Memories from a Past Life
Disclaimer: I don't own HP.
A/N: This is for the Globetrotter Drabble Competition – the city is Jerusalem, Israel. Please enjoy.
Albus Dumbledore knew that the Slytherin student – Tom Riddle – had delved into the Dark Arts. He knew before anyone else – except the inhabitants of Tom's orphanage – that Tom would fall to the lure of power and greed. It was the look in his eyes when Albus first met him when Tom was eleven years old that told Albus this. The seemingly hollow eyes had held rage and determination, along with a splash of hatred.
Just like Gellert's a long time ago.
Yet, Albus couldn't say anything, as he had no proof, so he remained silent and ever watchful. He would jump at the chance to protect others from Tom if he had proof in his hands. He hoped it would never come, but he knew that was a naïve hope.
A naïve hope, like the hope he held in his youth for Gellert.
Albus sat in his classroom and felt the walls close in on him. Gellert still had a remarkable influence on him. Albus could see him when he closed his eyes, and always had since Albus met him. Memories of Gellert laughing, confiding, dreaming, convincing, yelling, caressing, and mocking him danced in his thoughts. It took a moment to realize they weren't real – even if Albus could smell the grass and the rain like it was happening all over again.
All the professor's thoughts about the student went away to leave him suffocated in those memories from another life – a past life when Albus had believed in a man and his ideals, and a life where Albus lost his moral compass.
Gellert hadn't done his past deeds for the "greater good," but instead he'd done them to satisfy his hunger for power. He was a corrupted angel. He had all the potential to be one of the greatest wizards of all time; however, he traded this for what he viewed as significant and exhilarating. Gellert had also been stunning not only in mind, but in physical features and charm – Albus had never met a man before or after Gellert who had attracted him that way. He had been so clearheaded and then Gellert had been the one to pull him under and whisk him away from what he knew was right.
Gellert, the blonde-haired and blue-eyed man, was just a memory now. Albus often had to remind himself. There was only Grindelwald – the man who was killing and harming others, and the only person who could stop him was Albus. He had to compartmentalize the tightness in his chest and his breathlessness and leave them for a rainy day. Now was the time to fight against him. No matter how much Albus didn't want to fight.
Yet, it was all for the "greater good." Damn it, for making Albus duel the man who was still so special to him.