Visiting a Dangerous Past

Confrontation

Albus Dumbledore walked through the corridor of a prison very different from Azkaban, and with a purpose very different from those he had while visiting Azkaban.

"Albus!" cried a hoarse voice from inside the only occupied cell.

Albus turned.

It was his best friend, who had once been so full of life, merry and mischievous, but who now looked old, tired and lifeless.

However, his blue eyes still held that glow.

"Gellert," he whispered.

"I've been waiting so long for you to come," said Gellert, his voice brimming with excitement and joy. "How've you been? How many more prizes have you won?"

For some reason, Gellert's joy broke Albus' heart, and also made him smile.

"I know parts of 'em, of course..look." Gellert went into the depths of his lonely cell and brought out a stack of newspapers.

Albus stared at them.

"Albus Dumbledore becomes Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"Dumbledore finalizes 12 uses of dragon blood."

"No to Minister of Magic--says Albus Dumbledore again."

"I've been keeping up, you see," said Gellert, grinning. "But of course it's not the same as seeing you again."

Albus' eyes filled with tears.

Tears of... guilt? Remorse?

"Hey, Al--look here," said Gellert, sounding alarmed. "I don't hold that duel against you or anything!"

"Why did you let me win?" Albus' voice was quite steady, though his hand was shaking.

"Let you win? I didn't let you win!"

"You did. How could I defeat the Elder Wand otherwise?" demanded Albus.

"It must've been your skills, Al," said Gellert with that crooked grin Albus had always loved.

Albus opened the bars of the cell and entered, but refused to look at his best friend.

"Albus."

"Albus!"

"Albus, you meet me after 51 years and now you're sulking? Honestly, you're unbelievable."

Albus sat down, facing Gellert, his arms crossed. He did not know what to say.

"Al, I know you think I betrayed you all those years ago," said Gellert quietly. "But, you know, it was actually you who betrayed us."

"Because--because our ideas were wrong, Gellert! Why didn't you grow up after 18? Why did you have to cling to those childish ideals?"

"They weren't childish--"

"Oh? Murdering Muggles? Tormenting Muggle-borns? What have the Muggles ever done to us?"

"You know what," whispered Gellert.

"So--so what?" cried Albus. "If it was a Muggle who destroyed Ariana Dumbledore, it was a wizard who killed her," he choked.

Gellert fell silent.

"I still don't know which one of us..." mumbled Albus, clenching his fists. "I never had the courage to check. Aberforth was mad with grief after she died--and he checked his wand...it was either me or you, Gell."