Author's Notes: Mostly inspired by the song of the same name. Note the DH spoilers.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is all Jo's.


Once Upon a December

Once upon a December, he had been young and carefree. He had run his fingers through his lover's hair and had kissed his face. He had worn his heart on his sleeve; he had felt such a strong emotion for the boy with whom he had spent his days.

Once upon a December, he had been in love. Many winters ago, Albus Dumbledore had loved Gellert Grindelwald.

It had been so long ago -- Albus sometimes thought he had mistaken it all for a dream. He faintly remembered Gellert's curly blond hair, his crooked smile. Gellert's face had held deep blue eyes that Albus could stare into for hours.

Albus had gotten lost in those eyes.

Albus remembered spending hours researching the Deathly Hallows; they had both held a keen interest in them, but Gellert was the one who had truly poured his heart their work. Albus remembered that and reflected. He wondered if Gellert had ever really loved him. Albus knew that Gellert had loved the Hallows and all that they could bring him, but he wasn't really sure if he had loved anything else.

He didn't want to think about that; he closed his eyes and wished it away.

Albus remembered when it had all gone sour. He recalled when the fairy-tale quality to everything had evaporated, and he winced. He remembered Gellert, angry and ruthless. December had come to an end. Ariana's life had come to an end. And it was all over after that, he remembered.

But he also remembered when he had loved him with all of his heart. He had kissed him, once upon a December. He had kissed him, once upon a dream.