May 30th, 1898. Godric's Hollow.

The heat was unbearable. Never had Ariana felt such an extreme temperature, as the sweltering heat wave that had fallen upon Godric's Hollow. Thankfully, she was locked away inside the Dumbledore cottage, where her brother had magically set the temperature to a nice cool breeze, which felt so heavenly when walking in from outside.

She had spent the morning feeding the goats, which roamed freely around the enormous abandoned paddocks behind the cottage. In truth, she had never felt so bored and lonely in her life.

Two weeks ago, Gellert Grindelwald arrived in Godric's Hollow, and in the last two weeks, she had seen her brother Albus once. It was as though her existence had been completely forgotten. With Aberforth at school and Mrs Bagshot in London for the annual 'Wizarding History Week', she had nothing but the company of children's books her brother's thought were the only appropriate literature for a girl 'so young and innocent'.

Therefore, she had spent the last two weeks rereading 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard', while her brother and his new best friend went... wherever they went. Once again, she had been ignored and with no friendly neighbour to make conversation she was left alone with nothing but her thoughts. This was one of the many reasons Aberforth was undoubtably her favourite brother: he cared.

'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' had always been her favourite read - well one tale in particular. 'Babbitty Rabbitty and her Crackling Stump' had always been an amusing read, as was 'The Wizard and the Hopping Pot' - but nothing was more fascinating than the iconic Tale of the Three Brothers.

She had often wondered if the tale was real, despite it been labeled nothing but a myth. Was 'death' really a person... or creature? Was there really an all powerful wand? Was there really a resurrection stone? Was there really a clock of invisibility? Sometimes she wished myths and legends didn't exist; some of them seemed to real to be made up. Sometimes, the greatest imaginations can fool us into thinking lies are reality.

It was then her thoughts were interrupted by three sharps knocks on her back door, ones identical to the knocks she had heard two weeks ago. She approached the door carefully, knowing that the handsome young man must be alone (Albus would've just barged in), flatting the creases in her dress, before turning the door knob and pulling the door open.

"Ariana! Long time, no see. You're brother has taken a trip into Diagon Alley to meet some old friends from school, and despite his pestering I insisted staying behind, no wanting to intrude. I then found myself rather bored, and decided to come have visit," he smiled charmingly, making Ariana melt at the sight of his captivating blue eyes.

"Of course, would you like some tea?" she asked, trying to find the confidence she had found the first time they spoke. Her question however, was responded with a laugh.

"Why is it that English women always ask for tea when inviting someone into their home?" he asked amused. She had been taken aback at the question, but soon realised it was entirely true.

"Well, it's curtesy here. And who could possibly drink more tea than the English?" she jested, making Gellert smile once again.

"Very true, but I will take you up on that offer regardless of the humorous stereotype."

Entering the kitchen from the back door, she quickly poured the already hot tea into teacups for both of them, unaware of Gellert's eyes following her every move.

"So, I see you and my brother have been getting on well," she began.

"Yes, I very much enjoy the company of someone with such intelligence as Albus. He is quite brilliant, and he seems to share the same... opinions... on multiple matters," he replied, his eyes wandering on the curious surroundings.

"And what matters would those be?"

"Magical Laws, the relationships between wizards and muggles, politics and such. Nothing to worry about," he replied.

"Well, Mr. Grindelwald, what is your opinion on the relationship between wizards and muggles?" she asked curiously.

"I believe that wizards should not have to stay in hiding and live in fear of exposure. We are a superior kind to the rest of the human race," he replied, carefully wording his response.

"So you believe that the wizarding world and muggle world should not be separated? That wizards should rule over muggles?" she replied.

"Exactly."

"But what about those who don't fit in the muggle world, but nor do they fit in the wizarding world?" she asked, her tone more aggressive than before.

"What do you mean? There are wizards and there are muggles - squibs are muggles," he said, confused to what had caused her anger.

"Well, your world doesn't seem to fit quite right for me then - I'd like to have no part in it," she spat, trying to conceal the rage building up inside of her.

"I still don't understand, you are a witch, aren't you?" he asked.

"No, nor am I a squib or a muggle."

"Then what are you?" he responded, leaning towards her slightly from across the table, his eyes staring intensely into hers, trying to intimidate her but with no luck.

"I would tell you, if my brother's wouldn't boil me alive."

Staring out the window, millions of stars forming various shapes twinkled in the night sky, the full moon illuminating the surroundings of Godric's hollow for Gellert Grindelwald to see. His thoughts had been running wild since his tense conversation with the Dumbledore girl earlier that day, how she went from sweet, scarred and harmless, to tense, aggravated and angry in seconds.

Whenever talking to Albus, he noticed how whenever he casually mentioned Ariana in conversation, Albus would quickly diverge the conversation or change the topic, as though he was hiding something.

Talking to her was like talking to two different people, but changing between the two so quickly he didn't think she even noticed herself. It was so fascinating to watch, yet rather confusing and terrifying in another sense.

He was sitting in his bedroom, skimming through a large collection of books he had taken from the shelves in the Library, hoping to find any clue to what she was. But as expected, there were wizards, squibs and muggles - nothing in between.

Maybe she was a squib. He'd never before seen her perform magic, and she certainly admitted to not being able to use it - despite his aunt insisting she had seen her do it. But there was just something about her outburst, the magic staring to... radiate... through the air as her anger increased and her strict denial of being both muggle or squib, that made his doubt his suspicions.

Apparently, her brother Aberforth would be arriving home from Hogwarts in a few weeks. None had much to say about him and he sounded like a rather boring person, but from what he'd heard from his aunt, Aberforth had a much better relationship with Ariana than Albus did. Maybe he'd be able to get something out of him? He doubted it.

For the first time in his life, Gellert had come across something he couldn't solve: he didn't like that feeling.

As dawn approached, Albus rose quickly from his bed, wanting to make himself look as pristine perfect for his new found friend. He bathed and shaved, taking a great deal of time picking out an outfit, wanting to look smart and impressive without looking too desperate.

Never had Albus felt so intimidated in his life the moment he laid eyes on Gellert Grindelwald. For once, he was no longer the star of the show - not that he minded in this case - and instead spent most of his time wanting to impress the young man Gellert, so beautiful in both looks and words.

With his robes complete and the sun appearing on the horizon, he quickly headed downstairs and past his sleeping sister's room without a second glance, excitedly making his way over to the Bagshot cottage, where he found his friend sitting on the cottage's front porch, his shoulders hunched over, his elbows resting on his knees, emphasising his lean yet muscular figure that almost made Albus swoon.

"Gellert! You ready to see Hogsmede?" he asked both cheerfully and nervously.

The young man (who actually seemed much older than Albus) looked up at him, giving a small smile and faking enthusiasm as he took his friends arm to apparate, masking his troubled distress as they took off to the wizarding village so close to Hogwarts.

Meanwhile, Ariana had woken from her slumber, and was gazing at the ceiling of her room in utter boredom and frustration, having just seen her brother and him apparate to god knows where, without so much as a thought of her. But, her angry gaze was soon broken by tapping on the window, the family owl fluttering it's wings to get her attention.

Eagerly sitting up in her bed, she opened up the window to take the letter from around the owl's feet, quickly opening it with a relieved smile.

Dear Ariana,

I apologise darling sister for not writing in so long, the first year of NEWTs has been exhausting and with this week being the first week of exams, I had little time to write this letter.

Have you been faring well? I sincerely hope you haven't had any more episodes recently, and if you do remember what I instructed.

From your recent letter, I take that our annoying brother has finally found a partner in crime to bond over boring study stuff that no one cares about. You mentioned he hasn't been around since this friend arrived? I hope he realises you are in his care now that mother has passed, or he will be getting a right old talking from me.

Onto better news, Gryffindor won the Quidditch Cup! Our new seeker has won us every game in the tournament, and he's only a third year so there's plenty more years we have him playing for us! The most shocking thing about Quidditch this year however, was the Slytherin team had it's first ever girl playing for them! It's taken them this long to accept women have potential in the sport - but don't let that give you any ideas.

I will be home soon! I promise I'll let you go to the park when I'm with you, I don't want you to but put in any danger. Remember, even though Albus isn't there even more than he wasn't before, do not leave the house without supervision! I only say this for you're own safety sweet sister.

Yours sincerely,

Ab.

She rolled her eyes at his warnings, the same warning's that usually took up half the space of all the letter's she received from him. She was a girl of fourteen now, yet her brother still treated her like a small baby incapable of looking after herself.

So as usual, she disobeyed her brother's rules and left the house, despite the much more pleasant temperature inside, and went for a walk to the pond in on of the abandoned paddocks behind the cottage, where a large tree provided need shade from the scorching sun that started to suck the life out of everything beneath it.

Pulling out the book she had stolen from her brother Albus's room, she began to skim through the pages while dipping her barefoot into the lukewarm pond under the shade, opening herself to a world she was never allowed to go near. The Dark Truth: Tales of the Four Founders of Hogwarts.

Perhaps the loneliness and forgotten existence had it's perks; freedom being the first.

Thoughts? Don't worry, some serious stuff is going to start happening next chapter, starting with Aberforth arriving back from Hogwarts...

Fav if you like'd it and comment you're opinions!

- Emma