A/N: Forgive my German and French. I used google translate.
"Where are you going?" Ariana asked sweetly.
"I was asked to show our neighbor Bathilda's great nephew around Godric's Hollow."
That was all of an explanation the young witch needed, "I will wait for your return brother."
"Thank you, Ari."
Aberforth, however, would need more, "Is it that Grindelwald man?"
"Yes." Albus was surprised, he had not spoken of their meeting to anyone, "Did he introduce himself to you too."
"No, and thankfully so." The younger of the two wrinkled his noise, "Yesterday in town I heard a rumor that he was kicked out of Durmstrang. You must know that schools reputation. What would one have to do to get kicked out of that school? Keep your wits about you."
"Are you telling me to be careful?" Albus almost laughed at the thought.
"Yes." Aberforth nodded, raising his voice ever so slightly, "You are talented Albus but-"
"I will be careful." Albus ended the conversation, his eyes darted from Aberforth to Ariana. It was a warning. The last thing Albus wanted today was a fight to set their sister off.
"We will talk about it later." Aberforth stated, his words solidifying the promise that he was not done.
Albus had to agree, "Yes."
The young wizard found the path to Bathilda's house much more bright and enjoyable today. Surly it was the Summer air that was lifting his spirits.
Knock Knock
Bathilda opened the door, "Albus, what a lovely surprise." It seemed as though she was unaware of the meeting.
"Is Gellert ready?"
The woman shook her head, "I'm sorry dear, he has already left." She sounded most apologetic.
Albus felt his face fall, "I see."
"I believe I know where you can find him." The woman thought for a moment., "But may I speak with you for a moment?" She stepped aside, silently welcoming the youth in.
"Of course." Albus entered the home, unsure of what Bathilda wished to speak of.
With a thoughtful sigh, the witch spoke, "Please do not think poorly of Gellert. I am certain he would have waited for you had the gossip not caught on so fast."
"Gossip?" Albus pretended like he had not heard.
"He was sure by now you would have heard the stories about him around town" Bathilda remarked, "and he was sure you would no longer be by. In school he was always…" She tried to think of words, instead deciding, "He is a good nephew and excellent student. But he can be a bit too…absorbed with his hobbies." The older woman nodded, seeming to agree with herself, "I think he just needs a good friend."
Albus did not know what to make of this. Was Bathilda asking him to become friends with her kin?
The witch continued, as though she was able to read his mind, "You are kind Albus, you have always been so sweet to me and you take such good care of your family. I hope you have a good influence on him. That some of you will rub off on him. I hope you will become good friends. You are both such brilliant lads after all."
"I will try to … rub off of him." Albus tried to use Bathinda's words as a promise to her. But he immediately regretted it-
-not that she noticed. "Good, good. Thank you." Bathilda took a deep breath, "Well, in that case I believe he is in the cemetery." She shared.
And it was just as Bathilda said.
As Albus neared the graveyard he saw the blond. "Gellert."
"Albus?" He smiled, eyes wide, "I was not expecting you."
Albus knew this to be true.
"And why not?" Albus looked at the grave the taller boy was standing over, "Peverell. Were you related?"
"No" Came a simple response.
Albus thought for a moment, "You are interested in the legend of the Deathly Hallows then?"
"Yes." Gellert said with grave seriousness, "But they are not legends. The story is real."
"It is true." Albus agreed, "But in the way that all legends have some truth to them. That's their draw, truth."
"But I believe there is more." Gellert's eyes remained fixated on the monument, "I have seen things in my travels that make me positive."
"That does sound nice." Albus mused about being able to travel.
"Can you imagine finding them?" Gellert asked, turning to the Dumbledore once more. "I have been traveling months now and this was but a stop. Once I know I have uncovered all that there is to find here I will be on my way. I hope to find them, the Hallows."
"I've always wanted to travel the world." Albus felt himself admit.
Gellert asked, a new interest taking his mind from the grave, "Why don't you?"
"My sister needs me."
Gellert was silent, intently listening.
The silence beckoned to be filled.
"We are alone you see, my brother, sister and I." Albus did not wish to go into such great detail yet, though something was drawing him to share so much with this man. Perhaps it felt like a fair trade. He already knew one secret about this man. It was only fair to share in exchange, "I take care of them. We raise sheep and goats and make a living that way. When my brother is at school I watch over my sister full time as she is ill. For now writing and creating new spells provides enough… adventure, but I've always wanted to travel. I remember your aunt once told me about when her visit to Paris. It seemed like such a wonderfully progressive place. Sometimes I think about just disappearing there one day and never coming back. But it is an impossible dream." Albus realized suddenly that he had been rambling on, "I'm sorry. Tell me more about the Hallows … or anything."
"Du bist stark."
Albus shook his head, "I'm sorry, I only know French."
"Don't you get tired?"
The silence that fell over the Auburn haired man was enough of an answer.
Gellert rustled though his pocket, extracting a tiny bottle. With a practiced motion he raised his wand to his temple. A silver wisp flowed forth and he guided it to the bottle. Once the contents was in, he sealed it quickly before handed it to Albus, "My travels." He explained, adding with a grin, "Knowing your reputation I am assuming you know how to look at memories."
Albus took the bottle willingly, surprised that the other knew how to extract them, "Of course." He confirmed, "I only fear that it will just make me want to leave this place more."
"What is the problem with that?" Gellert smiled, "Take your sister along."
She is too ill to travel. Is what Albus wanted reaffirm, but somehow when Gellert said it the idea seemed possible.
"Now then. Can I show you around?" Albus asked, placing the bottle away in his vest pocket.
Although new to the area, Gellert took the lead. As he walked forward down the path he gently brushing past Albus.
The contact gave him moment for pause. He touching the side of his arm that had brushed up against by the taller boy.
"Are you coming?" Gellert called for him, his voice holding a smugness as though he knew exactly what he had done.
"Yes."