So, basically yesterday was an extra chapter and this is the regular update. Its also really ansgty... Ahahahahaha... I'm sorry. I couldn't help it, hopefully I've actually got it right and no one is too OOC. Plus we are finally seeing Grindelwald, like properly, not just a nightmare, though he kinda is for Percival.
Disclaimer: I don't own the HP universe... if only I was born earlier.
Chapter 23:
"Hello Percy." Grindelwald said, a smile forming on his lips. "It's been a while." The doors shut, leaving Percival trapped with a living nightmare. He leant against the door, putting as much distance as he could between the man and himself. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Not particularly." Percival managed to say. His jaw was attempting to lock itself. Here he was. One of the most powerful wizards in all of America. And he wanted to cower from a man in chains. Grindelwald was unnerving. He never did anything expected. He was always seven steps ahead. So, when he giggled, Percival tried not to react. He hated that sound. That sound usually accompanied a slight overuse of the Cruciatus Curse. Or maybe unfamiliar (but familiar now) hands touching him in a way they just shouldn't. It shook him to the bone to hear that noise. But on the outside, he remained neutral. Detached. He had to or he'd break. And he couldn't do that here. Not now.
"Oh, I've missed your wit." Grindelwald said. He smiled brightly at Percival, as if they were old friends. "I've missed your company. You were far more interesting than anyone else here." Percival said nothing. Letting Grindelwald talk was the best way to get information. Besides, it's not like he wanted to say anything. "Come on now Percy, don't you have anything to say?" How Grindelwald managed to make him feel like a school child that had been caught in a prank was disturbing. But Percival knew he had to say something.
"Why am I here?" He asked briskly. Grindelwald's eyes widened.
"Surely you know." Grindelwald said. "A clever man like you who managed to work out my plan from limited information. Come on now Percy, this isn't difficult." Percival really hated him. Hated that he called him clever. Hated that he acted like this.
"I know I'm here because you won't talk to anyone else." Percival started. Grindelwald nodded, almost encouragingly. "Obviously you think I'm easy to manipulate, since you know me so well. But you also know that I hate you and would never let you out." Grindelwald smiled eerily.
"Oh bravo Percy. Oh very good. I'd applaud you but my hands are preoccupied." Grindelwald said, sounding delighted. "Don't let anyone know how much I played with your pretty head. Of course, you should never say never Percy." Grindelwald stared directly at him, as if trying to stare into his soul. "I know how you work Percy. How you think. What you do. I wore your face. And I wore it well. No one noticed, did they? How lonely for you." Percival was struggling not to let slip how much this was bothering him. Trying to think of positive thoughts. His mind latched onto Adriana and how she'd probably tell Percival that he was never alone. He'd never be alone again. Percival stared right back into the abyss and for the first time Grindelwald looked annoyed. It wasn't obvious, a slight thinning of his lips and a little crease in his brow. But as much as Grindelwald had studied Percival, Percival had studied him back. He knew when to expect pain, when Grindelwald wanted to gloat. Annoyance wasn't frequently displayed, only present when something went against what Grindelwald wanted.
"You still haven't answered my question." Percival pointed out. Grindelwald slipped the smile back on like a mask.
"I wanted a familiar face. One that I know. And I know you so well." Grindelwald said. Percival opened his mouth, deciding he should start actually asking important questions, but Grindelwald continued. "Like I know you like blue and black, you prefer your coffee with a bit of sugar but you never tell anyone because it would ruin your image. Your favourite pastime is reading. You dislike paperwork. You've only said I love you to two people outside of your family. You don't talk to your brother, or rather he doesn't talk to you because he thinks you're cold. But that's not it at all, is it?" Percival felt violated. Maybe his colour and coffee preferences weren't that personal but the rest of it was. And he hated that Grindelwald knew him so well. He also knew they'd reached an impasse. Grindelwald could, and would, spill every secret he knew about Percival if it was advantageous to him. Percival decided that two could play at that game.
"Actually, as much as I like reading I have other pastimes. Of course, you wouldn't know that. Being locked up in here. I mean, I can go about, breathe in that fresh air. While you? You're locked up, you have a window you can't see out of. Why I'd say you're the lonely one." He shot back. Grindelwald almost looked smug which filled Percival with dread.
"Oh you're right. I'm very lonely." Grindelwald said. "Nothing but interrogators and such. But I can place myself far away from here. I like thinking back to our time together. It was what? Six months? A nice time spent with a lovely young man." Percival didn't want to remember any of the six months he'd spent as Grindelwald's plaything. But of course, the memories started playing up. Percival closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. Grindelwald giggled. Again, this shot straight to Percival's bones. It dredged up memories that Percival thought he'd shoved so far down they'd gone away. The pain. The words. The burning sensation. A thousand knives piercing his skin. Flesh tearing. Flashes of a silver dagger that cut a shape. A brand. Being forced to relive the worst days of his life over and over again. Watching once happy memories twist themselves into abominations. The giggle. The questions. The verbal assault that wouldn't end. Percival struggled to breathe. It was overwhelming. So overwhelming. He wanted to run. To hide. To curl up and never speak again. His breathing quickened. The floor felt like it was moving. He needed to calm down. Percival raced through his mind to find the one thing that would calm him down. John. No too much pain. Tina. No. The same as John. Adriana. Adriana. Like a spectre she walked into his mind. Soft hands cradled him, stroked his hair, held him close. Sweet nothings were whispered, silly songs were sung. Percival stared at the spectre in his mind. At her breasts, where the necklace he bought rested. He reminded himself why he was here. The wizarding world needed to stop Grindelwald. Otherwise it wouldn't be safe. Otherwise Adriana would be sent on more dangerous missions that could cost her her life. Or Tina would face death a second time. No. He couldn't allow that. He couldn't be so helpless. So weak. Adriana had told him. She'd never seen him as weak. Only brave. He could do this. Percival forced his eyes open, freeing himself of past torments by shoving them into the dark recess of his mind.
"Let's not play around here." Percival said with conscious effort. "I'm here because you won't talk to anyone else. We need information. You're going to give it to us. Now start talking about your plans." Grindelwald eyed Percival almost suspiciously.
"It seems like you met someone who gave you your courage back." He said shrewdly. Percival knew he was getting somewhere. "Well, I wasn't expecting that. I thought you'd be in a cell like me."
"Guess again." Percival said. "No fool would believe that I willingly let you impersonate me." Grindelwald shrugged slightly.
"Maybe not." He replied. "As for my plans. Well that's rather simple. I'm going to walk out of here. Get back to my associates. And we're going to make this world a better place. All for the greater good, I assure you." Percival stared at him blankly. He couldn't see how Grindelwald could accomplish that while locked in the cell. It had never been broken out of it. It was the securest cell in all of MACUSA. But if someone was going to break out it would be Grindelwald. "Would you like to know how I'm going to do it?" Percival said nothing, merely raised an eyebrow. "Well Percy, come a bit closer." It was the last thing Percival wanted to do. But if it meant Grindelwald would talk, then Percival would do as told. He knew that this was exactly how it started before. The little things would get him and then he couldn't get out. But like a moth to a flame, Percival stepped closer. He shuffled a bit. When he was within arm's reach he decided enough was enough and he should stop. Grindelwald didn't seem to mind this distance.
"Well?" Percival asked, his voice a cracked whisper. Grindelwald said nothing. He threw his head back and laughed. Pure mirthful laughter. It was horrifying and Percival's brain finally caught up. He'd been so busy trying to keep a cool head that he hadn't really considered Grindelwald's plans. The man was a genius. There was no denying that. He wouldn't just call Percival to him just to torment him. Of course, there would be an ulterior motive. Grindelwald had a plan alright. The plan was Percival.