Finally we discover the truth of Grindelwald's plans, kinda... And some boss ass b*tch moments from our characters. Please some review, I need life blood.

Disclaimer: I don't own the HP universe, I am open to owning it though... anytime... just gimme some of it... please.

Chapter 24:

"I adore you Percival I really do." Grindelwald said and Percival felt like this was some kind of sick break up line. "But my goals are far more important. So, if I have to threaten you, maim you, or kill you to get out of here then fine by me."

"You'll never get past the guards." Percival said. Or Adriana, Tina and Newt. Picquery would hardly let him run loose either. Of course, Percival was trying to convince himself that they could actually stop a madman. Grindelwald smiled like a Cheshire Cat.

"If they haven't already been incapacitated." Grindelwald smiled. Percival felt himself to cold. They were in an isolation. You couldn't hear any noise from the outside. You couldn't see outside. The doors began to open and Percival turned. Big mistake. Grindelwald, clearly being far more powerful than his restraints, grabbed Percival around the waist. His arms were pinned to his side. Percival tried to kick the man. Use magic. Something. But the fear and panic made it difficult. A figure stood at the doorway. It wasn't who Percival expected. Nor Grindelwald apparently, if the tightening of his grip and frustrated noise were anything were to go by.

"Grindelwald." Adriana said curtly. She was pointing her wand at Grindelwald, who was using Percival as shield. "I strongly advise you let him go."

"You aren't American?" Grindelwald said quizzically.

"Well done." Percival said sarcastically. He figured he'd earned the right to be as prick like as possible given he'd been caught by the man a second time.

"Shut up Percy." Grindelwald muttered in his ear and Percival clamped his mouth shut. "You... you're British."

"Yes. Adriana Arkin." Adriana announced. "Now get the hell off him." Grindelwald frowned.

"Ariana?" He asked, almost scared.

"Adriana." She corrected. She flicked her wand, causing Grindelwald and Percival to move back. "Let him go."

"No." Grindelwald said. "Why are you here? You're interrupting my escape."

"You mean the escape plan with your real lackey?" Adriana asked coolly. Sawyer was marched into view by Picquery and Tina. Newt was tailing them, eyes flicking from Grindelwald to Percival to Adriana. "I wondered why MACUSA were so convinced Percival was guilty. Well your real follower would love it if someone else took the fall." Grindelwald gave Sawyer a dark look. Then he sighed.

"Good help is so hard to find." He told Percival. "Honestly, why couldn't you have just joined me? It would have made this so much easier." Percival glared at him as best as he could. This man had ruined his life. He would never follow him.

"I advise you to step away from Mr Graves Grindelwald." Picquery said with a coolness that matched Adriana. Percival reminded himself that these were two women he never wanted to piss off. Grindelwald growled and then, unbelievably, his face broke into a smile. He nodded towards Adriana.

"That's her isn't it Percy?" He asked excitedly. "The person who gave you a backbone again. Oh, she's pretty. I thought maybe our lovely Tina over there. I'd laid some ground work for you. But I guess the accent is a deal breaker." Percival knew what Grindelwald was getting at and he was helpless to correct him. Best he keep his mouth shut.

"What are you talking about?" Picquery asked. She was completely clueless to the events ongoing. She knew there was a thing between Percival and Adriana. That there had been one between him and Tina. But what was Grindelwald getting at?

"Hush Seraphina." Grindelwald said. He put that wretched mouth by Percival's ear. "Let me into that head and I won't hurt her. Show me the secret way out and I'll let her live." The horrible thing was, Percival was tempted. To protect Adriana, he would do anything. But she would hate him if he did that. And he never wanted her to hate him. So, he did the stupidest thing he'd ever done in a life that had been full of stupid things. He threw his weight against Grindelwald, knocking both of them to the ground. Grindelwald's grip loosened and Percival managed to yank himself free, rolling away. Adriana was by his side in seconds, planting herself between Grindelwald and Percival. Like she always did when he had a nightmare. Only this time was very real. She passed his wand to him. Percival almost forgot he handed the thing to her. Grindelwald had taken the opportunity to use his now free hands to pull Picquery and Tina from Sawyer. Without saying anything to the man he took his wand.

"Oh bugger." Adriana and Newt said at the same time. Tina and Picquery were slowly getting back to their feet. Percival was up, next to Adriana, wand raised.

"Unfortunately, Sawyer, I no longer require your services." Grindelwald said coldly. Before the man could let out a plea for his life Grindelwald killed him. He turned to Percival and Adriana. As Newt, Picquery and Tina attempted to fire spells at him, which he deflected easily, he stepped towards the pair. Percival was practically frozen, reminded of the time Grindelwald had captured him the first time. Adriana was steady. "And now for you Percy. Such a disappointment." He raised his wand.

"Protego!" Adriana screamed just as Grindelwald cast his spell. Using verbal magic made the spell a touch more powerful than if done non-verbally as Grindelwald had done. Percival cast his own defensive spell. Grindelwald frowned. He didn't particularly want to face five highly trained wizards and witches. That would put a dent in his plan. Instead he opted to blow up the ceiling and make his escape. Being trapped under rubble was the last thing anyone wanted but they had almost no time to react. The dust was clearing. People were gathering.

"Tina! Newt!" Queenie yelled from the edge of the room. She began to go in when there was movement. Tina and Newt pulled themselves from the rubble, lucky to only have a few scrapes and bruises. Picquery stood next, brushing down her robes with her wand, frustration clear on her face. Adriana managed to pull herself out from something that wasn't rubble. Percival had thrown himself over her to protect her. She helped him out, healing the minor injuries that she knew how to treat. He slumped against a large stone that hadn't been far off crushing them. Adriana pulled him away from it.

"Reparo." She muttered. The ceiling repaired itself. Percival was leaning heavily against Adriana. His ankle appeared to be broken.

"Percival!" Queenie gasped. "Adriana! Are you alright?" Adriana carefully pulled Percival closer to the exit.

"I'm fine Queenie. Do you know how to fix ankles?" Adriana said. Queenie nodded, waving her own wand, making Percival hiss as his ankle repaired itself.

"Sorry." She said. She went to Tina to check that she was alright. A lot of people were muttering about Percival. Picquery stepped forward.

"Enough." She snapped. The crowd was silent. "We made a mistake. Percival Graves is innocent. Sawyer, my advisor, was assisting Grindelwald." A whisper passed through the crowd. "As for Sawyer, Grindelwald killed him as he had served his usefulness. I suggest you remember that if you ever consider joining his side." An uneasy whisper passed. "Grindelwald has escaped. O'Connor get notices back around that Grindelwald is roaming. Fitzpatrick, inform all other ministries of this. Williams, remove Percival Graves from the criminal list and clear any record of wrongdoings from his file." The mentioned went off on their tasks. Picquery began ordering various people to do tasks then sent the crowd off. She turned to the remaining five.

"I'd best get Tina to the infirmary." Queenie piped up. "Come on Newt." Newt stared at her for a second but seemed to get the message. He supported Tina, who had a scrape on the side of her head, up the stairs. Picquery looked at Adriana and Percival.

"Graves, I am so sorry." She said. "I should never have accused you of treason."

"About time." Adriana huffed. Percival merely nodded. A full pardon wasn't exactly his top priority.

"Your old position is... will be made available to you if you wish to return." Picquery continued as if Adriana hadn't said a word.

"Wait what?" Adriana asked. Percival, however, didn't respond. His mind went blank. Picquery was offering him the chance to go back to his old life. To return to his previous post. His office. For everything to go back to normal. But the back of his mind protested. He didn't want things to go back to normal. Normal meant lonely. And awkward. No living with Adriana. Or tending to his crafted garden. No cinnamon cocoa with someone important to him. Just the job that he gave his life to and the very job that got him tortured. The good thing, the only good thing, that came from Grindelwald, was realisation. That he was lonely. Standoffish. Stubborn. Sometimes completely oblivious. That he had no real life. He'd met Adriana. He'd bonded with the British. Maya, who would always gossip to him about this that and the other. Newt, who would light up when talking about magical creatures. Hell, even Dumbledore held more appeal than some of his former co-workers. The same co-workers who'd decided he was a traitor. Was he bitter? Yes. But he had the right to be.

"No thank you Madam President." He said sincerely. "I'm happy staying where I am." Adriana sighed in relief next to him. He knew he'd made the right decision. Picquery didn't look all that surprised.

"I see." She said with this strange smile. "Well, you are free to go to your old home, it's still under lock down. You can collect anything you missed in your quick getaway last time." She gave Adriana a look, which made her flush.

"About that." Adriana started. Picquery waved her hand.

"You can send me an owl about it some other time." She said, shooing them. "But if there is anything I can do for you Percival." The use of his first name made it clear that it was a sincere offer.

"I'll hold you to that." Percival said. He left with Adriana. Finally, he was a free man.