Ok, so I know it's been like forever since I last updated it, but now seemed like the right to continue the story. This basically where the adventure restarts for Albus after being out of action for ages.
Chapter IX – Caradoc's Report
Ida Fairborn sat in her cubicle in the Aurors office looking over the recent reports of Grindelwald's movements in France, Italy and North Africa. Caradoc had been working round the clock, traveling all over Europe, picking up where Albus had left off six months ago in Paris.
Grindelwald had escaped the department of mysteries. According to the report, he transfigured into a piece of cloth and was removed as evidence, transfiguring back into a human again, killing the two French Aurors guarding the evidence room. Epave was now in Azkaban and appeared to be 'unaffected' by the Dementors while Graisseux's former secretary, Vivienne Gris, had to be moved to solitary confinement due to the constant screaming.
Then, her eyes came to the most recent report: Grindelwald, a small village in Switzerland. Ida realized what this could mean to the war effort. She approached the fire place in her office, bent down, placed her head in it and said, "Ignis Defero, Albus Dumbledore".
The past six months had been agonizing for Albus. His injuries had proven to be difficult to heal and the war had proven to be difficult to win. France had been captured and occupied by the Nazis. Albus spent the time recovering in St Mungo's and later with Madam Penelope in the hospital wing when he argued that if he was not well enough to fight he was well enough to teach.
Albus remained in his office most nights, peering over the documents that Lark had brought from the spies in France and Germany. He obsessed over them, certain that he would eventually find the missing link that lost treasure he was looking for, buried in the papers. Not a single one ever caught his eye. Grindelwald's plan seemed to be flawless.
"Albus", a voice said. Albus looked up at the portrait of Edlyn but she wasn't there. "Albus", the voice said again. Albus turned to his left and jumped at the sight of Ida's head in the fireplace. "Oh, evening, Ida", Albus said, smiling embarrassedly. "You mean morning, Albus", Ida said, to which Albus looked up at his clock and noticed the time: nearly 4 O'clock in the morning. "Oh dear", Albus said, "I never noticed the time. Anyway, why are you here so late"? "I was looking at the reports on Grindelwald's movements, Albus. Caradoc's been following Grindelwald and his followers everywhere, gathering information. There isn't much I can tell you but he found out that a small village in Switzerland is also called Grindelwald". "Switzerland you say", Albus said, curiously, "I'll look into it. By the way, how is Wiglaf"? Albus said these words with no hatred or malice at all, but instead they were replaced with tenderness and care. "He's getting better", Ida said, "the healers at St Mungo's say he may never speak again, but he's starting to notice hand gestures. He's come a long way in six months".
The embers washed Ida's head away leaving Albus to ponder the mysterious path ahead of him. It was possible that Grindelwald took the name of this town as his own. Why? Is it his home town? And if it was, how did he get so mixed up in the dark arts coming from the ever peaceful Switzerland?
Girlish giggling started to fill Edlyn's portrait. She was accompanied back by Sir Ulrich, a flamboyant, enviously handsome knight of the middle ages whose portrait was on the 4th floor. "Oh come on, my little rose bud", Ulrich said, seductively. "No, Ulrich not tonight", Edlyn said, wriggling around in her portrait, "please Ulrich, I need some sleep". She giggled some more and finally, Albus shouted, "Excuse me Sir Ulrich, but I don't need this right now. Edlyn has politely asked you to leave and if you do not leave right now then I know the perfect guinea pig to test my new wand on", Ulrich leered at Albus. "Leave right now, Ulrich", Albus continued, pulling his brand new wand out of the draw in his desk, "I know how much the Exsistab Curse hurts you lot". "Fine", Ulrich said, letting go of Edlyn and making his way out of the portrait, mumbling under his breath, "old coot".
"Sorry about Ulrich, Albus", Edlyn said, apologetically, fixing her hair and straightening her glasses. "How long have been seeing Ulrich now"? Albus asked. "Not long, but I want to know how you are, Albus", Edlyn said, tenderly, "The portraits in the west wing are really strict. They kicked me out whenever I tried to come see you. And since this fling with Ulrich, I barely see you anymore". "I'm fine, Edlyn", Albus said, "You've always been there for me, even when I used to come to this office for detention, you always knew the right thing to say. Anyway, Ida left only moments before you came and she forwarded me some important information that Caradoc found in Europe". "Oh"? Edlyn said, "and what's that"? Albus paused, pondering for a moment and then said, "I am going to Switzerland".
Good? Tell me.