The Greater Pain
Part 2
Albus gazed at the landscape; the fields disappeared in the distance, were far-away, pale blue hills stood.
He hated that view, but he pretended to be very interested anyway, because it was the only way not to look at him.
Gellert was by his side, laying under the shadow of the apple tree he and Albus had find shelter from the heat under.
You just told me about your parents, about Aberforth and Ariana.
You would like to leave, don't you?
This is what you feel when you look away, as you are doing now: you'd cry out if it allowed you to go away.
Don't be ashamed, not with me, at least. I know the feeling of being trapped. It constricts your lungs, it keeps you awake at night: the walls of your home crush you, the hugs of the loved-ones become threatening, their words insufferable yelling.
You gave me a chance, and I must take it.
« It's the Statute of Secrecy's fault. » Gellert said, almost casually. Yet you've got no idea how long I've been thinking about this.
Don't look at me like that: you don't know everything yet. But when you do, I'm sure you will agree with me. Were so much alike, you and me.
« Just think about it, Albus. – Gellert continued, under the attentive stare of his friend. – Without the Statue, Ariana would not be forced to hide and you would be free. »
Your eyes twinkle. I've seen it, there's no use in trying to hide it.
« Our whole society is based on it. » Albus replied, but it was clear that he was curious.
Oh, come on! Try to free yourself from those stupid ideas you've learned at school!
« Then it's time to change the society itself. » Gellert replied with a smile, as if what he had suggested was the most natural thing in the world.
« But how can the Muggles be defended without the Statute? »
« The Wizards themselves will do it. »
« The Muggles will never accept our protection. » Albus objected.
« There will be no need for them to accept anything. – Gellert was eager to explain everything he had imagined to his friend. – Once we reveal our might, everybody will follow us. »
« You are suggesting that we will need to use force. » Albus pointed out.
The whole conversation seemed... ambiguous to him.
Yes, my friend, we will. But you don't seem so shocked.
« There has never been a pacific revolution. – was Gellert's reply – Democracy itself has been born from a guillotine. »
Albus tilted his head and tore of some stalk of grass.
I can see you hesitating. You're confused, I can understand that.
You had just resigned yourself to a life of nothingness, and here came I, giving you hope; but you don't know if you can trust me or not.
The choice is up to you.
But, for Heaven's sake, take all the time you need. I'm in no rush.
You'll do the right thing, my friend.
~oOo~
Gellert toyed with a sheet of paper, a pleased smirk on his face. The message had been brought by a brown-feathered owl whose owner the boy didn't had any difficulty to imagine.
Albus' calligraphy, usually so proportionate and graceful, was confused, as if he had written in haste.
It's beginning to take shape in your head, doesn't it? My plan. And when you had it in front of you, you could do nothing but accept it.
" Forgive my coldness, Gellert." the message read " Try to understand me: what you said to me was rather startling and gave me a lot to think about.
I considered it and I believe you're right: our laws, the Statute, society itself... it's all wrong. Only by revealing ourselves we can be free. And the Muggles... they're like children who need guidance and protection, and, if necessary, scolded.
When you talk about it, it seems that everybody will be able to comprehend the magnificence of this vision, but it won't be like that. We are going to meet strenuous opposition, I fear. The use of force will be necessary; everything is just like you said, but we shan't overindulge. Only in this way the others will notice it is required to achieve the common good, the Greater Good.
But, at least if these are not just ponderings of two bored minds (which I don't think they are), I would really like to know how you intend to gain the power we'll need to fulfil all this.
A."
Well, I'm surprised. But I shouldn't have expected anything less from you. I've perceived it immediately, in you I've found a kindred spirit.
You didn't disappointed me at all. Your definition... is perfect.
Soon, my dear Albus, I'll tell you about my search for the Hallows and then everything will be clear to you; every piece of the puzzle will fall into place.
Everything is for the Greater Good.
~oOo~
I had a vision, Albus.
It was you and me, standing on the last step of a stairway; in front of us, there was Heaven: the perfect society, the Good achieved at last. The Muggles in their place, guided by the Wizards and the two of us at the top of everything, powerful and benevolent.
I always thought great people are doomed to live and die alone, but I was wrong. In you I found an equal, a friend, a companion, and now the road towards success seems extremely shorter.
Together, you and I are going to burst into the world to shape it to our own will.
Dare and the future will be yours, they say. And we will dare and take what's already ours.
Do you believe in destiny, Albus? I do: it was destiny that made two stars so bright meet in the immensity of the universe.
Soon a new day shall dawn for all those who awaited it; we will make it dawn, we will be the Sun itself.
Somebody is going to die, I don't deny it.
It is natural and necessary, but it's not important; what is a human life -of a wizard or a muggle- worth in comparison to the achievement of the Greater God?
I shall not give in: I'm ready to do all that is required. And you too must be.
We are the chosen ones and the people are going to resent and hate and misunderstand us.
For this reason we need the Hallows. We must silence those who endanger our vision. I will not let anybody destroy it.
We must do it, or our efforts will be in vain and the world will fall into Chaos again.
We must save them, Albus, we have the moral duty. And we must force them if they don't want to be saved: their petty, narrow minds can't see what lays beyond.
But we have seen it, we have seen how beautiful and perfect it was, and we understood it.
When the people, at last, will grasp what we've guided them to, they will forget the blood we've shed, they will exult and they will kneel to us and our wisdom.
Then you and I will reign together, not as tyrants, but as enlightened sovereigns, blazing and magnificent.
Can you picture that?
Will be gods, Albus.
~oOo~
Aberforth was out of his mind and he was currently yelling, insulting both Gellert and Albus.
That little idiot.
He does not understand us, he never will.
I don't care about him. Weren't he your brother, he would be at the top of my list: he's a threat.
I see how you're looking at him, as if you were ashamed.
How can you give him heed, after what happened? Can't you see that he's just jealous of your might? For when you and I are the masters of the world, he will have only his goats.
« What are you going to do with her, Al? She's too fragile! You can't think of bringing her with her, she couldn't stand it! »
Don't listen to him, Albus; look at me, instead. Look at me! Remember our dream, remember the Hallows. We are so close!
« Just once, stop thinking only about yourself! »
His ideas are already creeping into your mind. How long before you stop letting him brainwash you?
How can he know what we have dreamed, what we have shared? Nothing.
Make him stop, or I swear I'll do it. I never liked him anyway.
« I'm tired of waiting for you while you entertain yourself with that one and his morbid ideas. » Aberforth snarled, looking angrily at Gellert. Then he took out his wand and he pointed it at him.
Wretched fool.
Put him in his place, Albus, before I lose my temper.
Gellert too pulled out his weapon and prepared himself for the duel.
It's time for you to make a choice.
Albus stepped between his brother and his friend.
« Let me speak to him, first. » he told Aberforth.
Not very far, Ariana started to cry. She could sense anger radiated from the three wizards.
Albus turned to face Gellert.
God, Albus, don't look at me like that! Don't look at me like you've forgotten...
« That's enough, Gellert. There's still time to change the road we're on. » Albus whispered.
Why are you so scared, suddenly? What are you afraid of? Tell me!
Oh, I know, I know whose fault it is. It was that little worm of your brother, with his slimy words and his whimpering.
I won't let him ruin everything and put you against me!
« Crucio. » Gellert said.
Aberforth fell down, howling.
And it's so sweet, Albus, to see him suffer.
Albus looked at his brother, disorientated, too shocked to do anything but taking a few steps.
In his heart, he was starting to realise it...
I know you'll stand by me.
He pulled out his wand.
Do it, and you will be free.
With a sudden motion, Albus pointed his wand at Gellert and casted a stunning spell. The German, to defend himself, had to free Aberforth from the curse. Albus kneeled beside his brother to make sure he was okay and helped him to get up.
Is this what you've decided, Albus.
So be it.
They started to fight, the two brothers against the old friend.
Spells were flung, the air was tense and ablaze with the lighting erupting from the wands.
Ariana screamed wildly; she wanted them to stop.
I don't need you to get what I want. You weren't there before and I don't care if you'll be there after.
But it is painful.
It's like a part of myself rebelled against me and was crushing my guts.
I thought you my equal, but now I realise that I am far superior. You're nothing but a coward, you don't have the courage to do what's necessary.
Do as you wish, but know this: I won't show mercy.
« Go away, Grindelwald. » Albus ordered, casting another spell.
Gellert shielded himself and counterattacked, laughing.
This is painful too.
It's worse than I ever thought possible, it's worse than the strongest of the Cruciatus.
It prevents me from breathing, from seeing, from thinking.
Are you sure it is this what you want? Soon you are going to realise you're mistake and you're going to crawl back to me, begging for my forgiveness; and then it will be too late.
This pain, as fierce at is may be, will do me good: it will always be there to remind me not to do the same stupid, fatal mistake twice.
I offered you the pieces of my soul and you took them and played with them, you changed them to your own will, but now you give them back, telling me you don't want them anymore.
I was pure, before I met you. And now that you leave me I am irremediably corrupted.
I feel that the pain is transforming into something more strong and violent. Something that enters my bloodstream and poisons me. Hatred, pure hatred.
Are you afraid, Albus? You're right to be. I won't let you unpunished, not after what you did to me.
The spells flied, always quicker and more violent.
Your betrayal, Albus, is unbearable. It's the greatest pain.
The insults and the screams echoed in the air.
Ariana was frantic. Why couldn't they stop yelling? She couldn't bear it anymore.
I wish you were dead.
« Avada Kedavra » Albus and Gellert screamed together, looking straight into each other's eyes.
Ariana threw herself in the middle of the curses.
Air and life left her lungs together, too quickly for her to realise what was happening.
She fell down without a whimper.
She was dead.
