February 1988

Frank Longbottom recognized Dumbledore all at once and then not at all, his fragmented mind lost in the pieces. He repeated himself. He forgot where he was. Dumbledore watched his face drift from awareness to uncertainty. Each change of expression broke his heart.

Alice sat on the other side of the room, in a large chair by the window. She was silent. The healers had given her something to keep her from screaming.

"I have a son," Frank said, suddenly. "Have I told you about my son?"

Dumbledore smiled. The shy seven year old boy had been there an hour ago with his grandmother. Seeing his son had awakened something in Frank, once he realized who he was and wrapped his mind around the concept that his toddler had transformed into the nervous boy before him. When he realized the child was his son, and saw his own features reflected back at him, his face filled with joy. In the time it took him to embrace the boy, confusion forced its way into his mind and consumed him. Dumbledore watched as Frank forgot who the child in his arms was.

Frank didn't panic. This had happened before. He rode through the confusion and clung to Neville. When the confusion passed and he remembered the child he held was his son, he sobbed.

Alice stood and took a few steps toward them. She looked at the child and Frank with curiosity. There was no recognition on her face. She backed away and returned to the chair by the window.

When Neville and his grandmother left, Dumbledore shook. It was all he could do to keep from screaming himself.

Once, Frank and Alice had been whole. The people in the room with him now were remnants; shadows of their past selves.

What more could I have done?

Frank stared back at him.

"Tell me about your son," Dumbledore said.

"He is a good boy," Frank said. "I carry him with me around the house. How he smiles! He calls for me, too. His mother-"

Frank looked at the woman by the window. "Is that . . . do I know her?"

Dumbledore waited.

"I . . . I can't always remember."

"Tell me more about your son."

But Frank didn't see him anymore. He stood up and paced, wandering near Alice and then away from her, expecting to see the woman he loved and finding only a shell. Alice didn't even look at him.

Frank noticed Dumbledore. "How did you get in here? Do I know you?"

"I am a friend," Dumbledore said.

"I feel like we have met before."

"We have met many times."

Frank stood in front of Dumbledore. His eyes scanned the old man's face. "I know your eyes, but they are lost beneath the layers of years."

Dumbledore smiled. "As are we all."

A healer assistant came into the room. She waited until Frank sat down. When he did, Dumbledore nodded at her.

He held Frank's shoulder for a second while the assistant walked up behind him.

My dear friend. How did I let this happen to you?

He would say it one more time to see his friend smile. "Please, tell me about your son."

Frank smiled. "I have a son. He is a good boy."

The assistant took Frank's hand and led him to a chair on the far side of the room.

Dumbledore stood. He looked at Frank and Alice – shadows of themselves – and left the room.

He promised himself he would come whenever he could, but it had been five years since he had last seen Frank and Alice. He had promised himself so many things.

He found his way to the lobby and walked around in a daze, expecting to wake up from this world where those he loved were all gone or maimed.

A young witch sat in a chair, reading The Daily Prophet. Carrow was on the front page again, along with Adelaide Burke. From his glance, it appeared as though the Aurors still had no leads.

Then why am I living like a fugitive?

Because he had killed Carrow in cold blood. He should be held responsible. He should bring himself to The Ministry and confess, before his conscious ate his soul.

How did they even find the body?

He should have burned it. He should have destroyed it. He had been sloppy in his haste and rage. And it had all been for nothing.

What more could I have done? If not Carrow, who should I have chained to that column?