Chapter 33 ➛Beauty is Love

That night at dinner I was still feeling a little tipsy from that midday. I hadn't drunk an abnormal amount of alcohol, but enough to make me forget about my troubles for a second.

I was pricking into my vegetables with my fork and rolled them over. I wasn't hungry, not in the slightest. I was feeling uncomfortable because it felt like everyone was watching me.

I tugged at Grindelwald's sleeve, who sat next to me, to catch his attention. He watched me with a questioning look. ''Can I be excused?'' I asked softly. He glanced at my plate and I knew he was going to say no because I had barely eaten. But instead, he turned to me and nodded.

He placed a soft kiss on my forehead in front of everyone and I smiled.

I glanced at Tom before leaving and nodded to let him know everything was alright.

I didn't have a clue what to do now. I had a knot in my stomach and felt troubled. My mind was hazy and there were only two things I could think about: Owyn and Grindelwald, the two I would like to forget for a few moments.

The newspaper kept flashing in my mind as did the picture of Gellert lying motionless on the ground.

I sighed and rounded a corner but bumped into someone. I fell backward and shrieked.

I looked up at the person and rubbed my back. ''My apologies,'' the man said offering a hand. I took it and he pulled me up.

''It wasn't my intention to knock you off your feet, ,'' he said apologetically. I shook my head and wiped my dress clean. ''How do you know my name?'' I asked suspiciously, looking at him.

He chuckled a little at that. ''Who doesn't? You and the greatest wizard of all times. Of course I know your name.'' He smiled and stuck out his hand. I shook it and watched him uncertainly. ''I'm Charlie. Charlie Porter.''

I looked at him in surprise and raised an eyebrow. ''The potion master?''

If this was really the potion master Grindelwald told me about, that meant I wouldn't have to worry for the rest of my life.

I examined him and he looked different than I expected. He was the same height as me, lean and wore glasses. He had light freckles and brown hair.

He nodded proudly. ''That I am.''

I felt a jolt of excitement. ''Where were you going to have so much haste?'' I asked, hoping it was something that could wait.

''I was late for dinner. One of my experiments took longer than expected.''

I nodded understandingly. ''Could you meet me in the library after dinner?'' I asked trying to conceal my excitement. He watched me quizzically. ''There's something I need you to do. It's very important, I will explain everything later. Please?'' I pouted.

He chuckled and nodded. ''OK. But the library is huge, where do you want me to go?'' he asked when he realized the size of the library.

''At the entrance. I will be waiting for you there.''

He nodded and was about to walk away. ''Oh, and don't tell anyone.''

He nodded and smiled one last time before he continued to the hall where now everyone was still having dinner.

Half an hour had passed and Emily was starting to grow a little impatient. When she had left, they had already been halfway through dinner. Why was it taking so long?

She leaned against the wall and stared down at the end of the corridor.

''Dear, you've been standing there for half an hour now. Is everything all right?'' asked her softly. She was the librarian and had always been nice to Emily whenever she came by.

''Everything's fine. I promise. I'm just waiting for someone,'' she said smiling at her.

She held the scroll tightly in her hand and stuck her head out into the corridor again. She gasped audibly and retreated quickly when she saw Grindelwald striding towards the entrance of the library.

She quickly hid behind the wall and prayed he wouldn't find her. But to no avail, because he entered the room and called for .

She came scurrying towards him through the bookcases, smiling when she noticed him. Before she greeted him, she glanced over his shoulder at Emily. But then focused on him again. ''Good evening, sir. What can I do for you?'' she asked sweetly.

''Have you seen Emily? I've been looking for her, but I can't find her anywhere.''

She glanced over his shoulder at Emily again while she shook her head. ''I'm sorry, sir,'' she said. ''I haven't seen her.''

He sighed and nodded. ''When you do, could you please notify me? I'm starting to grow worried.''

Then he left and Emily sighed in relief. ''Thank you,'' she mouthed, afraid if she'd talk he might hear her.

She nodded and disappeared between the bookcases. She tried to get her breath even again and rubbed her temples.

Where is Charlie? she thought frustrated. Then, suddenly he appeared and she almost jumped in fright. ''There you are,'' she said, relieved it was him.

''Sorry, Grindelwald wanted to talk to me before I left,'' he said apologetically. Emily nodded her head dismissively. ''It's alright, but let's go now.'' She pulled him away by the arm and out of the room.

Grindelwald was near, so she had to be careful. Knobbs had helped her prepare a cauldron in the kitchens and she made her way there pulling Charlie along.

He still had no idea what was happening but it felt too dangerous to talk about it out loud in the corridors. Who knows who might be listening.

She glanced around every corner, cautious not to run into Grindelwald. She didn't want him to find her, he would start asking questions.

When she finally arrived at the kitchen she listened hard but heard nothing. She opened the door and found Knobbs inside, alone.

''There you are, I was already thinkin' you wouldn' show up,'' he said walking towards Emily. ''I'm sorry. Charlie had to talk to Gellert.''

A broad grin spread across his face. ''Well, well, Charlie Porter. Hadn' expected to see you here again,'' he said. Charlie blushed slightly and shook his head. ''I'm just not the right man to learn how to cook,'' he said uncertainly.

''It's good to see you again, Knobbs,'' he said smiling. Emily watched the two in confusion but ignored their chat and started explaining to Charlie what had happened.

''You've been using a Time-Turner?'' he asked his voice full of admiration. Emily sighed and nodded. ''But you can't tell anyone about anything I just told you,'' she said sternly.

He nodded and stuck out his hand for the scroll.

She hesitantly placed it in his hand and watched him unroll it. ''I always thought this potion was just a myth,'' he mumbled softly. She shook her head and approached the ingredients that laid on the table. ''Do you think you can do it?''

He watched her uncertainly but then nodded confidently with a smile. ''I think I can do it,'' he said making his way to the table.

She watched his every movement as he was working on the potion. She wanted to make sure everything would be in order. If one thing would go wrong, it would be the end of Gellert Grindelwald.

It was nerve-racking to see him work while she could do nothing but watch and talk to Knobbs. Charlie had asked her to leave him in his full concentration, knowing the consequences of what would happen if he did it wrong.

She glanced into the cauldron as he added the Arnica and the potion turned acid green and started bubbling, but then slowly faded into a lighter shade of green.

He stirred until it was light blue, and once he had added the last ingredient, he told her it had to stay there for half an hour.

She sat down on the ground against the wall while Knobbs was doing some cleaning.

She sighed and looked at Charlie. ''Thank you for doing this. I'm glad you live in the castle. I wouldn't know what to do if there was no one to help me with this.''

He smiled and nodded. ''Of course. I've always wanted to make a potion no one has ever made before.''

She looked at the wall opposite her and couldn't help but wonder something.

''What did Grindelwald talk to you about?'' she asked softly.

He looked at her and blinked. ''Business. New potions,'' he mumbled returning his gaze on the wall in front of her.

''You're lying,'' she whispered.

He sighed. ''He talked about you. He told me you asked about me a few days ago and he was curious if you'd come to see me for anything. That's all.''

Her eyes grew wide with worry. ''Calm down, I didn't tell him about us running into each other.''

All these secrets and doing all this behind his back was starting to wear her out. ''OK. Thanks.''

She sat there in silence until Knobbs told her the half-hour had passed and she made sure the potion was ready. ''If it's transparent then it's done,'' Charlie said glancing into the cauldron. He took a small vial from the table and scooped some into it.

He passed it to Emily and smiled. ''This is it. Be careful, it will be dangerous when it falls into the wrong hands,'' he warned.

She looked at it and hugged him. ''Thanks for everything.''

He seemed a little surprised and hesitantly hugged her back. ''If you ever need me for anything again, you can come and find me,'' he said.

She nodded and he left. ''Thank you Knobbs,'' she said before she also pulled him into a hug. He squirmed in her grip and tried to get loose.

She grinned at him and he couldn't help but smile a little. ''Thank you for telling Master Grindelwald Knobbs is a good house-elf.''

She nodded and stowed the potion in one of the pockets of her cloak. ''Thank you for everything, Knobbs.''

He nodded and she slowly made her way out of the room.

I was slowly walking through the corridors, making my way to my quarters. I was glad I finally had the potion ready, but also sad because that meant I was one step closer to losing my connection with Owyn.

I sighed and let my hand slide across the castle wall and glanced at the window across the hall. There was the black raven again. It seemed to follow me, or at least appear once in a while.

I decided to ignore it for now and leaned against the wall. It was dark and I wondered how long it had been since dinner. Maybe an hour or perhaps two. I knew Grindelwald was worried about me and I should get back to our quarters but I couldn't help but think what would happen if he found the potion.

I slowly continued walking, up the stone steps, down the corridor. And what felt like too soon, I stood in front of the door. It creaked open as I pushed and walked inside.

Grindelwald wasn't there, so I opened the drawer of my bedside table and carefully placed the potion in there.

I lay down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling as Owyn entered my mind.

It's completed? he asked softly.

I nodded and felt a tear sting my eye. Then he left again.

I knew he was sad, but I also knew he understood my decision and he supported it.

I heard footsteps approach the door and knew Grindelwald was back. The door opened and then closed again.

He watched me surprised. ''Where have you been? It's been three hours since dinner.''

I sat up and smiled at him as he sat down on the edge of the bed. ''I went to see Knobbs. I was curious about how things got along with Jacob and everything. Then I went for a short walk and then I returned here.''

He watched me suspiciously but I kept an innocent look. I raised an eyebrow and slowly neared him. ''Haven't you missed me?'' I asked softly.

He turned to me. ''I was worried. That's why I've been spending the last few hours looking for you. Who knows what might've happened,'' he said looking into my eyes.

I pressed my lips on his but retreated almost immediately and I knew he was annoyed by that.

''So you did miss me,'' I whispered slowly as I lay back down against my pillow. He watched me with a hungry look but tried to contain himself.

''I did,'' he said softly, edging closer to me. ''How much?'' I asked raising my eyebrows as he climbed on the bed.

''A lot,'' he muttered looking down at me as he placed his legs on either side of me and hovered over me.

He leaned down until he almost reached my lips and I whispered, ''Well, I'm back now. So go ahead and show me how much you've missed me,'' I mumbled, pecking his lips shortly.

He threw off his trenchcoat and kissed me deeply.

''Did you miss me?'' he asked as he left a trail of kisses on my neck. I shivered. ''More than you can imagine,'' I whispered.