Albus Dumbledore's Guide to Love, Time, and Questionable Life Choices

Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Gen
G
Albus Dumbledore's Guide to Love, Time, and Questionable Life Choices
Summary
Answer to Reddit Prompt: "Professor, why are we selling illegal substances in Knockturn Alley?" Harry asked Dumbledore, who was arguing price with an old hag "Well Harry, I recently learned I have to pay support for my many illegitimate children, most from magical creatures." Dumbledore said
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My Life in Magic

Epilogue: My Life in Magic

The return to Hogwarts was a quiet affair. After the chaos of the Celestial Realm and the dramatic confrontation with Grindelwald, Harry was more than ready for some peace and quiet. But as he stepped into the Great Hall, he was immediately bombarded with questions from his friends.

“Harry!” Hermione exclaimed, rushing over to him. “Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!”

Ron was close behind, his expression a mix of relief and annoyance. “Yeah, mate. You can’t just disappear like that. We thought you’d been kidnapped by another dark wizard or something.”

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s a long story. Let’s just say Dumbledore dragged me into another one of his… adventures.”

Hermione’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of adventure?”

Harry hesitated, unsure of how much to tell them. “Uh… let’s just say it involved a magical goblet, a trip to another realm, and a fight with Grindelwald.”

Ron’s eyes widened. “Grindelwald? As in the Grindelwald?”

Harry nodded. “Yeah. It’s… complicated.”

Hermione looked like she was about to launch into a barrage of questions, but before she could, Dumbledore stepped into the Great Hall, his presence immediately commanding everyone’s attention.

“Ah, Harry,” Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. “I see you’ve already started regaling your friends with tales of our latest adventure.”

Harry groaned. “Sir, can we please not make this a thing?”

Dumbledore chuckled. “Very well. But know this, Harry: you have done something extraordinary today. And I am proud of you.”

Harry felt a warmth spread through his chest, despite his exasperation. “Thanks, sir. That means a lot.”

As the days passed, life at Hogwarts returned to normal—or as normal as it could be with Dumbledore around. Harry tried to put the adventure behind him, focusing on his studies and spending time with his friends. But every now and then, he would catch a glimpse of Dumbledore humming a cheerful tune as he strolled through the grounds, and he couldn’t help but wonder what the Headmaster was up to.

One evening, as Harry was sitting by the fire in the Gryffindor common room, a package arrived for him. It was wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string, and it had his name written on it in Dumbledore’s distinctive handwriting.

“What’s that?” Ron asked, looking up from his game of wizard chess.

Harry shrugged. “I don’t know. Let’s find out.”

He unwrapped the package to reveal a book. The cover was a deep, midnight blue, with the title written in shimmering silver letters: Love, Time, and Hooves: My Life in Magic by Albus Dumbledore.

Harry groaned. “Oh no.”

Hermione’s eyes lit up. “Dumbledore wrote a memoir? I have to read that!”

Harry handed her the book, feeling a mix of amusement and dread. “Be my guest. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

As Hermione flipped through the pages, her expression grew more and more incredulous. “Harry, this is… this is incredible. He’s written about everything—his childhood, his time at Hogwarts, his adventures with Grindelwald… and, uh, his ‘negotiations’ with the Giantesses.”

Ron’s eyes widened. “Negotiations? What kind of negotiations?”

Harry buried his face in his hands. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

Hermione continued reading, her eyes scanning the pages with growing fascination. “He’s even written about you, Harry. Listen to this: ‘Harry Potter, my favorite co-adventurer. A young man of great courage and even greater heart. And, dare I say, a knack for stumbling into trouble.’”

Harry groaned. “Of course he did.”

Ron laughed. “Mate, you’re going to be the most famous wizard in the world at this rate. Even Dumbledore’s writing about you now.”

Harry sighed, realizing that his life was never going to be normal—not as long as Dumbledore was around. But as he sat there, surrounded by his friends and the warmth of the fire, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of gratitude. For all his quirks and eccentricities, Dumbledore had always been there for him. And that, Harry realized, was a kind of love all its own.

-----

Months later, Harry received another package. This one was smaller, wrapped in plain brown paper, and tied with a simple string. Inside was a note and a small, silver goblet.

The note read: “To Harry, my favorite co-adventurer. Remember: love is the answer, and hooves are a close second. —Albus.”

Harry smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. He placed the goblet on his shelf, next to a photo of his parents and a half-eaten chocolate frog. And as he sat there, surrounded by the memories of his adventures, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace. For all the chaos and confusion, he had found something truly precious—something worth fighting for.

And as Dumbledore’s voice echoed in his mind, he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he would always have the courage to face them. Because love, after all, was the most powerful magic of all.

-Fin-

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