Chapter 2 Hot Blood Burning in My Veins

His hand was shaking as he tried to steady his quill. He lifted the tip from the parchment, not wanting his nervosity to show in his writing.

''Why is this so hard?'' he muttered leaning back against his chair.

He took a deep breath and dipped his quill in the bottle of ink next to the parchment.

He was convinced that sending Emily an invitation by letter was easier than to ask her face to face, which he now considered equally hard. He was afraid that he might use stupid words or spell words incorrectly.

Once he had finally managed to finish the letter he pressed his Deathly Hallows wax seal on the envelope to bind it.

He heaved a sigh and wondered if he'd send someone to deliver it or bring it himself.

He was quite ashamed that he felt like this. He was Gellert Grindelwald, the greatest wizard of all times, and he was nervous to ask someone out.

Finally, when he had overcome his self-pity, he stood up and strode down the corridor to her room.

He raised a trembling hand, ready to knock against the wooden surface of the door.

He withdrew his hand hesitantly, touching his head in frustration. He could hear her voice from inside. She was with Queenie.

''Truth or dare?'' Queenie asked challenging. ''Truth,'' Emily said immediately.

Grindelwald leaned closer to the door, eager to hear what Queenie would ask.

''You always choose truth,'' Queenie said amused. ''I just don't like to dare,'' Emily replied smirking broadly. ''Also, I don't trust you. Who knows what tasks and crazy ideas will come to your mind.''

''You take that back, this instant, Emily!'' she shrieked hitting her head playfully with a pillow.

''Alright, what'll the question be?'' Emily asked.

''Hmm, let me think,'' Queenie said tapping a finger against her chin. ''Alright, I have one,'' she said finally. ''Have you ever been in love, and so yes with who?'' she asked eagerly.

Emily's P.O.V

I watched her stunned. There it was, the cliche of truth or dare, and probably the most feared and uncomfortable.

I didn't want to tell her about my messed up feelings right now, though she did seem confident that it was alright to ask and I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

I had been struggling with my feelings for some time now, not completely sure what they all meant. I had a suspicion that I might be in love, but I wasn't sure yet so I decided to keep it to myself for now.

''That are two questions, Queenie.''

''Choose one,'' I ordered taking a sip from my tea.

Queenie watched me disappointed. ''Fine, have you ever been in love?'' she asked with slight annoyance in her voice.

I was hoping she'd ask that one, it was easier to reply to.

''I'm not sure, I think I've felt love somewhere in my life,'' I said gazing at the window.

I was thinking about Grindelwald, but I also had a suspicion Queenie might like him and I had no intentions to break her heart, so I kept that to myself.


Grindelwald was still listening on the other side of the door. He was feeling like an intruder at that moment, but it made his heart ache when he heard Emily wasn't even sure if she'd felt any love in her life.

She deserved it. He wanted to give her that, but first, he wanted to find out if she felt the same about him, and if it would work out.

He looked down at the sealed envelope in his hand, considering if he was ready to go down this road. But then slid it under the door into Emily's room. He heard gasps from inside and Queenie shriek, ''You have a secret admirer!''

Emily hushed her quickly and took the envelope from the ground.

She checked the seal on the back and recognized it as Grindelwald's. ''It's from Grindelwald,'' she said uncertainly.

His seal was quite extraordinary compared to those of others. Most people had their family crest as their seal, but he hadn't. His seal was a triangular eye with a vertical line reaching through it. As most people knew it as the Deathly Hallows from the centuries-old tale of the three brothers.

Grindelwald himself was striding back to his office as fast as he could. His heart pounding in his throat. ''That might've been just the scariest thing I've done in my entire life,'' he whispered once his door was closed again.

Emily's P.O.V

I opened the envelope, unfolded the parchment and read it slowly, saying the words aloud so Queenie knew what it said.

Dear Emily,

I would like to invite you to have dinner with me. I have some business to discuss with you.

This is not supposed to be an order, if you don't feel like coming, there's no need to. I just need to get some things straight after some latest... discoveries.

If you'd like to join me, you can come to my chambers tonight at seven o'clock sharp.

I dearly hope you will come,

Grindelwald.

''Just some business to discuss, nothing more,'' I muttered as Queenie's face brightened significantly.

''I hope dearly you will come,'' Queenie recited. ''You can come to my chambers.''

''I would like to invite you to have dinner with me?'' Queenie smirked. ''Dear Emily.''

I guessed I was wrong about her having a crush on him after all.

''Stop it,'' I said grinning as I pulled the pillow from her grasp and slapped it across her head.

Despite my uncertainty about my feelings for him, I couldn't deny that every time she mocked me with it I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Somewhere inside, I was excited that he wanted to have dinner with me.

Suddenly I was overwhelmed by nervousness and anxiety.

I hadn't noticed Queenie was still smirking. ''Quit it!'' I said with faked anger.

She chuckled. ''Just relax, as you told me it's just business you need to discuss,'' she said smiling. ''No pressure.'' I knew she was just mocking me even more, but I decided it might be better to ignore it.

I was quiet for a moment, staring down at the letter in my lap. ''I'm not sure if I should go,'' I admitted.

''Why not?'' Queenie asked sadly.

I shrugged.

''What if I'm going to do anything stupid,'' I whispered as I thought about the absolutely ridiculous scenario that had just popped into my head. ''But if you don't go you won't find out,'' Queenie said wisely.

I looked at her quizzically. ''I mean, you won't find out why he really invited you,'' she said ''to his chambers.''

I rolled my eyes and slowly reread the letter, trying to make up my mind about what I should do.

I looked up at Queenie and nodded. ''You're right, I should go,'' I said smiling curtly. She clapped her hands excitedly and started chuckling.

''Come on, let's find you a dress,'' she said jumping up.

Before I knew it, it was five minutes to seven and I left my room throwing one last glance at Queenie who was still as excited as that midday.

'Good luck,' she mouthed before I closed the door behind me.

I was trembling madly when I was off to his chambers. I was very nervous, but I didn't really get why. I had been with him very often in the past.

I paused at a window and gazed into the darkness for a second.

I opened it and stuck my head outside. The cold wind blew lightly against my cheeks. I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

I guess it's just Queenie and all her babbling that made me nervous, I thought, steadying myself.

Once I had regained control, I retreated inside and closed the window and proceeded to his chambers.


Grindelwald was pacing around his room anxiously.

He glanced out onto the balcony where he had set up a nice table with a white tablecloth covering it.

He approached it, replaced the forks and knives so they lay perfectly straight next to the clean plates.

He walked back inside and gathered his thoughts.

''Just calm down,'' he said slowly. ''No need to stress. She's just one of the many women in this world,'' he muttered.

While he knew that wasn't true, he did find a little comfort in saying that.

''She might not even come.''

He had been afraid of that ever since he had delivered her the letter. What if she just thought he was some kind of weirdo now?

Grindelwald takes what he wants, popped into his mind.

He regained his composure and fixed his gaze on the closed door as soon as he heard a soft knock.

It was seven o'clock.