A Family Reunited (A Teddy Lupin Afterlife Story) (Book 4)

Chapter 6: The Dilemma of Albus Dumbledore

Whilst the company he left behind chatted before Dobby and Kreacher's feast, Albus had made haste to go and see his family, as well as invite Ariana to the party for introductions to Teddy and as an opportunity to catch up with her friends there, particularly her best friend, Petunia.

As Albus came however, there was tension in the room. And upon a closer glance, he could see why.

There were two men, aside from his family facing off against each other, ready to fight; not that it would do much harm, if any, in Heaven. One was Ariana's husband, and Albus' childhood friend, Elphias Doge. The other was the man whom had decided Albus and the life he chose top protect both worlds, including the Muggle world...the man whom might have been the killer of Ariana...Gellert Grindelwald.

Albus stood transfixed. It was known that he still harboured romantic feelings towards his former best friend, but it wasn't his sexuality that was frowned upon, it was the particularly individual he was in love with.

"Gellert?"

"Albus."

Elphias and Albus' brother Aberforth, dead for some years now, looked ready to cast Grindelwald into Hell there and then, but Aberforth was affectionately restrained by Ariana's hand. She looked warmly to Elphias too and both relented. But neither of them were essentially keen to let Grindelwald stay for much longer.

"Somewhere more private, Albus." said Grindelwald in a tone that suggested it was settled by his say so alone.

"Do NOT order him about!" snapped Albus' father, Percival.

Albus waved off his father.

"It's better this way." said Albus, "More quiet and less chance of conflict."

No one, not even Ariana was pleased to see Albus go with Grindelwald. Although, when first meeting with Lily, Severus, James and the others in Heaven Hogwarts, he divulged that he and his family had forgiven and reunited with each other, as well as with Grindelwald and forgiven him, his family did not forgive Grindelwald and so the strenuous hatred between them forced Albus to send him away until a time came for them to all forgive and forget.

"That will be never!" snapped Aberforth, when Albus said this to them after sending his love away, "He killed our sister, Albus! I forgive you because I know you felt remorse all your life and hid it away, Harry Potter told me so. But-"

"But Grindelwald NEVER felt guilty!" cut in Ariana, "Before me, he had been known to harm and/or kill many others his home country. He was in the same pages as this Voldemort you fought!"

"Voldemort was worse." said Albus piteously, which sounded odd coming from him, "He split his soul...he never loved...I know Gellert loves me. That's why he's here..."

Aberforth and Percival snorted in derision. Ariana and Kendra were more accepting of Albus' lifestyle choice, but wished that of all people that he could have fallen in love with, he did not fall for Ariana.

"Besides," continued Albus, "there is no proof as to who killed you, Ariana...it could have been me or Aberforth..."

Aberforth looked down, paled with fear and self-hatred.

Ariana and Kendra covered their mouths in shock at Albus' attempt to shift blame off of Grindelwald in such a heinous way.

Percival just stared grimly at his eldest son, appalled.

"It's true."

"We can get proof..." said Percival at last.

"What?" asked Albus.