Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the creation of J.K. Rowling, not mine.
Summary: He was going to succeed; if Albus would not join the cause, it was Albus's loss.
Author's notes: Inspired by the the line "同是天涯淪落人，共醉當歌出浮塵" (Fated for woes under the same sky, let us drink and sing and transcend what meets the eye). The first phrase comes from Pipa Song by Bai Juyi; the second made up by my friend P.
Grounded
by monitor screen
-o-
Gellert was fuming; Albus had failed him. What fool would choose one insane girl over the whole wide world? That was sentimental. Weak. Gellert had expected better.
He had been very excited when he first got to know Albus Dumbledore. Finally, a kindred spirit who could understand his vision; who would join his quest to further the betterment of the wizarding world. Finally, someone who could match him stride by stride; whom he could talk with instead of talking to. Gellert had been ecstatic; a good partner was not easy to find.
They both had their earthly troubles. Gellert had the mess from the unenlightened back in Germany on his back, and Albus had his family issues. But these presented no obstacles, for their brilliance went beyond such mundane constrains. Gellert could happily drown in the enthusiasm of preparing for their eventual journey to search for the Hallows.
But then Albus's narrow-minded brother had to intervene. Gellert did not mean for things to get so out of control - it should be all fine when he stopped the visionless brat. He had apparently underestimated Albus's care for his siblings.
To say Gellert was disappointed was a vast understatement. A truly great wizard would focus on the entire world, not just his own tiny corner of it. Gellert felt cheated that Albus would let as small a thing as familial feeling blind him from his true cause, the mission his ingenuity destined him for. It was as if Gellert had been deceived all along about Albus's promising traits.
The two of them were supposed to be soul mates finally finding one another. Fated for woes under the same sky, together they could drink and sing and transcend what met the eye. To be grand, powerful. Immortal.
Alas that was not to be, anymore. Gellert packed the last of his belongings, concentrated for a moment, and apparated back to the Continent. He was going to succeed; if Albus would not join the cause, it was Albus's loss.
-o-