Anything that rings a bell belongs to JK Rowling (except for the quotes from Shakespeare's A Winters Tale towards the end of the chapter).

Chapter Three: Nineteenth Century Playboy

"Hello Albus."

Belladonna Thornton was sat smiling in the empty living room of their old cabin in Massachusetts. Linus Thornton knew that smile. How many times had he been on the receiving end of it. His Nonna's black hair tied up in a bun, her face, even with wrinkles, told a story of beauty and wisdom. Her apple green eyes never without a spark.

"If you're viewing this it must mean you've found out my little secret. Or should I say… deception. I guess Quilinus indeed had a daughter, just like I foresaw. Don't give me that look; I didn't break your heart. If anything, I saved it. I would have broken you Albus, the women in my family always break things. Remember how I broke your broom that one time you offered to teach me how to fly. It's your own fault really, what with how diabolic I was on the ground, you should have known better. It was that night, wasn't it…"

Linus thanked the heavens she didn't go on, and just got a faraway look in her eyes. She snapped out of it and continued,

"I'll never forget the look on your face, when you were telling me how you just couldn't wait to go on your trip around the world. No, you weren't excited about seeing Mt Everest or the Taj Mahal or the Northern lights, like any normal person. You were ecstatic to just absorb everything about magic you could find. Can you remember, Albus, when we were that young, that free, and that ignorant to think all there was to life was who knew the most?" A look of pain flashed across her face at that statement, and she paused. Linus had never seen his grandmother in this state, she had always been warm, affectionate and the strongest person he knew.

Belladonna swallowed, and continued, "I don't think there was anything more captivating in this world than watching you be brilliant. I could just sit and watch you tinker with a spell, or toy with a potion. It was a week before my 17th birthday, I all but begged my father to let me stay awhile extra with Bathilda, just so I could spend time with you on your last days before heading back to Hogwarts for your final term. I remember how the moon twinkled in your eyes, and the look on your face as you were going on and on about dragon blood and how you thought it could be used as an oven cleaner, but your mother wouldn't let you experiment. I remember laughing at you; you were always so preciously weird. I remember how you suggested that you had a little bit of dragon blood left, and if Bathilda was asleep, we should try it out at her house. That was the most insane pick-up line I had ever heard. I kissed you right there. That night was, for two people who knew too much of it but never really lived it, the most magical night of my life. I found out about the pregnancy a month after that. I knew if I told you, you would have cancelled your trip; put your whole life on hold. Done right by me and the baby. I couldn't bear to be the reason you didn't rise to the brilliance you were destined for. How could I live with myself? So, when you came back after your final exams, a week away from leaving for your grand tour, you found that I had packed my bags, ready to leave as well. I fed you some story about how my father found me an eligible suitor in Italy, and we were to be married in a few weeks. How I lied and told you I loved you but not enough to defy my father. That was the last time we ever kissed. Do you remember what the last words I told you were?"

Linus looked at the Old Man, whose eyes were twinkling, as he said the next sentence the same time as Nonna.

"Bring me back some Sherbet Lemons."

"They were my favourites, after you introduced them to me. I left for the United States the next day. Left my father who was livid, I had destroyed the name of Tiberion in his eyes, pregnant and refusing to marry, and he was only too glad to see me go. I bought a cottage in the woods in Massachusetts, changed my surname just to be safe and sent a letter to Bathilda about how happy I was with my Italian husband, knowing she'd tell your mother and the message would get to you. Yet I still cried every day for the first few months at the thought that you didn't even look for me. To fight for me."

The Old Man began to open his mouth, as if to protest this but Nonna continued.

"Of course, it was years later when I found out what had happened. I was heartbroken. I cannot even tell you how sorry I was Albus. It took all my strength not to get up and run to you when I found out. But Castor, your son, was ten years old. He looked so much like you; I knew if you saw him, you'd know in an instant that he was yours. Just like anybody who saw him would have known. And I knew you were gaining enemies at the time and call it a mother's selfishness, but I didn't want my child to be threatened on the basis of him being his father's son. Plus, I left so as not to stand in the way of your brilliance, coming back would defeat all the years of sacrifice. So, I decided the best course to take was to bind Castor's magic, I didn't want him going to school in America, and I knew if he knew he was magical, he would definitely want to learn how to control it. He was too much his father's son in those aspects. I figured if he went to Ilvermony, and the combination of my genes and yours, he probably would make quite a name for himself. A name so powerful that it might even travel over the sea to Britain. And with all names came faces, and I'm sure as you can tell by Quilinus, the Dumbledore gene runs really strong in our family. Soon Castor had a son, who had a son, who had a son. That was Octavian, Quilinus and Lorenzo's father. Unfortunately, I do not think I will be able to meet my third grandson, who Patrizia is carrying right now. I realise that Octavian is the last of the sons that I can bind magically, for I will be dead soon. I had a vision of you meeting Quilinus' daughter, that's why I left this memory in the phoenix fire locket you made me for my sixteenth birthday. I knew you'd be the only one to open it, after all, you and I created the spell that closed it. I only wish that you do not hate me too much, and I ask not for forgiveness, for I know I do not deserve it. But know this Albus, even a hundred years later, not a day goes by when I don't think of you. I love you, and I am deeply sorry."

There were tear stains on her cheeks, and Linus reached forward to touch her, he couldn't, but if he closed his eyes, he could pretend he could feel her. His Nonna had died when he was eleven, when his mother was pregnant with Ky, who they thought would be a boy but it would seem she's been surprising them since birth.

In a matter of six months Linus had lost the two most important women in his life, the only women really…and then Ky came along. In all honesty, his father may have only died when Ky was three, but he had mentally checked out when his wife and mother died, riddled with grief and incapable to parent… so Linus stepped up. He didn't like to dwell too much on this time in his life, and was embarrassed at the way he spoke to his baby sister this morning. He promised himself that he would never hold resentment for the decisions he made for his siblings…Ky never asked to be brought into a life so riddled with loss.

And all this time…there was someone there to help…

"Why do you think she really kept this from you?" He asked, staring at the Old Man. He knew his grandmother, and there was something else she wasn't saying. There had to be more.

He sighed, "I think Bella knew that I didn't love her back. And she didn't want to say so in this memory, because she knew you might be here, listening, and that's not something you want your family to know. We all want to think we come from great loves."

"You didn't love her?" Linus asked, doubtfully, the fact felt impossible, it was like disliking chocolate to not love his Nonna.

"At the start I thought I did. You knew her, so you understand, to know Bella, is to love her. In the end, it wasn't romantic love that I felt for her. No matter how much I wanted it to be." He looked conflicted, and Linus could tell this had been a difficult thing for him to admit. "She was very important to me."

Linus scoffed, shaking his head, "Wasn't this like a century ago. Didn't you have to be married to someone before you…consummate. What were you like some nineteenth century playboy?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "If only." He looked down, "The truth is I didn't come looking for your grandmother, because not two weeks after she left, I fell in love with someone. His name was Gellert Grindelwald. And I believe he is the reason your grandmother kept you all hidden."

"Was he some jealous lover?"

"Oh, if only, my boy. He was one of the most evil wizards known to our kind. And Belladonna, the antithesis. As she mentioned in this memory, she has the gift of divination. I wouldn't be surprised if she knew what Gellert would become. What I would become… Perhaps, that is why she bound your magic. She didn't want her child to take after me." Linus narrowed his eyes, surprised at the honesty and despair in the Old Man's voice.

He remembered what Ky said to him this morning…'old and filled with regret about the romantic choices you made in life'.

"What did you become?"

"Right now, I am the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But…"

"Your ex-boyfriend was an evil wizard."

"We do not choose who we love."

Linus reflected on that statement, "We do choose to act on that love."

"I agree. It is why I am also the reason Gellert is in prison."

Linus let that statement sink him, recollecting what his grandmother said, "Why did she think you didn't follow her? She said something about being heartbroken about some news? What happened?"

The Old Man stared at the frozen image of Belladonna, with obvious fondness, "Bella was very close to my mother, and my sister. My sister struggled to control her power."

"Ky struggles too. It's how we're in this situation, she hasn't done this disappearing act in a long while and it's never intentional. It's difficult because I don't understand how to teach her because that control just came natural to Lenzo and I. Could this be some genetic thing?" Linus cut in, concerned this was some family curse.

He held his hand up, "I'm sure Kyrianna has challenges, but you both have done very well in keeping her safe, and whole. Actually, Kyrianna is quite normal, the reason Hogwarts exists is to train young witches and wizards to control their magic, she's done exceptionally well all things considered. My sister," The Old Man cleared his throat, "Could not control her magic, and we had to keep her home, away from people."

Linus' body grew cold, it's what they had to do with Ky. He didn't care what this man said, it sounded like Ky had whatever his sister had. "My mother died not long after Bella left. And I had to take care of my brother and sister. My sister died not long after my mother did."

Linus didn't want to process that last part, no stranger in experiencing two signifcant losses close together, and not wanting to imagine what it must feel like to lose a sibling,"Your father?"

"He died." The Old Man heaved a deep sigh, "In prison." Linus could tell it cost him a great deal to admit such a thing, "The reason why my sister had her sickness was because some non-magical children attacked her and my father…responded. The trauma effected her magical control. You do not have to be worried about Kyrianna, this is not genetic." Linus paced the room, letting his words sink in. He didn't want to feel empathy for this man…but in this moment he didn't think there was a single person in this world that could relate to him more.

Linus took in the unwavering stare of the headmaster, "Did you know?"

How could he not know. Linus could sense this man's power, it was immense.

"Linus, if I had the slightest hint of your existence, we would not be standing here, two strangers. But, now that we do know, we do not need to leave here, two strangers."

Linus looked to the floor. He had dreamed of this when he was a child, burdened with responsibility, for some adult to alleviate just some of it, and now when he was grown, more than capable…

This wasn't fair.

He glared back at the Old Man.

"Get me out of here."

-x-x-x-

"Harry! We've been looking for you!" Hermione's voice trailed off as she took in the room. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, sorry! I…" Harry looked at Ky, unsure how to explain what happened, "I found this girl."

"Found this girl? Stop objectifying me." Ky snapped and Harry gawked at her.

"I was not objectifying you!" He glanced to her brother, making sure he understood that, but Lenzo just looked mildly amused. "And I did find you. She apparated into Hogwarts."

Hermione literally growled, "How many times do I have to tell you-"

"She did, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall said, "Professor Snape heard the alarm for the wards breaking, and he found Mister Potter and Miss?"

She looked at McGonagall, who clearly wasn't paying as much attention as Harry had been to every intimate detail about the girl to know her name. "Ky."

And there's his heart doing silly things when he heard it. Harry massaged his chest, what was was going on with him.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Mr Weasley was giving him a concerned look and Harry straightened up, unsure what his face was doing to warrant that.

"He might need some ice for his…injury." Ky smirked at him.

"Injury? Are you okay?" Hermione looked at him concerned and Harry glared at Ky.

"I'm fine." He muttered, "I'm just unused to interacting with banshees."

"Did you just call me a banshee?" Ky cocked a perfectly shaped brow, "Is that the best you can do, Harry."

She purred out his name, and Harry's ears must have glowed pink as it registered the sound. He knew she was only saying it like that to show off that she found out his name without him giving it to her, but he didn't think she knew just what her voice did when it was all breathy like that. He glanced awkwardly at the occupants of the room, but nobody else seemed to notice.

"I'm Hermione, by the way." She waved at Ky, "Are you American?"

"Good catch. People usually don't pick it out." Ky beamed at the bushy haired girl, Ron was taking her in hesitantly, clearly not sure whether she was friend, or foe. "Ironically, Hermione, I don't know if I'm prisoner or guest here."

Hermione's eyes grew wide with surprise, a small smile uncurling at Ky's odd statement, "By your dread, verily, I suppose."

"Your guest then, madam." Ky bowed low, her smile broad, "To be your prisoner should import offending, which is for me less easy to commit, than you to punish."

"Where is a bear when you need one." Snape muttered, and Ky burst out laughing, Harry and Ron looked at each confused - okay, it wasn't just him that couldn't follow what they were going on about.

"Well I'll be, he knows Shakespeare. And here I was thinking all you knew how to do was impersonate a bat."

"Ky." Lenzo's lips were quivering but he stared down at his sister sternly and Harry heard Ron snigger, and he knew the result came up as 'friend' for him, "Apologize."

"For what? I wasn't insulting him, I like bats." She fluttered her eyelashes up at Snape who took two mortified steps back, and Harry was glad that he wasn't the only one caught off guard by the girl.

"Pardon, just…" Hermione looked from Lenzo to Ky, "I'm a bit confused. Who are you?"

"My great grandchildren." Harry snapped his head around to Dumbledore, who had re-appeared, with Linus, who looked like he had been drugged with wide eye potion.

Lenzo narrowed his eyes, taking in his brother's face, whilst Ky beamed, practically bouncing off the balls of her feet, in excitement at the headmaster's words.

Harry knew two things in that moment.

She was the cutest thing he had ever seen.

And he was royally screwed.

A/N: A super long chapter - but Thank you for reading to the end. Just a bit of context about Ky and her brothers, I actually merged Dumbledore's personal history (two much older brothers, a younger sister who had a problem controlling her magic, the eldest brother suddenly having to become head of the family at a young age) and something from my own life (my mother's father died when she was five, and her mother couldn't deal/mentally checked out and her sixteen year old sister became her primary caregiver). Obviously, Linus is a bit of an extreme example of this at taking all this on at twelve- but there's a reason I made their ages what they were.

Knowing what we do know about Dumbledore though, I think this is akin to torture for him - to see someone in his exact position succeed like Linus has, where he failed. Linus looking so much like him cements this bittersweetness, because at the same time, in Linus' success Dumbledore gets a second chance at family, but he is a constant reminder of his worst failure - prioritizing Gellert over his family, when they needed him the most.

Also - the conversation with Hermione at the end is a bit of irony/word play, it's probably very confusing if you've not read the Winter's Tale but Ky and Hermione (whose namesake is from that play) are more or less directly quoting the play at each other (and enjoying that they can) - and the famous 'Exit, pursued by a bear' is a famous Stage direction from that play which is why Ky is impressed/surprised that Snape knows this.

Anyway - thought you might find that interesting! Feedback/comments will be so appreciated!