"...It was your old friends that sold you out."
"..."
Dumbledore blinked slowly. His usual calm facade slipping away. "...With this old brain of mine, I can guess that one of them must be Nicolas."
"You're right on that one, Headmaster," Alister nodded, leaning back in his chair. "But I'm entirely sure you won't be able to figure out the other culprit. Surprisingly, it was old man Gellert, and he was the only one among us who was overly enthusiastic about it."
"Between the two of them," Alister added unhelpfully, "they compiled a long list of your entire candy-based security history."
Dumbledore sat completely still. For the first time in perhaps fifty years, he looked genuinely, profoundly stunned.
He stared at Alister, not because he had been sold out by his oldest companions, but because of the sheer absurdity of the greatest alchemist in history and the most dangerous Dark Lord of the century mingling with a teenager.
He knew better than anyone that both men possessed immense pride; they were not the type to help someone on a mere whim.
Having known them for most of his life, Dumbledore understood exactly how impossible this scenario should be.
"..."
Dumbledore slowly exhaled, taking off his half-moon spectacles and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Alister," Dumbledore finally said, his voice entirely devoid of its usual calm, sounding suddenly much truer to his old and casual self. "While I admit that Arcane Network, especially Apex Chat has brought us.... unexpectedly closer... I am still at a complete loss as to how you managed to convince Gellert to partake in this act."
He looked up, his blue eyes locking onto Alister's with a heavy, complicated weight.
"With how stubborn that old man is about his ideals and goals, even I haven't managed to convince him of anything for decades."
"Well, it's not exactly a huge secret, but make sure you don't go spreading it everywhere."
"And keep your 'wizarding ways of spreading news like wildfire' in check, Headmaster. Especially if you don't want to lose your credibility as the most powerful and influential wizard of the century."
Dumbledore gave him a dry, amused look. "Alister, I must remind you that I am old, not senile."
"Right," Alister sighed. "I suppose I'll trust you for once."
He glanced around the circular office. The portraits of the previous headmasters looked perfectly inanimate, like regular paintings, but it's clear they were absolutely hanging onto his every word.
Alister, who was determined not to give these old geezers any free gossip, gestured for Dumbledore to lean in.
Dumbledore, growing even more curious after seeing Alister acting so secretive, obliged and leaned forward across his desk.
Instead of bothering to stand on the chair, Alister simply used Wingardium Leviosa on himself and smoothly hovered out of his seat and floated over just close enough to whisper directly into the Dumbledore's ear.
"You should already know from the memory metal incident that old Nick and I are essentially research partners now," Alister murmured quietly. "And as for old man Gellert... I am now the fiancé of Artoria, his granddaughter."
For a brief moment, the headmaster's office was perfectly silent.
Then, Dumbledore let out a low chuckle that rapidly swelled and echoed off the circular stone walls, until the most powerful wizard recognized by the world was leaning back in his chair, overcome by a bout of joyous, full-bellied laughter.
Floating a few inches above the desk, Alister watched the display with mounting concern. 'This old man isn't going to kick the bucket while laughing, right?'
"Headmaster, are you alright?" Alister asked, maintaining his levitation but leaning away slightly. "I'd prefer it if nothing fatal happens to you."
'At least not while I'm the only suspect in the room.'
It took some time but Dumbledore's laughter finally subsided.
While, chuckling softly, he pulled a brightly colored, embroidered handkerchief from his robes and slipped off his half-moon spectacles. And wiped a genuine tear that came out of his eyes due to laughing.
"Oh, my, I do not believe I have laughed quite that hard in half a century."
He replaced his glasses, looking up at the floating teenager with some gentleness? and relief??? in them.
"You are a very lucky young man, Alister. Artoria is a genuinely extraordinary witch."
"I haven't quite tested my luck yet," Alister replied dryly, finally canceling his spell and dropping smoothly back into his chair. "But the situation it often puts me is certainly troublesome."
He leaned forward, tapping his fingers purposefully against the polished wood of the desk. "Now, onto the business I actually came here for. Headmaster, give me the package, and sign my leave of absence. Old Nick should have guaranteed my leave in his letter to you."
Still smiling serenely, Dumbledore drew his wand and gave it a lazy, elegant flick over his shoulder.
A rectangular, intricately carved wooden case floated smoothly from a high shelf, gliding across the room to settle gently onto the desk in front of Alister.
"Here is what Nicolas sent for you," Dumbledore said gently. He picked up a crimson quill from his inkwell and pulled Alister's parchment toward him, the faint traces of amusement still dancing on his lips.
"As for the month-long absence he requested on your behalf... I shall agree to it. I suppose I must place my trust in you, and in a dear friend who has so recently betrayed my deepest secrets."
"You can count on me for that," Alister replied smoothly. "You have placed your trust in the right person this time."
He eagerly snatched the freshly signed parchment off the desk while grabbing the wooden case with other hand and immediately turned toward the exit.
He was eager to leave before Dumbledore rethinks his decision.
"Alister."
At the sound of Dumbledore's voice, Alister paused. He deliberately took a second to tuck the parchment safely into the magically expanded pocket of his robes before turning back around to listen.
"There is no need to be quite so formal with me in private," Dumbledore spoke softly. "Next time, you may address me just as you do Nicolas and Gellert."
Alister's mouth gave a slight twitch. "... I am fine with that. I'm off, see you later, Old man."
The heavy oak door clicked shut as Alister descended the spiral staircase. In the quiet that followed, Dumbledore's grandfatherly smile slowly faded. His face settled back to his usual calm expression as he leaned heavily into the back of his chair.
"Given what a cunning actor you are, it truly is a pity the Sorting Hat didn't place you in Slytherin during your school years, Albus."
The drawling, cynical voice came from the wall. Phineas Nigellus Black, the former Slytherin headmaster, was looking down from his portrait with a knowing sneer.
END OF CHAPTER
Got any interest in dwelling more in the story?
If yes, then just check out my author profile and join me on Patreon to read the 10+ chapter in advance.
Link: patreon.com/xxSUPxx
special thanks to all the coven disciples and,
Elite member: Dutchviking