Chapter number four! It's not that exciting, but I hope you like it either way. I'm taking the beginning of this story slowly because I want to show how the relationship between Albus and Gellert is developing. Please let me know what you think about this. I'd love to get reviews, they always motivate me to go on writing. And thank you for the ones I already got, they all made me smile!
I don't own the characters or places!
The next morning, Albus was sitting on his bed. It was still very early, but he couldn't sleep anymore. To be honest, he hadn't thought that he could sleep at all the previous evening, but he was still weakened from his injuries. He had fallen asleep as soon as he was in bed.
Now all the thoughts were coming back to him. His conversation with Aberforth was bothering him and there was nothing he could do to stop it. 'You're brilliant, everyone sees that. And maybe Gellert Grindelwald is someone who wants to use that brilliance for his own plans.' His brother said. Aberforth seemed to be convinced of the truth behind his words, he had seen it in his eyes. But was there truth in those words?
Albus felt guilty for asking himself that question immediately. He trusted Gellert. He wouldn't hesitate to entrust his life to him if it was necessary. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his friend. So why were Aberforth's words bothering him so much? He knew that his brother didn't like his friend and Gellert didn't like Aberforth as well. The insults they threw at each other and their attempt to start a fight proved that.
Gellert would never use Albus just to reach his own goals, would he? Albus sighed and closed his eyes. They had talked about their plans very often and they saw many things the same way. Albus had been impressed by Gellert immediately; he had never thought that someone would understand him that well. And he really thought that he understood Gellert too. Of course there were differences in their understanding of a few things, but as he had also told Gellert, they could find a solution for those things. They could figure it out together. And it had seemed as if Gellert liked the idea…
Or did he just say that to make Albus happy?
He shook his head and stood up. It wasn't good to think about those things. Gellert had promised that he would stay as long as Albus wanted him by his side. And he never broke a promise. He wouldn't just leave him behind. Albus had already told Gellert that he couldn't make him stay when he wanted to leave. So he could have just left, couldn't he? When there was nothing holding him at Godric's Hollow anymore. At that thought, a dull feeling appeared in Albus' stomach. Would he be able to make Gellert stay here?
He began to walk through his room restlessly, careful to stay silent. He didn't want to wake his siblings yet. "He promised." Albus whispered to himself and stopped at the window. It would be a beautiful day and the sun was shining. After a few minutes, Albus continued to walk through his room. Gellert wouldn't use him, he knew that. He wasn't like that. Aberforth had to be wrong with all those things. Of course his brother had reminded him of the fact that Gellert had been expelled from school because of the dark magic he had used. To Aberforth, that proved that he was an evil person and that he would do that again to get power. And the obsession with the Hallows was something bad too. Even if Albus thought that it was fascinating as well.
He sat down on the bed again and ran a hand through his hair. He knew that he should stop thinking about the things Aberforth had said. He trusted Gellert and that was all that mattered. Albus breathed in deeply and tried to stay calm. Yes, his friend would never betray him, he was sure of that. And he wouldn't let Gellert get on the wrong path with the dark magic. He didn't want his friend to do the wrong thing. And maybe Albus just didn't want Gellert to leave his side. With that thought, Albus fell asleep again.
There was a knock on his door and Albus turned around in bed. When he opened his eyes, the sun was blinding him and he blinked. It couldn't be that late, the last time he looked out of the window the sun had just risen. He sat up slowly and a look at his watch told him that it really was that late. It was ten o'clock on the morning. He had fallen asleep again for about five hours!
"Albus, are you awake?" A voice asked and Albus noticed that it was Ariana. "Are you feeling ill? Normally, you're the first to wake up." She sounded concerned and Albus felt guilty.
"I'm fine, Ari." He answered loudly and stood up. "I've been awake a few hours ago, but it seems like I've fallen asleep again." He apologized and searched for something to wear.
"It's alright, I've just been worried." Ariana answered through the door. "Will you come downstairs when you're ready? I've prepared breakfast. Aberforth is outside with the goats, he'll be here soon."
"I'll join you then, just let me get changed." Albus said and he heard the footsteps of his sister on the stairs. When he looked in the mirror, he noticed that he wasn't looking as tired as the previous day anymore. However, the person in the mirror looked concerned and was frowning at him. Did he always look like he was carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders or was it because of the events of the previous week?
When he went downstairs, he noticed that he wasn't hungry. He still had this dull feeling in his stomach because of Aberforth's words. And because he hadn't seen Gellert since last evening. Then it hit him and he stopped on the stairs. He hadn't heard anything from Gellert since he left to see his aunt. What if he had left, despite his promise? Albus swallowed and his heart began to race. Gellert would never do that, he tried to tell himself. Nevertheless, the fear wouldn't vanish.
He forced himself to continue walking towards the kitchen. Once he entered it, Ariana looked at him with a worried expression on her face. "Albus, are you sure that you're alright? You're very pale." She said and he forced himself to smile.
"It's nothing, Ari." He replied calmly and was surprised that his voice wasn't shaking.
Ariana didn't seem to be convinced, however she nodded. "Gellert has been here this morning." She told him and didn't seem to notice the surprised gasp that left Albus' mouth before he could stop it.
"He's been here? When?"
Ariana frowned. "About two hours ago, I think. As soon as Abe left with the goats, he knocked on the door. I think he didn't want Aberforth to see him."
"And what did he say?" Albus noticed that he sounded like a child, asking all those questions as if his life was depending on the answers. But right now, he didn't care. And this was Ariana, his little sister, who already knew that he liked Gellert very much.
"He wanted to see you. He was surprised when I told him that you were asleep. Asked if you were alright and if he could see you. I told him that he should let you sleep some more since you were still sick. He was disappointed and left." Ariana handed him the bread and Albus helped her to set the table. Slowly, the strange feeling in his stomach vanished and he could relax again. So Gellert was still here and he even wanted to see him. Albus smiled at Ariana.
"Thank you for telling me that." He said and she grinned.
"Aberforth said that I can help him with the goats today." She told him and as soon as Aberforth entered the house, they started to have breakfast.
He found Gellert sitting under a tree close to the house of his aunt. When he got closer, he noticed that Gellert's eyes were closed. He looked concentrated and Albus wondered what he was thinking.
"You're late." Gellert said once he got closer without opening his eyes. He was smiling now and Albus chuckled. He felt light-headed and had to grin as well. Gellert was still here and he had kept his promise! So all the doubts had been unnecessary.
"I'm sorry, looks like I've fallen asleep again." Albus apologized and when Gellert opened his eyes, they were shining in the sunlight.
"You don't have to apologize, I was just joking. You still need to rest." He added and gestured towards the ground next to him. "Come on, sit down. I don't want to look up to you all the time."
Albus sat down slowly, careful not to strain his back which was still hurting. When he leaned back against the tree, ne noticed that Gellert was looking at him with narrowed eyes. "What are you thinking?" He asked and his friend sighed.
"You're still in pain, aren't you?" Gellert asked slowly and for a few seconds, Albus considered to lie to his friend. But since Gellert would notice it, he nodded.
Gellert looked down at his hands. "I'm really sorry, Albus." He muttered and Albus shook his head.
"I've already told you that you don't have to apologize." He said simply. "So what were you doing in front of our house this morning? Ari told me that you waited for Aberforth to leave before you came closer." Albus didn't want Gellert to think about what happened any longer, so he tried to distract him. It seemed to work since Gellert grimaced.
"She told you that?" He asked and ran a hand through his hair nervously.
Albus looked at him curiously. "Is that a bad thing?" he asked and Gellert shook his head.
"No, it isn't. I'm just surprised that she noticed it."
"Ariana sees many things." Albus said slowly. "Sometimes I wonder if it's a good idea to isolate her from everything else."
"It isn't." Gellert replied immediately. "You can't keep an eye on her forever. And your brother can't do that as well. Everything would be much easier if she could control her magic and didn't have to hide anymore."
Albus sighed. The thought of what happened to his sister still made him sad. "She's afraid of what she can do." He told Gellert. "The thought of using magic terrifies her."
"And it doesn't surprise me. And you neither."
He nodded. "Aberforth thinks it's best to keep Ariana out of trouble. And since a life under wizards always means trouble…"
"I'm sure she doesn't want to stay at home forever." Gellert murmured.
"I thought the same. However, I don't think the idea of leaving ever came to her mind." Albus said thoughtfully.
"But you wanted to leave." Gellert looked at him with a small smile on his lips. Nevertheless, it didn't reach his eyes. "Don't try to deny it, Albus. I can see that the thought still makes you sad." When he said the last words, a strange undertone had appeared in his voice. Something Albus couldn't quite name.
He shook his head and ignored the surprised look on Gellert's face. "It doesn't make me too sad anymore. I was sad, that is true. And angry when I had to cancel the journey. But when I would have left, we wouldn't have met. And getting to know you is the best thing that happened in my life. I could never regret that." Albus hadn't been able to stop himself, the last sentences were out before he even realized what he was saying.
He looked at Gellert with wide eyes, hoping his friend wouldn't be offended by what he just said. But why should he be that? Albus didn't see a reason for that. He had just told Gellert that he was happy that they got to know each other. But you could also interpret those words differently… And he didn't even know how Gellert saw the two of them. Most likely, he just saw Albus as a very good friend. For Albus' part, he wasn't so sure about that anymore…
Slowly, a wide smile appeared on Gellert's face. However, it was not his usual brilliant smile. This one was different, shyer. "I'm very glad to have you in my life too, Albus." Gellert whispered and suddenly, Albus' doubts vanished as fast as they had appeared. He smiled back at him.
They sat there in silence for some time, just looking into each other's eyes. Albus really liked Gellert's eyes, the blue was lighter than in his own ones. It looked like the sky. Or rather than very blue water? He was still thinking about it when Gellert cleared his throat. He ran a hand through his blond locks.
"I just thought it wouldn't be a good idea if your brother saw me." He said and it took Albus a few moments to realize what he was talking about.
"He wouldn't have said anything bad to you." He replied and Gellert shook his head.
"You know that it's not true, Albus. He hates me." And I don't like him either. Gellert didn't have to say those words, Albus knew very well what he was thinking.
"I told him that he should be nice to you yesterday evening." Albus told him and Gellert looked surprised.
"You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to." Albus smiled slightly. "I don't want you to hate each other. I know, most likely that will never change. But you can at least try to stay calm when you're around each other. After much hesitation, Aberforth agreed to that."
"He really did…" Gellert muttered and suddenly, he laughed. "I bet he wouldn't be amused if you invited me for dinner soon."
Albus chuckled. "He would have to accept it. I make my own decisions. And besides, Ariana likes you. He would never say something that makes her upset."
"I don't want her to be upset as well. So I would never turn down an invitation, you know that." Gellert said and he was still smiling.
Albus tried to look offended. "So you would come because of an invitation of my sister, but not when I invited you?" He crossed his arms and Gellert hit him playfully, careful not to use too much strength. It rather felt like he was stroking Albus' arm.
"You know that I would always come over when you want me to. I would even come through the window when walking through the door wouldn't be possible." Gellert's tone was serious and Albus believed him immediately. There was this strange feeling in his stomach again, like butterflies. He had that when he was around Gellert very often.
"It makes me happy to hear that." Albus replied softly. "And you would never have to climb through that window, it's far too dangerous." He smiled mischievously. "And there are some very good silencing-spells."
A grin appeared on Gellert's face. "You have to tell me about them." He said eagerly and Albus began to tell his friend about the things he learned at school. Even if he mostly learned them by himself since something like that would have never been taught at Hogwarts. After all, if helped some students to walk through the castle at night, even if it was forbidden.
They spent the rest of the day talking about many different things. They continued a few conversations they had started at the hospital and told each other new stories as well. While doing that, they walked through Godric's Hollow and explored the closer environment of the town. They paused regularly since Gellert insisted that Albus had to stop sometimes. He said that he was still recovering and shouldn't overestimate himself. Albus just agreed silently, not wanting his friend to get annoyed.
They still avoided talking about the Hallows or their plans to change the world. The events from the previous week were still weighing heavily on their shoulders and neither felt ready to confront those themes again. Especially not after Aberforth accused Gellert of being a mean person and using dark magic to reach his goals.
Albus was surprised by Gellert. Normally, he couldn't stop talking about Hallows and making the world a better place as he called it. But Gellert hadn't mentioned those things in days, not even at the hospital. And when they weren't talking his friend had a thoughtful expression on his face. Either that, or he was looking at Albus from the corner of his eyes. Maybe he hoped that he wouldn't notice it. However, he did and Albus always had to suppress a smile that would reveal himself.
They also didn't talk about Ariana again, though Albus still thought about that in those moments when Gellert remained silent. Why couldn't there be a way to help his sister? Her magic was there, she just couldn't control it. But Albus didn't know how he could help her to do that. It would be very dangerous, exposing himself to a witch who had no control over what she was doing. But on the other hand, he was a skilled wizard and could protect himself easily…
They were both lost in thoughts and didn't notice the person who was walking towards them first. Suddenly, someone called their names. They were in the small forest just outside the town and normally, no one ever came here. Albus' hand closed around his wand and next to him, he saw Gellert doing the same. They had just raised their wands when he person walked around a tree and appeared in their line of sight. Albus raised his eyebrows in surprise when he saw who had called them. Next to him, Gellert lowered his wand. "What are you doing here?" He asked, not trying to hide the surprise in his voice.
Albus put the wand in his pocket. "It's good to see you, Mrs. Bagshot." He said politely and bowed his head.
"It's good to see you too, Albus. When I heard what happened, I was very worried. I was happy when Gellert told me that you were alright. And you can call me Bathilda, I've told you that before." She smiled at them and they exchanged a look. Albus raised an eyebrow questioningly and Gellert shook his head lightly. So he didn't know why his aunt was here as well. Or how she had found them.
"Why are you here?" Gellert asked curiously.
"And how did you know that we'd be here?" Albus added. He would like to know if she had tracked them.
"I saw you walking in this forest a few yours ago when I was in town. And since you haven't come back yet I figured out that you'd still be here." Bathilda explained. "And I wanted to ask if you want to come over for dinner this evening, Albus." When he wanted to say something, she held up her hand. "I've already talked to your siblings, they said it was alright."
At the mentioning of Ariana and Aberforth, Albus relaxed. He didn't want them to worry. "Thank you very much, Bathilda." He smiled. "I would love to come over for dinner." He said and while doing that, he looked at Gellert who was smiling widely now.
Bathilda seemed to have expected his answer. Without another word, she began to walk towards Godric's Hollow again. They followed her, still grinning at each other happily.