Speaking of Aberforth...

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 166902

From: justcarol67 <justcarol67 at yahoo.com>
>I think, however, that the most important of the spies (other than
>Snape) will turn out to be Aberforth, whom I hope will enlighten Harry
>with regard to the eavesdropping incident and more. (We never learned
>the "thrilling tale" of Snape's saving DD from the ring Horcrux. Maybe
>Aberforth--or Phineas Nigellus, who twice objects to Harry's
>"impertinence" regarding Snape--will provide Harry those details.)

Bart:
I am still curious as to whether Aberforth's legal troubles were inspired by Marion Zimmer Bradley's Lythande. In one story in particular, Lythande enters a town where the biggest insult you could give anybody was to call them a "despoiler of young goats" (which turns out to be, humorously, of major significance later in the story). I have taken this phrase, for the past two decades, when I want to make an accusation that nobody will take seriously (especially good for examples). So, when I saw that Aberforth got into trouble for using inappropraite charms on goats, the phrase came to mind immediately.

Bart