NOTES: This is an AU, sort of based on the one-shot I posted a few days before – They Could Have Been a Family. I'm so obsessed with Grindeldore right now, I can't stop myself from writing about them. Tell me what you think about this story, okay. And oh, in this story, Credence is not a long lost child of the Dumbledore family, and McGonagall is not a teacher in 1927, and Gellert's eyes are normal blue instead of heterochromic like in the movies. That's all, I guess. I'll let you go now. I hope you guys like it. Happy reading!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything you find familiar.

"No, no, no… Ariana, wake up, sister. Sweetheart, it's me. It's Abe."

"Aberforth, step aside. Let me help. Let me – "

"NO! Haven't you done enough, brother? Look at what you've done! Look, Albus! Ariana's dead, and it's all because of that bastard!"

"I know, Abe. I know. And I'm sorry. I really am."

"Your apologies won't bring my sister back, Albus. But that's what you want, isn't it? You want to be free of her. And you now you have it."

"Abe, brother – "

"You may not be the one who cast the spell, Albus. But you might as well."

"Don't listen to him, Albus. That idiot doesn't know what he's – "

"That idiot, Gellert, is my brother. I suggest you refrain yourself from calling him names."

"Albus – "

"Leave. Please."

"No… Albus, come on. Don't do this. Come with me, Al. Please. We'll find the Hallows together, and then we'll bring your sister back."

"You know what, Gellert. I can see it now. You never really care about me do you."

"What? No! I do, Al. I really –"

"Stupid Albus. Naïve Albus. I'm no more than a means to an end to you, aren't I? But you are even more of a fool than I am if you think I can trust you after all this."

"Now, it pains me to say it because, well, I don't like you. But, you are the only wizard who is his equal. I need you to fight him."

"I can't."

"Because of this?"

Two young men. Both too great for the world to handle. Too bright. Too brilliant.

And so, so in love.

At least, one of them was.

"You and Grindewald were as close as brothers."

A slight flicker of pain in clear blue eyes, "Oh, we were closer than brothers."

"Come to kill me at last, Albus?"

"I'd hoped that it wouldn't come to that."

"Is that so? Well, that's too bad, darling. You'd have to pry this Wand from my cold, dead body."

"Gellert, please. We don't have to do this. Come with me. You still have a chance."

"Come with– come with you – HOW DARE YOU ASK ME TO COME WITH YOU, WHEN YOU WOULDN'T DO THE SAME FOR ME FORTY SIX YEARS AGO!"

"I'm sorry, Gellert. I was wrong. I made a mistake."

"Then, you're one your way to make another one, Albus dear."

"Severus…"

Another blond boy he failed to save.

Another dark-eyed man he had ruined.

"Severus, please…"

Another child forced to pay for his sins.

"Avada Kedavra!"

Albus woke up panting. His heart was beating so fast in his chest, and there was a lump in his throat when he tried to swallow. He heard someone sobbing, but it took him awhile to realise that it was his own voice. He was trembling, his whole body was shaking so hard it was a miracle his old bones didn't rattle like a bloody maracas. When he felt familiar arms wrapped around him, pulling him into a comforting hug, Albus calmed down a little. There was a hand buried deep into his damp hair, and another one went under his shirt to stroke his back, the touch felt soothing against his clammy, aging skin. There were lips pressed against his temple, before they went all over his face to kiss away his tears tenderly. Then, he felt hot breath blowing into his ear, and a soft humming was heard. But after sometime, once he'd calmed down even more and could concentrate better, he realised it wasn't exactly a humming. He heard words, spoken in the softest and most caring voice he could ever imagine, filled with so much love that he didn't think was possible.

"It's just a dream, Albus. It's all just a dream, love. A nightmare. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. I'll never leave you. I'll never hurt you. I promise. I promise. I promise…"

"I know," Albus replied, even though he pressed himself deeper against the man he loved so much. "I believe you. I trust you. I love you."

"And I you, Albus. Till the end of time."

And Albus let himself being lulled back to sleep, promises of endless love rang assuringly in his ears.

Safe and warm and loved in Gellert's loving arms.