Gellert's Seer abilities kick in, but someone is not listening. The First Wizarding War in Britain ran from 1970 to 1981 and the Marauders, Snape and Lily started at Hogwarts in 1971. It is kind of sad once you do the math and realize how young Harry's parents were when they died.

1969

Spring 1969

Dear Albus

I am writing to you after a restless week interrupted by Visions. I think you know what I mean. It might have something to go with that lightning bolt knocking one of the runes out from the roof - the one that limits my Seer abilities. Previously you mentioned something about a pesky ex-student – Tom What-ever-his-name. Methinks you should have saved yourself a good lot of trouble transfiguring him into a teakettle when you had the chance. Too late for that now though.

At the risk of sounding overdramatic, I See a time of great darkness and fear with many magical lives and talents lost for no more reason than being born of Muggle stock. Look to your students as well. The seeds of future sorrow will be sown alongside the seeds of possible victory. Beware of the viper among the cubs. Allies and enemies obscured. Make sure you get your trouble out by the root. Never do to leave a piece behind.

If you are asking for more details, I regret that after so long without practice, my interpretations are probably off by a mile. You may wish to consult with another trusted Seer if they have been receiving any Visions.

May I enquire if you have plans to offer a place to a werewolf in Hogwarts in the near future as headmaster? If so, may I suggest a secure cell in the dungeons for those pesky full moon nights.

Be careful, you stubborn old coot. Do not pet the werewolf.

Always

Gellert

31 May 1969

Dear Gellert

I know of those Visions you speak of. Those nightmares that used to have you waking up screaming in bed. And no, I am not going to kiss them away this time, unlike what we did that summer. I suppose the Austrians will replace the rune the next time they do ward maintenance. When is that due? It is strongly against Hogwarts policy to transfigure students, so no. I am not turning anyone into kitchen tools. Tom is such a common name. I cannot recall offhand which student we are referring to – Is it Thomas White the healer or Tommy Knockness made it to the national Quidditch team? Or perhaps even Thomasina Wolff who is now writing for The Daily Prophet?

Your description of the Vision sounds as though you fished it out of a vat of moonshine. Have you been attempting to transfigure alcohol from moonbeams again? Or have you lost it for real this time? We know Seers tend to get a bit loopy after a while, being stuck in more than one reality. All this babble about cubs and snakes. For your information, the Hogwarts' dungeon is already occupied by the Slytherin dorms. We are not throwing a werewolf in there. Lords Black and Malfoy will raise a stink up to the ICW.

The only thing you seem to have gotten to the root of in your Vision is Professor Sprout's trouble with the Devil's Snare currently taking over the greenhouse. We seem to keep missing out bits and it keeps growing back to attack unsuspecting students and staff.

Your friend

Albus

Summer 1969

Dear Albus

I write in to request that you pull a few strings (or throttle some stubborn factors) in the ICW to allow me some access to some divination tools – a crystal ball, tea leaves, rune-bones, or even tarot cards. I have the strongest feeling this will not only concern your precious corner of Britain but might spill over to the Continent or even worldwide. You do remember what happened with our little quarrel, do you? It stated in your cottage and exploded globally.

No one has fixed the missing rune yet and I am still getting these messy Visions. Now they involve some giant snake and my aunt. Can you please check in on Auntie Bathilda to make sure she is okay, please? And please advise her to stop consorting with reporters or inviting any strangers in for tea. I mean it! I know she is a bit of a pain at times, but she is still my Auntie.

As to your friend's problem with the Devil's Snare – burn down the entire greenhouse and perhaps the castle as well.

Gellert

31 July 1969

Dear Gellert

N.O. No. You have some nerve bringing up that duel in 1899. If you had stayed to face the mess with us, we might have never heard of Dark Wizard Grindelwald. No, you did a bunk faster than a bat out of hell. Then you got it into your head to develop our philosophical discussions way off track into world domination. How can I be sure if you are not going to use your divination exercises to engineer an escape or a comeback? We have enough problems currently with some new upstart group peddling anti-Muggleborn views, without you getting in on it.

Your Aunt still hates me for having you locked up and I am not getting my butt hexed off turning up on her doorstep. You are still her favourite nephew despite everything. Sprout has resolved the Devil's Snare problem with an herbicide potion and trimming without resorting to flames. Why is every other solution from you something to do with fiery mass destruction? One might think you were a dragon in a past life.

Albus

Summer 1969

Dearest Albus

You wound me. Had I stayed, I think it would be two dead bodies on the living room floor, not one. I doubt having goat boy packed off to Azkaban for murder would help things. Besides, I doubt he has the stomach to face the consequences. Admit it, you were as keen as I was on magical guidance for the Greater Good back then. About my pyromaniac tendencies, now whose family was it that has a close association with phoenixes? I draw the line at self-immolation on a fiery pyre.

I solemnly swear on my wand that I will not misuse any divination equipment to escape from this cesspit you have seen fit to dump me in. So how about some first-rate Icelandic crystal for focusing my Visions, eh? I know they were costly even back in 1925, even more than that skull-hookah I had to settle for. I should be able to part with a few ten thousand Galleons for one small baseball size crystal ball. Being Supreme Mugwump on top of Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot must have its perks.

Gellert

P.S. Do phoenixes rise from the ashes all the time, or do they eventually peter out?

1st Sep 1969

Dear Grindelwald

Definitely not. I am not throwing good Galleons down on a crystal ball you will likely use to bash the brains out of some hapless guard. As for swearing on your wand, you do not have one. You are forbidden from holding one as per the terms of your imprisonment. And no, the oath does not hold for a bird bone or whatever 'wand' you have squirreled down your pants.

I will remind the Austrians to fix that broken runestone so we can all have some peace.

Yours sincerely

Dumbledore

P.S. Did you actually think I would let my brother kill you back then?

P.P.S. Yes, so far Fawkes has always risen from the ashes. There have been no records of a dead phoenix so far in the history of Magizoology or legend.

Author's Notes:

What would happen if Gellert had stayed in 1899 to face the consequences?

Not sure how accurate Grindelwald's latest Visions are, or how good he is at interpreting them. I am trying to make him sound about as loopy as Sybill Trelawney. Poor guy has been in solitary too long.