The Things I Had and the Things I've Lost
Disclaimer- all the characters are owned by J.K Rowling
A/N- written for QLFC round 3- This fic is a muggle a/u this you won't be seeing magical actions, please R&R
Prompt- - CHASER 1: You'll Be Back: Write about someone missing the "good old days."
Lyrics used - despite our estrangement, I'm your man
Additional prompts - (dialogue) "What can I say? I'm always right.", (word) impatient, (action) arguing
Word count - 2,470
It had been one of the saddest days of his life. Albus Dumbledore-Grindelwald looked around at the dark and quiet house. It was no longer the dream house he had once imagined. Albus glanced at the telephone, hoping, praying they would call. He picked up the picture frame from the desk and ran his fingers over it. In it, he saw himself, younger and happier and with both of his reasons for living. Though they no longer need him and probably hate him, he couldn't stop loving them.
1985, Wool's Orphanage
Albus and Gellert waited patiently as an elderly woman went through their documents. She had grey hair and sharp features. After a few minutes, she turned to both men.
"I'm sorry to inform you but we can't let you adopt Tom."
"B-but why? We both have stable and legal jobs. I'm a teacher and Gellert works in a construction company," Albus explained. The woman just shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Mr Dumbledore, but I can't give Tom's custody to someone who's in your situation," she said eyeing the duo with distaste. Gellert clenched his fist. Impatiently, he moved forward, however, Albus pulled him back.
"Someone in our situation? If you weren't a woman, I would've punched you in the face. All my partner and I wanted is a child and you arseholes won't even let us have that. We can give the boy food, shelter and move home. Even better than that normal couple. You don't actually want to help these children, you'll just sell them to whoever gives the highest bid!" Gellert spat. The woman gulped like a fish, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
She opened her mouth to say something but spotted the little boy with dark hair standing at the door listening to their conversation. She turned to Albus and spoke;
"Alright, Mr Dumbledore, I'll give you custody of Tom if you promise me that you'll give him good upbringing and keep him away from negative influence," she said while looking pointedly at Gellert, who grits his teeth.
When they left the orphanage, the little boy faced Albus and asked; "Where are we going?"
"To your new home," Albus replied with a smile. The boy was perfect. Albus gently ruffled his hair, earning a curious look from the little boy.
"What should I call you?" Tom asked with uncertainty.
"You can call me Papa," Albus said with a smile.
Tom looked at Gellert who pondered a bit then spoke;" I think Father will work for me."
Tom eyed the blonde man confused, then turned to Albus. "B-but Mrs Cole said every child has to have a mother and a father. So how can I have two fathers?" he questioned.
"Because you're special and don't ever forget it," Gellert said. Tom just nodded.
July 1987
Albus was watering the plants while Gellert was out for work. It's been two years since they had adopted Tom into their lives and Albus couldn't be happier. They had gotten Tom admitted to the same school where Albus taught. All his colleagues, including Headmaster Dippet, sang praises of Tom, which made both Gellert and himself proud. Albus was deep in thoughts when-
"Mr Dumbledore, Mr Dumbledore!" called a feminine voice laced with an impatient edge. He turned around and came face to face with a short woman with shoulder-length blonde hair. She was holding Tom's shoulder with a tight grip. Along with her was a boy who was slightly older than Tom with a large wound on his forehead. It appeared someone had hit him with a rock.
"Look what this demon child did to my Walter!" she shouted.
Albus immediately stood glancing at the woman. "There must be some misunderstanding, Mrs Bishop, Tom couldn't do this. I know my son. He is not like this plus Walter is older than Tom. How can a 13-year-old hurt a boy twice his size?" Albus defended.
The women's cheeks flushed both embarrassment and anger. She rested both her hands on her hips. "I wish you weren't this delusional, Mr Dumbledore. One can change their clothes and family but they can't change the blood which flows in their veins." With a final glance at Tom, she and her son left, leaving Albus open-mouthed.
That night during dinner Albus recited everything to Gellert, who clenched his fist while Tom quietly ate his food.
"So, goody-two-shoes Karen said that. What if something happens to her precious dog?" Gellert stated while suggestively ruffling Tom's hair. Albus's eyes widened on the statement.
"Gellert, how can you suggest something like this! Besides, Tom didn't do anything to the Bishop boy."
"I did what that swine deserved,' said Tom. He said mean things about you and father. He said you both will go to hell since you're both fags-"
Before Tom could complete his sentence Albus cupped his face and spoke; "Sweetie, there will be people who'll say mean and derogatory things about your parents. But violence isn't the answer to everything." Albus' explanation earned a snort from Gellert.
"So, you expect him to keep quiet if someone talks rubbish about his family?" Gellert demanded, his voice growing louder and impatient.
Albus faced Tom and said; "Tom, please go to your room."
"But-?"
"Now!" Albus stated firmly. Tom picked up his plate and went upstairs. "I can't believe you're not condemning our son's behaviour!" Albus said while pointing an accusatory finger at Gellert.
"I can't believe you're making him a coward!" Gellert shot back.
"I'm doing no such thing, Gellert," Albus exclaimed, already feeling drained by the argument. Why couldn't he and Gellert just kiss and make up as they did before? "Look, Gellert, I don't want to fight with you."
"Just accept you were wrong and let Tom deal with problems in his own way," Gellert suggested.
Albus huffed. "You know I can't let that happen!"
"Why are you being this way?" asked Gellert.
"I'm not being "this way", Gellert!" Albus shot back. He huffed again and went up to their room. Gellert slammed his fist hard on the table and walked out of the front door.
There had been reports of vandalism at three shops in the Diagon Alley area. Two of these shops belonged to Irishmen, while one belonged to a Romanian. It seemed the attacker was targeting Non-Brits in particular.
Albus's eyes were fixed on the TV. It had been two days since their argument and God knows where Gellert went. Tom's voice brought him out of his musings.
"Papa, where's Father?" Tom asked.
"I don't know," Albus admitted, defeated.
It had been a whole week and Gellert hadn't returned home. Albus had contacted some of his co-workers but they didn't know anything either. Albus was watching the news when Tom was heading out.
"Yesterday, a contractor who worked for Harrison's Construction Ltd was murdered cold-bloodedly on the construction site, The Watchmen who was knocked unconscious swore that it was some insider."
Albus's eyes widened on the name of the company. It was the same company where Gellert worked. He got up immediately and picked up the phone to dial the company's number. He tapped his foot impatiently while waiting for someone to actually answer the phone. After several rings, someone picked up.
"Hello, Harrison's Construction Ltd. This is Albus Dumbledore speaking. Could I please talk to Mr Gillart Grindelwad. I'm his friend," Albus spoke, his voice filled with desperation.
"What?, He didn't come to work for two days. Oh, ok thank you." With that Albus put the phone down, wondering where Gellert went. Though his mind didn't want to believe it, Albus went upstairs to their room. .He opened the drawers, Gellert's pistol was missing.
That night, Gellert stumbled home from God knows where. Albus was sitting in the living room, waiting patiently
"Why are you awake this late?" Gellert asked casually.
Albus stood up immediately at his partner's words. "Where were you? A whole week! No-one knew about your whereabouts." His voice was laced with impatience and annoyance.
"Wherever I was, I was safe," Gellert responded dismissively. This only angered Albus more.
"Of course you were since you took your damn pistol with you! Now I think of it, you had it when we were arguing too. Tell me where you intended to shoot me if I crossed the line!"
"Don't be absurd, Albus!" Gellert shouted.
With a shake of his head and an uncertain tone of voice, he asked; "T-tell me, did you kill that man on the construction site?"
Gellert chuckled bitterly, catching Albus off guard.
"So, I'm a murderer now. Not the prince charming you used to kiss at the back alley of your childhood home." Gellert pulled something out of his shirt pocket and threw it at Albus. It was a small box. Albus opened the box and his eyes widened. Inside was a diamond ring.
"W-where did it come from?" Albus managed to say.
"Keep it, sell it, throw it in water. I don't give a damn," Gellert retorted while walking angrily towards the door. Before Albus could utter a single word, his son's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Father, where are you going?"
Albus whipped around and cameface to face with a horrified Tom, who most likely overheard their argument.
"Goodbye laddie," Gellert said softly before walking out of the door.
Since Gellert left, things between Albus and Tom become strained. The boy didn't talk to Albus anymore . He also started to stay at his friend's more often. Lately, Albus noticed that Tom was receiving outrageously expensive gifts from someone. Though he was in no means poor, neither he nor Gellert spoilt Tom with expensive things or encouraged him to spend money on those things. Tom was sixteen-years-old and was an easy target for negative influence.
"Where did you get that?" Albus asked while pointing at the bracelet on Tom's wrist. It was made of pure gold with the letter M on it.
"It's a gift," Tom replied simply.
"From whom?" Albus pressed.
Tom narrowed his eyes. "It's from Abraxas."
Albus's eyes widened on the name. Abraxas Malfoy was one of Tom's rich friends. He was twenty-years-old and had recently gotten married.
"He's married!" Albus exclaimed.
"So?" Tom asked nonchalantly. Albus shook his head in disapproval. He couldn't believe what he heard. He always thought he raised Tom well.
"That's it. You are not to see Malfoy ever again! I don't want you to get involved with a married man. Return all his gifts," Albus decided in a no-nonsense voice.
But Tom just ignored him and started to walk towards the door. Albus caught his arm but he freed himself from the older man's grip and walked out.
Albus told everything to his friend and colleague Horace Slughorn, who assured him that everything would be alright, in the evening Horace arrived with a bottle of whiskey. After a few drinks, Albus poured his heart out to his friend.
"I really don't know Horace. Where did I go wrong? After Gellert's departure, I tried to give Tom as stable a home life as I could... How did things turn this way?" Albus sobbed.
"Have faith, Albus, everything will be alright," Horace assured, putting his palm on Albus' and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Just then Tom entered the room and saw his father and his teacher's joined hands; his blood boiled.
"I should've known better," he spat. Albus's eyes widened on his son's tone.
"Y-you were lecturing me this afternoon when you clearly don't practice what you preach. You chased away my father so you can have fun!" Tom's eyes shot daggers at Slughorn."Tell me, did you tell him to pass me in school in exchange of favours as well!"
Before Tom said anything else- Albus slapped him hard across the face. Tom's eyes widened as he nursed his stinging cheek. Albus covered his mouth in horror. He never raised his hand at Tom before. He approached his son who backed away.
"You know what, go to Hell!. I'm going to father and I'm never coming back!" Tom shouted as he headed out of the door. Albus was glued to his place, unable to comprehend what he had just done.
Horace ran after the young man who was about to start his car.
"Tom, wait, you're misunderstanding. There's nothing between Albus and I," Horace explained. Tom pulled the window down and spat at his teacher. He drove away.
The phone's ringing brought Albus out of his thoughts. He picked up the phone and spoke.
"Hello."
"Albus it's me, Minerva. Happy birthday. I'm sorry I called you this late."
"It's okay Minerva. It's not a big deal," Albus said faintly.
"They didn't call? Neither of them?" Minerva asked. Albus shook his head as if Minerva could see him.
Just like Gellert, Tom never came back. He hoped that he'd see him sometime when Tom would come to collect his belongings, but he never did. Some of his and Gellert's mutual friends told him that Tom was living with a woman named Nagini and she was expecting his child. He didn't dare to ask about Gellert. Despite their estrangement, he couldn't imagine Gellert with another man.
"Albus, Albus are you there?" Minerva's voice brought him back to reality.
"I-I'm here Minerva."
"Ok, I'm coming over with Horace and I'll invite your knucklehead brother too. And no, Albus. I'm not taking no for an answer.." With that Minerva hung up the phone.
Albus sighed. He looked at the clock. He pulled out two letters and headed out to the post box. Though they didn't want to see him or hear from him. Maybe, just maybe, they would read what he wanted to say. Even though they weren't a picture-perfect family, it was real tohim. Even though they no longer need him, he couldn't stop wanting them, needing them, loving them. Maybe one day things will become civil between them. One can only hope.
The End