Albus woke with a start, vigorously rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and yawning at the same time. He had spent almost a fortnight playing with Ariana, preparing meals, washing dishes and rummaging through his old books, hoping to interest Aberforth in something other than goats. (Let's just say, his efforts were in vain). These trifles left Albus bored out of his mind. He could not bear to think of spending another identically, treacherous day.
He had fallen asleep unknowingly and had to run downstairs to see if everything was in order. Ariana and Aberforth was frolicking in the backyard, Aberforth playfully squirting water at her from the otherwise unexploited hose.
"Come inside, in a while, you two... it's getting dark" Albus trailed off. They were so close...if only... He swallowed, tucked in the stray pieces of hair that were blocking his view and retired to the kitchen.
A horde of unclean plates glittered from the sink, his hand instinctively headed to his pocket but he stopped...what if I...
Albus approached the dishes and let the water cascade over his hands, he felt the cold of the porcelain being somewhat numbed by the misty soap. The humdrum act had electrified him, it was a new experience... mundane for muggles, not for wizards...
Although it was barely night the three Dumbledore's were gathered around a bed, Ariana tucked in and Aberforth cross legged beside her. They were laughing immoderately, Aberforth clasping his sides and Ariana crying out of mirth.
"Settle down, settle down" Albus put in, stroking Ariana's golden locks affectionately as he knelt beside her. He then thrust open 'The tales of Beedle the Bard'
"Oh Merlin! not that awful story again, I'm sure Ari would find 'Grumble the grubby goat' faaaaaar more amusing" Aberforth said obstinately as Albus rolled his eyes and mimicked him a few octaves higher.
"Faaaaaaar more amusing" Ariana chuckled heartily.
"I suggest you read it then." Albus let out in a bored voice. Aberforth shrugged. (Albus began doubting his brother's reading skills)
"Alright, then." Albus said looking nervously at his brother, he then cleared his throat and looked down at the page.
"There were once three brothers-"as if on cue three smoky figures appeared, who narrated the story visually as Albus lagged on. "-and, equals, they departed this life." He concluded by forming the symbol of the deathly hallows which burnt brightly above them. Ariana clapped enthusiastically.
"More, more" she urged, but Albus was now facing the window, he had caught a pair of mismatched eyes across the yard. He tossed the book at Aberforth.
"Someone's at the door, I'll be back in a minute." he chimed and dashed off.
He heard a polite knock and opened the door expecting to see a heterochromic but instead was greeted by his neighbor, miss Bathilda Bagshot, who stood beaming at him. He smiled back and swiveled his gaze slightly to the right and... 'by Merlin! he's gorgeous' Albus thought as he looked intently at the owner of the mismatched eyes. His right eye reminded Albus of blue skies and glassy rivers, of goodness and light, his other was as black as ebony, like the entrance of a deep cave, or perhaps a moonless, starless night. The blonde lad bit his lip nervously, his fingers grazing the edge of his collar. Color rose into Albus' cheeks he had been leering at the handsome stranger for a tad bit too long and yet, It took all his willpower to tear his gaze from the looming figure and face Bathilda, who spoke in her usual bubbly voice.
"Albus, how nice to see you! I just wanted to introduce you to my great-nephew Gellert Grindelwald" she said ceremoniously, her arms directed towards him. He smiled Graciously at Albus who began feeling a bit weak at the knees, but managed to counter his smile.
"He's here on vacation, about your age and forgive me for saying this, quite as bright as you are, Albus!" At these words Gellert's face colored as well and he nodded curtly at Albus.
"I'm going to leave you two boys alone now, got a bit of writing to do...See you then" She waved them off and hurried along turning back, to catch a glimpse of them conversing animatedly, pacing around the yard, lost in their own world. She pitied Albus. He was shut up in that shack, fending for his brother and sister, when he could be doing other things... great things.
Albus averted his gaze. He wanted to do something impressive, say something witty perhaps but nothing came to mind. These feeling were completely foreign, he had always been comfortable with starting conversations, always had something to say. He risked a glance and saw that Grindelwald was looking curiously at him, he regretted not brushing his hair and was feeling a bit underdressed when compared to Gellert's navy blue jacket, emblazoned with gold buttons. He had an imperial look about him, a princely upbringing, Albus considered, but there were no royals in the wizarding world...
Gellert broke the ice.
"I couldn't help but notice the symbol of the deathly hallows through your window"
"The hallows?" Albus repeated caught off guard
"oh...I was just reading Ariana to sleep" a sudden brain wave hit him.
"That's why you're here, isn't it? You've come to visit pervelle's grave"
"Pretty and smart, you're a rare gem." Albus blushed, appalled by what Gellert had said. 'He thinks I'm pretty!'
"Well that makes two of us I suppose" Albus replied trying to sound more confident than he felt. Gellert grinned.
"So I take it, your searching for them."
"Indeed" Gellert agreed, their eyes still interlocked.
"You seem quite interested as well, not many know of the grave"
"I am. Been obsessed since I was a kid, can't count the number of times Aberforth and I-" Albus broke of, his mom had had the time of her life trying to press peace between her two boys...it had been her who read then, not him. Gellert tilted his head sideways.
"You alright?"
"Er...yeah...it's just that-you don't mind if I accompany you, would you? To the grave...I mean" he added after noticing Gellert's questioning look.
"That would be lovely" he replied pleasantly.
"So...I suppose you went to Hogwarts." he said after a short pause taking in the surrounding.
"Yes, and Er...you go to"
"Durmstrang"Grindelwald completed for him.
"-Actually I did go to there"
"So you've completed schooling?"
"In a manner of speaking" Albus raised an eyebrow. Gellert sighed.
"I was expelled, Dumbledore. You on the other hand look like you've never put a toe out of line"
"I-" Albus tried to protest but Gellert continued in a very good impression of Bathilda's voice.
"Head boy, winner of the I'm good at everything award-"
"Oh hush, you" Albus said turning scarlet.
"Oooo so posh, and I'm the one who lives in a castle. Honestly she won't shut up about you" Gellert teased.
"You live in a castle?"
"Yes, and it's not all fun and games, if you-" he trailed off. Albus was suddenly reassured, he wasn't the only one with secrets.
"How far off is it?" Gellert changed the subject.
"Not too long now, just around the corner"
They scampered along chatting away about their adventures. Albus going on and on about Hogwarts and Gellert; Durmstrang...
"Right there, behind the cathedral" Albus said pointing at the graveyard that was just beyond the chapel. They walked in and began hunting for pervelle's grave...
"Dumbledore, I think I found... Albus?" He turned back to see Dumbledore staring at his mother's grave. The previous moments of excitement and new found friendship had erased, to a certain extent, the memory of kendra's death. The emotions came rushing back...his childhood...his imprisoned father...his feeble sister...Albus was thrown out of his stupor when he felt a sudden warmth enclose around his shoulder.
"I'm so very sorry, Albus..." Gellert consolidated. More words of comfort evaded him, so he drew out his wand and grew a wreath of gorgeous flowers (brilliant blue) and handed it to the dismal Dumbledore who took it gratefully and placed it on his mother's headstone.
"Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." He repeated these words over and over again trying to recall why he'd chosen them until his mantra was cut short.
"Albus..." Gellert said cautiously, he didn't want to interrupt but the night was drawing closer. The first stars lingering into sight.
"What is it, Gellert?"
"The stars are out...brighter than usual if you ask me" The couple gazed at the night sky splattered with twinkling dots. It was peculiar of Grindelwald to mention the fiery stars whilst his acquaintance lay at his mothers grave, but, Albus understood. He knew it was time they got back, but he couldn't help but recall a story his mother had told him...
A Navajo legend describing the Four Worlds that had no sun, the Fifth World, being the Earth. According to the legend, which he had heard repeatedly, was that the first people of the Fifth World were given four beacons but were dissatisfied with the amount of light they had on Earth. After many attempts to satisfy the people, the First Woman created the sun to bring warmth and light to the land, and the moon to provide coolness and moisture. These were crafted from quartz, and, when there were bits of quartz that were left behind by the carving, they were tossed into the sky to make stars. He tried to convert his image of perfect spherical fire balls into jagged pieces of crystal...it was easier than he thought. Part of him wanted to believe that the sun was sculpted by human hands...a woman's. He turned to see Gellert staring at him intently...tracing his eyes, memorizing his face. He smiled weakly at him flitting platinum curls out of his eyes.
"What were you thinking of?" he asked curiously. Albus told him. Gellert was all ears, taking to mind everything Dumbledore said.
"So your mom's-"
"Grandma actually, she was a leader of a Navajo tribe, she met my grandfather when she was 25, they got married and moved to England, my mom was born a year later."
"Intriguing!"...
Beneath the shadow of a large tree the two boys disaparated. their fingers intertwined.
Grindelwald lead albus to the old shack his hand still glued to his peer's. He let go and their eyes met. His mismatched ones tightly focused on Albus' brilliant blue.
"Gellert, I'm sorry..." Albus began but he was cut off.
"Don't...we have our entire lives to hunt for the hallows, now don't we...there are things of more importance" struck by these words Albus had to fight the urge to embrace him. (He lost) Warm tears dripped unto Grindelwald's coat. He was glad the darkness concealed his now rosy complexion but he continued to hold on. After what seemed like an eternity (or perhaps a second) they broke apart.
"Well, see you then" Albus said evading Gellert's gaze and instead finding much amusement in his plain shoes.
"See you" A kind voice replied. and the two boys vanished into their homes...
"Merlin's beard what took you so long" Aberforth exclaimed.
"Ariana refused to go to bed until you-" he paused, noticing the dazed face of his older brother who seemed to be in a trance.
"Albus?" He lagged on
"Where've you been?" Albus continued to look subdued.
"What were you doing with that boy?" This caught his brother's attention.
"What...nothing...I mean" Albus flushed. Aberforth raised an eyebrow.
"I...we went to the graveyard... lost track of time.. sorry" He sighed.
"Well next time tell me when you're going out with your boyfriend, I was so worri-"Albus cut him off.
"He's not my-" Albus went brick red at the thought. "-I..." he trailed off, unable to think straight. Was he? Aberforth rolled his eyes and darted out of the room leaving his older brother to his thoughts.
