Visiting a Dangerous Past

Lie

Gellert stifled a gasp. If it wasn't Aberforth, it must have been...

"What about you, Gell?" Albus forced himself to ask. "Did you check yours?"

"I did," admitted Gellert.

Albus stiffened and swallowed. Gellert noticed it.

"And?" whispered Albus, his eyes full of terror.

"And..." Gellert paused. He had told too many lies in his life, but he had never lied to the man in front of him. However, if he spoke the truth now, it would probably extinguish the twinkle in those blue eyes forever.

Not an option.

"It was me," stated Gellert.

"Oh God," gasped Albus, shaking all over. "Are you--sure?"

"Absolutely."

Albus hid his face in a shaking arm, crying silently--the relief of the knowledge Gellert had just given him was too much.

Gellert rushed over and hugged Albus, which was when the latter realised that nothing had changed between them--they were still best friends.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you after Ariana..." whispered Gellert. "I'm sorry I fled."

"It's ok," said Albus. "I'm sorry I had to challenge--"

"You tried to reason with me, Al. So in the entire incident, nothing was your fault. Believe me."

"You still didn't tell me why you let me win that day," said Albus. His eyes told Gellert that he would not accept any lie.

"I guess it's because..." Gellert trailed off.

"Because?"

"Because..."

"Gellert," pleaded Albus.

"Because I didn't want you to lose."