"That blond boy, he's trouble. Stay away from him, Albus. Old Bathilda said he was nearly expelled from Durmstrang multiple times," my mother warned me as she saw the blond head of Gellert near our home again.

History told me that my mother was often simply overprotective as most mothers were. There had been the rare occasion prior where she had been correct, but they were few and far between. I waved her off, nodding noncommittally as I walked out the door.

Gellert and I had only met this summer, but he was so similar to me. His thoughts and plans were almost perfectly aligned with mine. Gellert's mind was absolutely brilliant, the only person I had ever met with a mind as brilliant as my own.

I had always wanted to have someone I could talk to about anything, without the pressure of having to sound smart or responsible, and without the pressure of me having to fill the shoes my father had thoughtlessly left behind. While I was the oldest child and, yes, that meant more responsibility, it didn't mean that I had to always think of my family.

It truly was wonderful being able to talk about the future with someone of a similar mentality, someone who knew what they wanted and how they were going to get it. It was such a change from Aberforth and Ariana, both of whom were content with their lives the way it was. I knew that if Aberforth hadn't been forced, he would not have even gone to Hogwarts.

It was ridiculous. How could anyone have such little ambition?

Gellert was waiting for me under one of the larger trees that was just out of sight of both my home and the house of Aunt Bathilda. Aunt Bathilda had told my mother of Geller and my friendship in the beginning of the summer. I was sure my mother was having her keep an eye on us.

I knew she was worried but it was frustrating having to hide all my activities from her watching eyes. Nothing had happened, and nothing was going to happen. All we were doing were planning our futures.

"Albus," he greeted, looking up.

I smiled as his German accent brushed over me. I had found it a bit difficult to understand him at the beginning of the summer but had eventually grown fairly fond of it.

"Gellert," I replied, sitting down next to him.

"Looks like your mother still doesn't like me," Gellert laughed. "I saw the look she gave me as I passed your house on the way here. It looked like she wished the ground would just swallow me."

I groaned. Gellert had an aptitude for making everything seem a lot worse than it really was.

"She was not! Mother simply hasn't really met you yet. She's only ever heard about you from other people, and you can't always trust what you hear."

"But there is always some truth in what people say, no matter how much you would like to believe otherwise. Their words always have to stem from something. People's imaginations aren't that good," Gellert smirked. "Besides, my reputation is starting to grow on me."

I groaned. "You're incorrigible. Aren't you even going to try and change their opinions?"

Gellert shook his head, leaning back onto the grass. "There isn't any use fighting over the past. I'd much rather spend my time working on my future. Their opinions will change on their own."

"I can't believe you. I would have been doing everything I could to make sure people think highly of me. It makes everything so much easier."

"Not everyone can have pristine reputations like you do. Some people have to get noticed through other ways that are less popular," Gellert said lazily.

"I doubt getting kicked out of Durmstrang would be the easiest way to get yourself noticed," I told him. "I'm pretty sure you can manage the highest grades in your year, or something."

Gellert rolled his head to look at me. "There isn't time for all that frivolity. How is turning a porcupine into a glass helpful to anyone? I spend my time researching everything I need to help me in my future, important things."

"What kind of things?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I know I'm on to something. I can feel it." Gellert's eyes were wide with excitement I had never before seen on his face. It made me curious, igniting my excitement in the process.

"Give me a clue or something! You can't just tell me that and say nothing!"

"They are artefacts lost so long a time they are thought to be nothing but myth," Gellert whispered, eyes intense.

I struggled to cast my mind back to any stories that may seem even vaguely possible. Nothing jumped out at me. Gellert smiled then turned to lie back comfortably as if knowing I wasn't going to figure it out.

I sighed.

"You're mad, you know that? The both of you! The Deathly Hallows don't exist! Even if they did, they've been lost for centuries! What are you going to do? Turn every rock on every beach hoping it's the Resurrection Stone?!" Aberforth growled angrily. "I thought you had more sense than that, Albus!"

"I don't expect you to understand, Aberforth," I started.

"Damn right, I don't. You have a responsibility to your family and at first opportunity you want to go off gallivanting with this Grindelwald fellow!"

"Don't place all the blame on, Albus," Gellert growled, wand sliding into his hand instantly.

"I'm not. You're just as responsible as he is," Aberforth spat, rounding on Gellert.

"You are the ones at fault for pushing so much responsibility onto Albus! He doesn't deserve any of it! He has dreams; he has a future! You are only holding him back!"

For a moment, I wished he would stop. I could see the tears in Ariana's eyes as she silently asked me if it were true. I couldn't deny it. I looked away.

"He has a responsibility to his family! If he actually bothered to actually take any, I wouldn't have to push so hard! And for what? He gives up on his family for a dream that will never happen!"

"Who says it will never happen?" I said, starting to get annoyed with Aberforth's assumptions. How difficult would it be for him to mind Ariana by himself for just a summer? He was doing a wonderful job anyway.

"Your entire plan is futile. What are you looking for? A cloak, a wand, and a stone. Let me tell you, there are millions of each. Take your pick," Aberforth said, mocking eyes turning to me.

The first spell shot from my wand, and Aberforth's eyes widened as he was forced to dodge the oncoming curse. The three-way duel that ensued afterwards was one I remember as a blur of spells. Gellert had joined after Aberforth had retaliated, forcing him into the defence as he struggled to protect Ariana as well as himself.

I could hear Ariana's upset cries as she watched us duel. Her words were lost to the flurry of spell on spell, but her intention was clear. She wanted us to stop. I could see she was growing frantic, and tears were starting to trace their way down her cheeks as she realised she was having no effect on any of us. Ariana's magic was starting to whip around as she grew more upset.

Finally, she left Aberforth's side without him noticing and ran into the centre of the fray. It only took a moment for her to be struck down by a curse that was meant to be for someone else. Deathly silence fell with her body a moment later.

Neither of us knew which of the many spells we had cast had hit her. All had been cast with the intention to harm, but the knowledge that the other was probably able to defend themselves.

Even I could not have foreseen Ariana's actions. Aberforth's expression told me he was just as shocked as I was. Gellert's expression was horrified, whatever he had expected the outcome of our duel to be, he had not expected this.

Gellert took a step towards me, but I caught his eye and shook my head minutely with a pointed look towards my brother. He looked confused for a moment, before his eyes widened and he nodded.

I knew my brother would blame Gellert for this, as would everyone else because of his reputation. Ariana's death could have been caused by any of our spells, but the fault rested on all of us and no single person.

"Ariana, no! Fight! A life is a life, c'mon, fight, Ariana, fight."

It was already too late. Ariana's blue eyes were already fluttering shut. Nothing was going to save her.

"Albus, look! You got your wish! You're free to do as you please now. I can take care of myself. Why don't you go off with your friend now?"

"Gellert, just go," I said as I saw him open his mouth to reply in my stead. He gave me a sorrow-filled look, glanced at Ariana and left at my prompting.

"What? Trouble in paradise?" Aberforth mocked.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. Aberforth was upset, I couldn't lash out at him for his words.

"Go, Albus. I know you're dying to speak with that boy. Stop trying to act like you cared."

His words were harsh, and true. I hadn't cared and it cost me a little piece of what was left of my family.

I hastily followed Gellert's earlier footsteps at Aberforth's furious glare.

"Albus! I'm so sorry. That girl, your sister, she was just there, and then she fell. It was so sudden, so quick! I don't know what happened."

"Gellert," I said, wrapping my arms around him, "you couldn't have known. It was impossible for any of us to tell who hit her."

"I'm going to have to leave. Soon. They'll blame it on me."

I nod.

"I only cause you pain and difficulty, Albus. I'm sorry. Go back to your brother. Tell him we had a fight, and that I'm leaving," Gellert said hollowly.

My eyes widened. "What? Why?"

Gellert smiled slightly. It was just a twist of his lips.

"You like your pristine reputation. My stained reputation comes in handy here. This is goodbye, Albus, hopefully, not forever."

Gellert gave me a soft kiss on the lips, and we parted.

AN: Quidditch League Round 13

Caerphilly Catapults: Chaser 1

Pairing: Dumbledore/Grindelwald

Prompts: (word) aptitude; (quote) "Life is life, fight for it" – Mother Teresa; (word) history

Greek Mythology Mega Prompt Challenge: Apollo: Write about a destructive relationship