Until I Found You

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Once again, Albus stood in front of his mirror for a long time and looked at himself in it. Only this time he didn't look deep into his own eyes, as he usually did many times when he was lost in his thoughts.

No, this time Albus looked down at himself and wiped one of his red-brown strands from his face.

Albus was never particularly pleased with himself and was now changing his outfit for the seventh time. Elphias Doge, a good friend of Albus', had persuaded him to go out for the evening. Usually, Albus preferred to stay in his room behind a closed door and spend his time with books or other stuff.

However, Elphias had finally got rid of the dragon pox completely and said: "Now I could pick up the girls in the village."

Albus knew that Elphias, although he always stressed that he didn't mind the catty comments about his appearance, had never really felt comfortable in the company of others. And now he had finally got rid of that stain and Albus didn't want to take that joy away from him.

And so Elphias had finally managed to persuade Albus and had awakened the little curious spark in Albus that longed for a little adventure.

After a few tugs here and tugs there, Albus was finally satisfied with his appearance and left his room. "Goodbye mother, I'll be back later. I-I'm in the village with Elphias!" he said to his mother Kendra and left the house. "Albus?!" screamed his mother behind him in confusion, it was usually Aberforth who left the house due to a pub visit. But with a smile, Kendra let herself sink back into her chair. Finally, Albus was growing up too.

Albus strode out into the warm summer air. Elphias wanted to meet him in the village centre at eight. This was a little further from the Dumbledores' house, as Percival, Albus' father, had found this safest at the time for Ariana's protection.

Albus' father had never seen this house, since he had been taken away to Azkaban before, but he had always persuaded Kendra to stay as far away from village life as possible.

So Albus had left a little early and made his way to their meeting place, deep in thoughts about what awaited him there. Would he really, as Elphias had said, meet girls? Or would he perhaps have the opportunity to speak with an exalted wizard? To exchange their mutual experiences or even make good contacts?

"Albus don't think about something like that again! Relax!" Shouted a voice to him. Elphias had seen him before and recognised his friend's usual attitude when he was once again deep in thoughts. "This time we're here to have fun, not to educate ourselves," he emphasised the last word with a particular aversion in his voice.

Albus smirked, his friend really did know him too well. "You're right," Albus admitted nevertheless, not entirely convinced. Elphias grabbed him by the arm "Of course I did" and walked determinedly towards the pub with Albus in tow.

Elphias led Albus to a backyard where there was nothing but a rusty old car. Any normal person would probably have got a queasy feeling in the dark in this dodgy area, but Albus felt the magic emanating from this place. Even though Godric's Hollow was a wizarding village, muggles, so-called non-wizards, lived here. So the wizards had a duty not to show the Muggles a single spark of magic, so they preferred to keep their houses hidden, so that no drunken muggle could stray here either.

Elphias raised his wand. "Relax Albus, have fun for once in your life" he winked at his friend and tapped the bonnet of the old car three times. It popped open, revealing a staircase leading underground. Elphias led the way with Albus on his heels. No sooner had he moved far enough away from the entrance when the bonnet closed again and the noise grew louder.

As they turned the corner, a house-elf with long torn ears and a crooked nose came towards them. "May I take your jackets gentlemen?" Without waiting for an answer, he snapped his fingers and relieved the two young gentlemen of their evening coats. From the look on Albus' face, it was obvious that he was anything but thrilled about this non-English behaviour of the elf. Elphias, who had seen the look on his friend's face, just nudged him in the side and strode ahead into the hubbub.

When they arrived at the counter, Elphias ordered something that Albus couldn't catch. He was overtaxed by all the impressions. Directly where they had entered, there was a dance floor, which was occupied by many young witches and wizards. Further back around a corner were several tables and chairs that were also occupied and a huge aquarium adorned the wall.

In general, Albus noticed that this pub was only crowded by younger people. He hadn't even been aware that there were so many in their village.

"Come on Albus, let's find a seat," Eplhias prompted him, striding ahead to the tables. They made their way through the dancing crowd, a queasy feeling coming over him.

Elphias headed for a table with two young girls who, Albus had to admit, looked quite pretty. "Hey you two, can we sit down? I'm Elphias and this is my friend Albus." The girls nodded and so they joined them. Albus was quite nervous, he had never really talked to girls outside of school before, but he had to admit it was much easier than he had expected.

Elphias had immediately started talking and Albus took part with great pleasure. The girl opposite him also kept smiling at him, which made him quite nervous. He noticed that his hand was starting to sweat and he wiped it on his trousers.

The girl across from him leaned towards her friend, clearing the view of the seat behind her. A young man sat there, about the same age as Albus and Elphias. He had chin-length blond hair and a charming smile adorned his thin lips. Albus was stunned, his stomach tightening uncomfortably, and he tried to smile fleetingly at the young man. "Albus?!" Elphias called out a little louder. He had been trying to get his friend's attention for a while, however Albus hadn't noticed. "Er what's El?" Albus asked nervously, averting his eyes from the man. "We were about to go dancing, would you like to join us?" "Uhhh yes of course," Albus replied and rose. Once again he looked at the boy sitting at the table all alone.

The girl opposite him grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the man, over to the dance floor.