Until I Found You

|7|

Gellert had disappeared when Albus was again overcome by sleep. He had covered Albus up so that he didn't get cold and then disappeared. When Albus woke up, he was surprised at first because he was lying alone in bed. This corresponded to the norm of seventeen years, but he had quickly got used to the feeling of togetherness. On his bedside table, however, a note caught his eye. On it was written in spidery handwriting: It was very nice with you, hope to see you tonight ~GG

As Albus read this, a smile flitted across his face. But shortly afterwards he wondered what the second G stood for. He had never asked Gellert for his surname. He would do so as soon as he saw him tonight, but first he started packing.

Gellert had not told him where he planned to travel. Was it to the cold north or the warm south? And how long was he planning to stay away from home? So Albus simply started packing everything he could reach with his hands. There was an expansion spell on his suitcase, which also had an effect on its weight. Nevertheless, he didn't want to arrive with a lot of luggage. If need be, he could also put a spell on his clothes to keep him warm.

But he found it more difficult to pack than usual. He put some things back in the wardrobe. They were somehow not stylish enough for him. He didn't want to stand in front of Gellert in his teenage clothes. He looked around in his room and thought about what else he could put in his suitcase. Then his eyes caught a family photo. All five Dumbledores together. He remembered the day as if it were yesterday.

They were all standing on the lawn behind their house in the old village where they had lived. It had been a nice house, of average size, but perfectly adequate for the five of them. Percival had rarely been there anyway, mostly he had been working and Kendra had often been in the garden. She loved working out there and Ariana had been watching her frequently...before, well before the incident with the muggle boys had happened. Since then, Ariana was rarely seen outside the house. But on the day of this photo, everything was still normal. Ariana was only ten years old and they were all happy. Her father held his sons proudly in his arms and in front of them kneeled Ariana and Albus and Aberforth had placed their hands on Ariana's shoulders. They were both smiling and Kendra stood to Percival's left. How few wrinkles adorned her pretty face, there was an effortlessness written all over her face that she could only dream of today. They could all have had a nice family life if Percival hadn't gone to Azkaban and Ariana hadn't had to hide. And only the muggle were to blame and the wizards who hid themselves from them. If Gellert and he were to return successfully from their expedition, then he would make sure that it was possible for them to live a normal life.

"Albus?" A voice sounded, pulling him out of his thoughts.  It was Kendra and she was standing in the doorway in the middle of the room with a puzzled look at the suitcase. "What are you up to? What is all this about?" She asked, speechless, holding a hand over her mouth. "Are you going away? Are you leaving us?" Albus stood motionless. In one hand he held the family photo and the other he clenched into a fist.

How stupid had he been! He should have thought of an excuse. What was he going to tell her now? The truth?! He would leave with a boy he had known for just one day to change the world and give them a life of peace? Hardly.

"Uhh-" a shiver ran down his spine. "I uh-" he hesitated "I'm going away, I'm going travelling. You know it had always been my wish to go travelling and gain experience. And Gellert, that is Bathilda's nephew, he had exactly the same in mind and offered me to go together" Albus looked at Kendra with confidence, however in reality he was very nervous and afraid of his mother's reaction. She just looked at him out of her eyes, motionless. Suddenly a tear rolled down her cheek and a shock ran through Albus' body. "Mother!" He cried out in horror. "I'm sorry. I- I didn't mean to I- I'm sorry" he strode up to her and took her in his arms.

"I knew it would come to this at some point. After all, you are no longer eleven. But I had hoped it would take longer. I always had hope because Aberforth, who is older than you, is still here. But Aberforth is not you. He was never as inquisitive as you, Albus. First I lost your father and now you." She took a deep breath and had stopped crying. "You're not losing me mother. I'm just going away for a few months. And I'm not alone, I'll be back."

"After all, I can't keep you locked up forever. You and Aberforth are healthy, not like your sister. But Albus promise me one thing, if you go away with this Gellert...I hear he's been expelled from Durmstrang. And well, Durmstrang is already laid out for the dark arts, I don't even want to know what exactly he's been up to." This made Albus smile "I think I know him pretty well already, but I'll take care of myself if that makes you feel better." And Albus kissed his mother on the cheek.

When Kendra was gone Albus packed some more until it was time for him to say goodbye to the rest of his family. He picked up his trunk and went downstairs to the now dark kitchen. There, Ariana sat at the dining table, chewing on a piece of bread. "Ariana sweetheart," Albus whispered, leaning down to her. "I'm going to leave you for a little while. I'm going out into the wide world and I'm going to look at it a little more closely." Ariana looked at her big brother with wide eyes, she didn't look sad or shocked but she rarely showed emotion in general. "Have fun, can you bring me something?" She asked in her delicate voice that Albus so rarely heard. "I'd love to," he said, ruffling her hair. He hadn't seen Aberforth all day and decided to leave. They would both be able to cope with not saying goodbye.

Albus walked out and quietly closed the door. "So you're leaving us? Just like father" startled, Albus winced. "Aberforth, you can hardly compare that. Father didn't leave willingly, he had protected Ariana and the law took him to Azkaban." "That's right, you're just abandoning us." "Aberforth!" Shouted Albus in horror. "Only for that Gellert. For a runaway petty criminal, God knows what he told you. I didn't think you, the great Albus Dumbledore would be so easily convinced." "He didn't do anything. I'm leaving of my own free will!" Albus justified himself angrily. "I know that love is blind, Albus. Take care of yourself! I know what it's like to be blinded by love, and that rarely bodes well. Don't lose your mind Albus!" Aberforth said more sharply. "I-! I'm not in love!" At these words Aberforth had to laugh. "You can't lie to me. I've seen the way you look at him. Only I can't say the same for him. Watch out Albus, he's playing a game with you in which he doesn't want you to come out as a winner." "What a load of bullshit! Gellert loves me, just as much as I love him!" Albus defended himself, talking to another person about his feelings for the first time. That it had to be his brother, of all people, was less than fine for Albus, but what could he do. "Aha, so there we have it! Not in love, my arse. It's okay Albus," and he felt Aberforth reach for his hand. "I don't care who you love Albus. Only I don't want you to make a mistake you'll regret afterwards." Albus took a deep breath. "It's sweet of you to worry Aberforth, but you don't have to and I'm well up. I have to go now or I'll be late. And promise me to take good care of Mother and Ariana." "I will," Aberforth nodded and patted his brother on the shoulder before he turned the corner and disappeared.