Grindelwald ventures into Augurey-rearing and past misadventures with a phoenix.
1951
Spring 1951
Dear Albus
A very grudging thank-you for my new companion. I have named the Augurey you sent me Guy. Almost came close to wringing his neck over the winter season with his constant moaning, but I think we are over the worst of it. His cries invoke memories of a certain summer and an old goat barn. I really do not need to think of balmy summers when we are freezing our socks off in the mountains.
I had sworn off rearing birds after that business with Aurelius' phoenix. For some reason that stupid bird hated me. If Aurelius were not such an obedient kid, I would have sworn he set the bird up to start those fires in my bedclothes in the middle of the night and incinerate my clothes when I am in the bath. That bird was homicidal where I and many of the castle staff were concerned. We had burning embers rained down on us, regular attempts at having our eyes put out, among other stuff. Perhaps hastening the bird's growth was detrimental to its character development. It was crazy protective where his young friend was concerned. The only ones that seemed to escape his wrath were Aurelius, Queenie, and Kama. I understood Aurelius was sweet on Queenie. Not sure why Kama was spared – might be some family magics he inherited from his folks.
Grindelwald
10th April 1951
Dear Gellert
Having a phoenix as a loyal companion, I must attest to their intelligence and insight. Perhaps the question is why Aurelius' loyal phoenix took against you in the first place then. Let's see… manipulating a naïve young man into doing things against his better nature, using him as a tool before abandoning him once his usefulness to you is over… Letting him get physically, mentally and emotionally hurt repeatedly … Getting bombarded with burning embers is getting off easy. I believe the bird saw through you from the start and failing to convince Aurelius to leave your lot, settled for trying to incinerate you in bed.
Queenie tried to help the poor boy. Yusuf, though he did not have a chance to properly apologize to Aurelius over that mix-up in Paris, refrained from picking on him as your personal pet like so many of your cohorts did. I know young men like to play some wild games once the booze start flowing, but waiting for the boy to take a bath before making off with all his clothes except his shirt collar? Or filling his oatmeal bowl with kibble at breakfast? Not to mention the naughty poems on the downstairs water closet walls the boy took it on himself to vanish off lest the ladies come across them. It's a testimony to my nephew's good nature that he put up with all that crap without levelling the entire castle as you know he was capable of doing. So let's just say that bird was a smart one.
Albus Dumbledore
Spring 1951
Dear Albus
Guy has found a partner and they have started a nest under the eaves outside my window. The silly bird was skinny enough to slip through the bars whenever he chooses. He does not seem to like his pellets much, preferring fresh food. They must have met out there in the open sky, though it is rare for augureys to be found in these parts. We might even have chicks later in the year.
Watching the two lovebirds cuddle makes me, well, a bit lonesome. As much as I hate to admit this – Albus, I miss you.
Gellert Grindelwald
P.S. Visit me please?
15 May 1951
Dear Gellert
May I enquire as to what you have been smoking? This sentimentality does not become you, given that you have been the Dark Wizard for almost a quarter century… Still, I suppose we are entitled to our little fancies at our age. A little cottage in Hogsmeade. Goats in the yard… Dinners at Abe's place. His establishment may be shabby – he gave up sprucing things up after his son died – but his meat pies are to die for.
Whimsically yours
Albus Dumbledore
Summer 1951
Dear Albus
You had to spoil it with the goats, definitely no goats. They stink, they butt, and they bite. Then your weirdo brother who runs an inn but chases away most of his guests with a pitchfork. They had a series of articles back in 1932-33 about the grumpy hermit of Hogsmeade. How did he end up prison in 1933? Something he did with a goat?
By the way, Guy and Greta have darling two chicks in the nest now. Their calls bring tears to my eyes.
Liebling.
Gellert Grindelwald
21 June 1951
Dear Gellert
Apologies, I should have known owning goats was a sensitive matter for you after that night we both got drunk off your Auntie's brandy and decided to run through the goat pen, au naturel. You had to stop for a leak halfway. I ended up having to wake your Auntie up to render some urgent medical attention to you as a result. About 1932-1933, my brother was seeing off unwanted guests in the form of reporters who would not leave him or his son in peace. We shall not go into the details of that misadventure with the goat.
Are you feeling alright? Four augureys in close proximity can be a little taxing for anyone… as you are a Seer, you might be more sensitive…
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. Please reply soon
Summer 1951
Dearest Albus
Words cannot convey the sorrow I feel for all that has happened between us. Farewell.
Yours always, dearest liebling
Gellert
1st July 1951
Dear Gellert
I was shocked to hear that you have tried to throw yourself out the window and got stuck between the bars. I hope you are recovering from the melancholia you were infected with due to your pets. I am sorry but the augureys must go. Newt did warn me that Seers are especially susceptible to the feelings of intense sorrow caused by the augurey's cries. Four birds was really pushing it.
Rest assured that the family will be released in a nice sanctuary in Ireland. Newt's an expert magizoologist who has many years working with the species. The family cannot be in better hands. The chicks were already fledging and will be ready to leave the nest by fall. May I interest you in knitting?
Albus Dumbledore
Fall 1951
Dear Albus
Please disregard whatever mawkish, maudlin, sentimental nonsense I have been writing to you thanks to those stupid birds. I still hate you.
Grindelwald
P.S. Are little Hansel and Gretel doing well? They were such adorable fluffballs.
Author's Notes:
Guy Fawkes. Is Gellert trying to link himself and Albus again?
As a child, I made the mistake of annoying some crows by chasing them off a kitten. I was subject to daily dive-bombings and aerial attacks for a few years until the flock moved on. The smarter the bird, the deeper the grudge.
In the Harry Potter world, the cries of the augurey are said to invoke feelings of sadness