HP: Embrace the Darkness

After all, having known each other for so many years, Dumbledore had some understanding of Athis's character and didn't believe that he came here in such a threatening manner just to cause trouble for his leisurely retirement life.

If so, then just pretend he didn't say anything.

"Just tell me what you want from me. I recently learned a word called Riddler. I think you and I are both this kind of people. If we keep beating around the bush, we might end up talking until tomorrow. Although I don't mind chatting with you all night, Severus should still be waiting for you to go home together."

No one knew what Dumbledore was so nervous about, and he spoke a string of words as soon as he opened his mouth.

Aces sorted out his thoughts and roughly understood what Dumbledore meant. He guessed, "Principal Dumbledore, did someone call you the Riddler?"

Dumbledore pushed his glasses up awkwardly. "How do you know?"

Aces smiled and continued to guess: "Professor McGonagall said that?"

Dumbledore glanced at the phone several times, visibly fidgeting. "How do you know? It has a monitoring function?"

Aces smiled faintly, "Don't worry, the phone doesn't have a monitoring function. I just happened to see Professor McGonagall complain bitterly that you didn't tell her anything, which made her too embarrassed to see Sev afterwards."

Dumbledore relaxed his body imperceptibly. "It was my fault. I have been seeking forgiveness from Severus and Minerva recently."

"Sev told me." Athels paused, "Let me make it clear that I am not the Riddler. I am different from you."

Feeling that the meaning of this sentence seemed to be wrong, Dumbledore wanted to say something to save it, but Athis interrupted him gently but unyieldingly: "I am not targeting you, this is the fact, isn't it? Can we talk about business now?"

Dumbledore stared into Athis's eyes for a while, and finally confirmed that Athis was not deliberately mocking him, but really thought so, and nodded.

"Tell me what's the matter."

Athis did not answer Dumbledore's question immediately. He seemed to be considering the question, his fingertips unconsciously stroking his thigh, his brows drooping, his eyelashes trembling, and his flawless smile to outsiders cracked a little in his long silence, revealing his sincere heart.

This was the second time Dumbledore saw Athis open his heart to him. Somehow, he had an unquestionable illusion, which forced him to slowly sit up straight.

“I just discovered it recently.”

Ases began with a gentle tone, telling the story neither fast nor slow.

"Sif seems to be a little reluctant about exposing our relationship to the public. Actually, there were some signs before, but he never told me. I also thought he could adjust well, so I never made it clear. But now it seems——"

He paused for a moment, and sighed almost inaudibly, his voice tinged with a hint of heartache.

"But it seems that this problem has not been resolved, and his resistance to the public eye has deepened. This is my negligence. I came to you to ask you to do me a favor."

Dumbledore's mind was still lingering on "Aces was so calm today" and "how should he persuade Severus, who was so stubborn", when he was caught off guard by a sentence that was enough to shatter his chaotic thoughts - "Albus, are you willing to be the witness for Severus and me?"

Dumbledore was stunned, and unexpectedly looked up and stared at Athis without any precautions. After a while, the corners of his wrinkled lips moved slightly, and he uttered a question that was no different from a whisper.

"What did you say?"

Aces looked at the old man who had been with Snape for almost the entire first half of his life with almost tenderness, slowed down his speech appropriately, and repeated patiently: "I say, Albus, are you willing to be the witness for my wedding with Sev?"

Dumbledore's astute brain finally came back to work and caught a crucial question: "Are you getting married?"

"We are going to get married, but not now..." Athels said frankly, "I haven't asked for it yet."

Dumbledore's heart, which was about to jump out of his chest, suddenly stopped. He was speechless for a rare moment: "You haven't even proposed yet, and you're looking for a witness?"

Ases didn't think there was a problem at all: "I am used to preparing for a rainy day, and I'm not sure if I can find you in the future."

"We?" Dumbledore asked in surprise, "You plan to ask Gale to officiate the wedding?"

Aces nodded slightly. "The status and identity of the master of ceremonies should be equal to that of the witness. If the greatest white wizard of this century is invited as the witness, then I can't think of anyone else who is qualified to be the master of ceremonies except Gellert."

"You don't mind Gale..." Dumbledore hesitated and didn't finish.

Ases knew what he meant and said with a smile, "Nothing to worry about. There is no problem with his identity."

Dumbledore's expression suddenly became serious. "If I understand correctly, the master of ceremonies is looking for Gale because I am the witness?"

"It can be understood this way."

Hearing the answer that hit the nail on the head, Dumbledore blinked slightly with a hint of complacency, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.

"Then he still benefited from my help. Ahem, can I ask why it was me?"

Ases didn't expect that his main point was this. He was stunned for a moment before explaining: "...Because you are very important to Sifu."

Dumbledore was stroking his white beard seriously. His image, movements and posture were not much different from before, but Athis could feel the pride coming towards him.

Well, it’s okay to be proud.

"So are you willing?" Athis asked again.

Dumbledore raised his chin and nodded almost impatiently: "Of course I do. I hope Severus can be happy. This is one of the few compensations I can make."

Athis didn't say anything to comfort him, he just smiled at Dumbledore.

"He will be happy, I promise."

A promise is worth a thousand words. Dumbledore blinked his wet eyes and said, "Severus believes in you, and I believe in you."

He was a witness as they watched the two of them rely on each other and stumble along the way.

He had no doubt about the relationship between Athis and Snape, and sometimes he even felt that he and Gale were no match for them.

The biggest problem between him and Gail was trust. Unfortunately, even after they rekindled their relationship, their rift could not be repaired.

enough.

This little bit of trust is enough for them to spend the rest of their lives together, even to the grave.

He didn't want to force anything more.