Chapter 21

AN: Thank you so much for the support. I truly, truly love this chapter so I hope you do too.

A little over a month has passed since Mie and Regulus had their version of Valentines day in the backroom of the Hogshead, thankfully their date went exactly to plan and the only person who saw them was Aberforth. For Mie everyday that passes she becomes more comfortable in 1978 and she feels like she belongs a little more. Though, with every day she is becoming more concerned about Peter who is avoiding his friends even more though they are constantly trying to talk to him, they are constantly trying to get him to see their side.

It's a grey Tuesday afternoon and the seventh years are in their weekly double Defence Against the Dark Arts class that is being taught by Albus. Just like that first lesson Albus has the attention of every single person in the class, even those who don't particularly like him, as the lessons he teaches have quickly become everyone's favourite.

"And that is why fire is particularly effective against Inferi," Albus explains, finishing his explanation, having done so in an interesting way, looking around the class as he speaks. "Any questions?" Albus asks, looking between everyone and he sees a few people shake their heads, but no one looking like they want to ask something. "Okay, remember if any question comes to you, about Inferi or anything else we have discussed or worked on you can ask your question at anytime," Albus says, walking over to his desk where a purple wizarding hat is siting on. "Now, let's see what our next topic will be," Albus says, and he sticks his hand into the hat and pulls out a piece of parchment.

Opening the parchment Albus reads what is on it and while not a single other person notices Mie see Albus tense at what he reads and Mie dreads what he is about to say, having a sinking suspicion that she knows exactly what it will be related to. "What was it like fighting Gellert Grindelwald?" Albus reads and only those who know the truth can hear his voice shake as he says Gellert's name, and it causes Mie to exchange a worried look with Sirius, both of them feeling incredibly concerned for Albus and how he is going to handle this. "What was the duel really like? Why do you think he was so powerful for so long?" Albus reads, and hearing the question Mie wishes she could do something to make it so her father didn't have to answer that, but she knows that there is no way for her to do that which won't raise a whole lot of questions with people who don't know the truth.

"They are all very interesting questions," Albus admits, as he moves so he is sitting slightly on the desk facing the class, not wanting to be standing for these particular questions, and as he does Mie checks her watch wanting to see if she can get away with distracting the class enough so that class time can run out, but her mind goes blank when she tries to think of a way to do that. "Gellert Grindelwald, you all know the name, you don't need me to tell you what he did," Albus says, and Mie is pretty sure that her father doesn't want to go into that, and he looks down at the paper again, reading the questions trying to decide where will be the least painful place to start. "Why do I think Grindelwald was powerful for so long? That is a complicated question," Albus admits, as those who read the books exchange looks, feeling worried for Albus and how she is going to handle this. "When Ge-Grindelwald rose to power there was a lot of pain in the world," Albus reveals, and while everyone noticed that he almost used Grindelwald only those who read the books knows why that was. "Grindelwald understood that, incredibly well, what he wanted, what he said, a lot of people related to, they believed that he had the answers they had been searching for," Albus explains, choosing each word with extreme care, it being very difficult for him to do so, as there are so many more things he could say; nothing he wants to say to a classroom of students though.

"Sir, it almost sounds like you don't think he was a bad person," Kathleen, Isaacs girlfriend says, and once again Mie tenses at that, wishing she could make it so her father doesn't have to do this, but she cannot think of a way to assure that without potentially making things so much worse.

"Do misunderstand me, I will never agree with what Grindelwald did or the ways he went about what he did," Albus admits, stand up. "But I do understand his reasons, I had to, I know what he set out to do," Albus explains pacing back and forth and Mie feels the worry she is feeling increase, as he is actually explaining details about Grindelwald and who he is. "Fighting Grindelwald…. Was the hardest thing I've ever done," Albus admits, and only those who read the books understand the true reason for that, everyone else just assumes it was become of Grindelwald's magic skill. "For a long time, I knew the duel was coming, but it was impossible to prepare for," Albus admits. "Often understanding the person, you are fighting can be key to your success, but it can also lead to your defeat," Albus says, causing Mie and Sirius to once again exchange worried looks, wondering just how much he is going to say. "The duel… it had been coming for years," Albus admits, knowing that it was coming since the physical representation of their blood troth broke. "And it felt like that, the anticipation, the inevitability," Albus says, turning away from the class. "Thirty-three years ago, and I remember it like it was this morning," Albus admits, staring out of the window and Mie is pretty sure that her father is picturing Grindelwald as he knew him. "It wasn't until the end where it was clear who would succeed, Gellert and I were evenly matched, we knew each other just as well, and we were both just as determined to win," Albus explains, and as he does Mie looks around and tries to figure out if anyone realises that he called Grindelwald by his first name, or realised what he implied by saying they were close, but to her relief it doesn't seem like anyone did. "It was a long duel, exhausting in every way," Albus says, continuing to look out the window as he speaks as he doesn't want to look at the students, not even his daughter. "Eventually I prevailed, and Grindelwald was arrested," Albus says, knowing that for him it doesn't really feel much like he prevailed, and only those who read the books with him can hear the pain, but everyone notices that he stops talking and just continues to stare out the window.

For well over a minute Albus is silent while Mie frantically searches her mind for something to help, just as she is about to take drastic action the bell rings snaping Albus out what is obviously painful thoughts.

"That's the end of class, I will see you all next week," Albus says, very glad that the class is over, and he is so distracted that he doesn't even assign homework.

As most of the class leave no one who read the books are surprised when Mie hangs back, and once the last person leaves Mie uses her wand to shut the door so that she and her father can have some privacy.

"Are you okay?" Mie asks worried, walking over to her father.

"It's not surprising that people are curious," Albus admits, as he is rather used to that because over the years a lot of people have asked.

"That doesn't answer my question," Mie says, putting her hand on her father's shoulder. "Dad, are you okay?" Mie asks worried.

"No," Albus admits, only doing so because it is Mie he is talking to. "My duel with Gellert, what led up to it, isn't something I like to talk about, it's too painful, there are too many regrets, so many what if's," Albus explains to his daughter.

"What can I do to help?" Mie asks her father, wanting to do something as he is clearly in pain, and she wants to help him.

"Go to dinner," Albus responds.

"Dad, I want to help," Mie tells her father, not sure if leaving him alone is the best idea.

"I know, you've already helped," Albus says, putting his arm around his daughters shoulder and kissing her head, as Mie's mere presence helps him. "But Madam Pomfrey is still concerned about nutrition, you need to eat," Albus informs Mie, feeling concerned for her, and honestly needing some time alone.

"Okay, I'll see you later than," Mie tells her father, sounding reluctant, knowing that they all plan to meet to discuss something important and she can use that meeting to check on her father.

"I'll see you then," Albus responds, and once he does Mie gives him one more supporting look before leaving.

After Mie leaves Albus spends a few more minutes staring out of the window until he is sure that the corridors will mostly be quiet, and once he is sure of that Albus heads out of the Defence Classroom and straight to his office.

Once Albus gets to his office he sits down at his desk and out of his top draw pulls out two items, the first is an old picture, a picture of him a Gellert not from the summer they spent together as boys, but a surveillance of them as men meeting up for tea when they were fighting a war against each other and shouldn't have been near each other.

After spending a few minutes looking at the picture Albus puts down the photo and picks up the second thing, a letter he received the day before. Even though he memorised the words within minutes of reading the letter Albus once again reads it, taking in every word like it is the first time he is reading it.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I know it's very unconventional for me to write to you but given the circumstances I feel that I have no other option.

A few weeks ago, Gellert Grindelwald kept asking to see me, the guards informed him that it wasn't an option, but he kept asking. After a few days Grindelwald started a hungry strike and said that he would not eat until he talked to me. Once it became clear the Grindelwald wasn't making an idle threat, I went to see him.

As you know Grindelwald is not allowed outside contact, but that is exactly what he wanted to ask for. He wanted to be able to write to you, said it was incredibly important, I told him that it was not possible. After I informed him of that Grindelwald begged me to write to you myself, tell you that he needed to talk to you; he said to tell you that he was desperate and that only you could make sense of what he was experiencing.

Professor, I have been the warden of Nurmengard for many years, and in all that time Grindelwald has been a model prisoner. He has never caused problems, and he has certainly never asked for anything let alone begged.

I understand if you would like to ignore this letter, but I felt the need to write this what occurs next is your decision.

Kind Regards,

Lori Kama

Nurmengard Castle Warden

After reading the letter Albus reads it again, and again, pondering every single word. After so many years Albus still knows Gellert incredibly well so he has no idea what could be so important that it would cause Gellert to act like this, as it is worryingly out of character for him. While a part of Albus dreads the answer he also cannot deny his curiosity as he knows it must be something extremely important for Gellert to act like this, but he can't imagine what that would be.

Even though he would very much like to travel to Nurmengard this very minute Albus knows that he cannot leave Hogwarts until after the Easter Holidays. Due to the current situation, there will be less staff around, some of whom have already left, and so he cannot risk students and the castle's security by leaving because he is curious about what is going on with the man, he knows he shouldn't love.

A couple of hours after the seventh years Defence Against the Dark Arts class finished Minerva, Moody, Mie, Sirius, Remus, James, Regulus, Lily, Frank, Alice, Severus, and Amelia are in the room of requirements waiting for Albus.

"Do you know where your Dad is?" James asks Mie curious as Albus hasn't arrived to a meeting they all agreed to yet and that is very out of character.

"He said he'd be here," Mie tells the others, her voice sounding concerned, as after what happened in the lesson she can't help but be concerned about him.

"Is he okay?" Amelia asks concerned. "I mean after what happened in class…" Amelia says, before trailing off.

"What happened in class?" Minerva asks concerned and the seventh years exchange looks, all looking at Mie for the answer, something which both Minerva and Moody notice.

"Questions about Grindelwald were asked today," Mie explains. "Dad's not okay, but he wanted to be alone," Mie explains. "I'm going to go find him," Mie tells the others before heading to the door, but before she can get there the door opens and Albus walks in. "Dad," Mie says, looking glad to see him.

"I apologise for my lateness," Albus responds, as he was studying the letter, and old photos, so intensely, trying to make sense of things, that he lost track of time.

"Is everything okay Albus?" Minerva asks concerned.

"Yes, everything is fine," Albus says, and around the room no one is sure that they should believe what he is saying. "We have a plan to discuss," Albus say, looking between the others, it being more than clear that he doesn't want to talk about what they have been doing.

"Yeah, we do," Mie says, following her father's lead. "The ring," Mie says. "It's time," Mie tells the others as that's what they agreed to.

"When are we going to go after it?" Remus asks, not completely sure if he can be one of the people who go after the ring.

"Saturday will be the best option with people leaving for easter break it will be easy to slip away unnoticed," Moody tells the others.

"I believe you are correct," Albus tells his friend.

"That brings us to the second thing we have to decide, who travels to the Gaunt shack to destroy the ring," Regulus comments.

"We all know what the ring really is, so no one who would be tempted to use the stone can go to destroy it," Mie reminds everyone.

"I'm out then," Alice says. "If I were to see the ring I would want to use it, I desperately want to see Dad again," Alice explains. "We can't risk that," Alice tells the others.

"That's exactly why I can't go either," Mie admits, pain in her voice. "I've lost so many people, even knowing what I know I would want to put on the ring if it meant seeing them again," Mie tells the others.

"Okay, so you and Ally out," Sirius realises. "Anyone else?" Sirius asks curious, looking between the others though Mie looks at her father.

"Me, my parents just died, I would like to talk to them," Remus says, in a pained voice, as there was so much unsaid, and Sirius reaches out and takes his hand, wanting to do what he can to comfort his boyfriend.

"Dad," Mie says looking at him. "I know you want to be a part of destroying all the Horcrux's but the ring, the stone…" Mie starts to say.

"Are my weakness," Albus finishes. "I know," Albus confirms. "But I also know that getting pass the enchantments protecting the ring will be difficult," Albus explains. "I taught Tom, I know his kind of magic, I can work out the protections, I am the best person to do that," Albus tells Mie, as he wants what is best for everyone, he wants to keep people safe even if it puts him in danger.

"Yeah, um, I have this," Mie says, walking over to her father and handing him a piece of paper.

Taking the paper from his daughter Albus opens it and reads it, and as he does it is clear that he understands exactly what is on the piece of paper.

"Where did you get this?" Albus asks his daughter, though he does have a suspicion.

"I told you I spoke to your future self's portrait, he told me exactly what was protecting the ring," Mie explains to her father, before taking a step closer and lowering her voice, as while she loves and trusts everyone in the room this is a conversation that needs to occur between just her and her father. "Dad, I know why you want to put on the ring, and if there was a safe way for you to do it then I would want that for you," Mie assures her father. "And I know it might be selfish, but I don't want to risk what happened to your future self happening to you; I couldn't handle that," Mie admits, her voice breaking, fighting back tears as she doesn't want to even think about the possibility of losing Albus, which she knows is a strong possibly if he goes after the ring.

"Minerva," Albus says, handing her the piece of paper, and once Minerva takes it Albus hugs his daughter. "I won't go after the ring," Albus promises his daughter as he hugs her and kisses the top of her head.

"Okay, it's decided Albus, Mie, Alice and Remus won't be going after the ring," Moody comments, giving Mie and Albus the moment they clearly need, by doing his best to draw attention away from them. "Regulus, what about you?"

"We'll have to wait to see how many Slytherins there are, if there are too many around, I won't be able to get away," Regulus says as Albus and Mie break apart.

"Good, we can't risk your cover," Moody comments.

"Nor can we risk putting Regulus in danger," Mie adds, knowing that that is incredibly important.

"That too," Moody comments.

"I'll give you the Basilisk knifes, and it's going to be important that you destroy the Horcrux before bringing it back to Hogwarts," Mie explains as the longer the ring remains a Horcrux the bigger risk it is, the more people are in danger.

"And it would be important to try to make it so it is not noticeable that you were there," Albus says, looking between the people who will be going after the ring.

"Of course," Minerva says with a nod.

"Let's go through what we know from future Dad and the best way to make sure the ring is destroyed with the minimum amount of pain and complication possible," Mie explains, looking between the others and they start to plan.

For the next couple of hours, the group discuss the plan for destroying the ring, going through every possible detail to try and make it so they are as prepared as possible. While Albus is taking part in the planning and offering suggestions and his opinions, he would be lying if he said part of his mind wasn't on the letter that is in his pocket.