xxxxxGellert had promised Valentin Schnell his utmost dedication and will in that fateful January day in the winter cold of Durmstrang. There was no other step but to fulfill that promise in the next days and months to come and he would seek and seek the answers that he so wished to find. Valentin had questioned wisely why he was the One when there were so many others that could fulfill the desire of humanity. Yet, Gellert had known that no other would possess him as much as he would possess the other and in that moment he knew that Len was the One he was searching for. But it was wise to truly define what Gellert meant by the One and it was wise to determine entirely that he was choosing Len not out of the desperate pain of his heart and his need but that he was choosing the other as a person and as a soul, forever his to hold, forever taking away Len from others, claiming him as Gellert's knowing the consequences that that choice would make, knowing what choosing such a creature that loves as a dragon who fights only for one soul and negates all others.
xxxxxThere was a grave consequence to this choice and he would make sure that the choice would be made with all that in mind. The angel had appeared that winter day and awoken him transcendentally to what he must do, to find the path the stars wished him to take, he would undergo any pain any hardship, and any struggle that he needed to eventually return to Len with the clear reassurance that Valentin Schnell was the one he was seeking for and not only a balm to the pain that had plagued Schroeder for years on end. There were four instances of clarity in the following six months that confirmed the clear path to Schnell, demonstrating the One to him in an event beyond the physical realm in a manner that he had never considered possible. There was a fated destiny between the two and in the time that he sought the answers for himself, this destiny was drawn more and more as the heavens aligned in his time at home and in the cold castle of Durmstrang. This destiny had no choice but to draw tighter and tighter for Gellert was certain that he would choose Valentin forever more, willing to direct the love of Len to himself and only himself, knowing the consequences were to deny others of Len's love.
xxxxxThe first starbound event was the strange appearance of a book in the study of the Schroeder house. His father had never seen the book in his lifetime, his mother confirmed that she had not purchased the material, and Gellert was certain of never having obtained the book. The book was owled to him for pleasure. There was a mysterious air to this book and the moment he saw the unique image on the cover, he was instantly reminded of the mysterious moment that had descended upon him and Valentin Schnell for it was a picture of an albino young man holding a Scherezade lily. It was not, of course, Valentin, himself, but somewhere the fates had sent him a book that would remind him of the love he had for the other every single day. Inside the book, the pages were blank except for a single sentence, “The path of the stars is the one that matches you in every way, the one that lights your path, brightens the darkness and desires the best for you even if it hurts them or others.”
xxxxxGellert had turned the page and the rest of the pages were blank, crisp cream paper that felt like satin under his fingertips. The strange enchanting book changed under his fingertips, revealing the hidden letters through his casting of the spell, “Revelio.” The whole books was a manifesto to love stories between those who could not love one another, from Romeo and Juliet to wizards and muggle women, to others. There was even a note on his name’s sake Grindelwald. In the end, the Dark Wizard was also a story of the One, although the One for him eventually transformed into an enemy. The One is not always destined for love but could be enemies or strangers, but the One is a person that matches your spirit entirely, a person that you understand mystically and they in return. There is a strange aura around the circumstances of this beautiful book, a book that appeared in his hands mystically, magically, and without an answer. It had disappeared the moment he finished the book, right out of his hands.
xxxxxThis was the first of these instances and it was as magical as the others that confirmed the strange existence of a bond between him and Len, confirmed that he had chosen the other not as a balm to his pain but as a gift, a scherezade lily in the snow, as a person above any other person. There was nothing to deny in the moment and everything to accept. It was all an euphoric ecstasy of understanding all that the stars seemed to desire within him. Although the book had disappeared within moments of the last word, Gellert dwelled upon the strange event with reverence and awe for hours upon end, coming to this identity defying conclusion that the One was who he had considered to be in that fateful snowy day in January, in the cold of the fight and glowing stars. However, he had promised Len that he would make certain of his choice when he saw him again and one instance was only evidence towards the destiny that Gellert hoped for. This was a sign but now he needed to search and make a decision to choose Valentin Schnell as his one not only allow the stars to guide him in that path. So, he would wait to learn more and to understand more.
xxxxxThe second star bound event was the answer to his personal research. He had come across an old tome in which was described the deep brotherhood and love between Achilles and Patrocles. They were One for another, whether chaste or not. For Gellert, the One need not be romantic or physical in nature, it was only a connection of souls. That is what he understood in that reading. Achilles and Patrocles were partners in every word and that is what he decided he would define as the One. It need not involve kisses or the physical but Gellert would in essence marry his soul to Valentin they would become all. That One however would be All, the whole world would be affected by the choice that Gellert would make. The whole world was impacted by the bond of Achilles and Patrocles and the whole world, the Trojan War impacted by their bond and dedication. Patrocles’ first words were what Achilles needed of him and Patrocles' last word was, “Achilles.” The birth, life, and death of Patrocles was in orbit around Achilles and in his death, Achilles returned to war. Gellert could only hope that he would orbit around Len and Len would orbit around him. If he chose Len, Gellert would be willing to die for his One and he would be willing to accept that Len would burn cold against the culprit and tear others down in revenge or to get Gellert back.
xxxxxThe bond between him and the other could tear down nations and if he were to choose Len he would have to accept that on his conscience. In that moment, there seemed to be once again a choice before him, to be willing to allow the rest of the world to be under rule of the wrath and beauty of his possible chosen lover. Yet he felt deep within his soul that there was already a bond between the two and if he refused, he would be going against his own self and destiny to be selfish and not take on the hardships and the joys of love. There were other answers but Len was too pure of a soul to refuse him and Gellert could not help but wish for more in a way. This was the second of the star bound events that led him to his chosen path and there were two more in store for him. Two more events that would intertwine him around the story of Valentin Schnell. Two more events that would make him choose Valentin Schnell if he saw him again. Two more events that taught him what he wanted and who he wanted. Two more events that separated Len from the rest of the world. One event that had nothing to do with Len and another that had everything to do with Len. Both events in his dreams, in his sleep, yet so real. The last event solidified his choice for Valentin Schnell completely and without doubt.
xxxxxThe first dream took place on a beautiful spring day, the snow having melted, and new beginnings in nature and human life. He had finished his school work for the night, even sneaking in a few dark magic spells to practice. There were no indications that this day was a day for a dream as such but it happened. He fell asleep warm and comfortable as the spring sun glowed in his room. In his dream, Gellert found himself walking along the streets of Diagon Alley, though in his dream state he did not question why. As he walked through the warm sun, he saw an older couple walking along the street, one holding the other on the waist and the other leaning their head on the shoulder. As he walked by them, time slowed and he could see the wedding rings on their fingers and could follow their gaze to their children earnestly running with their icecreams. In his dream, for a moment his mind wandered. He swallowed and saw the sight of Len kissing a child on the head with so much love and care. Gellert had an incredibly overwhelming thought that he wanted that child to be theirs. He wanted to be Len’s husband and fall in love over and over again when Len took care of their children and took care of Gellert. He blinked and he woke up from his nap surprised at the intensity of that thought. Gellert lay there in his bed, blinking and breathing. He felt peace with the emotional desire that he wanted to marry Len. He felt peace with the fact that having children together sounded so wonderful, he was so overwhelmed. It was a beautiful wish and he could not help but imagine that with the One, everything would be peaceful and intimate, even when they fought like enemies.
xxxxxThey could fight yet be comfortable with each other completely knowing the other would never leave. They would be pillars within each other’s lives and orbit around one another like twin stars in the night, ever drawing closer, until they become one. The whole dream was so surreal as it happened so randomly and so sweetly on one of the first days of spring. There was no other answer other than that it was a gift of fate but also his mind processing what he wanted and who he wanted. It was such a short dream yet so final in its message, confirming what Gellert desired and confirming the previous star bound events. There was no more need to prevent himself from choosing Len when all he wished for was to live by him side by side. It was not even water to a dying man anymore, just this amazing realisation that Len made Gellert comfortable and the best he could be and made him strive to be better and he wanted to do the same for Len. He wanted to do that forever and ever for Len.
xxxxxThe final star bound event was a simple dream once more. A simple dream of a broom and a person. It happened two months after the first dream, almost at the end of the school year. There was something ethereal to this dream, even though it was only a dream of Quidditch and normal school sports. Yet as he took a seat in the stands, there was a glow about him. He looked up at the player in front of him. In his imagination, it was Len. Len had a focused yet excited look upon his face as he led the team. There was comfort in Len on the broom and happiness. Gellert had never seen Len in a game in real life but in this dream this was what he imagined it would be like. In that moment, Gellert wanted to also be someone that would create that comfort, excitement, and focus in the other. He wanted to be a person that Len could always be excited by, comforted by, focused on, and experienced happiness with. Gellert would keep choosing Len too, keep choosing Len even when Gellert didn’t need the other, would always want him.
xxxxxThese four star bound events were the clear highlights of the second half of the school year. The academics and studying, he truly would not remember thirty years from now. However, these events would forever be intertwined in himself. He would remember it until the day he died, even if the other never chose him back. These were the signs of fate and Gellert would forever be grateful for their gift of star bound signs. He would meet Len again, perhaps indeed at the summer camp that would occur at Hogwarts. There he would declare his choice for Len in person, and choose him as a person not a solution for his pain, choose him as Valentin Schnell, not a pain reliever. There was a transcendental feeling the moment he woke up from the last dream, an assertion of certainty and comfort, a confidence that this was what Gellert wanted and what he would forever want. There was hope in his eyes and a gentle happiness that caused Gellert to slightly smile in the night whenever he thought of the other. All he wanted was a smile from Valentin back, a choice from him whether yes or no. After all, the One never need return the feelings to be the One. Each person had their own One. Gellert’s was Valentin but Valentin need not be Gellert’s. All Gellert wanted was the best path for Valentin and if that path was away from him, then he would support it wholeheartedly. He would support Valentin as brothers as friends as lovers, whatever he desired. They would be everything they were meant to be. Gellert had searched for Len and had always missed him when others led Gellert to Len, but he knew that if he did not see Len during the school year then that was their fate. If it truly was fated to be then they would see each other again during summer camp. As it is written so it shall be.
