The next chapter! I'm sorry that it took me so long to write it, but my other stories were keeping me busy, as well as the rest of my life. I'll try to continue this faster. This chapter is shorter than the previous ones, but I hope you don't mind. Soon, the really exciting part of this story will begin! Please let me know what you think of this chapter, that would be awesome!

I don't own the characters or places!

"Until next week, I want you to write me an assay about the Unforgivable Curses and why you should never use them." Gellert declared loudly. It was the end of the last lesson on Friday and slowly, his students were getting restless. They wanted the weekend to start now, especially since there would be a Quidditch match. Gryffindor against Slytherin. It was the match of the year. Everyone was waiting eagerly for it, even Albus and he wasn't that much of a Quidditch fan. However, his beloved was Head of Gryffindor and he had to support his house.

All around him, students were sighing, but Gellert just smiled. The seventh years were always taught as much as possible about the Unforgivable Curses and no one ever liked this. In his past two years as a teacher, he'd learned that. However, it was very important to him to make them learn as much as possible about them.

Something bad was going to come and everyone should be prepared as good as possible. After the attack on the wizards nearly two years ago, which Nicolas Flamel had informed them about, the situation in the east had been calm. Albus and Gellert suspected that Dimitri and his followers were plotting again and there was nothing they could do against it. It was still driving them crazy.

However, in the past weeks, they'd noticed something. The attacks on Muggles started again, even though they couldn't tell if Dimitri was responsible. As always, Albus and Gellert, as well as their contacts, were keeping an eye on everything. By now, a few others were suspicious as well.

Gellert started to collect his things and looked at the clock. He wanted to meet Albus outside. It was a very warm day and the summer would be there soon. Which also meant that the year at Hogwarts would end again. His second year as teacher for Defence Against the Dark Arts. It was incredible how fast the time passed now that he had a real purpose in life.

Everything in his life was perfect. He had the most amazing man by his side and loved him with all his heart. Even after so many years, it still surprised him that Albus loved him as well. Albus' family was still living in Hogsmeade, even if Ariana was making further studies concerning herbology. That meant that she was spending time in different regions of the country as well. One of Albus' friends was teaching her. By now, no one noticed anymore that she wasn't taught at Hogwarts. Ariana was able to control her magic just like everyone else and Gellert hadn't been surprised to see that she was nearly as skilled as her oldest brother. She wanted to be a healer one day and they all encouraged her to follow her dreams. Even Aberforth, who was still owner of the Hog's Head Inn.

Gellert's aunt was still living at Godric's Hollow. He and Albus visited her regularly and if they did, they lived in the house of the Dumbledore's. They had kept it, even f it was empty most of the time. Then, Bathilda took care of it.

By now, she had nearly finished her new book. Hogwarts: A History. Albus and Gellert had helped her with research very much and it was amazing how many things they'd found out about the castle. Of course there were far more secrets they didn't find yet, and Gellert doubted that anyone would know every secret this building had.

When he left the classroom and locked the door behind him, he breathed a sigh of relief. This week had been pretty exhausting. The exams were getting closer and as always, the students wouldn't stop asking questions. He'd mentioned this to Albus the other night and his love had just grinned. "You'll get used to it." It didn't surprise Gellert that those questions didn't bother Albus at all. He was far too patient.

"Ah, Gellert, it's good to see you!" A voice behind him said and Gellert didn't have to turn around to see who it was.

"Hello Minerva." He turned around and smiled at her. Minerva McGonagall had started teaching this year. She was the youngest teacher Hogwarts ever had, even younger than Albus when he started teaching, but so far, she was doing a very good job. She was teaching Charms and the students loved her, even if she was already very strict. "Did you have a nice week or are your students just as nervous as mine because of the upcoming exams?"

She laughed. "They are afraid that my tasks won't be solvable, I fear." Minerva was smiling while saying this. Even if she was strict, she had a good heart.

"Your first year and you have already a reputation." Gellert grinned.

"Well, the posts for the two most popular teachers were already taken, so I had to look for something else." She noted.

"There's only one favourite of the students, and we both know it's not me." Gellert corrected her firmly.

"I think Albus wouldn't agree with you concerning this." Minerva said. "And the students love you as well."

"I'm not as kind as Albus." It was true, Gellert was stricter, but to his surprise, the students liked him anyway.

"The children see you as a team." She noted. "Which isn't a surprise since you spend every free minute together."

"He's my best friend." It was true, Albus was his best friend, but at the same time so much more.

"I think we both know that he's more than that." Minerva was talking quietly now and at her words, Gellert looked around automatically to make sure that no one else was close by. Luckily, they were alone in the corridor.

"What do you mean?" He frowned at her, trying to sound clueless.

"I'm not blind. I know that you love each other." She looked around as well. "Don't worry, I think no one else noticed it. You're good at hiding your feelings."

He stared at her. Should he deny it or tell her the truth? He knew that Albus liked Minerva very much, but shouldn't they decide this together? When she raised her eyebrows slowly, Gellert knew that he couldn't lie to her. She wouldn't believe him anyway. "How did you know?"

"I've seen the way you look at each other. And maybe I've caught you once or twice when you were sneaking to his room at night." At this, she grinned.

Gellert rolled his eyes. "Just because you're an Animagus, you can't just spy on people."

"You didn't try to hide." She said simply. "I was just going for a walk."

"At night. As a cat." He snorted. "Nice try."

"I won't tell anyone." Minerva promised. "In fact, I'm happy for you."

Gellert still wasn't feeling comfortable, but he forced a smile on his lips. "Thank you. I bet Albus won't be surprised when I tell him that you know?"

She shrugged. "He's very attentive. And sometimes, it feels like he could look directly into someone's head." He could, but he would never do that. Albus was just good with people.

"Will you be at the Quidditch match tomorrow?" He decided to change the subject now.

She nodded. "Of course." When she grinned, she looked even younger. "I hope Gryffindor will win. Otherwise, I might lose a bet."

"They will. I've watched them practicing, the team is really good."

Minerva chuckled. "I think we'll come back to that. Maybe we could go out for a drink after the match? Of course only if Albus will also be fine with it."

"I'll talk to him." Gellert said. "And now I've really got to leave, he's waiting for me."

"Have fun with your date." She grinned, but suddenly, it was replaced by a frown. "You look so serious sometimes, there's something going on, isn't it?"

He raised his eyebrows. "I don't know what you mean."

"I've seen Albus reading a newspaper from Eastern Europe the other day at breakfast. You're looking for something. And you always get letters from different parts of the world." Why did that woman had to be so attentive?

"Is it wrong to inform yourself about the events in the world?" He asked more coldly than planned.

Minerva sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. This is none of my business, I know." She smiled apologetically. "Just let me know when I can help you." Without another word, she turned around and left him alone in the hallway.

Gellert stared after her for a few moments, thinking of the conversation again. Then he left the castle to look for Albus. He found him sitting under a tree close to the lake, looking at the water thoughtfully. When Gellert approached him, he turned his head and smiled. However, it was replaced by a frown quickly.

"What's going on, love? You look troubled." He asked, concern evident in his voice.

Gellert sat down next to him and took his hand, hidden under their cloaks. "I've just had a nice conversation with Minerva."

Albus didn't look surprised. "She knows about us, doesn't she?"

"How did you know?" Gellert raised his eyebrows.

"She's been hinting something the other day, though I wasn't sure if I'd understood her correctly." Albus explained.

"You and not understanding something correctly?"

Albus chuckled. "It was the day someone nearly blew up the Hufflepuff table in the great hall. I got distracted."

Gellert nodded slowly. "Ah, I remember that. I've heard that it was quite spectacular. What a shame that I missed it."

Instead of an answer, Albus showed him a mental image about said event. Gellert laughed. "Wow, that was close."

"They still get detention." Albus nodded. "And I think it will last for the rest of the school year."

"That's good. People might get hurt if that happens again."

"So what did Minerva say?" Albus changed the subject.

In short words, Gellert told him about the conversation. He also mentioned the last part of her being suspicious because of all the letters.

Albus looked thoughtful. "She notices very much. However, I trust that she won't tell anyone else about us."

"You like her." Gellert noted.

Albus smiled. "Ah, my love, but you like her as well, or am I wrong?"

Albus was right. Gellert really liked Minerva McGonagall. She was honest and didn't mind saying her opinion, even if others might not like it. It set her apart from most other people.

"Do we know anything new yet?" He asked curiously, knowing that an owl had arrived for Albus today.

"Just a letter from Ariana." Albus answered. "Her education will go into the next phase soon and then she'll be able to do an internship at St. Mungo's."

Gellert grinned. "That's great. How did you manage to do that?"

Albus laughed. "It wasn't me. She asked herself and they agreed to take her immediately."

"Because of herself or the last name?"

At this, Albus stared at him. "What do you mean?"

"You're getting famous, love." Gellert said simply and squeezed his hand. "It is known all over the country how brilliant you are."

"I don't want to be famous." Albus sighed.

"But you are." He stated. "So stop complaining." He would have loved to kiss Albus now, but it wasn't possible. It was far too crowded outside.

Of course Albus knew about his intentions and grinned. "Shall we go to my quarters?"

Instead of answering, Gellert pulled him to his feet.

The Quidditch match was a full success for Gryffindor. They won the last match of the year and could defend their title. After that, there was a big party in the Gryffindor common room. The fact that one of the players got injured because he fell off his broom also couldn't change the mood. Luckily, Albus had reacted fast and lessened the fall with a spell, so the boy only had bruises instead of broken bones. In that moment, it had taken all of Gellert's strength not to grab and kiss Albus right in front of the entire school.

After the match, they went to Hogsmeade with Minerva and some other teachers. They considered going to the Three Broomsticks, but ended up in the Hog's Head. Ever since Aberforth owned it, it was a really nice place and many people went there. Ariana had decorated the Inn and even Gellert had to admit that it looked quite beautiful in there.

Luckily, Minerva didn't mention the conversation with Gellert again. Instead, they talked about the school year, teaching and students, as well as their plans for the holidays. When Gellert mentioned that his aunt was writing a book about Hogwarts, all the attention was focused on it and soon, they were all discussing the secrets of the castle.

Albus and Gellert didn't have many plans for the holidays yet. They wanted to visit Nicolas Flamel in Paris and go to Godric's Hollow, but next to that, they just wanted to relax. And keep an eye on the events in the world, of course. Maybe also do some research on the Deathly Hallows since they were both still interested in them, even if it wasn't an obsession anymore.

Sooner than expected, the exams at Hogwarts were over and the school year ended. Gryffindor won the House Cup and Albus was very proud of his students. Then Professor Dippet held the last speech of the year and the students prepared to go home the next day.

Albus and Gellert stayed at Hogwarts a little longer, enjoying the time in the castle without all the students, but then they also had to leave. As always, the holidays passed far too fast. They enjoyed their time together and sometimes, Gellert wished that he could just tell the world that Albus was his. He would have loved to marry him someday.

Far too soon, the next year at Hogwarts began. Albus and Gellert arrived at the school two weeks earlier and began to prepare everything for their lessons. Then the students arrived and the first years walked into the Great Hall for the first time, looking at everything with amazement in their eyes.

That's when Gellert saw him for the first time. He was much younger than in his dreams, but he recognized him anyway. A small, shy looking boy with red hair and freckles. When he stiffened, Albus followed his gaze and Gellert could see from the look on his face that Albus also knew whom he was seeing there. Under the table, he squeezed Gellert's hand.

The boy was called Newt Scamander and he was sorted to Hufflepuff.

In this moment, Gellert knew that the events he'd been dreaming of for years now were about to start.

He didn't follow the speech of Headmaster Dippet, he was too lost in thoughts for that. He saw Newt Scamander when he was older, walking through an unknown city with a suitcase. Himself and Albus, standing side by side, their wands raised. And Albus lying on the ground, covered in blood, and Dimitri hovering over him, a wide smile on his lips.