell aberforth about it, where anyone could here him. Aberforth bans him so he won't reveal anything, thus dung having to hide.

I doubt that Aberforth will be the new leader of the Order, if he is even a member in the first place. I can't remember exactly, and I could be wrong, but I think somewhere DD has said that Aberforth isn't exactly the most honest, virtuous person (somewhat of the black sheep in the family I guess you could say) so it could be possible that he was simply talking to Mundungus to obtain valuable Black family artifacts.

btw, I wonder what house Aberforth was anyway, if he went to Hogwarts, and also, if he was Dumbledore's only sibling??

If you think that indeed he was aquiring Harrys inherited possesions, then i think i know what will happen in book 7. Harry discovers RAB and the locket, and chases up Dung for it. He says he sold it to the barman at the Hogs Head, and HArry goes there in a rage, but instead of just buying the locket off him, the barman gives harry is true alias, and clues for further quests etc.

Does that seem to fit?

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think in the 5th book when moody is showing harry the picture of the old order members, he mentions aberforth, dumbledore's brother. Also I think in the 4th book, dumbledore mentions that he's not entirely sure that his brother can read (after performing charms on a goat?). so, while he may be important, I don't get the impression that he's in the same league as Dumbledore.

ah, I found the quote from the 4th book:
"My own brother, Aberforth, was prosecuted for practicing inappropriate charms on a goat. It was all over the papers, but did Aberforth hide? No, he did not! He held his head high and went about his business as usual! Of course, I'm not entirely sure he can read, so that may not have been bravery..."
Dumbledore, p. 454 GoF

and from the 5th book:
"That's Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth, only time I ever met him, strange bloke..."
Moody, p. 174 OotP

the barman is his brother that is awsome. this also clears alot of things up about why he is DD friend, but why did Alberfoprth throw snape out then? CONFUSiNg JKR

Aberforth threw Snape out because he overheard the prophecy Trelawney gave and was a Death Eater at the time. Albus was the leader of the Order, and his brother among the members, so if he saw a Death Eater spying on his brother he'd feel obliged to get rid of him. However, Albus says the person (Snape) was thrown immediatley from the building (could be someone other than Snape), and Snape was thrusted through the doors and Trelawney came out of her trance to see him...this implies that he wasn't immediately thrown from the building.

About Mudungus, maybe he was banned from the Hogshead, but that meeting between he and Aberforth took place outside in Hogsmeade.

What do you think of a connection between Abeforth and goats (bezoars)? Theres a topic on this if you're interested.

I believe it was said in book 5 that since Mundungus was kicked out of the bar, he was forced to dress up as a witch under a veil that’s why Aberforth didn’t notice him. This has nothing to do with the theory but I thought it was hilarious that the order made him dress as a witch for punishment for leaving Mrs. Figg when the dementors came.

Jk said that we will come to know one old member of the Order closely in the seventh book. I think that Dumbledore knew that Mundungus may revert back to his old tricks of stealing. Mundungus went back to steal stuff from Sirius's house. However, he decided to sell it to Aberforth. I think Dung did not know Aberforth was Dumbledore's brother. So, I think the goat man may be keeping an eye on him.
But I dont think that Aberforth has the locket. Either its still with Dung (and so we can visit the Azkaban prison) or it could be with Kreacher.

Maybe Alberforth needed something he knew he couldn't get just anywhere, and knew the only person he could get it from was good old Dung?

So he went to him grudgingly, because he didn't really want to do business with him, but had no choice?

Eh, just what i think.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe I didn't realize that! Great job!

Well, I have absolutely no idea why that would be. I mean, Dung had to dress up as a witch because if the barman knew he would "kill" (figuratively) him. Then, in the next book, they are doing buisness! I have no idea why that would be.

It is possible that Aberforth had no choice but to throw out Dung but resented doing it, but then Dung wouldn't have had to hide as a witch, would doesn't make sense.

I have no idea.... any other ideas?


Okay. So, as The Dark Lord Will Rise Again stated, I do believe that Abeforth has the locket and that Harry will realize this! I COMPLETELY think that that is what is going on. I don't think, however, that Abeforth would willingly give Harry the locket because that would be WAY too easy to get 1/7th of Voldy's soul. What if (throwing this out there) Abeforth isn't good? DD thinks that he is because he saw Abeforth in his earlier years and he "has to believe the best of people." So then, Abeforth is an OBSTACLE TO HARRY!?! Because Abeforth was in the Order, he also served as a spy? It's a bit repeatitive...

Maybe he isn't bad, but he wants the ring for himself and wants to have Voldy better his own situation? That would be bad, and he would go to Voldy asking for the power? Then BOOM!

Is anyone following this? I am sure that most of you won't think that it is likely, but I think that the other way would be EXTREEMLY EASY.