1992 ***
He was looking at the little boy, who was disappearing behind the door.
'Poor Harry...' He thought with compassion and,with hesitation,he turned to the mirror once again.
What he said to Harry wasn't entirely a lie. He did see a pair of woolen socks, they were on Ariana s feet. This was how he remembered her, she wore them that day, when she died.
Now, she was looking at him from the mirror, but she looked slightly older. Behind her back stood Aberforth, who seemed to be in his mid-twenties, and was waving to him.
And there, behind the pair,he saw himself from the time when he fought with Grindelwald. In the mirror, he was in Gellert s arms and was smiling at him.
For a moment both men from the mirror stared at him,old Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, who was standing in front of the Mirror of Erised.
Albus sighed and left the chamber, lost in his thoughts. He knew that he never really wanted that duel and he never really wanted to win. But he had to, for the greater good , what irony. He had to. By doing that he saved many people Muggles and wizards alike , from a terrible fate.
But now it was a time of another Dark Lord Voldemort, bodiless, wounded spirit wandering on Earth, whose name still scared most of the wizards.
But from Dumbledore s point of view, if he never defeated Grindelwald, Gellert would probably destroy Voldemort, before he killed the Potters. He never believed in prophecies so maybe, if he stayed the Dark Lord, Harry would have parents Maybe James and Lily would be here now?
Maybe he was just being too subjective, but in his opinion, Gellert was above Riddle in everything. He had more courage, more power, he didn t fear death. He wanted to rule it, yes, but he never wanted to gain immortality in wicked ways, he would never lower himself to something like killing unicorns, he was never cruel, he
Dumbledore shook his head. He was getting old and sentimental. Gellert would probably defeat Voldemort in fight, but he would still remain a Dark Lord he would kill, torture and thirst for power
1993
Well, I m impressed, it s really something, to be able to lock one s memories in the diary and to give them power to manipulate the reader s body. Horcruxes like this are in fact fascinating. But it s still just a cowardice. I don t know, how he can still claim himself to be the greatest wizard ever if he can t face the fact, that he has to die someday. Every method of gaining immortality is treacherous, even the Hallows won t help their owner escape from Death.
I guess what s left for me is wishing you and young Potter the best luck.
Dumbledore looked again at the last sentence. He still didn t know himself why he wrote Gellert about his plan. Maybe it was just an instinct, to consult every move with him. Or maybe the imprisoned wizard was the only person whom he could tell about his plans?
Gellert didn t expect him to have solutions for every problem, he knew Albus better than anyone and he could point out every mistake made by him. And, after all it was Gellert who gave him the idea that Voldemort might have horcruxes.
He agreed with Gellert- it was a cowardice, but it showed how powerful Voldemort was And why did they agree on things like that, but on that one that led to their fight they couldn t?
Why Gellert couldn t or didn t want to see things he did as evil ?
He replied to Dumbledore s letters in a calm, polite way, he shared his wisdom and gave advice, but there was no regret or remorse in them. Only grim acceptance of his fate.
But there were times when Dumbledore wanted that blonde wizard here, with him. Maybe he would even teach Defence Against Dark Arts at Hogwarts?
Alas, the duel from 1945 broke them apart for good. Albus was now a leader of all wizards fighting with dark powers and couldn t dream of companionship of a wizard, who after defeating Voldemort, would take his place.
1994
I m amazed three Animagi under your nose I envy you such gifted youngsters I knew that something was wrong when I read articles about Black in The Prophet . I m glad that he is on your side. He s a powerful wizard Reckless and impulsive,with a hint of bravado, but strong and brave nevertheless. From your words I see that you ll need him.
By the way, I was right that hiring werewolf Lupin would be one of your best decisions. He is a very worthy member of the Order of the Phoenix Interesting name by the way. Phoenix, Albus ?
Dumbledore smiled. At first, Gellert was never to be informed about Order of The Phoenix , but only he could help them with fighting with an evil, powerful wizard- he was one too, probably the greatest (in Albus opinion) of them all.
One thing Albus found interesting, but disappointing at the same time Gellert never mentioned his letter, which he left in his Hideout in 1945, as if he never wrote it.
And Dumbledore was longing for some answers, he wanted to be sure that this one solution he came up with was right
1994
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