The next chapter! It's not that exciting, but I hope you like it either way! Please let me know what you think! There are many time jumps within the chapters, but they're necessary for the story. Soon, everything will get more exciting!
I don't own the characters or places!
Teaching at Hogwarts was a whole new experience for Albus. Talking in front of many others had never bothered him and he liked to explain things. Gellert and Ariana had always said that he was very good at this – and his first weeks as a teacher confirmed their words. The students liked their new teacher Professor Dumbledore – he still had to get used to that – very much. And he loved teaching them new things.
Defence Against the Dark Arts has always fascinated him and now he could show young people many ways to defend themselves in a fight. And of course he also showed them how to attack, even if he hoped that they would never need it. However, the thoughts of Dimitri and his followers were still on his mind. Somehow, he had the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Maybe not now or in the next years, but it was going to come. Gellert also dreamt of it.
While Albus was at Hogwarts and taught the students, Gellert was living in Hogsmeade. Dippet had organized him a small apartment over some kind of bar that wasn't very popular. It was called The Hog's Head and Gellert said that it was normally empty. Albus had met the owner once, it was a very old wizard called Edward, but he didn't like to talk about himself. They only knew that he wanted to get rid of the building soon. When Albus mentioned this to his brother once he visited his siblings at home, there was a certain gleam in Aberforth's eyes which couldn't mean anything good. Only later Albus got to know that his brother wanted to buy the building and live there with Ariana.
In three years, Gellert would also be a teacher at Hogwarts. Professor Grindelwald, teacher for Defence Against the Dark Arts. Then Albus would be responsible for Transfiguration. And he thought that Dippet planned to make him Head of Gryffindor, but he wasn't so sure yet. It was still a rumour. One that didn't get old, even as time passed. However, it would fit. After all, Albus had been in Gryffindor as well.
For now, Gellert was working on a book in Hogsmeade. The idea came from Headmaster Dippet himself, it was about certain new spells Gellert was working on. Next to that, Gellert was helping in the Library of Hogwarts. They were just assembling a new system for the books and help was really needed. Gellert took the job immediately, knowing that it would give them more time together. Sometimes, Gellert even stayed in Albus' quarters overnight, even if it wasn't allowed. At least not now, in three years, they would share these rooms. Unofficially, of course.
The other teachers at Hogwarts accepted Albus very quickly and he was glad about it. No one said a word about his age. Albus knew himself that he was very young to be a teacher. However, he fit in well and it made him happy. Dippet had also introduced Gellert to the other teachers and they liked him as well. No one seemed to know about his past at Durmstrang. Of course Dippet didn't mention that Gellert should be a teacher in a few years yet. Only Professor Jacksmith knew about her successor.
Albus also exchanged letters with Aberforth on a regular basis. He was at home now and taught Ariana how to use her wand. She was learning very fast and Albus hoped that she could be a normal witch soon. Then she wouldn't have to hide anymore.
In their free time, Albus and Gellert often explored the castle and the grounds together. First, the students were surprised when they walked around together, but they got used to it very quickly. Some even joked about Professor Dumbledore and his secret boyfriend. Luckily, no one knew how right those people were and the other teachers just rolled their eyes. Only Professor Dippet smiled knowingly then and Albus suspected that the headmaster knew about them. However, he never said a word and it didn't seem to bother him.
Both Albus and Gellert loved to find our more secrets about Hogwarts. Especially Gellert liked the legends about the founders of the castle. He was thrilled to live at Hogwarts too in a few years. And time passed very fast now that they were both busy. Well, Albus was even busier than Gellert. However, it was Gellert who kept an eye on the events in the East when Albus was teaching. And with time, the activity of dark magic in eastern Europe increased. Until now, no one knew who was responsible for this, but slowly, people got scared. Even the muggles, who didn't know what really happened. It was disturbing.
One evening in the summer, Albus and Gellert were sitting at the lake together and watched the sunset. It had been a busy day for Albus since the exams at the end of the year were close now. Then his first year at Hogwarts would be already over. He invested more time in his classes and answered all the questions as good as possible. And of course he had to prepare the exams for everyone.
"How was your day?" Gellert asked now. He'd just told Albus about his new book and a few new ideas. "You look tired."
"I am." Albus confirmed. "It was an exhausting day."
"The exams?" Gellert raised his eyebrows.
He nodded. "I have to prepare everything and you won't believe how many questions the students have."
"I can imagine." Gellert muttered and smiled slightly. "But you love teaching, love."
"I do." Now Albus had to smile as well. "And I love you." How he would have loved to kiss Gellert now. Unfortunately, they could be seen, so it wasn't possible.
Gellert's expression softened. "I love you too, Albus." He took Albus' hand, hidden under their cloaks, and squeezed it.
"You will like it as well, I know it." Albus said. "And then you'll also get to know how exhausting children can be." He grinned.
"I already know that." Gellert muttered. "They're already harassing me with questions in the library."
Albus chuckled. "It's your own fault when you know where every single book stands."
Gellert rolled his eyes. "Sometimes, I think that I'm the only person with a functional memory." Now he joined Albus' laughter.
For some time, they just sat there together and looked at the lake. "I got a letter from Aberforth." Albus told him.
"What does he say?" Gellert asked curiously. "Does he still complain about the new neighbours?"
At Godric's Hollow, a new family of muggles had bought the house next to the one of the Dumbledores. They had many children and they were always very loud. The kids even tried to scare Ariana once. Luckily, she was able to control herself now. Otherwise, this could have ended badly.
"Of course he does." Albus confirmed. "But he wrote something else." When Gellert raised his eyebrows, Albus continued. "He wants to buy a house in Hogsmeade."
"Wait, are you saying that he wants to move out in Godric's Hollow?" Now Gellert stared at him wide-eyed.
Albus shook his head. "I'm not so sure about that, it sounded like he wants to keep our house as well. After all, it belongs to me in the first place and he can't just sell it. But he wants to stay in Hogsmeade most of the time. I think Ariana convinced him that she'd be happier closer to us."
"And where in Hogsmeade?"
Albus grinned. "Looks like you will get a new landlord."
Gellert stared at him. "You're not joking." He muttered when he saw Albus' expression. "You know that he hates me, this will never work. And he's your little brother. This is predestined to end in disaster."
"He doesn't hate you." Albus threw in immediately.
"He does, you know that as well as I do." Gellert muttered and ran his free hand through his hair. The other one was still holding Albus' own hand tightly.
"Well, maybe at first." He admitted reluctantly. "But he accepted you a long time ago. You may never be best friends, but you'll get along."
"This is to be seen…" Gellert muttered and now he was staring at the water darkly. Again, their words were followed by silence. Albus looked at Gellert from the corner of his eyes. His blond hair was framing his face and the light of the sun made his blue eyes shine. Even after all this time together, Albus still thought that he was the most beautiful man on earth. Gellert was looking thoughtful now and suddenly, he turned his head and looked into Albus' eyes.
The frown on his face vanished slowly and was replaced by a soft look with a small smile on his lips. "My Albus…" Gellert whispered and touched Albus' cheek carefully. It was obvious that he didn't care if anyone could see them. "You're so beautiful." By now, Albus knew that it was of no use to argue with Gellert about this. He would also never change his mind.
With his free hand, Albus touched the necklace he got from Gellert which he was always carrying under his shirt. The Greater Good. All the events that brought them together came to his mind right now. He could still remember the day Bathilda first introduced Gellert to him as if it had been just yesterday. So many things have changed ever since. Albus didn't know what he should do without this man in his life.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" He asked quietly and Gellert's smile turned wider.
"I'd love to." He replied softly.
Albus smiled, but he could see something in Gellert's eyes now which made the smile vanish again. Then he caught a glimpse of an image. Gellert reading a letter from someone he knew from his past. It had made him angry, so what did it say?
When Gellert noticed that Albus had seen a flash of his memories, he sighed. "I still have to work on the Occlumency lessons, don't I?" He asked jokingly, but without humour in his eyes, and ran a hand through his hair again. "It's fine, don't apologize. I've got nothing to hide from you." He said quickly when Albus already opened his mouth. He would never use Legilimency without permission, but sometimes he couldn't help seeing certain things. It had happened with students too, accidentally of course. "I got a letter from Frederic this morning, he was living close to us back then." Albus remembered that Frederic had been a friend of Gellert's parents.
"What did he write?" He asked curiously. "You were furious."
"He hold me to stay out of his business." Gellert explained. He looked frustrated now. "Even if he's an Auror, he can't just help anyone."
Albus raised his eyebrows sceptically. "Didn't you say that he was always very nice?"
Gellert nodded. "He was. But now something has changed."
"And you just asked if he knew something about the attacks on muggles?" Albus asked.
"Exactly." Gellert bowed his head lightly. "That can mean two things. Either he's really just busy at work, like he told me. Or he's working with them now."
"You don't think that he might be working on that case and it's forbidden to tell anyone else about this?"
"Then he wouldn't have told me to back off." Gellert muttered. "I know Frederic, or at least I knew him years ago. He was never like this."
"So this source of information won't work." Albus said thoughtfully.
Gellert nodded. "Your friends at the Ministry are more reliable." It was true, a few of Albus' friends were Aurors now and they told him everything they knew about the events in the east on a regular basis. And Elphias Doge also was working for the Ministry, not as an Auror but a jurist, but he got to know things as well.
"Did the papers say anything else? I didn't get a chance to look at them this morning."
Gellert shook his head. "Nothing, but that was to be expected." It was true, the Prophet rarely reported about the events outside of England.
"So we'll have to wait." Albus muttered.
"That's what we've been doing for nearly two years now, Albus." Gellert sighed. "Slowly it gets annoying."
"We have to be patient, love." Albus said softly. "We can't do anything now."
"I know that." He grumbled darkly.
Albus stood up slowly. "Let's go inside." He suggested. "I bet I can take your mind off of those things." He smiled invitingly.
The next morning, Albus was sitting in Professor Dippet's office. The headmaster wanted to speak to him before the first lesson. "As you know, Professor Jacksmith wanted to retire in two years from now." The headmaster started the conversation once Albus sat down.
Albus nodded silently, still insecure about the reason for this conversation.
"I talked to her again yesterday." Dippet continued. "And she considers leaving us already next year. She's feeling tired more often and the strict teaching plan doesn't make her feel better anymore. I told her that it would be alright for her to leave earlier." He smiled. "I hope you know what this means?"
Albus stared at the man in front of him. "You mean that the post as teacher for Transfiguration will be free earlier, sir?"
Dippet nodded. "And I think your friend Mr. Grindelwald will be also happy to start his new job earlier. He's a great help at the library, but the work there will be done within the next year, I think."
"So Gellert will be able to teach here?" Albus asked hopefully. Until now, Dippet hadn't told them his final decision.
The headmaster nodded. "He's very smart. We could use someone like him. And Transfiguration will suit you, Albus. Even if you're also a good teacher for Defence Against the Dark Arts." Dippet looked at the clock on the wall. "You still have thirty minutes until your first lesson starts. Your friend is in the library. Why don't you tell him the news?"
Albus smiled. "Thank you, sir."
"I already told you that it's Armando when we're alone, Albus." He said and grinned.
Albus nodded and smiled shyly. "Thank you." He repeated before he left the office.
He found Gellert in the library, just like Professor Dippet said. This early in the morning, no one else was there.
"Albus, what are you doing here?" Gellert asked and raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Your lesson starts soon."
Albus nodded impatiently. "Yes, I know. But I have to tell you something." He smiled widely. "I just talked to Professor Dippet."
Gellert looked at him curiously. "What is it?"
"Professor Jacksmith will retire next year." Albus told him. "And Dipped asked if you want to start teaching then."
For a few moments, Gellert only stared at him wide-eyed. "Are you serious?"
"Deadly serious." Albus replied and wrapped his arms around Gellert. No one was there who could see them.
"Next year…" Gellert muttered and slowly, a smile spread on his lips. "I'll be a teacher next year?"
Albus grinned. "And then you can let go of that flat in Hogsmeade."
"As if I'd be there very often." Gellert muttered and laughed quietly. Then he leaned in to kiss Albus.