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The day had been suffocating- the mere heat of the day rendering the two boys lying under a tree to be rather lazy, one reading and the other lying down on his arms that rested at the back of his head.
It was far too scorching to stay indoors, making them venture out. They had rested under a tree just a little short of a cottage, a blanket and basket, with different assortments of cheese and fruits that Gellert’s great-aunt had insisted they take with them strewn on the blanket. She had even given Albus a slice of fruitcake to appease his sweet tooth.
Gellert took a bunch of grapes, but did not start to eat from them, lying down again after moving from his original position to rummage in the basket for them.
“Albus.”
Albus did not even glance up from his book, “Yes?”
"Albus, would you be so kind as to look at me?"
Albus slowly put his book down, marking his page, before crawling closer to Gellert, now sitting by his side.
Gellert's hand soon crept up to cup Albus's face, his fingers tracing his lips. Albus stiffened ever so slightly, but made no comment on the fact Gellert was being as daring to do this in public. Gellert then withdrew his hand.
He began to pick grapes off the bunch, setting them on the blanket, while one remained in his hand.
"You wish for me to try one?" The auburn enquired.
Gellert gave him a mischievous smile, the type that made him feel as if all the air in the world was not enough to satisfy his sudden short breath.
Albus accepted the grape that Gellert had held out for him, popping it into his mouth and beginning to chew.
Gellert watched him intently. It was an odd thing Albus had noticed, that Albus could not find a reason to explain: whenever Albus would eat food offered by Gellert, he would watch him until he was finished.
Albus continued to eat the offered grapes, Gellert still watching on as if it was the most fascinating thing to see.
Until that was, they suddenly became aware of a sudden yelling- the man who owned the cottage they were not far from.
For a horrifying moment, Albus had thought he was shouting at them for their proximity, but alas, he was only raving about not being allowed on the property and how they had trespassed.
He was coming ever closer now, and was holding a pitchfork, to which Gellert had scoffed and muttered: "Some Muggles behave like such barbarians."
He did not comment on that remark.
Albus stood, holding his hand out to the other, who took it and pulled himself up.
The man was still relatively far, yet was now jabbing the pitchfork in the air while approaching, still yelling.
Gellert glanced to his side, seeing if Albus was looking at him.
"I think we should race."
The other whipped his head around in unamusement.
"No. We shall explain calmly that we did not realize we were tresspassing." Albus hissed.
He merely smiled.
"Don't you dare-"
But before Albus could even finish his sentence, Gellert had already begun to run. Of course Albus followed shortly after, muttering things under his breath as he followed.
Unfortunately, their attempt to run away only seemed to only provoke the Muggle further, and he began to chase them now.
Albus ran after Gellert, who was already so far ahead, ran until it felt as if his legs did not exist and he was merely flying, in danger of hurtling over anything in his path.
He caught up to Gellert soon enough, taking his hand, the man still chasing, but much slower than them.
"Ha! Look at him! He is far too old to catch us." Gellert mocked gleefully.
Albus could not prevent the laugh that escaped him.
"He will catch us eventually. We will tire." He replied between breathless laughter.
"Ah, but Albus, I have a plan: we shall apparate away." He replied, now laughing with Albus with glee.
"Surely not-"
"He will think we fell. By the time he catches up we shall be long gone. We are so far from him," As if to emphasize this, Gellert pointed to the faraway silhouette of the Muggle, "We shall apparate while running... to that field at the top of that hill."
He should refuse. He truly should. But the look on Gellert's face, so full of wild joy made him unable to refuse him- and besides, was this not the very thing they were fighting for? To no longer have to hide for the sake of Muggles?
And so Albus had nodded, the both of them still hurtling forward. He closed his eyes, the familiar sense of apparition overwhelming him, until he opened his eyes again to a field of lavender and Gellert's laughter again, followed shortly by them falling to the ground.
He was breathing heavily, draped over Gellert's body, who was also panting for air.
He should lecture Gellert on how immature and reckless what they had just done had been. But he could not bring himself to do that: he had never felt so alive and so powerful.