Chapter 2
Gellert could count on one hand how many times he had heard that tone in Albus’ voice, even less so when it was directed at him.
(To the surprise of many, one of those events hadn’t been when Ariana died, then Albus had just cried. He didn’t yell at him until the next day)
Maybe because he wasn’t used to hearing Albus sound so angry, maybe it was because he hadn’t had anyone yell at him so disrespectfully and it actually be a threat.
Either way, Gellert was pretty fucking sure he wanted to be anywhere but here.
In the years of their separation, Gellert though often about how his reunion with Albus would go. He imagined himself swooping into Hogwarts, depositing the hallows at Albus feet followed by the world. He imagined pulling Albus into his arms, kissing away tears and loosing his hands in Albus long red hair.
What he never thought would happen was to see his husband again already pissed off and be supporting an exhausted and healing Aberforth.
Nor that Albus would be the one to come to him.
Together, they hurried to the entrance of Nurmengard where Gellert’s acolytes had gathered. Usually only his acolytes were here at this hour since they lived in Nurmengard.
In his periphery, he noted Queenie holding back Credence. She looked as if she’d been up for a while, one dainty hand on his son’s arm.
The bright blue eyes that Gellert so often dreamt of- and had nightmares of- were looking at him now. Shining with so much anger and pain, for a moment Gellert forgot where they were, rather when they were. He felt like an idiotic 16 year old who left his husband because he’d been afraid.
Afraid!
Now, with Albus in Nurmengard, Gellert decided not even the forces of Heaven and Hell could wretch the man from his side.
“Was she not enough for you? Is your goal to completely destroy my family?” The Gryffindor sounded so pained- so broken that he couldn’t raise his when Albus pointed his at Gellert.
Albus’ hand shook, tears in his eyes but before either could speak, the youngest among them gave a shout of “Vati!”
His corporeal form exploded into a cloud of thundering black smoke- flickering and shifting in front of Gellert. Protecting him and his unknowing uncle.
While he couldn’t see Albus’ face through the obscurus, the blonde could easily imagine his face- mostly because he could see Aberforth’s reaction.
Both of them had more experience then anyone else alive- except, perhaps Scamander- with obscurials.
They knew any shouting or fighting- really, any increase in agitation or anxiety could set Credence off into destroying all of them.
“You have a son?” Aberforth growled, angry for no reason Gellert to figure.
“Credence, kleiner everything is fine. That’s Albus, remember what I told you about him?”
Albus watched with awe as the obscurial reformed into that of a young man. That he heard genuine affection in Gellert’s voice distracted him momentarily from his anger.
Seeing it work to calm the obscurial- Credence and have him re-form in a corporeal form was breathtaking. This was the man he’d fallen for- the man who cared for the magical community- those everyone would rather push to the side and ignore.
The man Albus believed could and would change the world.
Sometimes, in relationships, your partner can do something- anything and it takes your breath away and you fall in love with them all over again.
This is what Albus Dumbledore felt when he saw Gellert comforting the boy.
“Oi you stupid fuck-“ Aberforth growled, limping over to Albus and hitting the side of his head.
“Don’t you fuckin’ do it-“
“I wasn’t!”
Around them, things began to grow awkward and tense as the two brothers began yelling at each other. Gellert’s acolytes glanced at one another wondering if their presence was necessary, Vinda and Queenie seemed to come to some consensus as they led everyone else out of the entry room.
Gellert, for a moment, couldn’t help but feel like a 16 year old again in Godric’s Hollow. How many times had he sat through Albus and Aberforth’s shouting matches? How many times had they quietly growled at one another to try to keep Ariana from deteriorating?
Except, well now- now he didn’t have to play nice.
“Credence,” Gellert said, loud enough to interrupt the two. “This is Albus and Aberforth Dumbledore, your Father and your uncle.”
The obscurial stood close to Gellert, more behind him then beside him. The boy eyed Albus and Aberforth wearily, hoping for acceptance but ready to be denied.
Gellert knew well enough that Albus and Aberforth would not risk upsetting Credence- and this bombshell would hopefully leave both brothers emotionally raw enough to be manipulated.
“I need to speak to Albus but why don’t you show Aberforth Fawkes? I’m certain he’d love to see a phoenix.”
Based off the matching expressions of surprise, and that specific familiar twinkle in Albus’ eyes, they understood the implication.
When Aberforth passed Gellert to go with Credence, he stopped.
Without any hesitation in his voice, the younger Dumbledore said:
“If you hurt him or this kid, I’ll steal the nastiest beast in Scamander’s case and feed you to it.”
The dark lord rolled his eyes- leave it to Dumbledores to be as dramatic as possible.
Not deigning it with a response other than a slight incline of his head, Gellert waited until the room was empty save for himself and his husband.
The subdued slam of the door closing behind Aberforth was the only sound in the quiet entryway. Albus bright blue eyes never left Gellert’s even as they walked closer to each other and met in the middle.
“I didn’t authorize the attack on Aberforth,”
“I assumed you decided to just get rid of all the Dumbledores.”
Gellert’s eyes narrowed, a response on his lips before biting it back. That wasn’t why they were having this conversation. It wouldn’t be beneficial to anyone.
“Clearly, I have a vested interest in extending that line, if anything.”
-
While in no way a scholar or an academic like Albus, Aberforth couldn’t help but study the young man Gellert claimed was to be his nephew. In coloring, Credence didn’t look much like Albus or Gellert but Aberforth saw their Father Percival in him. The dark hair and eyes were the spitting image of their father, and Aberforth had to wonder if that’s what Albus thought when he looked at Credence.
How did Gellert recognize this kid as his? He doubted Albus ever bothered to point out what Percival looked like- not when they were so wrapped up in each other’s goddamn greatness.
In the way Credence held himself, the way he curled into himself but rarely looked up to meet his eye reminded Aberforth painfully of Ariana. When Scamander did it, Aberforth knew it was just because he didn’t like people.
Credence did it because he genuinely feared people- Ariana had, too.
“Vati said you didn’t know about me,” the obscurial murmured, opening a bedroom door for Aberforth to walk through. Waiting on the other side was a gorgeous red firebird.
It chirped happily at Credence, taking off from its perch to circle the ceiling before landing on Credence’s shoulder when they came through.
It took him a second to respond- Aberforth felt dumbstruck at the image of the bird. Well aware of the family legend, he never thought it was true.
“Err yeah, hell I don’t think Albus knew ‘bout ya either.”
Credence gently led the bird back to its perch so he could pet its head.
“Did they not want me?” Aberforth had to force himself to look forward- anywhere but at his nephew. While Albus annoyed him to no end, Credence was practically Ariana in personality, temperament- god everything.
It hurt- he was so hurt. Credence wasn’t all that different from Albus after Ariana died. The same hurt, betrayed look- so ready to be left behind again.
With his usual brashness, Aberforth pulled the boy into an embrace.
“Gellert and Albus care but they’re self-absorbed, now that I know ‘bout you I promise you’re never gonna be alone again okay?”
Credence froze in his grasp for a moment, before melting in the hug.
And, if Aberforth’s shirt was a bit damp afterwards he didn’t comment on it.
His brother and the damned kraut stole Ariana from him- Aberforth would be damned before they took his nephew, too.