A few hours later, and Albus was finally allowed to leave. Just like they had agreed, Aberforth called Gellert to come get them with the car, and he did, stopping the car in front of the hospital and waiting until the three Dumbledores were inside. Aberforth sat in the front seat with Ariana and Albus made their way to the back, the eldest Dumbledore grumbling the whole way about how tired he was and how cold everything seemed. Gellert turned on the car's heater and waited until Albus was comfortably laying down on Ariana's lap, curled up like a child over the back seat.
Only then he drove off to the Dumbledore residence.
"What did the doctors say?" he asked, looking over at Ariana through the little mirror, and she sighed, slowly brushing her brother's hair.
"He said Albus needs to stay at least two days at home. And if he develops anything, we should take him back to the hospital and then another three to five days in bed" she mumbled and frowned. "He will get so angry."
"Well, we can't do anything. It was his fault" Aberforth said, looking down at his phone and looking for a number. "I guess I will have to warn his manager and McGonagall..."
"You better" Ariana agreed, pulling Albus closer when he started to lean towards the edge of the seat. "At least like this they will know why he's absent. But like, make up something, don't tell them he stupidly stayed out in the snow okay?"
"Of course, sis, do you think I'm stupid?" he huffed and called the manager first, frowning as it rang. When he accepted the call, Aberforth closed his eyes. "Oh hello mister Harold, it's Aberforth, Albus' brother. Yeah, I know he didn't show up, I'm with him- no, no he hasn't- sir- just... oh god... sir listen, he got a severe cold. We took him to the doctors, we don't know exactly how it happened, all we know is that he is sick. Very sick. He won't be able to go back to work for another week. Uhm. Yes. Yes I am aware. I am also aware that you haven't given him any vacations during these two years he has been working with you and that goes against the law. Yes. I will get the medical leave if you want. Sure yeah whatever. Hm. Al- alright. Alright. Goodbye" he hang up and groaned loudly, rubbing his face. "I... hate this guy."
"Is there anyone you actually like?" Gellert asked, curiously, with a hidden laugh in his words, and Aberforth raised an eyebrow, looking at him.
"Don't piss me off Grindelwald. I just made a compromise with you."
"Abe, call Minerva" Ariana reminded him, frowning at the two. Aberforth nodded and dialed another number, sighing and looking out of the window.
"Hello? Hello? Oh McGonagall? Hey, Aberforth here. Albus' brother. Oh yeah we found him, don't worry. He is... actually he is sick. We don't know exactly what happened but he is sick and the doctors said he should stay home for a week or so... can you talk to the school's headmaster? Yeah... I will get him a medical leave, I just need you to warn the headmaster before- oh yeah sure. Sure sure no problem. I will send it to you when I get home. No problem. Oh thank you! Thanks McGonagall! Have a great day" he hang up, and chuckled. "She's nice."
"You have had a crush on her for five years Aberforth."
"Regardless!"
"So, is she a teacher at Albus' school?" Gellert asked, curiously, and both siblings looked at each other, remembering how Albus didn't want Gellert to know about the school. They stayed quiet for a moment, before Ariana shook her head.
"No! In fact she is... one of his classmates! She's very nice, McGonagall! A true friend of Albus!"
"He doesn't look like someone that has many friends" Gellert said, honestly, and turned to the street leading to their house. Aberforth shrugged, leaning back against the seat.
"having friends is not a family business" he mocked, smirking to himself. "I barely have any. Albus actually has a little more than I do, considering his co-workers. And there is the guy from his school... but he has been gone for over an year now."
"Elphias?" Ariana asked, and Aberforth nodded. "Gosh, it has been an year already?! Time flies..."
"Who is Elphias?" Gellert asked, curious, and Aberforth shrugged.
"A guy Albus was friends with. Like, real close friends. He was always very nice, but after school was over he left to a trip around Europe or whatever. He hasn't returned since, but sometimes he sent Albus messages, emails and even letters. I haven't heard of him for over a month..."
"Me neither. I don't think Albus has, or else he would have told us" Ariana agreed, and smiled. "I miss Elphy. He was always so nice to me."
"truly a gentleman, that guy" Aberforth said, tiling his head. "I wonder if he ever thinks of returning to Godric's Hollow... But then again, after seeing the whole world, who would want to come back to this little village?"
"He would. I bet he is counting the days to see his best friend again" Ariana said, grinning wide and looking down at the sleeping Albus on her lap. Aberforth chuckled and looked over at Gellert, who was awfully quiet. When he did, he knew exactly what his lack of expression meant.
It made him smirk in amusement.
"We are here" Gellert said, parking the car in front of their house and nodded. "Do you need any help taking him in?"
"Nah, we are good" Ariana assured, shaking Albus until he woke up. "Sleeping beauty, we are home" she sang softly and kissed his forehead. He grumbled and shook his head, nuzzling against her again. "Albus... you need to get up."
"Noooo" he whined, and she giggled, before Aberforth opened the door and gently pulled Albus by the waist.
"Come on, you gotta get inside" he said, pulling Albus and making him groan before he opened his eyes and pulled himself up, leaning against Aberforth. "God damn it, did they give any sleeping meds?"
"He stayed awake the whole night you dummy" Ariana said, getting out and rushing to the door to open it up. "Come on, get him inside!"
"I am trying" Aberforth growled, holding Albus' waist and leading him to the door. Slowly, Albus seemed to be waking up, yawning loudly and walking by himself for a while, getting up the stairs to the house and heading straight to the couch. Aberforth let go of him and he curled up, nuzzling onto a pillow and immediately falling asleep. "I'm not taking him upstairs."
"Do you want me to?" Gellert asked, walking inside slowly and letting his eyes wonder around the house. Ariana smiled, amused, while Aberforth shook his head.
"No way you're touching my asleep brother, you creep" he said, crossing his arms. "You did what you had to, you can go now."
"God damn it Aberforth you're so rude" Ariana huffed and smiled at Gellert. "Thank you for your help. Want some tea? Some coffee?"
"I would accept some coffee, please" he admitted, nodding and slowly sitting down on the chair. Aberforth huffed and sat on the couch next to Albus, watching him for a minute or two before sighing.
"Why is he so insane?" he mumbled, shaking his head. Gellert shrugged.
"I'm sure it made sense in his mind. How, I do not know" he said, looking around and seeing a book on the side of the chair. He picked it up and studied it, before opening it up. "I thought he said he wasn't learning Gaelic."
"What?" Aberforth asked, looking up, and Gellert showed him the book.
"Ancient Gaelic. It was stuffed on the side of the chair" he said, slowly moving through the pages. "This is some interesting stuff... how to read the symbols, phonetics... even some ancient stories."
"Yeah, language is not up my alley" Aberforth mumbled, looking back at Albus and ignoring Gellert for a while. Gellert kept reading it, until Ariana came with the coffee. Then, he put the book away and picked the mug with a smile.
"Thank you."
"you're welcome. It is the least I could do for your help" she said, sitting next to Aberforth and looking at Albus. "Still asleep?"
"I think he will sleep throughout the whole day today" Abe mumbled and sighed. "he will wake up hungry. Very hungry."
"My aunt asked if she could make some food for you guys while Albus is getting back on his feet" Gellert said, sipping on his coffee. "She said that your classes are about to start, Ariana. That you won't have time to cook as much."
"Oh... yeah, they begin in two days" she frowned and then smiled. "Please tell her that she can make us some things, if she wants!"
"I will be sure to tell her that" he nodded and continued to drink his coffee in silence. The three of them stayed quiet for a while, looking over at Albus, who seemed to be having the sleep of his life. Ariana eventually stood up to pick some blankets and put over him, while Aberforth grabbed some pieces of wood outside and lit up the fireplace. Gellert just stayed around, since he had nothing to do and he wasn't asked to leave. The skies began to become darker, and eventually, night fell over them.
That was when he felt like he had overstayed his welcome, and left with a few goodbyes, going back to his house and making sure they knew they could call if they needed anything.