Ok so this is technically my first fanfic and is definately my favourite. This fic covers the mysterious war between the forces of good and evil wizards during WW2.
Disclaimer: Nothing to do with the HP universe is mine. Wish it was, but it ain't.
Harry Potter - The Grindelwald Chronicles
by
James Garrison
Chapter I - Message to the Minister
Albus Dumbledore sat in his cubicle in the Aurors office looking over the recent reports of wizard and muggle killings on his desk. Fifteen murders since the summer began with no explanation. All the Aurors had been able to deduce was that they had been well thought out and the killing curse had been used to kill them. Except the most recent murder. This was the most disturbing one. From the evidence at the scene, they had concluded that the victim had been put under the imperius curse. This was a terrible discovery. That curse shouldn't have the ability to kill. A human being's will should be able to withstand committing murder, especially taking your own life. It was a disastrous turn; the dark arts had become even more powerful.
Albus rubbed his eyes and shook his head. The entire office was empty except for Caradoc Dearborn in the next cubicle. They had been working non-stop on this case for months and months, but still they only had one suspect. He was the eighth victim. "I'm going to head home now Albus", Caradoc said, yawning and standing up. "Wait for me in the Atrium, Caradoc", said Albus, "I'll be out in a moment". Caradoc left the office as Albus came to a picture of Marigold Bulstrode. It was eerie for Albus looking a picture of someone completely still, motionless, like a dark cloud was looming over him. Albus rubbed his eyes and shook his head again. He packed his briefcase with the documents and the pictures, stopping again when he came across that same picture.
Albus left the office when his briefcase was full with papers and pictures, fixing his tie and putting his black cloak around his neck. He entered the lift and went down to the Atrium. An old, bald obliviator entered on the floor below the Aurors office, but the journey down was very quiet. The doors opened and the golden statue glistened for his arrival. The obliviator rudely brushed in front of him, to which Albus grimaced, and he exited. Caradoc had been standing next to the lift door and met Albus when he walked out.
"Any ideas, Albus", Caradoc said as the walked up to the exit. Unfortunately my friend, I haven't a clue", Albus replied. Albus and Caradoc parted ways, Albus entering the lift and Caradoc using the floo network. Albus came out into the amiable alley he had seen all too often. The new school year would start in a few days. He'd return to the ministry now and then to help with the case, but his first priority would always be his teaching.
One boy concerned Albus: Tom Riddle. He had shown cruelty to others in the orphanage he lived in and displayed incredible magical ability for a wizard his age. Albus had decided early on that he had to keep a careful eye on young Tom, but he would not deny him a place in Hogwarts, nor would he deny him the chance to thrive in the wizarding community.
Albus wandered down the backstreets and alleyways of London town onwards to the Leakey Cauldron. He entered the famous wizard's pub and was greeted by the friendly barman, Tom, a hunchbacked wizard with a friendly disposition. "'Allo there Mr Dumbledore", Tom said, smiling a crooked smile. "Good evening Thomas", Albus replied, lifting a hand and sitting at a table. He let out a heavy sigh while Tom prepared a mug of tea for the tired warlock. "There you are Mr Dumbledore", said Tom, placing the mug down on long wooden table with a clunk. "Thank you Thomas", said Albus.
As Albus lifted the white mug to his lips, he had a revelation. He opened his briefcase and shuffled through the documents. He pulled out the picture of Marigold Bulstrode and stared at it. Around her neck, was an amulet. On the amulet was a hammer and sickle, the symbol of the USSR. These were political attacks. Marigold supported communism, though the wizarding community at large was capitalist. She was an outspoken supporter of communism. But the ministry would never permit an assassination, it is not there way.
Albus noticed a Daily Prophet on the bar and the headline struck him. He stood up and calmly walked over to the bar and picked up the newspaper. 'Ministry's Collide in Germany Row'. Czechoslovakia had been invaded by the German's. It wasn't even an invasion, it was an instant takeover. Czechoslovakia had been reduced to a small amount of land. Germany was the cause of the murders. But the German Ministry for Magic had been denying any links to Nazism. They claimed that their wizarding community was being kept in their ministry in secret, behind Hitler's back. And Albus believed them. He still did.
Albus now believed that a pro-Nazi wizard must be behind the sudden attacks on the communists. Albus finished his tea and placed the cup back on the small porcelain plate. "Thank you Thomas for your courtesy so late at night", Albus said, standing up and putting the documents back into his briefcase. "Twas my pleasure Mr Dumbledore", Tom said, spitting into a pint glass and wiping it with a filthy flannel, "will you be needing a room tonight"? "No thank you Tom", continued Albus reaching into his pocket as he strode over to the large fireplace you would expect in a wizards establishment. "Oh dear, I thought I had more floo powder left". "Not to worry Mr Dumbledore, I've plenty over 'ere". Tom reached below the counter and extracted a small round wooden box, with the words 'Leaky Cauldron' lazily inscribed on it. Tom hobbled out from behind the bar and stood in front of Albus. He opened the lid to reveal a green powder. "Thank you Tom", Albus said, smiling, taking a small amount of powder from the box and stepping into the fire. "Night Mr Dumbledore", Tom said, waving a friendly wave and smiling his crooked smile. "Good night Thomas", Albus replied, dashing the powder at his feet and with a loud clear voice saying, "Hogwarts". In bright green flame he whooshed through the floo network to his office behind the transfiguration classroom.
"Merlin's beard", Albus exclaimed, sitting behind his desk and taking off his wizards hat. He stared at the empty portrait of one witch that had taught transfiguration in the days of Hogwarts founding, a witch that had agreed to teach and was hired by Rowena Ravenclaw herself. A witch that was famous for perfecting the transfiguration of goblets and glass. "Edlyn"? A woman with dark orange hair in an intellectual looking bun and half moon glasses popped up from the bottom of the frame. She wore a green robe a looked fairly young. Yawning, she said, "Yes Albus". "Edlyn", Albus said, "I need some advice". Edlyn took her hand away from her mouth and said, "Now Albus"? "Yes Edlyn", Albus replied, "I'm afraid I will need it now". He put his elbows on the desk and linked his hands. "Edlyn, I fear I may have made a terrible discovery". Edlyn looked at Albus caringly and said with a tender tone, "Well, what is it"? "Edlyn, I fear that an Age of Dark Magic may soon return to the entire world". Albus slunk in between his arms, like he had failed to protect someone.
Edlyn waited for a few moments before she picked her moment to speak again. "Albus", she said, "you have to tell the ministry". "Well of course I have to tell the ministry", Albus snapped, making Edlyn jump, "the problem is, what will be the outcome. When I tell them, we will be at war". "Albus, if what you tell me is true, then the world is already at war". Albus was struck by this, surprised. He was more surprised than anything that he hadn't realized this already. Then he said, reluctantly, "you are right, Edlyn. I'll send a letter to the ministry immediately". Edlyn yawned and said, "Goodnight Albus", to which Albus replied with a raise of his hand and a nod of his head. Albus opened the window and called, "Lark". A barn owl on a gargoyle near the Gryffindor common room opened its eyes and glided down to Albus' office. The owl landed on the window sill as Albus was taking a piece of parchment and an envelope out of his desk's single draw, placed it on the desk and began scribbling his message to the minister. "One moment Lark", he said. Albus signed the letter, folded it and slid it into the envelope. He sealed the envelope with red, hot wax and put it into Lark's beak. "Take this directly to the ministry, Lark. Someone should be there by now".
Lark flew off into the sunrise, Albus watching her flap her great, hazel wings. As she flew, he new this was the dawn of war. The Age of Dark Magic would soon return.
Good? Tell me.