Grindeldore One-shots

Triwizard Tournament #3

     Next day, when they woke up, Albus felt the necessity to apologize to Aberforth and Jeremy. He had, for sure, overreacted when they came in the shared bedroom.

     "Aberforth... Jer... I'm sorry. I overreacted last night. I'm so very sorry.", said Albus to his brother and friend as they unmade their silence spells.

     "It's ok. We're fine, Albus. No need to apologize.", said Aberforth looking at Jeremy.

     Albus knew that it might be otherwise, because his brother could be a mysterious guy most of the time.

     They headed to the Great Hall, which was packed with students from three schools. The Hogwarts students were sitting at their own tables, but the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were sitting everywhere. Of course, Gellert sat with Albus.

     Professor Tilson got up from his chair and made a sign to the students to quiet down. It worked like magic. He smiled, then started to speak.

     "Good morning, everyone! I gladly inform you that today, 30th of October, you all, from fourth year up and only the ones that want, are going to give their names to the judge and three names, one from each school, will be chosen. Tomorrow, the judge is going to choose the champions. This weekend, you are, of course, free from duty, but be careful not to neglect the choosing of the champions.", said Professor Tilson.

     Everybody started chatting and gesticulating the fact that Tilson hadn't told them who was the judge, except of the sixth and seventh years from the schools. They knew. Albus knew, as well as his brother and Jeremy. Gellert knew too.

     "Who's the judge?", asked a fifth year Hufflepuff. 

     "I was going to tell you.", said Tilson. "For the ones that don't know, it's a cup called The Goblet of Fire."

     The ones from fifth year and under started "oooohh!"-ing, but the rest were quiet. They had the whole day to sign in, and this time, Albus, Aberfoth and Jeremy could enter the competition.

     Before lunch, Albus, Aberfoth and Jeremy joined the Tournament. The Durmstrang students were all joining when they  wanted, but the Hogwarts students were instructed not to, just like the ones from Beauxbatons. 

     "Have you ever thought of winning the competition?", asked Gellert as he and Albus were lying on the ground, close to the lake.

     "No. I know Aberforth would be most likely to enter the Tournament compared to me.", said Albus.

     "No way. You have more nerves than him."

     "Last night proved otherwise."

     "It was just one time. People have to unload all the anger gained over a period of time. You know you held your anger for way too much until last night.", said Gellert.

     Albus didn't want to talk anymore. He got up and left, but Gellert followed him.

     "I didn't want to touch a sensitive point. Tell me, what happened?", asked Gellert.

     "Nothing. Don't push the limit.", said Albus.

     "I bet on my left hand that something did happen. Tell me, please. I can help.", offered Gellert.

     "How can you help me at home? I don't have a healthy life at home, that's it. I'm making Aberforth's life a hard slog at Hogwarts when he is enough badly treated at home. And my sister, oh, she can't even come here to get away from mom.", cried Albus, tears streaming down his cheeks as he sat down next to a tree.

     "What's your mom doing to you?", asked Gellert.

     "She is beating my sister for being an Obscurial, she hits Aberforth when he doesn't make something her way, and she starts to give me less and less food and water, and she makes me do the worst thing in the world. She wants me dead. She hates all of us."

     "Where's your father?"

     "He's in jail... For killing a Muggle that entered the Hollow. Or at least one... I don't know anymore.", cried Albus, wiping his tears away.

     Gellert didn't say anything, just got closer to Albus and pulled the younger guy on top of him, to hug him. Albus started crying harder, but Gellert squeezed him to his chest more and more, until Albus could calm down.

     "Don't worry. You don't have to go back there. Nor does Aberforth. You can come with me, and I'll go take your sister from your mother, if you would like to be away from her. Forever. And this is a promise.", said Gellert, kissing Albus on the hair.