The weekend brought a rare break in Roy's schedule.No angry letters from the Board.No Umbridge lurking in shadows like a wet, pink mushroom.No Peeves screaming "Yaksha spotted on the third floor!"
So Roy decided to do something simple.
He took Astoria to Hogsmeade.
The girl happily clung to his arm the entire walk, bright-eyed and excited. For all her pure-blood upbringing, Astoria loved simple outings—shops, foods, and anything that wasn't political nonsense.
When they reached the crooked sign of the Hog's Head, Astoria blinked.
"Is this really a bar?"
Roy nodded. "The food here is better than it looks."
Astoria followed him in.The inside was dim, dusty, and smelled faintly of goats—but clean in its own way.
Behind the counter, Aberforth Dumbledore eyed them suspiciously.
Two teens—one a Headmaster, one a Slytherin girl—walking in like they owned the place.
He grunted. "Sit anywhere. Don't break anything. And wash your hands before eating."
Astoria giggled as Roy smirked. "He's nicer than he looks."
Goat Soup, Spicy Chicken & Mead
They scanned the menu, which looked like it hadn't been updated since the Goblin Wars.
Roy ordered roasted chicken, buttered potatoes, and a small hotpot.Astoria chose goat soup—with hesitation—but her eyes widened when the aroma reached her.
"This is actually… really good," she whispered.
Roy nodded. "Told you. Aberforth may look like he bathes in whiskey, but he cooks better than half the wizarding restaurants."
Aberforth walked by with a huge mug of mead, took a long sip, and finally grunted, "So. What's happening in Hogwarts now?"
Roy calmly explained everything:
The DA club.
Umbridge's failed power games.
Fudge's paranoia.
Dumbledore letting himself get "caught."
Roy being made Headmaster.
Zacharias Smith turning into Hogwarts' new joke.
Aberforth listened, face unreadable, sipping his mead.But when Roy mentioned Dumbledore fleeing without a real fight, the old man sighed heavily.
"That idiot brother of mine…" Aberforth muttered. "Always making dramatic exits instead of punching fools when needed."
Astoria sipped her soup softly, not sure what to say.
Aberforth shook his head again.
"He should've stayed and fought. Fudge is a clown. You"—he pointed his mug at Roy—"you fought. You stood your ground. No theatrics."
Roy shrugged. "He had his reasons. And I have mine."
Aberforth gave him a long, searching stare.Then he nodded slowly.
"You're different from him. But… not in a bad way."
For Aberforth Dumbledore, that was practically a warm compliment.
Roy stood, patted Astoria's head, and placed payment on the counter.
"We'll be back," Roy said.
Aberforth grunted his approval.Astoria waved happily as they left.
Outside, Astoria smiled up at Roy.
"Headmaster or not… you're still you."
Roy ruffled her hair."Always."
And together, they walked back toward the castle—where chaos, Umbridge, and the DA waited for the next move of the Yaksha Headmaster.