In this unique plane, accessible only to the two of them; Albus and Roxanne were able to talk in peace.
The witch had shortly informed him of what took place and about Credence, having survived and being in Paris.
"Gellert was after the Obscurus since New York. I am not surprised he is still after the boy" Albus said and let out a heavy sigh.
"I am not sure why he needs him but I can tell it's personal. I will try to find out more, about his whereabouts and the reason why Gellert thinks he is so important" she said, making him look at her with a sad smile.
Albus moved to stand in front of her and placed his hand gently on her cheek. She leaned calmly against it, enjoying the warmth and the intimate touch.
"You be careful, Roxie. Don't snoop too much and risk it all" he told her, his voice serious and clear with concern.
She opened her mouth to argue but the look he gave her made her stop herself. She gave a few nods and gently kissed his palm before placing her hand against his.
It was clear that he was simply worried about her and he had every right. Every move she made was crucial for either Gellert or someone of his acolytes could start to suspect.
She needed to be extra careful because even if Gellert couldn't harm her directly, he could easily put someone else to finish the job.
"I promise I will be careful," she said, making the slightest tension leaves his body as he kissed her forehead.
"How are you holding up? How is he treating you?" He asked, looking into her eyes as if he could see her most recent memories and ensure she was indeed alright.
Roxanne leaned a little more against his hand. "I am quite well. Although I am troubled" she said and he tilted his head faintly in curiosity. "Gellert has been nothing but a gentleman and I can see he has me in High regard...his way of introducing me and the special treatment, it doesn't seem right. It is clear that his acolytes do not fully approve and I do not blame them"
"You think he has some ulterior motive?"
She took a deep breath and pressed her lips to form a thin line. "I don't know, I think so. But I can't tell if he is trying to prove something to me or the others" she explained, voicing her thoughts.
"Be careful, Roxie?" Albus said, placing his other hand on her cheek and connecting their foreheads.
She smiled at the gesture, almost feeling his well-maintained beard tickling her skin and a part of her wished that she could kiss him right now. However, it would not be a real kiss for they were not truly present with one another.
"I promise I will," she said calmly and closed her eyes for a moment, him doing the same. After a small sweet moment between them, she broke the silence. "I have to go now, Albus"
She could almost feel the hands resting on her cheek stiffen, wishing not to let her go but he knew he had to. With a small hum, he slowly took a step back.
She gave him another smile, shorter than what she used to but he would take any of her smiles without a complaint.
It did not take more than a few seconds for the world around her to dissolve.
When Roxanne opened her eyes again, she was back in her room given to her by Gellert. With a sigh, she stood up and walked towards the window that overlooked the city.
For a moment, she saw her reflection against the glass but quickly focused outside. She knew she had changed since the incident, being merely a shell of her teenage self.
The lights outside and the quiet city soothed her thoughts and she took a deep breath to ease her nerves as well.
The next day came faster than Roxanne anticipated. Thankfully, she had a good enough sleep and was able to get up early to grab some breakfast.
She simply greeted the acolytes with a mere nod, and some were decent enough to do the same. It was a start at least and she could not help but wonder how she would earn their trust.
Her thoughts were snapped out of focus by a knock at the door. Curious, she went ahead and opened it halfway only to see one of the acolytes; Abernathy.
"Lord Grindelwald has requested your presence in his office." He said, confusing her for a moment with such an odd request.
However, she didn't show it and instead kept her thoughts private.
"Of course" was all she replied and exited her room, allowing him to lead her.
She glanced around as they walked, memorising the hallways so she wouldn't have to be escorted again. It was clear that his course not really happy with such a role either.
Once they arrived, she gave him just the faintest of smiles. "Thank you," she told him, catching him off guard.
She wasted no time knocking on the closed door before entering. She quickly glanced around the office, taking in the decoration and realising that this was not his style.
It was someone else's and Gellert had occupied it, for the moment. She suspected that the original owner of the house was a loyal follower, who gave this house willingly. Yet, a part of her doubted that but she did not want to focus too much on that dark theory.
"You asked to see me?" She asked as she walked inside and closed the door behind her.
She took notice of the magic chessboard placed on the desk and waited. Then, her eyes fell on his form.
He had his back turned at her, his attention focused outside the closed window. He had his hands behind his back and she could almost still his perfect face and dark expression as it got reflected on the glass.
"Roxanne, thank you for coming," he said, his tone having the usual flattery. He then turned to look at her, her eyes staring into her soul for a moment too long. "Please, join me for a game" he continued and with one extended hand, motioned at the chess board.
She lifted an eyebrow at the odd request but decided to comply. She made her way towards the desk before sitting down, facing the whites.
She always preferred choosing black ones when she played chess. She simply found that having the white possessed higher risk because you had the first move. This meant that your whole plan could be easily discovered before even the game had truly begun.
With the black, however, you moved second and it gave you the advantage to think over what you wanted to do ad maybe even catch early an incoming trap from the opponent.
However, whenever she played with Gellert, she always had the white ones. For some reason, he always went for the black ones and sometimes she found it ironic, considering how she always associated him and his power with the colour black.
Sitting down, Gellert soon joined her from the other side of the desk. For a moment, she could not help but smile as they sat down, across from one another.
They used to sit in similar positions when they were teenagers, spending their time playing chess when not researching the Deathly Hallows. It made her nostalgic for such good and happy times that a part of her wished she could travel back in time and simply stay there.
"I believe this brings back memories," he said as he had been eyeing her carefully.
She looked from the chess board at him, having that small smile on her lips. "It does, I Will not lie but they are positive ones," she said as she finally made the first move by commanding her pawn to move.
Magic Chess was similar to the original, only that the pieces moved with each command. On top of that, when it was time for an attack, they violently smashed one another. Yet, in the end, they were still enchanted and would repair themselves.
"A simple move" Gellert pointed out as he voiced out his move.
Roxanne kept that small smile. "One can't be too careful," she said as she thought of her next move.
Around you, she wanted to add but chose not to. She wasn't a big fan of secrets or lying or deception, especially to someone she shared feelings for and had considered very close to.
They made a few moves, Roxanne taking little of her time as she tried to form a good plan. She didn't mind losing but she always tried her hardest not to and never allowed someone an easy victory.
Eventually, one of his pawns was in the line of shot and she sent her pawn to take it down.
Her small victorious move was not very lasting for he used his crook from the other side of the board to take hers down, creating an opening to her Bishop.
"Life favours risk-takers" he added, her move making her chew her inner lip carefully.
She looked at the board with concentration, one hand under her chin for support. She hadn't lost many pieces but neither did he and she still had chances to defend her Bishop and take down his pieces.
However, a thought remained in her mind. It kept coming up again and again, never being able to hold it deeper for long.
Life favours risk-takers, she repeated in her mind and decided to take one risk.
"What are your plans for Credence Barebone?" She finally asked, before moving a pawn closer to a diagonal attack at his crook.