"You're a fool, Albus. I hope you know this." It has been said to him many times before, and he suspects he will hear it many times again. This time, though, it hurts.
Usually, he will deflect the comment with a witty remark, a twinkle of his eye, or even, when the situation is dire, an honest admission. Today he just accepts it, because today it's the truth. "Yes, Abe, I know."
Abe's face is pinched and flushed with red, but there's still some genuine curiosity in his eyes. "So why'd you have to do it, then? Why couldn't you stop him?" he asks finally.
Albus sighs. "You know why."
Shaking his head, Albus's little brother snorts, "No, I really don't. Mind explaining?"
"He was special. And… and I loved him, alright? I wanted what he could give me."
"And what we, as your family, couldn't give you? Your precious 'glory,' I suppose." Abe snaps angrily.
"Abe, admit it. Our father is disgraced and in prison, our mother is dead, and all we have left is a house and a few goats." The brothers stand glaring at each, hidden away in the dark corner behind the buffet table in the reception of their dead sister's funeral. Words are flying out of Albus's mouth, words that shouldn't be said here, and Albus is unable to stop them. Like a train wreck, he thinks.
"You bastard. Don't you insult our family like that," Abe is saying angrily.
"It's the truth, Aberforth! I thought Grindelwald could give me what I wanted."
"Yes, Albus, because you were too good for us. Your stupid little family. You wanted power; you needed something more than us," Abe hisses.
"Can you really blame me? I thought I deserved more than what my family could give me. And you know what? Maybe I was right!" Albus realizes that he's shouting, and can't bring himself to care.
"Ariana is much more important than your deluded 'Greater Good,' Albus. You were obligated to take care of her, she was your sister. All she wanted to do was make us happy!" Aberforth's hands are balled into fists, and he looks angrier than Albus has ever seen him. The whole room is staring at them.
Albus screams at his brother, "You know what, Aberforth? Your precious Ariana is crazy! She's damaged. It's not my problem if you can't see how she's a waste of space."
Albus didn't mean it. He has no idea why he said that. Because Albus loves his sister. She's sweet and amazing and special. If Grindelwald blinded him to this, then Albus is sorry. Albus loves Ariana. He really does.
Yet he did say that, and his brother is staring at him like he's never seen Albus before. Abe's face is contorted into disgust, the same look he used to give the bullies that would tease Ariana in the park. The room is frozen, the only sound the one of Albus's harsh breathing.
When Aberforth finally speaks, his voice is level and deadly. "If that's the way you really think. You're a fool, Albus. And you never deserved Ariana. You don't deserve fame or power or glory or any of those things you say need so much. You know what, Albus? You don't deserve to be my brother."
The two men stare at each other. Then Abe's fist flies out to smash into Albus's face, a child screams, and Albus disapparates before anyone can realize that, for the first time in years, he's crying.