The Sonnet
Albus' POV, August 21:
When there was a knock on the Dumbledore's front door, an excited Albus ran down the stairs and opened it, disappointed and surprised to see his neighbor Donna Ivory.
"Ms. Ivory! Good morning. How delightful I am to see you, it has been so long, you've grown."
"Hello, Albus! It is good to see you're doing alright after Kendra's death. She was always so kind."
"She truly was. Excuse me for my manners, would you like to come inside?"
"Albus!" Aberforth yelled as he ran down the stairs, pulling on his finest shoes, and it actually looked like Aberforth had finally taken a shower, "Stop talking like that! Who do you think you are? And Donna, don't bother yourself with my cow-handed brother." Then Aberforth grabbed Ms. Ivory by the waist of her canary yellow dress and turned them around, away from Albus.
"Goodbye!" Ms. Ivory laughed.
"So long!" Ariana said behind Albus who closed the door and turned around to his sister who seemed to be in a good mood.
"Have you known about them?" Albus asked.
"About whom?"
"Do you know if there's something going on between Aberforth and Ms. Ivory?"
"When you say 'going on', do you mean like... kissing? Because I saw them kiss the other day as I fed Elsa."
"Brilliant." Albus sighed, and went to clean up Aberforth's breakfast.
***
Gellert's POV, August 23:
"So that's settled then?" Gellert said fiercely, pinning up needles on a map cork board, "France, Egypt, Tanzania, India, Mongolia, Russia, United States, Panama, Bolivia -- Tell me, my dear; How excited are you to explore the world with me?"
Gellert and Albus were sitting on Gellert's bedroom floor along with books and papers. Gellert being his usual excited self ever since he had convinced Albus on leaving Godric's Hollow sooner than planned.
"I don't know if 'excited' is the right word." Albus said, smiling up at him from the carpet, "I'm worried about Ariana. Ari hasn't left the house, bar when she's feeding the goats. I know I've agreed on leaving with you and Ariana after Aberforth leaves for school, but I can't help but worry something might happen to her."
"Albus, no harm can reach her as long as she's kept under the Cloak."
"I hope so..." Gellert lay down beside Albus and stroked a string of hair from Albus' face.
"Do you know how happy I am you'll be with me through this?"
"I know." Albus said quietly with a smile, "Me too."
"No- I mean, of course you're happy I'll be there, but not in the way I meant; You don't need me like I need you. I was a whole different person before I met you, and I don't like to think of how I would've done this revolution without you."
"What do you mean?" Albus asked, frowning, "Of course you'd lead a great revolution without me."
"Great, yes, but also brutal. I would've been so much more extreme if it weren't for you."
"Which is saying quite a lot, since you're already quite extreme -- Hexing the mark of the Hallows permanently in the walls of the school..." Albus laughed, but Gellert felt a cold shiver down his spine; Hexing the mark of the Hallows on a wall was the least he'd done to that school. And in that moment, Gellert decided to tell Albus the truth. He had told Tante Bathilda, and he knew he could trust Albus as well.
"Albus, I need to be frank with you." Gellert started, "I know I said Durmstrang banned me from their grounds for being a rule breaker and, well, hexing that mark on the walls. But the real reason was behind something darker... There was this new professor to the school. A fat, stupid pedophile who only wanted the job of a teacher for better access to children. When he tried to persue me into doing things with him in exchange for good grades, I just had it. A month later, the school figured out it was I who had murdured the teacher, and got expelled. Do you hate me now?" Gellert added after an awful silence that only seemed to stretch, "Say something, please."
"I-" Albus looked worse then Gellert had hoped him to be after this revelation, "I'm sorry, I- I have to go."
And Gellert let him.
***
Albus' POV, August 23:
Albus walked over from Ms. Bagshot's to his house without really knowing what he was doing. His thoughts went so fast over what he had just heard; Gellert Grindelwald. A murdurer? What had he meant by 'I would've been so much more extreme if it weren't for you'? Would Gellert have continued with his killing if not Albus followed him? Albus knew it would be inevitable for all lives being spared in the revolution they were about to create, but they had promised each other only to use minimal force against humans.
When he got home, the house felt like the quitest he had ever heard, which was strange when he then found both Aberforth and Ariana awake.
"Now, Abe. Tell him now." Ariana said to Aberforth who sat at the table pale white.
"Not now, Ariana."
"If you don't tell him, I will." For a few seconds, Albus stood in the hallway, waiting for any of them to say something more. Not really wanting to know what they were up to. All he could think of was his bread
"Can you sit down?" Aberforth said finally, and Albus obliged.
"What has happened, Aberforth?"
"Ehm..." Aberforth said, while looking around the room, and, were those tears in his eyes? "It, something has happened. With, ehm, Donna. Ivgoerpegat..."
"Excuse me?"
"He said, 'I've got her pregnant'. Isn't it wonderful, Albus? I'll be an aunt! For so long, I have only have you for company, and now this house will be filled with love again! I can't wait for Donna to be a part of our family!" And with that, Ariana trotted up the stairs.
"Seems like she's forgotten the trip with you and your boyfriend. Or maybe she didn't want to join you from the start." Aberforth said slyly, but still not finding the confidence to look up.
"You knew we were planning on bringing her with us?" Albus asked, his thoughts spinning in his head.
"I'm not stupid, Albus. However much you think I am."
"Well," Albus said, standing up and starting pacing the kitchen, "You're not proving that point very well right now. What were you thinking?" Albus said hopelessly, but he knew it was too late now, and nothing he said could redeem it.
"Well it's easy for you to say! Pretty hard for you to get Grindelwald knocked up, aint it?" Albus dabbed his eyes with his hands and tried to take a few deep breaths. 'Breath with your stomach' like their mother always used to say.
"When did you find out about this?" Albus asked calmly.
"Yesterday." Aberforth said, slightly embarrassed.
"Have you eaten anything today?"
"I did have a muffin and a glass of milk"
"Right." Albus said, pulling out his wand.
"Don't you dare use magic in this house!" Aberforth bellowed. But Albus, who had seen that coming, was quicker and pulled up a silencing charm before making a sandwich to Aberforth with his wand.
"Has Ms. Ivory told her parents of the circumstances?" Albus asked, as Aberforth ate the sandwich.
"No. And you'd think Donna would be a better way to adress her now. You know, now that we're all going to live together. Because you're not going with Grindelwald still, right?" Aberforth asked accusingly, and Albus took a deep before answering.
"No... I can see how that will be difficult."
"Are you serious? Was that all it took to end your mad plans?" Aberforth scoffed, and Albus just couldn't stop himself anymore; For the first time since Kendra's death, Albus started crying in front of someone other than Gellert.
Gellert. Albus could not expect Gellert to stay behind... Gellert would have to leave without him. Whereas Albus would stay here with the burden of more kids. Why was he being punished like this? He felt like his whole world was falling apart, along with all his dreams and ambitions... Like with Gellert's vision.
***
Gellert's POV, August 29:
Albus-
I saw you crying after leaving the Ivory's house. But when I tried to approach you, you disappeared. Just like every other time I try getting close to you...
Can you please tell me what is wrong? Or at least answer my owls?
At first I thought you were too startled by my last confession to speak to me. But I think something else has happened. I keep seeing you go in and out of the Ivory's house, and Aberforth is pale as a ghost.
Will you try and explain what has happened? I can be patient, but the days keep going by, and we're supposed to leave tomorrow.
G.
Gellert read the letter twice before sending it away with his Snowy owl. As of lately, Gellert had only been seeing his owl around, but never gotten any replies.
After a couple of paces around his room, Gellert decided to tell his aunt. It had been way to long by now.
Speaking of the devil; When Gellert had walked down the stairs, Tante Bathilda was greating Albus.
"Hello, Ms. Bagshot," Albus said, quite sadly. Then he realized Gellert was there, and instantly started looking increasingly nervous, "I was merely wondering weather you could take care of Ariana for an hour or two?" At that, Ariana appeared from the Cloak, "Well, I should go. Have a nice afternoon Ms. Bag-"
"Hold on." Gellert said, grabbing Albus by his wrist.
We need to talk, we're supposed to leave tomorrow.
Gellert spoke in Albus' mind, and it looked like Albus realized he couldn't postpone this anymore.
"I know."
"Let's go up to my room."
After Albus had told him, Gellert couldn't utter a single word. But before Gellert had the chance to come up with something to say, Albus kissed Gellert and said, 'Think of me once in a while, will you?' and a final, 'Good luck.' by the door.
Gellert did not like the sound of those words, nor the way Albus had kissed him in such a final way.
***
Albus' POV, August 31:
Albus tried to read the book he was holding in his hands, but it was completely impossible. On his desk stood a picture of him and Gellert kissing in Ms. Bagshot's garden. Albus smiled when he realized his older self would probably look back on this summer a lot; The summer of 1899, when he thought he would own the whole world one day.
Albus' eyes started tearing up, and he couldn't see anything. Then he wiped his eyes, and from his window he saw with a fright Gellert approaching his house.
Quickly, Albus stood up and got out of his room. These last seven days had been strange, for Albus had not wanted to meet the man he loved. And seeing Gellert right outside his bedroom didn't excite him anymore, but made him jump.
"Hello Albus."
"How did you get in through the front door?" Albus asked, but Gellert only laughed.
"Darling.The amount of magic you've seen me preform, yet a simple Unlocking Charm impresses you?" When Albus did not answer, Gellert added, "Can I come in?"
Albus nodded, then sat down on his bed. Gellert followed suit without invitation.
"You look terrible." Gellert said, wiping Albus' tears away.
"I didn't expect to see you. I thought, perhaps, I had just spoken to you for the last time ever. Weren't you supposed to have left this village by now?"
"Of course not, darling... Albus, I couldn't leave without you." At that, Albus stared.
"What are you saying? You know I cannot leave."
"Of course you can. I have it all worked out. Perhaps it was good for you to leave me yesterday; It gave me time to think something up, and I probably would've said something stupid otherwise, had you not cut me off. I was so mad."
"Gellert-"
"Though I wouldn't like being cut off today." Gellert said sternly, "I have a plan that will work for all of us; You're plan is to let Aberforth finish his three last years at Hogwarts. On those three years, you won't be able to work, for you will take care of Ariana, Donna, and her baby. You will get your money from Tante Bathilda until those three years have passed. And after those years, you will work somewhere to provide for Aberforth, Ariana, Donna, and her kid till the end of your life, yes?"
"I- No. I will only work for Ariana. Aberforth will find a job eventually. Then he can start providing for Donna and their kid."
"And when will that happen, do you think? Do you really think Aberforth will be quick on finding a job for three?"
"I don't know, but-"
"And here is my plan; Aberforth skips his last years of Hogwarts. Instead, he can take care of the rest of them, while we leave for France. I know you're worried about the money, but I can lend them enough for each month. I am quite wealthy, you know. I don't really see anything wrong with that plan. What say you?"
"No."
"Come again?"
"Never."
"Albus, we promised we'd do this together. I thought you cared for our plan, worshipped it. This is something we've worked on for months, and you're telling me you're ready to throw it all away?"
"It hasn't been easy, Gellert."
"Then you could've talked to me! We would've worked something out together, and I still don't see the problem with my plan? Or is it-"
"Only the fact that Aberforth would miss his entire education-"
"What did I tell you about interrupting-"
"And Ariana and the kid would be in danger without me!"
All of a sudden, Albus was looking straight in the wall by his bed instead of at Gellert, and after a while, Albus could start to feel a distinct pain in his left cheek -- That shut him up.
"Albus," Gellert said, in a completely new voice. Though this voice sounded gentle and loving, it only scared Albus more, "I am so sorry, dear," He whispered, planting a kiss on Albus' burning cheek, "You know I am..."
"Gellert-" Albus started, with a weak voice when Gellert's hands started traveling under his shirt and up his thigh, "I need you to take your hands off of me..."
"Relax." Gellert said, and Albus' head started spinning.
"Please, stop..."
Albus' door slammed open, "Take your filthy hands off my brother or I'll kill you!" Aberforth shouted, pointing his wand at Gellert.
"Aberforth, no, I can handle this-"
"Are you truly that naive to think yourself able to overthrow me?" Gellert laughed hysterically.
"You're mad!" Aberforth accused as Albus buttoned his shirt. It was ironic to remember how many times Aberforth had warned Albus of Gellert, but Albus had chosen not to listen. Only now could Albus understand the full meaning behind the phrase; 'Blinded by love'.
"I'm a genius, that's what I am! And it is always idiots like you who are the main problem to why this society can't develop. But mark my words, you won't be able to stop me and your brother's plans."
"And when you say 'develope' you mean ruin? I know what you're after; Chucking Muggles into prison. The only person who should be in prison here is you! Or even better, an asylum!"
"Crucio!" But barely had the curse hit Aberforth and the room filled with Aberforth's screams, before Albus jumped off the bed and took the curse instead.
Thanks to the Blood Pact, Gellert's curse broke immediately. The room seemed to have a completely different atmosphere now versus to when they stepped in the room; Albus was protecting Aberforth whilst staring at Gellert. This time, not a bit scared of Gellert's gaze. It was obvious now, whose team Albus had chosen.
"It is time for you to leave now, Mr. Grindelwald." Albus said coldly.
"'Mr. Grindelwald'? I see. You choose him. You choose a life with goats rather than glory? You could've been great."
"I will be. Without your help. Now go." But Aberforth had just gotten his strength back and was having other plans.
"Crucio!" Upon which, Gellert answered with a spell Albus knew only too well would overpower Aberforth's.
So, Albus joined the fight.
Foolish -- Funny, really, how none of them noticed Ariana... Or perhaps Gellert did? Perhaps it was Gellert who killed Ariana. Perhaps it was Albus, or Aberforth. No one knows how Ariana died that summer 1899. And none of the three responsible for got punished by law. But punished by guilt? Oh, yes. Well, not Gellert Grindelwald so much, who fled the scene, not wanting more deaths set on his record.
***
Albus POV, November 5, 1906, epilogue:
Albus-
The first time I saw you, were from a school magazine
I thought you were a snob, and a Pureblood
I thought wrong on both
You were not a snob, so I wanted to love you
You were not a Pureblood, so could not love you
My father said I could not love a Halfblood, yet you proved him wrong, yet I did not say I love you
I did not want to be my father, but now I am
Will I be redeemed if I say I love you now, seven years too late?
I think of our summer every day for seven years
I think we were meant for each other, not forever, but for a summer
I remember all we said that summer
I do not regret a thing, except I do regret not saying
I love you
Still
G.
Albus saw his reflection in the swamp. Most of his facial features were the same as they had been 1899. All except for his now crooked nose. Albus could easily heal it in this instance, but he had promised himself never to do that.
Ariana's funeral had been like a fog. Albus do remember the blow he received from Aberforth that broke his nose though.
Albus remembered Donna Ivory getting sent away somewhere with his parents, and how Aberforth and Albus were left alone in that cold house.
Aberforth did not return for Hogwarts, and Albus started working as a teacher, as if nothing had ever happened. In some way, it felt like all had been for nothing; all fights and plans, just for Ariana to be dead. After all of Kendra's care, she and Ariana now laid beside each other.
Fawkes had been passed to Albus. Strange how he didn't choose Aberforth over Albus.
Albus looked up from the water and into the beautiful magical forest. The forest too, looked much alike from 1899. The only difference being the Thestrals.