The next chapter! I'm sorry that it took me so long to write it, but the university is keeping me busy at the moment. I've got many exams now and after Christmas, even more will follow. I hope you like this chapter and please let me know what you think! And thank you for the reviews, it makes me happy to see that someone likes the story.

I don't own the characters or places.

In the evening, they went back to their house. Ariana was carrying the cat proudly. Gellert had insisted on coming with them, he didn't want to leave Albus again after everything that happened. They had walked right behind Ariana with the cat and watched her with amusement. She already loved Snowflake very much. In the house, Ariana began to play with her again, while Albus and Gellert sat down on the couch. Since Ariana already knew about their relationship, Albus leaned against Gellert, who – after much hesitation – wrapped an arm around his waist.

They just sat there in silence like they'd already done it back at Bathilda's house. And Albus didn't mind the lack of conversation. He was just happy to have Gellert close to him. To be honest, he never wanted to part from him again. Even if it would be just for a few hours. The fear of losing him was still too strong. And the shame that he didn't trust him enough. Luckily, it also didn't seem as if Gellert wanted to let him go.

Right now, he was drawing patterns on Albus' arm with his hand while he watched Snowflake climbing onto Aberforth's favourite armchair. "He won't like it when she scratches over the material with her claws…" Albus muttered and Gellert chuckled.

"I think we could fix that easily." He whispered back.

"You don't have to whisper like this, you know?" Ariana asked and walked into the living room, carrying a plate with sandwiches. She placed them on the table, took one for herself and sat down in the armchair. "I didn't want to cook; I hope you don't mind that." She smiled when Snowflake climbed onto her lap and tried to steal her food.

"She's naughty." Gellert grinned at Ariana.

"And fast." Albus added. "Took me some time to catch her. In the end, I had to use my wand." He handed Gellert a sandwich and smiled when he saw the happy look on Ariana's face. Apparently, his sister had already waited for them to tell her about their relationship. He looked over his shoulder at Gellert. "Bathilda didn't say anything, but I bet it has been quite amusing to watch me hunt her."

"You forget that I've been hunting her as well." Gellert said. "I didn't think of using magic." He frowned at Albus. "Good idea, to be honest. Seems like I've been stupid."

Albus laughed softly. "It took me some time as well."

"The two most brilliant wizards of our time, trying to catch a cat. And you really didn't think of magic?" Ariana's amused voice took Albus back to reality. Sometimes, he forgot that others were around when he was focused on Gellert.

Gellert shrugged with a slight smile. "We're all just human. And I wouldn't say that I'm brilliant. That's just Albus."

At those words, Albus nearly choked on his sandwich. "Me?" He coughed and shook his head. "Now I know you're not serious."

When Ariana just rolled her eyes and Gellert raised his eyebrows, Albus sighed. "Alright. Think whatever you want."

"Albus…" Gellert began, but he shook his head again.

"Don't. I really don't want to discuss this."

Ariana grinned at Gellert. "He doesn't like it when someone calls him brilliant." She said conspiratorially, just like Albus wouldn't be there.

"I've noticed." Gellert said simply and Albus was relieved when he dropped the subject.

"I got a letter from Elphias." He said after a few moments of silence.

This caught Gellert's attention since he changed his position so that he could look at Albus. "What did he write?" He asked immediately and even Ariana looked interested.

In short words, Albus repeated what Elphias wrote about America. When he mentioned that he would visit them around Christmas, Ariana smiled. She had always liked him very much. And even Gellert seemed to be pleased. "I bet it will be interesting what he's got to say."

Albus nodded. "I've already heard that the Americans see many things in a different way than we do. But to hear it from someone who's just been there…" He smiled. "That indeed will be an interesting conversation."

"Did he mention where he wants to go after his visit here?" Gellert asked and Albus shook his head.

"No, but the original plan was to go to Australia after that. With a way back over South America." He grinned when he remembered the endless days and nights he and Elphias had planned the trip.

"Wait, first Asia, then Africa, back to England, America, Canada, Iceland, back to England. Then Australia and back to England over South America?" Gellert's voice was confused. "Why on earth did you plan it like this?"

"First our plan was to go around the world, like a circle. But Elphias wanted to come back here for a visit sometime, so we made a new plan. An unexpected one."

"It was Elphias' idea." Ariana threw in. "That's too unexpected for Albus."

"What do you want to say by that?" Albus asked suspiciously and crossed his arms.

"It means that you think too logical for something like this, love." Gellert whispered into his ear and kissed him on the cheek. "It's nothing negative."

When Albus still looked at them guardedly, Gellert wrapped his arms around him again. "You're perfect." Slowly, Albus started to relax.

"Elphias thought that it was funny." He explained slowly. "Because no one would expect us to do something like that. Apparently, he'd been right. Just that he's doing it alone now."

"I'll travel with you once we get a chance to do it. And then we'll have a look at the world together." Gellert said with a soft smile.

"That sounds good." Albus admitted and couldn't stop himself from smiling as well.

"And what about me?" Ariana asked suddenly and they both turned to her with wide eyes. "When you'll be gone, I'll just stay here with Aberforth and do nothing, as always?" She tried to sound hurt, but the amused look on her face betrayed her.

"You will be studying then, young lady." Albus said firmly. "So that you will be able to perform magic like everyone else in the future."

Slowly, Ariana's eyes widened. "You can't really think that." Her voice was quiet and Albus could hear her surprise.

"Why not?" He asked simply and even if he looked at his sister, he could literally feel Gellert's eyes on him. "We're already practicing so you can learn to control your magic."

"Yes, but I thought we just did that so I can't hurt anyone." She muttered. "Not that I could really be…"

"What? A witch?" Albus asked and smiled at her. "I know that you can do it, Ariana. I have every faith in you."

"And me too." Gellert added next to him.

"It will need much more practice, that's true." Albus continued. "But once you can control the outbursts of your magic, we can go further with it. You can already control them. It rarely happens anymore."

"Just because everything is alright at the moment. I don't know what will happen when I'll get upset again." She looked at the cat in her arms and began to play with her fur.

"You can do that, Ariana. You are not alone in this." Albus said confidently.

Slowly, she looked up and into his eyes. "We should go on practicing tomorrow, right?" She asked hesitantly and he nodded.

"Good idea. But not in the morning. First, I've got something else to do. After all, you asked me for a favour." A happy expression appeared on her face when she realized what he'd just said.

"You're really going to get it for me?" She asked and before Albus knew what was happening, Ariana put the cat down on the ground and ran around the table to hug him tightly.

"Of course I'll do it, Ari. I promised."

He saw Gellert's questioning look and Ariana told him about the idea to draw something for Aberforth. When she finished, Gellert smiled. "That's a very good idea."

They talked about Christmas some more, but Albus already noticed how tired his sister looked. When he suggested to go to bed, she didn't argue. Snowflake didn't want to go with Ariana to her room. She was already lying in Aberforth's armchair comfortably.

"Did I tell you that you're amazing?" Gellert asked and Albus nodded.

"A few times, I think." He replied and Gellert chuckled. They were lying in Albus' bed together, arms wrapped around each other. When they had gone upstairs, they had changed into something comfortable. However, they both didn't want to sleep yet.

"Why do you say it now?" Albus asked curiously.

"Do I need a reason to tell you this?" Gellert asked back and raised his eyebrows. However, he didn't seem to take his own question seriously since he kept talking. "I could say it to you every day and many times, love." He paused and frowned. "It just came to my mind when you talked to Ariana about her magic. You are so confident that everything will be alright. And you believe in her, more than she does herself. I admire you for that. The trust that everything is going to work out. And the patience you've got."

Albus smiled. "I don't see it in that way. I just see me." He admitted. "And I'm nothing special."

The intense look on Gellert's face made his heart beat faster. "You are very special, Albus. Believe me." He whispered and his tone didn't leave room for arguments. He leaned forward to kiss him. "I knew that you were special the moment I met you. And I have realized it every day after that." Gellert kissed him again, more urgent this time. "I love you."

"I love you too." Albus whispered and sighed when Gellert's hands began to explore his body. Suddenly, Gellert moved so that he was on top of him.

"Encouraging your sister to draw something for Christmas is also very great." He smiled at Albus and there was so much love in his gaze that he thought his heart was going to stop.

"It was her idea. I just promised her to get everything she needs." Albus explained.

"Not every wizard would approve something like that. Since it's an activity Muggles do." Now Gellert's tone was more serious.

"And I think that it shouldn't be like this. Everyone should be able to do what he or she wants. And not be judged for that."

Gellert nodded. "You're right. However, acceptance will always be a problem."

Somehow, Albus knew that he didn't mean the drawing anymore. "Do you care?"

Gellert's eyes widened in surprise. "Albus…" He began slowly, unsure what to say.

"I asked if you care about it. That they won't accept us." He repeated his words.

The look on Gellert's face changed. The surprise was replaced by a stern determination and Gellert's eyes were shining. "My love, you already know the answer." With those words, he leaned down and kissed him again passionately.

The next morning, Albus went to London to get the drawing supplies for Ariana. In the meantime, Gellert stayed with her. He hadn't been happy that Albus wanted to go to London alone, but in the end, he had to give in. His love could be very stubborn when he wanted something. Of course he had also appealed to Gellert's conscience since someone had to stay with Ariana. Even if they both knew that she would also be alright for a few hours alone.

To be honest, Gellert hated being apart from Albus. He had always felt uneasy when the other one wasn't around, especially since the incident with Ariana and the cat, where both Albus and Ariana had nearly lost their lives. And after Dimitri had been there a few days ago… Gellert knew that it was foolish, but his heart stared to race in his chest every time Albus wasn't around. Even if he just left the room for a few minutes.

The thought of losing Albus, that he might run away from him, was still too new. And it hurt. When they had heard the scream of the cat and Gellert realized that Albus had listened to their conversation, his whole world had broken down. After telling Dimitri to go away, he had looked for Albus. When he couldn't find him, Gellert thought that he was going to die. He had never been this scared before. And then he'd found him and Albus had flinched away from him. This moment will hunt me forever. Gellert thought and it already did. He knew that he would have nightmares once Albus wouldn't sleep in his bed anymore.

Right now, he was in the kitchen with Ariana. She was already preparing the food for dinner and he watched her while doing that. He wasn't a good cook and helping would just end in a disaster.

"You could also tell me what really happened, you know?" Ariana asked suddenly and ripped him out of his thoughts.

"What do you mean?" Gellert asked and raised his eyebrows, even if she couldn't see it.

Ariana looked over her shoulder. "When you were gone the whole night. The day before yesterday." She explained. "Bathilda said an old schoolmate visited you and you had a fight. And that Albus was there to keep you from fighting. I don't believe that."

Gellert leaned back on his chair. Ariana used to notice everything. Somehow, he had already expected her to ask questions about that evening. And Albus did that as well. They had just talked about it this morning. "Why should my aunt lie to you?" Gellert asked calmly.

"That's what I asked myself as well." Ariana muttered. "And that's also why I didn't bring it up until now."

"Why don't you ask your brother?"

Slowly, Ariana turned around and crossed her arms. "I wanted to do that. But then I remembered the look on his face when he came here and brought Snowflake."

Gellert swallowed. He could imagine very well how Albus had looked back then.

"I've never seen him like this." Ariana continued. "Normally, he's always so calm. Nothing can break his patience. And he's not afraid of anything. Never." Gellert was always amazed by the way Ariana saw her oldest brother. "I was afraid that he might freak out, when I asked him about it." At the last words, she looked down and Gellert noticed that she was ashamed.

He chose his next words carefully. "Why should Albus freak out?"

When she looked at him, he saw the same determined gleam in her eyes that he'd seen on her brother so many times. "Can't we just stop pretending that nothing happened between the two of you on that evening?" She asked and caught him off guard with her words. "Albus was terrified. Scared like hell, Gellert. So don't tell me that you had a fight with a friend. And don't think that you can just tell me stories because I'm a little girl." She crossed her arms. "You always keep from me what's going on."

"Ariana…" Gellert began slowly and didn't know what to say. Right now, he wished even more that Albus would he here. He would know what to tell her.

"You had a fight with Albus." Ariana said simply. "And it was a bad one, I suppose. Ever since you came from your room yesterday morning, you watch each other like someone's going to disappear." She leaned on the counter and raised her eyebrows. "Or am I wrong?"

He inhaled deeply. "Why do you ask all those questions?"

Suddenly, Ariana's shoulders sank down and she bit her bottom lip. In this moment, she really looked like a little girl. "I just don't want you two to get hurt." She admitted. "Everything is perfect right now. But when you fight and you are going to leave, Albus will never get over that, Gellert. And I don't think that it would be easy for you as well."

Slowly, Gellert stood up from his chair and knelt down in front of her. He took her hands into his. "Why should I leave, Ariana?" He asked softly. "You know what your brother means to me. And I could never leave him."

Slowly, Ariana nodded. "I believe you, but when you fight again…"

"We won't." He interrupted her quickly.

And then something unexpected happened. Ariana wrapped her arms around him and began to cry. "I was scared when Albus showed up here like this. But then he brought the cat and Bathilda came here and said that everything was alright… I knew it wasn't. I just knew it. And I've been right, haven't I?"

Gellert sighed. "Everything is alright, Ariana. You don't have to worry. I promise." He whispered into her ear. He knew that he could never tell her what really happened. That was something between Albus and him. The only important thing right now was that she knew that everything was alright.

She looked at him sadly. "Really?"

He nodded. "Really."

It took him more time to calm her down completely. When Albus came back two hours later, he found them in the living room. Ariana was playing with Snowflake while Gellert looked out of the window in silence, a thoughtful look on his face.