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Everyone had gathered after the election in Bhutan standing close together reminding themselves that everything had gone to plan when Dumbledore simply suggested having dinner. So, after they all flooed back to England and went to the Leaky Cauldron where they had quiet backrooms, Queenie was officially introduced to Albus, and everyone was happy to be finally sitting. Newt and Theseus sitting next to each other across from Albus and Bunty, Queenie and Jacob who hadn’t let go of each other to their right and across from Yusuf and Lally. The conversation was lively as each one of them told their part of how they ended up here as Queenie noticed Albus looking at Newt more often than necessary, she had problems reading his thoughts because his Occlumency was so good there were only sometimes whispers as a thought escaped and Queenie swore most of them were about Newt. This was confirmed not half an hour later as Newt was quite animatedly retelling his escape from the German prison where he had freed his brother complete with the mimicry and under raucous laughter of everyone around the table, Queenie distinctly heard Albus think: “Oh Merlin, I love him.” And even in his own head he was quite startled by this thought, as was Queenie who looked at Albus with wide eyes and as he turned his head, he caught her eye and soon saw his expression mirror his own as he realized that she had heard what he thought about Newt.
Albus was aware that his shields had slipped, the exhaustion and strain of the last few weeks slowly catching up with him, but still why did it have to happen in front of one of the strongest Legilimens Albus knew. His feelings on the other hand had been growing since Paris, Newt was just so good, pure and loyal and it didn’t help that every time he saw Albus he did this adorable thing of it looking at him directly but from the side and Albus wanted nothing more than to kiss him, he had told him about Ariana in an attempt to repudiate Newt and to get him to see that he was not a good man, but what could he even have done about the Qilin choosing him.
“Excuse me.” Albus got up giving Queenie a hard look as he went towards the door much to the consternation of Newt who looked quite lost that Dumbledore would get up during his story. But Albus was too preoccupied to notice this as he turned around just outside the door and did not have to wait another second as Queenie slipped out. Before he had a chance to even open his mouth, she said: “Why don’t you tell him?” Albus had not really expected this question, after all, Newt was supposedly dating this woman’s sister. “Excuse me?” was the only answer he could come up with. “You should tell Newt how you feel.” “Why would I ever do this?” Albus was quite incredulous “He is kind of with you sister last time I checked and has never had any inclination towards men that I am aware of, furthermore it isn’t any good, I’m too old for him, his ex-teacher and every time I get close to anyone it ends in disaster, as we have seen today.” “Pish-posh.” Queenie cast aside all these excuses. “Newt is not with my sister, they haven’t seen each other in ages, and I know for a fact, they both have moved on, I think you should tell him.” “No! I won’t. And Queenie, even if I must beg you, you won’t tell him either, please. Only because you have this ability, I don’t think you should get involved in everyone’s life, this is my decision, and I made it a long time ago. I don’t want Newt to know.” “I think this is a coward’s way out and you know it Dumbledore, you would be surprised by Newt, as you’ve been before.” There was an undercurrent of steel in Queenie’s voice, “but I will respect your choice… for now.” Albus was relieved and nodded. “You should go back in there.” Albus suggested as he leaned into the wall next to the door. Queenie’s mouth was just a thin line that somehow reminded Albus of Minerva but she turned around and without another word closed the door behind her.
15 minutes later Newt found Albus at the bar where he had ordered another pint and contemplated how his life had led to this moment. Albus heart nearly stopped when Newt began his sentence with: “Queenie said….” Some of his shock must have shown on his face because Newt stopped and asked: “Are you ok?” “Yeah.” Albus croaked “What did she say?” Newt was confused now but continued anyway. “That I would find you here.” “And here I am.” Albus tried for jovial but must have missed it because Newt’s brows drew together some more as he studied Albus’ face. “She has brought up the idea, that you could do something for me, which in light of days seems quite useful, I guess.” Newt threw Albus one of his sideway glances and Albus’ heart constricted. “What did she propose?” Albus asked. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to…” “What is it, Newt? I don’t think I could deny you anything after today.” Newt’s answering blush made Albus want to reach out and draw him closer, but he curled his finger tighter around his pint. “I would do it again, you know if you asked me, I’d to it for you.” Albus could only nod and voice full of emotions he said: Thank you! For all of it, really. So, what did she say?” Albus tried to distract from the fact that his heart was near bursting. “Queenie suggested you teach me Occlumency since Grindelwald used her, he might find another Legilimens and it might be good to be prepared. She called my shields flimsy and your control excellent, so, would you do it?” Newt rushed through these sentences as if he had asked to be taken against the bar right here, not that Albus would have denied him that either. “Sure, I think it is a good idea.” A part of Albus was relieved that Queenie hadn’t said anything but at the same time he thought that she had played this well because she had forced Albus’ hand, he would spend more time with Newt and even in his mind, literally. Since Albus was still teaching, he and Newt agreed to meet every Friday evening at five at Hogwarts after classes. When Newt left that night, he smiled brightly and Albus was not sure if he should be thankful to Queenie or not.
The next Friday came sooner than Albus would have preferred and as Newt knocked on his private quarters at five sharp Albus felt a mix of emotions. He was not sure how he should teach anyone about control like this, but here he was, looking up at Newt as he stood in Albus’s doorway, not looking at him directly, clutching his suitcase and looking amazing, at least in Albus’ opinion. “Come in, please, make yourself at home, can I offer you anything to drink, but I must warn you alcohol is not really helpful, so water or pumpkin juice perhaps?” Albus felt as if he was rambling, but as Newt said that some water would be nice, he thought that both were nervous and that this wouldn’t do for what they were planning. “Ok, some things first.” Albus gestured towards the second armchair in front of the fireplace. “This is not going to be easy; some people find Occlumency impossible to learn and to others, it comes more naturally, but I guess this is true for almost everything.” Albus smiled at Newt, who was on the edge of the armchair still clutching his water in both hands, as for reassurance. “This might take time and be frustrating and at times might feel intrusive, I won’t go looking for any details of your life or ask any follow-up questions on anything that I see if you ever wish to explain anything, I want to let you know that it is not necessary, but you can trust me with anything that you wish to share.” “I already do.” Newt mumbled and Albus heart constricted and felt like it would burst at the same time.
“Ok then.” Albus had to clear his throat. “In order to be able to occlude your mind, you have to empty it, there are many possibilities how to do that. Many people believe in meditation or just an immense amount of concentration. Personally, I prefer to organise memories and put them in a certain order, which beats the chaos and makes it easier to access certain memories. Today I want you to try different methods and perhaps together we can find out which suits you best.” For the next two hours Newt was put through his paces by Albus. Legilimens was performed on him at least 20 times, Albus never pushing but seeing some of Newt’s memories anyways, Newt taking care of his creatures or blips from Bhutan, but nothing incriminating, just everyday stuff. “I think we are done for today, don’t you?” Albus said as he left Newt’s mind once more, Newt had bowed his head at the latest intrusion and was massaging his temples, so Albus got up and reached into one of his cabinets and pulled out a potion. “For your headache.” Albus simply said as he gave the potion to Newt. “Thank you!” Newt’s headache was out of this world and the potion helped immediately. “It’s normal to have a headache like that after I invaded your mind so much.” Albus shrugged. “So, which technique works best for you?” “I think I will try to organise my thoughts better from now on, how do you do it?” Newt asked. And the two of them spend the next hour discussing ways to order thoughts and before they even noticed, the clock on the wall chimed midnight. Newt jumped at that and became flustered: “Oh, Merlin, I’m sorry, I kept you for so long.” “It’s fine Newt, I like spending time with you.” ‘You have no idea how much…’ Albus added in his mind. Newt blushed even more at that and grabbed his coat and suitcase. “Thank you for your help, see you next week?” Albus nodded and as he went around Newt and tried to open the door for him, he caught Newt’s eyes and without the conscious decision to say anything, he blurted: “You could stay, you know.” Newt froze as did Albus and both stared at each other. “I mean, I have a guest room, or an office with a couch, if you wanted, I don’t know, you must be exhausted.” Albus was babbling to cover the awkward moment of silence that had come over them. “Are you sure, Albus, I think I’d prefer that, I don’t feel quite whole again after all of it.” “Newt, you should have said something, and I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t mean it. I’ll prepare the bed immediately.” Newt stopped Albus as he was about to head for his office with an arm on his elbow. “Actually, I have a bed in my suitcase, if it’s alright I will simply sleep there.” “Sure, Newt, do you need anything else?” As Newt shook his head, he simply put down his case, opened it and with one foot on the ladder looked at Albus directly once more. “Goodnight. And thank you.” “Goodnight, Newt, don’t hesitate to call out if you need anything.” When Albus finally slipped into bed, sleep was a long time coming, he thought about Newt and what he had seen in his memories and about him kind of sleeping in the next room but in the end drifted off.
The next morning Albus was already sitting at his dining room table in his dressing gown and pyjamas as the lid of Newt’s suitcase opened and Newt slowly climbed out, his hair askew and standing in all directions, clad in pyjamas as well, clutching Teddy under his right arm. Newt only threw Albus a look and Albus simply pointed at the tea set in front of him saying: “Still hot and strong, I think it might help.” As he grinned up at Newt. After Newt had the first sip, he sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Someone decided that tonight was a good night to loot all the other creatures’ nests and enclosures to look for treasure.” Here Teddy chirped loudly, whining a bit at the end. “Yeah, but whose fault was that.” Newt now spoke to Teddy as Albus raised an eyebrow in question. “He was bitten by one the baby Occamies, he should be fine.” Newt explained. “May I?” Albus raised his wand and preformed a series of spells on the Niffler, by the end of it, he said, “There is nothing wrong with him, only the area where he was bitten will be a bit tender for a few days.” “I seem to do nothing but thank you, since I came here.” Newt said a slight grin on his face, “but know that I mean it very time.” It was Albus turn to blush slightly now and to cover it up he offered Newt breakfast and before they even realized it, they had talked the morning away. Shortly before twelve there was knock at the door and both Albus and Newt were quite astonished when they realized how late it was once again.
The knock came once more and Albus got up to answer the door looking back at Newt. Albus did not know the man standing across from him and his mood shifted as he introduced himself: “Confabulous Brown my name, I’m from the Daily Prophet and I wanted to ask you some questions about the events in Bhutan last week. Since you didn’t answer any owls we sent you, I thought I would simply ask in person.” “No comment, that is always the answer you’re going to get from me.” Albus said angrily trying to close the door in the reporters face but that was exactly the moment Teddy crawled in between Albus legs looking up at the reporter and chittering angrily. Albus tried to bend down at once to pick him up but in doing so opened the reporter got a glance inside Albus’ quarters looking at Newt who was still sitting at the table looking like a deer caught in the headlights. As Albus straightened himself up, he looked directly at Mr Brown who liked like the cat that got the cream as he said very fast: “Ok, sorry to have bothered you, thank you for your time then, goodbye.” And was gone, Albus was confused for a second but as he closed the door, he became aware of what the reporter must have seen and deduced from that. “Oh no.” Albus groaned as he sat down again, still clutching Teddy. “It’s not that bad, is it? The only thing he has seen, is me sitting here.” “Yes, and tomorrow’s newspaper will read that we are having an affair or that I seduced you when you were still a student.” Newt nearly spilled the tea he had been holding at that. “Surely not?” “Believe me, they will make it sound bad, whatever they are writing and what is even worse, I think you’ll be an even bigger target for Grindelwald than before if he thinks that we are this close.” Newt just shrugged at that. “It’s not like he didn’t know I was fully on your side anyways. I mean I was already constantly in his way.” As Albus wanted to interrupt, Newt just raised his hand as he went on: “Let me finish, please. I see that it is dangerous, and I will be careful, but the need for Occlumency is now bigger than ever. As for the gossip, I don’t care, it’s not the first time people have talked about me, nor will it be the last I guess, it could be worse, everyone we care about knows the truth and since I am single, there is nothing I have to explain.” Albus was itching to ask about Tina, but he guessed the same rules applied as for the Occlumency. “I sincerely hope that you are correct.” Albus sighed “but in my experience dealing with reporters is never good.”
It was worse, the headline the Daily Prophet ran with on Monday, although not on page 1, but three was “Illicit affair in Hogwarts. Professor now dating student” In the article they managed to mention that Newt was not a student anymore, but was taught by Dumbledore, that they had been in Bhutan and Paris together, that Newt had been kicked out and of course, Albus’ favourite that he must surely be corrupting youths since he was Grindelwald’s ex. Albus had warned the headmaster that something like this might happen but had predicted the effects of the article quite well, several Howlers and angry letters from parents had to screened and he received questionable offers from various sources about a tell-all book or article. Newt on the other hand fared far worse, disregarding his expulsion from Hogwarts he had lived anonymously, and no one had bothered him much when he went after his creatures. But that was now impossible, there were people who recognised him, asked him very personal questions about his sex life and past relationships. But worse were the concerned owls and floo calls from his friends and family. Two days after the article, he had enough and called Albus in the evening asking him to talk. Not even five minutes later stepped into Albus’ quarters once more. Albus took one look at Newt and handed him a large whiskey without even saying hello. “You were right!” Newt started. “I’m sorry, I had hoped…” Albus was not even sure what he had hoped for, for a better treatment of Newt perhaps. “I don’t think I can stand it anymore, there are too many people asking too many questions about us.” “What do you need?” Albus was concerned, he himself was used to the gossip by now, but Newt was quite unprotected and Albus worried about him. “I want to vanish for some time, no more people, no more media, just waiting for things to blow over.” “Stay then.” Albus suggested. As before his mouth had simply said the words but the longer Albus thought about it, the more sense it made… “I mean, Hogwarts is one of the best protected places in the country, no one from the public eye would know where you are, we could continue to work on your Occlumency and it would solve every problem you have.” “I really couldn’t, I mean it’s your space…” “And you wouldn’t even be in this mess without me, so please, Newt, stay!” Albus had moved closer to Newt and was now standing in front of him, looking up, trying to convince him. “Look at it as an all-inclusive holiday with learning opportunities.” Newt snorted slightly and one the corners of his mouth crooked slightly. “At least the Prophet got that right, you were and still are my mentor.”
Staying with Albus was far easier than Newt had imagined, over the day Albus was teaching and Newt took care of his creatures, in the evenings after Albus had dinner in the Great Hall they often worked on Newt’s organisation system or Newt read while Albus had to correct essays, with which Newt sometimes helped. For Albus on the other hand, it was not that easy having Newt around, he could often barely restrain himself from touching him and found himself looking at him more and more to the point that one night, even Newt noticed: “What is it?” “Huh?” was the eloquent answer from Albus. “You have been looking at me all night.” “Oh,” Albus blushed “I thought it is time to try invading your mind again, this time you should fight back.” Albus was proud of himself for making that up on the spot and swore to himself to be more careful next time. Albus saw as Newt drew his shoulder back: “If you think so.”
“OK, this time, I will try to look deeper, again I will try to be less intrusive but as you might have noticed, these things and your thoughts might have a mind of their own, so I might see things that aren’t meant for me.” “I know and I trust you.” Albus was always astounded how Newt could have so much faith in him even after the events with the press, his trust couldn’t be broken. “Also, I want you to use every means necessary to try to get me out of your head, you can try to curse or hex me, but it will be harder since I’m in your head, ok?” “Yes, short of the Unforgivables, this is my chance…” Newt was going for funny to cover his nervousness, but the topic was just too serious. “Well then, prepare yourself.” Newt took a deep breath and tried to apply the techniques Dumbledore had taught him, so when he nodded, and Dumbledore said ‘Legilimens’ Newt thought he was prepared. And in the beginning, it didn’t even look bad, Albus couldn’t see anything, it was like standing in fog, but as he pushed harder and sought out memories, they were suddenly all around him. Newt lonely at school, Newt pining for Leeta, Newt coming to the conclusion that he and Tina wouldn’t work out. At that Dumbledore withdrew. “This could have gone better.” Newt said in a small voice. “No, for a first try it was quite good, I couldn’t see anything in the beginning but then you lost focus. As I pushed, you didn’t even try to defend yourself, you just let me pass.” “Once more then.” Newt straightened and grabbed his wand tighter. As Newt nodded and Dumbledore performed the spell, there was the fog once more and as he pushed this time there was a slight resistance, but it melted away and Albus once again got some glimpses of Newt’s past. Newt being told that Theseus would marry Leeta, Leeta being consumed by fire, Newt in his 20s kissing an unknown man. That was the moment the connection broke as Newt gasped “No!” Albus felt his shoulder burn seemingly from a hex Newt had performed. As both men stared at each other for a moment, Albus only slowly became aware of how much his shoulder hurt and as he looked down, he then noticed why, the arm of his shirt had burned away at the shoulder and had taken parts of his skin as well.
“Oh sweet Merlin.” Newt shouted as he pushed Albus down on the sofa. “Remove your shirt!” As Albus didn’t move immediately, Newt snapped his fingers in front of Albus’ face. “Your shirt, now!” Albus slowly began unbuttoning his shirt as Newt went to his suitcase, pointed his wand, and said “Accio healing salve”. By the time he returned, Albus had removed the injured shoulder from his shirt and Newt knelt in front of him. “This will hurt for a moment longer, but I have to clean the wound before I can apply the salve. Are you ready?” Albus nodded as he focussed on Newt’s face. ‘Who was that boy? When did that happen?’ Albus thought and wheezed but a moment later as Newt performed the cleaning spell, but the pain was gone when Newt applied the salve generously on Albus’ shoulder. “I am so sorry.” Newt let his head hang between his shoulders. “Newt, look at me.” As Newt still didn’t look up, Albus reached forward with his good arm, putting his hand between his shoulder and neck in what he hoped was a supportive gesture instead of the need to touch Newt, “Newt, please.” Newt slowly raised his eyes, “I told you to go for it, I knew it could happen, and my skin will heal, it will be as good as new tomorrow.” Albus squeezed Newt’s neck lightly and then let go, removing his other arm from the shirt as well. Sitting half naked in front of Newt felt weird to Albus and as suddenly was a bit self-conscious which made him squirm. Newt immediately thought he was uncomfortable because he was still feeling bad. “Can I get you anything?” “I think I earned a drink, don’t you think and while you’re at it, get one for yourself as well and sit-down Newt, there is nothing you could have done differently, you reacted naturally and defended yourself quite successfully I might add, so it worked…. Kind of at least.” Albus lips quirked quite ironically at the last bit and Albus at least hoped he had seen Newt smile the tiniest bit in return.
Coming back with the drinks in his hand, Newt did as he was told and with a sigh sat down across from Albus on the sofa. “What should I do differently next time?” Newt asked after they had sipped their drinks for a while. “You need to order your thoughts more, everything a saw were instances when you displayed heightened emotions, you need to work through that and then push or hide the memories away from an intruder, you also need to work on pushing me away, don’t be reluctant about that, it needs to done, perhaps don’t think so much in terms of spells or magic but try to erect a barrier between me as the intruder and your mind. Another possibility we can try would be for you to show me things you want me to see and hide the thoughts you want ignored that way, but it doesn’t quite work if the Legilimens is as skilled as Queenie or Gellert.” “Or you?” Newt asked. “Or me…” Albus reluctantly agreed and shrugged forgetting that his shoulder still hadn’t healed properly and winced as it moved his wound. “For everything that it’s worth, I am sorry about it…” “I know Newt, but it was unavoidable, and it even might happen again, we will work on it together.”
The next evening Albus was fully healed but while he was curious about the man Newt had been kissing, he had promised not to pry and he was a man of his word, still the curiosity ate at him and secretly he might even have hoped to see scenes from their shared past again but swore to himself not to go looking for them. “Which method do you want to try first?” Albus asked as they prepared to go another round. “I tried to push the memories I don’t want to share further away, so perhaps you could pay attention if that worked? And I will try to push more than before.” Albus saw as Newt’s eyes shifted and he took a step closer making Newt look down at him. “Newt, try not to be scared to hurt me, we are wizards for a reason, we can heal things in a minute.” Here Albus pointed out the movement of his shoulder that had been fully fixed as of this morning. Newt nodded but his mouth was still a hard line, so Albus stepped back and as before asked: “Ready?” “Yes.” Newt answered and Dumbledore cast the spell once more, there was the fog again, lasting a bit longer but Albus slowly left that behind, he caught glimpses of Newt’s childhood, but before he could see anything else he let off, because there was no resistance to be felt at all. Albus cancelled the spell: “You did not even try to push me out.” He accused. Newt was once again not meeting his eyes, instead he rubbed a frustrated hand over his eyes. “I don’t know, what this is supposed to feel like, I’ve no idea what I’m doing.” Albus relaxed a bit, this was a common phenomenon at this stage and normally he would just recommend trying again and again, but since this was Newt and even before he liked him, he had trusted him unconditionally, Albus wanted to try something else. “Have a seat.” Albus gestured towards the sofa once more. “I would like to try you casting the Legilimens on me…. Let me finish, please.” Albus went on as Newt had opened his mouth to interrupt. “I think it could help you experiencing what it is you’re trying to do. And hopefully I’ll have enough control to show you inside my thoughts as explaining the concept will only get you so far it seems.” “If you’re sure, what will I have to do?” “It’s fairly straightforward, you cast the spell and as your mind enters mine, you will see what I want you to see, I ask you not to push too far forward, I’ll let you adjust for a moment before slowly pushing you out just with my mind, not with my magic.” “Ok…” Newt was not sure about all of it, but if Albus had suggested it, it should be ok.
Albus on the other hand felt quite nervous about his own idea, having Newt not only in his home, but also in his mind felt too intimate in the face of Albus’ true desires, but he was nothing but committed, so as Newt raised his wand this time and asked: “Ready?”, Albus simply nodded and not a moment later Newt had cast the spell. Having his mind penetrated like this after having closed it of for such a long time, made Albus lose control for a moment, but this moment was over soon enough and Albus got himself under control. He isolated Newt’s presence in his mind, feeling him but not allowing him anywhere else. It felt strange having him there, kind of like he was part of Albus and not just an outsider in his head, but like he filled a gap Albus hadn’t that was there. But Newt’s presence became restless and Albus had to push harder, which he slowly applied to all of Newt’s essence in his head, building a wall around him, pushing him further away, until with a last push, Newt returned to his own body. Albus head was pounding, this was more intense than he thought, and his head suddenly felt empty. Newt’s face on the other hand was pure astonishment. He literally sat there gaping like a fish. “Are you ok?” Albus asked worriedly, Newt’s eyes only focussed slowly on Albus, again not meeting his eyes, and shifting away. “I think, I got it now, thank you.” Newt got up quite abruptly. “I guess we are done for today, yes, I think I will go out for bit, I need to clear my head, thank you again.” Newt was out of the door before Albus had even said one more word and it left him wondering what exactly Newt had seen or experienced that had him spooked this way, but Albus didn’t find out that night anymore because Newt only returned when he had already gone to bed and wasn’t awake yet as he went to teach.
The next evening Newt acted as if nothing had happened and as Albus once more asked if Newt was prepared, he entered his mind only to find himself blocked almost immediately, as Albus withdrew, he smiled at Newt: “You really got it. Well done!” Newt blushed and asked: “Once more and try to break through this time.” Albus did as Newt asked and as he pushed, he found himself looking at Newt vigorously fucking the same boy as before, both caught in the throes of their pleasure, but before Albus could see much, he was not only pushed out of Newt’s mind but landed on his back literally as Newt’s magic had reacted as well and thrown him over. “Fuck, sorry...” Newt tried to help Albus up and as they finally stood, Albus said: “I think you got it now.” Newt nodded but started pacing in front of Albus. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to make you fall… but these memories, they…” Newt stopped suddenly just looking towards the wall ignoring Albus for a moment. “Newt, I told you, you don’t have to explain. These are your memories under normal circumstances no one would ever get to see them, you don’t owe me anything.” “Perhaps it simply is time…” Albus did not know what to say, so he fixed Newt and himself a drink and brought it to him as an offering should he wish to talk. Newt looked at the glass in his hand as if he had never seen one before, but seemingly coming to a decision as he squared his shoulders and sat down across from Albus in the armchairs.
“His name was Jerry… he was a Muggle, an American one at that, I met him when I had just come of age as I worked in a zoo in Edinburgh at the time and he was there as well spending time with his grandparents. It took us both some time to realize how we felt about each other, but by the time we did, there was nothing to do, we were so in love. We were together for five years, just being a normal young couple and it would have been ok, we even told Theseus and got his blessing, but he was a Muggle and his parents found out about us. They ordered him back to America to run the family business and I tried to follow him, but they forbade the contact, shortly after that he caught the Spanish Flu and I begged his parents to let me see and help him, but they refused and there was nothing I could do, he died a short time later….I could have saved him, just one potion and that was it.” At this point tears were streaming down Newt’s face, and he was sobbing. The silence was nearly deafening. So, Albus did the only thing he could think of, he went over to Newt’s chair, knelt in front of it and hugged him tightly, in the beginning Newt was too astonished to even move, but as Albus only held him tighter he relaxed and simply cried, hugging Albus back eventually cradling his head in his shoulder and letting go of all the pent-up emotions. As Newt slowly drew back, still sniffling, Albus cupped his cheek and said:” I’m so sorry Newt.” Newt nodded as Albus slowly got up and giving Newt a moment, he refilled their drinks. He put down Newt’s drink next to him returning to his armchair and just looked at the man. Albus felt more in love with Newt than ever, he relished that Newt had shared this with him. “Thank you for telling me.” “Like I said, it was time, but I hope this explains my reactions to these memories, they are the only thing that is left of him.” “I understand completely, you know I lost people as well.” Newt looked at Albus for a long moment and whatever he had been looking for, he seemingly found it, as he nodded.
So, the next sentence out of Newt’s mouth astonished Albus quite a bit: “Albus, would you teach me Legilimency as well?” “I think you got the basics all right last time, but we can try again tomorrow if you really want to.” Albus was not sure why Newt was interested in that as well, some people saw it as quite dark to know this branch of attack magic, but who was he to judge and of it meant more time in Newt’s company, Albus would always welcome it.
The next evening found Newt and Albus sitting cross- legged in front of each other on the floor because the plan was not to defend, but to teach: “So, when you entered my mind last time, I allowed you some peace to get used to the idea before pushing you out, it will not be as peaceful this time.” Albus warned and Newt acknowledged that. “I will try to resist a bit but not too much, since the goal here is to look for memories, so the task is to look for memories from Aberforth’s and my childhood.” “How do I stop being pushed out?” Newt seemed very eager to start and Albus was wondering why he got the feeling that he was missing something. “There are two ways actually. Firstly, and the obvious one you have to mentally push back at me and defend yourself, not using any magic or wands. The second one, you can try to distract me in reality, as you know the body still feels even if we are in each other’s mind, so this is another possibility.” “So, you’d still feel if I pinched you and it would distract you?” Albus sighed: “Basically yes, but Newt, play nice.” Albus still had a weird feeling about all of this, so as Newt raised his wand Albus was a bit reluctant to say that he was ready.
But as soon as he had uttered the word, he felt Newt’s presence inside his head, so Albus tried to concentrate and build up some resistance and was nearly ready to cast Newt, who had begun rummaging around his memories, out. Albus got the feeling that Newt was looking for something specifically but was decided to end his search then and there as he suddenly felt Newt intertwined their fingers in his lap and his concentration was broken as he gasped. Newt meanwhile continued exploring and not a second later found what he was looking for as he looked at the dinner scene after their battle and followed Albus’ thoughts directly as he looked at Newt and thought: “Oh Merlin, I love him.” The pressure in Albus’ mind released at the same time as Newt’s fingers released Albus’. “I knew it!” were the first words from Newt’s mouth as he cam back to himself and looked at Dumbledore, who had not often in his life felt worse. “You manipulated me?” he said quietly, his back bent as he stared at Newt shocked and forlorn at his actions. Albus got up in one swift move towering above Newt and screaming: “How could you? Did you want to humiliate me? What were you thinking?!”
Newt still sat on the floor looking up at Albus and listening to his tirade not answering calmly taking it in. When Albus finally stopped shouting, Newt got up slowly standing in front of Albus and looking down at him: “Would you ever have told me?” Albus shook his head. “No, I don’t think so.” “Then you have your answer.” Albus felt humiliated and sad at the betrayal and really had no idea where to go from here. “How… how did you know?” Albus voice nearly broke with the emotions. Newt looked at Albus for a short moment before answering: “When I entered your mind for the first time, I felt it, your love for me and I thought I was wrong, but I felt home being there and had no idea how this was possible. I had no idea you felt this way and without these lessons I think I might never have known. When I stormed out that night, I walked around for hours coming to the conclusion that I needed to know, so when I finally knew what I was doing, I suggested that and I’m sorry for what I did, but I am not sorry that I found out.” At the end of his sentence Newt had slowly lifted his hand and put it on Albus’ neck leaning forward slightly waiting for permission but wanting nothing so much as kissing Albus Dumbledore.
“This was still wrong.” Albus whispered as he could only stare at Newt’s lips. “I know and I’m sorry about the method, but perhaps the end will justify the deed?” Newt got closer but it was Albus who closed the rest of the distance as some of his dreams came true and he kissed Newt, sweetly and shyly at first until Newt stepped closer and drawing in Albus by his hips, he aligned their bodies as he continued exploring Albus’s mouth, biting his lower lip and battling their tongues. Albus stopped after a few minutes stepping back from Newt and suddenly shy asked: “You know what you’re getting into? This is serious for me, my feelings, they have not changed for some time. It is true what you saw, so I’ll give you an out now.” “Albus, I have thought about this and I know I betrayed your trust right now and I will work on making it up to you, but I am nothing but sure, I might have been late to realizing your and my feelings, but I can honestly say, you’re the best thing that has happened to me for a long time and I hope I can show you what that truly means in the long run.” Newt had stepped up to Albus and had taken his face softly in between his hands looking him in the eyes. “Ok then, but no more Legilimency for you!” Here Albus poked his finger into Newt’s chest making him laugh. “I can live with that… but not without this.” Newt murmured as he lowered his mouth to Albus’ once more, not planning on stopping to kiss him anytime soon.