Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter and A Christmas Carol do not belong to me. I just play in the wonderful beach that fan-fic authors are allowed to use. I do claim the plot and any original characters that show up.

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Premise: Dumbledore is visited by three ghost to tempt him to change his ways. Will it work or will he still be consumed with his 'Greater Good'?

This is a HP Christmas Carol story for 2023.

Stave: A set of five horizontal lines and four spaces that each represent a different musical pitch

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Stave 1

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December 24, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

It had been a rather successful night. Most of the students had an enjoyable time. Severus made sure that none of the students got too physical with each other and there would be enough good press to help erase some of the stain from the selection of Harry Potter, the death of an endangered dragon and the less than stellar results of the first task from two of the four champions. Diggory was walking again, all be it with a slight limp, and Krum looked rather dashing with the eye patch.

Yes, the night looked quite successful, except for Harry, who looked to have had a very disappointing night, if the look on Miss Patil's face and the way Miss Granger stormed out of the great hall, were any indications. He saw the way Harry looked at Granger. Whatever argument they had gotten into must have been teen angst. They were getting to that age that drama would rule their life. It would be character building for the boy.

"Tipsy," he called out as he sat in his large chair of his office. He should get to bed but felt a night cap was needed.

"Yes, headmaster," a small elf voice greeted him a second later.

Fawkes gave a gentle coo at the elf then settled back down.

"Please get me a nightcap," he requested as he settled into his chair.

Albus closed his eyes for a moment, basking in the glow of the good night. When he heard a small clink, he said, "Thank you, Tipsy."

The elf didn't say anything. Ah, the sign of a good servant.

When he opened his eyes, he was confused not to see a small crystal cup and decanter on his desk. Looking around, he suddenly realized he wasn't alone. His wand came out and he stood to confront the spectre that was standing a few feet away. "Peeves, this is not amusing," he angrily protested to the poltergeist. Many years now the damned thing had tried to get a rise out of him.

The figure gave a grave expression. "Do you not recognize your old partner?"

Albus's eyes narrowed. Damn that stupid thing. Years ago, it had found out his secrets and it was the only reason why Albus let the poltergeist still live in the castle. "I have put up with you until now. Be gone or I will banish you from the castle and send you onto wherever a poltergeist goes."

The tall man with neatly trimmed beard shook his head. As Albus took him in, a frown spread over his face. This was a much older vision than he was used to seeing, as the poltergeist only had pictures of the man from the Great War. He also wasn't sure why it was weighed down with chains that held skulls, a wand, a ring and a…

Albus paled.

"I see you figured out I am no spectre," the man said is a wizened voice.

"Gellert?" Albus asked in a whisper. "But you are still in Nurmengard."

"I was in Nurmengard, my old love. Let's say I have passed on and been given a chance to save someone I still care for," the aged man said.

Albus swallowed. "I would have been told if you died."

"I assure you; it was rather recently. I don't have the time for this though. I'm here to talk about the Greater Good," Gellert said.

Albus closed his eyes for a moment, pain passing over his face. "You perverted our original plans to the point I had to stop you."

"And I am here to stop you while there is still time," Gellert countered.

Albus opened his eyes to look at his friend. "Save me? I think you have this wrong. I am the Defender of the Light, my old friend. I only do what is necessary to save all I can. I do not wish to rule."

Gellert gave a mirthless chuckle. "You never could see the trees through the forest. You have become everything you fought against. You have become me, my love. I wish to save you. Keep you from being weighed down with the chains of guilt and darkness. Do you still wish to see your sister and mother?"

A pain rippled through his heart at the thought of Arianna and his mother. "More than you could know. I fail to see how I am a Dark Lord like you, Gellert. I have never strived for power."

"Yet you possess it and yield it like you are lord of all you see," Gellert said. He held up his chains. They rattled and Albus looked at the ring that had a black stone on it. The longing for that filled him. "This is the fate you are looking at, Albus. An eternity strapped to your dreams and unable to touch them, feel them… watch them all fall to ashes. If you don't change, Albus, this is your fate."

Albus looked at him confused, his wand finally dropping. "I don't understand what you are trying to tell me, Gellert."

The man gave him a rather sad look. "I hope you do understand soon, Albus, or you will never have the next Great Adventure as you dream of. It will be an eternity of sadness.

You will be visited by three spirits tonight. Listen and learn from the lessons they wish to impart. Only through learning and acting can you be saved the same fate," Gellert said in an ominous way.

Unlike a normal ghost, the spectre of Gellert started to fade. "Wait, Gellert. I don't understand. I'm no Dark Lord. I have only ever done what I have for the light," he said a little angrily.

"Even the best intentions can pave the road to purgatory, or worse," Gellert said as he faded away.

Albus looked at the spot, not sure if he had just witnessed what he had. A small crack and the sound of a tray being placed on his desk had Albus swirling around, his wand coming up and an ominous glow on its tip.

Tipsy squeaked and backed away, her arms coming up to cover her face.

Shaken, Albus slowly put his wand down. "I'm sorry, Tipsy. I think I am just tired."

The little house elf opened her fingers enough to look at him. "Tipsy didn't mean to scare the headmaster. Is the headmaster wantings anything else?"

Albus shook his head. "No thank you. You may go."

The house elf gave him one last dubious glance before she snapped her fingers and was gone.

Albus turned to look at where Gellert had just stood by the fireplace.

"A night cap and then bed," he told himself, sitting in the grand chair behind his desk.

Fawkes started a soft song of mourning, matching Albus mood if it was true that Gellert had passed. Looking at the clock on the mantle, it was 11:59.

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END