Nurmengard.
It has been so long since he had set foot on here. Actually, since the day he had put Gellert Grindelwald in it. It seemed to belong to another life.
He stopped in front of the fortress and look at it. Wind was blowing against the stones; ivy was growing over the walls. It wasn't maintained, at least not in the front.
Dumbledore felt his older self was calling for something. And it was.
He hadn't come back because of fear, fear he wouldn't be able to let him go if he saw him again.
Several times, Dumbledore had reviewed his past, trying to think how he could have avoided all the tragedies. But wasn't he giving himself too much of importance? Well, he always thought himself above others.
He sighed. He always had been like that. If Ariana hadn't died, would he have followed him?
Albus Dumbledore was afraid of the answer.
But it wasn't about him, it was about Harry. He had to save him. He always knew Harry had something others didn't have. But certainly not a power similar to dementors. He thought about how easy it had been for Harry to suck Peter's soul. As if he had already did it or knew how to do it.
He knocked on the door and waited. He heard all the enchantment being lifted in order to open it. A guard appeared and seemed to shock to see the old wizard.
"Professor Dumbledore? I had no idea you were coming.
-I hadn't planned it, don't worry. I came to see Gellert Grindelwald.
-Well, your visit… Maybe it's not a coincidence.
-What do you mean?
-Well, Grindelwald had always been quiet. But since a few time, he has been agitated. But no one came to see him.
-Are you sure?
-Absolutely!"
Dumbledore had no reasons to doubt the honesty of the guard. He knew Morgane had seen Grindelwald, it was obvious. He needed to know what she had told him.
He followed the guard until the cell. He opened it and let Dumbledore in.
"Sir, call me if you need anything."
Dumbledore nodded and the door was closed.
The cell was small and had basic furniture. Grindelwald was on the bed, he seemed in his thought, muttering to himself.
Nostalgia flooded. Dumbledore could still hear them, their conversations, their laughs, and their love. They thought they could change the world for the best, they meant it. He meant it but had it been mutual?
Everyone thought Dumbledore was invincible but there was one person who could hurt him and it was Gellert Grindelwald.
Yes, he had defeated him in a duel, but Dumbledore had been wounded in his heart. Because he knew he could become like him, the line was so thin.
"Hello Gellert."
Very slowly, Grindelwald raised his head and saw him. He smiled.
"Why, hello Albus. It's been too long.
-Yes, it has been."
Grindelwad stared at him. He should hate Dumbledore for what happened. He did a little but not quite, he just couldn't.
"Something told me you were going to come. It is because of that lady, Morgane?
-So you did see her.
-Yes, she came to visit me. A visit I didn't enjoy, to speak the truth. She was with a ghost, a girl ghost?
-How did the ghost looked like?
-On her thirteen or so, glasses, braids, not very pretty."
Dumbledore frowned. It looked like Myrtle Warren also knows as Moaning Myrtle. He would have a conversation with her later.
"Yes, I thought about you when I saw she was wearing the symbol.
-You only think about me when you see these? I'm offended."
He had said that sentence with a smooth voice. Dumbledore shivered, even after all these years, Grindelwad had still a charm.
"That Morgane flew away with a student.
-Did she abduct him?
-No, he came with her on his will. This student has the same power as the dementors. He can suck souls. I saw him do that. As for Morgane, she sucked the fluid after to have a new body.
-Well, she looked human when she came to me. She told me things about the relics."
Grindelwald posed. He always loved to play the dramatic characters, to see the impatience of his disciple begging for him to finish his speech. And it was so long since he had a real conversation.
No one was allowed to talk to him. The security was afraid he might seduce others in order to escape. And they were right.
Now he was talking to his old lover, something he never thought would happen again.
Dumbledore continued.
"I want to save that student. I'm afraid he… is walking on your way.
-Do you want to save him, because you care about him or because you are afraid to fail again?
-… Both."
Grindelwald stretched himself. He had time to think since the visit of Morgane.
"Basically, she told me that the stone was made first in order to speak to the dead, not revive them. Then the original Morgane created the cape to protect it and the wand was her apparently, to begin with. This is still amazing, if you ask me. Can you imagine a wand that old? But their true powers were deformed by people like us. She also told me that the survival of the wizards and witches depended on the knowledge Muggles had about us. And that you knew that at some point.
-Yes, it was simple. One just had to read history. Every time wizards and witches were fighting, our community was losing. It's like their powers were weakened.
-You know, even if I was told about that back in the day, I don't I would have believed it.
-Neither would I."
Dumbledore finally sat beside him. As he thought, it was painful. Good and bad memories were submerging him.
"We lost the knowledge and we lost ourselves.
-I've heard about another dark mage, Voldemort right? Tell me about him. I doubt this is his real name.
-Well, he was a student of mine once. One the greatest mind I've ever met.
-I'm going to be jealous here."
Dumbledore pretended he didn't hear the last sentence.
"He did his first kill when he was a teenager. He hated his muggle blood and killed his family. Then he disappeared and Voldemort came. But I always knew who he was. He decided pure blood were the superior and should rule over.
-Ironic, since he isn't a pure blood.
-Indeed.
-Albus, you sound a little disappointment.
-Maybe I am. But I always felt there was something with him.
-Is it true he was defeated by a baby?
-Yes, this is baby is named Harry Potter. He is the student who left with Morgane. His power to suck souls saved him. His parents were not fortunate. Now, Harry is seeking revenge.
-Voldemort is still alive?
-Harry said his soul had been broken before he met him. He wants to collect the rest and then kill him.
-I have a feeling, you already knew.
-No Gellert, only theories. We came across a strange object that was acting like Voldemort. And I started thinking, what if there were others?
-You and I know what kind of object can do that, Albus.
-Yes, horcruxes. But how many did he make?
-Not too much or else he would have destroyed himself.
-I began to investigate already.
-You were always one step forward Albus. I always loved that about you, still do."
They stayed silent for a moment. Grindelwald stared at Dumbledore. He noticed his eyes were still blue and sharp. He still had charm after so many years.
"I heard you refused to be Prime Minister in your country.
-….
-Are you that afraid of becoming like me?
-We were always alike, Gellert. Some will say I saw the truth when Ariana died. Honestly, I wish I did in another way.
-Albus…
-If she hadn't died, I probably would have come with you.
-And what if I had killed Abelforth?
-… I would have avenged him. As for Ariana, I was always, still, afraid of discover I…"
Dumbledore couldn't finish his sentence. Ariana will always be his failure and regret. Grindelwald looked at him. He remembered mocking him while they fought, laughing at him.
"You are wrong. You would never have followed me. I killed too many people. You never accepted this.
-Well, you knew how to manipulate people.
-I never meant to manipulate you. I really wanted you at my side. I was suffocating in this society. People admired us but if they knew our feeling, they would have spited on us, insulted until we can't rise anymore."
Dumbledore said nothing. Since when did his heart hurt him this way? He held the wand, the elder wand.
"I see you still have it.
-To not forget, and make sure it doesn't happen again.
-I don't know anything else on this Morgane. Aside she didn't appreciate I took on her symbol.
-Understandable in a way. But I was thinking about how to fix a soul. I think Harry destroyed one part in an old diary Voldemort had once.
-You and I know only one thing that could do that.
-Horcruxes.
-Yes, but how many?
-You know him better.
-I already began my investigation. I have leads.
-You were always the smarter. That what I loved about you. Still do."
Dumbledore said nothing. If he answered, he wouldn't be able to leave him in this miserable state. Grindelwald smiled and stepped away from him.
"Even Voldemort was scared of you. When I heard that, I must admit I was proud. You were not going to let a youngster impressed you."
Dumbledore couldn't help but smiled. He had missed that, he knew. If only things had took another road.
"Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here? Aaaa!"
The door was opened because of the guard who flew on it.
"Someone is going to have a headache when he wakes up."
Morgane was standing here with Harry on her side.
"Harry!"
Dumbledore rose and went to him but Harry put himself behind Morgane.
"Professor, I don't want to be involved with you ever again.
-Harry…
-You left me with my aunt!
-Harry that was…"
Dumbledore was going to say for your good but he understood it wasn't the thing to say right now. Harry sighed.
"Glad you understand your mistake.
-Harry, I'm worried about you!
-I'm fine!
-Harry, you took Peter's soul so easily. I'm afraid of what you may become.
-You mean, like the man behind you?"
Harry suddenly took his head. He was hearing them, terrified voices, and full of hate.
"You, said Harry, you killed so many people!
-I do not denied that, answered Grindelwald.
Dumbledore put himself in front of him.
"Professor, do you intend to protect him?
-Harry he has been judged. He'll never get out of here. He will die here."
Dumbledore voice broke a little. Those words were hard but it was the truth. Harry snorted.
"I guess justice here is better than in England.
-Why are you here?
-We followed you, answered Morgane. Considering your history, I had a feeling you knew about the relics and what was Voldemort doing. Never thought you would have the wand.
-Professor, gave us the wand and the clues.
-Harry, do not do it.
-Why? Don't tell me you are protecting Voldemort now?
-No, I want to protect you. As I said, I'm afraid of what you may become. Come back to me, we will face him together.
-Oh? You mean like in the two previous years? Because, the more I think about it, the more it seems you pushed us into this!
-Harry, I was… no, you are right. I was testing your abilities.
-My abilities? We almost died!"
Harry began to cry.
"I was so impressed with you! I thought you would always be my ally! What kind of headmaster sends eleven years old child facing one of the powerful wizards? You are a manipulator! That's why you never wanted to be prime minister! You are afraid of yourself!
-Harry, I do not deny it. I am so sorry. That's all I can say. Please, allow me to fix it."
Dumbledore held out his hand. Grindelwald was looking all of this very carefully. Morgane hadn't said a word. Her expression was firm. Harry looked at the hand for a moment. He then gripped his fists.
"It's too late professor. Now give us what we want!
-Harry…
-Spare us the speech! Said Morgane. Well, if you refuse to collaborate, we will take it by force."
Dumbledore suddenly felt he couldn't move Morgane was approaching him very fast. She took his head and opened her mouth. Grindelwad stare with horror as images were getting out of Dumbledore's mouth. When she let him go, he fell, trying to catch his breath.
"Albus!"
Grindelwad put himself next to him. Morgane clenched her teeth.
"You dare to love? You dare to be a hero after all the lives you have taken?"
Their eyes meet. Grindelwad felt it was the end for him. He reminded her of someone she hated and she was going to get revenge on him.
He then turned to Harry who seemed confused.
"I… I need this information! Just the idea that Voldemort is still breathing is unbearable.
-Boy, I had committed crimes, murders. Let me tell you one thing, you are walking the same road as I did.
-Shut up! You don't have the right to give me advices! You can't see them but I do! All the souls of the people you have murdered! They are not calming just with your imprisonment!"
Grindelwald shivered. Was it how his victims felt right before they die? Knowing there was nothing they could have done? With regrets invading all his body? He watched Dumbledore. What a fool he had been. He was his regret.
Harry raised his wand and said.
"Expelliarmus!"
The elder wand flew and Harry caught it. Morgane was still looking at Grindelwald. Tears were flooding on her face.
"How dare you have regrets? After everything you have done? I hate you! I hate you! I hate wizards like you!"
She went straight to him and took his face.
"No!" yelled Dumbledore.
But he couldn't stop it. He heard Grindelwald screaming in pain as his soul was sucked by Morgane. Grindelwald glance at him. His last glance. Then the sparkle in his eye shut. His body fell as a puppet. Only a small breathing showed the body was still alive.
"Gellert…."
Dumbledore came closer and took him on his arm. Grindelwald wasn't answering. He was gone. Dumbledore turned to Morgane and Harry. His eyes were wet.
Morgane stepped back, Harry hold the wand closer. Seeing Dumbledore like that, so frail, so vulnerable was… uncomfortable. He trembled, he heard a voice but he wasn't sure to whom it belonged.
Without another words, they left. Dumbledore didn't rush after them, he felt so tired. He heard Grindelwald's quiet breath.
He couldn't take it to see him like this, to leave him like this.
Dumbledore took the wand of the guard. He pointed it towards Grindelwald. For the first time in decades, tears were rolling on his cheeks. He whispered.
"Avada kedavra."