The plan started rather simply. They appeared in an Alley in one of the more distant French cities. It took her a moment to realize that Abernathy had been more informed than she was.
He guided her towards the key points that most wizards were and she was surprised how many recognised her. However, all seemed to be followers or potentially interested.
She spoke faintly, giving her best impression of Gellert and trying to sound as charming as he was. She made sure her sentences were sort and with his faint accent, just like he usually did.
Abernathy spoke more, passing them magical flyers and talking about an upcoming rally where Gellert Grindelwald would give his speech and inform them of something great.
The first few cities went quite smoothly, many getting riled up and ready to join while others were clearly deep in thought. Only a few seemed to oppose but no one dared to make a move.
In one of their last stops, they were met by resistance. During one of the speeches, a few Aurors that seemed to have been placed undercover tried to attack them.
Thankfully, Roxanne blocked their spells with a simple shield charm, and Abernathy quickly made them step back. The problem was, Roxanne and Gellert had many different dueling styles and she was afraid they would get exposed.
To their rescue came their supporters, many of whom grabbed their wands and defended them despite the risk of exposing themselves to any muggle passing by.
In that small moment of chaos, Abernathy grabbed her upper arm and teleported them back to the main house.
The landing was a little bit rough, both almost stumbling as their feet touched the wooden floors of the Parisian house. Once they were stable on their feet, did they look at one another.
Abernathy still had his hand around her and Roxanne, knowing they were safe; had quickly chosen to transform back to herself. She ignored how the suit fell baggy on her form, being a few sizes too big and instead gave a small smile.
Adrenaline pumped through her veins, her heart ringing in her ear and by the look Abernathy had; he was under a similar feeling.
"That was a close one," she said, slowly getting her breath under control. "Thank you, for saving me back there" she continued.
Upon seeing her back in her normal form, the American wizard could not help but smile as well. The oversized suit looked cute on her and her voice was always more preferable to Grindelwald's heavier one. Realizing he was still holding her hand, he gently released her.
"It's my pleasure...I mean...my job was to assist you either way and couldn't let you be exposed" he justified, clearly trying hard not to overdo it but failing to do so.
Yet, Roxanne was amused by his reaction and she was glad to be in his presence. Unlike Vinda, Abernathy was a warmer person. Sure at the beginning he was kind of cold towards her, which was expected, but he had slowly warmed up to her.
She could see he wasn't truly a bad person and was only serious because he was an acolyte but it was not a major thing of his personality.
"Well, I think you did your job very well. It wouldn't have been successful without your presence" she commented, humble as ever.
"I doubt it. I saw you giving those small speeches. You have a talent and your unique skills match you. I am sure you would have managed to fool anyone" he argued, passively complimenting her.
At first, he was mistrustful of her, he was not going to lie. Showing up one day and being immediately favoured by Grindelwald without truly having done much, compared to everyone else; triggered him wrong.
However, he had slowly come to realize she was not like them. Despite being an acolyte, there was this sweetness and light that no one else had. She did stand out amongst everyone else and over the few hours those two worked together; he got a better idea of her character.
It made him wonder how someone like her, talented and kind-hearted ended up tangled in the dark webs of this revolutionary movement for wizarding superiority.
Her smile remained and she had glanced down momentarily, clearly feeling shy with the compliment. "Thank you. I better get changed and inform Gellert of the mission, if you do not mind"
Gellert, that was their leader's first name. Abernathy knew that but like every other acolyte, he never dared to use it. So far, only Vinda seemed to be the only one calling him that and only on very rare occasions.
Roxane, on the other hand, seemed to have a more informal relationship with the dark wizard or was simply given more freedom in how to address him. This was still odd to him but he had come to realize it was never her fault. He had chosen to give her that freedom and not even the gods knew of the reasonings behind most of his actions.
"Of course. We will talk again, after all, we are under the same roof" he joked, making her chuckle.
Somehow proud to hear her chuckling, amused by his joke, he walked down the corridor and allowed her to return to her room to change. He had this small silly smile on his face as if her presence had hexed him.
After changing into her clothes, Roxanne made her way towards Gellert's office or at least the office of the former house owner who was no longer present.
She knew he would be there since he did spend most of his time in that room. He was busy scheming, and from what Roxanne had understood; he also trying to keep track of Credence and most likely any signs of Albus.
The door was closed when she arrived and she gently knocked her fist against it, waiting until she got the verbal response she wanted. Once she did, she gently turned the knob, pushed the door open and walked inside.
"Roxanne" Gellert greeted her, his voice smooth and her name coated by his faint accent. "I see you have returned from your mission. How did it go?"
The witch walked to stand in front of his desk, her steps confident and her unique eyes always locked on his form. The door behind her had already been closed and once again, they had the privacy of the room.
She stopped behind the desk but chose not to sit down as she quickly filled him in. She mentioned the cities and villages they visited, the supporters and even the resistance at their last stop.
While she spoke, she also silently studied his expressions. While mostly indifferent, it was clear that he was paying attention to her words. When she brought up the resistance, there was this faint sign of a scowl forming on his lips and a faint frown between his eyebrows.
He knew there could be trouble and he also knew that Abernathy would keep her safe. Of course, that did not mean he enjoyed hearing about it. In the end, though, she was untouched and back to him.
"Overall, I would say you got your supporters ready" Roxanne said, ending her little report. "Although I am uncertain how long it will take for the French Ministry to trace us back to Paris"
Gellert stood up slowly. "Let them chase their own tails. They are not as formidable as they portray themselves to be. Years of suppressing their nature have weakened them, just as it will help us gather the supporters we need" he commented and walked around the desk, heading her way.
"I was surprised with their numbers. They truly are suppressed and agitated. I saw their reactions while I was impersonating your speeches"
He came to a halt in front of her, pride visible in his eyes upon hearing her words. It was about time for her to see what he saw, the harsh and dark truth that was being ignored for the sake of secrecy.
He needed her on the same boat as him, now more than ever. He had hoped this plan would have such effect on her and he was not disappointed when his decision bore fruits, rather sooner than he expected.
Not that he minded it. On the contrary... he took joy in it.
"I shouldn't be surprised that you took notice or that you did well with the speeches," he said, his lips forming a charming smirk. "I expected nothing less from you, Roxanne" he gently moved his hand and let his fingers trace the scar on her cheek like he used to do when they were younger.
She craned her neck and lifted her head, to have him fully in her field of vision; due to the height difference existing between them. However, upon doing so, she took real notice of just how close the two of them were.
Their eyes connected and both fell silent, both just watched one another with this silent tension between them.
For a moment, Roxanne felt as if she was transported years back; when she was just a teenager. Back to her first dance with Gellert or all those intimate nights they spent together, just looking one another in the eyes.
She had long seen the deep darkness hidden within his beautiful orbs, had long taken fondly of his confident and dominating presence as he towered above her...studying her and waiting to see her reactions.
In the past, perhaps she would have blushed under his intense gaze but now...now she just felt drawn to it, like a moth to a candle flame.
His touch made her shiver faintly and her lips parted faintly in reaction when he tilted his head to the side.
Gellert had been studying her in silence, his finger gently tracing the scar one way and then the other. He could faintly take notice of the goosebumps on her skin or how her pupils dilated at his closing presence.
He wondered if the feelings they shared when they were younger were still there and if she still had this willingness to be by his side in more than one way.
He chose to try and test it and he did so, by first bending his head to the side. Faintly taunted her, taking pride in studying her expressions and noticing how her neck bobbed faintly with each silent gulp.
His eyes fell on her lips that parted faintly as if taunting him to seal them closed. For a moment, he could not help but wonder if they tasted the same as they did all those years ago. That sweet and rather intoxicating taste that he had found often thinking about when no other woman could ever truly match them...match her.
He subconsciously brought his face closer to hers, slowly but always with the same confidence he did anything. Their breaths mingled to the point they could sense it on each other and their lips parted more, ready to lock together like pieces of the same puzzle.
His hand on her cheek stopped moving but stayed there, feeling the heat against his fingers while their pupils dilated wide with desire and even lust.
Yet, Gellert chose to pull back his head and retreat his hand. "I am pleased with your progress. You should go and rest, you have earned it" he said, his professionalism once again, on.
His sudden reaction made Roxanne stare for a moment before she managed to get control of herself and her mind. She cleared her throat, trying to ignore the embarrassment and also to prove she was as strong-willed as he was...which she should be in the first place.
"Thank you," she said and nodded her head before heading for the door, not once daring to look behind her.
The very same night, Roxanne was sitting on her bed and was hugging her pillow. She let out another heavy sigh and rested her chin on it.
In her right hand, she held the phoenix feather but she did not dare to use it. Well, she didn't really have much to tell Albus for starters but also...she was not sure she could face him.
After what happened with Gellert, she had spent hours trying to make sense of her feelings and gain control over them.
She harshly and strictly scolded herself, reminding her that she was there for a mission and nothing else. She did not have the luxury to get sidetracked or mess around with Gellert.
Plus, she was with Albus.
Sure, in the last the three of them shared everything but things changed. Back then, there was no delight or desire between them and often the three of them shared a bed at night and of course; shared one another.
Sometimes, there would be more private moments between two of the three members but no one minded.
Now though...she knew this could not be.
Albus and Gellert hadn't seen each other in years, having all taken separate paths after Arianna's death during their duel. She doubted any feelings were harboured between them any longer but even if they did...they were on opposite sides of this upcoming war.
And her...she was supposed to be on one side and yet with each passing day, she felt herself more and more conflicted. She found herself standing right in the middle, forced to choose and yet being unable to.
She should easily choose the side of Albus but...why did she hesitate?
Feeling like a teenager once again, Roxanne buried her face in the white pillow and muffled a groan of annoyance.
She needed to get her head together before it was too late.