Chapter Text
"Pity the living, and above all, pity those who live without love."
-- Albus Dumbledore
Albus Dumbledore looked like an ordinary teenage boy with no troubles, indeed not a care in the world, as he stood humming to himself in the little graveyard of the wizarding community, Godric's Hollow. In reality, however, Albus Dumbledore was a deeply troubled boy. Brilliant and unmatched in magical talent, he had just graduated from Hogwarts at the age of eighteen, only to return home due to the untimely death of his mother, Kendra, to care for an invalid sister who was, most of the time, a burden and a hindrance. Meanwhile, his father had died in Azkaban, the wizard's prison, for his attack on three Muggle boys, leaving Albus as the head of the family and caretaker of his sister.
On top of this, Albus had a younger brother, Aberforth, surly and aggressive, who absolutely despised him. At Hogwarts there had been none to match Albus' brilliance, and at home, he could look forward to nothing but being resented. He had no peers. No, not even his dear friend, Elphias, could keep up with him in conversation on the most mysterious and ancient magics, a fact that he found most frustrating, even isolating, for what did any teenager want but to be understood? And now, Elphias was off on a trip to see the world, while he, Albus, was stuck in Godric's Hollow, looking after a sister who barely recognized him anymore and a brother who hated him with barely concealed malice.
His only peace lay in escapism, that escapism taking form in the Deathly Hallows. His search for them consumed him. And how lucky it was that his family had moved to Godric's Hollow, the final resting place of one of the three Peverell brothers from the legend. Albus had never been so close to finding a Hallow before now! To think, the Elder wand might be under the mud and grass just in front of him!
It was a bright, blue summer day. Young Albus stood over the grave of Ignotus Peverell, contemplating the weathered headstone -- or rather, pretending to contemplate the headstone. He had sensed a presence nearby. Someone was lurking behind him, watching him, yet they had hidden themselves with magic. Why?
His hand gripping the wand hidden in the jacket of his short pants suit, Albus silently cast the spell Homenum Revelio. In an instant, the Disillusionment charm hiding his observer fell away. Albus heard it dissolve, and he turned to face his stalker.
Albus had pulled his wand and was on the verge of casting another spell when the sight of his observer stopped him dead. Albus had come face to face with a very handsome boy, about the same age as he, with sunny blonde hair and a handsome face with mischievous blue eyes. Like Albus, the boy was wearing a short pants suit, though he had left behind his jacket in the summer heat and was in his shirt sleeves, most inappropriate! But just looking at this cheeky boy, whose blue eyes winked with silent laughter, Albus got the impression that being inappropriate was a constant state of his.
The boy was so handsome, in fact, that for several seconds, Albus couldn't speak. At last, he cleared his throat and said, "Why were you watching me? Who are you?"
"I am Gellert," said the handsome boy, "and I am here in Godric's Hollow visiting my aunt. Aunt Batty, I call her. Dreadful sort of place, is it not?" he said unapologetically. The blue eyes traced over the distant buildings behind Albus with great distaste, then returned to Albus' face. The boy's stare was so intense, Albus felt x-rayed, even naked, and felt himself blushing a little.
"If you find it so dreadful, why visit?" Albus asked defensively, though his wand lowered somewhat as he stared at this unbelievably handsome boy.
"My parents made me," said Gellert, and for the first time, the laughter left his eyes to be replaced with something defiant and even a little sulky. "Their solution to everything is to send me away," he added bitterly. "I was just wandering around, exploring, when I came across a fairly dashing boy and thought I would stop to admire," he said with the same unapologetic air, and Albus blushed harder still. Gellert jerked his chin at Albus. "What about you? Who are you? And whatever are you doing in a graveyard on such a fine day?"
Somehow, Albus didn't buy the idea that this Gellert boy was just wandering around aimlessly. No, he had come to see the famous resting place of Ignotus Peverell, just like Albus. It was written all over his face, the curiosity, the hunger. It was always the same. People who visited Godric's Hollow always came to the Peverell grave, hoping to see something, contemplating, as Albus had contemplated, on the powerful wand that lay under the earth, just waiting to be claimed.
"I am Albus Dumbledore," said Albus politely and with a slight bow. He straightened up again, glad to feel his blush retreating. "And as I am sure you have deduced, I am contemplating the headstone of Ignotus Peverell. This graveyard is no stranger to you, surely."
Gellert held up his hands. "Are you a sharp one! You have me. I came to see the grave same as you have. So . . " His voice became hushed, his eyes intense once more. "Are you a Seeker, then? A Seeker of the Hallows?"
Albus nodded sheepishly. He liked the boy's intensity, but it frightened him as well. Something in the feverish blue eyes was unwell. But he pushed it aside. Another Seeker of the Hallows, a boy his own age! He'd never had anyone to talk to about the Hallows before. He was stunned speechless.
Gellert seemed relieved. He let out a long sigh. "I never thought I would meet another one. But are you willing to actually act on your curiosity or are you just here to gawk like so many others?"
Albus frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean!" said Gellert, the feverish light returning to his eyes. "Ignotus may have been buried with the Elder Wand -- the unbeatable wand, just a few feet from our grasp!" The blue eyes raked hungrily over the headstone, and he clutched his hands in greedy fists.
It had never occurred to Albus to actually take the wand. That would be grave desecration and he said so.
"Well," said Gellert, amused, "aren't you the polite little gentlemen, so worried about manners and morals. This is greater than that! Imagine all the good you could do with that wand -- assuming, of course, it is the Elder Wand buried beneath." He paused and said carefully, "You could heal your sister with it."
Albus stared. "How do you know about my sister?"
"Aunt Batty is a friend of your family, is she not? Well, she talks a great deal about all the people who live here. I could make you think I was omniscient with the things I know about the boring little people of Godric's Hollow. But you, when she spoke of you, Albus, I was fascinated. A boy like me, stuck in this wretched place due to a burdensome and even more wretched family! Aunt Batty wanted me to meet you, and now I see why." He fell silent, staring at Albus with a hard, calculating sort of look. "She told me how you were a top student at Hogwarts. I was head of my year at Durmstrang." He took a step closer and halted again. "Think of all the good we could do if we combined our brilliance, Albus! And all we need are the Hallows!"
Albus didn't quite know what to say, which was entirely new to him. Usually he was always ready with a retort, but this Gellert boy left him speechless with his impassioned rants. Indeed, he couldn't see how Gellert was wrong. The Elder Wand very well could cure Ariana, and the Resurrection Stone, why, it could bring back his mother, and perhaps Aberforth would stop hating him. Then they could be a family again, and Albus could go on his journey abroad without guilt or fear. It was the perfect solution his many troubles, troubled boy that he was.
"What are you suggesting?" Albus said at last, though he already had an idea what Gellert would say.
Gellert's intense blue eyes were wide and feverish again as he took several steps closer to Albus, until they were almost nose to nose. "I say we dig up Ignotus Peverell's grave -- tonight -- and claim the wand."
"And then what?" asked Albus breathlessly, distracted once again by how handsome Gellert was.
Gellert smirked, knowing full-well that Albus was now eating out of his hand. "We travel the world, of course," he said, backing away and opening his arms. "Just you and me. We find the other Hallows and take the world for wizard kind!"
Albus frowned. "But what about the Muggles?"
"Albus, Albus," sang Gellert. "Being ruled by wizards doesn't have to be a completely painful experience. It would be for their own good. And think about it! Wizards could live free! No more hiding. No more Statute of Secrecy! Your sister wouldn't have to hide, wouldn't have to fear being attacked again once Muggles finally know their place--!"
"Bathilda told you about that?" said Albus, snapping out of his reverie.
"Aunt Batty told me everything about you," said Gellert, staring intently into Albus' eyes. "And as I said, I was most fascinated. I had to see you for myself," he said unashamedly, "this brilliant boy who lived next door. It was easy to find you. You make a habit of haunting the same places. I have been watching you for three days. I was surprised when you finally noticed, so deep were you in your contemplations, and I did not want to be rude and interrupt the brilliant thinker, of course."
It did not occur to irrational, hormonal, teenage Albus that it was intrusive and downright creepy to be watched for three days straight by a total stranger without ones knowledge. Instead, he was too busy reflecting on everything this handsome boy had said, and he was also somewhat lost in Gellert's dreamy blue eyes.
Remaking the world for wizard kind. His sister could live in the open, without fear. His mother and father could return from the dead! He would see Kendra again, hold her, weep against her with joy, and Percival, Percival would be so proud. He just needed to get his hands on the Hallows. Then he would be free. (He was too young to understand that he would never be free.)
"What do you say, Albus?" prompted Gellert, hands in his pockets. "Meet me here tonight?"
Albus hesitated. "What will I tell my brother? I am sure he would be more than happy to watch Ariana for a few hours, but he will suspect . . . Aberforth always suspects."
"Tell him you're staying the night with me," said Gellert with a little smile, and Albus felt himself blushing more furiously than ever.
Albus awkwardly cleared his throat. "Did you mean it when you said . . . When you said I was dashing?"
"The most dashing boy I e'er did see," returned Gellert softly. He turned and started picking his way through the gravestones.
"Wait!" Albus called after him, and Gellert waited, looking over his shoulder in surprise.
"What is your surname?" Albus wondered. "I gave you mine but you did not give me yours."
Gellert grinned, and turning to face Albus, he bowed low. "I," he said to the grass, "am Gellert Grindelwald."