Albus tightened his black tie, his head bowed as he watched the coffin lowered into the ground, containing his mother's body.
"I'm sorry," said a quiet voice from behind him. He turned around to see a familiar figure with blonde hair, taller than he remembered and even more good looking.
"Gellert." he said, and his friend smiled.
"I'm back."
"If mother was still alive then I wouldn't be here to see you. I'd be halfway around the world with Elphias Doge."
Gellert raised an eyebrow
"I'm shocked. I'd have thought you'd wait till I got back."
"It's been six years," Albus retorted, and Gellert shrugged.
"Yeah, sorry about that Al. But I'm back now."
Albus nodded morosely.
"Back to madness."
"I've been doing some research," Gellert said "I'll tell you about it in a minute. Where's Goat Boy?"
"At home with Ariana." Albus said shortly, turning away from his mother's grave. He walked away, his hands deep in his pockets.
"Why did you come back?"
Gellert looked slightly shifty, his curly blonde hair covering his eyes.
"I was expelled from Durmstrang," he said shortly. Albus' eyes widened.
"You didn't say you left to go to school. I thought you'd be gone for a few months, not this long."
"Yeah well I didn't know either." Gellert replied sourly.
"Why didn't you write?" Albus persisted.
"I was busy. Research, like I said. I'll tell you when we get back to your house."
"A little presumptuous to believe I'd ask you back to my house isn't it?"
Gellert grinned.
"I know you, Al. You're dying to find out what I know now."
"Maybe you don't know me," Albus replied "After all these years, maybe I've changed."
"Maybe I've changed as well," his friend answered with a smile. "Go on Albus. You know you want to."
"Fine, I'll listen." Albus muttered, and Gellert smirked. They got back to the house, and found Aberforth sitting at the dining table. He looked up at Albus as he came in, Gellert at his heels.
"What is he doing here?" Aberforth snarled. Gellert smiled sweetly
"Hello Aberforth, long time no see. To your room, Albus?"
Albus nodded, leading Gellert upstairs.
"Tell me about your research then." he prompted, sitting on his bed. Gellert lay down beside him, propping his head on one arm.
"I learned about the Deathly Hallows, Albus."
"The…" Albus asked, feeling a little stupid. Gellert grinned.
"A trio of legendary objects. You know the story of the Three Brothers, yes?"
"Of course," Albus retorted "A fictional children's tale."
"Not so," Gellert replied "The objects exist. And whoever owns all three Hallows will be Master of Death."
Albus raised an eyebrow
"A fanciful tale indeed, Gel."
"Yes, I also scoffed when I heard of the Hallows." Gellert said quietly "But they exist. In fact, the grave of one of the Three Brothers is in this village."
Albus' eyes narrowed.
"So that's why you came back." he said coldly. He smoothed down his funeral robes and looked away from Gellert.
"Did you miss me, then?" Gellert laughed. His face became more serious
"I would have come back anyway." he insisted. Albus shrugged, not really believing him.
"So you want to find these Hallows."
"We are going to find the Hallows." Gellert nodded "Imagine it, Al. Ariana wouldn't need to hide anymore. None of us would be persecuted by Muggles. And you and I could live forever."
"Eternal life?" Albus said "And ruling over Muggles?"
"The Muggles have ruled over us for long enough," Gellert replied "Forcing us all to hide. We should be free."
"And stoop to their level?" he shot back, raising an eyebrow.
"It would be for the greater good." Gellert insisted. "They are in the wrong here. We are the victims. But not any more."
Albus nodded slowly. Gellert had a point.
"Okay Gel, I'll help you. What are we going to do?"
His friend smiled.
"We need to find the location of the three Hallows." he said "I've been working on the best one; The Elder Wand."
"The Elder Wand…" Albus breathed. He had heard of the Deathstick, never believing it to be real. "So it definitely exists, then?"
"Oh yes," Gellert nodded "Without a doubt. I have been tracing its path over history. With your help, we can find it."
"It's a fool's errand, Gel," Albus said "We'll never find it."
Gellert grinned
"How did you get all those school awards with an attitude like that? We can find it, and what is more, we will find it."
Albus shrugged
"If you say so."
"I know so, Albus." Gellert said solemnly. "We will find each of the Hallows, and we will rule the world."