Disclaimer-I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters.
The Dark Lord forced us to question those we loved and trusted. Because those were the exact ones who would betray us it seemed. I guess that is really where the story of Lily and James Potter begins, Dumbledore thought.
Ever since Lily had gotten her letter to Hogwarts she had become distant with her sister. Petunia Evans was never cruel to her sister's face, but behind her back she was brutal. Dumbledore remembered when he had found out about the hatred Petunia harbored for Lily. He was shocked, but at the same time he wasn't. Magic opens up a whole new world and if you are not a member of that world then you can't be a part of it. This wasn't how magic always was, but this is what it was forced to become. A secret. And if there is anything that can tear familial bonds it would be a secret that big.
Dumbledore always had a special place in his heart for the muggle-born students. They were not like the rest. They could never truly understand the lives of the rest. In turn, the rest would never understand the lives of the muggle-borns. Those pureblood students would never know the heartache that comes with living in two very different worlds. They would never understand the importance of keeping their world a secret. But most of all they would never feel the shame that a muggle-born felt. Muggle-borns weren't good enough for the wizarding world. And they weren't good enough for the muggle world. They really didn't have a place to fit in like everybody assumed. So day after day these students walked around with their hearts hidden far inside themselves and tried to find their place in the world. This, Dumbledore thought, is bravery and courage.
Lily had always been a faithful and trustworthy child. She loved life and was ready to conquer any challenge that presented itself to her. Her early years at Hogwarts were filled with joy and pleasure. As time went on life got more difficult for her. The threat of Voldemort was rising and as a promising young student she was becoming a prominent victim. She knew that she wanted to somehow aid in the fight against the Dark Lord, but she didn't want to be an auror. Her dream was to become and unspeakable. She had impeccable charm skills and Dumbledore was eager to put in a good word for her in the Department of Mysteries. By the end of her years at Hogwarts she had found love with James Potter. Dumbledore had always known they would end up together, but he had let things take their own course. They complimented each other perfectly. The power of such a match posed a major threat for Voldemort. He knew the time had come to eliminate both of them.
Dumbledore had watched Lily and James leave Hogwarts. They were both eager and excited for the future. Thankfully, they did not know what it held. After their deaths Dumbledore constantly thought about what would have happened if things had been different. It drove him crazy. For the first time his emotions had finally caught up to him. He was not an emotionless man, but he was a smart man. The fight against evil was a dirty one and Dumbledore knew that acting foolishly out of love was exactly what would get you killed. So he learned to accept his place in this new world and ongoing fight.
Dumbledore had learned to revert into himself. Yes, it was lonely at times, but it was necessary for survival. He'd rather keep his distance than be hit so hard each time another friend was killed at the hands of Voldemort and his death eaters. This is what made Voldemort fear Albus Dumbledore. The Dark Lord could never understand what love felt like. While these emotions came naturally to Dumbledore he was also able to distance himself from them. Tom Riddle was always distant from love. He did not know both sides of the coin like Dumbledore and that was where his greatest weakness lay. Everybody is capable of loving in some way or form and Dumbledore knew that some day Tom would love someone very much. Then when they were taken from him he would find out that there were things much worse than death. There were times when death was a welcome escape from yourself and the pain. Not physical pain, emotional pain which is so much worse.
Through many years of pain and hurt Dumbledore had become wise. Behind those twinkling eyes and slight smile lay a face that was crippled by life. When the mask was taken away, only a very old, sad man was left. If anyone understood that there were things much worse than death it was Dumbledore.
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