He can barely hear over the roaring in his ears but he knows that Gellert is leaving.
"Come with me, Albus."
It is impossible and they both know it. But still Albus imagines he can hear his heart breaking when he says, "I can't."
No more is said for that was that and as the door closes the roaring finally dies. Albus wishes things had been different.
When Voldemort comes for him, he laughs in his face. It is liberating and his body shakes with his amusement when he finally realizes that Albus was right all along. Love was the greatest power of all. And as the dingy cell is awash in green, Gellert thinks that he may finally have done right by Albus.
The next time Gellert Grindelwald opens his eyes, there is sunlight on his face and he no longer smells like old. That in itself is a miracle so he concludes that he must be dead. What was that phrase he told Albus all those summers ago? He smiles as he remembers and whispers into the wind.
There is a chuckle off to his right and Gellert takes his time getting up. He knows who is there and it may have been a lifetime but some things you just don't forget. Gellert always did love that laugh.
"Hello, Gellert. It is good to see you again."
With his purple robes clashing horribly with his auburn hair, Albus Dumbledore was just so perfect Gellert thinks he may have died a second time. He almost says so but he catches himself just in time. Instead he settles for, "Come with me, Albus."
Albus smiles sadly and wishes he could, but things are not yet finished. They both know this.
"I can't."
Gellert plops back down so suddenly then that Albus has to blink a few times.
"I will wait for you then."
And that's all Albus wanted to hear.
