Chapter 22: Albus and Gellert

When Aberforth awoke the morning after his mother died, he almost didn't believe it. But as he sat there, holding onto Ariana, he knew it to be true.

His thoughts wandered back to the middle of the night, when his mother's body had lay dead on the floor. He'd been scared, too scared to go up to her to check whether or not she was dead or just unconscious. But he knew immediately what had happened and nothing could change that. Nothing could bring people back from the dead.

When he eventually had checked after Ariana calmed down completely, he bolted off toward the Potters'. He didn't like Cadmus that much, but he was one of the only two people in the whole village who knew about Ariana, as much as he hated that Ariana had to be hidden away. He would be the safest bet.

He couldn't remember what he'd said to him at all. All he could remember was that Cadmus told him to calm down and that he'd come over to look.

The next few hours were nothing he wanted to remember anymore, with Albus coming in with Cadmus demanding to see his mother, and the awkward silences that followed while a team of three Aurors, whom Cadmus trusted beyond anyone else… cleaned up.

Now the house was silent and Albus was nowhere to be seen. Well, it would be quiet and Albus wouldn't be seen if he didn't hear papers being shifted around and dishes being put down on a hard surface.

Gently, after shaking in head in hopes that the thoughts would go away, Aberforth repositioned Ariana and stood to go into the kitchen.

"What the hell is that racket, Albus?" he said.

But he stopped dead at the sight of Mrs. Bagshot there, cleaning dishes and the table off- all somehow at the same time.

Aberforth stared as she turned from the sink.

She didn't scold him like he thought she would. Instead, she crossed the room before Aberforth even realized it and wrapped her arms around him gently.

"That must have been so horrible to see," she said. "I'm very sorry."

"Where's my brother?" Aberforth asked, looking around the kitchen as she let go of him. He half expected Albus to materialize in front of him. It was definitely possible, but it didn't happen.

"He went for a walk," she said, crossing the kitchen to a pot that didn't belong to the Dumbledores. It was too nice. "I made some breakfast for all of you. Sit down."

Aberforth shook his head. "I'm going to put Ariana up in my room so she can sleep."

She didn't question why he was taking her to his room. Her sad smile told Aberforth she understood. He didn't want to put her in a room where something so bad had happened.

Aberforth lifted Ariana easily. He could have cursed his mother, her being so thin, but it felt too inappropriate. He'd get her to eat more over the summer. She'd be a healthy weight by the time he went back to Hogwarts.

No.

As he went sideways up the stairs, he knew he couldn't leave her. Didn't Albus say something about being head of the family, or was did Aberforth just assume he would taken that position, that rightful position?

Albus didn't know how to care for Ariana! He'd hardly been around since he was fifteen years old, having spent most of the last summer in his apprenticeship with Nicolas Flamel. He had no idea how to take care of their sister.

He had no idea how to calm her down.

How would he survive a whole year of Aberforth not being there to help? Even worse, he knew Albus had accepted a job in the Ministry. He'd want to work. Ariana couldn't be left alone. She'd be left alone for hours in his care.

Aberforth bit down on his lip hard. He couldn't let Albus take care of her. There was no way that was ever going to happen. No way.

But before he could form another thought, he heard something. He laid Ariana down on the bed gently, then stood up straight. Who would be knocking on their door at this hour?

He turned and stalked down the stairs, pushing passed Mrs. Bagshot by the kitchen door.

His eyes narrowed when he saw who had stopped by.

That boy. Gellert.

"Hello," Gellert said with an impish grin. Aberforth's eyes narrowed. "Is my auntie here?"

"Unfortunately," Aberforth gruffed under his breath. "Mrs. Bagshot!"

"What is it- oh, Gellert. Is something wrong?" Mrs. Bagshot asked when she got to the door.

The boy took a step forward, over the threshold. Aberforth's eyes narrowed even more. "Everything's fine," he said with his slight German accent. "I was just wondering what was going on. I was taking a walk into town and everyone's been whispering."

Aberforth didn't like it at all when Gellert stepped in another step. He had no choice but to step aside. Even though he was actually taller than the blonde boy, the aura of magic casting off him told him that he shouldn't get on the wrong side of him.

"My mother died," Aberforth said harshly, anyway.

Gellert's eyes widened and then he looked down to the floor, shaking his head. "Horrible. Very sorry."

Aberforth crossed his arms as Gellert crossed into the living area where Ariana had just been. He was very glad he'd moved her so he couldn't see.

"Yes, come in, Gellert, have some breakfast," said Mrs. Bagshot. "Aberforth, you too."

Aberforth reluctantly followed both of them into the kitchen. He didn't feel like eating, but if Gellert was there, coming into his house, then he would be around him at all times. He didn't know the boy at all. He'd just met him yesterday. And he didn't like him.

As Mrs. Bagshot served them both the porridge, Gellert looked up at Aberforth.

"I'm looking forward to meeting your brother," he said.

"Yes," Mrs. Bagshot said, nodding. "You two will get along fabulously."

Aberforth resisted the urge to roll his eyes. This would be a long summer.

Aberforth ate silently, wishing the boy would eat faster, but he seemed to be taking his merry time. He just wanted to be alone. Was that so horrible to ask after his mother had died?

He was just finishing up his portion when the front door opened again. For once, he was glad for Albus' presence. He waited impatiently for Albus to come into the kitchen.

And when he did, Aberforth expected him to raise his eyebrows at Gellert, demanding he get out so his family could be alone.

But that didn't happen, because Albus was not Aberforth.

Instead, Albus's eyes widened when he caught sight of Gellert for an instant before he looked away, down at Aberforth.

"Hello," Albus said, his face suddenly blushed. Aberforth felt his eyebrows narrow.

"Ah, Albus!" Mrs. Bagshot said, crossing the kitchen again to led him to sit next to Gellert. Aberforth watched, wondering what was going on with Albus, since he blushed even redder when he sat down. That wasn't like him at all. He was usually very cheerful when he met new people, always happy to talk to them. Not silent and bright red. Aberforth's eyes narrowed even more. "This is my nephew Gellert Grindelwald. Gellert, this is Albus Dumbledore."

Albus's eyes widened again, but this time in recognition, and then he held a hand out immediately. "Mrs. Bagshot has told me about you before."

Gellert smiled, taking Albus' outstretched hand. "As have I. It's nice to meet you."

If it was even possible, Albus' face got even redder.

Aberforth was sure he'd never seen his brother so nervous before. He was always collected, but this… it was so strange and, quite frankly, scary.

Aberforth couldn't take it. He stood up from the table and grabbed the feeding pile for the goats. "I'm going to check on Hokey and Pokey."

But Albus didn't even acknowledge him. Huffing, Aberforth walked back into the backyard.

This would be a fantastic summer. That was for sure.

At least he had his goats and Ariana.

Albus was sure he'd never been so nervous.

Even minutes after he shook hands with Gellert Grindelwald, he still felt the ghost of Gellert's skin on his and a remaining twinge of power he'd felt even before they touched.

He could tell Gellert was powerful. His magic seemed to radiate from him, which he'd never noticed in anyone else before. Bathilda had told him months ago that Gellert had gotten 12 O.. He was obviously very smart, but being near him, he could tell there was something about him that he never felt around anyone else before.

And honestly, it excited him.

"Auntie was telling me yesterday you were going on a world tour and wouldn't be back until August," Gellert said.

Albus frowned as Mrs. Bagshot handed him a bowl of porridge. "Well, I was… I can't now."

"Oh, I see," Gellert said, frowning as well. "Well, maybe we can chat this summer; talk about magic. I read a few of your Transfiguration Today articles that Auntie has. They're very interesting. I particularly liked the one from September, the one about Reverse Transfiguration. Fascinating view point."

"You think so?" Albus asked, smiling kindly. Someone had actually read his article! Someone his age! And Gellert actually understood it. Even Professor Garside, who always read his articles before publication, hadn't really understood what he was suggesting when he wrote that article.

"Oh, yes, it was very informative. I particularly liked-"

They talked about the article for a while, Albus growing more and more excited as time went on. Gellert was actually giving his own ideas that built up from what Albus had said in the article. That fascinated him. Most people he met only summarized articles or texts and rarely gave input that wasn't just opinionated. Gellert seemed to actually understand.

Finally someone he could talk to about magic!

"Why don't the both of you go outside?" Bathilda suggested, glancing out the window. "It's a lovely day."

Albus nodded obediently, hardly even realizing she said anything, but he still followed through and left the house and began walking down the cobbled road.

"So, you're done with school now?" Gellert asked as he ran his finger down the side of a gate that ran down the other side of the street, by the woods that back up to the graveyard further down the road.

"Yes," Albus said. "I couldn't wait to get out of there."

Gellert smiled. "That's why I left."

"Left what? School?" Albus said, surprised. "You dropped out?"

"Well," he said, shrugging. "I was getting in too much trouble. I thought it would be best just to leave. I'm intelligent enough. I could get a job easily if I wanted one based on my O.."

Albus felt as if he was lying, but somehow not. He raised his eyebrows, confused, but chose to ignore his suspicions that Gellert was lying somehow, or at least bending the truth. "And you don't have a job?"

"Not right now, maybe later." He paused, reaching up to pull a leaf from a tree. Albus watched him study it before he let it float in his hand. He twirled it around before he let it drop to the ground. "You're working?"

Albus sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know when I'll start. I was going to start in August when I got back, but I can't leave my brother alone."

"He doesn't seem helpless," Gellert said. "Mostly just suspicious."

Albus shrugged. "He's… wayward." He couldn't even mention his sister, because she could be worse.

"Ah."

There was a comfortable pause as they walked. Albus found it quite easy to be around this stranger; even easier than it was to be around Merrythought or even Harry. He guessed Harry was a different story, though. His future self knew Harry. He had to get along with him.

But this was different. He didn't understand how he became so comfortable around someone so immediately. He looked Gellert up and down, taking in his appearance. He was tall, but not as tall as Albus, and had shoulder length blonde hair. His face had an angularity to it that contrasted to the usual baby cheeks still present on most sixteen or seventeen year olds. His clothes were simple, just a white tunic and black pants- however, when Albus looked down at Gellert's feet, he noticed he wore dragon skin boots. He smiled at that before looking back up at his face.

Gellert caught his eye and smirked slightly, as if he'd just been doing the same with Albus.

"I met a friend of yours," Gellert said, something Albus wasn't expecting. "Well, more of a teacher, I think."

"Yes?" Albus asked, wondering who on Earth he'd met.

"Harry."

Speak of Merlin. He'd just been thinking about Harry… But where did they meet? Where had Harry been all those months, anyway?

Even after he'd thought those thoughts, he realized something.

It couldn't be… What if this was supposed to happen, him meeting Gellert? What if Harry had sought out Gellert? This had to do with something from the future. Did Harry know this stranger who he was suddenly so drawn to? Was he important to the future, someone Albus could have introduced Harry to? If they were still friends all those ears later… Maybe Albus was getting ahead of himself.

Albus nodded, though.

"He said you're more brilliant than I believed, and I already thought highly of you."

Albus' cheeks warmed. "Did you?"

Gellert nodded curtly. "Auntie wouldn't stop raving about how many awards you've gotten and how brilliant you are in magic. I thought we'd have a lot in common, and even though I've just met you, I think we'll be good friends."

Albus smiled widely. Maybe this did have something to do with the future. Gellert could already see they would be good friends. He must be important.

"I think-"

Albus stopped, blinking. The smile dropped from his lips as he remembered what had happened that morning. His mother was gone.

But at least now he had a distraction, someone he could relate to.

"Think what?" Gellert asked.

"I-"

The church bell tolled, causing Albus to pause. Couldn't he get a word in without being interrupted by his thoughts or a bell?

Gellert sighed, looking skyward. "It's eight. I meant to get milk and eggs for Auntie this morning. We should get together sometime and talk more."

"Yes, we should," Albus said. He didn't want to part from Gellert so quickly, though. But if he had to go on… Albus needed to go back to the house, though, to make sure his brother and sister were doing okay. And, anyway, he'd have plenty of time with his new friend later. "It was nice meeting you."

"You, as well."

Gellert waved and then started running toward town.

Albus stared at him, smiling softly to himself. They would get on wonderfully. He wouldn't have to be so alone with only his siblings for company until he could figure out how to take care of Ariana and work at the same time.

Then, he turned and went back to his house, feeling elated even though he should have felt horrible.

Many miles away, Harry appeared in Nicolas Flamel's workshop.

The old man looked up at him, his eyebrow raised. "I thought you'd be in Godric's Hollow longer than this," he said as he added a moon flower to the Epoch potion.

"Yeah, but there's a problem."

"What's that?" Flamel asked, stirring the potion counter clock-wise.

Harry took in a deep breath, sitting at the work table. "I just promised Albus that I'll tell him things about myself."

"Oh?" Flamel said. "Now see here, boy. You can't, even if I'm taking his memory away later-"

"I know," Harry said, looking down. "But there's something worse."

"And what's that?"

"His mother is dead and he's about to meet someone who may have been his sister's murderer next month."

A/N: Oh, Gellert. You manipulative little jerk. I also feel like I wrote this horribly and that it's too short but alas.

Okay, long AN coming up, but it's important… Sorry for the long wait (again) and for the short chapter. It was getting towards finals and I had lots of essays and tests to do... I really want to finish this story this summer. Hopefully that will happen even though I'm doing an internship in a museum library.

Okay… So… I was reading Harry Potter wikia and it made me realize I made a few mistakes on the actual timeline of what happened and that led me to actually reread Rita, Aberforth, and Albus's accounts of what happened during that time. I forgot some details and misremembered some of the timeline so…

I've made a sub Tumblr page off my normal one to explain these changes to fit Harry being there and changing things very subtly- forcedperception(.)tumblr(.)com. You can also ask me questions on there from your Tumblr account or anonymously if you don't have one.

I'm so sorry for the mistakes, but again, this is AU. I know that I've made many mistakes before in this story already and taken some liberties. But, of course, Harry was never there with young Albus in the original series. His presence is bound to change a little bit.