Finally the next chapter! I'm sorry that it took me so long to write it, but first I had an exam and then I was on a vacation. And I really needed it. But now I'm back and I hope that I can update more often.
Thank you for the reviews, it makes me so happy to read that someone likes my story. And I hope you like this chapter as well, please let me know what you think.
I don't own the characters or places!
The next weeks, their days began to follow a certain pattern.
In the morning, Albus and Ariana had breakfast together. Gellert joined them most of the time – he seldom went home to sleep there, he preferred to stay with Albus – and was just missing when his aunt wanted his help. After that, Albus would help Ariana with the goats. Sometimes, she even did that alone, especially when Albus was working on his latest assay. When the weather was good, Ariana spent the entire day in the garden. On a very beautiful and sunny day, Gellert and Albus had even taken her outside to walk through the forest. And they had shown her a lake Gellert had discovered some time ago, when he had been walking around aimlessly for hours, thinking about magic and Hallows and – most important – of love.
In the afternoon, they would all cook together. Or you could say that Ariana taught Albus and Gellert how to cook. It was obvious that she enjoyed being able to tell them new things as well. Because most of the afternoons, they were practicing. Now that Aberforth was gone, Albus could teach Ariana how to control her magic any time and didn't have to worry about a fight with his brother. And Ariana seemed to be a fast learner. The first times, it had been very difficult for her to find her magical core and make use of it. But the more often she did it, the easier it got.
Most of the times, Gellert just watched them do those things. Albus noticed that he always had his wand close by, just in case something happened. Of course he could defend himself if Ariana lost control, but the thought that Gellert was looking out for his safety made his heart beat a little faster.
Next to his lessons with Ariana, Albus was also teaching Gellert to use Occlumency. This was not always easy. Gellert was able to control his thoughts very well, but sometimes he wanted to tease Albus. It ended with the two of them in bed instead of finishing their work every time. Nevertheless, Gellert was learning fast. And when he didn't want to play with Albus, he was very serious during their lessons. Albus thought that they could start with Legilimency soon.
When Christmas got closer, Ariana began to get more exited. Aberforth would come back soon and she missed him very much. They exchanged letters every week. Albus had found her crying over them a few times since Aberforth left for Hogwarts. However, when more time passed, she wasn't so sad anymore.
On a cold and rainy evening in November, Ariana and Albus were sitting on the couch together. Gellert wasn't there, which was unusual by now. He was at his aunt's house because she needed his help. Before he left, Gellert had muttered something about a cat that always entered the house of Bathilda and she couldn't scare her off. Somehow, the thought of Gellert hunting a cat amused Albus. He would have loved to go with him, but then Ariana would be alone. And he needed to talk to her about something.
"I really don't know what I can get Aberforth for Christmas." Ariana muttered and Albus looked up from his book.
"Do you have something in mind?" When she shook her head, he put the book aside.
"It's not like I could go out and look for something." Ariana whispered and looked down on her hands. Since they were teaching her how to control her magic, it made Ariana even more upset that she couldn't just go outside like everyone else.
"Hey, Ariana, look at me." Albus took her hands and squeezed them softly. When she looked up, he smiled. "It doesn't have to stay like this forever. You are learning fast and we're making so much progress. I know that you can go out like everyone else sometime. I can't promise you that it will be soon, but it will be possible."
Her sad smile nearly broke Albus' heart. "I know that, Albus. And I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help. I think without you, something terrible would have already happened again."
He shook his head. "Don't say that."
"But it's true." She replied immediately. "Not too long ago, something bad happened. And you nearly died."
With a sigh, Albus let go off her hands. "Try not to think about it. It's in the past and no one can change that anymore."
They sat there in silence for some time and Albus thoughts began to return to his last Occlumency lesson with Gellert (well, they wanted to practice, but Gellert's thoughts had been very naughty and it led to something else…) when Ariana's voice took him back to reality.
"So what will I get for Aberforth?" She asked again.
"Do you have ideas?" Albus asked.
She hesitated a few seconds before she shook her head. "Well, there may be something… But I won't be able to get it, so I can forget the idea either way."
He raised his eyebrows. "What would that be?"
"Just drop it, Albus. It's nothing."
With a sigh, Albus sat up and crossed his arms. "Ariana, will you tell me what's on your mind freely, or should I just get the information I need?" He asked in a serious tone.
Ariana looked at him wide-eyed for half a second before she shook her head. "You would never do that, Albus!" She replied calmly. "You're not that kind of person."
When he just grinned at her, she shifted in her seat, an insecure expression on her face.
"You know, I've been spending lots of time with Gellert lately, and I'm not sure if he would hesitate…"
"Oh come on, he wouldn't do that as well! He's far too polite for that." Ariana protested. Nevertheless, there was still insecurity in her eyes. They both knew that Gellert could be very polite when he wanted to be, but he had another side as well. It didn't show itself often in the past months, but it was still there. And when he got angry, it was best just to drop the subject and cover up. It had happened once when Ariana was around and his anger had scared her very much. Albus hadn't been scared and he had tried to calm him down, which had succeeded after a long time.
Albus chuckled. "You're right, he would never do that. And I wouldn't do that as well." He added and Ariana relaxed again.
"Alright, I'll tell you. But don't tell Aberforth about it." When Albus nodded, she continued. "It may be stupid, but I've been thinking about it for some time now… I would like to paint, Albus." She said it very fast and first, Albus wasn't sure if he had understood her correctly. However, she repeated it, more confident this time. After saying it, she looked at him like she expected him to laugh.
Albus would never do such a thing to her. And to be honest, he liked the idea of her doing something she liked. He smiled widely. "That's a very good idea, Ariana! And you shouldn't have to worry, I can get you all the supplies you need." He offered immediately.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You would really do that?"
He nodded. "Or course. I'd love to help you."
Suddenly, he couldn't speak anymore. Ariana hugged him very tightly and Albus was glad that she wasn't stronger. After some time, she let go off him, still grinning. "Thank you!"
He chuckled. "You don't have to thank me for that."
Now she joined his laughter, however her voice remained serious. "I have to thank you for many things, Albus."
Instead of answering, he just shook his head. After some time, Ariana looked at him questioningly. "You and Gellert." She said simply and Albus raised his eyebrows.
"What about us?" He asked, his voice neutral. In the past weeks, Gellert and Albus had shown their affection for each other more openly when they were at Albus' place. Aberforth wasn't there anymore and they hoped that Ariana wouldn't notice it. Nevertheless, Albus had already suspected that his sister knew about their relationship. When he had talked to Gellert about it, he just laughed. "Would you mind if she knew about us? I doubt that she would tell anyone else." He had said simply and changed the subject without thinking about it anymore.
"You're more than friends." Ariana said now and confirmed Albus' assumptions.
Apparently, his expression had been shocked because Ariana began to laugh. "Oh come on, Albus. Do you think that I'm stupid? I see the way you look at each other. And that you touch each other when you think that I don't see it. And I'm really happy for you!" The last sentence took him by surprise, but before he could reply, Ariana hugged him again tightly.
"How long?" He asked simply and she understood his question. How long did she knew?
"About two weeks after Aberforth went to Hogwarts. You were downstairs, looking out of the window. And Gellert came to you and hugged you from behind."
Albus felt himself blush and Ariana chuckled again. "It's alright, really."
"Are you sure?" He asked hesitantly. "After all, it's unusual…" Albus didn't know how to finish the sentence. It was unusual to be with another man? Most people wouldn't accept it? Even call it disgusting?
"You make each other happy. And you really love each other. There could never be something wrong about that." Ariana said simply and this time it was Albus who hugged her tightly.
"You're amazing." He whispered into her ear.
"Do you even notice it?" Ariana asked. "When we're practicing Gellert is always with us, but he doesn't do anything. He just sits there and watches us. Then he's got that serious look on his face, like he's already expecting problems and just waits to protect you… And not just then." She stopped, searching for the right words. "It's not difficult to see how important you are to him, Albus."
Again, he was surprised about how much his sister noticed. When she mentioned that Gellert was always looking after him, the butterflies in Albus' stomach returned. "And he is very important to me." Albus said softly.
Ariana smiled. "I know."
Albus raised an eyebrow and Ariana took his hands and squeezed them. "And Gellert knows that too, I'm sure of it."
"Ariana…" Albus began slowly and when she just smiled, he decided to continue. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Don't tell me that you want my advice for Gellert's Christmas present." She said it in a teasing tone. When Albus nodded, her eyes grew wide. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Albus ran a hand through his hair nervously.
"My brother, the genius, doesn't know what he should get his boyfriend to Christmas?" She shook her head in disbelief and tried to look shocked. However, the soft smile on her face won. "I would love to help you, Albus."
They spent the next hours discussing Albus' present for Gellert.
Dear Albus,
America is great. I am sure you would like it here very much. Last week, I visited New York. It is a beautiful city, even if it's always crowded and never seems to sleep. From there, I have travelled to the west coast. The big cities are all exciting and the people here are very different from the ones at home. In the wizarding communities you have more rules and they are very strict. Especially when something concerns Muggles, or No-Majs, like they are called here. I bet some things would not have made you happy. Me neither, to be honest. However, the country is beautiful. Tomorrow, I am going to Canada. There, I will spent two more weeks. After that, I will be returning to England with a short detour to Iceland. Maybe we could see each other again around Christmas? And say hello to Gellert and your family. I hope you are all well.
Your friend,
Elphias Doge
Albus left his room, still smiling. The announcement that Elphias would visit again before Christmas excited him. He would love to hear all the stories about America. And he was especially interested in the people there. When Elphias said that they saw many things in a different – not necessarily positive – way, it had to be serious. Normally, his friend was very tolerant considering the manners of other people.
When he arrived in the kitchen, Ariana was already preparing dinner. Gellert hadn't been there today, which made Albus worried. He had promised to come over as soon as the cat has been caught. Albus wondered what took him so long. After asking Ariana if she would be fine alone for a short time (she had rolled his eyes at him), Albus went to Bathilda Bagshot's house.
Probably, he was overreacting. However, the thought that something was wrong wouldn't leave him. Normally, he was at their place all the time. Maybe Bathilda got more work for him? Or he just needed time to think, that happened sometimes. But Gellert always told Albus about it before he vanished…
When he arrived at the house, he knocked and waited. Albus looked around slowly, but the streets of Godric's Hollow were empty. Which wasn't a surprise at this time of the day and with the bad weather.
"Albus, it's good to see you." Bathilda greeted him and stepped aside so he could enter the house. "You're looking for Gellert, I assume. I'm sorry to say that, but he left some time ago. He got an unexpected visitor." Bathilda explained when she saw the confused look on Albus' face. He was surprised, someone had visited Gellert? But who could that be? Bathilda said unexpected, it seemed as if Gellert had been surprised as well. And he had never mentioned to Albus that he had contact to someone from his time before Godric's Hollow…
"It's someone from school." The tone in which Bathilda said it made Albus suspicious. Her voice was cold and it sounded bitter. Apparently, she wasn't happy about it.
"From school?" Albus repeated slowly. "He never mentioned his schoolmates." He had mentioned them. And the stories about the people who had been Gellert's friends at Durmstrang hadn't been very nice. Mostly, they had liked the Dark Arts just as much as Gellert. And he had also told them about the Deathly Hallows… He had told Albus that it was all they had in common. His heart began to race when he thought of all the things the visitor could say to Gellert. He had always told Albus that he might not resist when the Dark Arts became interesting for him again…
"Are you alright, Albus? You are so pale." Bathilda's worried voice took him back to reality. Albus would have liked to scream. This morning, everything had been perfect. They had woken up together, Ariana had already prepared breakfast. Before leaving, Gellert had kissed Albus goodbye. There had been this gleam in his eyes, the one that always appeared when he was determined to come back to Albus as soon as possible.
And now a friend from Durmstrang had appeared here, at Godric's Hollow. And Gellert had left with him.
He cleared his throat and smiled at Bathilda. At least he hoped that it looked like a smile and not a grimace. "I'm fine, it just surprised me." He said calmly and Bathilda made a hissing noise.
"Don't tell me that you're fine with that boy who arrived here. He's bad, I knew it the moment I saw him. And Gellert also didn't look too happy to have him here. He was just chasing the cat when he arrived."
Albus sighed. "I'm worried." He admitted slowly.
"Then we're two now." Bathilda whispered and for a few seconds, Albus saw the fear in her eyes. She was also afraid that Gellert would turn towards the Dark Arts again.
Albus cleared his throat. "Now that I'm here, I can also catch the cat for you."
It turned out that the cat was very fast. And liked to play with the ones who were trying to catch here. In the end, Albus had to use a spell to get hold of her. It was a small cat, and she was completely white with green eyes. "What are we going to do with her?" Albus asked and Bathilda smiled. It was the first time since Albus arrived. "Maybe your sister would like to have her own cat?" At that suggestion, Albus had to smile too.
He was just on his way home with the cat – luckily, she was tired and slept in his arms – when he heard voices. It was already dark and he was close to the church in the middle of the town. He would have just kept walking if he wouldn't have recognized one of the voices. Gellert. Albus thought and couldn't stop himself from walking a little closer to the church.
"Just think of it, Gellert. All the things we could do. You could do. It would give us power. Over the Muggles and even most of the wizards. It would change the world. You just must leave this place; I really don't understand what kept you here for so long. Here, you've got nothing. And that won't change. They were idiots when they expelled you from school. We all think that. And we would follow you, if you decided to change the world for good." Albus shivered at the things the person said to Gellert. Power over Muggles and wizards? Gellert wouldn't say yes to something like that, would he? He would a small voice inside Albus' mind said. He would and you know that. He always wanted power. Did you really think that you could change him forever?
"For the Greater Good." Gellert replied calmly. "It is called for the Greater Good."
Before Gellert could say anything else, Albus turned around and ran away. The outraged scream of the cat in his arms echoed through the night.