PROFESSOR

6 - Love & War

Gellert gave their relationship time to heal, making sure to give a little extra effort in making time for Albus. This helped relax Albus and his nerves. Seeing how Gellert actually listened to him and was now showing he cared enough to make adjustments only made him fall deeper for the man. Their relationship seemed to be growing stronger as the two went on dates, made time for each other during school and even voiced their frustrations. It was becoming increasingly obvious the two professors were in love, which made their secret harder to keep from public knowledge.

All was well after their talk, and the two had shown no signs of anything but happiness! That is, for a few weeks. Albus noticed that their renewed honeymoon phase was coming to an end and things began to be a bit questionable again. Not wanting to fight again, or make Gellert think he didn't trust him, he kept quiet, only telling Minerva and Newt.

"It's nothing to worry about, Albus! I'm sure of it." Minerva spoke to her friend as the three sat around a table at Three Broomsticks. "Minerva's right, Albus. Maybe he's just working on something for his class!" Newt added. Albus looked skeptical and sad, but hopeful they were right.

"I hope you're right. Things were going so well for a while, but then he began sneaking around and acting suspicious again." Albus pouted, staring at the table. He'd hardly touched his butter beer at all.

Minerva examined his body language. "You don't think he's..."

Albus shook his head quickly, looking up at her. "No. No, Gellert's a changed man. He'd never turn back. He promised."

Newt and Minerva exchanged glances.

"He doesn't seem the type to pay any mind to someone else." Newt added, in hopes of reassuring him.

"Have you spoken to him about it? About how you've been feeling off?" she asked, getting a head shake in return.

"I can't. We've already fought so much. I can't do it again."

"He can't fix it if he doesn't know there's an issue, Albus." Newt mumbled softly.

"I don't want to hurt him. He'll assume I don't trust him and then what? What is a relationship without trust?"

"DO you trust him?" Newt asked, the three refusing to break eye contact.

Silence.

"I can't think of what else would be going on." Albus spoke in a broken tone. He was only further convincing himself of what may or may not be true.

"Then I believe you've got your answer." Minerva spoke, getting up to leave the cafe. "I've got to run. A few Slytherin boys are due for their afternoon detention with Professor Giligan and he's asked I round them up. I guess some men just aren't man enough to confront their issues."

Newt watched as Albus stared at the table in front of them.

"You really are a cute couple, you know. You shouldn't have to hide your relationship."

"I know.." Albus looked up at him. "But it's what Gellert wants."

Newt sighed softly. Seeing his best friend hurting and knowing there was nothing he could do to help broke his heart.

-----

Meanwhile Gellert was back in Hogsmeade, following yet another letter that read "For sweetheart". While he had no idea what it meant, he assumed he were leading him to Honeydukes. Gellert wandered around the shop, clueless as to why he kept being lead to places that he otherwise would never go to.