Hey everyone,
In this chapter we are going to see what Dumbledore was like BEFORE he became the character you saw a few chapters ago. You are going to see the side of him that makes so many love him, that make them think him a loving, well-meaning grandfather instead of a self-centered, manipulative – well, you get the picture.
Enter Albus,

Venquine1990
PS. Inspiration comes from Leonette, check out their stories.
PPS. I made an important change to chapter two. Amyna is, in there, now known as Dorea to Minerva. All will be explained this chapter.

27th of December 1976
Headmaster's office, Hogwarts
Dumbledore's POV

A war is going on outside my school. Hundreds of people are fearing for their lives or losing them. more and more towns and villages are getting emptied, either by people fleeing from their home or being kidnapped by the Dark and murderous witches and wizards that call themselves Death Eaters and that follow Voldemort.
There are many that fear him so much they don't even dare say his name and the fair few that aren't afraid to do this, always need to keep their wand in hand to redo the wards broken down by them saying the name. Yet I also have my eye on these brave men and women and hope they will join me in the fight against Voldemort.

Yet, to my great concern, has an event of a few days ago also led to a war being on the verge of breaking out within my very school. Two days before Christmas Minerva was contacted by Dorea and she asked my favorite Head of House to send over the Marauders and Mss. Evans. That same night Potter Manor was burned down.
Yet it was later discovered that Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape were taken by a mysterious person the same day and now all of Gryffindor is blaming the Slytherins and vice versa. All teachers are constantly roaming the halls, trying to break up fights and reminding students that using magic in the hallways is against the rules.
Yet there have already been students send to the Hospital wing for serious injuries and I know it will only be a matter of time before Madam Pomfrey will have to send them to St. Mungo's as she will not be able to handle them all. "And the only way to stop all this is if either Severus or the Marauders prove they are unharmed and safe."

This is a thought that has been going through my mind for some time and the more that one day after another passes, the more that I really hope this will happen sooner rather than later. And then suddenly Minerva barges into my office and says: "Albus, they're here. They're – they're at the gates. Dorea and Charlus are back."
And while I had hoped to hear her say the name of her Lions or our currently only missing Snake, does this still make me feel very relieved as I have been fearing the worst and been wondering how I could continue being a beacon for the Light without my perfect match couple of Light and Dark magic and I ask:
"Are you certain, Minerva?" The woman nods and says: "Yes, though – they don't look like the Dorea and Charlus I met a few days ago. They look different, as if they've been on some kind of adventure or something, but they knew things I only ever told them, so I know it's them. Also, they brought company with them."
"Their son?" I ask, hoping greatly that, even if it's not James and his friends, Dorea and Charlus will know what happened to my students, but the woman shakes her head and says: "No, they are strangers, at least to me. But they look strong and as if they're ready to fight off anyone they consider a threat or danger.

Especially to Dorea or Charlus." And the way the woman says this makes me know she is on the same wavelength as me. "Dorea and Charlus must have known about the attack and taken the kids to wherever these strangers are from to keep them safe." Yet while I wonder why they included Lily Evans and Severus Snape, do I turn to Fawkes.
The ancient phoenix, who is actually older than me and has seen more of Hogwarts and its history than I ever will, cries out and Minerva reaches out to grab the sleeve of my robe just as the Phoenix settles onto my shoulder and flames us to directly in front of the wards and the gates. And the first thing I spot is the strangers.

One of them is actually a redhead that looks strangely familiar and the others all have an incredibly regal look to them, yet most of them also look as if they have served time guarding Azkaban or some other dark and dangerous location. They look like people who have been through war and are ready to jump into another.
This really intrigues me and I wonder why Dorea and Charlus have them accompanying them as Voldemort has yet to even decide to try and reach Hogwarts, even if he does make targets out of many Manors belonging to Ancient Lines that defy or disagree with him. I feel a strong need to draw my wand, but ignore this.

"Dorea, Charlus, so glad to see you both again safe and sound. Where is your son? Where are his friends? Where are Mss. Evans and Mr. Snape?" I ask as I approach the lot, yet it's the redheaded stranger that answers: "They are safe, but we can't speak of where they are, not here. Not where the public can hear."
This makes me look at the man and he says: "Head for the Shrieking Shack and turn to the mountain on the North East of its back. Climb it and there you will find a large rock that protrudes from the mountain. You really can't miss it, but you will probably need to do a bit of looking if you want to find the cave that hides behind it.
At this point in time, only those here and my friends know of this cave. It will be the best spot to speak of these matters." I nod at the young man, more than willing to comply with anyone who looks this war-hardened and yet has a caring, understanding tone to his still slightly teenage voice. Yet one thing bothers me about him.
"You aren't one of my recent graduates." I state, not even questioning the young man, who smirks and says: "No. No, I'm not." And the lad turns around and motions for the others to follow him. "Dorea, Charlus." Minerva calls out to the two, but they both just send her a comforting smile and Dorea says: "See you there, dear."

Before they turn around and follow the group. I turn to Minerva, who looks back at me uncertainly, but then Fawkes cries out and the sound of his song sounds comforting and reassuring. I feel my strength of confidence and belief growing stronger and thank my precious friend with a smile before he flames us over.
I look up at the mountain the red-head indicated and instantly spot the rock he mentioned. I turn to Minerva and while the two of us experience some difficulty with our robes, do we manage to get to the rock. And as said, do we actually not spot the cave behind it until we are directly behind the large protruding rock itself.
"This is one convenient hiding place." Minerva mutters and to my shock does the voice of the redhead sound from the inside and the young man says: "Yeah, especially if you want to offer support to someone without others knowing you're there. Another time. The Fourth." And this confusing message draws me inside.

There I spot the redhead and notice that he is looking at Dorea and Charlus, proving that this last bit of his statement was meant for them. Yet I also notice something as I move inside. Both very familiar, yet powerful secrecy and privacy charms as well as a form of magic I have never sensed before for as long as I have known magic.
"Dorea, Charlus, please let us know. Where are James and the others? Please, you don't know what is going on at Hogwarts. Ever since you all vanished from Potter Manor and it got burned down the other Lions have been on the war path, blaming the Slytherins, who blame them for Mr. Snape having gone missing as well.

Where are they?" Minerva almost begs the two and Dorea smiles at her, both a strong sense of regret and a deep sense of affections showing in her eyes and smile as she says: "Oh Minerva, there is so much more going on than just that. But please, believe us when we say that our son and the others are perfectly safe.
Safer, in fact, than they could ever be at Hogwarts." This shocks me as Hogwarts has been considered a safe haven of light ever since Voldemort became a true threat to the Wizarding World. Yet then the woman turns stern and growls: "Also, forgive me, but I sincerely doubt that all of those Lions are sincere in their concern for my son.
They care nothing for him, they proved that when they forced him to change into the persona you have been teaching for the last four to five years. I practically lost my son to a persona, because you can't see the difference between a prankster and a bully victim, but – I guess we will be having words about that later."

And while this makes Minerva and me share a confused look does Dorea pull a gorgeous black onyx bracelet off her wrist. Yet after this she turns to the others and one of the strongest of them says: "You have our permission, not that you need it." And the two share a look that prove they have actually known each other for years.
This makes me wonder about the others as there is something – otherworld-like about them and Dorea actually throws the onyx bracelet into the center of the room and there it actually turns into a huge portal that shows the most gorgeous garden I have ever seen with a man sitting in the center, reading through a book.
The man looks up and his looks are just as out of this world as those of the others, yet this time I understand why. I turn to the group and mutter: "You – you – you're – I thought the law prevented you from –." One of the men nods and Charlus says: "Normally it would, but times change and circumstances can force one's hand.

Tell me, Albus, what do you know about the power of Time and the influence of Deities upon its power?" This intrigues me as this sounds like something the Unspeakables would study or talk about, yet I know that my old friend wouldn't ask about this if the situation didn't call for it. Yet at the same time, do I need to admit:
"Not as much as you seem to, Charlus." And my years of spotting guilty students make me notice the man hiding a cringe before he says: "Then allow me to explain this. First of all, there are eight different kind of Elves. The four Elemental, Music, Empathy, Guard and Time. And the man over there is, indeed, a Time Elf.
Albus, Minerva, meet Merden, my personal friend and the Time Elf serving me and my family. I will explain that later, shortly. Now Merden has told me this story long ago and now I will happily explain it to you. You see, time in and of itself is actually a force of energy, one that swirls around in a cycle over and over, becoming a constant.
This is why there is always conflict every now and then, Albus, because the dark energy of one time era is picked up by Time's energy when it goes over this part of the cycle again. It is just something that is and that will always be, yet this is also why Time Elves are some of the strongest Elves that will ever be born or even be."

At this I nod as so far the explanation sounds and Dorea takes over: "Now there are periods of – well – time when Time gets tired of its journey, tired of the cycle it goes over again and again, when it goes slower than usual and when its ability to keep balance intact. It's in instances like these that other deities take their chance.
And let me tell you, Albus, one of the worst is Destiny. As you know the many sayings Destiny is a fickle thing. That and that person is Destiny's little plaything. Destiny really hates you. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Imagine my surprise when I found out that those saying, over the years, gained magical power of their own.
They gained the actual attention of Lady Destiny and she started liking them and started liking to act upon them. And more and more often, Albus, when this happened, it would leave the Light suffering, even if it won great conflicts or battles.""And that is what happened – in my timeline." The redhead then says, making me turn back to him.

"Ronald Billius Weasley. My mother, Molly Anne is currently pregnant of my older twin brothers, Fred and George. I am born on March the 1st in 1980 and have a younger sister who will be born on the 11th of August 1981, exactly two months and almost three weeks before this war will finally meet its end, even if only temporary."
This startles me, but makes Minerva sigh in relief as she says: "Oh thank goodness, only five – no, almost four – more years of this horrid fight." But I can tell that there are things the young man isn't telling me, yet, and he looks at her for only a short while before he turns back and says: "The end of the war – will orphan my best friend."
This horrifies Minerva and makes me grimace horribly as Ronald goes on: "Unfortunately, you were badly affected by what was supposed to happen a few days ago, what would have happened – if Merden here didn't want to reunite my best friend and honorary brother – with all of his family, including his grandparents."

And this news is what I both want and really don't want to hear as I love the idea of Lily and James getting together and having a son, but I hate the very thought of losing both my greatest source of confidence and comfort, not to mention the students that make me most assured that the future is in good hands after all.
"Who cares? You've already lost them anyway. It's all up to you now and you know it. You know you can't rely on others, not the way they rely on you. You know this, stop trying to deny this to yourself." I hear a voice tell me from the back of my mind and this makes me grimace as I wonder if Voldemort is trying to break me from the inside.
"Stop that this instance!" The Time Elf suddenly growls and he stands up, showing a force of strength and magic I have never seen before as he states: "You have no power here, Destiny. This is no longer your playground. By the power of myself and my future form, I banish you from this realm and era. Return to your plaything."
And his words feel as if they attack me directly before suddenly a presence seems to leave me, as if a weight of a thousand Hogwarts castles has been lifted off my shoulder. I gasp and pant, wondering why I suddenly feel so exhausted, especially mentally and emotionally and Merden says: "Please tend to him, Lord Upole."

Upole is Swahili for Empathy. Not original, but I don't care, it helps remind me who's who.

And an Elf with the most caring eyes I have ever seen, whose entire form makes me feel that, if he were to hug me, I would feel stronger and safer than if I were to bathe myself in the powers of Hogwarts, her wards and magic, walks over to me and whispers: "Be at peace, my good man, she can no longer mislead you."
And I gasp in shock as I realize what almost happened. "That – that voice. It – it has been speaking to me since the start of the holiday. It – it was Destiny, wasn't it? She knew Volde –." But then the redhead steps up and says: "Our wards will fall if you say that name. We cannot risk our interference being discovered, not yet. Don't say it."
And while I have been trying to make people say the name for months, do I easily notice that the man isn't afraid of the name, he is cautious and is being determined to keep himself hidden from Voldemort's sight for now. I nod at him and say: "She knew the Potters were going to die and wanted to use that against me."

The group nods and young Ronald says: "You and the you from the future are two completely different people, Headmaster. In my time, you have graduates join your Order, work with kids that aren't trained in combat, but have seen strive and conflict and rely on your own students more than you do your closest coworkers."
And he indicates Minerva as he says this before he goes on: "You also came up with an endgame plan that, if I were to tell it to you now, you would probably put yourself under the Unforgivable or locked up in Azkaban, just to make sure you won't get the chance to do it again. At least if I have to believe these two and I do."
This makes me look at Minerva in great concern and then the boy says: "Sir, I fought in the war that follows this one, the one where Slytherin came back, greater and darker than he is now. He played each and every situation to his benefit and more and more often, you let him, because you believed in your endgame more than anything else.
You let people die, all because you believed they were hindrances for your plans and that them being dead or alive wouldn't affect your long-term plans. You also, like I said, relied on students, like myself, and tested even kids as young as eleven against tests like a Cerberus, a Mountain Troll and an ancient and enchanted mirror."

By now I feel ready to actually do as the boy said I would, but instead I just keep listening as he says: "Sir, I'm a warrior. I'm a fighter and I'm a war-survivor. I know Slytherin's secret and I know how he got as crazy strong as he did. However, it's not up to me or my best friend to end this war, that was orchestrated by Destiny.
No, my – I mean, our – role in this war is to be a secret weapon. To learn of your future and remember our past, to heal from its wounds and see solutions for your future. And most importantly, to save all those that, through Destiny, will be left to die, either by your or the hands of others with the ability to save them.
However, there are those who are actually – I guess you can say – destined to help you end Slytherin and those are standing here with me. These elves are the royals of each kind of Elf you were told about and they are ready to join you in battle and help you keep the Death Eaters from destroying towns and human lives in general.

Because you have to understand, while we are meant to save the lives of those we loved and lost, even my parents no longer remember exactly when who died, which is where these armies come in. They can be for you what our loved lost ones couldn't have been, simply because you proved your worth to your reputation.
You really are the greatest Headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen, purely because you are the best at keeping the war and its most horrible effects away from the students, you have managed to keep the innocence of the students intact, regardless of the horrors of the outside world. You do this now and you do this brilliantly.
But what you have to understand is that this has a downside. All those who graduate, have never fought a battle in their lives. But you – or the you influenced by Destiny – felt it was a good idea to have them join your Organization, your Order of the Phoenix – and this made many, many good men and women fall too early.
They saved lives, yes, but it came at the cost of their own and their families more often than not. A lot of people were saved, only because your Order members literally gave their lives to give these people a chance to escape dangerous threats. But those Order members – will never be able to win a fight, especially not against these."

And with that does he motion for the other royals and their guards and one of them steps forward as he says: "Lord Dumbledore, I saw both this young man and one of your students, one Mss. Evans, go up against a Rookie Fighter who is also a Guard Elf. This young man did well, but was still nowhere near the Rookie's level.
Mss. Evans needed a Water Elf to help heal her two minutes into the battle." This shocks me, but Charlus says: "She is fine, Albus. She has already been healed and felt stupid for not letting Severus, Lucius or Remus take on the Elf. Though she only did so, so that these fine fellow royals of mine could give you a proper example.
Your students aren't warriors, not like Ronald and my grandson and not like the armies of these fine kingdoms. Let them help you, Albus, let us help you." And while I finally feel as if there is a light at the end of the tunnel and feel glad beyond words that everyone is fine, do I notice a statement of his and I smirk as I ask:

"You're Elven too, aren't you Charlus?" The man nods and says: "Yes Albus, and Charlus is just a cover name I made for myself when I first went to Hogwarts. And if you pay close attention to Potters going to Hogwarts over the centuries, you will notice something. Every few centuries, two Potters of the same name attend."
This intrigues yet doesn't shock me as one of the legends behind Elves is that they are actually able to become much and much older than any witch or wizard and that they are very much against my good friend, Nicholas and his magical rock of immortality. And as if the boy can read my mind, does Ronald step forward and growl:
"Sir, I don't mean to threaten or doubt you, just forewarn you of one of the actions you – after years of being influenced by Lady Destiny – committed. Please, for the sake of myself, my best friend and our united friend, do not try and hide that retched stone at Hogwarts. It isn't worth the effort or the risks that come with it."

And while I am horrified that anything could convince me to think up something like that, does Minerva want to snap, but Ronald says: "I lived through it. I beat your living Chess Set to get to it, because I and my friends thought it was under threat. We just relived the entire experience by reading about my First Year."
And the knowledge that I let this happen to an eleven – or at the time twelve – year old makes me feel even worse. I turn to the other Elves and stammer: "Help me. I – I now know that Lady Destiny can no longer influence me, but – I don't want to risk it. I don't – I never want to – become him." At which all Elves nod, smiles of pride on their faces.

Well said, Albus,
Like I said, this is not the same Dumbledore as the one that came back from nothingness a few chapters ago. This Albus is still very much good, still the embodiment of the title, Leader of the Light and still desires the war to end with as little horror and bloodshed as possible. He is still the good man people want him to be.
Next chapter: Dumbledore learns more about the people he considered his friends, their other identity and their lives in the Elven Realm. Yet he also has a request for them and they are happy to help him with this problem. Yet the request might come with a few complications. What will happen? Will things go wrong?
See for yourself,

Venquine1990
PS. Inspiration comes from Leonette, check out their stories.