The Shadow of a Dream

If there is a place further from me, I beg you do not go

Two longe figures walked through the dystopian wasteland. Long accustomed to the macabre landscapes, Gellert took a thorough look at Albus. Dumbledore hadn't expected lilac butterflies or floating comets but such... nothingness... was depressing indeed.

"Imagine a place you want to live in," began Gellert, "Albus, focus on that image. Make it as detailed and precised as possible."

Albus closed his eyes and surrendered to his fantasies, letting the giddiness take him away from the reality. He was building the house in his mind, using his ideas instead of bricks. Albus decided not to create anything fancy. Gellert patiently waited for the house to come onto view. He could already see the lush greenery - the sheltering trees, the rich forest edge and the blooming wildflowers. Gellert suddenly felt as if Albus was finding the fragments of a long-forgotten picture they once had painted together with the pigments of their youthful passion. The first fragment had them both hiding in a shade of the willow tree to steal thousands of forbidden kisses. The second fragment had them, tired and weary after a long duel, lying on the grass under the stars in a rural paradise of Godric's Hollow.

The third fragment was Gellert's favourite - the day after their sleepover. Albus led him in the meadow and after confessing his feelings, pulled him into their first tongue kiss, which was quickly turned into passionate and quite long foreplay. Gellert let his partner decide the degree of intimacy he was comfortable with by mirroring his awkward actions. That time around he was bold enough to put his hand in Gellert's pants. They came almost simultaneously, passionately rubbing on each other and tenderly kissing each other's faces. Gellert's neat traveling suit was stained with the green juice of the meadow sedge. There were times when Europe was his playground, but never had Gellert been happier.

There it was - a beautiful rustic house that seemed like a secluded shelter for two. One could almost feel the fresh air in their lungs looking at the unpolished logs and wooden outside shutters. Gellert approved the cabin as an example of sustainable architecture. The mist was slowly disappearing. Albus added finishing touches - a couple of torches and a wooden bench with two puffy cushions. He proudly examined his creation, admiring the loveliness of his carefully arranged complex. Then turning around, he saw teenage Gellert, giving him a tender smile.

"How do I look?" flirtatiously asked Albus, touching his face.

"Like a virgin, Albus," chuckled Gellert, running up to the porch. He didn't have to look at the mirror with all the youthful energy oozing out of his pores.

Albus joined him up there, flopping on a bench. He put his hand on Gellert's wrist, pullin him to his side.

"I think, it's your turn now. The interior is yours," Albus breathed as he gently held his hand.

"Are you sure you trust my taste?" Gellert bantered, leaning on the back of the bench.

"I don't trust your taste and you don't trust mine, but this is our house to live." Albus insisted, his face was becoming coloured. Who could've thought that the Albus Dumbledore at his age
would blush in front of anybody. Even he himself was surprised by such emotional response and decided that the process of rejuvenation covers not only face but the whole body. If that's so, they had got the best of both worlds - young bodies and mature brains.

Thanks to more practice, Gellert didn't take much time to create the interior. He thought about all the things necessary for both of them. Since Afterlife strips you from all the basic needs, you are to focus on what is truly essential for you. Gellert came up with only two things: a hall for their interests and a bedroom. The first room would be anything they would want it to be - a library or an observatory, or anything else. For start he came up with a sofa, a bookshelf, and some of the cozy stuff for Albus to be comfortable. It was the bedroom that Gellert carefully planned.