Christmas passed in a flurry of presents and food. Gellert had spent very little time among the festivities, instead spending hours cultivating his new network of contacts. It was evidence to his success that he had received a pleasing array of presents from some of his allies, the Malfoy boy had given him a cursed necklace that forced the wearer to speak only the truth. He didn't know where the boy had found it, but it would certainly be useful. His own gift to the boy had already been put to good use, judging by the detailed and extensive report that had arrived a couple of days after. The information within had been nothing new, but he was glad that the boy was putting the invisibility cloak to good use.
The Umbridge woman had send him volume 2 of the magical theory book, along with a note waffling about how the ministry liked to encourage excellence in select students. Along with the book had been a small silver badge, shaped like an 'i'. There was no explanation, but he could guess. Apparently the Malfoy boy had received the same, and he had reported his other Slytherin friends had also received the gift. He suspected that whatever group the witch was creating could only drive another wedge between him and Hermione. Hopefully as she grew the young witch would come to understand what he was doing.
The plan she'd brought to him had been a surprise. He hadn't expected her to see past her hero worship of Albus so quickly, and although overly complex her plan had held some promise. He twisted his sealing ring off his finger and pressed the metal into the wax, hoping that this letter would begin to put his plan into motion.
Winky waited eagerly to take the letter from him, looking like a new elf in her crisp, smart uniform. It was an old tradition, but one that would certainly catch the elder purebloods's attention. Back in the days when Gellert had been at large, one would never have initiated in important contact with an owl. He handed the letter to the elf and she curtseyed low, before disappearing with a pop.
The dark wizard changed into appropriate clothing, meant to impress. The embroidered waistcoat was subtle, not covered in the tacky beading that new-money seemed to favour. The velvet robe he had commissioned was lined with fur and embellished only with dragon shaped clasps. He cinched it at the waist with a dragon hide belt and pulled the deep hood over his head, hiding his face in shadow.
Winky reappeared with a pop, handing him a neatly folded letter. He barely glanced at the emerald seal before tearing it open. His contact had thankfully agreed to meet, although the change in location was hardly surprising; Gellert would have done the same.
'Godric's Hollow' He informed the young elf, holding out his hand. Winky took it carefully and they disappeared with a sharp tug in his chest.
Godric's Hollow was much as he remembered it. Snow covered most of the details but he remembered the cemetery clearly, having spent days exploring it in search of any clues to the Peverell brothers.
Fairy lights twinkled along fences, both real and the muggle imitation. He followed the street, passing the house where that awful muggle boy had lived, the one that used to shout homophobic slurs at him and Albus. Someone else lived there now – either a muggleborn or a half blood family judging by the blend of magical and muggle decorations.
Lights were on at his Tante's house and he could see movement in the study. His eyes lingered on the darkened Dumbledore house next door. It was owned by muggles now, judging by the reindeer that perched on the fence. They were away, whoever they were. He considered going inside, but eventually decided against it – he didn't know what remained of the old wizarding wards and it was almost a guarantee that he'd been tuned out after the fight. He tore his eyes away and strode down the street to the ruined house at the end of the row. It hadn't been a Potter property when he'd been in Godric's Hollow; there had been rather well-off muggle family living there. The eldest daughter had had something of a fancy for him as an evidently wealthy foreigner. It was something Albus had teased him about mercilessly. Now though, there was little more than a burnt shell of a building. The left gable end still stood almost completely intact, the beams and rafters jutting out into space like fingers of bone, the right gable had half collapsed and a small tree grew out of the mess of jumbled bricks, branches reaching through a shattered window. He vaulted over the gate, enchanted graffiti flaring slightly as his fingers touched a plaque nailed to the wood. A tinny lullaby tinkled away, stuttering slightly with the age of the charm, providing a haunting tune as he manoeuvred over the rubble.
The debris of the Potter's lives was still scattered where it had fallen; a pot, a shoe, a broken picture frame with the photograph dissolved by years of rain. His feet crunched in the snow as he bent to examine an old book binding. A brick skittered down the pile, landing with a whuff of snow among some brambles. Gellert stood, slowly turning to face the newcomer. The two wizards paused, surveying one another critically.
Platinum blond hair, combed immaculately straight over an embellished jerkin and embroidered leather robes. He carried a snake-headed cane, although it looked purely ornamental. There was no obviously visible wand, although that meant little when there were so many options available for concealed wands.
'I was surprised to receive your letter.' Lucius Malfoy drawled, seemingly finding Grindelwald adequate. Gellert was pleased to note the tone; he was being regarded as a respected equal already, which would make his job much easier.
'I had reason to believe you had become disillusioned with your... master.' Gellert replied in an equally dry tone.
'My son.'
'Your son.' Gellert confirmed.
'I have been impressed by his sudden interest in fostering connections.' The British Lord commented idly.
'He has an aptitude, no doubt inherited.' Ah, he missed interacting with the more subtle mind.
'The Malfoys have always been well connected.' Lucius wanted an offer. He was aware that Gellert wanted his connections and he wanted to know what Gellert could give him in return. It was a familiar dance.
'The Grindelwald connections have always been founded on our magical excellence and political ideals.'
'Magical excellence and political ideals led you to ruin before.' Ah, now there was a challenge.
'Ah, but at least I was not a half-blood preaching to pure-bloods. His downfall was a consequence of his own lack of wisdom, his ignorance of the basic principles that we learn as children. Voldemort lost to a child, then after his reincarnation, continued to chase the same prophesy.' He allowed scorn to colour his words, his lips curling upwards.
'Yes, I must concede your point. The available options are limited however.'
'Perhaps, if one is determined to pursue the ideal of pure blood supremacy. Were you not taught as a child that magic is the highest authority? Would magic gift itself to the unworthy? Muggle borns have been chosen by magic to join us, should we scorn those that have been gifted to bolster our numbers? Would it not be better to embrace them, educate them to become a valuable part of society.' His honeyed tones were as familiar as the words he spoke, his old doctrine sounding new on his younger tongue.
'I will not follow that muggle loving old fool, Albus Dumbledore.' The sneer in Malfoy's voice matched the one Gellert had used when he spoke of Voldemort.
'I did not suggest that. I am not a follower of Dumbledore, nor do I suggest loving muggles. They are lesser, they are other. I only speak of the value of those that possess magic. I imagine a world where wizards are free, limited only by the strength of their mind and their magic. I imagine a world where we can take our rightful place in society without the hindrance of 'muggle loving fools', where all forms of magic are cherished and practiced equally.' He trailed off, in his experience the human mind would instinctually fill in the blanks, inserting their own desires into the space.
'Your image is truly wonderful. I wonder how you hope to achieve it where so many have failed before.'
'I can elaborate, perhaps when we are somewhere warmer and more private. Suffice to say, I have no need for branded followers.'
There was a pause as Lucius considered his options. Gellert allowed his concealed eyes to wander further through the ruins, taking in the muggle appliances that still remained. The Potters must have been a perfect harmony between muggle and magical – the traces of enchantments still remained on the fridge which had fallen against the sink. Tarnished cutlery was scattered among mossy plates in the sink. One could almost picture the evening the attack had happened. Dinner just finished, Lily taking baby Harry to bed, James Potter charming the dishes to wash, interrupted by the door being blown off. He had seen it happen, he had performed it himself.
'The mark contains a tracking charm. I am powerless should the Dark Lord discover my change in allegiance.' Malfoy finally announced, breaking the silence.
'That will not be a problem. I own a property that would perhaps provide a safe place for a portkey, should you desire it.'
'I must return, before the Dark Lord suspects I am missing.'
Gellert nodded respectfully, exaggerating the movement so that it showed even through the heavy concealment of the hood. Lucius mirrored his movements and the two of them strode off the property. They climbed over the collapsing wall, then with one final nod, Malfoy disappeared. Gellert waited a moment before summoning his elf and disappearing back to his room as well.