A.P.W.B.D

          “No, no, Newt. You have no need to explain that. Given the circumstances, you did exceptionally well. I’m proud of you.” Truly, Albus was proud of each of his students, but Newt Scamander was special. He had the best heart of anyone who had ever crossed Hogwart’s threshold, save, perhaps, Helga Hufflepuff herself. “No, I do. It is my inaction that placed you in such a position. Because I cannot bring myself to face Gellert, a man was kidnapped and tortured, you and Miss Porpentina Goldstein nearly lost your lives, and Grindelwald nearly succeeded in using an innocent boy to expose the magical world.” And that was only the most recent of Gellert’s transgressions, actions that Albus could have prevented. “We were friends once, you see. After I had graduated and he had been expelled from Durmstrang. And I--” was still in love with the darkest wizard of recent memory-- “I suppose I cannot bring myself to face him. And for that I am sorry. It almost cost you your life.”

           Black? As in, the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black? Why on Earth would a Black be in Gryffindor robes? He had never heard of a Black being in any house other than Slytherin. “Black? Any relation to Arcturus Black, then?” Certainly he would have heard if a Black had been sorted into his house, and that made this whole situation even more puzzling. Albus never could resist a good puzzle. “Well, certainly not everyone. Albus Dumbledore, pleasure to meet you.”

            It hadn’t taken long for word to reach the Ministry describing what had happened in New York. Gellert Grindelwald captured. By a magizoologist. Albus couldn’t help but be amused. He had always known that Newt Scamander would do great things, it was just a tad unfortunate that one of those was exposing Gellert. And yet he knew Gellert had been reckless. Based on the information gathered, he began searching for the obscurus his friend had planned on using. The professor approached slowly, showing that his hands were empty. “You are Credence, aren’t you? My name is Albus Dumbledore, and I’m a professor. I’d like to help you, if you’ll let me.”

S T A R T E R call

            “Yes, it is quite closely tied to that event.” It hadn’t taken long for word to reach Britain of the events in America. Gellert Grindelwald posing as an auror for MACUSA. Somehow, Albus felt only mild surprise. He could recall an afternoon of contemplation, of Gellert suggesting such an idea, though he never imagined he would attempt such a thing with someone so high in the government of America’s magical community. “Since learning that you faced Gellert, I have resolved to tell you just why it is that I have not stepped in to end his plans.” The professor fell quiet, once more questioning the stability of this plan. No, he had already decided to reveal this secret. “I’m sorry, this is difficult to tell.”

           Albus wanted to push the other man from the room, slam the door and use every spell he knew in order to lock the world out. Unfortunately, he had been raised far too well for that. It wouldn’t do for a Hogwarts professor to behave in such a way. “Perhaps, sir, you’ve seen my face in the Daily Prophet. My name is Albus Dumbledore, I’m a professor at Hogwarts.” And he’d just sent a former friend to live out the rest of his days in isolation.

           “Well, when you say it like that it does sound a great deal more nefarious than intended.” Still, he does not question it, simply leads the way into the secret passage. He wasn’t sure just how many others knew of this passage, but he did know that it was never monitored by the professors. So, no need to worry about getting caught, and with that squared away, he instead began wondering about the fellow Gryffindor that Albus had somehow never seen before. “Pardon me for asking but who exactly are you? I don’t recall seeing you previously.”