72. What Is It Like To Call Dumbledore The Riddler In Front Of Him?

"Hmm, it tastes really good. This is a rare experience. I like it very much," Dumbledore said as he put down the cup and seemed to enjoy the coke.

"My old friend spoke to me and was surprised that we didn't invite him. He thought you were my son. Sorry, not many people know that you have a younger brother," Dumbledore explained.

"Wait a minute, Albus, I hope to hear something new from you. I'm looking forward to our meeting with great anticipation. It's not just a formal acquaintance, okay?" Aurelius expressed his excitement.

Dumbledore looked at him and said with some emotion, "You are different from what I imagined. I never thought there would be any living relatives of the Dumbledore family apart from Aberforth and me until I heard that the Dumbledore family visited Europe."

"Can you explain it to me?" Dumbledore asked.

Aurelius was happy and answered, "This is a bit unexpected. I thought you should be explaining it to me."

"That was my plan before I came here, but I found that you seem to know more than me," Dumbledore smiled.

"Maybe"

Dumbledore said, "I have never met you. I have only heard your name once."

Aurelius scratched his forehead and said, "I don't know you. Of course, it's also the first time I've met you."

Dumbledore gave him a confused look, "?".

"Riddler, Albus, can you just tell me what you have to say? I thought you would be more honest when you came. Whether I admit it or not, you are always a family member in this body of mine," Aurelius expressed his concerns.

Dumbledore was startled. No one had said this to him before. He suddenly laughed and shook his head, "Ha—Sorry, Aurelius, I never thought that I would be seen this way in other people's eyes. An image - The Riddler? Very fitting."

"Well, I don't know if this issue of mine can be corrected, but I'll try my best. Then we can exchange knowledge and resolve each other's doubts," Dumbledore shook his head and smiled. He then extended a finger and said, "First question, how do you know all this? We did not know of your existence until my friends told me."

"The mermaid from Merman, the Siren's, told me. And as a price, I will use the Dumbledore surname to introduce them to senior officials from the Ministry of Magic of various countries," Aurelius lied without hesitation.

Dumbledore looked into his eyes, frowning.

Crazy emotions were infecting Dumbledore.

"I forgot to remind you, don't use Legilimency on me. It won't be too pleasant," Aurelius warned, recognizing the look on Dumbledore's face that he was likely considering using Legilimency.

This obviously won't lead to anything. Legilimency is easily concealable and one of the simplest forms of magic to cast silently. As early as in New York, it was clear that the Obscurus could resist Legilimency, so Aurelius consistently kept his mind in the form of the Obscurus.

"You..." Dumbledore stared at him, his serious expression tinged with disbelief.

Aurelius's hands transformed into black mist before returning to their original form.

He had no intention of keeping it a secret from Dumbledore and had different ways of dealing with different people. He would hide it from Grindelwald due to his evil intentions, but not from Dumbledore.

Dumbledore was a contradictory person. In his youth, he was indifferent to his family and dedicated himself to the pursuit of true magical understanding, much like Grindelwald. However, after the tragic deaths of his father, mother, and sister, and his brother's animosity, he had a change of heart.

Since then, woolen socks became his symbol, and his family became what he longed for but couldn't have.

"Does it look familiar?" Aurelius asked with a smile. "Like my aunt?"

"The Obscurial..." Dumbledore stared at him. "So it's you!"

"Don't say that. It makes me sound like a villain. To be precise, it seems like I'm the victim," Aurelius shrugged.

Dumbledore let out a slow breath. "You're right, you... you are the biggest victim."

"Son, I'm sorry—I had no idea you existed."

"You say that as if you're my father," Aurelius rolled his eyes.

Dumbledore shook his head. "If only I had cared for him a bit more, he might have confided in me, and I would have come to find you. Maybe, just maybe, I could have reached you and your mother in time before... before the shipwreck."

"Shipwreck?" Aurelius raised his eyebrows.

"You don't know?" Dumbledore was puzzled. He suspected Aurelius knew, but couldn't ask unless Aurelius revealed it. After all, Aurelius was only a few months old when the shipwreck happened and shouldn't have any knowledge of it.

There was a tense atmosphere in the room.

"I haven't told him about you yet," Dumbledore finally said, as he put on his coat and gloves and held his hat in hand.

They all knew who Dumbledore was referring to—Aberforth Dumbledore, the biological father of Aurelius's body.

"Then don't." Aurelius said firmly.

Dumbledore was taken aback, a hint of sadness reflecting in his eyes. "My child, don't you want to go home?"

Aurelius shook his head. "Home? Do I even have that concept?"

"Home is where your family is," Dumbledore spoke truthfully.

He longed for his former home, but he couldn't return to the people who belonged there. His father died in Azkaban, his sister's obscurity killed his mother, and his sister died because of obscurus. The only remaining brother also hated him because of his sister's death.

Although he still has living family members, he feels like a wandering ghost with no home.

This is the secret that is deeply embedded in Dumbledore's heart and something he can never let go of.

He hopes to reunite with Aurelius and create a place that feels like home.

"Maybe, but are you truly family? You, he and I only share a common ancestor through blood, and I've only known you for less than half an hour," Aurelius said quietly. "Albus, I believe I am a member of the Dumbledore family. I have grown up in the Magical Congress, and everything I am familiar with is in the MACUSA."

Dumbledore took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay, Aurelius, I respect your choice. However, please understand that I can't promise to keep this information from Aberforth. He has the right to know and deserves to know."

"Okay..."