Wow, what a good chapter. I like how Albus provided Mother Dragon's heart for their wands, and that bit with defeating Grindelwald was heart-wrenching. Although I doubt that Albus has dissuaded Minerva from loving him, even with his "dubious" past. Extraordinary work.

There is so much here to respond to, I'm struggling with where to begin.First.  It is difficult to understand the nature of soil if you've never dipped your hands into mud.  It could be said that Albus spent some time wallowing, but I respect him all the more for turning his back on the temptations offered by those experiences. He learned from it and became a better person for it.Second.  To project into the future, this is clearly a reason why Dumbledore would accept Snape.  Having been down in the pit and having climbed his own way out, he would be able to show him the way.Third.  Whether he understands what he is doing at a conscious as well as unconscious level, he is exposing the darkest bits of himself to the women he loves.  If she loves him, he wants it to be for who he truly is, not just an idealised image she may have of him.That is a bit of wisdom it probably takes a hundred or so years for most men to understand.It does mean that he is choosing to take their relationship to the next level.  He risked everything in their current relationship to do it.  The ball is back in Minerva's court.What will she do?

Wow, that was an amazing retelling of Albus's life; way beyond anything I was expecting. I actually teared up a couple of times. And I loved it when you incorporated the part about the phoenix tail feather wands. It fits in rather well with canon hp. Thank you for the excellent last few chapters.

Yay for so many updates!However, a note on Hungarian nicknames.  Gellért is a Hungarian name, as you probably know.  Having lived and studied in Hungary for a time (and started reading this story there), the familiar version of his name would indeed be pronounced Gelly, but it would never be spelled that way.  Familiar names are formed by cutting off the last vowel (or occasionally more) and adding -i.  So Monika becomes Moni, Erika becomes Eri, Zoltán becomes Zoli, etc.  The letter Y only exists in Hungarian in conjunction with specific consonants, and while ly exists, it's more of a yuh sound mashed onto an L than an EE sound.  So Gellért's nickname would technically be Gelli, if you're being linguistically accurate.  Of course, you may not care (or decide that Albus wouldn't know this), which is fine.  /Hungarian cultureI can't wait to hear the rest of Albus' tale and Minerva's reaction to all of it!

This is a much more believable history for Albus than the "other." I firmly believe the betrayal of a friend, especially a kindred spirit, would be more devastating than that based on a romatnic relationship. Not that one couldn't have both in the same person, but it just didn't fit, not for his age, not with the brevity of the relationship or the depth of the experience. This is simply more real-life and hence more believable. At least for me.His kind of brilliance, and magical power, is a gift and a burden. He had to have struggled with how to live with it, and been shaped by those struggles. He had more than his fair share of tragedy, though. I am quite enamored of this particular universe!

Well, everyone makes mistakes. And I'm sure Albus thinks that Minerva is going to hate him after his tale, but of course she'll only love him more than ever because he is, after all, just an all-too human man. Can't wait for the next update!

Aw, poor Albus having such a downer part of his life of his own creation. Does he ever wonder whether his mom would have lived if he never met Gelly? At least his experiences make him lose some of his arrogance and probably set him on his right path to fulfilling his potential. Excellent, excellent chapter.

Sometimes, you have to hit rock bottom before you can start over.  Albus certainly did that.  It is hard to imagine him becoming a bum, but it certainly makes him more human than the Great Albus Dumbledore.Well done.

Very interesting. I really wish I knew what happened to Albus's dad, but maybe it's better not to know.

This story is something of a mammoth is it? Very enjoyable, but it's very long. Can't wait to find out what happens with all these possible couples you're setting up and more of Albus's history.

“Subverting the Hogwarts house-elves, are we, Minerva?”

lol

“I am very fond of you, too, my dear.” Ouch!

 It's hard for me to find words about this (isn't that a switch, ha!). I think the most interesting revelation is how deeply this is affecting him in regards to Minerva, his fear that she might reject him because of it, as well as  his need to make sure she knows all of him.The contrast between who we know Albus to be now and his inner conflict is sooo powerful. i was totally in his point of view while reading this. "My ray of sunshine"--ah, that cut right through me. What a terrible loss. This is so believable--it's right on his character, and I can see fully how this shaped who he has become.And the worst is yet to come. On a more upbeat note, yay for Quin! Subtle and overt at the same time--neat trick! Love he slipped in "She's yours." Ogg?? That certainly gives "blinded by love" a new twist!Loved his thoughts on falling in love with Minerva. (Did we see that letter? Hmm, is it as honest as his thoughts were just then?)Looks like I found my words after all! Wonderful piece of writing!

Wonderful title, I love Mary Poppins. Guests never do what you want them to at parties do they? Best to go with the flow.

Sounds like those robes were meant for Albus. I'd love to see them for real. I'm glad Minerva has someone to give her a little kickstart. Someone has to make the first move and neither one looks likely to do it anytime soon.

Well, I'm not sure how you could have nightmares over a shaved beard, but it would be a huge shock. He'd certainly get everyone talking if he kept that look.

Aw, poor Albus. At least Minerva finally gets the tale. Good work! :D

A carefully placed word or two from Quin may just be the key to getting Albus to take one step through that curtain he has set up that blinds him to the nature of Minerva's affections.You really do need to get Quin those wings.  Doesn't Cupid wear a loin cloth, too?  Oh, the possibilities.Thank you for giving us more backstory on Albus.  Obviously, this Albus and another author's Albus are totally different characters.  Her's was born much later.  Perhaps a distant relative, but that's all.Your muse is not only on overdrive, it is consuming energy drinks 

Ouch, poor Minerva!   Albus is not going about this the right way at all, although the dinner invitation is a hopeful sign. He needs to be put out of his misery--some hot sex should do it! Masterful writing, as usual. Albus is not saying anything out of the ordinary, but the distance he is keeping from Minerva is painfully obvious. Quin is wonderful, as always. Looking forward to the next chapters--maybe we're going to find out why Albus is so insecure about loving Minerva? Can't wait!

Chapter 100! What a milestone! Congrats!

Honestly, he gives flowers, chocolates(a torte is better than most box chocolates anyway), and sends loving little notes, which she also sends. They share meals and go out to a concert. They are doing all the typical date things without actually dating. Rather cute of them, in a very blind to the truth way.

Blue pee, lol.

Great chapter!

Huh, not so sure I want to know much about Hagrid's sex life. Poor guy though, he's another that's gotten the shaft in life.

A committee? How could she suggest that, horrible things.