Hello everyone, here's chapter 51!

I enjoy reading your reviews (even if I don't comment on it, I read every single review and I welcome all views - even the ones that are negative but fair) so please do not consider my lack of comments on them as confirmation that I'm ignoring them, it is really to the contrary!

The War Arc won't be purely battles, battles BATTLES (to the tune of Boats boats boats! from HIMYM haha) and will include several conclusions of plot lines that should...hopefully...make it a worthy and engaging story!

Without further ado, enjoy!

NOTE: If you would like to support me (your support means much, thank you to all my supporters and of course all of you readers! You make me happy to continue to write and write!), the next three chapters are available on P^A^T^R^E^O^N / Boombox117


-Break-

15th of January 1943

FRANCE LIBERATED: BRITAINS KNIGHTS OF MIMPOST PREVAIL WITH ATTICUS SAYRE LEADING THE CHARGE

By: Cordelia Smith

On the eve of the 14th of January 1943, France was finally liberated as the last strongholds were assaulted and Grindelwald's forces defeated!

The final push followed up on the liberation of Paris at the hands of the Knights of Mimpost and some of the French resistance fighters who joined in the assault on the occupied French Ministry building on the 13th of January.

"Magical France is in the debts of our allies MACUSA, the ICW and of course Lord Sayre and his Knights" Lucas Peltier, the acting French Minister of Magic had said. "Lord Sayre and the Knights have valiantly fought for our liberation and France will not forget this great act"

Our contacts in the French Ministry have suggested that several of our heroes are set to receive Médaille de la vaillance, the equivalent of an Order of Merlin First Class!

The forces of Grindelwald that evaded capture are now scattered across France, several task forces are scouring the country for any remaining enemies.

This latest development brings an end of almost a year of occupation...

Leonard Spencer-Moon POV

He threw the paper on his desk in disgust.

That damnable boy was going to sink his Ministership. And that piece of hippogriff paper was helping him do it!

Oh he knew the boy was behind the whole damn thing, using the paper to effectively write himself into damn legend.

And there was little he could do about it.

Every single option he had would only set him on a warpath against the Sayres and the owners of the paper and that was not an option he could afford at this moment and it would likely break their agreement. Not when the damn paper was the greatest thing since Quidditch according most of the population.

It was riveting them, being able part of the war from the comfort of their warded homes as the war was detailed out in the paper.

The thing was, Leonard had grown up in a peaceful British Empire, the last Dark Lord hadn't touched the empire for over a century. They'd lived in peace, there had been no threats to the magical communities of Britain and he fondly remembered those times. He remembered grumblings internationally of the crimes of Grindelwald but he, like so many others had been unconcerned, dismissive of the threat he posed.

Until 1926, the news had washed over them like freezing cold water, drenching them in surprise and fear with how close they were to the breaking of the Statute. From that point, they'd paid attention and somewhat assisted when they were asked.

Until the 1930s when it was clear how things were going...news filtering through about disappearances amongst the German and Austrian elites until suddenly, a coup was enacted, not that they called it as such, and Grindelwald surfaced for the first time in years with the new German Minister of Magic.

The ICW had been slow to act, alarms hadn't been ringing loud enough at the change of direction until 1938 when the bells of war were drowning out everything as things proceeded gravely. Austria-Hungary had joined with Germany, again Grindelwald was seen at the proceedings and that had caused the ICW to finally take things more seriously.

Not that it helped at the beginning. And now they were at war for over 3 years, likely for years even with the aid of some of his rogue countrymen.

Without Grindelwald, the movement would collapse. Without Grindelwald, the ICW can reassert itself and enforce the Statute again.

Problem was...it was Grindelwald himself. It was why, more than the ridiculous pacifistic holier than thou nature of Dumbledore, he tagged himself to the man...the man who was dead set on worsening relations with the Sayres. He did not see who else he could find to protect Britain when...or perhaps if...Grindelwald cast his eyes to the Isles. Grindelwald was too powerful...too brutal. And yet, the man was starting prove to be more troublesome than he was worth. After all, he had yet to prove useful beyond his theoretical use in war whilst the Sayres had the resources and a powerful charismatic heir that people flocking to him.

He slunk into his chair with a growing migraine. He shouldn't let it bother him in the extent that it is but he was effectively sidelined and was slowly getting backed into a corner and he wasn't sure what to do about it...if he should be doing anything about it.

With the way the war was finally going, the threat to Britain and the Statute was decreasing even if there was no end in sight. It should be making him pleased but he was far from it.

The sound of knocking broke him out of his thoughts "Come in" he said tiredly and he saw Director Yaxley coming in when he glanced at the door.

He gestured lazily at the seat. Yaxley raised an eyebrow in question and he simply nodded to the paper which Yaxley looked at when he neared.

"Ah" Yaxley said in understanding before he took his seat.

"Good news" Yaxley said approvingly and Leonard looked at him displeased.

"Yes, good news all round. None of our doing of course and certainly not good for us in that way" he said with annoyance in his voice.

"True." He acknowledged "Only if you let it." Yaxley simply stated.

Leonard looked at him quizzically so Yaxley continued "You've been putting yourself at loggerheads with the Sayres when you didn't need to. You've been taking advice from people who have no right to give it." Yaxley raised his hand when Leonard was about to speak and he felt a little indignant at the silencing.

"My apologies Minister but it has to be said. You weren't taking the threat to the Statute seriously enough. The kind of collusion Grindelwald does is threatening the entirety of the wizarding world should he succeed. Thankfully, none of the damage is unrepairable but that might not be the case if he grows desperate." Yaxley nodded at the paper "If his movement collapses, chances are he might grow desperate enough to break the Statute in a way like what happened in the Colonies, as a way to grant himself time and to lick his wounds."

Icy dread climbed up Leonard's spine. Exposure to such a scale, during a war whereby the ICW and many other members were embroiled in could lead to the Statute breaking completely with no amounts of repairing feasible in the near future. When the Statute had been enacted, much of the community had already gone into hiding and there had been a concerted effort by over a hundred thousand magicals working together to wipe magic off the memories of the muggles. It was the single greatest act of cooperation.

He wasn't sure such a thing could even work with the amount of muggles nowadays. He'd been shocked to discover not too long ago about the tens of millions of British Muggles alone!

He hadn't been truly concerned to the threat of the Statute, thinking that since it hadn't been broken in the last few years, it wouldn't break now.

"What would you have me do?" he asked tiredly as he waved a lazy motion "I cannot change my stance. I've staked my career on it" he said with thinned lips "I also cannot keep my stance as it is, grumblings are rising with every act of" he scowled a little "heroism" he nodded at the paper "they are doing with regards to the Ministry."

Yaxley remained silent for a moment before he looked away deep in thought. HE turned back to Leonard "Approach it from a different angle. You can't change your stance without looking weak, that is true but you can change your stance, the stance that you have been hiding from the public, to the Knights" he said the last word with a little upturn of the lips that left soon enough leaving a serious expression

"Support them. Not with men of course. But with aid...material, potions, healers and so on. Call it part of your duty to aid our countrymen even if you disagree with them. It would put you in favourable light." Yaxley smiled wryly "After all, don't friends and family argue but still help each other when it is needed? That approach will be eaten up by the public" he shrugged as he looked at Leonard "Besides, we're providing some of that to the ICW already but we can do plenty more for our 'countrymen'" Yaxley finished.

Leonard looked at Yaxley surprised who looked at him a little amused. No doubt he expected that surprise. Yaxley was cunning to be sure but he hadn't seemed to be as astute as he just shown himself to be. A certain political mind.

Leonard looked away and mulled it over. It could work. It would even get him out of this confrontational relationship he had with the Sayres. He looked at Yaxley again "That is a sound plan." He nodded to Yaxley with appreciation in his eyes.

He would also be able to meet with Benedict and suggest this. The Sayres might not need potions as they'd be able to purchase enough of it but healers...well, that is something that can be offered that they could take.

"You're not here for just that though are you?" Leonard asked and Yaxley nodded.

"One of our undercover teams are trailing the group we're suspecting that aided the attack on Godric's Hollow"

Leonard straightened out. He'd tasked Yaxley to figure out who the traitors to Magical Britain were. They might not be able to do much about those within the Wizengamot without concrete proof, proof they wouldn't find until other followers ratted them out, but some of the filth in Knockturn Alley were easy enough to tighten the noose on.

"Well, go ahead" Leonard said as he sat at attention.

-Break-

16th of January 1943

Atticus POV

He glanced at the men that were in the command tent that they'd set up in a near the Ministry building which was still being combed over by the French to ensure it was safe.

He was surrounded by the most senior commanders of the allied forces and by Harfang Longbottom and Parelius Parkinson from his organisation.

"We must push into Belgium first." Lorgaud stressed in a heavy accent, the French Commander that led the French forces that were independent from the Auror Department as they stood around the European map that was painted on the floor.

The map highlighted the regions of their status...the regions that were free, that were contested and the regions that were occupied.

Lorgaud flicked his wand and several regions were highlighted "If we take out these bases, the path towards the Netherlands opens up and suddenly we are bordering his key territories."

Jack Sinclair, the MACUSA commander of the American forces shook his head "We do that, we leave our East and South wide open." He glanced at the French commander "Do you really want to leave France open like that?" he questioned.

Lorgaud glared at the man, sending a piercing look at the American "Half of the French forces will remain behind, we've suffered the most casualties out of any nation."

Sinclair laughed derisively "So you want us to push through Belgium which we know has some of the most heavily garrisoned bases in Europe whilst your people remain behind leaving us to do the bulk of the work?" he asked contemptuously.

Lorgaud set his jaw and tightened his hold on his wand "You...!"

Atticus tuned out the argument and refocused his gazed at the map. Belgium was completely occupied, the magical net over the country was tight. He and his comrades had stepped into lands within the net and it took only fifteen seconds for them to come out and meet them.

Most Ministries had magical nets that cast a country wide net of apparition and portkey detection system that heavily monitored unauthorised magical travel via those two means, during wartime, that meant excursion were more easily noticed.

Anchor stones held the magical nets whilst wardstones throughout a country acted like relay stations that strengthened this net and allowed anti apparition and portkey wards to be activated that would prevent access within the boundary.

Anchor stones themselves could create kilometres wide anti apparition and portkey wards, the same kind of tool used in Godric's Hollow that prevented him from being able to apparate to his family.

Magical travel via brooms were the easiest way to circumvent this net but some countries were able to detect magical signatures in the sky, like Britain. Like Belgium. Like France.

He and the Knights of Mimpost used this to their advantage, baiting and trapping Grindelwald's followers through guerrilla warfare tactics. This method had allowed them to take out significant number of followers. To give credit, they'd caught onto it and had in return created traps in the bases that they took out, which had cost them half a dozen men.

From the two hundred or so men that had joined with him, about thirty or so had died but they've managed to kill over two hundred of their enemies whilst they captured roughly half that number in Northern France. Luckily they managed to organise a drop off of prisoners with the ICW otherwise the captured would have been a drag...and well...

Their push towards Paris had been bloody and had been constant fighting. They'd lost twenty casualties – six deaths and eight permanently injured whilst the rest had been out for the count – in that push whilst the number of deaths they've caused was around sextuple that number.

Most wizards fought duels and it never was more prevalent than the run of the mill dark wizards that they'd faced. However, he instructed his people to fight which was markedly different. Nothing was forbidden and everything was used, as creative as possible, as efficient as possible.

Their early losses had been their reluctance to do as he trained them to but they quickly got over it once they saw how eager their enemy was about killing them

They worked in small teams, seven to each team, that watched each other's backs as they fought, those were better at defensive magic shielded the magicals were excellent in combative magic who hammered the front. This caused most of their success, the rigorous training within teams that cut a swathe through their enemies.

Harfang Longbottom had surprised Atticus. He had a kind of deviancy that he hadn't expected from the jovial man and created numerous methods that whittled down the enemy with minimal losses.

The dynamics of the Knights of Mimpost was structured, Longbottom, Parkinson and himself were the main leaders of the organisation. Whilst none of them had any particular experience in warfare before they began, Parkinson did have Auror training and helped train discipline in the men. Longbottom was the man who predominantly came up with suggestions about how to utilise various methods when they'd decided on a plan.

Atticus himself had the final decision on whatever plan they'd come up with. He'd found it strange...the leadership position that he had at the age of eighteen when his organisation held various men who were decades older than him.

Magical power mattered significantly when it came to perception of leadership. It might well be something deep within magicals, a kind of primal instinct within magicals. It made sense why Dark Lords and Light Lords kept popping up grabbing a whole lot of followers. Perhaps it was something that was even exacerbated in werewolves, Alphas being not only those who were physically powerful but also magically.

He supposed when tangible power could be observed, things were going to work out like they did more often than not.

Even if he'd proven to be someone worthy of following, as he had done in the past months, he was given that opportunity when he'd been unproven, partly because of his station in life, his intellect and his charisma but mostly because of his magical power.

The first few months had been difficult as they'd been somewhat isolated from the rest of the forces.

Early on, it became apparent that they did not fit into the mould of the ICW and they made the decision to form their own group at that point and thus, the Knights of Mimpost were born.

As a consequence of their isolation, it meant that they'd face some of the heaviest fighting as Grindelwald's forces tried to snuff them out.

Vermeer had taken personal insult to his successes and in the end, a battle to the death had occurred.

His fighting skills had improved significantly leading up to that fight, his duelling technique focused on efficiency, which was refined over the past few months, and of course heavy use of transfiguration. His large reservoir and fine control made him a nightmare to fight against, like what Vermeer had found out.

With fluid transfiguration, countering transfigurations were difficult as the magic was fed continuously from the caster whilst counters were spells that disrupted the transfiguration but did not disrupt the magic from the caster so ultimately it would not work. Similarly, you would have to overpower his magic if you were to try and transfigure a transfiguration, something that most people would not attempt and could not succeed at.

Dumbledore probably would be very difficult to fight against as he'd be able to do it, Atticus imagined, whilst Grindelwald probably would be similar enough. For those two, he'd have to use a different fighting style.

Atticus held a grudging respect for Vermeer who had been a nightmare to fight against. His speed was incredible and Atticus had found it difficult to deal with him at the beginning. Luckily, Battle charms was substantially better at shorter range and Vermeer knew that.

He kept on closing the gap, his fast reflexes and varied repertoire had made it a difficult battle but in the end, his constant push towards Atticus opened up a pathway where his own fast ritually enhanced reflexes and fighting skills had been too much for him and he'd killed him. It did highlight weaknesses in his fighting skills and he'd been making sure to close it.

Not only that...his ability to see magic was deepening...to the point whereby he almost could sense the kind of power was being gathered for a spell. He wasn't yet at the level whereby he could interact with the streams of magic that were in the world, that would take significant amount of practice he imagined, but he was beginning to understand.

His dreams were improving too, in their accuracy. If there had been any that had been against him being in overall charge with regards to their plans, they by now certainly had nothing against him in that role. He was getting better at interpreting his dreams when/if there was no context to his dreams and as such his instincts with regards to what they'd have to do was more or less on point.

The nudges he felt on occasion had not led him astray, so far.

"...There is also the matter of the Italian Ministry." Atticus looked at the ICW commander Gaston Ramirez who'd spoken, an accomplished man who'd been the Assistant Director of the ICW Aurors before he was promoted as one of three senior ICW commanders.

Jacoby Dachemov, a ICW sub commander spoke up as he sported a frown "You're concerned about the devolving situation with the Italian Ministry?"

Atticus frowned as well and he crossed his arms. The Italian magical community had been embroiled in a civil war for some time. It had stemmed from factions who'd allied with Mussolini, mirroring what Grindelwald had done with Hitler.

Several dozen noble families with deep pockets had instigated a power struggle with the Ministry, noble families that had economical links with the muggle world, as they fuelled and propped up the Mussolini dictatorship with massive amounts of galleons and as a consequence, had blown into a full scale civil war that by now was simmering down into a state of cold war as both sides were licking their wounds since casualties mounted on both fronts.

Until they received word that Vladimir Dukesvky, one of the senior men within Grindelwald's organisation, was seen in Italy.

It was alarming to say the least. Vladimir had last been spotted in Durmstrang, tasked to keep a tight hold on the Northern magical communities and him being in Italy did not ease their concerns, especially when the so called cold war was threatening to become hot again.

Ramirez inclined his head "Yes, eventually we'll need to interfere there but we all know that we would be stretched thin if we proceed to begin operations Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Italy."

Atticus looked at the map with an intense gaze.

"And then there is the matter of Grindelwald himself." Baramba said gravely, another sub commander of the ICW, causing everyone to look at him. "Should we split our focus like its being suggested, chances are he might catch one of our groups unaware and potentially deal a devastating blow"

An uneasy tension rose through the room. None of them had forgotten about Grindelwald but with him out East, it was something that had been reduced to a high priority instead of a critical one as they sought to free magical countries from his grip and reduce the number of men under his wings.

They all knew that for this war to win, Grindelwald had to die. Problem was, he was an insurmountable problem...for the moment.

"Surely with the Russians pushing him out, he'd remain there to regain the advantage?" Longbottom asked with a questioning look.

Baramba shook his head "No. Russia surely is not his main concern at the moment. Yes the losses he's suffered are quite severe but equally the Russians are near depleting their fighting force, especially now with the hit and run tactics Grindelwald has employed instead of outright conquest and occupation."

"You're suggesting that the Russian will be unable to press from the East towards central Europe?" Lorgaud asked sharply as he looked at Baramba.

Baramba nodded sagely and took his wand and highlighted the map "The strategy that Grindelwald employed for the most part in this war with some exceptions, was to use the muggles to soften countries, using some of the muggle weapons to augment his forces, blitzing through the defensive positions and had set up battles that used those muggle weapons to soften them up before sweeping the aftermath. He'd done it the Low Countries and he'd done it in Poland.

Right now, the German muggles are in a difficult position in Russia and the tide of the war is turning in the Russian favour so he will not be able to count on their support to use the same methods to, for example, capture the Russian Ministry. The Russian forces have turned the battle in Stalingrad and the muggles will soon follow and all across the Russian front, their forces have pushed Grindelwald's followers out from most of the forward bases that Grindelwald had set up at a costly price." Baramba finished.

"You're suggesting that the Russian will remain in their territories for the moment?" Sinclair asked.

"Yes and that Grindelwald will be wary of them and he'd likely retreat and post a decent number of forces, not enough to be truly missed but enough to check the power of the Russians, leaving him free to drag his attentions elsewhere"

A contemplative silence hanged for a moment.

"It makes sense" Ramirez interjected, capturing everyone's attentions "And that is worrying." Ramirez looked at the map with furrowed brows.

"The best course is attack Belgium, Germany and Switzerland at the same time" Dachemov spoke up drawing attention "We cannot predict his actions with reasonable accuracy and we should not be factoring that in right now."

Dachemov highlighted a location in Switzerland "Genelum Castle should be a priority to capture."

"You want to break into that castle?" Lorgaud asked disbelievingly "Apparently it is almost as heavily defended and warded as Nurmengard Castle and it is deep in Switzerland."

"Yes." Dachemov said simply in his heavily accented voice as he stared at Lorgaud. "Right now, we have caught them off guard with how fast we have liberated France but if we press on with this advantage we now hold, without capturing several key targets as quickly as possible, we might find ourselves in a situation that we would not like to be in."

"You think they'll start using the political prisoners they've got in there." Atticus spoke up for the first time.

Dachemov looked at him and nodded slightly "I do. Many of those prisoners are valuable and have been...spared the general treatment we have discovered some of the more unlucky captured are suffering. But that could soon change should we not be careful. Morale is climbing and the continued success is proving to be deadly to Grindelwald's cause. He could use them to send another message to cow the population and the last thing we want is more recruitment amongst the wizarding population as a consequence of the death of the prisoners and losing faith in us."

An uneasy silence fell among them. None of them wanted to be responsible for the likely executions that would probably happen if they weren't responsive enough. Nor were they keen on Grindelwald increasing the number of followers he had.

"Similarly Belgium has several bases that are a must to capture. It will also prove to be some of the heaviest fighting" Sinclair added grimly causing the situation to grow even more uneasy.

They knew of the challenges they faced. They would win, in the end, but minimising casualties was key now after the death and destruction Grindelwald had wrought on Europe.

"Attacking Belgium, Germany and Switzerland is going to stretch us far too wide" Ramirez spoke up after a moment's silence.

"Can we not divert some of our forces from Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary to the West?" Sinclair inquired curiously.

Ramirez shook his head. "No. At least not in the time scale that we are working on" he paused momentarily and highlighted a region in the lower East of Europe "With Grindelwald effectively exiting the Russian theatre, he's diverted some of his forces towards the south. Whilst we have also retaking the Ukrainian Ministry, we have not completely secured the country."

"Not to mention some of the ICW forces are used as peace enforcers given the total collapse of the Ukrainian Ministry and the sheer decimation of their Auror forces" Baramba mused thoughtfully.

"Hmm. Chances are the Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and several other nations might well get rolled into the Russian Ministry." Ramirez grimaced "Grindelwald truly did a number on those populations." He sighed.

"Not surprising" Dachemov muttered "The people there never liked the control the Ministries had over them and that was when it was by their own people. The puppet regimes there never were going to work like Grindelwald wanted and he acted like a savage" he finished angrily.

"In any case, the men we have with us right now is all that we can use." Ramirez supplied.

"Why not leave Germany for later? Once we have secured the Low Countries, we can move to it then" Parkinson questioned.

"Because of this" Baramba said as he flicked his wand and a location called Mannheim glowed. "We have received intelligence that this is a key base that much of the supply traffic throughout Europe passes through. We have tracked several illegal strengthening potions that originated here." Baramba paused momentarily.

"In the grand scheme of the war, it is not a huge factor but it will reduce the dangerous nature of his forces"

A few more interchanges happened before they questioned on how to approach the Benelum problem.

"My men and I will take the job" Atticus declared, all of the eyes falling on him. Atticus glanced at Longbottom who looked impassive before Atticus eyes flickered to Parkinson before they returned to Ramirez "I can take six teams of seven and quietly infiltrate Switzerland and take the Castle whilst the rest of the forces can press into Belgium, Germany and Switzerland – with the rest of my organisation working with your forces that will be assigned to liberate Switzerland."

Ramirez stared at him for a moment. Lorgaud spoke up "You realise that you will receive no aid for possibly some time correct? You'd be on your own and you wouldn't be able to get them out. The location of that Castle suggests that assailing it head on will be difficult and they'll see you coming."

Dachemov added to it "And should you take it, somehow, chances are you'll be immediately assailed by the forces that are in other locations in Switzerland. We may not be able to reach you for a week or even two." Dachemov peered at Atticus "Do you believe you can hold the place? You will have to as Genelum Castle holds by our most approximate estimation at least a hundred prisoners up to perhaps five times that number. The amount of enemies likely is at least a hundred. Six teams of seven would be hard pressed to take down the wards, let alone deal with those numbers and the reinforcements." He said with a calm cold calculation in his tone.

Baramba looked at Atticus with a penetrating gaze "How will you take down the wards? The location of the place makes subterfuge almost an impossibility. You will have to take down the wards with brute force as chances are you will be unable to unravel or cut through the wards given how powerful the wards are."

Atticus only offered a smile which made Baramba narrow his eyes.

"Leave that to us" Longbottom interjected as he grinned widely. He glanced at Atticus before he turned and met Dachemov's eyes "You should know by now not to underestimate us." He said as he grinned even wider though his eyes were cold as ice.

"We're not underestimating you" Ramirez cut off any retort as he attempted to soothe out the tension in the room "Simply that it is a big job for anyone"

"And you doubt the credentials of us" Parelius Parkinson interrupted.

Atticus saw the looks on their faces. "I can understand that" he said softly but with an undertone of steel as his eyes gleamed.

"But you do not need to worry, it will be done." He glanced at Longbottom and Parkinson before he returned his eyes to them "We already have several avenues that we can use to take the castle" he smirked a little "Just make sure you are ready to catch up and relieve us." he said with a finality in his tone and a little bit of magic lacing his voice as he stared at the men in front of him.

Lorgaud scoffed "You're insane." He turned to the rest of the men in the room "Surely you can't accept this, the boy will detrimentally harm our cause" he said with a sneer.

Sinclair spoke up "Just as he and his men caused harm here in France?" he looked at Lorgaud with an amused glint in his eyes.

Lorgaud sneered "Just because he was able to take out much of the bastards and help us regain our sovereignty doesn't mean he will be able to take out a fortress like Genelum." He said with a scathing tone.

Longbottom looked furious but before he could retort, Ramirez spoke up halting any fiery argument from taking place that had been threatening to happen.

Ramirez thinned his lips "If they die, their deaths will be on you" he said with warning in his tone. "As will the deaths of the men you're leading." He tilted his head in question as he sized Atticus in a way. He left unsaid that failure would squarely fall on his shoulders, the war campaign being harmed by him.

Atticus met the gaze and inclined his head "And is it any different from all the other occasions?" he smiled grimly. He was well aware of the responsibility he held.

Ramirez smiled thinly "No, I suppose not" he paused momentarily as their eyes met before he nodded.

"Very well. You have the mission" Ramirez raised his hand to halt any objections as he stared them down, Lorgaud in particular. "They are our allies and they have proven themselves. If we doubt our allies now, we'll not be able to succeed in driving Grindelwald out." He said sharply, his voice as sharp as a whip which had the necessary impact. He turned to Atticus and nodded slightly which he returned.

Atticus uncrossed his arms "Gentlemen" he said as he nodded his goodbye before he walked out of command tent with Longbottom and Parkinson following his step.

"Aren't they a bunch of nancy nifflers" Longbottom said a little snidely making Atticus snort in disbelief. He turned to him with an amused glint in his eyes.

"Nancy Nifflers?" he asked in wonder making Parkinson twitch his lips whilst Longbottom laughed.

"What else would call that 'Lorgaud'?" he said Lorgaud with no small amount of disdain.

"French" Parkinson piped up which made Longbottom bark out a laugh before he slapped Parkinson on the back.

Atticus shook his head in amusement before he turned serious as they caught up with him and locked step. He glanced at Longbottom "Ramirez is right you know. It will be difficult. Genelum used to be an ancestral castle and had been used as a residential home for the Swiss Minister of Magic. The wards on that place won't be a joke." He warned.

Not only that, they were seated on top of a hill that oversaw the entire region with ease. Taking down those wards will be difficult and they'd be under assault the entire time.

Longbottom sobered up and nodded curtly "It will be." He smiled dryly "It will only make our achievement ever greater" he laughed heartily.

"Gryffindor" Parkinson muttered though Atticus could see Parkinson relished the challenge. Parelius was a scion of House Parkinson but he wasn't all that close to the title, with several cousins and an older brother in line before him.

He was about forty years of age, having been an Auror for a while before he became a mercenary that worked with Gringotts, hunting bounty on those who incurred debts with the bank and did not pay on time. Apparently that kind of job was several times more lucrative than being an Auror and more dangerous. It seemed that the goblins preferred to hunt the offenders down at a loss whilst making up for it in reputation, in the long run causing less people to default on their repayments.

He'd been a Slytherin in his time, like most Parkinson family members so it was a surprise he decided to sign up onto the call of duty. Atticus did get the distinct impression that he wasn't all that patriotic, rather someone who was a bit of a thrill seeker, just a lot more muted than the rest of the people who joined who were markedly Gryffindor graduates.

"Bah! You know you're secretly a Gryffindor at heart, my friend" Longbottom grinned at Parkinson who narrowed his eyes.

"You know that could be construed as an insult?" Parkinson posed mildly at Longbottom. "Effectively calling me a reckless idiot?" he raised his eyebrow as they passed through the magical district near the Ministerial building.

The command tent was located between the magical district and the Ministry and was teeming with Aurors and the like.

Longbottom looked at Parkinson balefully "I'll have you know that it is called bravery." Longbottom smiled genuinely at Parkinson "Something we all know you have in spades." He said with a teasing tone to it.

Atticus lips curled up a little as he absently listened to their little good natured spat. Despite the deaths amongst them, they were relatively all like this...a kind of comradely sentiment developing with them all.

He couldn't really say that it wasn't the same for him. He understood a little better now about what they say about bonds of war and whatnot.

They arrived at the building they were holed up in and Atticus informed them of the next assignment they have. He didn't pretty it up and pretty much told them that it would be a difficult assignment and chances were deaths could be high.

Even so, the men remained spirited and even enthusiastic at the chance.

He'd seen in a vision that they'd get in and that they'd face several challenges when they'd start it but he didn't get any indications they'd lose overall. He didn't let that cloud his mind however. His visions were guides, visions that were likely to come true but could be changed and hence he did not follow it blindly.

Aurilak had spoken the truth when he said that only experience would help him hone in his skills.

As evening dawned, he sat on the roof, on the edge of the building with his legs hanging off, overlooking the main magical district of Paris, Cavalier District. Repairing the district was ongoing with a sense of joy in the population. Apparently and shockingly, the men who followed Grindelwald were not decent people and often harassed the population.

Businesses had suffered as people left or were killed and people were latching onto the liberation with everything they had.

He felt someone climbing the stairs and he recognised the signature but he kept the door in the corner of his eyes whilst he continued to look at the district.

He saw him sit next to him on the edge of the building, his legs overhanging as well.

"Charlus" Atticus acknowledged without looking at him.

"Atticus" Charlus returned and they fell into an easy silence.

Another person who had surprised him was Charlus Potter. He was a powerful wizard, easily top 5, maybe top 3 amongst their group and he had yet to reach his maturity given that he was only shy of two years older than him at twenty.

He was also the closest in age to him with the average of magicals in their ranks around 35, 40 years of age.

He had a passing curiosity with the Potters, mostly because of how he knew of this world in the first place and it seemed that there was more to them, in particular Charlus.

The man was not a typical 'light' kind of man and he'd killed his fair share of enemies. Most of the men who'd died had died because of hesitation to put down their enemies. Their deaths had been a wakeup call for everyone...that their enemy would not grant any leniency or mercy and since then the number of deaths had petered down substantially.

The Potters had been a family of warmages from Rome and had been exceptionally influential in the Roman Empire in its heyday. When Rome aided Cleopatra in the civil between Ptolemy XIIHE and Cleopatra VII, they'd been at the opposite sides as the Sayre family (the family name had been different then) had been the priests of the Pharaohs responsible of ensuring droughts were minimal and had come to the aid of Ptolemy. That war had reduced the Sayre family to only two, and wiped out many other Egyptian magical families, before they left to Ireland around 47BC. The Romans had developed wands, a game changer that truly was behind the magical conquest of the Romans and the Egyptians who used staves and so on were unprepared for the deadly and lightning quick magic that wands allowed.

That had been the first time their families had come in contact and it would take several centuries later for it to happen again, according to the family history.

The Potter family were interesting in that way...from warmages to a family mostly kept to themselves but it was clear, throughout history that the Potters easily fell back into the role of warrior when it was called for.

Charlus Potter reminded him of those ancestors of his.

Charlus was more traditional than what he knew of Fleamont but he was fair and open minded. No doubt an open mind was necessary if you were willing to tangle with a Black after all.

Probably to even out the crazy in the Blacks with a patient and flexible mind.

Over the past few months, they'd spoken more and more, about duelling and fighting, transfiguration and even about Dorea given that Atticus was well acquainted with the girl...the woman. Someone he could call friend if he was so inclined.

And Charlus was someone he could see become a friend. Something he'd pondered about.

Friends...

He hadn't done anything to the Greengrasses yet. He'd killed off most of the Selwyn's using Sarin gas and sated his immediate lust of revenge. The Selwyn's would take some time to recover with the deaths of the elder Selwyn's. It was his way of forcing a restart for the family as he had no desire to kill off children if he didn't have to.

The words of his mother had a substantial effect on him, just as the words of his sister of ensuring that he did not become a monster.

There was a reason why he'd done it whilst the younger Selwyn's were at Hogwarts or at home with their caretakers.

He knew that the investigation had been chalked up to another assassination by Grindelwald which had the added effect of causing disorganisation amongst the British traitors who sided with the Dark Lord.

It wasn't much but it wasn't his job to dislodge the supporters from Britain. That was Spencer-Moon's job.

With regards to Nymera and her father...

He peered down the streets and saw a few young people walking, their words unintelligible but the tones indicated a level of excitement.

Nymera's betrayal hurt. She was one of his first friends, in either world that he chose...

And she betrayed him. He'd intended to cure her family's blood maledictus, to cure the curse that their family was saddled with that left the females of their family weak and the males low in numbers. They rarely had more than one male in their family line in each generation and often when the heir of the family was female, they'd marry cousins in that generation.

Most of the time they never had more than two consecutive generations where the heir was female but the line was dwindling.

He'd intended to help her. He wasn't sure how to go about it...but he suspected that the family magic was partially tied into the curse because blood was tied into the family magic. She never explained the maledictus but he had an inkling someone tied the Greengrass family magic with the curse through a form of sacrificial magic.

He knew that the Greengrasses had expended a lot of gold on finding a cure but they'd never found it or perhaps they never found a way to disentangle it because of the family that had cursed them.

The origin of the curse was a mystery to everyone except perhaps the Greengrasses. At least for their sake they should know about the origin otherwise it might never be cured or countered.

And they would never receive aid from him or his family. Damian Greengrass was going to die, there was little doubt about that.

Nymera however...he had no idea what punishment to give.

Would he kill his former friend? It bothered him that he had no idea what he'd do with her. He understood the pressure she was in, the choice between family and friend. He doubted anyone who'd choose any different to her bar maybe a few.

Problem was, she did it to him and he despised betrayal more than anything else.

He knew what Emily would say...

"You seem deep in thought" Charlus broke him out of his thoughts causing Atticus to blink. He turned his head towards Charlus who was scrutinising him.

Atticus smiled wryly before he turned his gaze at the district below him "Just thinking on the future. What it holds" he said in a mild tone.

Charlus hummed to that and said nothing for a moment "Our esteemed, inspirational leader thinking on the future?" he said with a laugh in his tone causing Atticus' lips to twitch.

Charlus had mocked him light heartedly about the news they were sending back to the Isles. It seemed that their exploits were becoming legendary back home, just as he wanted.

The more astute of their group knew that there was more to this than simple duty, none more so than Charlus who'd actually gone to school with him and had interacted with him if only vaguely.

"Someone in our group has to think on it" he glanced at Charlus in the corner of his eyes "I'm surrounded by rash, reckless Gryffindors." His lips twitched before he continued "Better I think on where to point you lions than let you go like headless chickens" he said amusedly.

"Hey, I'll have you know lions are excellent hunters, fighting is in our blood" Charlus said in a baleful tone.

"No. That is not true. Lionesses are excellent hunters. Lions are lazy and think only on food, pussy and fighting other lions." Atticus said as a smile bloomed on his face.

Charlus laughed loudly at that "You say as if that is a bad thing." Which finally caused Atticus to laugh with Charlus.

They fell into a comfortable silence.

The silence of the night was soothing to him in this moment as he peered his gaze across the horizon.

So many of his plans, his desire for a secure magical country, his desire to elevate his people from what they were... all of it depended on creating a legend in the here and now.

He'd lied to Emily...when he said that he believed war with the muggles would leave them nearing extinction if not actual extinction.

In this era, he could see victory of some sort. The world wasn't connected yet, not like it will be in the future. That window was closing, sure, but if they pitted together, chances were they could outright win.

But such a thing was improbable, resistance from their own people would happen, at which point it defeats the purpose, if your concern is about the magical world. Grindelwald did not understand this, or he did and thought he would win. Even without Dumbledore, Grindelwald's movement eventually would be defeated.

It was a numbers game. The cold fact was their numbers didn't even touch 1.5 million and it was dwindling.

Victory through military might was impossible. Subterfuge was better but muggles, just like magicals were humans and at some point, controlling them like that would fail.

No, the only way magicals could be safe on Earth if war happened is if they employed an extermination policy with extreme prejudice – using their own weapons – and such a thing he could not imagine, even with the cruelty his people were capable of, they'd elect to do. (At best he could see a kind of MAD policy with the muggles, where they'd destroy each over if they ever warred. But such a situation was unsustainable and far too likely to actually happen).

He'd lied to Emily because a world where they'd taken that option was a world he would have no party in.

If they started at the beginning of the nuclear race and the MAD standoff with mind controlling magic, they could in theory cause massive extinction of life.

He was certain he'd be able to develop wards that filtered radiation from nuclear bombs. It was trivial to create arks, whether or not they were space worthy or deep within the mountains around the world didn't matter. With space expansion magic, they could easily house breeding pairs of animals, mundane and magical whilst they cleaned up the world from nuclear fallout.

They'd have a number of decades to initiate this plan and thus enough time to create magic that specifically cleaned up nuclear fallout.

It would be easy. So easy to go that route. But it would be monstrous and something he could never choose to do.

Not when there were other methods that wouldn't destroy the soul of the magical world.

Integration with the muggle world was also something that he deemed impossible.

Their people were too different...history was against them as was the nature of humankind.

Humanity could be beautiful and it could be horrific.

Adolf Hitler was an artist, a painter, that failed and life led him, somehow to what he is now...a genocidal, hateful man.

There was a kind of sadness to it. The turns and twists people can take, that life can take you without even realising. Would eighteen year old Adolf be horrified about what he became?

How soon would things devolve from amazement and awe from the muggles once they discover magic was real to violence because of fear and jealousy or zealotry?

Would it be from an act of idiocy and ignorance from a magical that was shown around the world and reactionary outcry fuelled and fanned into an inferno? Would it be from a zealous muggle that shot and killed a magical in the street that would spawn revenge killings?

Things were a time bomb that no one truly realises. Both societies have not matured to be willing to accept the differences between their peoples. Even in the mid 21st century would probably be too early.

He did have thoughts that it might be possible if he worked at it, to lay the groundwork of peaceful disclosure and eventual acceptance. But he did not see it possible. There were too many parties, too many moving components that would make it an immensely difficult climb up the mountain.

Not only that, the actions that it would take to ensure magicals were not exploited or restricted...no, there was no need for war with the muggles when they could leave. War would not bring victory.

No...

Victory the way he saw the future was ensuring the survival of the magical people. From itself, from the muggles...

And it would start with dealing with Grindelwald and for him to become what their people needed.

"Why'd you volunteer to take this job" Charlus finally asked in a calm tone.

Atticus glanced at him for a moment before he looked at the streets. "We're the best for it." He said simply.

Charlus hummed in a way that he did not believe it, not completely. It was a good instinct. He knew he needed to provoke Grindelwald and break the image of a peerless, faultless wizard that he had. Hammering the morale of his men by taking perhaps one of the most heavily defended places Grindelwald had with a pittance number of men was important.

He wasn't sure he could win against Grindelwald and he needed to know where he stood. If he could force a confrontation, all the better.

He grimaced inward. He wasn't sure if he'd survive it but he had faith in his rituals that he would be able to get away if things were too dire.

"I'll do all I can ensure we all survive it" he added as he turned to Charlus.

"I'm aware. So are the rest of the men. Like you said during training, victory is making sure we survive." He said with a grim smile and nodded to Atticus who returned the grim smile before he looked at the streets, his mind playing the visions and actual experiences of battle and death again and again.

-Break-

Jean Delacour POV

"What have you heard" he whispered through the small hole in the base of the wall as he sat, more like crumbled, against the wall of his darkened cell.

The small hole was about 1.5 size of a galleon, big enough for rodents to go through, just as they intended. He glanced at his cell, small wisps of light coming through from the hallway through the gap metal door that was his only source of light.

He'd been in this God forsaken cell for months, the only times he'd been let out was when some of his sadistic guards came interrogate him about one thing or another. Thankfully, their rough handling was nothing too severe.

Not like when he'd been tortured by De Galle. He unconsciously shuddered, phantom pains aching his body as he remembered what he'd been subjected to, that day. He had no secrets, nothing had been spared as he spilled secrets of his family to De Galle and his sickening men.

He'd evacuated his son and heir to MACUSA, staying with an old family friend whilst the rest of the family evacuated to other properties around Europe that had been left untouched...not that there were many.

He'd never believed he could have yielded under torture, confident in his Occlumency to deaden his emotions and to suffer through pain but De Galle...he was a monster.

There was no description to his madness, to his actions that he dared to call art. He'd been put under potions and spells that made him spill everything that they wanted to know, including the location of his manor home. He had no doubt that it was gone by now.

His hatred held no bounds for De Galle and Rosier and he'd do all he could to see them dead, if he lived through this...which he was certain he likely would not.

He did not know how long he's been here, having lost consciousness more than a few occasions, after his guards had taken objection to his defiance, even when he had said nothing and did nothing. The look of defiance had been enough to warrant a beating. His pride had taken several of those to be subdued. He refused to let to be broken. He knew that there were many who suffered more...that weren't as 'valuable' as he was but it was little comfort that he'd been reduced to...this.

A proud member of the Ancient and Noble House of Delacour, sitting in his own shit and squalor with the stone floor as his bed.

The fact that magic could easily make him be confined with decency only added to the indignity.

"The guards are agitated Jean" the voice replied through the small hole. He long suspected it was on purpose, other than the rodents that they allowed to pass through the holes that were in both walls. He was certain that other prisoners might well have liked it, given the meagre food that they were served. He hadn't been desperate enough, hungry enough to catch and eat them but it was a close call at times.

"Why?" he asked in a hushed tone that still carried through the cracked hole in the wall. The wall was perhaps half a metre to a metre thick. He'd tried chipping some stone around the hole but nothing worked. The walls were protected by magic to be impervious against damage, which had only further confirmed his suspicions.

"Miguel said that the one of the others heard they won in France. There's some confusion about whether they won a battle or did something better but in any case, the guards are unhappy." The voice that belonged to Christopher said in excited whispers.

Christopher Blaugrad was a fellow Frenchmen, from the Noble House of Blaugrad. Not as influential as his family nor anywhere near as wealthy but they were a politically inclined one. Even if they were but four hundred years old, they produced three Ministers in their short history, managing to navigate the treacherous and turbulent seas of politics. They were conservative but economically aggressive. Had they been older, had they been around when houses hadn't had monopolies in many key industries, he would have no doubt that that family would have been the wealthiest in France.

They were aware enough of the threat they might pose to others and hence remained a wealthy but minor family that produced exceptional members. The continued presence they held in French high society was credence to their ability to downplay their excellence whilst ensuring that they were still a family to be respected.

Christoper Blaugrad wasn't as political as his father but he was a powerful wizard and he was more interested in spell creation. The months had made them intimately aware of one another. Stories being the only thing that could take their minds of the grim situation they were in. He was a valuable hostage as his father, Matthieu, was a key figure in the Ministry, someone whose loyalty would go a long way in securing France.

Whether or not Grindelwald succeeded in converting the man was unknown though the fact that Christopher still lived, it seems that there must be something there. Not that neither mentioned it. Jean himself was only really alive because of the wealth he possessed and how tied in it was in France. Should he die, his son that was safe would be the inheritor, far from his clutches.

At least that is what he suspected.

Conquest was one thing but keeping it was always going to be the hardest part. After all, they knew of the lessons of Napoleon, even if he was a muggle and the situation was different.

"Unhappy guards are good for France but bad for us" he murmured through the gap in the wall.

"Just so, Jean. Just so" Christopher whispered softly but carried an undertone of fear and resignation. "We can only hope that we are rescued before they cut their losses. I haven't heard Miguel hear from the others that they know where exactly we are, the bastards have done an excellent on keeping us isolated and clueless, but we can't be too far from France. Maybe we are still in France." Christopher finished but Jean could tell that it was more hopeful than expectation.

"I'm sure we'll survive this Christopher. Grindelwald might be a butcher but even he knows he can't kill everyone. We're too valuable." He assured Christopher but even to him it was hollow.

"Yes. We're too valuable" Christopher said in agreement as if he was trying to convince himself.

Neither said anything further. Not that they needed to. Just knowing that there was someone else that they could talk was what kept them sane. He was certain it was what they intended. A faceless voice on the other side of a thick wall whilst you were sat in the dark in a faeces riddled cell. A tiny measure of comfort that meant the world to them.

The door was a thick slab of metal that only had some light filtered through the gaps of the door, even the opening that they pushed food through led no light in. How poetic that the only light of their lives, currently, was the presence of the other faceless voice behind a wall.

How many would have gone mad under months of isolation with nothing but their thoughts for company?

Their mind broken after a few months of this dark isolation, matching state of their broken, emaciated bodies?

His thin fingers bent and he weakly clenched his hands as he closed his eyes "It has to end" he murmured softly to himself.

He would not cause his own death, not unless it was through an attempt of escape. He would not let them win like that. He intended to see himself and Christopher live to an old age, joking and laughing about their lines sharing blood as they put this hell they were in behind their backs.

-Break-

Viola Clito-Beauclerc POV

"Most of the patients have recovered from the malnutrition" Catherine Cole told the room that was filled by MACUSA Heads of Department.

Each month, a meeting was had with the President where they'd go over each department. At the moment, Catherine Cole, the Director of the Healer Department was informing them of the Jewish muggleborns and squibs that had been rescued from the Nazis.

"Most?" President Chadwick Calderon queried.

She grimaced "Most only really suffer from malnutrition and exhaustion. The children are better off but still have the same conditions" she said carefully "But almost a third of the parents are No-Maj's who won't respond to potions because they have no magic in their blood. Whilst all of the No-Maj's suffer from malnutrition, some of them have other ailments that we won't be able to heal. These are No-Maj diseases like cancer and tumours that we are ill equipped to care for." She surmised grimly.

Salinger, the Head of International Cooperation spoke up "Would No-Maj doctors be able to?"

She shook her head "Unlikely." She turned to Niles, Assistant Director the Healer Department "As far as I know the No-Majs can't cure those ailments?" she asked curiously and Niles shook his head "No. They can't cure cancer and neither can they cure tumours but they tend to cut them away if it is accessible at the very least"

One of the things that MACUSA was far better at was monitoring the capabilities of the No-Majs. After the witch hunts, a concerted effort was made to ensure that they were aware of their capabilities which only increased when near breaking of the Statute happened in the middle of the 1920s.

Viola had thought that this was something that every magical country should do, lest they find themselves caught off guard. Unfortunately her homeland only disdained and despised the No-Majs, making them ignorant of them. They weren't the only ones, far from it, most of the nations in Europe were like that.

The Colonies, past or current, all were better informed than the homeland. Not surprising, she mused, given that most of the people who'd left Europe had been the unwanted and the non pureblood.

Her nephew, Atticus, had told her of the ignorance most of the Ministry had with regards to the bombs – something they'd known about for decades – it didn't surprise her at all.

Catherine nodded "Those ailments unfortunately then are terminal." She paused momentarily "But there are other symptoms that my scans aren't quite able to discern other than what effect they have on the No-Majs. Unfortunately, like the cancer, our potions won't work on the No-Majs"

The President pursed his lips before nodding "In that case, inform them about our assessment"

"It's a pain that we have to look after the muggles" Rick Flare, Director of No-Maj and Magical Liaison Department muttered.

Catherine Cole sent a sharp glare at Rick but the President interceded "We cannot not care for them given that we have accepted taking in the young children." The President said warningly causing Flare to look a little abashed. He continued "Besides, their testimony has been useful in informing the muggles of the crimes that are being committed but by the Germans."

"Really?" Les Ferdinars, the new Director of the MLE asked.

The President nodded in affirmation "Yes. We've organised for some of the rescued No-Majs to testify to some select senators – obviously the secret of magic was maintained" he added pointedly before he continued "and their testimony is kept in secret until after the war." The president grew grim "There is valid concern that should the world know of their testimony, it would get back to the Germans and that is something that the victims nor our No-Majs counterparts want."

"The concern being that they'll use even harsher methods?" Les Ferdinars asked.

The President shook his head "No...the concern is that they'll exterminate the Jewish No-Majs at a faster rate than they're doing now" he said with an emotionless tone.

Viola's eyebrows raised and she saw several individuals were in shock as well.

The President continued "Yes, that is what is happening over in Europe. It wasn't altruistic that we took in these muggleborn." He shook his head "I know that the German Ministry by now is but an extension of Grindelwald's will" he said in a disdainful tone "But leaving these children in the hands of the No-Majs was playing with fire."

An uneasy silence among them.

"Nevertheless, it only proves the total disregard they have for the Statute, even if you ignore their views on muggleborns" Niles mused.

"Indeed." The president nodded "We took these people in as a favour...mostly" he nodded to Viola "To Lord Atticus Sayre as he surmised that they wouldn't be welcome in such large numbers in Europe. Everywhere else where they might be welcome would have caused severe strain on their resources" He glanced at Jules Lactonian, the senior undersecretary after Charles Etherington who was in Europe.

Lactonian understood and responded "For the moment, the strain is insignificant." He paused momentarily as he looked in thought until he spoke again "Well, at least from a resource point of view" he looked to Michael Marson, the Secretary in charge of the refugee allocation operation.

"Well, my perspective things could be a lot better" He said with pursing lips before he shook his head.

"Oh?" The president asked curiously.

"When it comes to...friction between the people and the workers who building a small community for these people, things are a little tense." Marson sighed as he rubbed his face with his hand and glanced at them all with a wry smile "The children of course adore the use of magic, especially and naturally, the ones who do have the ability to cast magic. The elder people, the parents and so on, are quite uncomfortable." He looked to the president "Really, we do need to address things from that point of view."

"You'd think they'd be grateful" Rick Flare mused aloud. The president looked a little thoughtful before he waved Lactonian to continue.

"They've elected a leader after the suggestion was made to them and Rabbi Abraham Levy now represents them. The language barrier is one of the issues we're working through but he's fluent in English, part of the reason he was chosen we suspect." Marson paused for a moment "He's...asked to speak to a representative and the Head of the Department of Education" Marson said carefully.

"Are you not good enough for them?" Ferdinars asked bluntly.

Marson shrugged "Apparently not." He glanced at them before his eyes settled on the President "I'm only an overseer of sorts of the facilities, I can't really speak with much authority." He said finally.

The president nodded and looked to Lactonian "Can you go and speak with...this leader of theirs?"

Lactonian nodded "Not an issue." He turned to Marson "When you say uncomfortable..." he trailed off the question.

"I mean not like witch hunters or anything like that" Marson said with twitching lips before he grew serious "I'd say more like the hesitant religious types who we have not obliviated because they accepted their children having magic because their love triumphed over their supposed religion."

"Reluctant acceptance because of love?" Viola mused. Marson nodded.

"Are they fearful?" The president asked.

Marson took a moment to think on it. "Yes." He finally said "They do not think of us as devils or anything like that" he said with a wry smile "But they are incredibly distrustful" he grew serious and sombre "I did have the opportunity to speak with some of them and whilst magic isn't always evil, it is something that they were wary of according to their religious texts. Their own history makes mentions of magic in their families, in the form of stories, so they're more...tolerant of the more arcane elements but it doesn't dispel their fears." Marson turned to Catherine "Whilst they have allowed us to heal them, I think it would do well for you to meet them"

Catherine nodded "They have allowed us to heal them." She smiled "Of course they knew they needed to be healed and whilst the rescuers had done an admirable job during the trip, they've realised that magic can be good."

The president nodded.

"Speaking of which" Marson said "They want to talk to you about the education of their children. Most of them have not yet been enrolled in schooling due to their health needs and the general conditions of the rest of the adults but they'll need magical instruction soon." Marson turned to the President "Plus we need to figure out what to do with the squib children"

"Can we not simply enrol them to No-Maj schools?" Flare asked pointedly.

"We could but because these children are squibs born to one or two squib parents who didn't know what they were, we'll have to be careful to ensure that they keep the secret" he thinned his lips "It's something we'll have to deal with."

"Very well" The president said "We can subtly bespell them to not mention magic to those who don't know about it. Obliviating them would not endear us to several hundred magical children who have been through traumatic experiences so this will be a necessity before they can join No-Maj schooling." He turned to Viola.

"Can you go and speak with this leader?" he asked and Voila nodded.

"It's not an issue. I should be able to address most of his concerns" she confirmed.

The next day Viola apparated to the location and took in the sight of the small village that was spawning in the Midwest. It was quaint and from the way the buildings were arranged, close together, she thought they wanted it like that.

She walked through the emerging village and was greeted by a few people she knew from the MACUSA building which she returned. She smiled at some of the young children who were playing in the streets as work continued in the village. Most of the children didn't speak English well, yet, but things were ongoing. She was informed that some of the adult No-Maj/squibs were teaching them along with some volunteers.

She thought it was good, especially given that most of them should be enrolled come September. Having working English under their belt would allow them to be integrated quite quickly, just as they want.

The last thing they'd want was for them to be excluded in the new community they'd found themselves in. Plus, it would aid easing in the adults if they knew of the enthusiasm that the children had.

There was general concern that the children would want to use their newly found magic to exact revenge on the Germans but they had time to break them out of those thoughts. It wasn't like they couldn't relate, after all, the witch hunts were similar enough to the persecutions the Jewish people have found themselves in.

She'd mused that they had that in common, at least.

She walked on the path towards the Synagogue which was near the Central Hall that was in the centre of the village. It was an odd building, she thought when it came into sight. It had a domed roof made out of smooth stone, no doubt directed by the villagers. She'd never been in a religious building, magicals had no shrines, at least Europeans and Africans.

She'd heard once that in Asia...specifically India...they still had some links and shrines to the religions in the region.

She crossed the boundary of the synagogue. Her eyes roved around in the building. There were a few volunteers here as well. She'd found out that a few of the volunteers had build a bond with some of the orphaned magical children. That was good for all parties. The volunteers nodded to her when they recognised her.

She was a prominent member of MACUSA, her Sayre background and the general respect they held for her role in the education of their children assured that most knew of her.

She'd improved the department quite significantly and she'd been able to smooth over the residual resentment the Native American mages held for them. Most schools now had a section in Magical History that explored the history of the Americas and especially the history of the native mages who had their own magic.

She was broken out of her thoughts as she walked past a row of chairs in front of a podium and her eyes fixed on a elderly man who was wearing a tattered suit, likely one that he'd worn when they'd been rescued.

For a moment a flash of annoyance sparked inside of her. They'd been here half a year now and for him to wear that suit had her create assumptions that he was clinging onto something. Like he was trying to make a statement.

She wasn't impressed.

He had a shaved head with circlets of hair on the side of his head growing. Likely it had been much longer before he was interred. He had striking blue eyes that seemed kindly and the small smile he offered made her reassess her opinion of the man.

She wondered if it would be like this the entire day.

"Welcome to the Synagogue." the man said in a heavy German accent with a kind tone to his voice before extending his hand which Viola took.

She gave a tiny smile and nodded "Thank you" she said in a polite tone.

"You're the...Head of Education?" he inquired and she nodded.

"Yes, I'm Viola Clito-Beaclerc" she told him.

"I'm Abraham Levy" he returned before he continued "If you follow me, we can talk in private?" he offered and Viola inclined her head in affirmative and followed the elderly man towards one of the rooms in the back.

She took her seat in the bare room on a stiff chair before she got up in light annoyance and transfigured the chair into a more cushy seat. After she took the seat, she saw that he was waiting her intently.

"Even after all these months, it amazes how easy everything must be for your people" Levy said in a curious tone.

She chuckled softly "It's not..." she glanced at the man and reconsidered what she was going to say "I suppose from your perspective it is quite easy" she acceded.

He smiled warmly and sat back in his chair, his calloused hands lying on his lap.

"You wanted to meet with me?" she asked after a few moments as she watched him in curiosity and in wariness. It's been quite a few years...perhaps eleven or so years since she dealt with any muggles.

As Head of Education, she no longer was involved in the process of inviting muggleborns, having taken a role that oversees the entire educational needs of MACUSA.

"I did" he nodded as he caressed his hands with his thumbs in a soft slow manner. "I wanted to discuss the education of the...magical children of my community" he paused momentarily "amongst other things" he added.

She raised her eyebrows expectantly and he continued "I understand that the children that are over eleven will be going into remedial lessons in the Summer and having them enrol befitting their educational level?" he questioned.

And so she explained what they planned to do for the children for the next hour or so.

After they finished talking to an acceptable conclusion, he changed the subject "It's quite something" he mused as he looked away from her.

"What is?" she asked curiously. He turned to her with a small smile though his eyes were sad in a way that she was taken aback.

"Less than a year ago, we'd effectively accepted that most if not all of us were going to die" he said with an even...almost serene tone "That we'd receive no mercy from those who had been our countrymen not long ago, not even our children." He chuckled softly.

"Who knew that the odd things that sometimes happened around our children was because they were magical rather than the odd happenings we've chalked up to the greater mysteries much like the stories of olden times we told our children" he shook his head "Being introduced that there is even more to this world, a side of the world that is hidden and wondrous in many ways, was quite eventful" He looked at her with warm eyes "And you continue to aid us even when there are some of our people who look at you with distrustful eyes."

"The children are innocent" she offered to him, not sure what else to say after his comment about the Germans.

"Yes" he inclined his head "The children." He said with distinctly colder eyes. "They are the main reason why we have been rescued?" he asked more in a statement kind of tone rather than anything else.

"They are" she answered honestly. She tilted her head "Have you not been told this?" she inquired.

"We have spoken with the people here" he said truthfully "But they don't know..exactly." He eyed her curiously "But you do." He said with knowing eyes.

"I do because of my relationship of the person who facilitated this rescue" she replied.

"Atticus Sayre?" he asked intently.

She nodded "My nephew."

He nodded absentmindedly "These past months I have been...often thinking about our situation..." he turned to her with sharp eyes "Why us?" he posed to her "You know your nephew the best. You can answer this the best" he asked of her.

She frowned at this line of questioning. What was he digging for? "Magical children are precious. My nephew recognises this." She smiled a little fondly as she remembered his adorable little lectures. "He's always been an advocate for magicals, regardless of their background – even those who are squibs – those who have magic in their blood but can't cast it. He discovered your predicament and rectified it, simple as that" she told him as she watched him carefully.

She almost thought he was smiling with a bit of brittleness in his smile "I see." He nodded slowly "I thought that might be the case" he paused momentarily as he seemed to contemplate something as he looked at his hands.

"And only those who had...magic..." he said carefully "or related to them were good enough for him to rescue?" he posed to her in a light tone that she thought was very false.

It was almost an accusation and she needed to shut it down. She looked at him with a stern look "Our worlds have been centuries for centuries, even the rescue was technically against our highest laws because of the militarily nature of the circumstances. Only because of the number of muggleborn children was this fact overlooked – of course the successful extraction without exposure was another, naturally." She paused as she let that sink into the man "We've worked...hard to ensure the traces of magic has been removed as much as possible from the No-Maj world" she said with pursed lips.

"We have found, extensively, that No-Majs are not quite accepting of things they do not understand. I know this more than most given that I have personally helped rescue children from abusing parents who believe their children have the devil in them. And even when we explain that it is merely magic, we're accused of devil dealing by quite a few of these people. And the ones who can accept that it isn't the devil but can't accept their child or children having magic, they end up making very clear that they are not longer welcome in their homes" she breathed in deeply before she looked at the man with stern eyes and thinned lips.

"There is a reason why we have separated ourselves, to protect ourselves and to prevent war from happening so we could live in peace. Part of that is that we do not interfere in the affairs of the other world whilst we remain in ours – especially in war. When children with magic appear in the No-Maj world, they informed of their abilities and the magical world along with the parents who accept them – at least here in the States.

I don't know the exact circumstances that lead to your children being in those camps but they should not have been there with regards to the agreements around the world. In any case, do not judge us for not interfering, you do not have the right" She finished in a mildly scathing tone.

He raised his hands in defeat "I do not presume to judge you nor accuse you" he said with a bowed head before he looked up "I understand" he sighed. "Forgive me. It is simply that your people are capable of fantastical things." He smiled weakly "It is something that I had hope for...that the rest of my people could be saved from the horrors they're currently enduring" he said with a sad smile.

She lost the derisive posture as sympathy leaked in and she nodded slightly "There's nothing to forgive." She says simply and they fall in a silence that is not uncomfortable but certainly not easy either.

What could she say about the No Majs in those camps? It was far removed from her and whilst she had sympathy, the rules were the rules.

Given how Grindelwald was collaborating with the Germans, she wondered if he'd had a role to play in the treatment.

Likely not, she mused. She doubted Grindelwald cared for any kind of No Maj.

"Do you pray?" the Rabbi suddenly asked and she looked at him bewildered for a moment before she shook her head.

"We do not have...religions...like you do. We have our pagan traditions" she smiled softly as she remembered the yuletide rites she took in the winter. "But we don't have religions like you do."

"So your people don't have any spirituality?" he asked curiously.

Her eyes widened before she smiled "Oh no, there is plenty of spirituality" she paused for a moment "Those who were brought up in the magical world...in most places around the world, there is no...true religion so to speak. Spirituality sure...we are a spiritual people, at least the families that have been magical for centuries but we do not believe in...gods."

"Truly?" he said with a frown "The way you say things, it makes it seem that there are many magicians around the world? They do not believe in God?"

She pursed her lips. She'd been interested in how cultures in Africa and Asia viewed magic, mostly because of her interest in the Native American mages, and she'd come across that deities were more...representative of elements of nature. There were some personifications, to be sure but there were hardly anything like God...Yahweh or Allah. An all powerful God was something that was not truly believed in. Nor anything like Gods either...except perhaps India but she wasn't sure.

Even Magical Arabs were not Muslim. The Arabic No Majs really did not like magic and had decimated large swathes of native magicals over the centuries before the statute. Most of the Middle Eastern Magicals were in Persia...Iran, Turkey or Lebanon.

"We're called Magicals...not Magicians and to answer your question...Our people have long memories and a developed belief system that has lasted for thousands of years." she answered.

The Rabbi digested this. "I suspect your people were also resistant to follow a religion that did not like them" he said lightly.

"True." She simply stated as the conversation teetered out. She looked at the grandfather clock and she got up. "Well, Mr Levy, it was a pleasure meeting you" she said as she eyed. It certainly was more interesting than pleasurable but then she didn't need to say that.

He got up and smiled at her "Just as it was for me. Please let me walk you out" he offered and she thought for a moment before she nodded.

She wondered what Payet would say after she told him tonight. Perhaps she'd even mirror call her sister in law to get her perspective, she mused to herself.

-Break-

22nd of January 1943

Grindelwald POV

"This is a disaster!" Hitler snarled as he paced in the room, his boots clanking on the hard stone before he suddenly and abruptly halted and sent a furious glare at Gellert who remained unaffected during the man's tirade.

He glanced at the rest of the room. Franz Von Papen the Vice Chancellor of the German Reich, Wilhelm Frick the Reich Minister of the Interior and Henrich Himmler were here in this so called emergency meeting Hitler demanded he attended.

On his side, Klaus Kragenberg the German Minister of Magic, Werner von Blosen the Austrian Minister of Magic were in attendance, both of whom were amusedly holding in their scorn for the man.

"You failed" Hitler hissed out as pointed his index finger at Grindelwald "You were meant to destroy the subhuman cretins but instead they have aided in taking the airfield" he sneered "Your vaunted magical shield did nothing to prevent them from breaching the Stalingrad! Now hundreds of thousands loyal Aryans are trapped at the hands of the Slavs!"

The accusations, the anger washed over the back of Gellert without a single care. If the man wasn't necessary in paving the way for an empire to be created, he'd have killed the fool years ago.

Unfortunately, Hitler was a perfect vessel for destroying the other muggle countries.

Gellert outstretched his hands "My apologies, Herr Fuhrer. The savages were unrelenting in their assault, without care how many bodies we leaving behind" he smiled sardonically whilst his eyes remained cold "You should be aware that the Russian mages are unable to project their forces beyond their borders. Even as we speak, I have hundreds of my men in Russia to cut down Slavs everywhere they are found." He tilted his head

"The loss of Stalingrad is but a minor inconvenience. We are, after all, helping you produce more and more Panzer IV with better armour. You've already seen their capabilities in the field" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, yes" Hitler waved dismissively. "Your aid is appreciated on that regard. If only you were able to do this months before we were facing complete collapse in fucking Russia!" he shouted as his voice neared a snarl.

Kragenberg looked indignant but Gellert raised his hand "You must have known that the Soviets would be able to recover when we were unable to break through into Moscow last year."

Von Papen spoke up next "Herr Grindelwald" the man spoke up carefully as he eyed Gellert "I understand what you are saying and the actions you're taking but we must have more support."

Gellert smiled in a way that did not reach his eyes. "But of course. I will do all I can for my allies." He dipped his head. "That is why I'm pleased to inform you that my men are destroying as many factories they can find." The eyes of the muggles widened before he continued "It will buy you time to reorganise"

"Excellent" Von Papen said. "How many?" his eyes shone greedily as Gellert gave the answer.

Hitler looked pleased "You've outdone yourself, Herr Grindelwald. With your support, we will drive back the barbarians" He turned to Himmler "Field Marshal Paulus must not abandon his position" Himmler nodded slowly.

Gellert's eyes glinted "I have to warn you …My attentions cannot be directed towards the East for the foreseeable future. The American wizards have collaborated with the French wizards to liberate France from my hands. I will need to…correct this"

Hitler stood still as his eyes narrowed "I see…" he said slowly "And are they going to be a problem for our occupation?" he asked in a low angry tone.

Gellert smiled "They won't be. I have allowed them too much latitude, given that they are Aryan for the most part. It will no longer factor in their submission." He stated simply.

Hitler looked at him for a moment until he finally nodded "Very well, they cannot be allowed to interfere in our operations"

"They won't." Gellert stated and soon the meeting ended not long after that.

Himmler stayed behind and walked up to Gellert who looked at the man with curiosity. He hadn't dealt with the man all that much, likely of his own volition given his importance to Hitler. The man's beady eyes hidden behind round glasses studied him carefully "I have…test subjects for your man, De Galle, to work on. Some of our…camps are overflowing and now with the Warsaw camp in revolt, we can use with some…culling." He said with unblinking eyes.

Gellert smiled at him "I will inform De Galle about new…patients that are heading his way" he nodded and Himmler nodded in return before he turned on his heels and left.

He glanced at Kragenberg and Von Blosen "Let's leave this place, shall we?" They nodded and disapparated, soon enough they were gone to a base near Munich.

As they arrived at the base, walking through the complex, Kragenberg spoke up "Why do you give him so much freedom to talk to you so, My Lord?" the question that had been on the tip of his tongue spilling out as soon as they were in a private setting.

He looked at Kragenberg with an amused expression before he walked away, through the corridors of the base, Kragenberg and Von Blosen following him closely.

"Why should I be concerned how a lowly animal speaks to me?" he posed to them as he glanced at them in the corner of his eyes before he returned his eyes towards the front "You must have realized that I have used no magic to coerce his thoughts all these years, that I have used no magic to take advantage of his rabid nature that coincide with our endeavours. In the end, he is irrelevant to our goals and I treat him as such." He finally said.

Of course none of them knew what he truly planned. The tanks he was having created should be able to withstand thrice as much as before. It was necessary else the fools would lose this war. Already they were stretched thin and he could see their defeat coming unless he worked things along.

Even with his aid, altering the minds of the leaders and generals of the now occupied nations, the Germans were faltering. He suppressed a snarl. He needed to end the ICW before they became too problematic to his cause.

With Hitler mowing down the muggle armies and destroying any resistance to 'his' rule, he would be able to overthrow the man and truly rip apart the Statute of Secrecy.

With magicals at the very top, he'd change the destiny of their world. The muggles were too dangerous to be allowed free will, too corruptive and troublesome for them to remain without oversight.

Muggles would serve their purpose as serfs, for they were nothing more than a failure of nature.

The deaths of the magicals he'd caused were a necessary evil, their opposition too great for them to see the Greater Good.

He shook away these thoughts as they walked towards the main hall whereby Gellert was greeted with one of his men, Ohmersohn, one of his key men with regards to. "My Lord." He bowed and Gellert dismissively waved him on. He turned to Kragenberg and Von Blosen.

Both of them were his creatures. He'd installed them in their position years ago and they ruled in his name. "You may leave." He dismissed them without another glance and turned to Ohmersohn.

"My Lord, we have received intelligence that the ICW, the French and the Americans are planning to push through in Belgium." Ohmerson answered.

He narrowed his eyes "Is that so..." he trailed off. Following his failure in Russia, he'd expanded his spy network, having tasked De Galle to create another one of those spies they'd used in Britain.

It wasn't as successful unfortunately, given that most of the high ranking officials were quite astute in ensuring the information circle was as small as possible. Most of their actions was not known until it was often too late for him to act on. It was only in the last few weeks where their intel has yielded in significant information.

"Not only that, My Lord, we have word Belgium is not the only target." Ohmersohn hesitated for a moment before he continued "The intel is inconclusive but they are targeting multiple targets." He finally states.

Gellert mused on it for a moment before he eyed Ohmersohn "Find it out." He said with a tone that stated 'or otherwise...'

Ohmersohn nodded sharply before he left the room.

He sat in his chair, leaning back as he stroked the beads of the Elder Wand. It was time to remind them of who they were facing.

Vinda was doing her duty in Belorussia whilst Dukesvky was occupied in Italy, for the moment.

De Galle was the most immediate concern. The experiments that he was conducting there were...sensitive. His lips curled as his eyes gleamed wickedly

Perhaps it's time to truly unleash the horrors.