"People can never have enough socks, you know," Dumbledore said. “Another year of Christmas has come and gone.

But I still don't have a pair of wool socks. Everyone keeps giving me books.”

Albus Dumbledore — Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone p. 261

? Chess Theme

AnotherChristmas

[GellertG. / Albus D.]

ByPalmetto

25December 1994

This year's Hogwarts Christmas night is more special than ever because it's a dance party to strengthen bonds between the three schools at the Triwizard Tournament, which Hogwarts plays host to.

Normally, a Hogwarts Christmas night, although warm, was not filled with the halls of students and faculty like this, especially with the increasing number of students coming from Beauxbatons. And Durmstrang had to admit that the blood-red robes of the male students of Durmstrang were very strange to the viewer if those shades of red were warm. The French language of the boys and girls from Beauxbatons talking among themselves was like music with a rhythm that was pleasing to the ear.

The main hall was covered in sparkling silver mist. Mistletoe and ivy hung across the black ceiling with twinkling stars. Silver curtains fluttered between the pillars, adding to the dreamy atmosphere in the main hall. Receive with the Christmas tree located in the room [*]

Albus Dumbledore looked at the pictures of the students of the three schools drinking and laughing and chatting happily. Did the energy of youthfulness help to soothe and refresh the heart of an old man like him? At least looking at the refreshing scene in front of him would help him relax a little from Igor Karkarov's boring conversation during the meal.

“I never thought of claiming to know every secret of Hogwarts, Igor.”[*]

These were his words to the headmaster from Durmstrang, who had prevented his students from telling them about the castle as it would risk revealing the secret location of the school to the students. From other schools, you can guess.

“For example, this morning I took a wrong turn while going to the bathroom. Then I entered a room with beautiful proportions that I had never seen before. There were also different types of chamber pots in the room. What was amazing was that when I went back to examine it more closely, I found that the room had disappeared. But I will keep looking. It is possible that I can enter that room only at 5:30 a.m. or it may only appear at 4 p.m....

Or when the person seeking this room has a particularly full bladder.” [*]

He secretly winked at Harry, who burst out laughing over his plate after hearing him purposely tell Karkaroff about the secret bathroom he had encountered this morning in order to keep the conversation from being too boring. student

When the impressive meal was finished, Dumbledore's tall, thin figure stood up from his chair as a signal to the others. The room rose as the Elder Wand in his hand waved, causing the dining tables to float against the wall. He waved the wand once more. A raised stage appeared with a complete set of musical instruments, and The Weird Sisters, who were performing the songs for the event, walked onto the stage amid applause and cheers from the students.

Albus Dumbledore kept his wand in his long silver robes as before. A slow and sweet melody began to play as the representatives of the three schools stepped out onto the dance floor. Along with his own dance partner, Albus secretly chuckled fondly when he saw Harry's awkward expression on the dance floor with Miss Parvati.

When the song had continued a little longer, he extended his hand and invited Madame Maxime, headmaster of Beauxbatons, to be his dance partner. They were the first couple on the floor next to the school representatives. They had to admit that looking up at her was quite a challenge for her chest-high body, not least if Madame was able to dance so beautifully.

Now on the dance floor, many students joined in dancing and the music slowly sounded. Changing from a sweet rhythm to a waltz He changed his dance partner from Madame Maxime to Professor McGonagall.

“Ah— I haven't seen you wear this robe in a long time, Albus.”

She greeted as she walked swiftly to the rhythm of the song, her expression looking especially cheerful in her beautiful red plaid dress.

“I kept it to wear to an important event like your beautiful dress today, Minerva! Turn around again.”

He said in a cheerful tone and supported his colleague's back as she spun around again. Moments later, his dance partner was Professor Sprout. Her chubby figure moves with vigor to the music and is a great conversation piece for exotic plants around the world.

As the waltz ended, he bowed his head to Professor Sinistra, his final dance partner.

Now The Weird Sister Starting to experiment with the sounds of the instruments and microphones that will be used in the next few songs, and it's a song for teenage wizards who are ready to jump around and scream with excitement. It was clearly not a song for elderly people like him and the other professors.

“Alright, now it's time to turn the hall into a teenager's space.”

He chuckled, waving his wand in his hand, causing the lights decorating the walls to dim slightly and transforming the twinkling stars above into a shimmering meteor shower as the drums beat loudly. With the sound of The Weird Sisters' signature screeching guitar playing,

The Head Professor of Hogwarts walked out of the hall and the other professors, Minerva and Flitwick walked up the stairs with him. Madame Maxime walked out with Hagrid. The three of them walked past the Hogwarts students, along with some friends from Beauxbatons. Some Durmstrangs dot the road.

“Apparently, dance parties really strengthen relationships! Come to think of it, the first day the Beauxbatons arrived they were still wrinkling their noses at our castle.”

Professor Flitwick snorted, Professor McGonagall laughing. She blushed a little. Because of the many glasses of liquor he had drunk recently, if he still walked upright and graceful even though his hat was slightly tilted, it would hardly be noticeable.

“I heard the kids from Durmstrang complain that if Karkarov didn't strictly rule that they would only have to stay on the ship. I'd probably be happier than this. I think our castle is spacious and has lots of rooms. It wouldn't hurt to share some with those kids to use, don't you think Albus?"

The alcohol made her talk more than usual. Albus laughed deep in his throat and shook his head slightly.

“Igor probably had his reasons in mind. Besides, I think sleeping in a boat and hearing the hum of the underworld people would be quite pleasant. It might help you relax and sleep more comfortably. Oh, they had invited me to go down and visit the underground palace together a long time ago, but I never had time to go down. It's really a pity.”

Minerva and Flitwick exchanged a brief glance. After he finished, they parted with Merry Christmas words. As they reached the eagle statue at the entrance to the headmaster's dormitory, the eagle spread its wings to welcome him, automatically stepping up the mechanical stairs to the circular room above. Most of the previous headmasters have disappeared from the pictures that line the walls, many of which are now just empty black frames.

The room was filled with little noises from machines, big and small, working to keep the Headmaster's room from being too quiet.

Albus' tall, thin figure walked unhurriedly towards his desk. Fox let out a soft cry in his throat. While blinking at the owner

“Ah—what do you say, dear friend? Christmas has already passed another year.”

Albus greeted his pet, his skinny knuckles reaching up to smooth the phoenix's beautiful fiery red feathers. Affectionately, he removed his hand and sat down in the high-backed chair, relaxing himself for the first time that day.

The sharp blue eyes behind the lenses looked nowhere in particular but the group of knitting machines and four or five thin knitting magazines that had been purchased from the Muggle world several months earlier next to them. They were a pair of thick, bright yellow gloves woven with a simple pattern. that he tried knitting by himself Don't use magic.

And it was quite impressive for the first time.

"Christmas... Ah— Christmas.”

A soft voice whispered in his throat. His eyelids closed and he breathed in and out. Albus gently stroked his long beard as the words he had just said to Fox flashed through his mind. Christmas has come and gone and another year will be over in just a few hours.

Albus couldn't remember how many years he had celebrated Christmas without his family because the only family left was... Aberforth probably wanted to celebrate Christmas with a picture of his parents. and sister Arianna rather than having to awkwardly join him at the table.

However, for an old man like him to be alone on Christmas night like this was a bit too lonely and cruel. Albus couldn't deny himself that there were times when loneliness had penetrated his heart. It comes in his feelings as well, even if it's too small to care about. Of course, he should care about other things instead of sitting here feeling lonely and depressed all by himself.

There's more to Harry's life and the wizarding world that hangs in the balance than Albus Dumbledore's Lonely Christmas.

But having said that...this year is a little colder than usual.

Other matters popped into his mind again, and Albus tried to think of something else to distract himself, which unfortunately failed.

How cold is it in Nurmengard—?

Until now, Albus couldn't calm himself any longer. The tall, thin old man's body rose so quickly that Fox, who was riding on his wings, looked up at him as he walked around in circles and took in his breath. Hands tied behind the back Occasionally he glanced at the mustard yellow gloves that seemed to demand his special attention.

Of course, Albus was well aware that he was acting inappropriately for his age and it was as if he had reverted back to being an eighteen year old boy when he thought about it. The man in Nurmengard, of course this thought was not appropriate, was imagining a single prisoner of Nurmengard prison all alone on Christmas night.

Gellert Grindelwald

To many, this name was a sign of danger decades ago, but when you say it now, some might wonder who it is. It is ironic that the name of the Dark Lord of the past has been eclipsed by the name of the Dark Lord of today.

But for Albus Dumbledore's name is Gellert. Grindelwald is What is more? The title of the dark lord from the ancient era

Close friends, close friends, ideal friends, dear friends. An equal who, just by making eye contact, knows the innermost thoughts of a friend who is closer than a sibling.

Friends is the word we used to define our complicated relationship with each other last summer. 1899 at Godric's Hollow A relationship that burned brightly like a flame with strong ideals before quickly extinguishing what could be described as cruelty due to the tragedy of the Dumbledore family until they met again as

People on opposite sides But even as the years passed, Albus still made it clear to himself that Gellert was more than just a friend and that the word enemy could not be used to describe their relationship that had changed after that summer. Yes

He thought to himself for a long time.

And like a man who has made a decisive decision, Albus Dumbledore stopped his meditative pacing and grabbed his things. He put a few things into a bag hidden in his robe and left the office like a whirlwind.

Only Fox looked behind his master, wide-eyed, before letting out a slight cry and returning to stroking his wings as before.

Being Headmaster of Hogwarts has many privileges.

The first was being able to disappear into the school grounds no matter where they were. Albus had originally intended to go up to the observatory. If he thought about it, there would probably be many pairs of students who would choose to use it there as a meeting place. After the dance, the Hogwarts Headmaster chose to walk to the deserted balcony in the castle wing instead to avoid any unnecessary awkwardness.

The second thing is Having the personal navigation key, a tall, thin figure in Dumbledore's robes suddenly appeared at the entrance to an old broom shed, not far from the howling shed. The white snow beneath his feet was so thick that it left a mark on the guard. Walking past Albus, he walked inside and stopped to look at an old, battered broom leaning against a wooden wall.

His slender hand held a wand, pointed at the broom and cast a spell on it before he prepared himself by putting away his wand and tidying up his robes.

Albus touched his hand to the broomstick and his body was dragged into nothingness. Amidst the sound of the wind whistling beside our ears, colors blurred from white, gray, and black mixed together until finally a wide, desolate cliff appeared before our eyes. White snow covered the wide cliffs as far as the eye could see. Snow clouds hung in the dark sky. The only building in the area was a tall fortress standing alone on the edge of the cliff. It rained down like it was completely cut off from the outside world... Nurmengard Prison

An old man in a long silver robe that was almost the same color as snow walked towards the lonely fortress. The stone entrance was engraved with Grindelwald's crest, which Albus was familiar with. He saw it clearly, along with the words he remembered clearly.

For the benefit of the majority of people

“Who is that!?”

The hoarse voice of one of the fort's guards sounded from behind. His blue eyes left the stone slab and he greeted him with a cheerful smile.

“Ah—Good Christmas Afterglow!”

It seemed as if the other party knew who he was, his expression of wand ready to attack dropped to a confused one and he muttered as if he couldn't believe his own eyes.

“Dumbledore? Why did you come here right now...—It's already 10 p.m. And it's also Christmas Day.”

Even though the middle-aged guard asked this, he had already cleared the way for him to enter the fortress, which was only slightly warmer than the outside. It was desolately quiet here. Without color and warmth The torches were lit only sparingly, and there was no other decoration on the dark stone walls. It was so quiet that the faint echo of the two of them's footsteps could be heard.

“That's right, as you said today, Christmas day— And I hope 10:00 isn't too late..." His voice echoed through the ceiling several stories above. Albus looked up at the darkness from above, faintly lit by some burning torches. “For visiting old friends.”

The guard in front of him knitted his brows together as a word of disapproval. He opened and closed his mouth a few times as if he couldn't find the words to explain it, but Albus waited patiently and looked over. This way.

Few people knew that this prison didn't require many guards to take care of the prisoners. The European Ministry of Magic had considered Grindelwald's no-risk attitude to escaping the prison, so just applying the confinement magic. Tightly shackled and shackled to check the use of magic was enough to control the former Dark Lord who had voluntarily imprisoned himself.

“I'm afraid—it's a little too late,” the man in front of him replied, clearing his throat. “Normally we don't allow anyone to visit him, or if I'm being honest, no one ever visits him.”

He looked up at the still quiet, deserted area above. Dumbledore looked up and shook his head slightly.

“Christmas has come and gone and tomorrow is just another day. But spending Christmas night alone is a bit too lonely for old people, right?”

The guard looked hesitant, so Dumbledore continued in a polite tone and reached out his hand and held out the Elder Wand.

“Now, if you are uncomfortable, I will leave my wand to you—”

If it's not time to finish talking. The guard shook his head and refused.

“No need, no need!” The look in his eyes as he looked at the wand in his gaunt hand could be said to be even more frightening than the cursed wand the Dark Lord once possessed. “Just that stick can confirm you. I'm giving you until midnight. Consider it Christmas Day.”

The long bearded old man smiled. The eyes behind the crescent-shaped glasses narrowed to hide a glint. Albus said in a cheerful voice.

"open! Anyway, you agree with me. So, at least let me use this gnarled wood to make this place beautiful.”

without listening to the voice of protest Albus Dumbledore waved his wand in one hand and hundreds of candles floated in the air, providing warmth and light to the fortress. Ivy rose from the air and crawled along the walls. She, along with a bouquet of mistletoe and a clear and gold crystal ball, glowed, crimson curtains writhing with gold thread stretching across the corners of the room. Decorated to make the cold and gloomy atmosphere disappear, almost similar to the atmosphere of Christmas in the halls of Hogwarts.

A middle-aged man gaped at the change. Near where he was standing, a table appeared with comfortable chairs and fragrant food, snacks, and drinks.

“Oh, this is fun!”

Albus put away his wand and looked at his work with satisfaction. The keepers' expressions were half amazed, half annoyed. So he spoke again.

"no need to worry As soon as midnight hits, the magic I used here will dissipate by itself. Could you please take me upstairs? Then come down to your personal Christmas party.”

He smiled cordially.

“Oh—and I would like to advise you not to accidentally pick up Bertie's jelly. If the vomit-flavored Bots get into your mouth, it might turn into a nightmare for you.”

The other party had a puzzled expression. You may not understand the word vomit taste. that he mentioned

The Nurmengard prison is actually terrifying. Much more than what is seen from the outside.

It was probably because of the silence that there was only the sound of the wind whistling from outside, coming in from time to time through the narrow stone gap that only a child's hand could fit in, and the air seemed to have become thinner from the noise. The darkness and claustrophobia, silence, darkness and loneliness of this prison were probably as deadly as Azkaban's Dementors.

Especially when there There was only one prisoner from this tall fortress.

“This floor, he is in the room at the end. Do you want me to walk with you?”

“That's enough, Yanis, please go downstairs. Thank you very much.”

Albus thanked the guard he'd just learned by name while up here, and the other nodded and looked into the darkness for a bit before turning around. From the bottom of this staircase, lit torches lit up only three or four steps.

The wand was taken out of the robe once again, a silver fireball shot out from the tip of the wand. It lingered in the air for a moment before straight ahead, the light showing him the empty cells on either side. The cold wind that penetrated the narrow window was bone-chilling.

A tall, thin figure followed the fireball with light steps along a glowing sphere that stopped in front of a cell at the end. It floated there until he stopped in front of a closed door. The mantra was held tight and tight.

Albus Dumbledore looked straight into the silver-lit cell. There was a low, simple writing table on the left wall of the room with four or five books stacked on it. In the right corner of the room, on the side that the light hit, there was the figure of an old man sitting cross-legged with a calm posture, his back facing the bars of the door. The person was wearing a dull colored prisoner's uniform, his body was thin, but still looked solid on his back. straight

A feeling flickered in Albus's chest. He couldn't define what it was. It was too complicated for him to put into words. The blue eyes sparkled with deep intensity. His voice was so hoarse that even he was surprised.

“— Hello, Gellert.”

The person sitting with their back to the bars of the door seemed to freeze for a moment as their breathing hitched so small it was barely noticeable. Albus didn't say anything until his previously motionless back slowly disappeared. He slowly stood up and turned around.

Gellert Grindelwald stood looking at him with what Albus assumed was surprise and confusion. Those flashes of emotion passed through the other's two-colored eyes before they turned calm. and plain

"Hello, Albus."

It was a voice that he hadn't heard in fifty years. Its texture was very different from the last time he heard it in his old age, but it also made his heart flutter deep inside, as if he were being squeezed, no different than when he climbed in the summer. It was then that he met the person in front of him for the first time and the last time they had met in years. 1945 Before the competition... Or even this time is no different at all.

Even though I thought that those feelings A lot has disappeared. But being in front of him and actually hearing the other person's voice made Albus feel like he could sigh for himself several times.

It wasn't that it had disappeared, but that no one had ever made him feel the way Gellert did.

"uncle-"

Until I found my own voice Abbas said that, and the person on the other side of the cage with his hands behind his back stepped forward into the light a little more, his skinny face full of wrinkles glowing in the silver light. But he couldn't hide the sharp, different-colored eyes that stared at him.

“Today is Christmas Day, if I remember correctly,” said the man behind bars before Gellert, looking so natural as if they were people they hadn't seen in fifty years. “Are you not celebrating at your school or are there any celebrations here?”

The Hogwarts Headmaster cleared his throat once. He hadn't felt this nervous in how many decades and he was too lazy to count. Honestly, it was even creepier that an old man his age would still be nervous when confronted. Someone like this

“I thought you might like to spend Christmas night with an old friend like me, if it weren't for being so egotistical,” he said, his tone smooth and teasing in the latter sentence. “Perhaps even too much.”

“Old friend?” Gellert repeated, as if he could only understand the meaning of the word and his voice sounded nasal.

“I didn't know I was right. Reduced to just your old friend, Albus.”

If he heard correctly, he thought that Albus's voice had a hint of sarcasm in it. Dumbledore smiled slightly and clarified.

“Don't misunderstand. Gellert—When I represented myself as your old friend, I did not say that you were my old friend. No.”

“The relationship must be confirmed by both sides,” the other party countered. Lift your chin slightly. "And I never saw you as an old friend. Don't assume."

Albus looked at the person in front of him with a faint smile.

“Then I'm still your friend, right?...all this time.”

The person in question paused in thought for a moment. “That's right,” Gellert looked straight in his eyes, not averting his gaze. “But it was probably more than that to me. And it still is.”

The audience was stunned by the answer for a moment before a smile appeared on the lips beneath his long silver beard. Like bright blue eyes, the same color as the summer sky, people who look at them think they have forgotten.

“Fifty years hasn't changed much in you.”

“Oh, so,” Grindelwald smiled slightly, “but you've aged a lot. Since when did the beard get this long? And what's with that frilly outfit? Since when did you change your style, Albus?”

This time the person who was accused of being old laughed with a cheerful voice as if the words didn't hurt his ears in the slightest. Albus shook his head. He raised his hand to hold his long white beard that touched his stomach in a good mood.

“If I tell you, it will take a long time. Do you want to listen, Gellert?”

They talked about many things. The more than fifty years of not seeing each other seemed to be shortened by the conversations they exchanged when the memorable moments of the past were not brought up. The torches in front of every cell were magically lit, and the orange-gold flames coated the dull stone walls and hard bars with a wonderfully warm, as well as comfortable temperature.

At that moment, the two old men sat on the ground and faced each other with a bar between them as if they had gone back in time to sitting side by side under the willow tree in the wide meadow at Godric's Hollow.

“Look—this year Hogwarts is hosting the Beauxbatons Triwizard Festival, and Durmstrang is joining as well. Is it normal for Durmstrang to wear those thick red robes all the time?”

Albus asked as he unwrapped a dessert from Honeydukes and stuffed it into his mouth. At first Gellert looked down upon him as if These snacks were turning you into a brainless old man, Albus, in the first place. But now they don't last long. The former Dark Lord's hand also picked it up and popped it into his mouth.

“Almost all the time,” Grindelwald answered. Images of his past as a young student so confident he could only be called cocky flashed through his mind that he wanted to go back in time and tug that brat's ear hard. Let your consciousness return to some form.

“It's cold most of the year. Even in the castle, we only light fires as necessary. Most of the time, we exercise and drink alcohol to stay warm.”

“Oh— no wonder the kid from Durmstrang gave you the same look when looking at these snacks when he first learned that Hogwarts doesn't serve alcohol to students.”

The audience member smiled amusedly as they looked at the person sitting across from Albus' skinny hand as he eagerly began to unwrap a new box of snacks. This time it was like jelly of various colors. It was hard to believe that this old man was the Headmaster of Hogwarts School.

“That sounds fun. The Triwizard Tournament… It's a pity that there wasn't a tournament held when I was studying.”

“It was definitely fun and exciting. The representatives from each school were outstanding. The first mission to take the golden egg from the dragon had everyone on the edge of their seats,” Albus added. If a moment later he let out a soft sigh.

“But I have a hunch that Harry becoming one of Hogwarts' representatives should not have happened, but the judgment of the Goblet of Fire cannot change that.”

Albus' voice sounded so grave and concerned about the welfare of the Potter child that survived that Grindelwald wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn't. He is mature enough not to act childishly like that.

“There might be someone behind it,” he said neutrally.

"I just haven't thought of it yet," Dumbledore said, bewildered. "Probably right under my nose in Hogwarts."

Gellert picked up a jelly and when he put it in his mouth he felt sorry for himself that he had picked up such a strange taste and ate it. He chewed it and swallowed it down with a face of disapproval. Albus looked amused. The blue eyes sparkled.

“Oh, that must be the taste of rotten eggs.”

“What about that freckled-faced, fluffy-headed kid, Scamander?” Gellert asked after clearing his throat and adjusting his wry expression, changing the conversation. Albus looked a little surprised.

“Newt?— It's nice to see that you can remember the details of that child so clearly." He said with a laugh at the name Gellert had used earlier as he picked up the red jelly from the box.

“Last year he just came to see me and we talked about many things. He saw that Nifflers had already produced another generation of puppies. What an amazing little creature.”

Hearing this, Gellert let out a short laugh as he thought of the furry four-legged creature that had snatched him. An important item had gone from the left side of his chest without him realizing it during the incident in Paris. In addition, he brought it to Albus in England to hurt both people and animals. But Gellert wanted to pay attention.

Grindelwald's different-colored eyes looked at the time-wrinkled face of the person sitting across from him. Albus' once reddish-brown hair was now completely white and flowing out as well. With a long beard that touched his stomach, old age had not diminished Albus's sharp, bold, and intelligent spark. As for the crooked nose, Gellert said it was the work of Aberfor. He immediately knew that it was the result of that tragic event, an event that no one intended for it to happen.

The time that passed in prison made him reconsider many events that were caused by arrogant and arrogant thoughts that caused many things in his life to slip away until he ended up in a cell in the fortress he had built.

If he had chosen to let go of those strong ideals, he might be able to live a peaceful life with Albus today.

Maybe it was Headmaster Durmstrang who proudly led his students to the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts. Maybe it was the person who danced with the Hogwarts Headmaster at the banquet. May be able to stay by Albus's side on days when he is in trouble. Albus may be able to have him. Dumbledore was at his side... Albus who is just

Albus isn't anyone's Professor Dumbledore.

But of course, it all starts with the word if.

“—Feeling guilt for our past actions is admirable, but it is also important that we learn to let go of things that cannot be fixed. Dear Gellert.. .”

The generosity of the person sitting across from him made Grindelwald feel a shiver in his chest. He took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. A hand full of wrinkles rubbed his face and muttered. It wasn't just him who could see Albus's thoughts, the person in front of him seemed to be able to read his mind from time immemorial without relying on mind reading spells at all. again

"...yes I know"

Grindelwald's weak and arrogant back, which had been straight when he was a young man, now had a weak, arrogant look. Anyone who saw him would probably never imagine that this was the world-famous Dark Lord of the past, and if his ears were not... Too astringent. Albus thought he could hear faint sobs. from the person in front as well

Albus Dumbledore's thin hand reached out to the man behind the iron cage and placed it on his frighteningly thin shoulder. It trembled as he gently squeezed it. Expressing his feelings without using words, Gellert raised his hand to greet him. Touching a hand that was dry and rough with age. Sky-blue eyes looked at that hand still for a long time.

and slowly left with a soft voice.

“It's almost midnight...I might have to excuse myself first.”

The sound of Grindelwald's sniffling and coughing sounded a few times and the other person looked up. His eyes returned to calmness as did his expression. Albus looked and smiled slightly at the stubborn old man who until then had not let anyone see his tears of remorse, but it could be said that he had seen a weak expression. The most of Gellert Grindelwald as far as anyone in this world has ever seen.

"By now young Potter must be wondering where the Professor has gone all night."

This sentence makes the listener laugh. A tall, lean figure rose from the stone floor like a person in a cell. His bones and joints creaked slightly. Albus stretched his back and said to himself. “Ah—the body of an old man.”

Footsteps sounded from the stairs. It was Janis who came up when the time had elapsed. The guard stood still and waited. At the end of the stairs, Albus turned to look at the face of the old man who had once been handsome and charming when he was first young. Even though things had changed, somewhere in Albus's heart he could still see.

Gellert Grindelwald The same person who has always been full of energy and vitality. And as if he remembered something, his smile widened.

“Almost forgot—I have a Christmas present for you.”

The person who was about to receive the gift slightly raised their eyebrows. It seemed like the pile of unwrapped sweets wasn't enough. (And it looked like the person who had brought it had no intention of taking it back with them.) Albus' hands reached into the wide sleeves of his shirt. of the silver robe before pulling out something. They were thick, bright yellow cloth gloves with thick, soft yarn woven together to form a simple pattern. Grindelwald looked at the bright colors and the gloves were overwhelming. Albus handed it to me.

“Yellow?”

“The colors of cheerfulness are bright. Yes, colors are very refreshing for us old minds, dear Gellert.”

The listener let out a slight sigh, contradicting the faint smile that touched the corner of his mouth. He reached out to receive it. It was thick and looked very warm. Albus probably bought it from somewhere—

“Oh, and what I'd like to say is that the gloves I knit by hand in a Muggle magazine without using any magic are amazing, Gellert. Knitting helps organize my thoughts and strengthens my brain. So far I have to admit that Muggle knitting really helps me organize my thoughts.”

The speaker said a long speech, but the ears of the listener could only hear the words. Knit by hand Clearly, Grindelwald looked at the brightly colored gloves with satisfaction in his eyes. Well, yellow wasn't bad.

"Thank you, dear Albus."

“With pleasure, Gellert.”

Albus Dumbledore shook his head slightly. It was probably time for him to go. He cleared his throat a bit, unable to help thinking that midnight had come so quickly or he would probably be spending his time hanging out. Llert was so long that he didn't care about anything else.

The blue eyes that met the two colored eyes that looked straight at him had many words in them. Gellert opened his mouth to speak.

“So what do you want as a Christmas present?”

At first he thought Gellert would just say goodbye, but the question surprised Albus and he thought for a moment.

“Me? That's a question no one has asked me for a long time.”

Gellert's question inadvertently reminded him of an event he had in mind of Harry two years ago. The little boy asked what he saw in the Mirror of Erised, but of course he didn't see the sock.

“Christmas has come and gone and another year has passed and I still don't have thick socks. A pair is warm and comfortable.”

The other man let out a short laugh. Gellert put the hand holding his yellow sock behind his back and straightened himself elegantly, his skinny palms spread out in front of his face, almost touching the bars. Albus watched the action. That was surprising if he reached out to him.

The tall old man behind the bars tightened his grip and raised it slightly. and he bent his back down and pressed his lips to Albus' knuckles, the breath from the tip of his high nose caressing Albus' fingertips. Gellert's thin lips pressed a kiss to his skin and remained silent for a moment. Blue eyes flickered, Albus found himself swallowing back tears. Don't let it overflow from the overwhelming feelings that fill your chest.

“Oh— Gellert…”

Albus Dumbledore moaned softly to himself. The other person slowly parted his lips and gently let go of his hand, lingering. Those eyes radiated the same deep emotions.

“This year I can give this much... As for the socks, leave them for next year. If you still want it.”

The voice didn't shake like his, but it was deep and steady, like a promise. Albus smiled in response. He pulled his hand back. For a moment, he felt like he was an eighteen year old boy at Godric's Hollow again, not a lonely old man in the Headmaster's room in Hogwarts Castle.

“It was a wonderful Christmas present, thank you. Mr. Grindelwald.”

"my pleasure Mr. Dumbledore."

Albus Dumbledore straightened and bowed his head to the person in front of him. Both hands clasped together politely.

“Then... Take care of your health. Goodbye Gellert.”

“Until we meet again. Dear Albus.”

Albus Dumbledore arrives at Hogwarts on the night of New Year's Day. Snow fell against the pitch black sky.

The weather is still cold.

If the back of Albus's hand was still warm, there was no way that the warmth from his lips would easily fade away.

This year he doesn't want socks.

Fin.

Note: The period marked with [*] at the end of the sentence is The [narration] and [dialogue] were taken directly from the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Hello, we meet again. This time it is

GGAD

The full story didn't appear at all. Like the previous story, yay!

Personally, I'm not very good at writing romantic, teenage love stories, so I thought I'd give it a try.

GGAD

Old age (hem!) flirting with each other, it would be cute. Also, it reminds me of Albus and the knitting magazine from volume 6. So it was born as a fic where a lonely professor shows up to see Mr. Gellert in prison to give him a handmade Christmas present, haha.

Oh, and Albus's personal navigation key information. The information about Nurmengard prison including the guards has been added from real information and is not official information. And I must confess that we thought for a long time about what would be best for the two people to represent ourselves. We initially intended for Gellert to represent himself as 'I-Mr.' from the beginning. As for Albus, I thought very hard. During I-Mr.(

Like when he wrote letters to each other) and I-you (as he mostly used with close people), but in the end I chose the first choice.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who came to read and thank you for the feedback from the previous story as well. Full of encouragement <3 You can always discuss, criticize, and suggest things.

I wish you a Merry Christmas in advance from the beginning of the month.

With love and for the benefit and happiness of the sailors.

Thank you for information from

website

These too.

navigation key

>>https://www.muggle-v.com/895

Triwizard Tournament

>>https://www.muggle-v.com/4082

Nurmengard Prison

>>https://www.muggle-v.com/6355

7things that put the twinkle in Dumbledore’s eye

>>https://www.pottermore.com/features/7-things-that-put-the-twinkle-in-dumbledores-eye