Albus kicked the stone along the ground as he walked morosely through the village. He had had to leave the house if only for a few minutes. He reached the edge of the village and sat on a gate overlooking a large field. He let the grief and the bitterness wash over him. He was the man of the house now. The responsibility weighed him down in the home that was too small for his dreams. He could feel himself stagnate in the oppressive halls he now shared with his brother and sister. He couldn't let them see his emotion. Aberforth already hated him. He thought that Albus didn't care, but he did, and yes he was bitter that he had to give up everything and waste his youth and his talents. His sister needed him and he wouldn't hear of Aberforth leaving school. He wished he could be there still. no responsibilities. He wiped the tears away. His mother would want him to be strong. Thinking of her he straightened up and walked back to the home he now loathed.
Bathilda grinned. It was so nice to have a young person staying with her. She waved her wand at the tea tray and it floated over to the kitchen table where a handsome blonde youth sat waiting. "Thank you aunt" he said in a thick accent. He was ever so polite. She liked polite, bright children. This suddenly brought a thought to her mind. Why hadn't she thought of it before? "You are very welcome dear" she said. "Now. I know a young man that I would just love to introduce to you."
Albus turned at the woman's voice when she called to him. He had just made it to the garden gate and had his hand in the bolt. He had always deeply respected bathilda and her work. She was now a source of comfort to his ever decreasing family and a listening ear for him. He greeted her politely and then noticed the youth standing behind her. Gellert was tall with flyaway blonde hair and he had a mischievous air about him that intrigued Albus. He was instantly drawn in by the young mans deep, intelligent eyes and his confident demeanour. Then he spoke, and Albus felt a rush of emotions he had never experienced before. The tips of his long fingers tingled and his heart began to thump as it never had before. He balled his hands into fists and found that his palms were sweaty. Looking into those deep eyes again he knew the other boy felt the same.
