I am wondering if Albus should just take up a full year's teaching at Ilvermorny or some other Wizarding School at some point. Any ideas? Would anyone be keen on Dumbledore writing from somewhere other than Hogwarts for a year?
1963
1st February 1963, Mahoutokoro
Dear Gellert
I am writing this letter from Mahoutokoro after arriving here. I hitched a ride with a visiting Mahoutokoro delegation after Epiphany. They were invited to participate in a magical ice sculpture competition with their Kodovstoretz counterparts.
As you predicted, old Koldie was not exactly balmy, but the school more than makes up for it with its warm hospitality. Getting there was a trial in itself - train, steamship, horse-sleigh, polar bear… It started off conventionally enough with their headmistress Malachite meeting me at the border in Finland. Then it was off on a wild ride that took up a good two weeks and seemed to cross the length and breadth of the country. Portkeys were hard to come by in Russia. We had so many detours due to bad weather, I lost my bearings somewhere after Crimea, or was it Moscow? Arriving at Koldovstoretz was a bit of a shock. It was almost a community into itself. I understand many of the Muggleborn students live there all year round due to their parents having 'vanished' under the country's Muggle system. They also have a few Muggles with Magical siblings on the premises taught Muggle school subjects by their resident Muggle Studies Master – a Muggle teacher they magicked out of a gulag. It might be in violation of some ICW certification guidelines, but everyone agreed to look the other way – me included. Sadly, the current situation in Muggle Russia sucks.
The faculty hold their meetings in the sauna, which made for a rather interesting experience – since clothing was optional and that goes for both genders and all beings. They had a part-Veela Runemaster, a Rusalka Charms Mistress and a Bannik on their staff. The Bannik maintains the saunas. The students have their own saunas and a schedule in which to use them. They could not have all the saunas going at the same time or everyone would end up in the lake when the ice melts out. I made the mistake of staying too long and passed out, needing the Rusalka to drag me out into the snow to cool off. Malachite stopped her from ducking me into the lake proper on grounds it is not polite to drown guests.
Yule was a huge event in the school – it lasts almost a full month. They make up for the missed lessons in summer when school hours could run up to eleven at night. Their version of Quidditch was wild. I heard they flew on trees instead of brooms but to witness a teeny witch riding a huge fir tree… Malachite explained the custom came about when the school's head domovoi (their version of the house-elf) put his foot down about misuse of the household brooms for frivolous games when Quidditch was first introduced. If this is the same one who provided the hearty meals, I can understand why everyone would like to keep on his good side. The Quidditch practice came to abrupt end when the local Leshy decided the trees should be back in the forest. We had to catch some of the younger students who had not quite mastered a Cushioning Spell.
My journey onwards to Japan was slightly better. The Japanese delegation brought their own ministry-issued portkey. They just needed a quick skip over to the lake shore where they first arrived to ensure they do not mess up their hosts' wards when they activate it. The coordinates were taken back in 1910 and had not been updated since. We arrived in the northernmost Japanese island and slowly worked our way down the island chain by broomstick after returning the portkey to their Ministry's northern branch office.
Kitsune Yukiko - the Transfiguration mistress explained that out of deference to my age, they would break the journey at onsens along the way instead of pushing on back to the school directly, which will require overnight flying and pepper-up potions. Winter flying is hard on an older wizard. Yukiko decided to stay back with me while the rest of the students and staff hurried on home. Any ill-feelings I might have had were dispelled when faced with the hospitality of a hot-spring inn. A soak in a mineral spring was just what I needed after flying pillion nonstop for eight hours. The dress code for the baths were no clothes and unisex. Yukiko had me at a disadvantage with her nine tails standing in for a towel. Dinner appeared undercooked but I was assured it was just like slurping raw oysters off the half-shell. The dancing prawns were another matter. That sent my appetite packing. Yukiko apologized and explained she would instruct the chef to put me down as vegetarian to avoid future encounters with live food.
It took us two days to reach a magical train station where we could catch a train to the coast. The rest of the journey was by bird since Yukiko's broomstick got snapped in two when it got caught in the door while we were squeezing into the train out of Tokyo. A giant storm petrel would not cut it for a wizard my bulk, so they sent an albatross. They run a day school for students aged seven and above prior to boarding then at eleven. They have also done away with the expulsion ritual suicide after 1945. Now the Ministry just pops up to take wayward students caught dabbling in the Dark arts into custody for 'purification in Sea of Trees'. Whatever that means. It was an idea they picked up from MACUSA postwar.
Next, I found out the Americans set up a military base right in our flight path and we had curious jets zipping by. Yukiko reassured me there was no need for cloaking spells as the ministry have squibs on the base who would write the encounters off as foo-fighters or UFOs or the pilots will be laughed at for imagining giant birds with humans riding them. She sent them off with a few glowing balls on their tails, just to make them question what they were seeing. It is such a pity you are not by my side on this wild adventure.
Yours sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. Yukiko would like to invite me to stay until the cherry blossom season, but I doubt I would make it over to Ilvermorny before their exams if that were the case.
20th February 1963, Ilvermorny
Dear Gellert
My sojourn in Mahoutokoro was regrettably cut short after I got a bit too curious about the school's disciplinary measures. It appears I might have crossed a line and the headmaster had to arrange my departure with deepest regrets. I do hope my guide Yukiko will not get into trouble. I did not realize the Sea of Trees was not something to be shared with outsiders and people get nervous about it. I was escorted by Japanese Ministry Aurors back to Tokyo and given a portkey that sent me straight to MACUSA's headquarters in New York. From there I was given a lift by Madame Picquery to Ilvermorny. Believe me, you left quite an impression on her - a highly unfavourable one. How many of her people did you convert to your cause before she had to resort to cutting your tongue out?
Ilvermorny is very much like Hogwarts, with less inter-House rivalry once they are off the Quidditch field. It was almost like coming back home – or I was getting homesick. Got talked into giving a lecture on human transfiguration. Got corralled into a discussion on the use of Dragon's blood in potions by the Potions Club. I had to decline an invite to the Duelling Club's training session as I am no longer as spry as I once was. I doubt falling flat on my face from exhaustion would leave a good impression on the eager youngsters. The headmaster introduced me to their resident thunderbird. Somehow Fawkes (whom I left in Scotland last year) popped up to say hi to old Franklin, as the bird is known to the faculty.
I learned the hard way about static charges when I got zapped petting Franklin. Fawkes might have had some foresight, for he caught me when I got knocked off the nesting tower. I suppose it would be all over the student papers how the Supreme Mugwump was zapped by their current mascot. I think everyone got a good look at my socks and underpants before Fawkes returned me to terra firma.
Yours sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. While grateful for Fawkes, I must insist he returns home. I doubt he would be comfortable in Brazil or Africa – the next leg of my journey.
Spring 1963
Dear Albus
It took a while for your owl to reach me from Japan. I suppose I should write to you at Ilvermorny now.
You perv. I suppose you rather enjoyed showing off your hairy butt and then some from St Petersburg to Okinawa. And cavorting with various witches and wizards in saunas and hot springs. I am so jealous. We have never shared a hot tub yet, not that I wish to do so. I am surprised our Japanese brethren managed to find a giant albatross big enough for you. It is a pity that little Rusalka did not drown you on my behalf, as I really feel like ending you now.
Dearie me, the term 'purification' sounds oddly ominous. I do hope they are not dissolving expelled students in MACUSA's Pool of Death now. The Japanese seem to have the right idea about nosey Muggles though. Let them see some magical sparks, sit back, and watch their little brains explode.
Green with envy
Gellert Grindelwald
P.S. This Yukiko character sounds a bit familiar. Does the little vixen also go by the name Snowy Fox?
1st May 1963, Castelobruxo
Dear Gellert
I just received your letter at Ilvermorny on my very last day there. My word – this distance owling is not without its hiccups. At least you have a fixed address for me to write to. I am currently at Castelobruxo's sick hut, deep in the Amazon. I have been sidelined by a spot of jungle sprite mischief. Someone thought it would be hilarious to drop some local plant brew into my mocha. Headmistress Dourado apologized and assured me the effects would wear off. It is like being hit with a Jelly-leg Jinx and having visions at the same time. I spent the welcome dinner speech incoherently blabbing about Dark Lords and some giant snake before Madame Dourado realized I have been Caipora-ed. I threw up all over the Herbology master before collapsing into my rice pudding. I am never complaining about Peeves again.
I think I am seeing that darn snake again… Seems familiar somehow… Did you ever find the other two Hallows? I see one under some floorboards and another in my room in Hogwarts. Maybe I found them…
Dizzily yours
Albus Dumbledore
Summer 1963
Dear Albus
Too bad I was not there to witness your less than stellar encounter with a thunderbird, and Fawkes catching you by the ankles. Ilvermorny is nothing but a copy of Hogwarts if it makes you feel any better. For crying out loud – its cofounder was a Muggle.
Whoa, those pesky caiporas got you good. It is my belief that you have been doped with ayahuasca majorica potion. That is a real potent brew for us wizards and should never be imbued without supervision. It is deadly poison for true Seers. I tried a highly diluted form in Rio once and almost died. Thankfully, the shaman I was with had the antidote on hand – I suppose your hosts did not subject you to painful bullet ants and tarantula bites, but had you wait out the effects since you would not be in mortal danger of losing your life.
Heed those damned visions – they are a warning of things to come. Seriously, I mean it.
Gellert Grindelwald
P.S. I suppose this letter might go missing somewhere en route to the Amazon. Or you might forget about my warning and those visions in the years to come. You might then end up inside that giant snake.
1st July 1963, Uagadou
Dear Gellert
I am now on the last leg of my world journey. The place is so ancient and charged with magic, it is like coming home – such restfulness. Since their summer break starts in December, I was able to give a few lectures on Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms to the senior classes. This place is so full of talent as wands are a rarity in these parts. Some use staffs, like the professors, for corralling wayward students but most get by with wandless magic. It is amazing how many skilled Dreamwalkers and Animagi there are in this school.
Mama Lucinda is rather curious about the state of my soul. Apparently, it is clear to her I have bonded to another but there is some disharmony that needs to be addressed. The soul of one's soulmate is reflected in one's soul. She recommended it be done in this lifetime rather than the next. Something about the wheel of fate and the destiny of the soul. Have we not yet reconciled or have you yet to repent of your deeds in the name of the Greater Good, my old friend? If I ever master this Dreamwalking business, I might just drop by to visit you.
Yours sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. Otherwise we really messed up with the blood pact.
Summer 1963
Dear Albus
Stay out of my dreams. Stay out of my mind.
I have nothing to repent for. This discussion is over.
Stubbornly defiant
Gellert Grindelwald
P.S. I have received those tacky souvenirs you sent. Seriously, keychains? All you can get are keychains?
Author's Notes:
I am delving a bit into Slavic and Japanese folklore for their magical creatures and references to Rowlings' descriptions of the various wizard schools.
Yukiko (Japanese) – Snow-child
Kitsune (Japanese) – fox