'Sorry, could you please repeat that?' Hermione said slowly, her eyes fixed on the unfortunate teacher who had been sent to relay the news. It was miserable weather and water soaked the unfortunate messenger who looked like he'd rather be anywhere but at the gates of Fort Stark, delivering the news he had to deliver. Hermione's wandless manipulation of water had winds swirling gently around her, stirring the raindrops just enough that they missed her. The fact that she appeared dry with no obvious magical intervention seemed to unnerve the teacher, his eyes kept darting to her hands as if looking for a wand.

'Herr Grindelwald seems to have somehow gotten stuck at the bottom of the fjord.' The teacher repeated, wiping drops of water from his brow and flinging them away.

'Do you have any understanding of how this happened?' She demanded. Even considering the accidents that seemed common at Hogwarts, this was extreme. Particularly when one considered the recently signed treaty. At least they had managed to notify the family in person this time, rather than a letter that arrived several days late. Although the messenger certainly didn't inspire much confidence in the school. He was slightly overweight and dressed in plum robes and had arrived astride an overweight, flightless hippogriff. He'd managed to rein in in time to not run over Hermione, although it had been a close thing and his dismount had been inelegant at best. Now, he sweated and trembled as he faced down a single eleven year old. It did not bode well for his career.

'Unfortunately not, he sent this note to us via floating bottle.' The teacher passed Hermione the note and she held it up to the light, reading the scratchy handwriting on the course weave that looked suspiciously like Durmstrang shirt fabric. It was written in blood and smelled pungently of fish, the odour certainly not improved with time.

'And you have no other evidence?' She demanded coldly. The teacher swallowed nervously and adjusted his plum cloak against his sodden ponytail.

'We only know that he departed astride his beast earlier that day. We have repeatedly expressed concern over the incredibly dangerous nature of his beast near water and asked him not to ride near the fjords. Our current theory is that he lost control of his beast and it dragged him down.'

'Don't be ridiculous. Gellert and Kelpie have been swimming together for years; Kelpie is as likely to drag him down as my Longma is to breathe fire. I want evidence, real evidence. Where was Alice and her allies at the time, where did he ride to - have you followed his tracks? No? Well get to it. This is the second time you have lost out heir, I dearly hope he is in less danger this time than he was then.'

Hermione spun on her heel and stalked back into the castle, leaving the teacher and his tubby, flightless hippogriff to make their way back through the dreary rain to the portal. She stomped all the way to Lady Grindelwald's rooms, throwing open the door with barely a knock. Herr Lintzen looked up from where he was playing chess against the fearsome matriarch. He took one look at Hermione's expression and laughed.

'What have Durmstrang done now?'

'Gellert has somehow managed to get trapped at the bottom of the fjord. As usual, they only have baseless theories and have yet to do any actual investigating.' She snapped, storming to the third chair and dropping into it with a stiffness that betrayed her ire.

'Perhaps you should visit again.' Herr Lintzen chuckled.

'Perhaps I should dry up the fjord.' She suggested spitefully. Unfortunately, she didn't think that was quite within her power, but she was certain that there was a magical method to search the bottom of the water if they put their mind to it. Perhaps there was a potion that could make someone grow gills, or she could transfigure the headmaster into a fish.

'I was briefly concerned, his connection to the family magic faded this morning, but it strengthened quickly. He seems to be recovering now and so far he does not appear to be in any subsequent danger. Durmstrang had reacted somewhat better this time, despite the lack of problem solving capabilities found in the general population.' Lady Grindelwald decided. She reached forwards over her blanketed knees and moved her queen four spots forwards. The ivory figurine smashed the ebony knight, then took it's spot with a flourish of bone skirts.

'How is school going? Have you finalised arrangements for your meeting with the Goblins?' Herr Lintzen asked as his knight smashed an ivory pawn to pieces.

'I think so. Theo's father has agreed to host both myself and Harry for Yule. For some reason Theo thinks he might have a problem with Harry, but he hasn't elaborated as to what that problem might be.' She frowned briefly, 'otherwise, things seem to be coming together.'

'You all have battle robes to wear?' Lady Grindelwald checked and Hermione pursed her lips.

'I'm going to try taking mine back with me tonight. Theo will either have something, or be able to get it made... Harry might be more difficult.'

'Perhaps something from the armoury here would be suitable? If you can take yours back with you, perhaps you can take some for him as well?' Herr Lintzen offered. Hermione hummed.

'Have you chosen your gift?'

'Yes.' Hermione's mind flickered to the treasury at the Barrows where a beautiful hunting bow hung in a carefully embossed case. It was, apparently, a fey bow and was a much more appropriate than a book of heavily enchanted item, although Hermione had wanted to gift a drinking horn that was always full of honey-mead. Apparently, she would probably receive something in return; usually an item for herself that had to be returned upon her death, and an item for her family which they could keep. The wording held great significance in the Goblin world and it was that misunderstanding which had begun to forge such terrible relations between goblins and wizards.

'Have you studied the ancient relations between your family and the goblin nations.' Lady Grindelwald demanded again.

Hermione hummed in agreement. 'What are the plans for Harvest?' She demanded in return, swiftly changing the subject.

There was a heavy pause. The ritual and preceding celebrations had always been hosted by the Tunninger family in the past at their mansion.

'Nobody has stepped up to host so far.' Herr Lintzen admitted. Pain creased Lady Grindelwald's face.

'What about us? If we hurried, we could host it.' She turned to Lady Grindelwald beseechingly.

'I am not well enough to host.' The older witch admitted, shamefully. Her legs were healing, but she was still relearning how to walk and it was a painfully slow process.

'Anneken can step up, I'm sure. I can fill the channel as usual and surely Frau Hassel can be the link?' Hermione began slowly.

'Yes, but hosting the event is no small task either.' Herr Lintzen pointed out and Hermione shrugged.

'I'm sure between myself and Anneken, we can organise something quickly enough. It might not be exactly what everyone is used to, but something is better than nothing. I think its very important that we remind people of the good parts of the old ways, especially after we've just fought over it.'

'Very well.' Lady Grindelwald finally acquiesced. 'Off with you to the Owlery and think up an appropriate bribe to bring Anneken away from Paris whilst you're at it.'

'Anneken is easy to bribe. Ill let her dress me.' Hermione said with a laugh as she skipped from the room. As the door closed gently behind her, she heard Herr Lintzen remark on his admiration for Lady Grindelwald's ability to raise such devoutly traditional children.

'The difficulty with those two,' The high witch griped, 'is stopping them from trying every piece of ancient magic they stumble across.'