Dumbledore took a deep breath as he led both Orion and Credence through the winding paths of Hogsmeade, guiding them toward a modest building tucked away at the edge of the village. Aberforth Dumbledore's pub, The Hog's Head, was quieter than usual, its dimly lit windows casting only a faint glow in the evening light.
Orion glanced at Credence as they walked, offering a reassuring nod. Credence looked tense, his hands clenching and unclenching as they neared the door. This meeting was bound to bring up complicated emotions, but Orion hoped it would finally bring Credence a sense of belonging and family.
Dumbledore knocked gently on the wooden door, and after a pause, Aberforth opened it. He looked surprised to see his brother, then even more taken aback by the unfamiliar faces.
"Albus," he greeted, a wary look in his eyes. His gaze shifted to both Credence and Orion narrowing as if trying to place him. "And who might these two be?"
Dumbledore smiled softly. "Aberforth, there's something important we need to discuss. This young man here— claim to be your son." The words were spoken gently but with a firmness that didn't leave room for doubt.
Aberforth's face went blank with shock.
He took a step back, looking at Credence, who was nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
"What in Merlin's name you talking about ? You are high or something ?"
"My… son?" he repeated, his voice rough with disbelief. "I don't have a son."
But as Aberforth's eyes locked with Credence's, a glimmer of recognition started to spark in his mind. He studied Credence's face—the resemblance, the familiar eyes. Memories from long ago resurfaced, memories of a difficult past and a love that had slipped away.
Orion on the side put his hand on Credence shoulder, trying to keep his emotions at bay. It would be troublesome if he turn into a Obcurious here.
"Yes…" Aberforth murmured, his voice softening. "You are, Amelia's son." His voice wavered, and for a moment, a deep sadness crossed his face.
'Amelia...? why I have a urge to call FBI suddenly ?'
"You have the same eyes as hers."
Credence looked up, his eyes filled with both wonder and uncertainty. "So… it's true?" he asked, his voice quiet. "I'm really… your son?"
Even Dumbledore at this was taken a back, earlier he thought that this John Wick was manipulating that child's emotion for some reasons.
But it turn out that it was his own brother who turn out to be a bastard.
Aberforth gave a slow nod, struggling to find words. "Aye… you are. I never thought I'd see you again."
There was a long silence as the two of them took in the weight of the moment. Orion and Dumbledore watched quietly, allowing them the space to process this revelation. After a few more moments, Dumbledore gently cleared his throat.
"Perhaps," he said softly, "Mr Wick and I should step outside and give you both some time to talk."
Aberforth glanced at his brother, giving him a subtle nod of gratitude. "Yes… I'd like that."
Orion placed a comforting hand on Credence's shoulder before stepping away with Dumbledore. As they walked outside into the cool evening air, Orion noticed Dumbledore's reflective gaze, the familiar twinkle in his eye now laced with a hint of sadness.
'Ah, no longer hostile huh… so much like you.' Orion internally roll his eyes.
"Hmm you have my gratitude Mr Wick," Dumbledore said quietly once they were outside. "For helping bring him back to Aberforth. He deserves a chance to know his family."
Orion gave a small nod. "Don't be too happy so soon. Things are not as simple as things they are."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed again, and he turned his gaze toward the distant mountains. "Family has always been… complicated for us. I spent so long hiding secrets, trying to protect those I loved. Sometimes, I wonder if I made the right choices."
"And you are telling me because ?" Orion sign, he was just too used to the nonsense from this old men that he just now wanted Author to put a skip button right next to the screen if possible.
"I am telling this becuase I want to express how important this is to us… you have done us a great favour…"
"I see, well done yourself a favor and listen to what I have to say now, please. Its not like I bring him here out of a whim." Orion cut down to the chase.
Dumbledore blinked, hardly used to this kind of rude and straightforward way of talking but seeing how the man was getting annoyed he just nodded.
"Credence has been living with muggles since he was a child. Do you understand what that means ?" Orion asked as he look back the room where Credence was.
Many thoughts ran inside Dumbledore's mind. From childhood trauma to a completely different upbringing.
But this naive and cute thought were shattered the next time the man open his mouth.
"Obscurius."
Almost made Dumbledore's heart stop beating. A very bad feeling rise inside him.
"I believed I don't have to explain what an Obscurius is to you right…" Orion asked, and Dumbledor to this only slowly nodded.
" He is one, a very strong one. Worst is that Grindelwald was after him. Almost got him." Orion wasn't letting Dumbeldore to absorb all the information before dropping another bomb at him.
Now Dumbledore was frowning, not sure what was going on inside his head, Orion kept on going.
"He need a home, somewhere where he can get family love. I am telling you this because I want you to be prepared. Whether it is how dangerous he could be or how much longer he could be with you…"Orion said, indicating what Dumbledore feared the most.
Not Grindlewald, not Credence turning into a Obscurius…no.
But Credence don't have long to live. Sadness spread across his face.
"I understand…" Dumbledore nodded.
Orion wanted to say that he might have a way to save Credence but he didn't. Not until he himself was sure he could save the boy.
xxx
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