Chapter Eighteen
April 30th, 1945 sometime after noon
Grindelwald was a thin man some years younger than the transfigurations' professor. His eyes were almost coal black in color and hidden by heavy lashes. But nothing could hide the madness in those dark orbs. He had arrayed himself in muggle fashion as though an officer of the military, for though he fiercely hated muggle-born and mixed-blood wizards and witches he considered some muggles to be useful tools, often quite apt to his hand with the proper application of the Imperious curse. Grindelwald rose from a gilded chair and swept his wand out from a pocket as Dumbledore entered. An unholy light was in his eyes as he stepped away from his throne.
"You. I know you. They have told me of the graying wizard with the spectacles. You have robbed me of many of my servants. You are English too, yes?" he questioned in a heavily accented voice.
Dumbledore had planned to step into the room and begin firing disarming spells and curses at once. It was no more than Grindelwald deserved. Unfortunately, he found that he was having some difficulty in doing that. There was a seductive power in the madman's voice. Thibault had mentioned nothing of that ability. Perhaps few people consciously were aware of it, few among the living at least. Dumbledore adjusted his grip on his wand.
"Albus Dumbledore." he said simply. It struck him as the height of madness to be thus conversing with a mass murderer. And yet there he was.
"Grindelwald, Josef Wilhelm von Grindelwald." he said with a very stiff and very slight bow. "They have sent you here to kill me, yes?" he questioned in rather unnervingly civil tones.
"I am here of my own will." answered Dumbledore.
"Your friends have sent you here to die alone then?" he asked pleasantly.
Minerva was watching and listening to them from just outside the doorway as she listened for any sound of Grindelwald's servants. A sense of alarm was growing in the pit of her stomach. Why wasn't Albus doing something? Why weren't they fighting? She looked at Albus' wand hand and realized immediately that there was magic at work. He was not even holding the instrument at ready. She edged closer to watch Grindelwald.
"I did not come here to die." said Albus.
Grindelwald leered at him and said, "Many of my loyal subjects have fled. Few can abide me now. Your visit is well timed, I think, but not well timed enough for you to contend with me." Raising his wand, Grindelwald added, "I believe I shall have a bit of entertainment first ... before I kill you."
Dumbledore could not move as the Dark Wizard moved to cast a spell upon him, but as Grindelwald did so, a loud, high shriek filled the air and something heavy collided into the professor, jarring him from his stupor. Minerva McGonagall had shoved him hard, knocking him out of the way of Grindelwald's spell. The force of it scarcely grazed Albus, merely winding him for a moment as he tumbled to the ground, which was no doubt far from the Dark Wizard's intended effect.
"Stupid girl!" Grindelwald roared at her as Albus rolled to his feet. "Crucio!" he screamed at her with a wild and insane look in his eyes.
Minerva had never known such fierce and unabating pain before in her life. She could not even scream as she flailed helplessly upon the floor. The world became dark and faraway as the severe pain began to overwhelm her. Then it ended suddenly. Her body was still on fire with the lingering aftermath of the agony, and she lay stunned upon the floor, scarcely able to think or move.
"Expelliarmus!" Minerva heard Albus cry as her breath came in ragged gasps. She lifted her head from the floor to see Grindelwald block the spell with practiced ease.
"You must do better than that, old man!" scoffed the Dark Wizard.
Dumbledore flung a silencing charm at Grindelwald, who parried it and grinned wickedly.
"You seek to stop the power of my voice!" he laughed, pointing his wand at Dumbledore, seeming to contemplate with malicious relish what spell he would next use.
Minerva had witnessed her mentor duel before when she was just a third year student. She had recalled his penchant for disarming spells, which was much imitated among the older students and would be for some years to come. She had learned a few such spells herself. But what truly mattered was that even from the floor she could see it in his eyes. Albus was going to go for Grindelwald's wand a second time. She moved slowly, clutching her own wand tightly in her hand. They had a better chance if they acted together.
"Exarmo!" she cast with all her might.
And at the same instant, Albus made a second go of his favorite, "Expelliarmus!"
Grindelwald's wand flew from his hand and into a far corner of the room. The Dark Wizards bellowed in pain, anger, and terror.
Scrambling to her elbows, Minerva shouted, "Stupefy!"
Grindelwald fought the spell, but went to his knees, scrambling on all fours toward his lost wand.
"Stupefy!" yelled Dumbledore, casting the stunning spell with all of his strength.
Grindelwald collapsed instantly with a barely audible groan. The professor immediately cast a binding spell upon him. Together they had defeated Grindelwald.
Minerva rose shakily to her feet. Her entire body was trembling with the aftereffects of the Cruciatus curse, the intolerable pain of which still lingered. She felt very nauseated, but as she looked at unconscious and bound Grindelwald, she felt a certain thrill of triumph too.
"You did it." she said breathlessly, hardly mindful of her own contribution as she looked at Dumbledore. Pride shone in her eyes.
"We, Minerva." he corrected tiredly as he retrieved Grindelwald's wand.
Professor Dumbledore's face hardened as he examined the instrument of magic before taking it in both hands and snapping it. He tossed the splintered pieces away and rubbed his eyes.
A long bench ran along the wall behind him, facing the throne of the Dark Wizard. Albus sat down heavily upon it. He could still hardly believe it was over. His gaze turned to Minerva.
"Come and sit." he said, gesturing for her to join him.
Minerva obeyed without question. Her legs were unsteady. It seemed like an excellent idea, vastly preferable to finding herself back on the hard concrete floor again. She frowned as she noticed a few small cuts upon her mentor's cheek and some bruising upon his jaw from his fall.
"May I?" she asked, touching his face with trembling fingers.
"It is not necessary, but you may." he conceded. "I am terribly sorry about what you have endured here today, Minerva." Dumbledore said as she began saying healing charms over him.
Minerva swallowed hard as he lightly touched her hair, brushing it away from her unnaturally pale face.
"I never knew anything could be ..." she said, coughing quietly.
"You know now why it is unforgivable, do you not?"
"Yes." she answered.
Dumbledore removed his hand from her hair and rested it upon his knee, tightening his grip upon his wand. He did not think it was safe to put it away. Looking at Grindelwald, he wondered if he should go through with the plan or destroy him there, if he should just get it over with. Would anyone condemn him for snuffing out the life of such a fiend?
"No, he must pay for what he has done. Simply killing him won't accomplish that. Thibault, Reynard, and Alastor have all agreed." Albus thought silently.
"We must imprison him." mumbled her mentor absently. He turned and smiled softly at Minerva. "We will imprison this foul thing with other creatures whose natures are also utterly dark." he said.
Minerva glanced at the shards of Grindelwald's wand, wondering what manner of evil he had done with it, how many Unforgivables he had cast, how many people had killed himself. She nodded and trembled all over that very thought. Whatever Albus believed was just, she would agree with. No punishment could be harsh enough for his evil deeds.
"You were so brave, Albus, when you walked in here to face him. I don't think I have ever seen anything like it nor will I again." said Minerva quietly, wiping the blood from his face with the sleeve of her robe.
His eyes did not twinkle as she looked into them. They seemed haunted. She wasn't sure if his beautiful blue eyes would ever twinkle again. They had never seemed so serious as they did at that moment. Minerva touched his cheek and felt incredible sorrow on his behalf. If only she could make it better again. If only she could lift the weight that remained upon him even in victory. She leaned closer and tenderly kissed him upon the lips. Very gently she kissed him at first, and she felt his lips respond beneath hers. Then he suddenly moved away. There was surprise in his eyes as Minerva opened hers again.
"We must be going, Minerva. It would no do for us to be found here." he said.
She nodded in agreement and hid her disappointment and embarrassment well. It had been a very foolish, impulsive thing to do.
"I should never have kissed him." she thought.
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A/N: I rewrote the duel scene I think something like eight times. That was the best I could do (I should watch more action movies or something). And I suppose I should mention my fondness for J.R.R. Tolkien's character Saruman from LotR - he inspired my version of Grindelwald a little bit (the voice thing).
Child-of-the-Dawn: Fluff? Erm, I'm thinking not very much, if any. Thanks for reviewing!
Whisper: Remember that Minerva is sixteen and had never seen war close up before (bodies, carnage, the noise, the duel). When I wrote the other story ("Another World"), I was not a big Albus and Minerva fan - I was just getting into it. Then I became obsessed with a subplot (this story), but I was locked into the timeline of the original. So ... I understand why someone devoted to the 'ship might be displeased with portions of the story line. But, I will do much better next time. *sighs* I wish I had a job. Thank you for reviewing!
MysticSorceror: *blushes* Thank you very much!
MK: Thanks for the review!
lama: Thank you for reviewing!
Inca: The description of the city ravaged by war was inspired by a movie that I watched in one of my German language classes (Die Mörder sind unter uns). Having never seen anything like this myself, nor having any relatives that served in Europe during the war, I used that (and my poor memory of my history classes) as a guide. Thanks for reviewing!
My next update may be slow due to another writing project. But rest assured that this is not quite the end. Not yet.
April 30th, 1945 sometime after noon
Grindelwald was a thin man some years younger than the transfigurations' professor. His eyes were almost coal black in color and hidden by heavy lashes. But nothing could hide the madness in those dark orbs. He had arrayed himself in muggle fashion as though an officer of the military, for though he fiercely hated muggle-born and mixed-blood wizards and witches he considered some muggles to be useful tools, often quite apt to his hand with the proper application of the Imperious curse. Grindelwald rose from a gilded chair and swept his wand out from a pocket as Dumbledore entered. An unholy light was in his eyes as he stepped away from his throne.
"You. I know you. They have told me of the graying wizard with the spectacles. You have robbed me of many of my servants. You are English too, yes?" he questioned in a heavily accented voice.
Dumbledore had planned to step into the room and begin firing disarming spells and curses at once. It was no more than Grindelwald deserved. Unfortunately, he found that he was having some difficulty in doing that. There was a seductive power in the madman's voice. Thibault had mentioned nothing of that ability. Perhaps few people consciously were aware of it, few among the living at least. Dumbledore adjusted his grip on his wand.
"Albus Dumbledore." he said simply. It struck him as the height of madness to be thus conversing with a mass murderer. And yet there he was.
"Grindelwald, Josef Wilhelm von Grindelwald." he said with a very stiff and very slight bow. "They have sent you here to kill me, yes?" he questioned in rather unnervingly civil tones.
"I am here of my own will." answered Dumbledore.
"Your friends have sent you here to die alone then?" he asked pleasantly.
Minerva was watching and listening to them from just outside the doorway as she listened for any sound of Grindelwald's servants. A sense of alarm was growing in the pit of her stomach. Why wasn't Albus doing something? Why weren't they fighting? She looked at Albus' wand hand and realized immediately that there was magic at work. He was not even holding the instrument at ready. She edged closer to watch Grindelwald.
"I did not come here to die." said Albus.
Grindelwald leered at him and said, "Many of my loyal subjects have fled. Few can abide me now. Your visit is well timed, I think, but not well timed enough for you to contend with me." Raising his wand, Grindelwald added, "I believe I shall have a bit of entertainment first ... before I kill you."
Dumbledore could not move as the Dark Wizard moved to cast a spell upon him, but as Grindelwald did so, a loud, high shriek filled the air and something heavy collided into the professor, jarring him from his stupor. Minerva McGonagall had shoved him hard, knocking him out of the way of Grindelwald's spell. The force of it scarcely grazed Albus, merely winding him for a moment as he tumbled to the ground, which was no doubt far from the Dark Wizard's intended effect.
"Stupid girl!" Grindelwald roared at her as Albus rolled to his feet. "Crucio!" he screamed at her with a wild and insane look in his eyes.
Minerva had never known such fierce and unabating pain before in her life. She could not even scream as she flailed helplessly upon the floor. The world became dark and faraway as the severe pain began to overwhelm her. Then it ended suddenly. Her body was still on fire with the lingering aftermath of the agony, and she lay stunned upon the floor, scarcely able to think or move.
"Expelliarmus!" Minerva heard Albus cry as her breath came in ragged gasps. She lifted her head from the floor to see Grindelwald block the spell with practiced ease.
"You must do better than that, old man!" scoffed the Dark Wizard.
Dumbledore flung a silencing charm at Grindelwald, who parried it and grinned wickedly.
"You seek to stop the power of my voice!" he laughed, pointing his wand at Dumbledore, seeming to contemplate with malicious relish what spell he would next use.
Minerva had witnessed her mentor duel before when she was just a third year student. She had recalled his penchant for disarming spells, which was much imitated among the older students and would be for some years to come. She had learned a few such spells herself. But what truly mattered was that even from the floor she could see it in his eyes. Albus was going to go for Grindelwald's wand a second time. She moved slowly, clutching her own wand tightly in her hand. They had a better chance if they acted together.
"Exarmo!" she cast with all her might.
And at the same instant, Albus made a second go of his favorite, "Expelliarmus!"
Grindelwald's wand flew from his hand and into a far corner of the room. The Dark Wizards bellowed in pain, anger, and terror.
Scrambling to her elbows, Minerva shouted, "Stupefy!"
Grindelwald fought the spell, but went to his knees, scrambling on all fours toward his lost wand.
"Stupefy!" yelled Dumbledore, casting the stunning spell with all of his strength.
Grindelwald collapsed instantly with a barely audible groan. The professor immediately cast a binding spell upon him. Together they had defeated Grindelwald.
Minerva rose shakily to her feet. Her entire body was trembling with the aftereffects of the Cruciatus curse, the intolerable pain of which still lingered. She felt very nauseated, but as she looked at unconscious and bound Grindelwald, she felt a certain thrill of triumph too.
"You did it." she said breathlessly, hardly mindful of her own contribution as she looked at Dumbledore. Pride shone in her eyes.
"We, Minerva." he corrected tiredly as he retrieved Grindelwald's wand.
Professor Dumbledore's face hardened as he examined the instrument of magic before taking it in both hands and snapping it. He tossed the splintered pieces away and rubbed his eyes.
A long bench ran along the wall behind him, facing the throne of the Dark Wizard. Albus sat down heavily upon it. He could still hardly believe it was over. His gaze turned to Minerva.
"Come and sit." he said, gesturing for her to join him.
Minerva obeyed without question. Her legs were unsteady. It seemed like an excellent idea, vastly preferable to finding herself back on the hard concrete floor again. She frowned as she noticed a few small cuts upon her mentor's cheek and some bruising upon his jaw from his fall.
"May I?" she asked, touching his face with trembling fingers.
"It is not necessary, but you may." he conceded. "I am terribly sorry about what you have endured here today, Minerva." Dumbledore said as she began saying healing charms over him.
Minerva swallowed hard as he lightly touched her hair, brushing it away from her unnaturally pale face.
"I never knew anything could be ..." she said, coughing quietly.
"You know now why it is unforgivable, do you not?"
"Yes." she answered.
Dumbledore removed his hand from her hair and rested it upon his knee, tightening his grip upon his wand. He did not think it was safe to put it away. Looking at Grindelwald, he wondered if he should go through with the plan or destroy him there, if he should just get it over with. Would anyone condemn him for snuffing out the life of such a fiend?
"No, he must pay for what he has done. Simply killing him won't accomplish that. Thibault, Reynard, and Alastor have all agreed." Albus thought silently.
"We must imprison him." mumbled her mentor absently. He turned and smiled softly at Minerva. "We will imprison this foul thing with other creatures whose natures are also utterly dark." he said.
Minerva glanced at the shards of Grindelwald's wand, wondering what manner of evil he had done with it, how many Unforgivables he had cast, how many people had killed himself. She nodded and trembled all over that very thought. Whatever Albus believed was just, she would agree with. No punishment could be harsh enough for his evil deeds.
"You were so brave, Albus, when you walked in here to face him. I don't think I have ever seen anything like it nor will I again." said Minerva quietly, wiping the blood from his face with the sleeve of her robe.
His eyes did not twinkle as she looked into them. They seemed haunted. She wasn't sure if his beautiful blue eyes would ever twinkle again. They had never seemed so serious as they did at that moment. Minerva touched his cheek and felt incredible sorrow on his behalf. If only she could make it better again. If only she could lift the weight that remained upon him even in victory. She leaned closer and tenderly kissed him upon the lips. Very gently she kissed him at first, and she felt his lips respond beneath hers. Then he suddenly moved away. There was surprise in his eyes as Minerva opened hers again.
"We must be going, Minerva. It would no do for us to be found here." he said.
She nodded in agreement and hid her disappointment and embarrassment well. It had been a very foolish, impulsive thing to do.
"I should never have kissed him." she thought.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: I rewrote the duel scene I think something like eight times. That was the best I could do (I should watch more action movies or something). And I suppose I should mention my fondness for J.R.R. Tolkien's character Saruman from LotR - he inspired my version of Grindelwald a little bit (the voice thing).
Child-of-the-Dawn: Fluff? Erm, I'm thinking not very much, if any. Thanks for reviewing!
Whisper: Remember that Minerva is sixteen and had never seen war close up before (bodies, carnage, the noise, the duel). When I wrote the other story ("Another World"), I was not a big Albus and Minerva fan - I was just getting into it. Then I became obsessed with a subplot (this story), but I was locked into the timeline of the original. So ... I understand why someone devoted to the 'ship might be displeased with portions of the story line. But, I will do much better next time. *sighs* I wish I had a job. Thank you for reviewing!
MysticSorceror: *blushes* Thank you very much!
MK: Thanks for the review!
lama: Thank you for reviewing!
Inca: The description of the city ravaged by war was inspired by a movie that I watched in one of my German language classes (Die Mörder sind unter uns). Having never seen anything like this myself, nor having any relatives that served in Europe during the war, I used that (and my poor memory of my history classes) as a guide. Thanks for reviewing!
My next update may be slow due to another writing project. But rest assured that this is not quite the end. Not yet.
