Knowledge is Power

Chapter 57

"But why," Severus asked, genuinely confused now that the initial shock was wearing off a very little.
"Grindelwald is the last person you'd even be friends with. He's a dark wizard intent on world domination and you're...well you," Severus said unnecessarily.
Shock could do that to one, so Nightshade decided to forego a snide comment just this once even if it would've been amusing.

Albus nodded, silently agreeing that yes, he was indeed himself.
"I suppose there is a connection between the two of us because of the duel, but how it got from there to some relationship, I've yet to sort out."
"What did the book say," Severus asked.
"I mean did it explain it?"
"I've not fully gotten through my life and lies yet," Albus said, making a disgusted face as he tapped the book's front cover.

"I'll let you know the final verdict when I do."
He sighed.
"Honestly I dread reading on though I must. What I've already seen is bad enough."
"What else did it say," Severus asked.
Albus's mouth tightened.
"It outlines a lot of my personal family business, of course from a very skewed perspective. It shares personal details of my siblings and my parents. I am certain I shall be more upset about that later but right now, my focus is on why someone so wishes to ruin my reputation after they believe me to be dead."

Severus felt a cold rush of dread in the pit of his stomach.
"What if someone behind this doesn't believe that you're dead and they're hoping for you to come out of the woodwork as it were because of this atrocity of a book? I understand your logic of Skeeter's underhanded reporting to make money from tarnishing the good name of a dead man who can't defend himself, but what if it's more than that?"
If someone knew that Albus was alive and yet chose to play this sick sort of game that wasn't good, to put it lightly.

Albus sighed.
"I don't know, Severus. I promise to remain here and keep hidden. Your concern is valid, though. I was so affronted that I honestly hadn't considered it yet. It at least makes me want to finish this book as quickly as possible in case it points to any clues as to the motivation behind it. I thought it was just Skeeter being her foul self at first, but there are some very personal family details in this book that she shouldn't have been able to access easily."

He glanced down at the book again, then opened it, reading silently for several seconds while Severus watched.
"Well apparently Grindelwald and I knew one another as teenagers. I feel that's a bit too much of an obvious coincidence, but I suppose no one is truly thinking when they wish to believe utter garbage about a person," he complained darkly without raising his blue gaze from the book in his hands.

After another few moments of silent reading he snorted.
"We became very close very fast because apparently we're both so much smarter than everyone else that an instant friendship was the natural result."
"Well aren't you," Severus asked.
"Not everyone," Albus said, having the grace to look somewhat uncomfortable and embarrassed.
"I know quite a lot of very intelligent and gifted wizards, including yourself. The idea that I could befriend someone as radically different from who I am as Gellert Grindelwald is...astounding to say the least. I don't care how intelligent a person is if they misuse their abilities. I would never want to run the world or dominate Muggles, Severus!"

Severus sighed. He had a feeling this was going to be the running topic of conversation for a very, very, very long time. In part he couldn't blame Albus, but at present they really did have other concerns.
"I know that, Albus. Anyone worth your time knows that as well."
//Was I more soothing this time,// he asked Nightshade.
//Not really, but you sounded nice enough for you,// Nightshade replied after a second of consideration.

"Anyone who does believe this insanity that doesn't already dislike me certainly will believe they never truly knew who I was," Albus said with a resigned sigh.
"They will believe me to be a fake, and a liar...Thus the life and LIES of Albus Dumbledore, I suppose."
Snapping the book shut he tossed it across the room in an underhanded half hearted throw. It struck the corner of a small table and fell to the floor with a thump.
"And that didn't even make me feel better," Albus commented, going to retrieve the thing with a resigned shake of his head.

"I should probably tell you," Severus said uncomfortably.
"It's about Gellert Grindelwald."
Albus scowled.
"What? Is he writing a book of lies too? Because if..."
"No," Severus interrupted quickly.
"It's just that..."
And he outlined Adler's plan, explaining, without burdening Albus with too many unpleasant details, that Wolfgang had hatched a plan to free Grindelwald so that he could help them to at least remain safe until Voldemort was dead if the prophecy would allow him to do no more.

"Wolfgang has a potion to make Grindelwald young and plans to use that in trade for his help as well as his agreement not to start up his old campaign against Muggles again," Severus concluded.
"And all of you believe Grindelwald will actually be interested in fighting Voldemort or keeping his word about not pursuing his former goals," Albus scoffed.
"Adler believes so," Severus said.
"And thus far I trust his judgment. He is prepared to return Grindelwald to Nurmengard if he proves untrustworthy. Adler has knowledge of subtle spells that allow one to see if a person is lying, and of course he will use them."

"The man isn't easy to subdue. If he is lying, what keeps him from simply escaping Adler," Albus pressed.
"I really don't think this is a wise idea, Severus."
Severus shrugged.
"It wasn't mine," he defended peevishly.
"Besides, I for one, don't object to the idea of all the help we can get. Wolfgang isn't planning to give Grindelwald youth and a chance to attack him before finding out if he's ready to behave and play nicely with others. He will explain the situation to Grindelwald while he's still weak and surely undernourished from being in prison for fifty years. If Grindelwald isn't in the mood to behave, he'll still be weak enough for Wolfgang to simply return him. Adler is smart and he'll be prepared, trust me."

Albus sighed.
"If you say so. If this backfires, though, I hope you'll learn something."
Scowling he reopened Skeeter's book again.
"Let's see how much of this rubbish I can stomach this time. Can this day possibly get any worse?"
For his part, Severus hoped not, but he remained silent just in case he was wrong.
"I'll leave you to read then," he said, and when Albus nodded, he left, heading back to WestCraven manor.

Mag would be worried if he didn't return in time for dinner. The fact someone would worry if he wasn't home at a certain hour was still a concept he struggled with even if he did like it. Over the years, due to his various unpleasant experiences, he could easily count on the fingers of one hand, the people who cared enough to worry.

At least he had something...interesting to report over dinner.
//Poor Albus,// he told Nightshade as they headed into the library.
//Yeah, that was some shit,// Nightshade agreed.
//You really think it's something deeper than Skeeter just wanting money and attention and knowing this sort of shitty scandal would sell?
//I hope that's all it is, but we still need to consider other, more dangerous options in case someone means Albus harm,// Severus said.

When he told everyone about the book over dinner, Raislen burst out laughing.
"No," he gasped.
"Skeeter is fucking batshit! Oh Gods, poor Dumbledore. I just bet he shit himself over that one!"

Mag's response was much the same as Severus's own had been.
"No one with a brain will believe that," she said with a dismissive shrug of her slender shoulders.
"Ah but so few people have brains," Heather said.
Mag nodded to her Mum, chuckling.
"Too true. I just wonder what Grindelwald will make of it. I can't believe we'll actually be meeting him in a few days!"