Dumbledore sat down, sipping the cup of tea I had made, and honestly, I had no idea why I made that. He took his time with it, eyes calmly scanning the den, taking in every detail with quiet interest.
"Nice thing that you've done here, young Taylen," he said, that familiar warmth in his voice. "If it were anyone else, they might have received some rather harsh treatment, but given your skills, I won't complain. And it's not like you're breaking any rules."
A slight pause. A knowing smile.
"Technically."
I didn't return it.
"Now, Professor… how did you remember me?" I asked, my tone steady. Serious.
He looked down at his cup, fingers idly tracing its rim. "You see, Taylen… long back, there was a student named Tom Marvolo Riddle. Like you, he came from a very old bloodline. Exceptionally gifted. Exceptionally driven. Lots of potential to put good into the world, but—"
"But he did the opposite, Professor?" I cut in, already moving toward the desk, picking up Kathey's broken bow. The wood was cracked, the metal warped and , well ,I began working on it as I spoke. "Let me ask you, why are you telling me about Voldemort?"
Silence lingered.
"So you do know who Tom is," Dumbledore said quietly. I didn't look up. "Is it because of how my past was… and whether I would turn out like him? Or is it because of your mistakes… that make you think you'll make more now?"
"Quite a mix of everything," he replied after a moment, his voice softer now. "You seem to be speaking rather freely."
I let out a breath, adjusting the rune etchings along the bow. "Because I know who you are, Professor. One of the most important figures connected to the Ministry, whether officially or not. So I don't think it's surprising that some of my contacts are interconnected with something much larger… something spreading faster than most people realize."
His gaze sharpened slightly and I continued
"To put you at ease, Professor, the only thing Voldemort and I will ever have in common in terms of darker ideals… is mercilessness. Brutality. "
A small pause. He looks up at me.
"But only when it's necessary." I straightened the metal binding.
"When the time comes, know that I'm on your side. But I'll do things my way. I knew this conversation would happen… just not this early."
I looked at him properly now.
"I have one request, sir."
He inclined his head. "Go on."
"I don't want the theatrics. The manipulation. The Ministry's brand of melodrama. You and I both know what the Ministry is from within ,so, the rest… I don't think I need to explain."
For a moment, he said nothing. Then he exhaled quietly. "Taylen… you are indeed a very bright and kind child. It's just… I have lived long enough to become wary of uncertainty. I try to shape outcomes, guide them from the beginning… but more often than not, I fail."
A pause.
"My greatest failure was Tom."
Silence settled between us.
"The way you speak, the way you act…" he continued, looking at me steadily, "you are not him. I trust you, Taylen. I will not interfere."
I put the repaired bow aside and walked toward him, sitting opposite.
"Professor… if you don't mind, a few words from my side?"
He nodded.
"Don't force your expectations onto events and expect them to grow according to it. Instead… help them grow, and meet their expectations. And if the people you've chosen are the right ones… they won't be far from what you hoped for. Different? Yes. But… for the greater good."
He watched me quietly. Then smiled.
The conversation didn't end there.
It stretched into things most wouldn't even dare speak of. Voldemort. Fragments of truth. The past that still lingered in the present. And then… Grindelwald.
There was regret there.
Not spoken directly.
But it was there.
He told me what he could. And what he didn't say… was just as clear. He didn't know about W.I.N.T.E.R.S. Not fully. But he knew enough to understand there was something behind the surface.
For once, he didn't push. Eventually, he stood.
"Thank you for the tea," he said lightly. "And… my apologies for breaching your defenses. I will make sure they are improved before I leave."
"One more thing, young Peverell."
I looked up.
"Harry—" he stopped himself briefly, "Harry Potter will be joining next year."
A small shift in the air. His magic had filled the room from the moment he had stepped in. Clearly he had a Fourth Maturity somewhere in his 50s.
"You may act where you feel necessary. Within reason. But inform me if your actions go beyond that."
His gaze held mine.
"I believe you would want to help him. After all… your parents and his fell for the same cause."
A quieter tone now. "Something I regret… to this day."
"Are you sure, Professor?" I asked.
He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Hmm?"
"If that's true… then I have one more request."
He waited.
"Look into Sirius Black."
A pause.
"Go further. Deeper."
His expression sharpened instantly.
"But he—"
"Professor." I cut in, calm but firm. "Just trust me. This one time."
He nodded. Still doubtful.
"Very well."
And just like that.. he was gone. Apparated. Inside Hogwarts.
Damn.
I'm jealous.
Soon, exams came. And I breezed through them like always along with Victor, Kathey and Elara and we were back in practice.
Birthdays passed quietly too. Except Elara's—hers was in September. We were all fourteen now.
Later, Kathey and I sat in the common room, the fire crackling softly in front of us.
I leaned back slightly.
"Yo," I said casually. "Dumbledore came."
She froze.
"WHAT THE—" she snapped, then immediately lowered her voice, glancing around. "What in the actual— Jesus Christ. Fr?"
I nodded.
She moved closer instantly, sitting beside me near the fireplace, practically curling into my side.
"Tell me everything," she muttered.
So I did.
Every word. Every pause. Every implication.
She didn't interrupt. Didn't joke. Just listened.
When I finished, there was silence for a moment.
Then she exhaled slowly.
"Yeah…" she murmured. "Things are moving faster than I thought."
A small pause. Then, softer "But you handled it well." Idk but something about her calmed me always.
I leaned back, staring at the fire.
Warm.
Calm.
For once—
This is nice.
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