Chapter 24
AN: I really hope you like this chapter, please let me know what you think. It's one of my favourite chapters I've written in this story. My work schedule is a little strange this week, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have to write over the next few days.
In Hogsmeade, thankfully having no idea where his brother or what he is doing as he wouldn't react well, Aberforth is putting out the bins when an owl flies up to him. Feeling curious he takes the letter and right away he recognizes Minerva's handwriting.
Aberforth,
Have you seen Albus? I am concerned about him. He left the school earlier today and did not say where he was going, what he was going to do or exactly when he will return. Mie is here so she is not with him. Please let me know if you know anything,
Minerva.
Reading the letter Aberforth can't help but from. "What are you up to Albus?" Aberforth asks, not expecting an answer, but feeling his concern rise as he knows Minerva wouldn't send the letter to him of all people unless she was truly concerned.
At Nuremgard it has been a while since Gellert told Albus what he wants, but for old lovers it is like no time has passed, and the two of them are still standing incredibly close, with Gellert still having his hand on Albus's cheek as Albus leans into the touch, memorising the feeling he had spent so many years trying to forgot.
"I cannot get you released," Albus says, the words out of his mouth before he questions whether or not it's a good idea.
"I know," Gellert says, there being a level of acceptance to his voice. "I'm not asking you to," Gellert assures him, once upon a time there would have been anger in voice, but now there is merely acceptance as he understands why Albus felt the need to say what he just said.
"What are you asking?" Albus asks, finding that his brain isn't working as well as it should, just like it tends to do when he is around Gellert.
"To start to make up for what I did by helping you prevent a catastrophic future," Gellert tells him. "I know it's not much, but I'm offering you me, Albus, whatever I can do, you've got me," Gellert says, there being a double meaning to his words.
"You'll never be not much to me," Albus says as he reaches down and puts his hand on Gellert's chest, feeling his heart. "My daughter was born to muggle parents, and she is everything to me," Albus tells Gellert. "If you have the hate you used to have…" Albus starts to say, needing there to be an understanding between them before they go forward with whatever this is.
"I don't," Gellert says, cutting Albus off and Albus isn't sure he can bring himself to believe that, no matter how much he desperately wants to. "And what I feel, it's flashes, but I can feel how much you love her, how much she loves you," Gellert tells Albus. "I could never hate someone you love as much as you love her," Gellert explains.
"What about Aberforth?" Albus asks to Gellert's amusement.
"Do you really want to talk about your wayward brother right now?" Gellert asks, giving him a disbelieving look as he knows that the two of them talking about Aberforth never ends well.
"No, I don't," Albus admits. "The blood adoption ritual my daughter and I performed connected us both biologically and magically, and I believe it connected you to us as well," Albus admits, as after what Gellert says that's what he suspects. "And I believe your abilities is what allows you to sense intense emotions," Albus explains.
"Why? Why was I effected?" Gellert asks, not seeing the obvious answer.
"Do you really have to ask?" Albus asks, feeling that it should be obvious, and Gellert just gives him a look. "Our blood oath," Albus tells him, looking it should be obvious.
"The troth was destroyed," Gellert says, remembering how much that hurt.
"But it still happened, our blood still became a part of each other," Albus reminds him, not that Grindelwald needs that reminder. "I believe the blood adoption bound with the blood oath, though why I cannot say," Albus admits.
"I can," Gellert says, and Albus gives him an interested look. "We've been apart of each other since we met, our magic recognizes that even if there have been times where we have wanted to forget that," Gellert tells Albus.
"Do you still want to forget?" Albus asks, feeling hopeful about the answer.
"No, do you?" Gellert asks, dreading the answer, but needing to know.
"No," Albus responds, and he leans forward and rests his forehead on Gellert's.
For a few moments Albus and Gellert stand together, foreheads touching, staring into each other's eyes. As he looks into the eyes, he knows so well every single one of Albus's instincts tell him to lean in, to capture the lips he has been thinking about for thirty-three years, but rather than giving into his desire Albus pulls away, though he keeps his hand on Gellert's chest.
"I should go, Hogwarts's is vulnerable without me there," Albus reveals, knowing if he doesn't leave now, he may never.
"Of course, always the protector," Gellert says, with a loving smile, a smile that makes it even harder for Albus to leave. "Look after yourself, Albus," Gellert tells him, not trying to convince Albus to stay no matter how much he may want to as he knows he cannot be selfish if he wants, he and Albus to have a chance.
"I will do my best," Albus responds. "I am going to ask the Warden if I can visit, I don't know how frequently I would be able to do so, but I would like to," Albus explains, knowing that it is one of the things he would like most.
"I'd like that too," Gellert responds, and Albus just gives a nod, not trusting his voice.
Calling upon every ounce of self-control he has Albus forces himself to move away from Gellert, and walk to the dorm, when he gets there, even though it will make it so much harder Albus turns back and looks at Gellert.
"I never wanted to forget, I never did," Albus tells Gellert. "Everything I've done you've been a part of, even if you never knew," Albus tells Gellert, needing him to know.
"And you've been a part of me, you're why I've survived," Gellert assures him.
"I will return when I can, you have my word," Albus promises, before turning away from the love of his life, opening the door, and walking out of the room.
Once he is in the corridor Albus desperately wants to turn right around and go straight back to Gellert's arms, but he knows he can't, rather he forces himself to walk away. Walking away from Gellert, each step feeling more and more difficulty he collects the wand that has belonged to both of them before going to the Warden's office.
"Professor, would you like some tea?" Karma asks, seeing him.
"No thank you," Albus says, feeling like something much stronger than tea. "Thank you for allowing me to visit, it was very informative," Albus reveals.
"Of course," Karma says, looking like it is no problem.
"I was wondering if I would be able to impose on you some more and visit with Grindelwald again," Albus says, using Gellert's last name rather than his first as he suspects it would be for the best.
"It wouldn't be an imposition, as I said Mr Grindelwald has been a model prisoner," Karma tells him. "I have no problem allowing you to visit," Karma tells Albus, as she respects the man and if he would like to visit Grindelwald then she sees no reason why to prevent that.
"Thank you," Albus says, feeling overwhelming joy, but he fights not to let that show. "It may be necessary that I visit more than once," Albus reveals, trying to keep his voice even and not display that that is what he wants most.
"The Germany ministry has given me complete control over Mr Grindelwald, I will inform the guards that you are allowed to visit as frequently and for as long, as you need," Karma tells Albus. "I will assure you have privacy, though I must insist that you always leave your wand outside the room," Karma tells Albus.
"Of course, I understand," Albus says, having no problem as this is so much better than he was expecting. "Thank you for your time, Warden Karma, I best be getting back to Hogwarts," Albus explains.
"Of course, I am sure we will speak again," Karma responds.
"As am I," Albus says before leaving.
After leaving Karma's office Albus heads out of the budling and to where his Thestral is waiting for him, and once again he climbs onto the creature.
"Take us home," Albus says, staring up at the tower where he knows Grindelwald resides, feeling that he is leaving his heart behind.
At Hogwarts, feeling very concerned for her father as she realised where he has gone, Mie is sitting in the Dumbledore quarters reading a book, with every minute that passes Mie cannot help but wonder if her father is okay, and wonder what kind of shape he will be in upon his return.
If Albus was distracted on the way to Austria that was nothing compared to how distracted, he is on ride home. For most of the flight everything is a blur but as he approaches Hogwarts Albus has the Thestral land in Hogsmeade rather than travelling all the way to the grounds.
"You can return to Hagrid," Albus tells the Thestral and after the creature flies off Albus heads not towards the school, but into his brother's empty bar.
Hearing the bell above his door ring Aberforth looks up from what he is doing, and while he would never admit it, he feels a little bit of relief upon seeing his brother.
"Minerva's worried about you," Aberforth tells his brother, in the form of a greeting.
"I thought she might be," Albus says as he sits down on one of the bar stools.
"And yet instead of being up at the school you're here," Aberforth says, trying to figure out what is going on with his brother as he doesn't seem to be okay, there seems to be pain below his façade which he knows ninety nine percent of people would not be able to see, but he is one of the one percent who can.
"I cannot get whiskey at the school," Albus tells his brother.
"Pretty sure that's not true," Aberforth tells his brother, feeling his concern grow. "Was that your way of saying you'd like a whiskey?" Aberforth asks.
"A double," Albus requests, adding to Aberforth's concern.
"Muggle or magical?" Aberfroth asks, purposely asking multiple questions to try and figure out what is going on.
"Whatever is stronger," Albus requests, and feeling that it may not be the best idea Aberforth grabs a cup and pours his brother a double shot of the strongest whiskey he has.
"Do you want to talk about wherever you've been?" Aberforth asks, as he hands his brother the drink. Normally he wouldn't care, but between Minerva's letter and the way his brother is acting his curiosity is piqued.
"You don't want to know," Albus says, knowing that without a doubt, before drinking the shot in one mouthful, and gesturing for a refill.
"If it's causing you to drink like that I do," Aberforth says, the actions being incredibly out of character for his brother, as he refills the drink, despite his instincts screaming at him that it's a bad idea. "Where have you been?" Aberforth repeats.
"Austria," Albus answers, drinking his second drink in one go, being vague on purpose.
"Austria?" Aberforth asks feeling confused then he realises there is something strikingly familiar about Albus's behaviour and because of that he realises exactly where in Austria his brother was "You went to see him," Aberforth says shocked as Albus reaches over and takes the bottle so he can refill his drink, which he does before quickly drinking it and refiling the glass once more.
"Yes," Albus confirms, as Aberforth uses his wand to lock the door into the bar as while his brother is currently not in the right state of mind to say so Aberforth knows that it would be better If no one heard the conversation they are about to have.
"And why the bloody hell would you do that?" Aberforth asks, pouring his own drink, as he feels like he is going to need it.
"I received a letter," Albus explains.
"He wrote you a letter from prison and so you left everything, left your daughter, to go see him? Why am I not surprised," Aberforth asks, a level of bitterness to his voice.
"Annemie, told me to go," Albus says, an edge to his voice, needing his brother to know that as he takes a drink.
"Mmnn," Aberforth mutters, planning on having a conversation with his niece about how much of a bad idea that was.
"And the letter came from the warden," Albus explains.
"Has something happened?" Aberforth asks as while he doesn't care about Grindelwald, he knows something happening to him will affect his brother and he does care about that, despite how much it may seem otherwise.
"Gellert wanted to see me the Warden passed on that request," Albus explains.
"And of course you went," Aberforth says, rolling his eyes. "And once again that Bastard said something to hurt you," Aberforth says, his feelings towards Gellert being all too clear.
"What hurt was leaving him," Albus admits, purposely not looking at his brother as he doesn't want to see the look that he is sure is on his brothers face.
"Albus, don't make me drag you out of that place again, don't make Mie," Aberforth tells his brother, his voice not harsh, but gentle, as while he doesn't want to, he will if he needs to, but what he wants more than not doing that is making sure Mie doesn't have to.
"What are you talking about?" Albus asks his brother, sounding confused as he has no idea what his brother is talking about, as he takes another drink.
"After that damn duel you disappeared, no one knew where you were, everyone was looking for you," Aberforth reminds his brother, stressing the 'everyone', and Albus realises he remembers very little about the days that followed the duel where he defeated Gellert. "I found you in that house, forced food down your throat, and dragged you back here," Aberforth says, knowing that Albus spent several days in one of his rooms, though no one else knew where he was as he knew that his brother wasn't in any shape to take to anyone, especially anyone who would congratulate him on his defeat of Grindelwald. "You can't do that again," Aberforth tells his brother, not sure if his words will have any effect, but he has to try.
"I was granted permission to regularly visit Gellert," Albus informs his brother, filling his glass again and drinking half of it.
"What good is that going to do?" Aberforth asks, being pretty sure that that is a horrible idea.
"He apologized, he wants to help," Albus reveals, and Aberforth rolls his eyes.
"And you believed him," Aberforth says, it being a statement not a question, and Albus nods. "I never understood that," Aberforth admits. "Seventy-nine years and that Bastard still affects you more than anyone else, I've never understood why," Aberforth says with a frown.
"He's the love of my life," Albus tells Aberforth, a vulnerability in his voice that Aberforth knows his brother barely shows. "No ones ever understood me like he does, he has a hold on me that cannot be broken, even after everything that has happened," Albus tells his brother, his words slurring, guilt in his voice, and he goes to take another drink, but before he can raise it to his mouth Aberforth reaches over and takes the glass.
"I'm cutting you off," Aberforth says, honestly, he would very much like to cut Albus off from Grindelwald, keep him from going to see him, but he knows that isn't possible. "You're gonna go upstairs, take a shower, and sleep it off," Aberforth tells him.
"I should get back to Hogwarts…. Annemie's probably waiting," Albus admits.
"You're not going anyway until you drink this," Aberforth says, before summoning up some coffee as in his experience it is the one thing that helps. "And then I'll walk with you back up to the school," Aberforth tells his brother, not sure if Albus would make it if he went alone, who just nods.
A while after Aberforth cut Albus off from Alcohol the two of them are walking into the Dumbledore quarters, Aberforth helping his brother, who is clearly heavily affected by all the alcohol he drunk, despite the coffee, and Aberforth is very glad they managed to get into the tower without being noticed.
"Dad? Are you okay?" Mie asks worried, jumping to her feet, as soon as she sees her uncle and father.
"Can you put some tea on?" Aberforth requests as he helps Albus to the couch.
"Of course," Mie says hurrying to the kitchen. "What happened?" Mie asks her uncle as she quickly gets things ready.
"I'm fine," Albus tells his brother and daughter, but he really doesn't seem like it.
"Uncle Ab?" Mie asks, turning to him, feeling that he is the Dumbledore brother to have the answers in these circumstances.
"This is the effect Gellert Grindelwald has on him," Aberforth tells his niece, walking towards her. "Which is exactly why he shouldn't go see him," Aberforth tells his niece in a stern voice.
"I thought I was helping," Mie says, guilt in her voice, feeling incredibly guilt as she really though she was helping but she seems to have made things worse.
"Do not blame Annemie," Albus says, standing up though he is a little unsteady, sounding angry at his brother. "I wanted to see Gellert, and I'm glad I did!" Albus exclaims. "I'm glad I'm going to keep seeing him!" Albus exclaims, and Mie is shocked by that, shocked by the way Albus is acting as he almost seems like a teenager.
"Whatever you say," Aberforth says, rolling his eyes. "If you need me send a message on my coin," Aberforth tells Mie, clearly ignoring his brother.
"I will, thanks Uncle Ab," Mie says, feeling that considering everything it may not be best for Aberforth and Albus to spend extended time together.
"Get some rest, sober up, come to your damn senses," Aberforth tells his brother before walking out of the room, and Albus sits back down, or more specifically basically falls back down.
Not long after Albus sits down Mie has prepared the tea and so she walks over to the couch and puts the pot, and mugs down on the table and sits down next to her father.
"Dad, I'm sorry, it thought it would help to see him," Mie admits, feeling shocked and guilty about what is going on.
"It did, you were right," Albus tells his daughter. "Seeing Gellert was the right thing to do," Albus says as Mie as she hands him a cup of tea.
"You don't have to tell me what happened," Mie assures her father as she doesn't want to cause him pain.
"You deserve to know," Albus tells his daughter. "The Blood adoption effected Gellert too," Albus tells his daughter.
"How? Why?" Mie asks, feeling incredibly confused, and wondering just what that means.
"The summer we fell in love Gellert, and I made a blood oath," Albus explains, sounding perfectly inebriated despite his inebriated state. "The Physical troth was long ago broken, but I believe the connection remained, and because of that and Gellert's abilities he is about to sense, and feel, intense emotions that either of us are feeling," Albus explains. "I'm sorry that I didn't consider this was a possibility," Albus tells his daughter.
"It's okay," Mie tells him, as while she has many questions, she knows now is not the best time to ask them. "What did you tell him about what he was experiencing?" Mie asks curious.
"Everything," Albus answers. "I couldn't lie to Gellert," Albus reveals, pain in his voice. "I didn't want to leave him," Albus admits, tears coming to his eyes, and having no idea what to say, feeling that the rest of the conversation they need to have can wait, Mie moves and puts her arm around her father, laying her head on his shoulder and offering him silent support, and no judgement.
Four days have passed since Albus went to go see Grindelwald and while he hasn't gone to see him again, he has thought about doing so constantly and other than that first night he hasn't talked about what happened. As she is worried about her father Mie hasn't asked the many questions she has, but she has started to do her own independent research, which is just adding to her list of questions. It's Wednesday evening and everyone who knows the truth about Mie and their missions have been called to the room of Requirements by Regulus.
"Anyone know what this is about?" Sirius asks, looking between the others.
"He's your brother, I thought you'd know," Amelia comments.
"I don't," Sirius answers, and before anyone can answer the door opens and Regulus walks in.
"Reg, what's going on?" Mie asks concerned.
"Voldemort is planning a double attack on Monday, Easter Monday, and I think it's going to be bad," Regulus reveals and as he does Mie is reminded of something.
"Wait, I know this," Mie says a look of realisation on her face.