Interlude I.
It had been a year since Albus had first met Gellert.
He had went back to Hogwarts, forcing himself to accomplish more magic. Forcing himself to be better. He wanted to impress Gellert when he next saw him, but it had been two weeks since he came back from Hogwarts and Gellert hadn't appeared.
Albus went back to the river every single day at the exact same time, to try to clear his mind from everything that was happening at him and hoping that he would catch Gellert there.
It didn't seem like he would come back.
It saddened him. Gellert was a breath of fresh air to Albus. He helped Albus forget about his family troubles. He also gave Albus hope that things would be better.
His Father had been jailed for trying to avenge his little sister. He had hexed and cursed those stupid little Muggles within an inch of their lives, and he had paid for it.
It angered Albus that his Father had been unjustly convicted. Why should Wizards pay for Muggle mistakes? Why shouldn't we be able to avenge our loved ones? His Father should have been hailed a hero for what he had done. Those Muggles deserved every inch of pain they got.
Of course, the Ministry didn't see it that way.
Now, Albus was feeling the pressure from his family. His little brother was trying to force him to become the man of the house. ''You have duties, Albus! Our little sister needs you. She's more important than some stupid school! You can buy books from Flourish and Blotts!"
Albus wanted to curse him.
Didn't Aberforth understand how important Hogwarts was? Didn't he understand that if Albus was to fully look after his sister, he would need qualifications to get a good enough job to support him?
To be fair, Aberforth was only eleven years-old, and, he was constantly worried about Ariana. He didn't even go to Hogwarts.
Albus sighed quietly. He was trying his best.
"You look a little lost, kid." Came a familiar voice behind him.
Albus whipped round, "You came."
"You thought I had forgotten about you?" Gellert smirked.
Albus felt his face go beet red, "Whatever," and turned back around.
"What's the matter?" Gellert sounded genuinely concerned.
"Nothing," Albus replied tightly. "It's none of your business."
"I thought we were friends."
"Friends keep in contact with each other," Albus knew he sounded like a whiny child, but he didn't care.
"So that's what's bothering you," Gellert moved to stand next to him. "I'm sorry."
"You mean that?"
"Of course," Gellert looked at him. "I will write you letters when you return to Hogwarts."
"Okay," Albus wanted to stay mad at him, but he couldn't. Gellert was his only friend.
"Are you going to tell me what is wrong?"
"My Father got arrested."
"When?"
"Six months ago. He went after the Muggles that hurt Ariana. Cursed them a lot. The Ministry sentenced him to twelve years."
Gellert's eyes flashed darkly, "Your Ministry is pathetic. Your Father did the right thing by going after those Muggles."
"I know that," Albus replied.
Gellert kept staring at him, and it was making Albus feel uncomfortable. "What?"
"Something else is bothering you. You've had six months to come to terms with your Father's imprisonment. So tell me the real reason you're out here."
"It's nothing important," Albus muttered.
"Tell me," Gellert commanded.
Everything that Albus had been holding inside came tumbling out. He told Gellert how his Mother had decided to hide Ariana because the Dumbledore name couldn't afford anymore scandals. He also spoke about his brother, Aberforth, wanting him to leave Hogwarts to take care of their little sister.
"I know he's young, but Hogwarts is too important! If I leave Hogwarts now, I won't be able to get a decent job to take care of them all. He thinks I'm just being selfish and that I don't care about them. Of course I care! They're my family!" Albus let his emotions run their course. First came anger, followed by sadness and grief.
Gellert walked up to him and rested his hand on Albus's shoulder. "Do not fret, Albus. Your brother is young and rightfully worried. If you spoke to him calmly about why you need to attend Hogwarts, I am positive he will understand."
"I've tried that, Gellert! He doesn't understand. I want to take care of them, I do but the only way I can do that, is if I get as much OWLS and NEWTS as I can."
"Why can't your Mother care for your siblings?"
"She's lost.. After Ariana got attacked my Mum was terrified. I think she is ashamed of how Ariana has turned out. She's distanced herself from her. Now that Dad's been jailed, she's lost. She doesn't have the willpower to get herself out of bed everyday never mind take care of her children. My brother's furious about it. I understand completely of course but it's frustrating," Albus wiped his eyes clean.
Gellert stayed silent, he didn't know how to comfort someone. When Albus started to cry again, Gellert nudged him around so that he could wrap his arms around him.
They stayed like that for hours.
