Chapter 3 Beating Hearts

Grindelwald takes what he wants, he thought as he extended a trembling hand towards the door. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening it.

''Ah, Emily, you decided to come,'' he said smiling.

'You owe a lot of it to Queenie,'' she said trying to hide her nerves. ''I wasn't sure if I'd come at first.''

His mind raced and he felt his heart ache a little, but he retained his composure.

''And why's that?'' he asked stepping out of the way so she could enter.

Emily scolded herself mentally and tried to think of something to say.

She had the annoying habit that whenever she was nervous she'd never really think about anything she was saying.

''Uhm.''

The room wasn't lit really well but even in the darkness, you could see her cheeks were as red as cherries.

Grindelwald smirked amused. ''Never mind,'' he said guiding her to the balcony and the table.

He pulled back a chair for her and she sat down a little hesitantly. She smiled at him curtly before looking down at her hands.

He settled down himself and watched her intently.

''Emily.''

She looked up at him, ashamed of the fact that her cheeks were still red. ''It isn't important, let's just enjoy this while we can, alright?'' he said gently.

Again, butterflies started fluttering in her stomach as he used those meaningful words.

How could people ever be afraid of him? she thought unbelievably. He's so nice and caring. Of course, I've heard the stories and read about his history, but I can't imagine the man across of me doing those things.

She started to doubt if the stories were really true or just gossip.

Emily nodded and smiled shyly. ''You're right, sir,'' she said. He smiled contentedly and conjured two bottles of wine.

Emily's P.O.V

''Red or white?'' he asked. I held out my glass, ''Red please.''

"He filled half of the glass, then poured some into his own. ''As I mentioned in the invitation I had

brought you, I have some things to discuss.''

He doesn't say business, so what does that mean?

Shut up! Please don't make me more nervous than I already am.

''What would you like to discuss, sir?'' I asked sipping my wine.

''Well, I have been examining your plan a bit more closely,'' he started.

''Is something wrong with it?'' I asked quickly, afraid I might've overlooked something important.

''No, there's nothing wrong. Your plan is absolutely perfect.'' I let out a sigh of relief.

''But, I think I've found something I wasn't exactly supposed to find,'' he said conjuring the portrait I had made of him.

I recognized it right when I laid eyes on it and my cheeks grew as red as the wine in my glass when I realized what had just happened.

"I must've forgotten to remove it from the desk! I thought horrified.

''I'm sorry,'' I muttered looking down at your hands again.

''There's nothing to apologize for.''

He examined the portrait and smiled at me. ''Queenie told me you could draw quite well. But now I've seen this, I think that's quite underestimated.''

I smiled at him, but that didn't take away the blush from your cheeks. ''Once again, you managed to impress me,'' he said.

I was still very ashamed that he had found the portrait. No one was supposed to know, not even Queenie.

"Let's eat," he said.

My mind was foggy. I didn't understand why he would invite me to dinner, just because he found a drawing. "There must've been more behind it than that, I thought suspiciously.

Do I need to spell it out to you!

No. I don't need your obsessive mindset right now, go away.

Stop being so stubborn and just listen! He might like you, but we're not sure. We mustn't be hasty.

What do you propose I do?

Just play it subtle. Don't be obvious, that'll destroy our chance.

Those small talks in my mind kept returning more often lately.

I wasn't sure what caused them, but I had my suspicions. They were all about the same subject. Gellert Grindelwald.

''Emily, are you alright?'' Grindelwald interrupted my thoughts.

I looked up and nodded quickly. ''I'm fine.'' I smiled.

''If you're not feeling alright you don't have to stay,'' he said. ''No, no, I'll stay,'' I assured him. ''I was just thinking about something Queenie told me,'' I said.

The rest of the dinner went smooth. We discussed some future assaults that still needed planning, and of course, I couldn't help but offer myself to do some of it.

When we were done I stood up and thanked him. I turned to walk away but he stopped me by taking my hand.

''Do you remember that spell you told me you'd teach me?'' he asked as I turned to face him. I was quite surprised by the physical contact but tried to ignore the butterflies that were once again, fluttering endlessly.

I nodded.

''Well, I thought maybe you could teach me now, considering we're already here,'' he said choosing his words carefully.


He didn't want her to leave. He enjoyed her company, but most of all he was very eager to know how she felt about him and couldn't wait to find out.

He was a little nervous to face the truth. Maybe she didn't feel the same about him as he felt about her, but maybe she did.

He realized he was still holding her hand, but he didn't want to let go. Her hand was so small and delicate. The touch between her and him sent shivers up his spine.

''Alright. But we don't have anything to practice on,'' she said hesitantly looking around.

''That can be arranged,'' he said waving his knobby wand.

The table was cleared, and with another flick, a pile of parchment appeared.

''Will this do?''

She nodded approvingly and took out her wand. She pointed it at the pile and flicked it curtly.

The pile of parchment had vanished and was replaced by a neat envelope.

''All you have to do is hold your arm on the right height and say 'sinum.'''

I reversed the spell and the envelope turned back into the pile of parchment.

Grindelwald copied her movements and flicked his wand without saying the incantation.

She knew he was really good at non-verbal magic, but nothing happened this time.

She studied his stance and went to stand behind him and raised his arm a little higher.

He was close to her and she could felt his arm tremble under her touch and she smiled a little.

''Now try again,'' she said removing her hand but staying close behind him.

He flicked his wand and this time the pile folded itself into a neat envelope. ''Well, done,'' she said impressed. ''I guess it was your turn to impress "me, sir,'' she said walking to the envelope and examining it.

''I've never seen anyone manage to do it so quickly,'' she said smiling at him.

"He nodded curtly and took the envelope. ''Where did you learn this spell?'' he asked.

''I created it,'' she said. ''I've tried to teach it to a friend at Hogwarts who was like a brother to me, but he seemed unteachable. He never really thought of school as important.''

She smiled at the memory of her best friend. ''I just wished I could've said goodbye before he passed away,'' she said wiping her eyes dry.

He had been the only one who had supported her in her personal battle with her feelings. But after he died, everything had only seemed bleach and she only did anything for her own good.

''I'm sorry he died,'' Grindelwald said. ''If he was just like you, I'm sure he'd be a great person,'' he said tucking her hair behind her ear. She smiled at him weakly as he took her hand. ''It's late, you might want to get some sleep,'' he said guiding her across the room.

''Thank you for tonight, sir,'' she said gratefully. He stopped in front of the door, looking at her for a second.

Do it! Kiss her, now!

What if she thinks I'm a creepy, old guy?

Stop being so pathetic and just do it! Grindelwald takes what he wants!

That last sentence rang through his mind as he leaned forward to lightly press a kiss on her forehead. ''Goodnight, Emily,'' he said smiling down at her.

Emily's P.O.V

''He did what!'' Queenie shouted excitedly. ''Shut it, maybe someone hears us,'' I said cautiously.

Queenie and I sat in my room again. ''What did he say?'' she asked eagerly. ''Come on, Emily. I want juicy details!''

''I will tell you if you stop shouting,'' I demanded.

She watched me smugly. ''So there are juicy details,'' she said smirking. ''I never said that,'' I defended myself.

''I know, I know. Just tell me what he said.''

''He just bade me goodnight,'' I said simply. ''With a kiss?'' she said grinning broadly.

I was afraid I might never get her to stop mocking me. After all, she was the one who made me nervous for dinner with him, who knows what else she can make me feel.

''Queenie, stop it,'' I said. ''Nothing happened, alright.''

I was growing a little annoyed with her. ''I think it's best if we both get some sleep,'' I said yawning.

"Queenie nodded. ''You're right,'' she said and stood up. ''Goodnight, Emily.''

''Goodnight, Queenie,'' I replied.

When she was gone I changed into my nightgown, magically killed the lights and lay down in bed, pulling the blankets all the way up to my eyes.

I thought he was going to kiss my lips, I thought as I turned onto my side.

What if he was trying to? What if he really likes me?

I wanted that.

Maybe he's just as nervous as I am? He did tremble when I was so close to him.

My mind wandered off and I started fantasizing.


Do you call that a kiss?

I did kiss her, didn't I?

If you dare to call that a kiss, you're even more a coward than I thought.

Go away, I want to sleep.

No! You need to kiss her. That's the only way to find out. Stop playing this pathetic game and start behaving like the man you are!

I just don't want to make a fool of myself!

You won't. And even if you do, what does it matter? One girl who thinks you're an idiot. So what? The whole world lies at your feet!

He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. He did want to kiss her. But every time she was there, just in front of him he couldn't do it. He didn't understand why he felt like this. It was all a riddle to him.

So? Are you going to do it?

I'll see how things will turn.

He turned around and closed his eyes desperately hoping sleep would come, but it didn't. His thoughts refused to leave him alone.

Before he knew it, the sun was already peeking over the tips of the distant mountains.

He sat up, rubbing his tired eyes.

He yawned and got up.

Once he was fully dressed he left for his office.

He took the portrait Emily had made from his desk and examined it while he was thinking about her.

It was still very early and he was surprised to hear someone knock against the door of his office, asking for entrance.