Chapter 29 ➛Bright Stars

It was a clear night. There was only one cloud that blocked the moon while the stars were able to shine brightly.

I was sitting on a stone bench in the enormous garden of the estate where the ball would take place later that night.

As I was gazing up at the beautiful night sky, I felt calm for the first time since my fearful discovery. I felt like I was going to be able to save him. I had hope.

I closed my eyes and smiled to myself. Taking a deep breath, and enjoying the nice breeze. Even though it was winter I didn't feel cold, not even in my elegant short sleeved dress.

You could notice, even only by the looks of the garden that the owners of the estate were rich. A beautiful marble gate encircled the garden and the plants and flowers were well maintained.

I sighed happily as I was engulfed by the utter silence.

Footsteps slowly approached and I glanced around to see Grindelwald walk towards me with a small smile plastered on his face.

I couldn't help but think about how handsome he looked in the tuxedo robes he was wearing.

''It's beautiful out here, isn't it?'' he asked halting next to me and looking around. I nodded and smiled up at him.

''Are you sure you want to do this?'' I asked softly.

I felt like I was intruding the silence when talking because everything sounded ten times as loud now there was no other sound than our breathing.

He sighed and sat down next to me on the stone bench. ''You don't have to worry, I'm sure. I love you,'' he said.

I blushed slightly. Nevertheless, I continued arguing, ''But you have a reputation to maintain, that's important isn't it?''

He smiled. ''That's not as important as you, Emily. You can stop worrying, dear. After tonight, everyone will know and we can express our feelings freely.'' He took my hand and planted a kiss on my knuckles.

I loved it when he did that.

Shivers ran up my spine and I smiled. Even though our happy moment right then, the unsettling feeling slowly returned as I looked at his face.

Every time he made me feel special, I started thinking that soon I wouldn't feel special anymore at all, because he wouldn't be there anymore.

Tears started once again to fill my eyes but I forced them back. This was supposed to be a happy night, and happy it would be.

I quickly pecked his lips and smiled.

''Also, may I say how beautiful you look?'' he asked looking at me with desire. I chuckled. ''You don't look that bad yourself,'' I retorted nonchalantly.

He smirked at me and stood up, straightened his robes and held out a hand while his other was on his back. In a half bowing manner he asked, ''May I have this dance, my beautiful lady?''

I smiled and placed my hand in his. ''You may, my good sir,'' I said standing up and following him to the middle of a small paved area. There was a fountain shaped like Cupid which I recognized from an old Muggle book I once read.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and his slipped down onto my waist. We slowly started to dance. Even without music, it was easy to follow his steps, and I smiled at him as we stepped together.

''Are you nervous?'' he asked softly looking at me with kind eyes. I shrugged. ''Not really. At least not as bad as I expected.''

He nodded and hummed. ''Is this what you hoped it would be?'' I asked softly after some moments of silence.

He smiled and placed a kiss on my nose which made me stop moving. And now we were just standing there, still in a dancing position.

I stared into his beautiful eyes. I could drown in them. Both of them.

He tucked some stray hairs behind my ear and caressed my cheek. My hand moved up from his shoulder toward his neck.

He smiled down at me charmingly and one of his fingers trailed down my lower lip which made me shiver slightly.

''Never worry about this. I love you.'' He leaned forward and our lips touched. My hand went up to the back of his head, and I had to retain myself not to ruffle his hair like I usually do.

His hand trailed back down my jawline and rested at my neck. The sound of the water splashing made the moment perfect, and I could only feel love. Nothing else. No worry. No doubt. Only love for him.

Slowly the cloud before the moon shifted and the rays of bright light shone down on us and reflected on the water in the fountain.

I smiled when we broke apart and so did he. He slowly took me to the fountain and we sat down on the edge, which was lucky for us, dry.

Our fingers intertwined and I smiled as I said, ''I love you too.''

Grindelwald's P.O.V (Third Person)

''Tonight, my brothers and sisters, I do not have a message that concerns merely every single person on this earth. It does the whole universe. Of course, we fight for what is righteous in a manner which, unfortunately, not everyone appreciates. But it is a matter of the heart that I would like to share with you who have come tonight.''

The crowd in the ballroom was deadly quiet, listening to him with intent interest as he announced this new matter that was worth sharing.

He held out his hand to Emily who stood in front of him blended in with the crowd. She took it and smiled nervously at him as she joined him.

''This beautiful young woman, has chosen to become my lover and I hers. We are like one and will never be separated like the many others. I announce to you that from now on, this woman is taken by the wizard who loves her.''

He ended and looked at her. Mutters erupted from the crowd around them and Emily couldn't help but feel like people were disapproving.

Then, he looked around at the crowd and suddenly the whole room was filled with loud applause and cheers and congratulations from several people who were present.

Emily's P.O.V

I spotted Tom in the crowd who was clapping just like the rest of the people with a small smile on his face.

I turned to Grindelwald and had to hold myself from jumping into an embrace. It might not be proper to do so. Instead, he leaned down and kissed me on the lips which sent another thunderous roar of applause from the crowd.

I was relieved that everyone approved of our relationship because for a second I was afraid that people wouldn't like it and I would become the outcast I had always been but even worse.

When we broke apart I smiled at him and hugged him tightly. ''I'm so glad everyone's positive about us,'' I whispered into his ear. In response, he only tightened his grip on me and buried his face in the crook of my neck.

He retreated, took my hand and turned to the crowd. ''Now, it's time to dance.''

When he had finished the sentence music started to play and men started to ask women to dance while Grindelwald and I slowly started moving to the sound of the music.

''Is it what you hoped it would be?'' I asked softly, staring into his eyes. He nodded slightly. ''I knew people would be astonished at first. This has never happened before, but I also knew they'd be happy for us, considering what a beautiful witch you are,'' he replied looking at you with a small smile.

I blushed and couldn't stop smiling the entire song.

When it ended we retreated to the back and we talked for some time. We were often interrupted by people who came by to congratulate us.

After some time a good looking man came towards us. Even through his shirt, you could notice he was quite muscular. His black hair was combed back which brought out his gleaming brown eyes.

''May I have this dance from you?'' he asked me suddenly holding out a hand.

I didn't believe he had just asked me to dance since Grindelwald had just announced we were together. But refusing seemed to be rude, so I looked at Grindelwald for permission. He was watching me a little uncertainly but then nodded.

I took the hand of the man and he led me to the dance floor where we started to move on the rhythm of the music.

I didn't feel really comfortable dancing with him, but I didn't have a choice. He also wasn't quite as good at dancing as Grindelwald and I found myself continuingly standing on his feet, muttering apologies to which I only received a half-hearted laugh.

I found out his name was Samuel Davids and he was about my age.

I often glanced at Grindelwald in the corner of the room and I couldn't help but notice he had his gaze on us all the time.

I wanted to get back to him but I had to wait until the song was over.

Finally the last notes were played and I was about to thank him which I did because it was polite, before he interrupted me and asked me to dance with him again.

I sighed mentally and nodded faking a smile while in reality, I felt dreadful I had to dance with him again.

Grindelwald's P.O.V (Third Person)

Grindelwald was seething at the sight of his Emily dancing with another man. He wanted to storm into the crowd, tear her away from him and take her to another room where he could be alone with her. Just the two of them.

When the first song ended he was glad that she released him immediately, but was starting to grow furious when the boy didn't release her. He glared intensely at him and his wand slipped down his sleeve into his hand.

It took him all the self-control he had not to storm towards her and curse the boy.

He couldn't curse one of his young loyal followers, that would completely destroy his reputation, but he couldn't bear the sight of Emily dancing with Samuel.

He took a glass of champagne and downed it entirely. He groaned and put the glass down as he continued to watch the two of you dance with his brows now furrowed.

As you had your back turned to him he noticed that Samuel had lowered his hand and it was almost touching her bottom.

Grindelwald couldn't take it anymore and as he was about to rush toward you and get you away from him, the last tone sounded and everyone stopped dancing.

Couples bowed low toward each other as they dispersed into a crowd, making their way to either get food and drinks or to chat with someone they had recognized.

He stepped into the crowd toward Emily, reigned in his anger while talking to her through gritted teeth. ''Come with me,'' he said grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her out of the room.

''Wait,'' she said annoyed, trying to pull her wrist from his grip and glaring back at Samuel with intense fury.

Once the doors closed the sound from inside had completely vanished.

Just like the garden, the house was too, richly styled.

Emily's P.O.V

He released my wrist and watched me angrily. ''Why'd you dance with that boy twice?'' he asked angrily.

I watched him a little fearfully as he was having another tantrum. ''I didn't want to be rude when he asked me to dance again. I didn't like it if that's what you're indicating at,'' I said defensively.

His eyes were on fire and I was growing anxious, but I held my ground. ''I thought you'd find it OK since you allowed us to dance the first time.''

''Of course I don't think it's OK. You're mine and not his! I can dance with you all night he can't. And then his attitude. He knows we're together and he still touches you?'' he asked fuming.

He was really pissed off and I didn't get why. ''Hold on. You make me sound like I'm some possession, is that really what I am to you? And do you really think I want him to touch me? I'm not a whore, Grindelwald. Remember that.''

I didn't feel like I had done anything wrong, and my strong feeling for justice had come in the way of my ability to keep my anger at bay.

He looked at me surprised but he was still angry. He slowly stepped toward you as you took a step back. ''He touched you. That boy, touched you while knowing we're together!'' he shouted.

''Did you even listen to me? I just said I never wanted him to touch me! I was about to slap him in the face when you came and pulled me away,'' I yelled back.

Grindelwald watched me stunned. ''You were?'' he asked suspiciously. ''Because I was about to curse him,'' he whispered as your back pressed against the wall.

''I never even wanted to dance with him. As soon as he led me to the dance floor I wanted to get back to you. Do you really think I can love someone other than you?'' I asked still watching him angrily.

His expression had slowly softened but there was still anger in his eyes. ''Never dance with anyone twice again, except me.''

He was looking into my eyes while his twinkled slightly and I saw the desire returning. He placed his hands against the wall on either side of my head so he towered over me and his body was pressed closely against mine. ''Say it,'' he commanded.

''I will never dance with anyone twice, except you.''

I wasn't liking his possessive behavior, but I decided to let it slip. He was, a man with a stubborn personality after all. ''Sir,'' I added, teasing him.

Now he couldn't keep his desire to himself for any longer and he slammed his mouth onto mine, not even minding to look for a private spot first.

He had taken me by surprise and I gasped when suddenly his lips were on mine and he was kissing me roughly. He slipped his tongue into my mouth even before I could catch my breath and we were soon kissing passionately.

His hands roamed my body and settled at my waist where he held me tightly.

He started trailing his tongue down my jawline and neck. And started to suck on the spot just below my earlobe and I stifled a moan, afraid that anyone might hear.

He grinned and continued which brought me pleasure but also made me feel uncomfortable. I still didn't want anyone to see us doing this. It was a private matter that I didn't want to share with the world.

I knew he was doing this on purpose to teach me a lesson but I wasn't sure if I should beg him to stop or to continue.

At last, he stopped sucking and returned his mouth onto mine. ''That kid will never see you again.''