All characters are property of JK Rowling and I do not make a profit from this story.

Beta: Roman's Sundial

Chapter Fifty-Two: The Father, The Invitation, and The Spy

Hermione Granger – Present Day

January 6, 2001

"So, September the first, of this year!" Hermione said excitedly to Harry and Ginny.

"That's the date that came out," said Ginny, indicating to the white boxes beside her. "So, that's when it is!"

"I kind of like it," said Harry. "September the first was always my favorite day, since it was the day I got to return to Hogwarts, so getting married on a happy day for me is fantastic! Besides, it's not like anyone who is coming will have to be on the train to Hogwarts or anything that day; they are all either too young or too old to be going back."

"I thought you wanted to wait a few years, though?" Hermione asked, looking at Ginny.

Ginny shrugged. "It's a different time now; things like waiting for marriage doesn't matter anymore. Besides, it seems like we are always going to have some sort of threat, so is there really a point in waiting?"

"Speaking of threats, Harry, we really need to discuss what we are going to do. This situation with Daniels…"

"Not here," Harry interjected quickly, looking around.

"And not today," Ginny added.

"Ginny, this is important…"

"Yes, Harry, I agree, but there is something else that I need your help with tonight. We can discuss everything thoroughly tomorrow at the meeting."

"At the meeting?" questioned Hermione. "But shouldn't we just talk about it privately first?"

"Why?" asked Ginny. "I thought the secrets were done? You need to start trusting the Order!"

"It's fine," said Harry, giving Hermione a we'll deal with it later kind of look. "Ginny, what do you need me to do tonight?"

"This way," she said sighing. They said goodbye to Hermione and headed towards the Burrow.

"I guess I'll head over to Draco's," Hermione said to herself. She had been disappointed when Draco decided not to join her at Harry and Ginny's engagement party, but he was adamant about his decision on staying behind. It took her only a few minutes to apparate to Malfoy Manor, and as she reached into her purse to get her galleon to let him know that she was there, the front door opened by Narcissa. "Oh, hello, I was looking for Draco," Hermione said hesitantly.

"Naturally," replied Narcissa. "I would like a word first; will you come inside?"

Hermione was quick to pick up on the invitation. There was an ancient magic that existed when a witch or a wizard invited another witch or wizard into their home. It served as a type of protection, but it also often served as an ultimatum. Hesitantly, Hermione accepted. "Alright," she said, walking over the threshold. "Let me just tell Draco that I am here."

"Draco isn't home at the moment, but do not worry, he will be back shortly. This way, please." Narcissa turned and walked towards the back of the house, and Hermione followed slowly, her hand on her wand beneath her robes. Narcissa lead Hermione to the only room that she had never been in before: Lucius' study.

"I thought I wasn't allowed in here?" Hermione asked skeptically.

"Normally, you are not, but today I am inviting you in." Narcissa opened the door and entered the room, walking over to a small table near a heavily curtained-shut window. She sat down and laid her wand in front of her. So, it wasn't going to be a fight, Hermione thought, as she sat across Narcissa and laid her wand in front of her as well.

"You've surrendered your wand after inviting me into your home," Hermione said bluntly. "I was unaware that we were enemies."

"We simply have different views, Ms. Granger," replied Narcissa. "I look forward to discussing them with you. But first, a cup of tea?" Hermione tensed. Narcissa implementing these ancient traditions could only mean one thing: she was drawing the line, and if Hermione did not oblige, there would be a war.

Jessica Ferguson – Present Day

January 6, 2001

Jessica held Ron's hand and lead him through the Burrow's kitchen, quickly passed (thankfully) Ginny and a confused-looking Harry, and brought him up into her shared room with Amelia.

"Teddy is so excited that Amelia is spending the night at their house," said Ron, oblivious to the fact that Jessica was about to tell him her biggest secret. "They really get on, don't they? Imagine if they ended up together!"

"Okay, Ron, my daughter is much too young for me to start thinking about her wedding!"

Ron laughed. "It would be something, though," he said, pulling her onto the bed. "For now, however, I would much rather think about us." He started to kiss her hard, and she allowed herself to get lost in the moment for a while. When she saw where Ron was going, however, she stopped him.

"Wait," she said.

"What's wrong?" he asked her, confused.

"Nothing is wrong, believe me, I want to, I just, uh, I need to tell you something first."

Ron propped his head up on his arm and looked at her. "What's up?"

"It's, well, Ron, listen," she said, sitting up and looking at him. "I found something out recently that I need to tell you, but I want you to know that what I'm about to tell you really shouldn't have any meaning at all, okay?"

"If it has no meaning, then why are you telling me?"

"Well, I suppose it has meaning, but not to me, or to us. I, uh, oh I'll just tell you; I found out where Amelia's dad is!"

"Oh," said Ron, not knowing how to respond.

"But it doesn't change anything between us, I want you to know that," she added quickly. "I found out where he is and who he is, but I want nothing to do with him."

Ron nodded. "Well, that's a relief," he told her.

"It is?"

"Of course! You said you want nothing to do with him, so who cares, then? Come back and lay down!"

"I need to tell you who he is first," she said quietly.

"Some stupid muggle who left you and someone I don't care to talk about!"

"Well, not exactly," said Jessica. "Ron, I saw him in your world; it turns out that he's a wizard."

"Really?" said Ron. "I guess that explains a lot about Amelia. Is he a muggle-born?"

Jessica shook her head. "Pureblood."

"Pureblood?" Ron repeated. "That's impossible! Purebloods take their bloodline seriously; they would never walk away from their heir."

"He didn't know that I was pregnant."

"Even still; I don't know anyone named Nigel. What's his family name?"

"Ron," Jessica said slowly, grabbing his hand. "Ron, he, uh, he lied about his name; it isn't Nigel."

"Then what is it?" asked Ron, sitting up, and clearly afraid of her response.

"Neville," Jessica whispered, barely audible.

"Neville? The only Neville I know is Longbottom but it's obviously not him so who?"

"It is him."

Ron burst out laughing. "You clearly don't know who Neville Longbottom is!" he said, grabbing his stomach. "I don't think Neville would have the courage to say hi to a woman, never

mind getting one pregnant!"

"That's not very nice to say!" Jessica said, for some reason getting defensive. She obviously hated Neville for leaving her, but she didn't appreciate Ron making fun of him.

"But it's the truth!" Ron said, still laughing.

Jessica got angry. "Well, for your information, Ron, it was Neville Longbottom who I fell in love with and had sex with and had a baby with!" She hadn't meant to lose it on him, as her whole goal was to break the news to Ron gently, but the way he was acting was really upsetting when she thought about the Neville that she knew back at the forest.

Her response was enough for Ron to stop laughing, however. "Neville?" He stopped speaking for a while, and Jessica could tell that he was thinking. "Neville knew that I was dating you, he must have known Amelia was his this whole time…"

"He actually had no idea," Jessica started to tell him, but Ron wasn't listening. He had stood up at this point and had started pacing, listing all the things that Neville had apparently done.

"He allowed me to think that you two had just met. He allowed me to talk about you as if he had never known you. He took Essa to the Yule Ball to spite me for being with you!"

"Ron, stop, none of that is correct!"

"Where is he, Jessica?"

"Why? It doesn't matter! I told you that this doesn't change anything!"

"This changes everything!"

"No, it doesn't! Ron, stop! I told you because I respect you, but none of it matters and none of it has to do with us!"

Jessica watched Ron try to compose himself. "Right," he said finally. "Well, Neville isn't allowed here, anyway, since I'm Secret-Keeper, and you and Amelia will never see him, so it's okay, you're right."

"Ron, I need to go talk to him…"

"What? No you don't!"

"Yes I do. He's Amelia's father, Ron. He's waiting for me right now to talk, to figure things out…"

"Figure what out? HE BAILED ON YOU!"

"Which is why I will never be with him again, but he is still Amelia's father!"

"HE BAILED ON HER, TOO!"

"He didn't know!"

Ron stormed out of the room. "Where is he?" he asked, as he stormed down the stairs.

"Ron, stop!"

"WHERE IS HE?"

"What's going on?" asked Harry, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Get out of my way, Harry," said Ron.

"Harry, stop him!" screamed Jessica.

"Stop him," Ginny agreed, nodding towards Harry.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY, HARRY!"

"Hold on, mate," Harry said listening to his fiancée and trying to stop Ron.

"Don't make me hex you, Harry," snarled Ron.

"I was the one who taught you how to hex someone; I'm sure I could stop you. Calm down, mate, what's going on?"

"Does he know?" Ron asked angrily, turning around to face Jessica.

Jessica shook her head no. "Only Ginny."

"Ginny?" Ron repeated, staring at his sister in disbelief.

"Oh, grow up, Ron! I only just found out, and anyway, you're completely overreacting!"

"Will someone tell me what's going on?" Harry asked, as he tried to restrain Ron.

"Yeah, I'll tell you, Harry; I'm about to skin Neville!"

Gellert Grindelwald – Present Day

January 6, 2001

Gellert stared out of the window and past the big hill. He had told his followers not to disrupt him as he had a meeting with his rescuer, but she still had yet to arrive. Finally, after what felt like hours, he heard her heels tapping on the floor behind him. He closed the window and turned to look at her. "You're late," he said.

"Miss me, did you?" she asked him. "I was at Harry Potter's engagement party; I couldn't just leave, could I?"

"He's engaged now, is he? To Gloria, I presume."

"You know very well that her name is Ginny, Gellert."

"Gloria suits her better."

"You do like to rename people, although I don't understand why."

"I don't ask you why you do what you do, so don't question me either, Giselle."

The woman laughed. "Oh, I'm Giselle now, am I? Last time we met I was Dorothy."

Gellert shrugged. "Today you are Giselle. It is wise to use different names; people will never understand who it is that I am speaking to."

His rescuer shrugged. "You know they'll never know who I am. Anyway, shall we talk business?"

"Do you have any news for me?"

"You know that I always have news, Gellert."

"Well?"

"You're always quick to expect something from me, but what about what I want from you? I didn't free you from Nurmengard for you to do whatever it is that you please!"

"I've done what you've asked, Giselle; I've wreaked havoc, I'm taking control, and Harry Potter and his friends will soon cease to exist."

"I asked you to get rid of Potter, Granger, and Weasley, yet all three still breathe!"

"You want me to gain control and I can't do that without the Hallows, so until I get them, I need Potter!"

"Fine, kill him after, but what is stopping you from ending Granger and Weasley?"

"If I kill the people that matter to him, you know he will not give me what I need."

"So, you're just going to let him have whatever he wants, then? Just like You-Know-Who?"

"Do not compare me to that excuse of a wizard! I am much more powerful than he ever was! And I have not let Harry Potter go unharmed; it is I who killed his son!"

His companion laughed. "You attacked Ginny and she ended up delivering her baby too soon to survive; I hardly consider that you intentionally killing Harry's son!"

"Did you come here to argue with me?" Gellert asked angrily.

"I came here to ensure that you are doing what is required of you to do!"

"Once I have the Hallows…"

"Yes, yes, yes, I know; once you have your precious Hallows, you'll rule the world!"

"I will!"

"Well, it is taking much too long, Gellert!"

"Harry Potter came to see me; he's cracking."

"You don't know Potter like I do. He isn't cracking; he's feeling you out."

"If you know him so well, what is your plan, then?" Gellert asked angrily.

"We need to be one step ahead of him, and so, I have successfully implemented a spy in the Order of the Phoenix!"

"What? How?"

"Harry Potter has recently recruited some new members. What he doesn't know is that one of them is secretly working for me."

Gellert smiled. "This is brilliant, Giselle! Now we can find out exactly where the Hallows are!"

"Harry isn't going to openly tell the Order where they are. Honestly, I thought you were intelligent? Oh, never mind. You work on getting those bloody Hallows; I will be in touch soon. Oh, and Gellert," she added, as she walked towards her exit. "Do hurry up."

Gellert Grindelwald – The Past

April 29, 1997

It wasn't very common for someone to walk by Gellert's prison cell. Other than the guards that only passed by once or twice a week, Gellert had never seen anyone else. That was why he was incredibly surprised and curious when a familiar wizard walked up to his cell, conjured up an armchair on the outside of the bars, and sat down in front of him.

"It has been a long time, Gellert."

"A very long time," came Gellert's hoarse voice. He wasn't sure when was the last time that he had spoken out loud. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Albus?"

Albus Dumbledore sat quietly in front of him for some time. Gellert waited patiently; all he had, after all, was time. He was curious, if not slightly hurt, that Albus would not look at him. Finally, his very old friend spoke. "I have contemplated coming for quite some time."

"And so you did, although I do wonder how you've managed to get authorization."

"I am Albus Dumbledore," he said smiling.

Gellert laughed. "That you are, old friend!"

"Old friend?" Albus asked, finally looking up at him.

Gellert studied his face; he had aged so much lately. "What? Did you think something like making me a prisoner in my own prison would change that?" When Albus didn't reply, Gellert added, "you don't look well, Albus."

"I am an old man, Gellert."

"As am I, yet here I am rotting in a prison cell, looking better than you." Albus smiled at him but did not reply. "What are you doing here, Albus?" Gellert asked him.

Albus sighed. "Why?" Gellert knew that he wasn't responding to his previous question.

"You know why, Albus. There was a time when you agreed."

"You and I had a very different definition of The Greater Good."

"Did we? That's not how I remembered it." When Albus didn't reply, Gellert stood up and approached his bars. "Come on, Albus! You and I both know that if Arianna hadn't-"

"Do not speak of her," Albus interjected, calmly yet firmly.

Gellert sighed. "If that's how you felt, then why did you take so long to duel me?"

"I will not pretend that you are not important to me, Gellert. Facing you was something I wanted to avoid, and hoped that you would come to your senses."

"My senses? Albus, do not act like you were not interested in the Deathly Hallows as well!"

"There were other means of obtaining them."

"Oh, and you would know?" The look on Albus' face was one that Gellert knew all too well. "You do know!" Silently, Albus showed Gellert a quick glimpse of his wand. "No! Who?"

"You know who it was, Gellert."

"I was right?"

"And had you just listened to reason…"

Gellert laughed. "You knew my intentions from the beginning, and they were the same as yours, but if you wish to pretend that they weren't, then that's on you Albus, but you know that you cannot fool me."

"Perhaps," was all Albus had to say. He stood up and magically removed the chair that he had conjured up.

"Why did you come?" Gellert asked, genuinely curious.

"To say goodbye." And with that, Albus turned and walked away, but not before Gellert saw a darkened, cursed hand slip beneath his robes.

Author's Notes: A huge sincere apology to everyone following. I have promised a minimum of a chapter a week, and yet it has been a month since I've posted. My laptop crashed last month and I have had no way to post. I've actually felt HORRIBLE to the point that I've driven my husband mad with my constant cries of "fix my laptop, I need to post!" I truly do apologize but this was completely out of my hands. I wish I had the money to just go and buy a new laptop but unfortunately I do not. It is not fixed yet but should be within the next week or two AT MOST, and once it is I will give you more than one chapter as an apology. I just want to reiterate that I am 100% committed to this story and I will not abandon it! There is soooooo much story to go and it's all planned out, so I promise that I am in it until the end!

With that said, thank you again, and I promise I'm always here! Hope you liked this chapter =)