The Mad Two Months in Godric's Hollow

"I'm sorry, Aurelius," Dumbledore said softly, looking at the weakened Credence, or rather, Aurelius. "I didn't know you had been enduring such pain all this time."

Aurelius stared blankly at the sky, remaining silent.

"Would you like to hear the story of the Dumbledore?" Dumbledore asked gently, not caring about the wet and muddy snow, as he sat down next to Aurelius.

Aurelius's gaze regained some focus as he looked at Dumbledore.

"I must tell you beforehand that our story can truly be called a tragedy," Dumbledore sighed, looking at Aurelius. "If you'd like to hear it, I can start from the beginning."

"My father, Percival Dumbledore, and mother, Kendra Dumbledore, had three children: me, my brother Aberforth Dumbledore, and my youngest sister Ariana Dumbledore. We used to have a carefree and happy life, but unfortunately, Ariana Dumbledore was seen casting spells by some Muggle boys..."

"Those Muggle boys chose to ostracize and persecute Ariana Dumbledore. This experience made Ariana resist using magic, and her long-standing suppression of her magical power gradually made her unable to control her raging magic, ultimately turning her into an Obscurus. Just like you."

Dumbledore looked at Aurelius, and it seemed as if Ariana Dumbledore's image was reflected in his eyes.

"And then what happened?" Aurelius finally spoke, asking in a hoarse voice.

"Later, our father cursed those boys with magic in revenge, and he was arrested by the Aurors for it. But he didn't tell the Ministry of Magic his reason for attacking Muggle. Because if the Ministry of Magic found out that Ariana had become Obscurus, she would be taken away from her family because of the threat she would pose to the Statute of Secrecy due to her inability to control her Ministry of Magic. She would probably be permanently placed in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."

"Our father was imprisoned in Azkaban, and our mother moved the family to Godric's Hollow. Later, Aberforth Dumbledore and I went to Hogwarts, thinking we could live a peaceful life there, but we were wrong."

"One day, while Aberforth Dumbledore and I were at Hogwarts, Ariana completely lost control at home and accidentally killed our mother. So afterwards, my brother and I took on the responsibility of caring for Ariana Dumbledore."

"But you haven't told me about my origins yet," Aurelius said somewhat impatiently.

"Don't worry, we'll be there soon," Dumbledore smiled at Aurelius and continued.

"In the summer of 1899, in Godric's Hollow, I met Grindelwald. It was truly a crazy two months; Grindelwald's ideas captivated me. We dreamed of overthrowing the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy and establishing a new order—an order in which powerful wizards would be the benevolent rulers of the world!"

Upon hearing this, Aurelius's expression turned extremely shocked, and he asked incredulously, "So you and Grindelwald were friends?"

"We're more than just friends," Dumbledore smile, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

"Yes, Grindelwald told me that you abandoned me and he, so we are on the same side," Aurelius murmured.

"Let me finish my story first," Dumbledore shook his head noncommittally, and continued, "Indeed, I had some reservations about his ideals. But I was too caught up in our shared ideals at the time, so I soothed my conscience with empty words—that it was all for a greater good, and any harm done would be rewarded a hundredfold."

"But I am ultimately different from Grindelwald. My desire to establish a new order stems from a wish to protect my loved ones from the cruelty and xenophobia displayed by Muggle. He, on the other hand, simply believes that wizards are superior and should not live in anonymity in the shadows of the world."

"Later, we wanted to leave Godric's Hollow to begin our revolution. When Aberforth realized this, he was both worried and disgusted by my ambition, believing that I had neglected my responsibilities to Ariana Dumbledore."

"I always thought he wanted me to stay and take care of Ariana Dumbledore because of his deep family ties, but after seeing you, I realized there was another reason." Dumbledore glanced at Aurelius as he said this.

Aurelius seemed to realize that his true identity was about to be revealed, and his expression became uneasy and extremely nervous.

"So, those two months weren't just two crazy months for Grindelwald and me; Aberforth Dumbledore also had his own story—he fell in love with a witch from Godric's Hollow!"

Aurelius's eyes widened, and he asked eagerly, "So I am...?"

"Yes, you are Aberforth Dumbledore's son," Dumbledore said softly. "Unfortunately, because of my strained relationship with Aberforth Dumbledore, he wouldn't confide in me about anything. If I had fulfilled my responsibilities as an older brother better, perhaps your tragedy wouldn't have happened."

"Later, some time after Aberforth Dumbledore and your mother fell in love, your mother left Godric's Hollow for some unknown reason. Rumors circulated that she had given birth to a child, Aberforth Dumbledore had been searching for this child. Until one day, he heard that you had been lost on a ship bound for United States and sank in the Atlantic Ocean..."

"You know what happened next. On the ship, Leta Lestrange, annoyed by her brother's noise, secretly swapped you, the quiet one, with King Corvus Lestrange V. You survived, were adopted by Mary Byrburne, and were given the name Credence."

Aurelius stared blankly at Dumbledore, his voice trembling as he asked, "So, you didn't intend to abandon me, did you?"

"Never!" Dumbledore said gently, looking intently at Aurelius.

Then, Dumbledore pressed the Deluminator and silently retreated into the Mirror Dimension.

The two returned to the snow-covered street in Berlin.

Dumbledore stood up, bent down and helped Aurelius up from the snow, gently brushing the snowflakes off his clothes.

"So what happened to your sister, Ariana Dumbledore?" Aurelius suddenly asked.

Dumbledore paused for a moment, then gently patted Aurelius on the shoulder.

"You'll find out someday," Dumbledore said to Aurelius with a forced smile. "There are more important things for you to do now, and I can't stay any longer."

Then, Dumbledore took a few steps back, Aurelius one last deep look, and turned to leave the snow-covered street.

"Wait, when will I see Aberforth?" Aurelius shouted before Dumbledore disappeared from sight.

"We will definitely meet again soon!"