The next day started as if nothing had happened.
Once more, Gellert was waiting Albus by the prefect's room, and when he tried to apologize for the last night, Gellert simply asked him about the night, pretending to not remember anything they had talked about. That, to Albus, was both a relief and a little worrying, because he did want to know what made the young boy hate muggles so much to say such harsh words, but apparently, Gellert was not ready to share it, and Albus knew how to be patient.
So they went on with their day as normal, working through his job as prefect and then attending to the classes, only being requested by Gellert to go to the room where the goblet of fire was, so he could put his name inside.
Only two and a half days to go, and Albus was more and more inclined to stay out of it.
"You know, I'm glad you are deciding against putting your name" Gellert said suddenly as they walked towards the room, holding the paper in his hands and smiling. Albus looked at him, confused.
"I thought you wanted me to put my name in it"
"Well yes, because I'm your friend" Gellert assured, looking at him. "However as a volunteer and almost certain champion for my school, having you in the tournament would be a pain in the arse."
Albus raised his eyebrow, amused.
"And why is that?"
"Well, because you are the only one that could perhaps take the win away from me" he said, confident, and Albus looked at him surprised.
"Are you that sure you will win?"
"Listen, don't get me wrong. Hogwarts is incredible, its an amazing school, respected all around the world" Gellert said, walking in front of Albus and facing him, walking backwards. "However, you lack malice. In a tournament like this, you don't win by playing fair. And even the worst of your slytherins are still cowards. Just someone with a lot of wit and intelligence would be able to win for Hogwarts" he explained, and then chuckled. "Of course, there are also the Beauxbatons, but they haven't won in a century"
"Gellert… I think that if you are thinking of going to the tournament with that mentality, you are more likely to lose" Albus warned, a little worried, but the younger boy rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"No way Albus. Because I am better than everyone at my school. I've duelled with people from the last year and won, fair and square" he praised, smirking to Albus. "I can hold my victory. I'm sure of it."
"Well, I will be cheering for you" Albus smiled, despite of still being slightly concerned, but Gellert frowned, looking disappointed.
"You really aren't going to put your name in the goblet?"
"Gellert…" Albus sighed, looking away as they stopped in the middle of the corridor. He sounded like Aberforth: disappointed. "I can't. I have responsibilities, you know that."
"It's just a game Albus, no one will actually allow anyone to be killed or hurt" Gellert replied, and he looked up at the blond, who stared back at him, eyes fixated on Albus'. "You will just lose. That's it. And you will have had the opportunity to try something incredible"
"But what if I lose? No one will remember me, it will all be for nothing" Albus said, crossing his arms, and Gellert smiled.
"Your brother will remember you tried. And I will too. And everyone that is in Hogwarts with us. Even if you don't win… you will know you tried. Isn't that the fun part?"
Albus looked at Gellert for a long time, wondering how this kid, one year younger than him, had such a great way with words. How he could convince you of tasting your most hated food just one more time, just in case. How he could probably make someone jump off a bridge by assuring it was safe. He was so manipulative, and Albus could see it clearly, but for some reason he couldn't reason his way out of it.
It was almost like a spell, but with no trace of magic. Just like the last night.
"I… will think about it. I still have two days" he answered, and Gellert smiled, returning to his walk towards the room.
"Perfect! I'm so excited to know what you're capable of Albus!"
And that alone, somehow, made Albus almost pull out a paper and write his name down at that exact moment.
Another day passed with almost no different events (asides from, maybe, the fact that Gellert seemed constantly uncomfortable around Albus' friends), and by dusk of the second to last day before the goblet would be taken back to the main hall, Albus and Gellert were already becoming best friends.
They had similar taste in almost everything, they had been studying ancient books before their supposed classes, they talked about all types of myths and marks in the wizarding history, and even shared some books from their own personal collection.
The one that interested Gellert most was the Tales of Beatle the Bard, and particularly, the tale of the Three Brothers.
And that what they were discussing by the end of the day, sitting by the Hogwarts' lake, under a tree, while other students gossiped or made their evening exercise routines.
"Don't you have a tale about the Peverell brothers back in Hungary?" Albus asked, curious, as he watched Gellert read the first page again for the third time that day.
"Of course we do, but it is more like an old legend than a story for children" Gellert said, moving closer to Albus, almost leaning against him as he showed him the book. "I had never heard or read the story in so much detail. It is incredible really, how amazing wizarding deeds such as this one can be passed along as simple bed time stories"
"Do you believe it was real?" Albus asked, receiving a glaring look from Gellert.
"Of course it is real. How could it not? Only muggles pass along tales that didn't happen" he huffed, and looked back at the book, crossing his legs again but remaining extremely close to Albus. "Actually most of what they tell did in fact happen but they don't know because it was some wizard or witch that did it and they refuse to believe that magic exists."
"You mean about the Greek legends?" Gellert looked at him, and Albus smirked. "Like the minotaur or the odyssey… twelve labour of Hercules?"
"Exactly" Gellert said, nodding slowly. "Those are all wizards and witches. Not gods… muggles are so stupid" he mumbled, before closing the book and sighing. "Can you imagine? Being the lord of death?"
"It is no wonder muggles thought of us like gods" Albus replied, making Gellert look at him. "We have three artefacts lost in the world that together make us the lords of death…"
"That's because they fear death" Gellert chuckled, shaking his head and looking up at the sky. "We don't. At least I don't."
"Then why would you want to be its master?"
"Because then I would control who lives and who dies. And when my time came, I would give the power to someone else" Gellert whispered, holding the book tight against his chest. "I would not meet death suddenly, nor part with it as a friend, like the book says. No, I would lead it instead. It would be my judgment against its. I would be the most powerful being in all universe, because not only I accepted death, but I also controlled it, ruled over it. Destroyed it, and made it my own."
"I think the muggles have someone for that. I believe his name is Jesus" Albus replied, mockingly, and Gellert snapped his head to the side to stare at him while the redhead held back his laugh.
"Are you mocking me?"
"No, of course not. Why would you think that?"
"You are mocking me."
"Gellert! Of course not! I will bow to the lord of death" he made a movement with his head, and Gellert slammed the book on his arm, making Albus groan. "Hey, that hurt."
"Yeah that's what you deserve" Gellert responded, despite of his mouth being curved in a smile. "How dare you mock the lord of death?"
"Oh no, I am doomed!" Albus whined, putting his hand over his forehead and leaning backwards. Gellert chuckled and hit him with the book again, making both of them laugh loud and clear, shaking their heads at their stupidity.
When they stopped, they looked at each other, eyes sparkling with happiness, smiles wide on their faces, and a warmth in their hearts that both were unfamiliar to.
The sun settled in the horizon, but a new light seemed to shine in the darkness.