He looked arrogant.
That was the first thought that crossed Gellerts mind upon seeing him just outside the door.Though it wasn't the typical arrogance one normally saw in ministry employees. No, his was a more subtle one, the kind you could only recognise when you knew what to look for. When you have seen it reflected at you.
His eyes met Gellerts for a brief second and he was finally able to take in their icy colour. It reminded him of the small lake in the forest near his family estate when it froze over in the winter. He taught himself ice-skating on that lake. And in the summer he had often hid there. He would sit by the shore and throw rocks into the water or make little figurines out of some wood he found nearby. Mostly to get as far away from his father as possible without being reported missing. His father had always been a well tempered man. Though Gellert couldn't really complain, he was the same after all.
They mostly fought about his visions. His father not approving of his only sons fascination with such 'silly fancies '. At some point Gellert stopped telling him about the visions altogether. Perhaps it was better that way, because shortly after, the visions of him started.
They weren't clear, never clear, but he knew they were important. That there was more behind the blurry figures and the mixed colours.
Albus, that was his name, closed the door with a flick of his hand, ripping the colour away from him. Gellert could hear their hushed voices through it, but was unable to make out what they were saying.
He decided to concentrate on the room instead, planning, just in case things went south.
The walls were gray and made of heavy old stones, he wondered when this room had been built. Was it as old as the rest of the building or perhaps even older? There were small specks of what he presumed to be dried blood in the far left corner and the walls had some holes and rings attached to them from a time when this room still functioned as a prison cell. He couldn't help but wonder how many people had died in this very room. Probably quite many, the british ministry wasn't always as 'kind 'as it seemed now.
The door reopened and he stepped in, his eyes meeting Gellerts once again.
Now the blond could finally take in his full form up close.
Albus was wearing a dark blue coat with some delicate embroidery. Had he just arrived or was he about to leave when they called him in? It didn't really matter. What mattered was that he was here and he was taking of his coat. Good, he's staying for a while.
A green suit with golden leafs embroidered onto the vest was revealed as he draped his coat over the chair across from Gellerts and sat down. It seemed the other enjoyed colour a lot, too much for Gellerts taste. Just because Merlin wore lots of colour doesn't mean that all wizards have to dress as silly as he did.
"So Herr Grindelwald, warum wollen sie unbedingt meine Bekanntschaft machen?"
Pure delight flooded his senses at the older ones words and he felt a smile form on his face, not because of their content, but because of the language they were spoken in.
"I didn't say I wanted to meet you."
The other looked at him intensely, almost as if he knew exactly what Gellert was doing here. He didn't of course, the younger mans occlumancy shields were working just fine and the other had made no attempt to infiltrate his mind yet. Gellert actually wondered for a moment if Albus would be able to if he tried but quickly banished the thought. Of course not!
"But you did, didn't you? You knew that the highest official they could get down here at this hour and with the head Auror away, would be me. So please, tell me, what is it you want? And fast, I have plans for breakfast and would welcome some sleep beforehand."
Quite the bold accusation. And it wasn't even true! Gellert did obviously not know the others work schedule, he was just curious how the British ministry would react to such a demand. 'Poorly' was the answer. If someone came into Nurmengard claiming he'd only speak the the highest official in the building that person would never se the sunlight again!
" Some coffee would be nice. I didn't get much sleep."
"Of course. I must apologise for my colleagues rudeness. They are a little weary of you, you've got quite the reputation after all. And with everything going on in the world right now.. but I am drifting of." He had put on the sweetest of smiles, the one he always used for the newspaper; one could almost believe it was sincere. " Would you please answer the question."
"You didn't even introduce yourself. Quite arrogant."
He seemed a little taken back, but quickly composed himself. People probably never called Albus out on his arrogance. After all, it was somewhat justified, not many could become head of a ministry department in such a short time and then there were the articles he published and so on.
"Of course, I apologise." Albus reached a hand towards Gellert. "Albus Dumbledore."
The chains binding Gellert to the table rattled as he shock the others hand. His hand was a little smaller then Gellerts, but his fingers were longer and he had freckles at the back of it. The redhead was also wearing some gold rings, some with leaves or flowers to match the suit, but the one that stuck out the most was the wedding band.
"Gellert Grindelwald, but you already know that."
Albus laughed and what a delightful laugh it was! It sounded warm, sincere, unlike the cruel laugh of the auror who sat in his chair just a few minutes ago.
Some tea cups were conjured and the other pulled a kettle and some sort of sugar pot out of his coat pocket.
"Would tea be alright for you?" He almost sounded a little embarrassed asking."I promise you it can wake one up just as well as coffee."
"I suppose tea is fine too."
The tea was awful.
"You still haven't answered my question." Albus said, adding jet another spoonful of sugar to his. It was probably the fifth or maybe even sixth by now and there was still no end in sight. Gellert supposed it was his way of making this stuff somewhat bearable.
"I'm visiting my great aunt for the month. Where did you learn German?"
"You have to be able to speak multiple languages in my line of work. Could you tell me your great aunts full name and current residence? It would spare us some time and help the both of us to get going sooner."
A sheet of paper and a feather and ink appeared in front of Albus and he seemed ready to write down whatever Gellert said next and be out of the door as soon as possible. So professional, but Gellert didn't plan on letting him of that easy.
"Did you teach yourself?" He inquired and took another sip of his tea, trying not to make a face as the taste hit his tongue. He could swear he saw Albus' smile waver for a second.
"Not entirely, a friend helped me with the pronunciation. Now please, let us get back to your great aunt—"
"Ah! Of course! Your pronunciation is very good, your friend must be a great teacher." He let his spoon drag through the tea in circles. Albus pinched the bridge of his nose, he looked tired, wich was not a surprise considering the hour. Gellert wasn't at his best either.
"She is. Now–" he gestured to the paper in front of him, waiting to be filled with information.
Fine, throw him a bone.
"My great aunts name is Bathilda Bagshot. I couldn't help but notice the wedding band on your finger. Tell me, are you–"
"I'm afraid I'll have to cut this conversation short." Albus said, lifting up his left hand as a gesture for Gellert to stop speaking while writing with his right.
"But I didn't tell you the address yet."
Albus smiled at him, a real smile, a smile of triumph."There's no need. I know Miss Bagshots address."
He should have known the other would recognize her name. She was quite famous in this country or at least she had been. The other had probably read her name a thousand times before, wether it be on the cover of books or in literary articles, praising her work. Her books were mediocre at best. But well, British people seemed not to have much taste, be it in books, clothing or tea.
"Have a great time in Godric's Hollow, I assure you it's dreadful." Albus said as he slipped his coat back on, "And stay out of trouble, we'll be keeping an eye on you." And with that he was gone again.