Magical Origins

Year 7: Grindelwald

Harry and Lily walk calmly through the outskirts and wilds of the world. Never venturing too close to major cities unless they absolutely had to.

They had enough money, both muggle, and wizard, to survive. They also made sure to pack as much food and drinks as possible.

After the Triwizard Tournament, Samuel and Isabelle bought several magical tents in case they had to travel. It wasn't luxurious by any means, but enough for them to live simply and comfortably during their travels.

Traveling to Nurmengard Castle was by no means an easy task.

Located in the southern Baltics within the Mountains of the Alps, its location is ideal for its defense and survivability.

They travel together in silence. Not talking to one another, determined to reach their destination.

After two weeks of traveling, Harry and Lily finally reach their destination.

"How do we get in? This place is designed to keep outsiders out and captives inside," said Lily.

On cue, the heavy doors open.

"I feel uneasy," said Lily.

As did Harry, but he didn't say anything.

They walk slowly inside, unsure what the Dark Lord Grindelwald would do to them. They weren't even sure he was still sane.

Harry and Lily looked around and couldn't help but feel amazed at the sight of the place. It seems more like a palace than a prison.

"Come in," said an elderly voice.

Harry and Lily pause as they pull out their wands. Feeling uneasy.

"Don't be alarmed. I don't get many visitors," said Grindelwald.

They enter a large dining area and see an elderly wizard walking around as he prepares some tea.

"Not what I was expecting," said Lily.

"Yes, I imagine you would think of me like Voldemort. Mad, insane, delusional, sociopathic," said Grindelwald.

Grindelwald turns to look at them.

They could see a pair of hardened blue eyes but soft and gentle simultaneously.

"I trust you can forgive an old man. I've gotten into making tea over the years. I hope that doesn't bother youngsters like you." said Grindelwald.

"I've heard of Albus's death."

"What did you hear?" asks Harry.

"Much. I had a feeling you would come to seek me, Mr. Potter. You've been plagued by the unknown and have sought answers to your questions. I did warn Albus that his habit of keeping secrets to his chest would be his undoing," said Grindelwald.

"Are you going to give us answers?" asks Lily.

"Indeed. I promised Albus I would help you on your journey should you come to me. I know Voldemort will eventually come. You, Mr. Potter, have bested him on numerous occasions, and he seeks a way to overpower you and defeat you once and for all," said Grindelwald.

"Then let's start with this," Harry said, holding up Rita Skeeter's The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore.

Grindelwald said nothing as he took the book and read it carefully.

"I see. This Rita Skeeter did her research to locate my great aunt Bathilda Bagshot," said Grindelwald.

"Then it's all true?" said Lily.

"Most of it," said Grindelwald.

"Ariana Dumbledore's death haunted both of us. You have to understand the beginning of Dumbledore's origins and why he did what he did. I'm sure Aberforth could give far greater detail than I could during those early days.

"I was born during the same period as Albus and his family. At a time when we wizards were forced into hiding for over a hundred years. The Statue of Secrecy had caused much debate, and I stood against the idea of hiding.

"As I began to push for wizards to rule the world, muggles would enter in what they would call the Great War. I saw their brutality firsthand and grew to hate them. What happened to Ariana only made my hatred stronger. I believed in my cause and revolution greatly.

"Albus told me when he was younger, his sister had been practicing magic when three muggle boys saw her practicing magic and tried to get her to show more. What they did to her… was nothing short of monstrous. They broke her and damaged her. What they did, was the end of Ariana Dumbledore. Ariana was never the same after that. There were times when she was sane but also insane. She had turned into an Obscurus," said Grindelwald.

Harry felt a sense of dread inside him.

An Obscruial.

Harry's learned of them in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Creatures of pure dark energy with unbelievable power. Violent and destructive. They were dangerous, more so than a hundred dementors.

"It's very dangerous to allow an Obscurus to roam free. Had the Ministry of Magic learned of Ariana Dumbledore, they would have locked her away… they would even kill her.

"Her father, Percival Dumbledore… attacked the three muggle boys and crippled them for life. There was no healing them… by any means. He was captured by the Ministry for breaking the Statute of Secrecy. He never told anyone why he attacked those boys as he was sentenced to Azkaban. Many believed he was a muggle hater, and he did nothing to quell those rumors. It was better that way… all to protect his youngest child.

"Albus's mother, Kendra, took them to Godric's Hollow away from all the attention the news brought. Albus would never again speak of his father or sister again to anyone. He went to Hogwarts with top marks and honors, highly recommended by all.

"His mother Kendra did all she could to help her daughter. Keeping an Obscurial under control is by no means a simple task. She was getting older, and it was taking a toll on her. One day, Ariana lost control, and her mother was killed during one of her outbursts. Albus, who had graduated from Hogwarts, had been forced to become his sister's guardian, to his dismay.

"Oh, don't get Albus wrong, Mr. Potter… Albus loved his family. He loved his mother and father and his brother and sister. Do try to understand Mr. Potter that Albus, who had been promising, a top student, with a bright future been forced to care for his sister at home… throwing away his future.

"That is how I met him.

"I've been in much trouble at Durmstrang Institute. I went to my great aunt for the summer and met Albus, who, like me, was brilliant and shared a deep hatred of muggles. We quickly formed a friendship, and Albus and I. Began making grand plans to overthrow the muggle governments and have wizards rule.

"I also must admit that I grew interested in Ariana Dumbledore as an Obscurial. As you may be aware, Obscurials are formed when a child's magic, though young, is also volatile and vulnerable. Proper care and nourishment are needed for the child's magic to grow healthy. For that reason, many children don't live to see past ten years old. I was amazed to see Ariana Dumbledore as an Obscurial… was fourteen years old and how Albus could control her Obscurial,"

"Is that why we get our wands when we're eleven?" said Lily.

"Indeed," said Grindelwald nodding his head.

"Ten years is needed for your magic to grow and develop. A child is most vulnerable during their first ten years. It also became my obsession. As Ariana is the first witch to survive past ten years of age.

"Albus and I began planning to rally wizards and witches to our cause. Only… Aberforth didn't like that. He made strong arguments that Ariana could not come on such a venture. We got into an argument before we started dueling the three of us. Dumbledore tried to stop both of us, while Aberfoth tried to stop me as I attempted to best him.

"Ariana… she was trying to stop her brothers and us from fighting. She lost control and unleashed her Obscurial. All I remember… is shouting, screaming, and a lot of pain. When it ended, all three of us were standing, and Ariana was dead."

Harry and Lily remain silent.

"Who killed her?" Lily asks softly.

"We don't know. None of us knew. Aberforth never forgave me for that, let alone his brother. Why do you think Albus had that crooked nose? Even though I had left, I had heard that Aberforth punched Albus in the face during her funeral. Albus would never again seek power after that. He changed. He blamed himself, and I don't blame him. I blame myself."

"Why do you blame yourself?" asks Harry.

"Mr. Potter… I have done many terrible things that I must repent for. Regardless of my crimes, all I wanted was for wizardkind to live and walk freely. We shouldn't have to hide magic, but we are forced to carter to muggles to keep a fragile peace. Such a false peace gave rise to Voldemort. Sometimes, Mr. Potter, you must sacrifice yourself for the sake of the Greater Good," said Grindelwald.

"The Greater Good," repeats Harry softly.

"When you fight in the interest of the people as a whole, you have to understand the Greater Good. I failed, as did Albus. I know you blame Albus for much… but know this, Mr. Potter… Albus didn't want you making his mistakes, which is why he did what he did," said Grindelwald.

"This isn't what I was expecting," mutters Lily.

"Muggleborn," said Grindelwald.

"Got a problem with that?" snaps Lily.

Grindelwald smiles at Lily.

"No. I'm not prejudiced despite what many would believe of me. My fight was towards the sanctuary and security of our world. We should be united… instead of fighting each other," said Grindelwald.

"The power Voldemort has recently acquired. It's an Obscurus, isn't it," said Harry.

Grindelwald nods his head.

"Indeed. We began to suspect as much when Voldemort began moving in the open. Albus suspects the Black Wizard is behind Voldemort's new powers," said Grindelwald.

"I've heard of him recently. The First Dark Lord. How is he still alive?" asks Lily.

"No one knows. Most likely, he's the very first Obscurial. He may have created a spell that prolonged his life. Perhaps that's why he gave Voldemort some of his Obscurial. To feed off Voldemort's lifeforce to prolong his own life. The Horcruxes Voldemort has been completely destroyed by the Obscurial. Absorb by the Black Wizard," said Grindelwald.

"How do we stop him?" asks Harry.

"An Elemental has the same power as an Obscurial. They are equal in strength. You have the keys, but you need to learn how to maximize your potential," said Grindelwald.

Harry and Lily found themselves standing before a younger version of Grindelwald.

"Legilimency," said Harry.

"Very good, Mr. Potter. Time won't affect us here. What should take you years will take you mere seconds. I shall teach you all I know, in hopes as Albus did… you find a better path for us all," said Grindelwald.

Harry and Lily collapse on the ground, breathing hard.

"You've done well," said Grindelwald.

Harry and Lily had underestimated Grindelwald.

"Isn't that illegal," said Lily.

"Yes. But these are dark times and our most desperate hour. Did Albus give you anything before his death?" asks Grindelwald.

"He gave me a chest," said Harry.

"May I see it," said Grindelwald.

Harry wonders before pulling out the wooden chest for Grindelwald to see.

Grindelwald opens the case and sees Dumbledore's wand and several other items.

"My old friend," Grindelwald said, picking up the wand.

"Isn't that Dumbledore's wand?" said Lily.

"Dumbledore won this wand from me, and it's clear that you won this wand from him. It is yours, Mr. Potter," said Grindelwald.

"I don't want it," said Harry.

Grindelwald smiles.

"All the more reason why you should wield it. I can see why Albus respects you and holds you highly. Do not take Albus' mistakes for granted… he didn't wish for you to suffer as he did," said Grindelwald.

Harry and Lily said nothing more as Grindelwald gave them his books and notes on countless magic he's been studying and researching over the years.

Harry and Lily left, feeling strange by their encounter with one of the most powerful dark lords in wizarding history.