Chapter Text
There was a real mess at Hogwarts. Here and there certain precautions were taken and some students excitedly discussed the much-coveted news with their friends. The Durmstrang students and the Beauxbatons students would be arriving in just a few hours. The Triwizard Tournament was coming up and this had always been one of the most exciting events at Hogwarts. Nobody would want to miss this. The great hall was decorated diligently and, as far as possible, polished to a high gloss. A great variety of delicious dishes and refreshing drinks set the long tables and the wonderful scent of freshly melted candle wax permeated the entire castle. Everything seemed perfect.
In the midst of it all was young Albus. Well, to be more precise, he was still in the dormitory of his house. With him was his younger brother Aberforth, who was in his 5th year at Hogwarts. Both just stayed silent on their beds. The older one immersed himself in a book while the younger Dumbledore lay face down on the bed, silently watching the other. "Can you do something other than reading all day?" Aberforth broke the silence and sat up at the same time. "Should I rather just toss and turn in bed all day long?" Albus replied without even looking up. "Do you relate this statement to me?". Smiling and amused by his brother's reaction, the auburn haired boy buried his face deeper between the pages of the novel. For a few seconds, Aberforth waited for his older brother to say something more. Then he got too annoyed and fell back onto his back.
However, it didn't take long for the two to startle at the sound of the slamming door. Elphias stood in the doorway completely breathless. "Albus, Aberforth! What are you still doing here? A huge ship has just emerged from the lake and a carriage with white winged horses is standing in front of the castle gate!” said the freckled boy, full of anticipation. Aberforth spun around and was now lying on his stomach, fingers clutching the mattress. "They are here? NOW?" Elphias nodded hastily. "We have to go or we'll miss something. Everyone should gather in the Great Hall immediately!”. Aberforth jumped up. "Albus, are you coming?" The person just spoken to finally looked up. "Yes, go ahead. I'll be right after in a minute", "As you say". The two of them made off.
After a few more minutes, Albus slammed the blue-covered book shut, grabbed his Gryffindor robe and slipped it on. He then put the book under his arm and also left the room.
The corridors were cleared and not a single soul was to be seen. He was probably the last to show up there.
Ah, wonderful.
He ran down some stairs and headed straight for the huge front door of the hall. He could hear the others talking loudly. As he entered, Albus noticed how unusually crowded it was. He also noticed the two additional tables at which the students from the other schools were sitting. He himself went to his place, which Elphias had kindly kept free. "You missed the best, my friend", "Do you mean Professor Black's eeeeeeeeeever speech or introducing the schools? I don't see why my presence was so necessary." The auburn-haired boy pushed his beloved book in front of him and turned to the page where he was interrupted. Elphias sighed heavily and turned to Aberforth, with whom he was now talking eagerly.
Albus immersed himself in the reading once more. He wasn't even paying attention to his surroundings anymore. His bright blue eyes scanned every single word and page after page until he finally found himself on a blank one. Has he really finished the book yet? He closed it and cocked his head to the side. Elphias was gone. Aberforth as well. Only isolated groups were sitting at each table, half the students had disappeared. "You could have let me know..." Albus murmured under his breath. He looked ahead again and in his field of vision was the Durmstrang School table. All these students wore dark uniforms of their school. They didn't seem particularly talkative, even when they sat together in several small collectives. As he continued to let his gaze wander around, someone caught his eye in particular. The hair so light blond, it seemed almost white. The face was distinctive due to the fine, high cheekbones. The most striking feature, however, was the startling eyes. One as white as freshly fallen snow. The other was the complete opposite; it was dark, but not too dark to not notice the beautiful brown in this one. Apathetically, the handsome stranger leaned his head against his fist, listening to the conversation of the students sitting next to him.
Albus himself was unaware of the way he was staring at this extraordinary boy. He examined every detail several times. It wasn't until the two made eye contact that he realized what he was doing. Nobody looked away. Not even the ominous guy. He just looked straight back at him silently. Albus winced. He abruptly cut off the uncomfortable intimate contact by jumping up and making his way out of the Great Hall.
What a weird situation...
Gradually darkness fell over Hogwarts. The students were still awake and chatting with the special guests. Albus had been with Elphias and Aberforth since fleeing the great hall. There had also been a short, unnecessary lecture from Albus. After all, they left the poor boy alone without a word, resulting in this awkward situation. However, the older Dumbledore didn't tell what happened. The trio was currently lingering near the Goblet of Fire, watching as someone gradually qualifies for the Triwizard Tournament.
"Imagine that.. infinite glory," breathed Aberforth enthusiastically. "You will not put your name in that goblet, Aberforth," Albus asserted. "He's right..." "And certainly not you, Elphias". "I didn't intend to either, my friend."
A short silence.
All three started to burst out into laughter. "You wouldn't even pass the first task" Albus said daringly and it was with a heavy heart that the two agreed. He just knew them too well. Everyone in the room stopped talking. Even the trio. A group of Durmstrang students took a course on the Goblet of Fire.
They were led by... wait. Wasn't this that.. guy?
The light-haired approached the goblet. He raised his closed fist and threw a yellowed piece of paper he had been holding into the blue flames. The Durmstrang students cheered, with some patting the qualifiers on the back in congratulations. However, his facial features didn't twist a bit, not even a small smile. Albus' mouth dropped slightly. His companions viewed the potential Durmstrang Champion with doubt.
"Not him..." Albus mumbled under his breath. Aberforth gently nudged his brother's shoulder.
"Are you ok?" Elphias waved a hand in front of his friend's face. As if snapped out of trance, the auburn-haired boy answered; "Oh-..uh.. yeah I'm fine.. just a little tired." Just got the curve. "Now that you mentioned it.. it's been a long day," Elphias yawned. "We should go.." Albus suggested without further ado, walking away first. Aberforth and Elphias followed closely.
Little did he know that a pair of mismatched eyes were following him.
On the Quidditch field, things went fast. Here and there someone on a broomstick flew over the heads of the others. Even a few spectators gathered in the stands to cheer on their players during training. Aberforth and Elphias sat in the front row and enjoyed themselves at the spectacle they were put on.
After a while, Albus also joined them without a word. He didn't visit the Quidditch pitch often. During big games he was in their dormitory as usual or made himself comfortable with a book in a quiet corner of the castle. Unlike his friend and brother, he wasn't the sporty type. Even if he has already thought about enrolling in the quidditch team of their house. In the end, nothing came of it.
A row behind them was also seated a group of four girls. Three of them were Hufflepuffs and one Gryffindor. It was obvious that they didn't come for the training but for some of the players themselves. This was confirmed when two of them started shrieking and shouting things across the field. Poor Albus dropped his book in shock. "Why are they screaming like that?" he asked completely confused. Aberforth and Elphias both pointed to one of the players. “HE is the reason. Durmstrang's recently appointed CHaMpIoN,” Aberforth clarified with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
The auburn-haired boy's jaw almost dropped.
"The champions have already been chosen? When?!". Elphias thought for a moment. “That was around 12 today. You were probably still in the dormitory. I asked you to come with me, but you were too engrossed in reading again. Besides, you weren't interested in this whole thing anyway."
Albus looked back at the field. He narrowed his eyes slightly to see the person who wore a dark red robe and was whizzing away on a jet black broomstick. As the person got closer, he recognized him as the boy with the unusual eyes.
"What is his name..?", "I think Gilbert or something like that.." Aberforth mused.
"His name is Gellert Grindelwald," the black-haired corrected the younger one. "However".
"Gellert..." Albus repeated in a whisper. "I.. eh... read on then," Albus suggested, opening the book he'd fished off the ground again and holding it conspicuously close to his face. Every now and then he glanced over the edge at the boy whose name turned out to be Gellert. His silky hair flowed in the wind leaving his beautiful face free of any strands.
Albus quickly tried to devote himself to his book again, which he found difficult.
He just couldn't let go.
Gellert had been on the Quidditch pitch for hours. All of this was getting tiresome for the Durmstrang student. The chance that he would catch that pesky snitch was zero. It wouldn't make any difference if he just gave up right away. As Gellert started to land, he paused. His mismatched eyes narrowed as he focused on the stands. A small grin formed on his lips followed by the screams of some of the girls. "What's he staring at so stupidly?" Aberforth made a face like seven days of rainy weather. In a flash, Albus buried his nose deeper between the pages of his book. "I think he's looking at us," Elphias murmured. The auburn haired boy's heart was beating faster by the minute, knowing that Gellert saw him. What happened to him? He was startled again as his sense of hearing was nearly destroyed by the screams behind him. "He.. is he approaching us?". Albus' heart stopped. Please no.
"Well.. I don't want to dictate anything to you, but I don't think it's good to read a book upside down." The person spoken to lowered the book only slowly. In front of him was Durmstrang's champion, still seated on his broomstick. Aberforth's expression hadn't changed. Elphias, on the other hand, couldn't help but smile. "Oh, eh..." Albus abruptly twirled the object in his hands. "You're welcome," with a fleeting wink, he left them again. Gellert flew purposefully towards the field. When his feet hit solid ground, he glanced over his shoulder one last time, then the blonde walked away.
Embarrassed, Albus buried his face in his hands. He felt an uncomfortable heat on his cheeks. Nobody said anything. Not until it literally started raining out of the blue. "Damned! I'm leaving,” Aberforth uttered and did so. Elphias tried to save himself using his robe. "Don't just sit there, Albus! You'll get all wet!", "..I'll be right after you". Albus' hands were still on his face. He didn't dare taking them away. Elphias sighed "You always say that. But come before it gets worse, otherwise you'll get sick."
The weather actually got a lot worse. Albus was soaked from head to toe. His hair as well as his clothes were stuck to his skin and it felt uncomfortable. He had taken off his Gryffindor robe and was more or less dragging it behind him. The book was completely destroyed by the rain. Damn. He should have just gone back to the castle with the others. Surely, he wouldn't have gotten too wet and his precious book would still be as good as new. He roamed through the corridors of Hogwarts as thunder roared outside. He seemed to be alone again. The entire student body was most likely in the Great Hall. After all, there weren't any classes taking place at the moment and Albus could well imagine that a small party was being held in honor of the champions. At least that's what the dull music that could be heard through the walls told him. The boy climbed the spiral staircase. His main priority was getting rid of his damp clothes and swapping them for dry and warmer ones. But that would have to wait. He couldn't get any further than halfway because a certain person was blocking his way.
Gellert Grindelwald - the Champion of Durmstrang sat directly in front of him. Both looked up and down at each other's faces, amazed to see each other. "Hey.. Gellert Grindelwald?" Albus asked, feeling stupid afterwards. "The real deal," his thin lips curled into his charming smile. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you.." "I'd rather be on my own," the light blonde cut him off abruptly. He broke eye contact and instead focused on the stained-glass window. The beautiful smile stretched into a straight line. Albus wondered if he had said something wrong. Hesitantly, he took a seat on the step next to his new acquaintance. It was quiet between the two. Nobody said anything, they just enjoyed the silence.
It wasn't until Gellert turned back to Albus that the frozen ice between them broke. "You don't seem to be a fan of social events either," the auburn-haired boy's eyes widened.
"Well.. I'm just to myself most of the time too. I'd rather read than go to any school events. It's just not for me." Gellert nodded in agreement. “By the way, I think you're a really great Quidditch player. A- Actually I'm not a big fan of it at all, but it was impressive how you played! And...", his interlocutor started to laugh loudly. Confused by the sudden fit of laughter, Albus frowned. "What is it?", "You liked that? I played Quidditch for the first time! Well, actually I just wanted to prepare for the tournament. But anyway, thanks." Now Albus really felt stupid.
"By the way.. you're.. pretty wet. It would be a good idea to change clothes so you don't get sick and miss the tournament." Damn. He was right. Immediately, the Gryffindor student jumped up. He looked down at himself. His white shirt was so wet that it emphasized his upper body more. "..I'll go then.. nice talking to you.. Gellert," Albus climbed the stairs.
"Wait!". He stopped abruptly and made a half turn. Gellert was standing now and looking up at him. "You haven't told me your name yet." Unconsciously, a gentle smile spread across the auburn-haired boy's rosy lips.
"Albus. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore".
So he turned his back on him and disappeared. So he left Gellert without further ado.
The word that sounded so sweet in his ears, he murmured softly to himself.
"..Albus"