"I've never smoked anything but these few cigarettes."
"I've never drunk anything but these two bottles of wine."
It was just like every man making excuses for himself after doing something wrong.
"I've never killed anyone but those two."
Gellert swore it was true, his eyes utterly sincere.
"Ugh."
Unable to help himself, Dumbledore sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Do you know who he—or rather, they—are?"
"Who?"
Gellert was taken aback. Then he understood, and his expression grew more serious.
Those two sneaky people had specifically asked for "Mr. G." They were clearly plotting against our Little Ke. He'd better ask about them properly.
"Voldemort and his follower, Barty Crouch Jr."
Dumbledore named them.
"Voldemort?"
Gellert repeated the name carefully, then suddenly gave a disdainful sneer.
"That arrogant fool who waves the banner of Pure-blood supremacy and hopes to place his own power above order?"
The first Dark Lord made no effort to hide his contempt.
"So it was him."
"Yes, it was."
Dumbledore looked at Gellert, utterly puzzled.
"So, you and Voldemort..."
The clash between the two Dark Lords had passed without a sound. If he hadn't had a Horcrux in his possession, even he wouldn't have known what had happened.
"There's nothing between Voldemort and me!
"He attacked me, so I dealt with him. If you hadn't come, I wouldn't even have known who that strange remnant of a soul was."
For some reason, Gellert felt that something about the atmosphere was off.
But they were both old men with white hair, so he didn't dwell on it. He answered honestly.
"I see."
Dumbledore fell into thought.
He had the feeling that some important information had been left out.
"However..."
Suddenly, Gellert changed tack.
"Voldemort might have been after Little Klein."
At the name, Dumbledore's heart gave a