...
Coming back around was not a pleasant experience. His head was making it'd displeasure known via a massive migraine. Almost as soon as he returned to consciousness he wanted to sink back into the folds of the darkness.
Unfortunately he knew that was not able option. He had been put to sleep by an unfamiliar man. Just because Duncan trusted whoever it was to call them didn't mean he did. Harrison would also be giving the Headmaster a piece of his mind. What had he been thinking telling someone about his condition?
Reluctantly he opened his eyes to find himself back in the quarters that he had been given after his arrival. They were in the eastern side of the castle. The castle itself spanned several acres not including the grounds. There were two large towers one facing the east and the other fading the west. Surrounding the castle was a forest filled with creatures that would be hunted otherwise. Through the forest there was a singular correct path that would lead to the train. It was only way in or out grounds.
In different parts of the forest were training areas. These were used to enhance the training begun in the castle. Herbology was one of the only to use the entire forest. Unlike at Hogwarts students could come and go from the forest at their leisure. As long as the person could of course find their way back out. It was easy for a student to lose themselves in the forest. Or purposely be led astray that was always a danger. Nightingale was many things but no one could accuse it of coddling its students. The only neutral places were the Common Rooms and Classrooms. If you were caught off guard outside of the areas it was on you.
The bed he was laying on was a queen sized and just as comfortable as he remembered. Black sheets covered his body and thankfully he was still in the clothes he arrived in. A dark blue comforter lay on top of the sheets. In the middle of the comforter was the wolf crest of the House of Lupus. The room itself was sparsely decorated with the basics. Closet, bathroom, desk and chair, and a bookcase. Nothing more or less than what he would need.
When he turned his head to the side however he froze. There sitting next to his bed was the unfamiliar German man. He held a book from the library in his hand and his legs were crossed. Mismatched eyes stared at him not at the book he was holding. Waiting. Obviously he had known the moment Harrison woke up.
Pushing himself up onto his elbows Harrison asked, "Who are you?"
Incredulity crossed the man's face as he stared at Harrison. Still in that thick German accent he said, "You don't know who I am. It hasn't even been ten years since my defeat. Surely you were at school when the war was happening?"
The war had never really ended during his time. And this man was obviously not Voldemort. Accidentally locking eyes with the man he felt a probing on his mental barriers. Using his training from Nightingale he pushed the man forcefully out. This received a minute wince.
Still he felt he should know this man. Why did he feel like he should know him? It was the 1950s Voldemort would really start his war until the late 60 early 70s. The only other Dark Lord was Grindelwald but Dumbledore defeated him in 45.
Wait what had he said? Harrison felt the blood drain from his face as he went through the man's words. Less than a decade since his defeat. German accent. The mismatched eyes. And that mark. That mark sealed it.
"Grindelwald," he breathed.
This was bad. He could handle Voldemort the man had been insane by Harrison's time. He doubted that he could handle his predecessor however. For the longest time he suspected that the only reason Dumbledore "defeated" him was through trickery. No one had been there for the final battle. So all they were able to seevwas what Dumbledore wanted them to.
The German's lips twitched up into a small smile, "Well then. It seems you have at least heard of me. Now tell me, who are you?"
"Harrison Evans," he answered automatically.
The smile turned into a frown, "Your lying. And that is the name, Duncan gave me. So who are you really?"
Harrison said firmly, "I am, Harrison Evans. That's it. If you don't believe me then that's your problem. Now I have a question. What the hell are you doing here? You're supposed to be in prison."
The frown dropped and Grindelwald's face became like stone. It was so cold the younger man flinched. Maybe he shouldn't be provoking the Dark Lord who made even Dumbledore hesitate. Stupid Gryffindor tendencies.
It took a few moments before Grindelwald said, "I was broken out of prison by your Headmaster. He realized what you were and that you were not going to gain control on your own."
His mouth went dry. What did Grindelwald mean? He was a half blood sure but this Dark Lord didn't care nearly as much about Blood Purity. Not like Voldemort. His focus had been on enslaving muggles.
Grindelwald blinked in surprise as he said the coldness leaving his face, "You don't know? You don't know what you are, do you?"
Harrison snapped, "What do you mean? I'm a halfblood sure but you don't care about blood purity."
A dark feral grin crossed the man's face as he said, "Oh no. It's not your blood that I'm interested in. It's what keeps drawing that fire out of you. Why Duncan was unable to restrain your magic?"
Harrison swallowed. Grindelwald knew something. He knew what had haunted Harrison for years. What haunted his many nights even after the war with Voldemort. It made him want to demand answers but he bit his lip. Dark Lords never did anything for free. If he asked without understanding what would be asked of him in return he would end up in trouble.
"And what do you want in exchange for the information?"
The grin sharpened, "Well aren't you a smart one. In exchange I want you to allow me to teach you. Your current state shows you've never had a proper teacher. Given how rare this is, I'm not surprised though I would have thought Albus would snatch you up. You've been living in Britain correct?"
Harrison swallowed trying to bring moisture back into his mouth, "What do you mean?"
"Your promise, Mein Schakal," said the man holding up a finger.
Harrison grit his teeth annoyed. He couldn't trust this man. It would get him in trouble and there was no telling if Grindelwald would start another war. Who was he kidding of course the Dark Lord would. It was only a matter of when.
Did the promise of information outway his mistrust? Yes it did. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Grindelwald had the information he needed. He would need to avoid making dangerous promises.
Carefully he promised, "I'll agree to let you teach me. But I will not allow you to mark or bond me to you. I will not be one of your followers."
"Interesting," murmured the Dark Lord, "You are a very interesting young man. I agree to your conditions."
Harrison let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. That had been easier than he expected. Was the man going to make demands of his own? The feral smile simply widened a touch sending a shiver down Harrison's spine.
Grindelwald said bluntly, "You, Mr. Evans are an Elemental. Chosen by Lady Magic to control the elements. Specifically you are the Fire Elemental."
What?
