DISCLAIMER: I have not been granted use of the Intelligence Properties of Harry Potter nor any figures from the Marvel Comics Universe. All copyrights belong to their respective holders. I am simply telling a story, and am posting this story with no intent to make a profit off of these characters. Again, this is UNBETAED and fresh off the presses! A special note about this chapter: This is my attempt to put into words the epic battle between Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindevald.
Uatu: Since time beyond your reasoning, I have observed Humanity throughout the Multiverse. Long have I gazed through the various timelines to see both the best and worst within a truly unique race. I have, in my time, seen you Humans ascend to great heights and sink to deplorable depths. One of the truly remarkable aspects of Humanity is that, when times are darkest, there always seems to be one who arises and shines bright enough to combat that darkness. One such individual is Steven Rogers. Most of you would know him as Captain America. Possessing an unshakable sense of right and wrong, often I find myself standing in marvel at his resoluteness. Still, there are others who are called to pick up a similar burden when darkness threatens their world. In one such world, a young man is forced to shoulder such a burden because of the acts of his mother. A prophesy, given before his birth, lay the burden upon his shoulders. In most timelines this young man, a Harry Potter, is forced to struggle alone. In one timeline, however, he is found at a young age and taught the significance of what his role in this world is by one who also carries this burden. Yes, in one such timeline, young Harry Potter is taken in by none other than Steven Rogers. I present to you:
WHAT IF… Harry Potter was raised by Captain America. Or, as you humans tend to call such things:
Harry Potter and the Legacy of the Past , part 4.
Inside the Gates of Nuremberg
Steve bent over, trying to get his stomach back under control. Apperating had to be the worst method of traveling that Steve had ever experienced. A few minutes ago, there had been several explosions from the areas surrounding Nuremberg and then Steve had been side-along apperated by Charlus right into the courtyard of Nuremberg. Just now, his stomach was catching up to the rest of him.
"You OK Yank?" Mcgonagall asks as the rest of the group CRACK-ed into existence all around the three of them. Doge stumbles a bit as he apperates in, which made Steve feel just a little bit better.
"Yeah. I'll be fine."
"I forgot to warn you mate. This is a bit difficult to get use to," Charlus adds apologizes. "Still, it is one of the fastest methods available."
"Ugh, it may be fast, but it's not exactly fun. Still, we got here and I'm ready to go," Steve says. Drawing his shield, Steve stands and takes up his position at the head of the group. Falling in behind him at his shoulders are Charlus and Argus. Behind Charlus, Richard falls in. Behind Argus, Elphias falls in. Albus brings up the rear of the group. It had been agreed that this would be the best formation for them all. They all knew that there would be some purely mundane threats present and Steve was, simply, the best man for dealing with those particular challenges. Still, from the lack of sounds around them, it was pretty obvious that they were the only ones in the courtyard... and possibly all of Nuremberg.
There is a coldness in the courtyard that Steve couldn't quite place. It wasn't the normal February coldness that he expected. Instead, it was a coldness that seemed to dive into his bones and drives towards his very soul. For a man who faced the the Third Reich's mightiest tools of war, and had stood at the forefront of the European Theater, coldness was not something that normally stirred a sense of fear within him. After all, Captain America stands as the embodiment of the American Fighting Spirit. If the boys in the trenches can face the cold, so could he. Ignoring the coldness, he scans the courtyard as something to keep his mind focused away from the coldness that is tugging at his courage.
The courtyard itself was uniform and bare, and Steve figured that the entire courtyard was about 50 yards across. A single car sat untouched to the left of the entry way to the compound proper. It was a black Mercedes, emblazoned with the marks of the Third Reich. The walls, at least 10 feet tall if Steve had to guess, had a uniform grayness that seemed to suck the very color out of everything else in the area. The only mark of color in the courtyard was the massive flagpole that flies the colors of the Nazi regime. Something about that flag, that one aberrant bright spot in this uniform bleakness angers Steve. It's very existence draws into sharp contrast all of the things that he opposes. His resolve, already impressive, surges to the forefront and he swears to drag that flag down and replace it with the colors of Freedom and Liberty.
As the group moves across the courtyard they are mostly quiet. The only sounds they make are to occasionally point out a defensive position or possible ambush point. Even then, given the silence around them, the six men whisper amongst themselves. It was like they were walking across a graveyard, it was that level of quietness and stillness. This stillness, and lack of of resistance makes Steve's instincts scream that this is a trap. Nothing is ever this easy. Nuremberg is one of the final bastions of the Third Reich, and should have the best guards that Hitler still has available. But, no one is standing in the way. Not even a few Hitler Youth guard the outer courtyard of Nuremberg. It is still. It is quiet. It is unguarded. And it is all horribly wrong.
"I haven't seen a path this unguarded since I was in school and trying to sneak into the girl's dormitories," whispers Charlus. That comment has the effect that the young SAS officer sought, as the tension that had been building disperses. Mr. Bones snorts back a laugh as Sir Longbottom turns with a glare which turns into a tight grin at the cheeky young man. Even Mr. Mcgonagall's normally dour expression brightens a bit. In fact, the only people who seem offended are Mr. Doge and Mr. Dumbledore.
"Mr. Potter," Albus begins before being cut off by Charlus.
"Leftenant, if you don't mind."
"If you insist. Are you sure that this is the proper time to bring up such memories," queries Albus.
"No, but I certainly feel better thinking about those days. What about you lads?"
"How did you do it," Robert asks.
"Gryffendor courage, of course!"
"Gryffendor," Steve asks.
"Worry not about it mate. I'll tell you all about it over tea. Dorea makes the most wonderful lemony biscuits. In fact, I think we should all plan on such a gathering once we have properly trounced these fellows."
"I shan't think that Augusta shall approve of such conversations," Sir Longbottom says.
"Then don't bring her along. Simple as that old friend. We can make it a gentleman's day of it. A spot of tea and then some clay pigeon shooting and a proper supper at one of the pubs nearby. Say, Steve old boy, have you ever had a proper Shepard's Pie? Never mind I am rather sure you haven't. Alas, I shall have to fix that. Bring your young charge with you and we shall resolve that as well."
For the rest of the short walk to the entrance the overbearing gloom that had been laying over the six men was shattered. True, there was a tenseness that rested on each of their shoulders. It was a tension that was born of walking into danger, but the oppressive gloom no longer weighed down on their very souls. It was a much lighter of spirit group that made it to the door of Nuremberg proper.
Standing before the entrance, the group found a dull grey door with a wrought iron plate hanging above it. The sign carries the words: Für das Wohl.
"What does it mean," Robert asks about the sign.
"For the Greater Good. It has always been Grindelwald's motto," comes the voice of Albus from the back of the group. "He believes that all of this, all that the Nazis have done, is done in the cause of the Greater Good."
Something deep and fundamental to who Steve is screams in outrage at that thought. All thoughts of joviality leave as he strides towards the door. 'The Greater Good?', Steve thinks, 'How can anyone think that this could ever lead to anything good?' Turning towards his allies, "There is a Right and a Wrong, and this is clearly Wrong.. and it ends today."
The Super Soldier serum coursing through the veins of Steve Rogers has elevated his once frail body to the utmost of human potential, but it is the mind and spirit of Steven Rogers that is Captain America. And when a red booted foot slams into the door of Nuremberg, it isn't the boot of a super soldier. No, it is the boot of Captain America that is filled with a righteous fury that shatters the door.
"Bloody hell mate! A simple Alohomora would have opened it all proper like," Charlus gasps.
"No!" Steve says with a grim set to his face, "It wouldn't have. Not the way it needs to be opened."
The six men walk into Nuremberg proper. The oppressive grayness is still there, as is the deafening silence, but now there is a furious Captain America standing in the middle of Nuremberg's grand entryway radiating a fury that none had seen from the man before. For the men with him, it was as if the friendly Yank that they had been assigned to work with no longer existed. Instead, in his place, stands a near mythic embodiment of what the Yanks call the American Fighting Spirit. Looking at his friend, Charlus feels a brief flash of pity for whatever fellow would be unfortunate enough to cross the shield bearing man next.
"Our objectives are this way," Captain America says as he starts off towards the first of their assigned targets. Drawn into the force of will of Captain America, the wizards with him could only follow along. So wrapped up in the incredible force that is Captain America, none heard the plaintive whisper of the last member of their group.
"Oh Gellert, this wasn't our plan."
It was three corridors in, that the group finds the first group of Nazi resistance. In the narrow hallway that the men found themselves in, the doors to their left and right open up. Out of those doors came monsters. Strange, warped shells of what were once SS troopers pour out around the 6 men. Thirty forms shamble out towards the men, each clad in the uniform that they had worn when they had entered Nuremberg. That was the only thing connecting them to their past. Instead, the skin of each was a glossy black that didn't reflected any light. At various points on each of them, strange copper tubes connected to canteen sized glass spheres that were filled with a dull orange liquid that bubbled malevolently. Even amid the horrors of their appearance, the cruelest may be the various glowing runes that seemed to cover their skin. The dull blue glow of the runes was most apparent on the foreheads of these once SS Troopers. Whereas the runes on the arms and necks seemed almost Nordic in nature, the ones on their foreheads were clearly Hebrew. It was 'אמת'.
They move slowly and deliberately. The first one to reach the group raises his fist to swing at Captain America. Raising his shield, Captain America blocks the first blow. The force of the blow forces him backward a few inches.
"What are these things," shouts Bones as he dodges another's fist.
"Dark things," replies Dumbledore.
"Not helping mate!" shouts Potter as he moves back to back with Captain America.
"Yes, Dark things that should not be," parrots Doge as he moves away with a nimbleness that no one suspected him of.
The monsters continue to press on the group to the point where none of them are able to dodge.
"Reducto," shouts Longbottom, blasting the heads off of three of the monsters. As their heads disintegrate, the bodies fall limply to the ground. Following his lead Bones, Potter and Mcgonagall follow with blasting curses of their own. Nine more of the monster drop. Doge and Dumbledore still attempt stunning curses to little effect.
"Albus, Elphias! You have to put them down!" shouts Potter. He quickly demonstrates with another blasting curse that just barely misses.
"They are humans! We must save them!" shouts Albus who fires off another stunner that has no effect.
"Golems, Albus, they have been turned into Golems," shouts Lugh as he steps into the guard of another one of the monstrosities. "Anything human about them is gone, stolen by whatever dark magic has been worked on them."
Due to being unable to cast and move at the same time, Captain America is forced into defending his allies. His shield, impervious to all earthly damages, ricochets around the hallway. At every turn, the spinning shield blocks a crushing blow directed at one of the wizards. Even the physical prowess of Captain America is dwarfed by the nightmares facing them. Still, the American fights on. His blows crack the copper tubing of one of the things he is facing, causing the orange liquid to spray out wildly. As the liquid gushes out, the beast slows and its movements become weaker. Wherever the orange liquid hits the ground, a sizzling is heard.
For Albus Dumbledore, however, the revelation that what the beings in front of them had long been stripped of any humanity that they had hit him like a divine revelation. Clutching his wand tightly in his hand, his eyes take on a manic look.
"No," he mutters as flames shoot from his wand in a whip.
"No," he says as he brings the flame whip down on five of the monstrosities, the flames incinerating the beasts.
"NO!," Albus shouts with a mighty roar as flames explode all around him. Allies dodge as the remaining monster burn in a flame that leaves the floor bubbling and smoking. Noxious fumes fill the air for a moment before being banished by the wizards. The others quickly gather back around Dumbledore as he stands there, shaking in rage.
"Bloody hell Albus! What do you think you are doing," Potter shakes the man. "You could have bloody well killed all of us!"
"Give him a moment Charlie," says Steve gently while laying a hand on Charlus' shoulder. "It must be a shock to him to actually see what this War is actually creating. He isn't you or I. He doesn't know what war does to people. He hasn't been to the places we have been. Let him get a grip on things while we move. Who knows what else is waiting for us."
As the group moves forward, more of the golem-trooper hybrids attack them. No one else gets a chance to react to the enemy presence before Dumbledore destroys them with a viciousness that seemed antithetical to the man's normal attitude. No one was going to question it though, as it makes moving through Nuremberg a whole lot safer and easier. Still, it was a good half hour before they finally managed to make it through to where the Reichmagus was suppose to be. Given the relatively easy trip they were having, the group let their guards down . It would turn out to be a terrible mistake.
They soon find themselves at the door to the Reichmagus' throne room. At least, that is how they thought about it. Given the egos that most of the upper echelons of the Reich had, a throne wouldn't be out of the question. As the door opens, Steve leads the group in. Charlus follows quickly after, then the rest of the group. Lugh McGonagall brings up the rear.
Uatu: One wonders what would have happened if this group had not allowed themselves to be lulled into a sense of security. Should they have maintained a constant vigilance, the price of this battle would not have been so high. Still, it is moments like these that define the future.
As Doge fumbles around with a Homo Revealum spell, a green blast shoots out from the other side of the room, connecting with Lugh McGonagall. Without even a scream, the man drops to the ground. The only indication of his passing is the look of horror that is forever etched on his face. As the rest of the wizards look on in shock Steve leaps into action.
"Move!" he shouts as he pushes Bones and Potter out of the way. A second green blast narrowly misses Doge, who trips over his own feet trying to get out of the way. A third green blast shattered a hastily summoned granite block in front of Sir Longbottom.
Then, all hell breaks loose.
Dozens of the monstrosities from earlier stream into the room, shambling faster than any of the wizards thought that they should move. Steve runs to intercept them, with Robert Bones following quickly behind. A fourth green blast is almost negligently countered by the shield of Captain America. Longbottom was busy dealing with two Reichmagi apprentices. Doge finally manages to get his spell off.
"He's there! The Reichmagus is there! Behind the throne," shouts Doge right before a nearby explosion deafens him.
As Steve and Bones fight off the unnatural monstrosities, the room fills with an unnatural coldness.
"Dementors!" cries Potter, raising his wand.
Descending from the ceiling came 10 shadowy figures towards the the group of wizards. With one member of their group already down, the Allies find themselves hard pressed to deal with these new foes. A lucky Reducto from Argus Longbottom turns the tide, driving the dying body of one of the Reichmagi into the other. A sickening crunch is heard as the second German wizard's head hits the wall. A red smear traces his body's descent to the floor. The silvery stag that had shot forth from Potter's wand is soon joined by a silvery badger. Both phantasmal beasts seem to be keeping the shadowy figures at bay. A third silvery form, a retriever, joins the other two.
As all of this is going on, Albus Dumbledore is beginning his duel with Gellert Grindelwald. Already the air is sizzling with energy as the two combatants throw various spells at one another. Grindelwald starts with summoning a swarm of hornets. While distracting, and potentially dangerous, most of the Allies ignore or banish the hornets. Only Doge, who screams something about allergies, seems truly effected. Dumbledore negligently banishes the hornets that come at him and counters by transforming several small rocks from the floor into ropes which he banishes towards Grindelwald. An almost negligent cutting curse ends the threat of the ropes along with 3 of the golem-troopers. Dumbledore throws another spell, and the area around Grindelwald erupts in searingly hot flames. Grindelwald responds by apperating out, coming closer to the Allies. Batting aside minor jinxes from Dumbledore, Grindelwald approaches the other wizard.
"So Albus, meine Liebe, are you sure you want to do this here?" Grindelwald tauntingly asks. Surprisingly, his English has almost no hint of a Germanic accent. Almost as an afterthought, Grindelwald points his wand at Dumbledore and says "Crucio". A red beam of light streaks towards Dumbledore
"Gellert, no.", Albus struggles with his response. At the last second he is able to turn just enough to avoid the spell.
"Look at all your friends around you Albus. They are fighting for their lives here. Why, one of them has already fallen. Tell me Albus," He says as he throws another Bone Breaking jinx at Dumbledore, "how are you going to break the news to his family?"
Bringing up a hastily conjured Protego, Dumbledore is barely able to stave off the jinx from Grindelwald. As the two wizards continue to trade spells, the rest of the Allies aren't faring too well. Potter and Longbottom are doing their level best to keep the Dementors at bay. The strain of maintaining their Patronus charms is starting to show. Potter is sweating and Longbottom is leaning heavily against the wall. The left arm of Robert Bones hangs limply at his side, shattered at the shoulder by one of the techno-alchemical monstrosities he is facing with Captain America. Speaking of Cap, he is suffering from several burns on his arms and legs from where the orange liquid has splashed onto him. Slowly but surely, the two warriors were making their way through the former men. As for Doge, well up to this point he has been a total nonentity up to this point, even his Patronus charm is barely helping keep the Dementors off of the rest of them. So it makes sense that the enemy ignores him. Crawling towards the only shelter in the throne room, Doge moves towards the throne with the intention of hiding behind it. Due to having to crawl around everyone and everything in the room, it takes Elphias a good 20 minutes to reach the throne.
The next twenty minutes are simply put, the stuff from which legends are forged. The monstrosities have had their numbers cut in half due to the efforts of Cap and Bones. Thankfully for Cap, his costume is armored so he is mostly unharmed. The same can't be said for Robert Bones. Already his left arm is useless, and the last creature he hit with a blasting curse was close enough that he was hit with the shrapnel. One glance was all it takes for Steve to realize that the shrapnel took Roger Bone's right eye. Both Charlus and Argus were running out of happy memories to power the Patronus charms that they were holding up, the strain of their spells forcing both men to the ground. While it seems like they are making progress, the Allies know that they are on the razor's edge of defeat.
It is the duel between Gellert Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore that was the true heart of this engagement. In a lot of ways, this encounter could be construed as the crux of the War. Should Grindelwald win, Germany would hold magical supremacy and therefore nearly negating any muggle military moves. Should Grindelwald fall, then the Allies would have a clean march straight to Berlin, and the war would end within the year. Both men know this and fight with a passion. By the time Doge reaches the throne and gets behind cover, both Grindelwald and Dumbledore have thrown various curses and jinxes at each other in an attempt to force an opening within the defenses of the other. Now, both archmages dig into their arsenal.
Dumbledore starts off with blasts of fire that transform into the shape of phoenixes as they approach. Grindelwald dodges and where the flame birds hit the wall, the stone bubbles. Grindelwald counters with blasts of pure ice, shaped like daggers that he sends directly at Dumbledore. Spinning out of the way, Dumbledore makes it through mostly unscathed. A single iceblade scores a cut along the side of his stomach. A muffled gasp of pain escapes the lips of Albus Dumbledore.
"Why do you fight me meine geliebte? Lay your wand down and join me. Together we can have what we have always wanted. With you by my side, we have finally achieve our goals!" The tone of Grindelwald's voice is pleading yet there is an underlying feeling of subterfuge.
"No, Gellert. I have seen what you are willing to do. I can't justify what you have done. I will stop you!" with that summons his flame whip. The burning construct strikes towards Grindelwald, connecting not only with 4 of the Techno-abominations, but Grindelwald's left hand and charring all it touches to ash.
As Grindelwald screams in pain, Dumbledore take the opportunity to turn the flamewhip on the creatures confronting Steve and Bones. Soon most of the abominations are reduced to ashes. While Dumbledore is dealing with the creatures, Grindelwald is fumbling with a potion from his pocket. Downing it, he sighs and crouches low. With a disturbing rapidity, the potion takes effect and Grindelwald screams in pain. As only Doge is watching this, he is witness to an unbelievable sight. A spurt of blood forces its way through the cauterized stump of Grindelwald's left hand. Now, freshly opened back up and bleeding freely the burnt off hand regrows itself.
The unexpected sight of a hand regrowing itself shocks Doge horribly. In his shock, Elphias Doge backpedals away from the throne he was hiding behind. There are many forces that are believed to play a role in the events of a human's life. Fate, Chance, Destiny, Karma all are known to influence the course of human events. No one is quite sure which one which one had a hand in what happens next, as none of them are willing to take credit for it. When confronted, they each point to the other and deny any involvement. Regardless of who is to blame, the event happens. The event is Elphias Doge falls and develops a knot on the back of his head.
Uatu: Sometimes, some of the most significant moments in History occur on accident.
While Mr. Doge bumping his noggin is the event, it is the fallout of the event that is important to the course of events. Please keep in mind that Mr. Doge backpedals away from the throne in an attempt to get away from Gellert Grindelwald and his amazing regrowing hand. We have already witnessed the fact that Mr. Doge isn't the most graceful person in the group, so it should come as a shock to no one that he trips over his own two feet. Stumbling backwards several paces, he finally loses his balance completely and slams back into the wall, knocking himself rather silly for a bit. It is while Mr. Doge is in this disoriented state that the truly significant event occurs.
As Mr. Doge wobbles about back and forth, he stumbles through a runic array. Specifically, it is the runic array that is keeping the Dementors in the room bound to the physical plane. It is the random steps of Elphias Doge that shatter the runic array, and sever the link holding the Dementors on Earth. An unearthly wail pierces the throne room as all ten Dementors dissipate back to whatever Hell Realm that they originate from. Exhaustion finally claims Sir Argus Longbottom, and he collapses. Charlus Potter sinks to his knees, breathing deeply.
A cry of rage issues forth from the throat of Gellert Grindelwald at the destruction of the runic array. Gone now would be his ability to use the Dementors in this battle. Growling, he casts a Petrificus Totalus at the already disoriented Elphias Doge. Furious, the careful control that Grindelwald had been showing slips and a much thicker accent lay on his next statement.
"You, I vill save for later. I vill enjoy killing you greatly for this."
Turning back to Albus, he witnesses the destruction of the last of his creations. Robert Bones is nearly unconscious and Steve has been acting as a living shield for the young auror. Grindelwald quickly snaps off a couple of mid power curses at the auror and Captain America. One is stopped by Cap's shield, and the other is caught by a Protego cast by Dumbledore.
"Get him out of here! It is finally time that Gellert and I finish this!" Albus shouts at Steve.
Complying, Steve throws the nearly unconscious auror over his shoulders and sprints towards where Charlus and Argus are resting.
As the weary warriors watch, the next two hours are filled with a display of magical might that hadn't been seen since the time of Merlin himself. Flame whip meets ice daggers. Grindelwald casts illusions and spells of darkness that Dumbledore counters with ease. Dumbledore attacks with transfigurations beyond the scope of what any normal wizard could ever even imagine that Grindelwald banishes or destroys with a ruthless brutality.
As the battle wages on, neither side seems to be gaining an upper hand. This fact seems to frustrate Grindelwald almost beyond reason. Occasionally he stares at his wand with a sense of bewilderment. Other times, his fury is so great that he throws a curse at the group trying to recover their strength. Dark curses cannot penetrate the shield of Captain America though.
It is during one of the few breaks that the two combatants take that they finally find words for one another.
"Albus, meine Liebe, why do we fight? Even now, I would welcome you at my side. Cease this foolishness and come to me meine Liebe. Together, we can accomplish it all. See!, " Grindelwald says holding up his wand, " I have it! Already I have one third of the Deathly Hallows in my hands! Behold the Deathstick Albus, meine Liebe! With the might of the German army behind us, we can easily find the other two. We will be the Masters of Death and we will rule the world!"
"Gellert, this isn't how it was suppose to happen. Millions of lives are gone now because of this madness!"
"Madness, Albus? I know it looks like that now, but History will remember me as having done all of this for the Greater Good. My way, in the end, will be proven to be right and you know that! The sacrifices of these men lay the groundwork for the Greater Good and they will be honored greatly when our Utopia holds sway."
"No Gellert, these are are atrocities and not noble sacrifices. I cannot accept a Utopia built on atrocities!"
"Then you insist on carrying this fight through to the very end meine Liebe?"
"I have no choice Gellert."
"You remember what happened the last time we fought Albus, don't you?"
"I will not allow that to happen again!"
"Tell me Albus, have you figured out who is responsible for Ariana's death? Or are you afraid to look at it too deeply because in your heart you know it was YOU!"
Gellert's words hit Albus like a giant's fist and the man physically recoils. Gellert reacts instantly aiming his wand at the British wizard and shouting "Avada Kedavra"
Steve Rogers doesn't know magic, but he recognizes the green bolt of energy shooting forth from the wand of Grindelwald and he reacts on instinct. Through the air he flings the in a desperate attempt to block the deadly bolt. Seeing this, a feral grin spreads across the face of Gellert Grindelwald.
"Your Ariana reveals himself. Because of your unwillingness to, once again, listen to reason, the Yank's blood shall be on your head!"
With that, Grindelwald cast a blasting curse at the now defenseless Captain America. His shield soars through the air, intercepting Grindelwald's killing cure without even a scratch but will never make it back in time to stop the curse now streaking towards Steve. Seconds before the curse collides with the Super Soldier, he is grabbed and thrown to the ground. The body of Charlus Potter covers Captain America, and his body absorbs the shrapnel from where the wall behind them explodes from the force of Grindelwald's spell. Charlus screams in agony as rock fragements from the wall shred his right knee.
Uatu: Magic recognizes debts. Sometimes those debts are of duty, and if there is one thing that is intrinsic to Steve Rogers it is a sense of duty.
It is the scream of Charlus that snaps Albus out of his stupor. Shaking his head, he turns and watches as Captain America's soar past him on its return journey.
"No Gellert. Not again. Never again. Never again will you befoul Ariana's name with your mouth. Never again will you commit atrocities in the name of our Greater Good. I will end this now!" Albus says quietly at first, but as he progress his voice grows to a mighty roar. Once more, his mighty flame whip manifests and before anyone can react he brings it down across the Gellert Grindelwald, the Reichmagus.
A scream of anguish comes from the fallen Reichmagus. The flame whip had scored truly as Gellert Grindelwald lay on the floor missing his right hand at the wrist and his left leg below the knee. The feared wand of the Reichmagus lay on the ground, still clutched in his severed hand. As Grindelwald lay there, finally still after passing out from the pain, Albus sinks to his knees with tears streaming down his cheeks. Meanwhile Steve finally manages to get Charlus off of him and begins to treat the wounds the Brit received saving his life.
"Dorea'd kill me if (gasp) I let you die before she could meet you," Charlus tries to joke as Steve cleans the debris out of the shattered remains of his knee.
"Not now Charlie. We have to get you to a doc pretty quick, or you may lose your leg."
"Not a worry mate, Dorea (deep breath) loves me for my sparkling personality and not my gams."
Argus Longbottom finally gets himself up off the floor. Exhaustion still evident on his face, he stands and looks around for a bit. Spotting Doge, he turns to Steve.
"I'll free Doge and we'll get Robert and Charlus to medical treatment. We'll also take Lugh's body home. Then, I think I am going to sleep for a week. Albus can get you out, if you don't mind." the older auror explains wearily. Walking over to where Doge still stands petrified, he releases the man and browbeats him into following his lead. Longbottom picks up Potter and Doge struggles under the weight of Bones. Two cracks of apperation and all four men are gone.
The sound of pounding footsteps draw Steve's attention. It sounds like a single individual sprinting down the hallways towards the throne room. Bursting into the room is Bucky.
"Cap! We need your help! Red Skull has the Howling Commandos pinned down and he's getting ready to escape. We have to stop him Cap, he's going to bomb Washington!"
Authors Note: First of all, I hope the length of this chapter makes up for some of the delays I have had in posting. Yes, I know I am ending it on a cliffhanger and I apologize. I do want to thank my Kuerig, Spell Check, and Youtube music for their assistance in creating this chapter. I also want to thank Google Translate as I don't speak German and I have forgotten everything I have ever known about Hebrew. Here are the foreign words and phrases and what they mean (per Google Translate):
Für das Wohl—For the Greater Good
meine geliebte – My beloved
meine Liebe – My love
אמת – 'Truth' (it is commonly considered to be the word engraved on a golem's forehead to bring them to life).