Darth Krande and I have a surprise in the works. If you're a Grindelwald fan, keep an eye out for it in the next week or two.
They got off the train in Hogsmede station where several carriages drawn by thestrals still waited. Harry stopped, facing one as if his worst nightmare had come true.
'Why's something pulling the carriages?' He asked as he backed away from the unnerving animals.
'Harry, there's nothing pulling the carriages.' Insisted Hermione and Grindelwald chuckled. Both looked at him strangely before Harry forced his two friends to face the creatures between the shafts.
'Look, those horse things. Can't you see them?' The duo just looked blankly at the carriage, then he began to look really worried and his friends began quizzing him about his health. They were so busy helping him into the carriage that they missed Gellert step forwards and stroke the massive beast.
As the carriages moved off, Hermione's concern faded to excitement about Gellert's first view of the castle. She shuffled sideways so that he could have the window seat and nattered excitedly about how the first years usually crossed the lake. Then they rounded a corner and he got his first sight of the castle. It was massive; far larger than Durmstrang and the hundred of windows twinkled with a friendly light. They trotted between a set of ornate gates, then up a driveway that meandered up the hill. The landscape was wild, but not as dramatic as the peninsula that his old school had been built on, nor did it have the harsh contrasts of his mountain fortress.
He got little more than a glimpse of the castle before it disappeared again, then they sat in the swaying lantern light until the carriage drew to a halt outside the castle. He got out quickly, eager for his first real look at Albus' school.
They had come to a stop in a large courtyard along with the other carriages. Students were climbing out, visible in the warm light that spilled from massive, open doors. The excited chatter had picked up, the students looking forwards to the "sorting". Gellert smoothed his red trimmed robes distastefully. They were much better quality than the average student, so at least they were cool and soft, tailored perfectly to fit him but still outdated in style and far from practical.
He patted the thestral thoughtfully as he craned his neck upwards to see the tops of the towers, quickly picking out Dumbledore's office by the high, arched windows.
'So you can see them!' Harry's sudden shout made him jump and he had his wand drawn and ready to cast before he realised what the boy had said. He turned slowly to face the teenager, catching sight of his nervous expression.
'They are thestrals, only one who has witnessed death can see them.' He explained, turning back to the massive beast and ran a hand fondly down the bony nose. He felt the boy step up beside him and cautiously hold his hand out to stroke the thestral's sinewy neck. 'Careful, they eat meat.'
The Gryffindor recoiled and Gellert laughed, following them as they trailed up the stairs and through the massive hallway. They were swept along in the flow of students, turning left into a massive hall. The ceiling arched far above their heads; clouds obscuring stars which twinkled among the rafters, four long tables ran away from them towards a high table on a dais. He knew from what Albus had told him as children that each table represented a house, and it was easy to find the one that was for Gryffindor by the red dressed students already in the seat. He felt a pang of longing for the Durmstrang hall which alternated between duelling and eating, depending on the time of day and mood of the staff. Hogwarts hall didn't look like it had ever had a real duel take place in it he thought sourly.
They took their seats and he looked up to the head table to see Albus already looking at him. His eyes twinkled with amusement and Gellert considered the likelihood of escaping the room if he used a cruciatus on him right now. His eyes slid sideways along the staff; he already knew McGonagall, although it still surprised him that she'd managed to actually attain her teacher's position. He also knew Flitwick and Sinstra from the few order meetings he had bothered to attend, Snape was more memorable with his status as spy. There were a few less memorable ones, then his eyes finally alighted on the witch dressed in pink at the end of the table. He already knew her, Albus had told him about her appointment and the mission he expected her to truly carry out. She was short and stocky with incredibly wide lips, her coat had stupid ruffles around her neck which made it look even stubbier and she was standing over a foot shorter than the spy beside her.
He ignored the sorting, watching as the woman gazed intently at Albus, then searched the crowd until she found Harry. She looked at him greedily, then her gaze flickered to his companions. She clearly recognised Ron; her lip curling into a sneer, Hermione got a similar reaction and he wondered if the woman would sneer if she actually understood how much potential Hermione had. Probably more in her little finger that that Umbridge woman had in her entire body, maybe even her parents too. Finally, Umbridge noticed him and her brow crinkled in confusion. She didn't know him, which was to be expected, his presence had been kept very quiet. He wondered how long it would take her to write about him to the Minister.
Chatter erupted across the hall and he continued watching the newest teacher as she interrupted the headmaster's speech to make her own. Around him the hall practically fell asleep, with the exception of Hermione and a couple of Ravenclaws. Pride ran though him as the young witch not only listened but understood the real meaning behind the meaningless fluff. With a little guidance, Hermione would become a formidable witch.
'What was that all about?' Harry yawned as Umbridge finally sat down again.
'It means the ministry is interfering at Hogwarts.' Hermione grimaced ad the trio shared significant looks.
'I'd like to see them try.' Gellert smirked and the tension was broken. He realised suddenly that the golden dishes had filled with food and he tucked in with an eagerness that made Hermione laugh.