Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.
Challenges listed at the bottom.
Word Count - 678
Perhaps
Albus thought that they'd work together to make a better world. He thought they be able to make a union between the magic folk and the muggles, with the magical's superior of course. He dreamt of a world in which they didn't have to hide.
A world in which Gellert would be by his side forever.
Except… except Ariana was dead and Gellert was nowhere to be found and Albus had been left alone with a bitter younger brother and not much else.
He didn't know what to think. Who'd cast the curse that had ended his little sister's life? Did it matter in the end? Ultimately Ari had been Albus' responsibility and she was dead and it was his fault.
Aberforth certainly believed so.
And Gellert… Gellert had fled like a coward.
…
Word of Grindelwalds deeds were reaching Albus and he hated what he was hearing. With each disaster and death, the expectation that Albus would step in heightened. He was the only person with the power to match the Dark Lord, and he was obliged to save them all.
Nobody knew just how much fear Albus had about seeing the man he'd loved as a boy.
Would he be able to turn his wand on Gellert, knowing that once upon a time, he had planned to be standing next to him as he carried out his plans.
Of course, Albus believed he could have tempered Gellert's violence, but would it have been a clean take over? No.
Albus wondered if he'd ever thought about the consequences of that when he was seventeen and so in love that world domination seemed like a good idea.
Standing in the mirror, his battle robes mocking him, he clenched his fingers around his wand.
"I am the one thing in life I can control," he told himself sternly. "I am not responsible for Gellert's mistakes. I can stop him."
Albus refused to wonder at his state of mind when he still called the Darkest Lord of the time by his first name.
…
"Albus… we both know you don't want to do this. It's not too late," Gellert taunted, his arms wide in welcome. "Join me."
"No," Albus replied quietly, though his voice carried easily over the barren land in which they'd met. "This… this is never what we planned, Gellert. This has gone on far too long."
"Because you were afraid to face me," Gellert replied, his tone smug. "You knew that if we met face to face, you wouldn't be able to kill me."
Albus widened his stance. "I'll fight you. Because it's the right thing to do. But I won't kill you, Gellert."
"Then how do you expect to win?"
"There are worse things than death."
"I… did not expect to see you here."
Albus stared at the gaunt face of the man he'd personally imprisoned in the tiny cell. "I… didn't intend to come."
"Then why are you here?"
"It's been a long time, Gellert."
Gellert nodded, his limp, grey hair falling around his cheeks. "You were right, you know?"
Albus chuckled, his old bones creaking slightly as he shifted. "I often am. To what do you refer?"
"There are worse things than death."
Albus nodded silently.
"If… if things had been different, we could have… it would have been…"
Albus smiled, a wistful expression on his face for a short moment. "I came to say goodbye."
Gellert frowned. "Are you planning to finally put me out of my… Albus, what happened to your hand?"
The sleeve had moved when he'd shifted, and Albus' blackened skin was on show.
"It is not you who will be leaving, Gellert, but me. I couldn't… I had to see you. If only for a moment."
"Albus -"
"Goodbye, Gellert. Perhaps… in another life. Perhaps."
…
Gellert shook his head as he stared into the red eyes of Lord Voldemort. He knew he'd meet his death within minutes, but he wouldn't betray Albus again.
If they were to get another life… he wanted a good start to that 'Perhaps.'
Written for;
Character Appreciation - 12. "I'll fight you."
Showtime - 11. Union
Amber's Attic - AlbusGellert
Hamilton Mania - A1, P7. Angst / Extra - 11. "I am the one thing in life I can control."