A little less than shrill cry was heard in the huge brown manor that was owned by a queer family, Queer according to the Muggles who lived around. The head of that queer family, if queer they be called by normal people, was Percival Dumbledore, a tall thin man, thin but not skinny, with bright white eyes and a long face bearing a beard that stretched almost to his hips. His wife, Kendra Dumbledore, a beautiful slender woman with a slightly darkish complexion lay on the wooden bed sheeted with white linen. Two house-elves were around her, both female, soaking a brown colored cloth on Kendra's forehead which was perspiring heavily.
Percival was beside his wife, his teeth jittery, and his eyes a little watery, out of concern for his wife. As he looked at her, even in that state, he could not forget how beautiful she looked. They had met during their days at Hogwarts, The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Both were in the same year and in the same house, Gryffindor. As he looked at her, his memory went to their last year at Hogwarts.
It was in the end, eleven years back, that their last exams were over. The students were thrilled and through the huge gate of the great castle, a young couple walked, hand in hand, amidst the cheering throng. The carts were ready to escort them back to Hogsmeade station from where they would take the train back home. The young couple, they were the delight of Gryffindor and the teacher's favorites. Kendra was the girl, who by her entrancing smile, would cast the charm on their fellows. She was Muggle born, but had grown into a formidable and able witch the day she graduated from Hogwarts. Her boyfriend, Percival Dumbledore, looked as energetic as ever, beaming at her, reveling in her beauty and cheering with the others at the same time. The trees above rustled with the moist wind. Percival waved his hawthorn wand and conjured a set of roses, bright red in color. He knelt on a knee, his hands bearing those cheery roses towards Kendra.
"I love you Kendra." said Percival, "Will you stay with me, I mean, forever?"
She smiled. "Are you proposing me, Percival? Are you asking me to marry you?"
"Yes, Kendra. I love you truly and ever since I first set my eyes on you, I have loved you. Will you marry me?"
She had a little doubtful look in her eyes. "You know very well, Percy that I am Muggle born. You are a pure blood. Will it be alright with your family to take me in, if I were to accept?"
"Cast aside that doubt, my lady. If you would but accept, I would fight against the whole world for you. I would not care. I do not care for what others might think of our union. I just want you by my side, be you Muggle or pure blood."
She looked at him and saw affection in his eyes. She too loved him and now that her doubts were cleared, she nodded her head.
She took the roses and threw it into the air. At the same time, Percival waved his wand a second time. The roses formed the shape of a heart and a white streak of light formed an arrow piercing its centre before transforming into golden fireflies that flew everywhere emanating loud cheers from those around.
A tall fat boy approached them. His name, Caranthas Dolwrick Doge.
"Congratulations, my old friend. Looks like you have found yourself a queen. This calls for a double celebration. Seriously, now when we can disapparate, why need the train? What say, we all go to the Three Broomsticks and have some butter beer?"
And so they had agreed and walked to the wizarding village, hands above their heads, the golden fireflies zooming above them.
And there he was now, standing right beside where his love lay, pain in her womb. Night approached the sky and twilight was nearly ended. She let out a huge wail and that time, a small young baby was born. The mother lay now heaving heavily upon the bed and looked as Percival caught the baby in his arms and started canoodling him. Boy he was, fair and white, resembling his father who now looked upon him with tearful eyes.
Percival looked at her and said, "We will name him, Albus. Albus Dumbledore he shall be called henceforth. He may become one of the greatest wizard of these times. I see it in him. Yes, you will be Albus, my child."
Kendra smiled and said, "Albus!" although her voice was low and tired.
Albus smiled, he did not cry.
Percival said, "This is a great moment. I shall call all the family members in now."
Kendra nodded.
As Percival swept past by, his eyes caught the calendar that hung upon the silver walls. July 31, 1880. What a wonderful day it was for the Dumbledores!
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