This chapter introduces Dumbledore's mentor. I wanted to do this to show important similarities between Harry of the future and Albus of the past, even though this is just a fanfic.
Disclaimer: The HP Universe is not mine, nothing in it is.
Chapter V - The Old Man
The dungeon was dank and dark that night, more so than usual. Professor Marakendal was proud of his status as potions master and he had always hoped to be potions master one day when he was an idealistic young boy. Albus made his way down the eerie corridor; the bobbled stone walls oozed slightly with a light green liquid which no professor could quite understand, but it had remained uneventful for a decade. He opened the strong wooden door and entered the bright classroom, illuminated by dozens of candles which the old potions master found soothing, using the candles to help with his ancient meditation methods; methods he claimed were the reason that his 188th birthday was just a week away.
"Albus," Professor Marakendal exclaimed, smiling happily with an upside-down smile, for he stood on the hard stone floor with his head. "Come in Albus, come in," the bubbly old man cheerfully continued, "what brings you to my humble abode at," Professor Marakendal glanced over at the clock on his desk as he positioned himself right-side-up and said, "2 o'clock in the morning." The wizard chuckled and said as he strode over to his old pupil, "Oh my Albus," he sat down behind his desk and gestured for Albus to sit opposite him, "so late yet you need such an early start in the morning. You have a highly testing mission ahead of you." Albus grew startled at this last remark. "How do you know about my mission, Professor?" Albus said. The old man simply chortled and said, "Word spreads quickly, Albus. And I have told you many times we have been colleagues for a long, long time now. Please, call me Bager." Albus responded to this quite shocked and said, "No. No disrespect, but to me you will always be Professor Marakendal." "Right," Professor Marakendal replied, smiling his friendly and welcoming smile, "well, what brings you here."
Albus stood up and began pacing the room. Professor Marakendal was a patient man and understood the pressure Albus was in at that time. "I..." Albus stuttered, "I don't think I'm strong enough." "What do you mean?" Professor Marakendal replied suddenly more serious. "This is a very big matter, professor," Albus said, showing how pressured he was by his sudden unsure nature, "huge. The entire world depends on me". "What about Wiglaf Paddock?" Professor Marakendal interjected. "You know as well as I do he has gotten where he is by sheer luck and being in the right place at the right time," Albus had suddenly become angry at the sound of Paddock's name, "and with a pretty penny in his pocket". "Albus; sit," Professor Marakendal said, reassuringly. "Now Albus," the old wizard continued once Albus had taken his seat once more, "you are a very powerful wizard and can handle any matter, I am sure." "But this is a mission that could change the history of the world. I don't I'm strong enough." "Albus, it is not our abilities that determine who we are or how we complete a mission, it is our choices. You are a very wise man, Albus. Even wiser than I; I am proud to call you my student, my colleague, my friend." Albus looked at Professor Marakendal and smiled. "Thank you," he said, on the brink of tears, "I will never forget the wisdom you pass to me." Albus stood up and walked to the door. "Goodnight, Bager," Albus said. "Goodnight, Albus," the friendly old wizard replied, retiring to his bedroom.
Albus closed the door behind him and made his way up to the transfiguration class room, to get some much needed rest. He arrived in his office to find an inquisitive Edlyn calling to him. "Albus, what happened," Edlyn said, overly curious. "Merely Bager Marakendal being Bager Marakendal," Albus said, proudly, "the wisest wizard I have ever known. Goodnight, Edlyn." Albus made his way to his bedroom and as he turned the handle, he heard a yawning Edlyn lazily reply, "Goodnight, Albus."
Good? Tell me.