Aftermath Of Abandonment ✔

Chapter - 8

~ Chapter - 8 ~

Albus Dumbledore paced restlessly within the confines of his cottage in Mould-on-the-Wold, a quaint and almost idyllic setting that concealed his presence from the prying eyes of the Wizarding World. For a year and a half, he had meticulously woven this charade of his demise, retreating into the shadows after faking his death. Within these four walls, memories lingered, including those of his family—the monumental Percival and Kendra Dumbledore, whose lives had shaped his own. He was the eldest of three, with the weight of responsibility tightening around him like a noose.

His thoughts turned to Aberforth, his younger brother, and Ariana, his delicate sister whose life had been marred by the cruelty of Muggles, leading to her magic turning inward and inflicting harm upon her fragile self. It was a dark legacy etched into their family, woven tight with tragedy, when their father, in a fit of rage, retaliated against those vile Muggles, only to land himself in Azkaban. This left Albus to shoulder the burden of guardianship, feeling the weight of despair and expectation bearing down on him, even as Gellert Grindelwald had entered his life. This man was once a friend, now a lover, bound in an ambitious dream.

With Gellert, he envisioned a future where they would rule over the Wizarding World with absolute power, a world they would shape according to their ideals. Yet, as time passed, their paths diverged; conflicting desires ignited a ferocious duel that culminated with Albus seemingly vanquishing Gellert, who, unbeknownst to the world, still drew breath, hiding away like Albus himself. To those around him, Albus was a beacon of hope, likened to Merlin, revered and almost idolised by the masses, while shadows of the past loomed larger.

Yet, an ordinary boy named Tom Marvolo Riddle, born on the doorstep of Wool Orphanage threatened the fragile peace Albus had believed he would protect. Riddle's nascent power dwarfed Albus's own; at eleven, he embodied a darkness that sparked fear. Realising the precarious balance of their world, Albus plunged Tom deep into despair, ensuring he could never see the light again. Amidst this chaos, a drunken seer's careless words foretold a child's destiny—to kill the Dark Lord. In the wake of those ominous prophecies, he found a new hope in a one-day-old baby, Harry Potter, envisioning him as a weapon against the encroaching darkness.

As the years unfolded, Albus watched helplessly as Harry grew; he never expected the boy would defy death itself, time and time again. The boy was resilient, stubborn perhaps to a fault, needing to learn the lessons Albus had hoped to impart. Today, he marked the climactic battle between Tom and Harry, a duel that cast its grim shadow across Wizarding Britain. Against all odds, Harry triumphed, achieving victory without spilling innocent blood—a miracle that left Albus both awed and restless.

Now, hidden away, he found himself trapped in this self-imposed exile without any means to prove he was still alive. His efforts to reach out had fallen short; neither Molly, Hermione, Ginny, nor Ron had responded to his owls, leaving him with a sense of irritation spiralling into worry. Lost in thought, he was jarred back to reality by the sharp tap of an owl against his window. He opened it cautiously, only to pale at the sight that awaited him.

Albus Dumbledore,

The esteemed members of the Wizengamot summon you to appear before the court today at precisely 9:00 in the morning. This urgent notification comes as a result of severe and grave accusations levelled against you by Lord Potter, which include theft of lineage, embezzlement of funds, conspiracy to commit murder, and a multitude of other charges that demand your immediate attention.

You will be instantaneously transported to the Wizengamot chambers after reading this notification. Please be aware that this magical mechanism is designed to prevent any possibility of your escape or evasion of the proceedings without our observation.