Tanuki wrote:And as for Alberforth in Half Blood Prince, in many cases of shady characters, animosity does not extend to lucrative business deals
I just re-read the part with Aberforth and Dung last night and I've been wondering about it ever since.
There's just something off about that meeting. Obviously Aberforth wanted something from Dung (thought not necessarily an object, per se) and he was miffed about the results of the encounter. He also seemed to be afraid of Harry. I can't make much sense out of it, but then again, Dumbledore can't make any sense out of Aberforth and they're brothers...
I doubt it had to do with a business deal. I know Aberforth runs a dodgy bar, but I just don't see him working with such a low, little thief. I wonder if maybe he was just as upset with Dung since he'd stolen "everything that wasn't nailed to the floor" in head quarters?
It also makes me smile to think that maybe Aberforth was afraid of Harry because he knew those objects were Harry's and had heard about Harry's temper from Albus.