You guys really got me thinking a lot about the mysterious Aberforth and what his mission might be.
Tatesha reminded us that he was a member of the Order of the Phoenix in the seventies, that he was part of the "old crowd" that Sirius had to warn at the end of GoF.

I definitely think that Aberforth's going to play a big role in the seventh book, but it's hard to say what since we don't know much about him yet. I actually think he might be able to tell Harry something relating to the prophecy, since he was there outside the door to Dumbledore and Trelawny's room the night it was made. As the owner of the Hog's Head, I'm sure he hears a lot of things that might come in handy, to tell the truth. It's also possible that he's somehow come into possession of a horcrux... I can't remember if it was Aberforth or someone else that Mundungus was trying to sell Sirius's stuff to when Harry saw him in Hogsmeade; but if it was Aberforth, the locket could have been among those things. It's definitely something to ponder on...

As Meggie, many people believe that Aberforth will play a large role in Book 7. He is [Albus] Dumbledore's last remaining relative, so who knows what Albus left him when he died!? Amy people think that, being the brother of the greatest wizard of their time, Aberforth must be very smart and gifted. I beg to differ with this, however, because not all siblings are alike. A prime example would be me and my brother. I am the studious, responsible, organized one, yet my brother is extremely forgetful, not the brightest tool in the shed, and cannot be trusted with anything! ....

I think that being Albus' brother, Aberforth probably had very strong feelings against Lord Voldemort, which is why he joined the Order. What his specific tasks were back in the First War..we do not know yet. Many speculate that he was "stationed" at the Hog's Head bar to "keep an eye" on suspicious-looking and possibly dark wizards. He has probably overheard many conversations between such people, too....

well, my two cents for the evening...


_daviD

Once again i agree with you felix felicis.. He cant be very smart, because he couldn't even read!! Albus mentioned this to Hagrid when Hagrid has locked himself in his cottage. And it would seem a little weird that a very wise man and brother of the gratest wizard ever would work in a bar.. I dont think that he has what I call Book wisdom but he has knowledge how to handle people and he knows just what is going on everywhere.. And I think that was how Albus knew all those things.. Aberfworth told him.. And if it really is so that Abey is the only living relative(?) then he would get all albus' possessions.. Including those vapouring silvery ones (which I cant stop thinking ) Those must have a great significance.. What do ya think??

Putouter, I was all set to argue with you when you said that Aberforth probably wasn't very smart because he couldn't read, but then I read the rest of your post I definitely think that he could be powerful and wise in less conventional ways, such as your suggestion of his ability handling people. And we know that he was caught preforming inappropriate spells on a goat, so we know that he can do magic even if it may be a bit odd

I'm not entirely sure that Albus Dumbledore was serious when he said he doubted his brother's reading skills ... he also could have undisclosed reasons for being vague and openly scornful about his brother.

I was reading the debate about the "interrupted prophecy" the other day. This debate centers on the assumption that Dumbledore and Sybill were aware of the commotion (the apprehension and eviction of eavesdropper Snape) while the prophecy was in progress. It was suggested that maybe the prophecy was given in two parts. I don't think this is the case, and base my opinion on the following facts:

fact 1: Sybill uttered the prophecy after the interview was over, when Dumbledore had already said that he thought her unsuitable for the teaching post, and was making to leave the room.

fact 2: Sybill was unaware of the two prophecies she made concerning the Dark Lord.

fact 3: after hearing the prophecy, Dumbledore decided to give Sybill the job after all. So sybill first heard him refuse, then immediately afterwards change his mind (to her, no time had passed in between).

fact 4: The prophecy must have been spoken in its entirety during a single state of trance. If Sybill was unaware that she had made a prophecy, it cannot have been interrupted.


From these facts I made the following conclusions:

A. Dumbledore and Sybill were not aware that there had been an eavesdropper until after the entire prophecy was made. Sybill was in trance, and even if Dumbledore had heard anything he would not have interrupted the prophecy.

B. Since neither Dumbledore or Sybill did anything to stop Snape's eavesdropping, it must have been Aberforth, acting on his own and without prompting from Dumbledore, who stopped Snape.

C. Since Snape only heard the first two sentences, Aberforth must have acted very fast. Snape's actions apparently aroused Aberforth's suspicion almost immediately. This is logical if Aberforth was secretly protecting Dumbledore's back and guarding the confidentiality of Dumbledore's business at the Hog's Head; it's less logical if he was just doing his job as barman of a busy pub and nothing else. What business would it have been to him that Snape was lurking by the stairs leading to the private rooms, and slinking upstairs after Dumbledore?

D. Aberforth is not as stupid as Dumbledore makes him out to be, but Dumbledore doesn't want to draw attention to this. It is in both their interests to pretend that they're not friendly with another.

E. Aberforth is loyal to Dumbledore and is probably an undercover spy.


Based on what the books say about Sybill's interview, I'm making the following assumptions:

-1- Dumbledore offered Sybill the job so that he could keep her safe at Hogwarts and under his watchful eye (and ear) in case she'd utter any other prophecies.

-2- Sybill presumed that the eavesdropper had wanted to disrupt her interview, so she remembered it as an interruption.

-3- Sybill later learned that the eavesdropper got a teaching post himself, so she presumed that he had been listening at the door to pick up tips.

Bumblebee

Great Topic... hope I can add something clever !!

Quote Meggie

How come Albus Dumbledore, didn't know that his brother could read or not? It says this in the 'Goblet of Fire', when he goes to see Hagrid, to tell him that he will not except does that mean that Albus didn't know Aberfourth when he was younger. And how come, Albus is so intelligent, and Aberfourth is not? I think Harry will meet Aberfourth, in book seven, and Harry will find out a lot more about Albusb Dumbledore and his family.

How come Albus Dumbledore, didn't know that his brother could read or not? It says this in the 'Goblet of Fire', when he goes to see Hagrid, to tell him that he will not except his resignation, because everybody knows that Hagrid had a giant for a mother. Does that mean that Albus didn't know Aberfourth when he was younger? And how come, Albus is so intelligent, and Aberfourth is not? I think Harry will meet Aberfourth, in book seven, and Harry will find out a lot more about Albus Dumbledore and his family.

Great topic!!

I too agree that Aberforth has more to do with this story. Another time in HBP when he is probably helping Albus Dumbledore is when Voldemort comes to ask Albus for a teaching position at Hogwarts. Albus knew right away that VM was accompanied by several deatheaters waiting in Hogsmeade.

I believe (sorry I don't have the book with me for the qoute) that VM said something about Dumbledore being "omnipotent as always" and Dumbledore shrugged it off and said he was merely friendly with the local barmen.

Sorry if someone else already pointed that out, but right away I thought of Aberforth and knew that they had to have some kind of way to communicate very quickly (floo fire, Two-way mirror, Fawkes, etc.)

Albus wouldn't want to say "I heard it from my brother" or indicate in any way to even a young Voldemort that he had family or close friends around. He would want to show Voldemort he knew exactly what was going on, without indicating exactly how he found out.

Whoever Albus' contact in Hogsmeade that night was, they were able to identify by name each of the Death Eaters present. This means that when Albus became headmaster, which was probably before the Order truly formed, this person in Hogmeade helping Albus was active in fighting, or at least investigating the Death Eaters.

If it is Aberforth, which I do believe it is, then he has been a part of Albus Dumbledore's plan to fight evil for a long time.

I was wondering if Aberforth is really as dimwitted as we think. He may be just as smart as Dumbledore but doesn't show it. This goes with my theory that Aberforth may have helped Dumbledore not die. Maybe he will show his true colors in book 7. Any thoughts?

I'm pretty sure Aberforth is dead. I mean, Dumbledore was pretty ancient himself, and he didn't seem to talk about his brother much. And in book 4 he said something about Aberforth in past tense.
However, Dumbledore never really talks about his childhood. The only things we know about the Dumbledore before Harry was that he worked for Hogwarts, and we also know about all those memories he showed Harry. Maybe his life before Harry will be a big thing in book 7?

Actually, it is almost 100% certain that Aberforth is alive and that he is the barkeeper at the Hog's Head. I'm pretty sure I read a JKR interview where she indirectly confirmed the theory. Remember in the pensieve in HBP when Dumbledore tells Voldemort (after revealing the knowledge that 4 Death Eaters were waiting at the Hog's Head) that he has a good friendship with the barkeepers?

Through this topic... I have become totally intrigued by not only Aberforth... but Madame Rosmerta... and the whole Hogsmeade crowd.

Hogsmeade... where the spys gather... and no one is who they appear to be.

Are they all magical?

This may be off topic... but where to put it? Is Madame Rosmerta magical... she was in her late 30s... (more likely early 40s) when Peter Pettigrew was following Sirius, James and Lupin around in the 70s.

That means she was born c.1930... and could be Amy Benson? I thought that she was where Albus was getting all his info... but this new bit about Aberforth made me think of her in a new light.
I'd totally forgotten about the bartender in the HogsHead. This topic has been most illuminating !!

Oh, Bumblebee... I was commenting on the fact that Dung was impersonating an inferi... when he was caught... I just thought it was an interesting coincidence... inferi / the cave? I don't think Dumbledore asked Dung to steal from Sirius Black's house... however it may have given him the idea to steal another inatimate object for him.

I like your idea that it might have all been "premeditated" !!

I think there may be more similarities to Aberforth and Dumbledore than just glasses and long beards. I think they are both a little shady... !!

I read in another discussion that Albus was acting very strange not only in the cave... but throughout the whole book. Was in fact totally out of character... absentminded and odd. Could it have been Aberforth?


You will love that link...

It is somewhat weird if you go back and read through some of the scenese in the HogsHead, knowing Aberforth is the barman. They have the first meeting of the D.A. there and as Harry gets a drink he notices how the barman is strangely familiar.

I think this was mentioned, but when Harry found out about Mundungus stealing Sirius' items, Aberforth had just been speaking with him.

So strange, but he has been such a huge help to Albus Dumbledore and has been inserted very carefully into some key scenes without us probably noticing.

Amazing!! Can't wait to see how he fits in the last book.

Then of course, at Dumbledore's funeral the first person that Harry knows by sight, but doesn't know their name is "the barman from the Hogs Head".

Wait a cottonpicking minute. Aberforth isn't the Hog's Head barman. It's Willy Widdershins the man with all the bandages. Because he gives Umbridge information on the D.A.

ah that really clears that up then. My heasd must have incorrectly absorbed some info

No doubt penheart we are all "completely confunded"... and under Jo's spell !!

Yes... it definitely helps to re-read the books knowing what we know... or think we know... after these discussions !!

All my color coded notes listed "the barman" at the Hog's Head and Aberforth separately!!

I think Harry will seek out the "barman"... but at the end of HBP he still does not know who he is.

HBP(ch.30 pg.643 us) At Dumbledore's Funeral he sees many people whose name he did not know... the "barman" of the Hog's Head...

He does remember the locket he'd seen at No. 12 Grimauld Place... knows that Mundungus "nicked it" with light-fingered contempt and will go to Aberforth seeking it. He will discover then who the "barman" is... that Aberforth is Dumbledore's brother... a member of the Order... and I truly believe Aberforth will play a huge part in book 7... tho as you all know... I do not believe it will be the Slytherin locket that he finds in Mundungus' grab bag... but another Horcrux that will be related to Sirius' death.

And Harry hasn't forgotten the fake locket either...
HBP(ch.30 pg.639 us) He felt in his pocket for the gold chain of the fake Horcrux, which he now carried with him everywhere, not as a talisman, but as a reminder of what it cost.
HBP(ch.30 pg.636 us) He clutched the cold locket in his hand so tightly that it hurt

Hey Bumblebee... did you figure this one out yet? Purple is Dumbledore's "Signature Color" !!

PS (ch.1 pg.8 us) Nothing like this man had ever been seen on Privet Drive before. He was tall, thin, and very old, judging by the silver of his hair and beard, which were both long enough to be tucked into his belt. He was wearing long purple robes, a purple cloak that swept the ground... his blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling behind half-moon spectacles and his nose was very long and crooked. Descriptions of a Put-Outer & Dumbledore's watch...

PS(ch.10 pg.172 us) When Quirrel shouts "Troll in the dungeon"... he gets attention when purple firecrackers explode from his wand...

HBP(ch.13 pg.263 us) This younger Albus Dumbledore's long hair and beard were auburn... he was dressed in a flamboyantly cut suit of plum velvet.

HBP(ch.30 pg.643 us) He is buried wrapped in purple velvet spangled w/ golden stars.

I'll bet he even left a purple "Magical Signature" behind in the cave" !!

Sorry OFF TOPIC... but with your attention to detail... and your name !! FORGIVE ME !?

Okay, and welcome to this forum.

I started this forum because one of the characters mentioned in tru JKR fashion (minor mentionings here and there) is Aberforth Dumbledore, Albus's little brother.

What we know of him:

he was a freak(book 4)
he practised his sucky memory charms on goats(also book 4)
he doesn't care what others think of him(book 4)
he is the barman of the Hog's Head(JKR)
therefore, he knows Mundungus(books 5 and 6)
and he has a long memory (book 5)

Now, because he was mentioned in JKR/HP fashion, there is a 99.99% chance that he is a major character, and he will be doing something important in book 7. The question is, what?

LTT

Aberforth definitely is Dumbledores brother no doubt about that.That has been confirmed by JK in interview and theres some really obvious clues in the books too.

I just wanna say i never thought Aberforth as stupid or dimwitted neither did i think him as clever or powerful simply because we dont know yet.Jk rowling as not confirmed either yet and may never do so.

There is saomething behind that character though,is he as talented as his brother?

His he a member of the order but has to be kept secret because hes doing something secret.

He might just enjoy a peaceful life because not many wizards know he's DDs brother.If it wasnt secret maybe the death eaters could of used him captured him or something because he was dd's brother.

Dont forget though when Snape overheard the prophecy he was also there stood beside Snape listening.

I just think he is a nosy barman but he could be more than that and could be reveiled to have a larger role.

erm who ever said he was stupid. i have never said he was stupid. i always thought he must have some intelligence to be dumbledores brother.

If you read this topic you will know who said what.

Aberforth is alive and the barman in the Hog's Head, JKR said it herself. Dumbledore once said his brother cant read, so I don't know if he's stupid or not, he could just have a reading problem.

Harry saw Dung with Aberforth in Hogsmeade. It looked like Aberforth was acting as a fence for Mundungus--they were looking over some goods Dung stole from # 12 Grimmauld Place. Possibly he'll be instrumental in helping Harry locate the 'heavy gold locket' we read about in OotP. I do think he'll be more important than that, as you already suspect.

It's possible he'll have some insight on his brother to share with Harry or a message/letter from Dumbledore to be given to Harry in the event of his death.

Can I take a moment to direct your attention to a thread I started some time ago, regarding Aberforth Dumbledore? It can be found here : Aberforth.

You are both relatively new posters on this forum, but still members of old enough standing to know of the existence of the Search function at VTM.

It would be easier tp follow the discussion if we kept the posts about Aberforth all in the same place ... I for one would be grateful if you could add some new thoughts. Thanks!

Hmmm...Not every single charactor in the seriesm is important to the plot, even if they are related to a major charactor.

But the most Aberforth might do is point Harry toward the horcuxes maybe...I dunno just a thought.

You forgot from book 4: Aberforth might not know how to read. He was in the 6th book? I don't remeber that.

you forgot to mention that in book 5 when harry,hermione and ron go to the Hogs Head that harry thought the bar man looked familiar (albus) and aberfortth looks like dumbledore

May I ask where it was that Jo said that Aberforth is the Hogs Head barman? I never saw this in her FAQ on her official site and I can't recall reading it elsewhere. I'd be curious to see where it came from (because whereever it did come from, there may be other info there I don't know about.)


Edit --- Nevermind, I just saw it in this thread.

In the RAB thread, we've been talking about Aberforth's involvement with the Horcruxes. I think he had something to do with the fake locket...maybe its the one he bought from Mudungus (we don't know what he bought, but he covered his neck to make sure that Harry didn't see). Any thoughts? If you want detailed info, I suggest looking at that thread...or I can post it here if any of you want.

As many have said before me, Aberforth is not dead. And he is most certainly not stupid. I don't know how that would come into one's head, but I do not believe Aberforth is dumb. How could he be? Like james pickles said, he's related to Dumbledore. There's gotta be some smarts running through their blood.

yea aberforth is not dead and i highly doubt he is stupid either, maybe just a misleading info in a book to make us think he is unimportant? but i think he will play a very huge roll in book 7.

I think people think he is stupid because Dumbledore says about Aberforth "Although I'm not sure he can read" or something like that in Book 4. He's probably not a genius but probably not stupid either. Probably slightly below average.

I'm quite sure that Dumbledore was making Aberforth sound a lot more stupid than he actually is. Dumbledore doesn't want to draw attention to the fact that he has a brother in Hogsmeade who may be up to something besides being a barman, so he makes fun of Aberforth's intelligence.
See my other posts in this thread here.

It doesn't mean a man can't read that he's stupid. He can have powerful aptitude, and Dumbledore says it "I'm not sure if he can read". He doesn't said he's absolutely sure.

From all we know, the favorite order of the phenix member will be introduce in book 7. We know from Moody that Alberforth was an ancien member of the order and from JK that he's the barman. Dumbledore called all member few hours after the return of Voldemort. So, if Alberforth is still alive, he may be the favorite order member.

I agree with Rogueisgood, Aberforth is not dead, he is the barman at the Hog's Head. He has already been called back to the Order. I doubt very much that he is really stupid, he has a long memory according to Sirius and I think Dumbledore was joking when he said" I don't know if he can even read." I do, however, disagree with anyone who says that Aberforth helped keep Dumbledore alive, he is dead and they weren't close anyways. Aberforth might be able to help Harry figure out who RAB is though since he is an old member of the Order.

yes i definatley believe that aberforth is still alive and is the barkeeper at the hog's head....the night snpae heard the prophecy maybe DD told aberforth to watch out for suspicious activity...

i don't know because he's only been mentioned about once or twice.but then again that's usually when J.K.R. usually brings a main charactor into the story.but... he could have just been a background charactor.we never knew anything about him except his name.but it could happen,seeing anything can.