Chapter Nineteen
April 30th, 1945 in the evening
Darkness was settling over the hills and forest around Hogwarts when Albus and Minerva returned with their prisoner. The journey had not been easy. It had required much from both of them to transport him so far unwillingly. Minerva moved Grindelwald along by the power of the Mobilicorpus spell while Albus held his wand ready for any sign of mischief from the powerful Dark Wizard. Grindelwald's eyes rolled crazily. Madness had finally taken over his entire mind. But still Minerva was afraid of him, and Albus had not let his guard down. No one wanted to take a chance that he could manage wandless magic or anything else equally as dangerous.
They had waited until after nightfall to bring the wizard to the castle and slipped unnoticed into Hogwarts and into the dungeons with their prisoner. Dumbledore did not wish to be seen. Minerva could not blame him. Whatever Albus intended to do with Grindelwald, it was surely best that it be done in secrecy.
A young and handsome Ministry Auror named Alastor Moody was waiting for them in the most secluded part of the dungeons with Professor Reynard Krohn. The potions' master loomed over a bubbling cauldron, adding ingredients and paying no attention to anything but his craft. The potion that he was brewing seemed quite complex judging by the books on the nearby stands and the interest in the eyes of his companion.
She was surprised to see an Auror there, though she recognized Moody from the class of 1940. He had been one of the best and brightest of Slytherin house. No doubt he was working with the Aurors in France when not on duty and had been summoned by Dumbledore just prior to their adventure.
Albus quietly instructed her to put Grindelwald in the corner of the room farthest from the Auror and the professor while he had a discussion with his colleagues. She did exactly as he asked. If she felt a twinge of pride at being given the task so readily, she could hardly be blamed.
She could not hear their conversation. They spoke in hushed tones, hesitating glances at Grindelwald from time to time.
Minerva thought she could see Alastor fingering the bright blade of a knife hidden in the folds of his heavy and hooded robes. She did not like the look in his small dark eyes at all. It was not a look that one often found in the eyes of good and honest men. She believed for an instant that Moody was considering cutting Grindelwald's throat, and enjoying it. While conceding that the Dark Wizard thoroughly deserved any punishment that might be meted out that night, that gaze was nonetheless unwholesome and somewhat revolting. It was difficult to believe that Albus kept company with men like that, who gave a bad reputation to Aurors everywhere.
Minerva returned her full attention to her charge and tried not to think about what would happen next. She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to know. She had done her part and that was that.
"They will see me dead. But others will come. Always more." chortled Grindelwald insanely. His voice had lost its power as madness controlled him.
"More?" questioned Minerva.
"That which your kind had named evil ... it does not die. It cannot. It is immortal. It is forever." he said as his eyes grew unfocused and a disturbing grin spread over his features.
When Albus returned to that corner, he laid a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. She knew that he could feel her trembling beneath her dirty and somewhat blood besmirched school robes. The day had been long and horrific, draining her of almost all of her strength and courage. Albus' eyes were sad as he looked at her, sad and incredibly knowing. He understood what the conflict had taken out of her and from her, and he did not believe that it would stop there. She had so much with which she would be forced to live: the carnage of the muggle war, bearing the agony of the Cruciatus curse, and witnessing and taking part in the downfall of the most terrible wizard of their age. So much for one so very young.
Minerva did not lower the wand she had pointed at Grindelwald, an incoherently mumbling form bound by magical cords. She wanted to continue to be strong and brave for Albus. She wanted him to be proud of her. Minerva didn't realize that he was already proud of her and would be for as long as they lived. She had earned every word of praise, every kindly thought that he had ever had for her and so much more. Albus wanted to sing her praises then and there and tell her, finally tell her what feelings he held in his heart for her, but there was no time.
"Professor Krohn is almost ready to begin. I would like you to leave now, Minerva." he said in a low voice in her ear.
"Why?"
"You've seen so much. I want to protect you from witnessing this at least."
"You're going to kill him." she said. It was a statement, not a question.
"No, we are going to send him into the Founder's prison world."
Minerva gasped. She was unable to stop herself. It was a horrible fate and perhaps a just one, but she had not expected to hear Albus say those words. Grindelwald would be sent into imprisonment with demons who had been banished by the Founders. It was a mirror realm, or so they said, filled with nameless horrors and little chance of survival or escape, especially for a wizard without a wand.
"It is the punishment that has been agreed upon. It is for the best." Albus told her.
"I understand."
"Then return to your dormitory, Minerva, and try to sleep. You have been a great help tonight. I could not have done any of this without you. I am grateful for your assistance."
"Thank you, Albus." she had said, finally lowering her wand.
As Minerva left the dungeons, she could hear the cries of Grindelwald as he realized what was to become of him, and she ran the rest of the distance to Gryffindor Tower despite her weariness to escape those terrible, inhuman sounds.
She slipped unnoticed into her dormitory and prepared for bed though the trembling had not ceased. Her body was weary beyond understanding, but her mind was filled with confused and disjointed thoughts about the things that she had seen. She wished that she had access to a dreamless sleep potion, anything to make her mind stop spinning and simply allow her to sleep. Minerva could feel it. She would not be able to sleep easily for some time. And how would she be able to explain it all to her friends? To Vector and Trudy, who would be eager. To Poppy and Agatha, who would be curious. How would she ever get them to understand? Perhaps it would be best to say nothing.
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A/N: If some of this is vaguely (okay, really) familiar, I did borrow quite liberally from the first story ("Another World") to maintain consistent dialog. Oh, and this is the brief part that might seem strange to anyone who didn't read "AW". Sorry about that.
MK: What does Albus think? The poor man has so much on his mind ... Thank you for reviewing!
Michelle: Thanks!
lama: Thank you for the review!
Whisper: I definitely want to write another AD/MM story - a fluffier, happier timeline with wedding bells and maybe kids. But that might take some time. I'm expunging all of my inner darkness and angst at the moment *chuckles bitterly*. Why wasn't Grindelwald guarded? People who stayed in his presence too long often wound up dead (referencing Krohn's dead siblings, various other remarks to this effect, and Grindelwald's statement: "Many of my loyal subjects have fled. Few can abide me now." - even his followers were terrified of being around him). And, of course, Grindelwald has been 'mad' since mid-December, so that's more than five months for him to become really unhinged. But I do see your point. About Grindelwald's accent ... There is actually a place in Switzerland called Grindelwald (and I don't know very much about it, except that it exists and it's in the German-speaking part of the country), so ... if he were by some chance actually from there, would he have a German accent (language) or a Swiss accent (country/nationality)? I get lost in the details. I am very glad you liked the kiss. Just one of those occasions when the characters seemed to know what to do (and all I had to do was type it). I will endeavor not to end this story in a cringeworthy (cool word!) fashion. Thank you for the review!
Child-of-the-Dawn: Yes, he did ... a little. Circumstance can be a wonderful thing. Thank you for reviewing!
Metallicafangirl: Whoo-hoo! A Sephiroth fan! He was so awesome! Sorry ... couldn't control myself. Thanks for the review!
GEM: Thank you for reviewing!
April 30th, 1945 in the evening
Darkness was settling over the hills and forest around Hogwarts when Albus and Minerva returned with their prisoner. The journey had not been easy. It had required much from both of them to transport him so far unwillingly. Minerva moved Grindelwald along by the power of the Mobilicorpus spell while Albus held his wand ready for any sign of mischief from the powerful Dark Wizard. Grindelwald's eyes rolled crazily. Madness had finally taken over his entire mind. But still Minerva was afraid of him, and Albus had not let his guard down. No one wanted to take a chance that he could manage wandless magic or anything else equally as dangerous.
They had waited until after nightfall to bring the wizard to the castle and slipped unnoticed into Hogwarts and into the dungeons with their prisoner. Dumbledore did not wish to be seen. Minerva could not blame him. Whatever Albus intended to do with Grindelwald, it was surely best that it be done in secrecy.
A young and handsome Ministry Auror named Alastor Moody was waiting for them in the most secluded part of the dungeons with Professor Reynard Krohn. The potions' master loomed over a bubbling cauldron, adding ingredients and paying no attention to anything but his craft. The potion that he was brewing seemed quite complex judging by the books on the nearby stands and the interest in the eyes of his companion.
She was surprised to see an Auror there, though she recognized Moody from the class of 1940. He had been one of the best and brightest of Slytherin house. No doubt he was working with the Aurors in France when not on duty and had been summoned by Dumbledore just prior to their adventure.
Albus quietly instructed her to put Grindelwald in the corner of the room farthest from the Auror and the professor while he had a discussion with his colleagues. She did exactly as he asked. If she felt a twinge of pride at being given the task so readily, she could hardly be blamed.
She could not hear their conversation. They spoke in hushed tones, hesitating glances at Grindelwald from time to time.
Minerva thought she could see Alastor fingering the bright blade of a knife hidden in the folds of his heavy and hooded robes. She did not like the look in his small dark eyes at all. It was not a look that one often found in the eyes of good and honest men. She believed for an instant that Moody was considering cutting Grindelwald's throat, and enjoying it. While conceding that the Dark Wizard thoroughly deserved any punishment that might be meted out that night, that gaze was nonetheless unwholesome and somewhat revolting. It was difficult to believe that Albus kept company with men like that, who gave a bad reputation to Aurors everywhere.
Minerva returned her full attention to her charge and tried not to think about what would happen next. She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to know. She had done her part and that was that.
"They will see me dead. But others will come. Always more." chortled Grindelwald insanely. His voice had lost its power as madness controlled him.
"More?" questioned Minerva.
"That which your kind had named evil ... it does not die. It cannot. It is immortal. It is forever." he said as his eyes grew unfocused and a disturbing grin spread over his features.
When Albus returned to that corner, he laid a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. She knew that he could feel her trembling beneath her dirty and somewhat blood besmirched school robes. The day had been long and horrific, draining her of almost all of her strength and courage. Albus' eyes were sad as he looked at her, sad and incredibly knowing. He understood what the conflict had taken out of her and from her, and he did not believe that it would stop there. She had so much with which she would be forced to live: the carnage of the muggle war, bearing the agony of the Cruciatus curse, and witnessing and taking part in the downfall of the most terrible wizard of their age. So much for one so very young.
Minerva did not lower the wand she had pointed at Grindelwald, an incoherently mumbling form bound by magical cords. She wanted to continue to be strong and brave for Albus. She wanted him to be proud of her. Minerva didn't realize that he was already proud of her and would be for as long as they lived. She had earned every word of praise, every kindly thought that he had ever had for her and so much more. Albus wanted to sing her praises then and there and tell her, finally tell her what feelings he held in his heart for her, but there was no time.
"Professor Krohn is almost ready to begin. I would like you to leave now, Minerva." he said in a low voice in her ear.
"Why?"
"You've seen so much. I want to protect you from witnessing this at least."
"You're going to kill him." she said. It was a statement, not a question.
"No, we are going to send him into the Founder's prison world."
Minerva gasped. She was unable to stop herself. It was a horrible fate and perhaps a just one, but she had not expected to hear Albus say those words. Grindelwald would be sent into imprisonment with demons who had been banished by the Founders. It was a mirror realm, or so they said, filled with nameless horrors and little chance of survival or escape, especially for a wizard without a wand.
"It is the punishment that has been agreed upon. It is for the best." Albus told her.
"I understand."
"Then return to your dormitory, Minerva, and try to sleep. You have been a great help tonight. I could not have done any of this without you. I am grateful for your assistance."
"Thank you, Albus." she had said, finally lowering her wand.
As Minerva left the dungeons, she could hear the cries of Grindelwald as he realized what was to become of him, and she ran the rest of the distance to Gryffindor Tower despite her weariness to escape those terrible, inhuman sounds.
She slipped unnoticed into her dormitory and prepared for bed though the trembling had not ceased. Her body was weary beyond understanding, but her mind was filled with confused and disjointed thoughts about the things that she had seen. She wished that she had access to a dreamless sleep potion, anything to make her mind stop spinning and simply allow her to sleep. Minerva could feel it. She would not be able to sleep easily for some time. And how would she be able to explain it all to her friends? To Vector and Trudy, who would be eager. To Poppy and Agatha, who would be curious. How would she ever get them to understand? Perhaps it would be best to say nothing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: If some of this is vaguely (okay, really) familiar, I did borrow quite liberally from the first story ("Another World") to maintain consistent dialog. Oh, and this is the brief part that might seem strange to anyone who didn't read "AW". Sorry about that.
MK: What does Albus think? The poor man has so much on his mind ... Thank you for reviewing!
Michelle: Thanks!
lama: Thank you for the review!
Whisper: I definitely want to write another AD/MM story - a fluffier, happier timeline with wedding bells and maybe kids. But that might take some time. I'm expunging all of my inner darkness and angst at the moment *chuckles bitterly*. Why wasn't Grindelwald guarded? People who stayed in his presence too long often wound up dead (referencing Krohn's dead siblings, various other remarks to this effect, and Grindelwald's statement: "Many of my loyal subjects have fled. Few can abide me now." - even his followers were terrified of being around him). And, of course, Grindelwald has been 'mad' since mid-December, so that's more than five months for him to become really unhinged. But I do see your point. About Grindelwald's accent ... There is actually a place in Switzerland called Grindelwald (and I don't know very much about it, except that it exists and it's in the German-speaking part of the country), so ... if he were by some chance actually from there, would he have a German accent (language) or a Swiss accent (country/nationality)? I get lost in the details. I am very glad you liked the kiss. Just one of those occasions when the characters seemed to know what to do (and all I had to do was type it). I will endeavor not to end this story in a cringeworthy (cool word!) fashion. Thank you for the review!
Child-of-the-Dawn: Yes, he did ... a little. Circumstance can be a wonderful thing. Thank you for reviewing!
Metallicafangirl: Whoo-hoo! A Sephiroth fan! He was so awesome! Sorry ... couldn't control myself. Thanks for the review!
GEM: Thank you for reviewing!
