[HPGGAD] Heavenly Fire

He stood between life and death, as if he was between night and morning, and in the bliss of flying, he thought, I am not afraid.This is better than music or his mother's love; this is the life of the gods.Sorrow cannot touch him, hatred cannot touch him.Everything looked bright and clear, as in the eye of a descending eagle.He felt himself sharp as a sword, full of light.

- Mary Renault, "Heavenly Fire"

Albus has no preference for seasons.

In fact, the new Hogwarts graduate seems to have no preference for anything.His teachers admired him, his friends depended on him, and his three blood relatives on earth—mother, Aberforth, and Ariana—needed him.But Albus himself had never had many strong and clear feelings.

summer?Summer was good, Albus thought idly, and Aberforth would probably like it.He could play with Ariana while herding sheep in Godric's Hollow, a younger brother who always had infinite patience with his sister who was forced to stay home.Autumn wasn't bad either, it was the season Hogwarts started, which used to mean he was once again allowed to escape from the hustle and bustle of his family, but Albus's love of autumn was quickly dissipated by graduation.

"Albus? ... Albus? What do you think?"

Effias Dorje's voice pulled him back from his rambling thoughts, and he replied gently to his friend as always: "I think Mr. LeMay will welcome our visit very much."

"Really? Do you really think so?" Dorje made an excited and twitching voice, "Merlin! That's—"

"I don't think Monsieur Flamel would be complacent with any title, Ephias." Albus interrupted him quickly, as he was wont to do when his patience ran out.Of course, it was quite difficult to change the subject politely and naturally, but luckily Albus thought he was doing pretty well.

Dorje was not annoyed by his interruption, he trusted and relied on Albus, and was fortunate to witness how Albus got rid of his status as the "son of the prisoner of Azkaban" in the first grade, and became the star of the spotlight. gifted boy.

Duoji picked up the quill pen that had just been put on the table because of excitement, and started to write on the paper again: "First stop - Paris..."

The letterhead of this parchment reads in larger letters: Albus Dumbledore and Elphias Dorge's Graduation Travel Proposal.Dorge did most of the writing, but he insisted that Albus write his own name, so "Albus Dumbledore" on the title became a long, looped font, and It is not the other slightly rounded writing.

Albus laughed at the gesture.Dorje seldom saw such a wide-eyed smile on his friend. He understood that Albus used to hide his emotions, and his respect for this was an important prerequisite for their friendship.

So joy rose in his heart, and he kept imagining the adventures, adventures and wonderful magic they would experience in the next two months.

Then an owl flew into the auditorium.

On this afternoon when the students were about to leave school, owls seemed so rare.The two of them raised their heads at the same time when they heard the sound of wings flapping.

"Albus! This seems to be your owl—" Dorje said hesitantly. During the speech, the owl had already stood firmly in front of their table, and Albus skillfully removed the letter from its feet.

He stroked the little animal's head and lowered the wall of his cup so that it could drink water with its head down.

"Thank you, Ruby." Albus thanked the owl tenderly.Named after his little sister Ariana, the owl is called "Ruby" because of a rare red feather on its tail.

Albus' smile faded slowly as the letter unfolded.

Effias Dorje's memory of this moment has never faded in the long years that followed. He always had a feeling that he didn't fully understand his friend, and this moment was the closest to Albus Deng in his life. Moments of Bullido's true heart.

"Ephias," Albus finally broke the uncomfortable silence, looking at him apologetically, "I don't think I can complete our plan with you."

"But I will assure you that Mr. Flamel has heard of your coming visit. Don't worry," he added.

Albus Dumbledore's life has never been off track for the past 18 years, and he even faced the news of his own mother's death with such appropriateness.

Albus hurried back to Godric's Hollow as fast as he could.

On the way, he was forced to face Aberforth's constant tears and panic.His younger brother, nearly devastated by the fact that his mother had died, reassured him repeatedly: "You're going to stay home and take care of Anna, aren't you?"

Albus understands the reason for his brother's breakdown and is shamefully annoyed by it, but still responds to his every question like a good brother: "Yes, I already told Ephias that he can only go alone Traveling."

After an unknown number of repeated answers, Aberforth was finally relieved of Ariana's safety, but fell into another kind of intense grief.

"I can't believe I was mad at her the last time I saw her..." Aberforth sobbed in pain.

"It's not your fault," Albus tried to reassure him, "nobody would have thought of that."

"Merlin! Albus!" his brother yelled as if he was reaching the limit of his patience, "Why are you so calm at this moment?"

Albus knew what his brother was expecting.He looked forward to the two of them crying together, missing their mother together, depressed for a while, and then cheering up and rebuilding their lives together.

But we can't afford this, Ah Bu thought, there is only one person in this family who can do nothing, and he obviously doesn't have the honor to get this spot.

"I just want to take care of you as best I can." Albus didn't get angry, and continued to speak softly.

Aberforth skipped a lot of emotions on his face, they were all short, chaotic and easy to catch, and finally stayed on apology, he sniffed, and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry."

"Never mind," Albus replied, trying not to think how far away Paris was from him now.

Candela's funeral was held smoothly as scheduled, during which Aberforth had many disputes with him, such as he wanted to drop out of school and go home to take care of Ariana, but Albus insisted that he finish his studies.

When the middle of June entered, Aberforth's distrust of his brother gradually dissipated, and he decided to accept his suggestion, and continue to step into Hogwarts obediently after the end of summer.

The pain in Albus's heart grew day by day. Fortunately, the frequency of hiding in the room and writing letters remained within the range that Aberforth could bear, and there was no evidence he classified as "irresponsible to Ariana".

Neighbor Bathilda Bagshot, who came over occasionally, out of kindness felt it was her duty to look after the three siblings after Candela's death.

It also became Albus's favorite part of the day besides writing and reading letters, finally being able to talk face-to-face with someone of his intellectual equal.

"My grandnephew is coming to visit recently," Bathilda added a candy to the teacup. "I think you'll like him. His name is Gellert, Gellert Grindelwald."

Albus had seen too many mediocrities considered geniuses in his seven years at Hogwarts, and he didn't think Bathilda's grandnephew would be any different.

The summer sunset shrouded the entire Godric's Valley, and the grass outside the window reflected fine spots of light from the gaps in the dense leaves. Ariana was teasing Aberforth's favorite goat not far from the line of sight. , she looked very happy.

So he looked away from the window and smiled politely: "Really? I hope he will like it here."