A/N : No, my initials are not JKR, no, I'm not a very wealthy woman, and no, I'm not even British. So they're definitely not mine. Yes, that comes as a harsh realisation every morning.

July 1944 - Around the Wolf's Den, Germany

The night had long since fallen, and the darkness was almost total, though the faint glimmer of the stars did allow the shadows of the surroundings to stand out. The moon, as thin as a slice of cake, and hidden behind a dark cloud, did not help much. However, this murkiness did serve the purpose of two wizards, who were exactly where they were not supposed to be. Both clad in dark robes, their faces were also hidden by the hood of their cloaks - which was rather a good precaution when, like Erwin Rommel, one possessed dark blond hair, which would do him little good in his attempt to remain out of sight.

They had, of course, cast several charms on themselves, so as to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Yet, the utmost importance of this meeting, and the attendance of Grindelwald himself, was a warranty of the presence of wizard guards rather than muggle ones. However, hopefully if Stauffenberg's attempt was to be successful, or even if it was a half-failure, the subsequent confusion should be enough distraction to keep them out of the way. Or maybe not ; but the occasion to put an end to Grindelwald's life was too much of a fluke, or maybe, destiny, to let it go without trying to take advantage of it. It was highly unlikely to ever occur again, therefore little choice in the matter remained for those who wanted to get rid of the Dark Lord forever. Nevertheless, that thought did little to ease the fear both Rommel and Tom felt, even though none of them let any of it show on their faces.

So, here they were, near the Wolf's Den, one of Grindelwald's best hidden bunkers, waiting for the signal to strike. Which signal would be unmistakable, and probably loud enough to be heard as far as Great Britain. The briefcase Tom had given Stauffenberg was not so big, but the teen would have bet his wand that it was overstuffed with the most powerful explosive known to date. And if it wasn't, he would have a serious talk with Dumbledore, should he get out of this dire situation alive. But, along with his so well concealed fear, he could also feel excitement, pride - anticipation. He was at a crossroads, and the outcome of that night would determine his own fate. Of that he was certain, although he possessed no talent whatsoever in the field of Divination. He hoped - knew - this night would see the downfall of Grindelwald, and his first step on the path for power. The path for ultimate power. Grindelwald was nothing in comparison of what he dreamt of achieving.

Rommel checked his watch ; it was well past ten in the evening. It wouldn't be much longer now. The distinct feeling he had that he was going to witness a turn in history was definitely a bit weird, and he couldn't say he was happy about that. He wished he could just have remained home, sitting near the hearth, with a cup of something hot... not to mention his body still ached from Himmler's demonstration. This one, he would take care of given the occasion, he swore himself with a cold, ruthless determination which was really not like him ; but he could not have cared less at this particular moment.

"Any time, now", he whispered in a barely audible murmure. Tom merely nodded in answer.

They were about two hundred meters from the bunker ; far enough not to be noticed, but close enough to act if need be. Currently hidden behind a venerable oak, they were all too aware of the possibility of a patrol running into them. But in this regard, Grindelwald's paranoia did indeed serve them well, for he had allowed only a minimum of guards, not trusting the lower-ranking men in his army. The Abwehr's plot to overthrow him several years ago, though it had failed due to a traitor amongst them, had alarmed him, and had fueled his worst fear ; being murdered by traitors in his ranks. Besides, very few people knew of this meeting, and even fewer were aware of the location of this bunker. Secrecy was, of course, the best security one could hope to achieve.

The silence of the night was unsettling. It was as though the whole forrest surrounding the bunker, making it harder to notice, was holding its breath, waiting for destiny to be accomplished. Or maybe the SS's stomping had scared away all the living creatures of the area. All barring two crazy wizards, who though they would be able to change history. To change the lives of billions of people ; to sway the fate of a world. Or maybe, two crazy wizards who just wanted to live free, whatever their deeper reasons for craving liberty may be.

The explosion went without so much as a warning, and so suddenly that at first, neither Tom nor Rommel reacted. It took them a few seconds to realize this was the signal they had been waiting for, and, after sharing a glance, they started to run towards the source of the sound. Going inside the bunker would be suicidal ; but if Grindelwald had survived, he would go out. And in that case, it would be up to Rommel and Tom to finish the task Stauffenberg had started, as it was unlikely that Stauffenberg himself would still be alive. Had he not perished in the explosion, then the guards would hunt him down, and with only one arm...

When the two wizards arrived near the bunker, they saw several officials going out, most of them coughing their lungs out, several of them severely injured. They were a little too confused and dazed because of the unexpected attack to care about anything else, not mentioning those who had been knocked out by the blast. So none of them noticed the two wizards who should not have been there, not even the guards, who were franctically running around, not exactly knowing what they were looking for, but knowing they'd better have something to tell their leader when he'd ask them how they'd reacted to the situation - a situation they had supposedly been trained to handle.

"There", Rommel hissed in Tom's ear, and the teen noticed, a little aside the rest of the commotion, Grindelwald himself, coughing his lungs out, bent on his knees as if he was going to be sick.

"Hell, Stauffenberg missed him", Tom growled, as he felt adrenalin flooding his veins.

"So what do we do ?" his fellow wizard queried.

"Do you even need to ask ?" Tom enquired, raising an eyebrow.

Rommel hesitated. He had wanted to make sure of the Dark Lord's death, yet as he watched the dictator, he realized he was unsure of the course of actions he should follow. If he acted now, his family would be endangered in the case of his failure, and he wouldn't have another occasion. However... In any case, would he have another occasion ? And his family, would it be safe if the war lasted longer, while Germany had already lost the war ? Everybody knew that, and pretended that wasn't the case, but it didn't change the facts. That was one, and unique, occasion to get definitely rid of Grindelwald. Not to seize it would be foolish.

His decision taken, Rommel nodded to the teen. Most of the guards were inside the building, and the others had already left to chase a track of some kind. The few officials that remained would, hopefully, not be a problem - and even more so since a few of them were muggles, aware of the existence of wizards, but with no power whatsoever.

Sharing a glance, both Tom and Rommel raised their wands towards the Dark Lord. They were about fifty meters away from him, and they could not miss their target if they aimed carefully. In the same voice, they unleashed their magic.

"Interitus !" Shouted Rommel.

"Ignis !" Tom's voice, slightly higher-pitched than his friend's, was clearly audible.

There was a flash of light, as a dark blue ray spurt out of Rommel's wand, while a firebolt originated from Tom's. Both their curses made their way toward a nonplussed Grindelwald - still panting, he did not expect another attack so soon after the first attempt. However, as a Dark wizard, he had an intuition and an awareness that allowed him to feel the surge of dark magic, and he reacted without even thinking. With a wave of his hand, he erected a shield, and the two spells crashed on it. The shield faltered almost immediately after, for sustaining such a powerful wandless magic was draining, and therefore was not worth using unless in a life-threatening situation.

Having lost the advantage of surprise, Tom and his fellow wizard had none other choice but to strike again. It was too late to even hope to fall back ; now that Rommel's betrayal was known, they had to eliminate Grindelwald or to die trying. With difficulty, Tom refrained a hiss of anger. It was not supposed to happen like that. Grindelwald was supposed to be weakened, if not dead. He should have been an easy target. But he belied his innocuous apparence ; now that he was directly threatened, raw power emanated from him. It was an unpolished power, but undeniably a great one - much greater than Rommel's or Tom's, the teen had to admit it in spite of his ego. But now, that was only the tangible proof of how much Dark magic could bring to he who would be daring enough to reach for it.

The Dark Lord did not give them much time to think or prepare themselves. If being attacked was something he was to expect in his position, betrayal was not something he took lightly. Even less betrayal from his favourite general. His fury fueled his power, as he raised his wand to crush the two men who had thought they would be able to overthrow him.

"Suplicium ! Fulgetrum ! Praesul !"

He was indeed powerful, to be able to cast three powerful spells in a raw, for it was each time more straining, if the caster did not wait a few seconds between two spells. Thus, he took the risk to tire himself, while he had to fight two foes at the same time. It could seem a suicidal behaviour, and that would not even be surprising from a man such as the Dark Lord. But his demeanor showed blatantly that it was nothing more than confidence in his own abilities. Following that streategy merely meant he would have to take his two ennemies down before the strain could put him in a difficult situation. Besides, even like that, his magical powers allowed him to waste some of it.

The two first spells had been cast at his attackers, as they were offensive spells. The last one was a powerful protective charm.

Tom ducked away as a purple ray grazed him, and Rommel erected a shield just in time. However, the hastily raised spell collapsed when the Dark Lord's curse hit it. It was just not powerful enough to match Grindelwald's jinxes. With a feeling of despair, Rommel cast a cutting spell to his former Lord, and winced when he saw it be countered by him. He was not abreast Grindelwald, he realized it painfully. Yet, he was to the core a military man - he just could not give up so easily.

As Tom gathered himself and cast another offensive spell to Grindelwald - which had little efficiency - the Dark Lord flicked his wand and dark threads went out of the tip of the wand. Almost at the same time, Tom and Rommel understood what he was doing - it was obvious to anyone who had ever studied the Dark Arts. The dictator was summoning a Dark creature. The thousand galleons question being, what kind of creature ?

It was big, no doubt. And as it started to take shape, it became obvious it had a tail with sharp spikes. Not to mention the already gleaming teeth, the yellow shimmering eyes, the long claws that drew furrows on the ground. There were wings, too, which looked like a bat's. Made of dark hide, they were also way too small to possibly allow that... thing to fly. Yet... that was obviously a magic creature, so, who knew what it might be able to do ?

It looked slightly like a dragon, but it wasn't one. Actually, it resembled an interbreed between a dragon and a snake ; but that was the red glow that appeared on the thing's forehead that gave Tom the answer - he knew everything there was to know about his cold-blooded "cousins".

"It's a Vouivre !" he cried out.

It had taken mere seconds for the thing to completely take shape, not enough to launch an attack on Grindelwald as Rommel and Tom were too astonished by the thing now standing up against them to even think to move against the Dark Lord. Too late to have regrets... But, to the Feldmarschal's surprise, his younger companion displayed now a wild smile as he cooly apraised the Vouivre. What could he possibly have in mind ?

It was so like Grindelwald to summon a Slytherin kind of creature, Tom thought with delight. Of course, the Dark Lord did not know of his "special ability". No one knew ; not even Dumbledore. And now that he had taken care of his family, he was the only one remaining who possessed this skill.

As the Vouivre made herself ready to strike, Tom walked fearlessly towards her, and met her gaze with arrogance. He had never been scared of any kind of snakes. Hell, he had even dealt with a basilisk on occasion ! A Vouivre was no different - maybe even a little less dangerous, since its gaze was not fatal. However, it did have sharp claws and teeth, and a lethal poison.

"Move no more !" he hissed in Parseltongue. He felt with delight the whistling and frightening sounds roll on his tongue. That was a language of power.

The Vouivre stopped, as if baffled, and tilted its head, hesitating. Grindelwald couldn't help but stare, gaping and astounded. He had not expected that. Rommel seized his chance, and raised his wand as he whispered the incantation instead of shouting it ; that was the only way he could surprise the Dark Lord.

And indeed, focused as he was on Tom and his vassal creature, the dictator was not able to raise a shield in time ; yet, he was quick enough to almost dodge the spell in time ; almost. Blood trickled on his arm, as his shoulder was scratched by the offensive spell. Had he not moved in time, it would have beheaded him. Beside himself, he raised his wand, a glint of madness gleaming in his eyes.

"Crush them !" He spat to his vassal creature.

The Vouivre, supposedly binded to him, should have had no choice but to obey. However, Parselmouths' influence over snakelike creatures when beyond that. Had it been merely the ability to speak to snakes, it probably wouldn't have had such a bad reputation, even though it was true that most wizards possessing this ability were Dark. But what really frightened common people was the fact that this skill allowed the wizard who possessed it to really control snakes. It took a great will from a snake or any similar creature not to obey ; and it definitely never happened that a snake attacked a parselmouth. Lore had it that an agreement had been settled between the first Parselmouth of all times with the snake breed, and that this agreement still stood. No one knew the whole truth, and the scarceness of Parselmouth made any study difficult. But maybe there was some truth in this lore and the numerous legends that mother used to frighten their children into eating their soup, for the Vouivre wavered, unable to strike that human boy who knew her words.

"Back off !" Tom hissed, as he saw the effect his words had on the creature.

"Crucio !" Grindelwald roared, determined as he was to prevent this unknown boy from meddling up with his vassal creature. It should obey him, and him only ! Why in the world was it hesitating ?

The Unforgivable should have hit Tom, but Rommel lifted a stone and used it to intercept the curse, protecting his fellow wizard. In the meantime, the Vouivre was experiencing a terrible dilemma. Its master had ordered it to strike. But it couldn't strike its kin - as it considered the Parselmouth boy. The snakelike body tensed as it readied itself to attack, and a hiss escaped its mouth. There was only one thing it was able to do in that situation. It rolled over, and stroke. At Grindelwald.

The Dark Lord dissolved his vassal creature, but not before it managed to injure him. One of its fangs remained embedded in the evil wizard's side, and he pulled it out with a yell of pain. At the same time, a rumbling sound was heard, and the three wizards all turned their heads in the direction of the bunker. So engaged in the duel they had been, that they had forgotten about their surroundings, and they now discovered that the bunker, damaged by the bomb, crumbled down and collapsed - probably killing meanwhile all those who had not managed to get out, and most of the guards who had gone inside to help the rescapees.

"NOCEO !" the Dark Lord incanted with fury and hatred and a shining line spurt out of his wand. It was almost impossible to duck it, and Rommel's weak attempt at creating a shield barely slowed the spell.

Excruciating pain prevented him from even thinking as he fell on his knees, and his mind barely registered that Tom was in the same posture. All he could do was to choke, as the curse prevented him from breathing. Yes, that was bloody brilliant. Not only was the spell lethal, but even more, if he could not breath then he could not speak ; he had no chance to end it, or even to strike back. And as a bonus it inflicted agony on him. He saw black spots, as the deprivation of oxygen started to take effects.

The worse was maybe that the last sound he would hear was Grindelwald's insane laugh...

"Finite Incantatem !"

Weird... that did not sound like Grindelwald's laugh. Not like anyone's laugh, actually. It was a deep though stony voice, yet the power it carried was undeniable. Rommel managed to take a breath in, but all he could do was gasp for breath as he lay on the ground where he had fallen. When at last he managed to raise his head, his eyes widened as he recognized the man that just save him and Tom. A brown beard - much longer than the last time he had seen the man - blue eyes sparkling fire, long hair...

Dumbledore.

What is this man doing here ? For a second, that was all that the Feldmarschal was able to think. Then, he gathered himself ; what did it matter ? The only important thing was that he was here to help them fight against Grindelwald.

"Who are you ?!" Grindelwald asked.

Rommel was surprised that he had even bothered to ask before removing the hindrance.

"Albus Dumbledore", the bearded wizard introduced himself as cheerily as if he had been invited to a tea party.

"I have heard of you", Grindelwald spat. "But no one interferes with me, you arrogant..."

At a loss for a word suiting Dumbledore's audacity, the Dark Lord raised his wand once again, ready to strike. But as Rommel and Tom's savior straightened himself, they distinctly felt the power emanating from him clash with the insane dictator's. Grindelwald was weakened, and Dumbledore powerful. The conclusion of the fight was however yet to be determined.

For a few seconds, nothing happened. Eyes in eyes, the two powerful wizard's fight was above all else a battle of will. Notwithstanding, none of them was ready to back away from the confrontation. Both Tom and Rommel understood that there would be no draw ; it would be death or victory. They pulled themselves together and got back on their feet, each on one of Dumbledore's side. In spite of the dislike the three wizards shared for each other, they would stand together against a greater evil.

They started moving in a split second. They cast a string of spells, both verbals and non-verbals, which made it more difficult to counter them. Though they were ready to back up Dumbledore if need be, there was an unspoken agreement that neither Rommel nor Tom would step in unless there was no other choice. They would not dare to move in such a duel - and a formal duel it was - if they could avoid it. A wizard of Dumbledore's stature - and as Gryffindor like as he was - could only fight fairly, one-to-one, against his ennemies, no matter how despisable.

The fight was almost a blur at times, as various spells were exchanged ; but suddenly, it came to a halt. Both wizards were breathing heavily, both were bleeding from several, though minor, injuries. But the despair in Grindelwald's eyes showed who had the upper hand in the battle. Suddenly, the Dark Lord reached for his neck, and drew a thin gold chain, exposing a hourglass as he did so. Tom had never seen anything like that, but knew what it was. A time-turner. If Grindelwald managed to go back to the past, he would change the outcome of the fight, and all hope would be lost.

Rommel rushed at Grindelwald, not even thinking to use his wand. He could not even think of a spell to use in that case, and the time-turner was probably charmed againt Accio spells. As he came within reach of the Dark Lord, Tom and Dumbledore's destroying spells, aimed at the time-turner, hit their target, while Grindelwald had already half turned the hourglass. With a deafening sound, the time-turner shattered with a streak of light as intense as the sunlight, which blinded all four wizards, and a shock wave of raw magic threw both Tom and Dumbledore out. Then, everything fell silent.

Tom came back to his senses a couple of minutes later. At first, he did not see anything, still dazzled by the intense light. He jumped on his feet and frantically searched for Grindelwald, expecting an attack any moment. But nothing came. The young wizard raised his wand to his eyes and muttered a spell ; almost at once, his eyesight returned, and he was able to witness the situation.

Dumbledore was on his left, catching his breath, but the teen ignored him. All his attention was on the dark figure laying on the ground, about twenty meters away. He slowly approached it, and stood silently over the corpse. He had not expected to find him dead, and he took in a sharp breath as he realized that he was definitely gone. Definitely.

Grindelwald was dead.

Near the Dark Lord's body laid a dark wooded wand, and a blood stained German military cap. That was everything that remained of Erwin Rommel.

He felt Dumbledore's presence behind him, but did not bother to spin round. The older wizard released a weary sigh.

"I am sorry, Tom", he said gently.

As if he would care what the old coot had to say, Tom thought bitterly. He turned dry eyes towards the man.

"We should go", he said calmly. "It won't be long before this place crawls with Germans."

Dumbledore nodded, and turned away. If he saw Tom pick up the shattered time-turner, the cap and the wand, he said nothing about it. Just before leaving, the teen raised his wand and muttered a Cutting spell. Not long after, Grindelwald's body didn't look much human anymore - which actually fit him. He wasn't very human to begin with.

"Was that necessary ?" Dumbledore asked in a reproving tone. "Respecting the dead..."

"Just to make sure", Tom replied tersely. "There are Resurecting dark rituals, as I'm quite certain you're aware, despite their lack of proven efficiency. Besides, do you really think this one dead deserves so much respect ?"