A/N: I felt the need to change the name of the Les Amis in order to accommodate the fact that they're German.
Here are the list of changed names - I hope it doesn't get too confusing!
Character name list:
Enjolras - Engelbert (bright angel)
Grantaire - Gerhard
Combeferre - Conrad
Courfeyrac - Curt
Feuilly - Frederik
Joly - ?
Bossuet - Baldwin
Bahorel - Bernard
Jehan - Johan
I hope you enjoy the story!
It all began in the winter of 1939. Hans Engelbert, who was simply Engelbert to his friends, was on his way to university. He had just been accepted into it recently, but he expected he would be forced into the army soon. His country, Germany, had just declared war on Poland and everything was chaotic now.
As Engelbert turned the corner, he heard a cry of pain.
"You don't belong here, Jude! Get back to the gutter where you belong!" A man shouted and pushed the teenage boy off of the sidewalk forcefully. The boy fell hard and began to shake with surprised tears.
The seen before him made Engelbert fill with anger, but there was nothing he could do out here in the open. He took his eyes off of the crying boy and continued on his way.
"Something must be done to stop this." He murmured to himself. Engelbert could smell fresh bread being made and turned to a backery window. In the reflection, he could see that his curly blond hair needed a haircut. He cursed. He enjoyed the way it felt when it was long, but it drew too much unwanted attention if he let it grow.
The proper way for boys to dress was to have nice, short, proper hair, and nice, fresh clothes. His pocket watch told him it was nearly 8:30 and that if he didn't hurry, he'd be late.
"And there is our beautiful bright angel!" Curt greeted with a warm smile on his face. "I was wondering where you had gone off to!"
"I was running a little late. There was a fight in my way." Engelbert explained. Curt frowned at the tone of his friend's voice and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Was it...?"
"Ja."
There was a short silence between them before a young lady appeared.
"Elke!" Curt grinned at her and took her arm gently. "You grow more beautiful each day I see you!" He beamed.
Elke laughed and kissed his cheek. "You're always the same, but I love it! Come over some time and have dinner with my family."
"I would love to, my dear." Curt replied and kissed her hand. Engelbert watched in annoyance as his friend continued his flirting.
"Have you seen Conrad?" Engelbert asked.
"Ja, he is in the library." Curt answered and continued flirting with the poor girl. Engelbert nodded his thanks and walked away. He opened the door to the library and dropped his bag on the table where his friend was. Conrad looked up and took his glasses off.
"Engelbert, mein freund," he smiled. "how are you?"
"I'm well enough. Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?" Engelbert asked in a voice attempting to be casual, but Conrad knew his young friend well enough to know it was important.
"I would love to." He smiled. Engelbert nodded and sat down.
"What did you want to speak to me about?" Conrad asked when he and Engelbert were saftly in the latter's bedroom.
Engelbert took a cautious breath and looked into Conrad's eyes. if this didn't go well, Engelbert could get turned in.
"I know that you agree with me on some of my concerns with our country. I want you to help me form a secret society." He explained quietly, but bluntly.
Conrad stared at him with wide eyes for a minute or two.
"you're crazy." he breathed and Engelbert's hopes fell slightly. "but…" Conrad continued and sighed. "I'll help you."