omg dumblefic.
Title: The Verbs and Times of Albus Dumbledore
Author: Kirby
Summary: Gen. Eight drabbles for Dumbledore, taken from all the 'a' verbs on my spanish vocabulary sheet.
A/N: Umm... I was looking at my vocabulary, and I realized after putting it in alphabetical order that each group of vers and adjectives, by letter, seemed to correspond interestingly. This is the first in a series of these I'm working on. Also, do I still have to warn for HBP spoilers? Because yeah.



-to accept

He had known for a long time that it would come to this. This was the only way to end it—he’d run through it in his head, and out of the hundreds of plans and ideas swirling in his mind, this one had the fewest casualties.

So Albus put on his favorite pair of socks, and finished writing his will, and made sure that everything was ready. He knew that Harry would never accept this, that Snape would hate him for it, but it was far too late for second thoughts or hesitation. This was Albus’ next great adventure.


-to admire

In every batch of students, Albus had a handful whom he admired. These were the ones that tended to linger after graduation, to help or haunt him.

He had admired Tom Riddle’s determination, Minerva McGonogall’s authority, Severus Snape’s unflinching sacrifice, James Potter’s headstrong bravery, Harry Potter’s steadfast faith.

It was those students who failed to fade back into the static of the outside world, who hung around and shaped Albus’ life. So, looking back, Albus wondered about the ones who had escaped his notice—Neville Longbottom, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Regulus Black… How had he forgotten to admire these ones?


-to advise

Severus Snape had come into his office distraught, the most emotional that Albus had ever seen him. Usually students went to their heads of house for personal problems, but Albus had a feeling that Severus would have a very good reason for bypassing Slughorn.

When Severus told his story, it was all Albus could do not to interrupt. He let the boy talk himself into silence. And suddenly Severus was precious, useful. They sat for a moment in silence before Albus could sort out his thoughts enough to advise Severus, and to start weaving him into the network of plans.


</i>-to allow</i>

He let them get away with it because really, it was the only thing those four did wrong. Sure, they blew stuff up on a regular basis, and their pranks got more creative and difficult to clean up as their skill increased, but Albus liked to keep the staff on their toes.

It wasn’t until Sirius Black took it too far that Albus had to intervene, and by then it was far too late. He had allowed the pranks and rivalries to continue while they were harmless, but now they weren’t harmless, and none of them would ever forgive themselves.


-to answer

It was perfectly understandable that Harry would ask these questions, and it was perfectly reasonable that Albus didn’t want to give him that information. But over and over again, people had been hurt because Harry didn’t have the whole story, so Albus finally vowed to himself to answer all of his questions truthfully.

It was in accordance with this vow that Albus left behind the long letter, explaining what had happened, and why. He knew Harry wouldn’t accept it at first, but it was important to see to it that no questions were left unanswered. He owed it to Severus.


-to arrive [135]

Little Albus Dumbledore stepped into the entrance hall wide-eyed and marveling among a sea of his classmates. He could feel the power thrilling through the castle, and feel the magic of so many excited witches and wizards throbbing in the air. His eyes sparkled as he was led into the Great Hall, gaze caught between the enchanted ceiling and the student body, so that he twisted wildly to try and see everything at once, and managed to fall flat on his face when his name was called. He raced up to the stool with a gigantic grin on his face, and slammed the Sorting Hat over his shock of ginger hair.

Hullo! This is all incredible and I want to stay here forever! What do you do, again?

The Hat chuckled, and called out, “GRYFFINDOR!”


-to ask

“Please don’t ask this of me.”

“You know there’s no other way.” Albus rubbed small circles on his temple with the butt of his wand, trying to massage away the splitting headache.

“That’s not true! You’re not useful dead and you know it, you old coot!” Severus’ voice was tight, and splotches of red flamed on his cheeks.

“You’re not useful caught, you old bat.” He gave a weary smile. “I’m beyond the point where I’ll be of any practical use.”

“I thought name-calling was below you.” Snape sagged, finally defeated. “I won’t like it.”

“I’m not asking you to.”


-to attend

It was a small, quiet memorial service, sparsely attended due to the simple fact that most of the family’s friends were too scared, indicted, or dead to attend. Albus took a day off from putting the world back together to give a little eulogy. They’d both been brilliant, beautiful, good people… The world missed them terribly… All that stuff that the bereaved want to hear.

Lily’s parents came, but Petunia did not—she responded to the invitation saying that she was too busy with the baby that had been dumped on her doorstep, and sent her empty regrets. Albus sighed.