Grindelwald is receiving mail, not all of which are welcome. He has learnt his lesson about overlooking the smaller magical beasts, but not to Albus' approval.
1953
21st April 1953
Dear Mr Grindelwald
I am writing to update you on the well-being of your augureys. We regret to inform you that the large male, Guy, had an unfortunate encounter with a Welsh Green when he strayed from the bounds of the augurey sanctuary last week. His mate Greta has not been doing well since and is not expected to survive as augureys mate for life and tend to become co-dependent on each other. A bird generally does not survive more than a year after the demise of its mate. We are trying to introduce her to another mate given the precariousness of the European augurey population, but we doubt it will work.
The chicks from their previous clutches are thriving. The last brood of three are so far gaining weight at a satisfactory rate though they are not ready to breed yet. Two males and a female. To limit the possibility of inbreeding, we will be sending the males to other sanctuaries when older. The two older chicks are faring well. Gretel has been seen with one of the sanctuary's older males – Azores, we believe, and might be nesting soon.
Her brother Hansel has been a bit of a handful. He has developed an unfortunate preference for the company of humans instead of his own kind. We tried introducing a nice female to him but they did not suit. However, we feel he has the good nature needed to be a public ambassador for his species. I intend to take him with me to Hogwarts to educate the next generation on the importance of augurey conservation. Rest assured we will take good care of Hansel.
Professor Newt Scamander
Care of Magical Creatures, Hogwarts
P.S. Please find enclosed pictures of the chicks, Hansel and a distant shot of Gretel's courtship flight.
Spring 1953
Dear Mr Scamander
Which idiot sets up a bird sanctuary near a dragon's lair? It's no wonder your augurey population is precarious. About the photo of three fluffballs – I do not recall Hansel and Gretel looking that ugly as babies. Are you sure they are Guy's? He was quite a handsome bird. Hansel clearly takes after his sire. Such a magnificent specimen of an augurey male. As for Gretel's matrimonial flight… all I can see are two black dots circling each other.
You take good care of Hansel, you hear? Keep those brats away from him. Make sure they do not pull his feathers.
Grindelwald
P.S. I would like some company in here. Perhaps you might be able to provide me with a niffler or a bowtruckle for a companion?
15th August 1953
Dear Gellert
It is good to know that you are up to your old tricks. After Newt kindly sent you a bowtruckle and a niffler, you taught the bowtruckle to pick locks and had the niffler steal for you the warden's keys to the front door. Well done. I do hope you enjoyed that little jog about the yard before the guards caught you. I did I mention we hexed all the brooms in Nurmengard not to fly? It could have been worse - you might have decided to take off from the balcony and earned yourself a long stint in bed.
Seriously, I salute you for your tenacity and ingenuity. Some things never change, I guess. The Austrians probably might want to do something about it. We rejected their request to send the Dementor over (again).
This escape attempt is definitely not one of your better ones. We are confiscating your cellmates as we cannot possibly allow a replay of the events of last week. They will be returned to Newt's care and will be assisting him in his lessons at Hogwarts come fall.
Your friend always
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. Sending you your Auntie's shortbread cookies as consolation. She also sends you a teddy bear to keep you company at night.
Fall 1953
Dear Albus
Seriously, manacles? I am to be chained to the wall in my cell like some animal? May I have some say in what I am required to wear on account of our long friendship? Perhaps something that does not cut into the skin so much. May I request them to be like non-existent?
Yours sincerely
Gellert Grindelwald
1st October 1953
Dear Gellert
Sorry, my friend. It is quite out of my hands now. It was either the Dementor's Kiss or you chained to a wall after the last escape bid. I doubt we will be able to continue our little exchanges if you got the Kiss, so I personally selected the nicest set of manacles we have here and sent them over. I have sent you some ointment for any chafing. I do hope they are a good fit for you. There should be enough chain length for you to walk about in the cell. Perhaps if you behave, the warden will allow you a few hours in the courtyard, in a few years or so.
Your friend
Albus Dumbledore
P.S. Please do not try anything stupid like hanging yourself with the chain or choking a guard, I charmed it to break under those circumstances. Then we will have to use the one with the ball weight.
Author's Notes:
A rather lame attempt at a jailbreak courtesy of Grindelwald. And of course, he gets punished for it.