Dear Reader,
This is the longest Grindelwald chapter I've written. However, it may be a bit confusing, so read carefully. I hope you enjoy the takeover.
-LunarLitLover
Preview (for next time): Albus and Minerva meet again (and then what? Well, I won't tell you!)
Recap: Albus and Minerva fought and broke it off sort of, while Grindelwald plans on marching on the Ministry with his troops of 4000 goblins and about 500 wizards. They do not agree with the Ministry's prejudice against half-bloods.
Chapter 21: Takeover
Grindelwald bent down low and examined something closely even thought light was limited in the tunnel. Artemis the Arrogant and Ithacus the Idiot eyed him suspiciously; they had no idea what he was looking at. Although he wasn't wearing shoes with shoestrings, it appeared as if he was bending over to tie his shoes.
He rose to his feet and pointed to the left of the junction. "We should take that tunnel for another half meter. Then we will be in position."
Artemis cleared her throat and waited until Grindelwald nodded for her to continue. "Grindelvald," she said, "May I ask, 'ow do you know so muvch abvout the London unverground?"
"I have done my research, Artemis," he replied coolly.
"Are you certain it is envough?"
"Yes, Artemis. And at this point, I expect you to trust me. Now, Artemis, contact Boric's force and then Riley's force. Make sure they are either in position or know which direction to take. Ithacus, do you think you're able to give directions to the troops?"
Artemis scowled before creating a bubble in the air where Riley's head floated as she spoke with it. Ithacus, on the other hand, turned around to face the other occupants of the wide tunnel. The other 1500 occupants.
Grindelwald made sure that Ithacus gave the directions to the goblin troops correctly before proceeding. He could not afford his one-third of the army to get confused or split up.
Artemis had finished communicating with the other two forces of the Ministry assault. "Grindelvald, Borvic is veady vhenever ve are. Then ve vill invade the Ministvy together. Riley is almost to his point, as vell. His force of goblins and vizards vill be veady to join in vhen ve need vhem."
"Wonderful," Grindelwald replied, obviously pleased. "Everything is going according to plan."
Once the force reached the designated point, Grindelwald stopped and gave directions to the troop of goblins. "Once we blast into the Ministry, you will all spread out, capturing as many people as possible. But try not to kill anyone, if possible. We want all the Ministry workers alive and well. Once the building is secure, take the surrounding area, for about 5 blocks in each direction. Some of this is Muggle area, but I don't think you will have much trouble since this area has been heavily devastated by the Nazi air raids and bombings in recent years." He smiled warmly, but on his wrinkled face, it looked like a sneer.
"Good luck, my friends," he continued, on a more motivating note. "Remember why you chose to do this. It's all for you. You're here for fair treatment!"
A very small cheer erupted from the goblins.
"And for your families!"
Another cheer arose from the force, although it wasn't much larger than the first.
"And of course, for yourselves and your own profit!"
The whole tunnel shook with the goblins' cheering.
Grindelwald put a grin on his face, but when he turned, it became a scowl. These goblins were greedy. Very greedy. They were here for there own profit, not the right and equality he intended to fight for.
However, he pushed the thought out of his mind and instead put his strength into the spell.
The roof of the tunnel exploded, leaving an opening directly into the Ministry's main lobby.
---
"Everything is secure, Grindelwald," Riley reported.
It was only two hours after the initial blast into the Ministry. And the two successful wizards were already sitting comfortably in the Minister of Magic, Charles Reese's, private office, and enjoying his own reserved stash of Firewiskey.
"No one is even resisting anymore," Riley continued. "Not even the inhabitants on the adjacent streets. The Muggle police have been warned and are staying away, and, obviously, there is no one from the Ministry to resist us. We got everyone. All of the important Ministry members. Good thing there was that department-wide meeting here to discuss the end of the Muggle war today." For the first time in months, Grindelwald saw a true smile flit across Riley's lips; they had succeeded! Riley would be able to conduct his business again, in fair and equal treatment.
"We have done very well," Grindelwald conceded. "However, we still have this resistance movement to deal with. I feel, though, that they will be easy to squash in due time. My first goal, though, is to motivate Reese to officially give into our demands so that everything is legalized."
Riley's grin faded. "But how will we do that? Reese is one to convince, but what about the whole Committee? Each member must approve all of his decisions."
"Actually, Riley, I planned on convincing the Committee first. Bribery should do the trick for most of them, but if it doesn't we have blackmail. I am confident that all of them will agree to any terms we set once we're finished with them." Grindelwald smirked for what felt like the billionth time today. "It's that stubborn Minister of Magic, Reese, I'm worried about. We need him to legally and publicly approve all of our decisions until we put another into power. It will be much harder to persuade him than the Committee, unfortunately."
Riley nodded solemnly, wondering what this persuasion would include.
"Riley," Grindelwald continued, "For the next few days, I want you to handle getting the Committee's agreement. You should also start on that prejudice git, Reese. I will not be in London, but will be checking in regularly."
Riley looked startled. "You won't be here! Following this great victory!"
"I cannot arouse suspicions," Grindelwald explained. "But I will be in contact often. However, I am leaving you, Artemis and Boric in charge. I expect everything to go smoothly, but if not, Artemis will contact me."
"Where will you be?" asked Riley.
"Hogwarts."