A.N. "blah" is speech, blah is thoughts, ~blah~ is parseltongue

Dawn, late in July, the sky was tainted with a depressing paleness. There seems to be light illuminating far away, but is unclear.

The black-haired boy covered his desk in front of the window, putting his quill back into the ink bottle after writing down the final word on the parchment.

After the ink dried, Harry sealed the parchment into an envelope, giving to Hedwig who was already waiting by the window.

"Mr. Grindelwald,

I have some new thoughts pertaining to our previous discussion. I think we need to have a meeting. Also, perhaps it is time that Professor Dumbledore joins in.

Like you've said, the war is near.

I seem to see the path I should take.

Yours truly,

Harry Potter"

Seeing Hedwig spread her white wings into the grey sky, Harry sighed slightly, rubbing his throbbing temples.

The headache of staying up all night visits him. Harry took a big sip of the black coffee Kreacher brought him, then walked into the bathroom.

He thinks, a hot bath would help make him more comfortable.

Sinking down into the warm water, Harry took a deep breath, but sank his head in despair.

The empty feeling can't be covered by the warm water. The meeting with Death a few hours ago is still torturing him.

After Harry returned home yesterday midnight, he glossed things over with Sirius and Remus. Perhaps they sensed his fatigue, they didn't ask much before letting him retreat to his room.

But Harry, for the whole night, was contemplating what he should do, then finally made his decision. However…Harry closed his eyes. The day after one year, can he really leave without regrets? Harry doesn't think he is as brave, even if he was a Gryffindor.

The problems, he has to leave the world that he changed himself, that he has expected, that he has helped made happy. This, requires a lifetime of courage.

However, he must. It's the price for him coming back. Away from happiness, self-destruction.

Merlin, you really don't watch over one who has betrayed his soul…

Harry smiled bitterly, ducking his head below the water. The liquid flowing out of his eyes disappeared into the warm water in the tub, leaving no trace.

After freshening up, Harry decided to go through the vanishing cabinet in the living room to Hogwarts. He thinks that at this time Dumbledore should be still in school.

Seeing the green-eyed boy in the mirror, Harry pulled at the corners of his mouth, until a normal smiled appeared on his face. Harry touched the person in the mirror numbly. He rarely looks at himself in the mirror, so, it's the first time that he's realized, that since some time ago, his smile has become so foreign.

The once pure and courageous Harry Potter, through everything he's experienced, has become a hypocrite that can put on a perfect smiling mask—

Just like he is now.

Huh, how ironic. This is me?

Harry closed his eyes. Sadness was infiltrating his every nerve.

"Harry…"

A familiar broke Harry's thoughts. Harry opened his eyes suddenly, turning to the door.

Sirius was standing at the door, looking at Harry, deep in thought. Remus was standing behind him.

Harry quickly put on a smile, "Sirius, Remus, morning. What's up?"

"Oh…" Sirius seems to come to, putting the scene he just saw into his mind, then said, "Sorry Harry, I didn't knock, I didn't think you were up yet."

Harry saw the elegantly packaged present in Remus's hand, then smiled knowingly.

"You came to give me my present?"

Remus said warmly, "We wanted to give you a surprise," He gave the present to Harry, "This is from Sirius and me, we've been collecting over the past year, it's about time to give it to you…no matter what, we must say this again, even if we've said it last night…Happy birthday, Harry!"

Harry took the present curiously, weighing it. It feels like about the weight of a book. He ripped the package open, it revealed a simple photo album.

On the cover, in a golden font: "To Our Dearest Harry".

Harry flipped open the pages with trembling fingers, what jumped in sight was a beautiful witch and a wizard with a head of messy black hair, their faces were filled with happiness, staring back at Harry—just like he had seen in the Mirror of Erised.

Harry's eyes can't help but tear up.

The next photo, is Lily and James with a baby in their arms on a field in Godric Hollows, James playing with a golden snitch.

Then—

Lily with the baby boy in her arms, singing him to sleep, face filled with affection, her green eyes surprisingly bright.

James made colorful bubbles, the baby boy smiled, his toothless smile especially innocent.

The handsome and unruly Sirius with the baby in his arms, playing, the brunette teen behind him carefully watching out for the safety of the baby boy.

"Bang!" Harry shut the album harshly, feeling the warm liquid building in his eyes, threatening to fall.

"I…thank you, Sirius, Remus, thank you…"

"We are a family," Sirius and Remus brought Harry into a hug, patting his head.

"Happy birthday, Harry."

Harry's heart tightened, burrowing his face into his father's chests.

The only thing he can do now is to cherish every second he has left on this earth. Only then, can he use the eternity on the other world to reminisce.

A pure white owl knocked on the window, Fawkes called lightly waking up his owner.

The old wizard is startled awake from his deep thoughts, standing up and opening the window.

The owl flew in, a letter that was brought with it.

Dumbledore's expression was solemn after reading the letter, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Nurmengard…"

He stood in front of the window for a long time, his deep blue eyes gazing at the faraway forest.

"It's time…"

Dumbledore suddenly turned, made his way towards the furnace, then threw in a handful of floo powder. "Severus, come to my office at once, we need to go to Germany.

"What made you decide to speed things up?" Grindelwald said as he moved his knight.

The black-haired boy watched the chessboard closely, speaking nonchalantly, "No particular reason. I wanted to deal with Voldemort in fourth year when he is revived, but now, I'm tired of waiting," He moved a pawn, "Since the main soul piece is gone, then the horcrux is no big threat. I think it's time that things ended."

Grindelwald looked at Harry intently, his clear blue eyes as if he could see through one's soul. Harry avoided his gaze, remembering another who had blue eyes.

"Professor Dumbledore is coming, are you prepared to face someone you have seen in almost a century?"

Grindelwald paused in midst of his move.

Harry smiled, changing the subject, "Bronstein told me Karkaroff has returned to Germany, going around to the German Ministry a lot. Stassen says that the German Ministry's Internal Division has gone to England and France. No clear results yet." Harry was able to make the final plan thanks to the broad connections of Grindelwald's followers.

"What are you thinking?"

"The Triwizard Tournament."

Grindelwald thought for a moment then got his answer. He creased his brows, somewhat confused, "Didn't you not want to wait? If we go through the Triwizard Tournament, wouldn't that take another year?"

"I'm looking at the big picture," Harry stared at the chessboard, expressionless, "Our goal isn't just Voldemort, but his Death Eaters as well. Over the year I can win over the not so loyal ones, then when he is revived, there are only a few he can call. Those truly loyal are still locked up in Azkaban."

Grindelwald creased his brows further, "The Death Eaters can wait after Voldemort is destroyed. To deal with both Voldemort and the Death Eaters in the span of a year, it is too tiring. Why are you so hurried?"

Because I don't have much time left…Harry smiled bitterly in his mind, but didn't show any on his face, he lifted a brow, "Have you forgotten about the Dark Mark? Once Voldemort dies, the Dark Mark will disappear completely. It'll be difficult to take care of the Death Eaters then. Trust me, I used to do this in my previous life, I know a lot about this."

The blond dark lord sighed, "Alright. Seems like you have a thorough plan. I expect your performance later."

The two didn't speak after that, quietly playing chess.

This is the scene that Dumbledore and Snape saw as they followed Grindelwald's followers up to the top floor of Nurmengard.

The blond man is watching the chessboard intently, occasionally pushing the pieces. The afternoon sun shines through the window, giving the mans' bond hair a beautiful sheen. The crystal pieces of the chessboard, under the sunshine, giving bright spots on the table.

A black-haired boy sat across from the blond man. His slender figure is slightly cowered over the table, his left arm supporting his head, his lashes casted down covering his eyes. His pale skin, and similarly pale lips, under the shine of the golden sun, give a sickly beauty.

The scene is much too delicate, making one hold their breath, too scared to break in.

The uncontrollable emotions in the white-haired wizard's heart after seeing the man he hasn't seen in almost a century, seem to calm down miraculously.

Gellert…it's been a long time.

While to the side, Snape pinched his lips, watching the slender boy expressionlessly. But the emotions in his eyes are not as well concealed as his face.

"Checkmate." A clear voice cut through the silence.

The black queen cornered the white king, the game is over.

"Alright, you win." Grindelwald shrugged, "What's that Chinese saying—confront a person with the danger of death and he will fight to live?* You're quite brave."

Harry pulled a smile, "Don't forget, I was a Gryffindor." He turned around, "I think our guests have arrived," Harry lifted his head, looking at the wizards at the door, "Good afternoon, Professor Dumbledore—oh, and—Professor Snape?"

Harry was surprised, he only told Dumbledore, so he was completely surprised to see the potions professor.

He pinched his lips, suppressing the complicating feelings in his mind, then nodded at the black-haired wizard.

Dumbledore spoke up slowly, the deep blue eyes a little wet behind the half-moon glasses, "Oh, good afternoon, Harry, and…Gellert."

The blond man stood up, gazing at Dumbledore, silent.

He walked, step by step, until he was right in front of Dumbledore.

"Albus…" A strong hug replaced all other words.

"Gellert!" Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise, but Grindelwald quickly lets go, a bright smile on his face, as if nothing happened.

Harry smiled quietly. It's so great that these two can let down the walls in their hearts.

He turned to Snape and said, "Professor, we should go to the meeting room first." Maybe, they should give these two some time to catch up.

Harry turned first, making his way towards the meeting room. Snape hesitated for a moment, then followed behind Harry.

"Krüger, can you bring some tea?" Harry smiled at the tall man before the door.

Krüger bowed to Harry respectfully, then left.

Harry pushed open the heavy oak door, walked and sat at the head.

Snape gazed at Harry silently for a moment, then sat second to Harry's left, with an empty seat in between them.

The green-eyed boy sat with his arms on the table, fingers crossed supporting his chin, as if he doesn't mind that the professor chose a seat further away from him. In fact, Harry thinks that it is what the professor should do. He can't get any closer to the man, or else, he fears that his carefully orchestrated mask will crumble under his gaze.

Harry's eyes glanced out of the window facing him. Outside, all is calm and peaceful on the Schwansee Lake.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Snape can't help but turn and look at the pale slender boy, he rarely sees Harry so quiet. When they were together in the past, the boy is always smiling, asking him questions. Now, there seems to be more expressionless silence.

For some reason, Snape has an uneasy feeling. Something major, something of change happened to the boy.

Snape clenched his fists, looking at Harry, wanting to speak, but didn't.

His hair has grown longer, his bangs over his brows, covering his eyes when he lowers his head, hiding his expression. The hair that used to only grow to his ears is now to the side of his face, the black making his face look even paler.

Since when did the boy look so weak? Snape sighed to himself. He never knows how to take care of himself.

Snape froze at that thought. What Lucius said…that really did affect me…

A rhythmic knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Harry said, turning his gaze back from the window.

Krüger walked in, with tea and four delicate cups.

"Thank you. That'll be all." Harry nodded at Krüger.

Krüger bowed, then left quietly.

Harry stood up, placing a teacup in front of the professor, then began to pour in the red liquid.

The two were very close, but the white steam blurred their faces.

Through the mist, all Snape saw were those bright green eyes.

*A.N. This is a Chinese saying, specifically 置之死地而后生, I'm not quite sure what the exact translation is, so I translated the best I can myself.