There is more than one reason Albus Dumbledore loves the Hogwarts Library.


"You've been following me around for days," the Slytherin says, without turning around, his hand still on the bookshelf. The other boy is taken aback for a second, but quickly regains his composure.

"Don't flatter yourself," he replies, trying to keep his voice even.

Gellert turns around, or rather, whirls around suddenly. Albus' heart stops for a second, when he sees the grey eyes boring into his own.

"Why should I, when you do such a brilliant job at it?" His eyes are sparkling, and his mouth curves into that beautiful smile that Albus has always longed to see directed at him.


One of them is the fact that he met his first (and, for a long time, only) friend there.


"It's always quiet here. Too quiet, sometimes." Gellert's eyes rove the high ceilings and musty shelves, as they walk down one of the lanes.

"Too quiet?" Albus asks, unsure of what his friend means. He thought Gellert liked the silence, given how often he came here.

"For most things, yes."

Albus tilts his head in confusion and Gellert laughs, the faint hint of something other than mirth creeping into his voice.

"But not too quiet for this-"

He cuts himself off almost as if he is afraid of speaking too much, and Albus finds his lips on his own.


One of them is the fact that he kissed the man he loved there.


"Please."

There is so much pain in his voice, but more than that, there is betrayal and hatred.

But the monster that his once-lover has turned into, simply sneers in mockery. Albus sighs and steels himself, raising his wand.

The flash of green light flies out and hits his opponent squarely in the chest.

They both crumple to the ground, together; one, no longer breathing, and the other, wishing he didn't have to.


There is only one reason Albus Dumbledore detests the Hogwarts Library.

It is more than enough.


Notes: AU for some part of the historical Potter verse, including Crimes of Grindelwald (probably. I haven't seen it, so I wouldn't know.) And it's always fun to kill off characters and see them suffer :P