Chapter 53
AN: Hi, I'm back, sorry that it's been so long, I have very little justification. I'm still not great mental health wise, I am getting help, but it's a long road. If you have emailed me to get the reading the books portion of this story and have not received it please email charmed4lifekaren ( ) gmail . com again and I will get it to you. I think I have sent it to everyone, but I might have missed someone.
"No," Albus tells Gellert, his voice pained. "Gellert, at the moment they have no reason to arrest you, our deal is solid, but the second you give them a reason they won't take you back to Nurmengard, they'll take you to Azkaban," Albus says, knowing that and not wanting Gellert to go there, he's already lost one person he loves to that place, to that darkness, he doesn't want to lose another.
"Albus are you really naive enough to believe that they will give me a chance?" Gellert asks. "If I am going down anyway, I might as well do some good," Gellert comments, as from his point of view going back into custody seems like a certainty, he doesn't see those in power letting him be free forever.
"That wouldn't be doing some good, that would be making the easy choice, not the right one," Mie comments, knowing that she is quoting her father, which all three of them know, but she feels like it is best. "There aren't a lot of people from my timeline who still haunt my dreams, Umbridge is one of them. I want her to go down more than anyone, but not at your expense," Mie tells Gellert, knowing that would break her father. "Dad's right, you haven't done anything yet, we can protect you, but if you go after Umbridge we can't," Mie tells Gellert, sounding so very much like her father.
"What if I want to protect the two of you?" Gellert asks, looking between Mie and Albus, as that's what he wants.
"Going after Umbridge is not how you do that," Albus tells him, and he takes a step closer to his love. "Force isn't the answer, outsmarting her is," Albus tells him. "I love that you want to protect us, but not like this," Albus tells him. "Let's come up with a plan together… please," Albus requests, his tone of voice almost begging, and for a few moments Gellert is quiet.
"Okay," Gellert finally says with a nod, even though he would much rather deal with Umbridge in his way.
"Promise me," Albus requests.
"I promise I will not go after Umbridge," Gellert responds, and once he does Albus kisses him.
"Okay," Mie says, once her father and Gellert break apart, as she knows that now there is a conversation they need to have. "The Ministry leaked Gellert being here to the prophet and Umbridge is now Crouch's assistant. What's the bigger picture?" Mie asks, as she walks over to the couch, trying to put the pieces together.
"The same as it always is, Control," Gellert says, as he sits down on one of the armchairs.
"And power," Albus adds, sitting on the couch next to Mie.
"Right, of course," Mie says, rolling her eyes. "Umbridge likes to be close to power, that explains her getting close to Crouch, though why she didn't in my timeline I can't say," Mie admits, knowing that that is something she will think about more, analyse more, later, just not right now as she has other things to focus on. "Leaking to the prophet also makes sense, they want to destroy faith in you, not realising that that is helping Voldemort," Mie says, looking at he father.
"Or they don't care," Gellert comments.
"Always a possibility," Mie admits, with a nod, knowing that is a fair point.
"It is, but I do not believe that was the motivation," Albus admits. "I believe Mitchum and Crouch are being motivated by the same thing everyone in power is motivated by," Albus explains, and Mie gives him a curious look. "Keeping their power," Albus explains.
"Of course," Mie says, rolling her eyes, realising she should have realised that. "They're so blinded by power that they don't see the bigger picture, sounds like Crouch," Mie admits. "I've seen his son around, I keep forgetting to ask, Reg, but do you think he's already joined Voldemort?" Mie asks curious.
"I don't know," Albus admits, as he has been watching Barty Junior closely but doesn't know. "I told Barty that he should talk to his son more," Albus reveals.
"Hopefully that does something," Mie say, though she isn't sure that it will. "We're fighting against both Voldemort and the ministry, aren't we?" Mie asks, with a sigh, looking exhausted.
"Yes," Gellert says at the same time Albus says, "No."
"Not yet," Albus tells Mie. "Yes, the Minister and those in his inner circle are desperate to cling to their power, but that does not mean there is no hope," Albus tells Mie.
"You really do see the best in people," Gellert says to Albus, feeling a little amazed by that, as he isn't sure that there is anyone else who tries to see the good in people as much as Albus does.
"That's because I believe everyone has the potential to be better, to do better, they just have to make the choice to," Albus tells Gellert. "The Ministry have made choices, and they will continue to, that just means we continue to do what we have to do, and allow that to show the member of the Ministry the mistakes they are making," Albus says, knowing that he sees this going one of several different ways, but he doesn't see enough of the big picture to see the most likely path.
"And what if they don't see that they're making a mistake?" Mie asks her father as she knows that that is a strong possibility.
"We'll cross that road when we come to it," Albus responds.
"Dad, exams are done, school will be done in a week. Once it is I'm joining The Order officially, and so are a lot of my friends," Mie tells her father. "I'm going to work on figuring out how to send the books to an earlier point in the timeline I'm from, and I will fight back in whatever way I can," Mie tells her father, as now that school is done there is no reason why she needs to be kept from the fight.
"I know," Albus tells his daughter, and he leans forward and hugs her. After everything that has already happened, he wants to keep Mie safe, and protected, but he knows that is not who she is. She won't stay on the sidelines of this fight, as it is her fight, the fight she's already sacrificed so much for.
After staying with her father and Gellert for a little while Mie heads to the empty classroom where she finds a party in full spring.
"Mie!" Lily says thrilled, being the first one to see her. "We did it!" Lily says, looking amazed and it is clear to Mie that she has had several drinks.
"We did it," Mie confirms, and Lily hugs her.
"You're behind the rest of us," Marlene says, walking over to Mie, holding two drinks.
"I figured I was," Mie says as she takes the drink from Marlene and drinks some of it.
"Mie!" An excited voice calls and Mie turns to see Sirius, and so she walks towards him as he walks towards her, and they meet in the middle. "About time you got here, I've been waiting for you," Sirius tells Mie.
"Why does that comment worry me?" Mie asks, wondering just what Sirius is up to.
"Because you have, very understandable, trust issues," Sirius responds, without missing a beat. "Come on, I've got a surprise for you," Sirius tells Mie.
"Again, that is a terrifying comment," Mie admits, though she does follow Sirius across the room.
After following Sirius across the room, he and Mie stop at a table where there are two bottles of wine sitting on it, clearly untouched.
"Wine? That's not your typical drink," Mie notes, as after everything she has learnt about him, she is pretty sure that Sirius only drinks wine as part of meals.
"You're right, it's not," Sirius confirms. "I couldn't get vats, but I figured a bottle each would do," Sirius says, and for a second Mie is confused then the answer comes to her.
"You actually, did it? You got your hands on five-hundred-year-old wine?" Mie asks amazed, remembering the challenge they discussed when reading the books, a challenge she was sure that Sirius wouldn't be able to rise to.
"Yep, told you I would," Sirius tells Mie with a proud look on his face. "It wasn't easy, and it cost a small fortune, but luckily I have a large one of those," Sirius admits, and Mie rolls her eyes at his humble brag. "So, you ready for a taste?" Sirius asks curious.
"I think after all the trouble you went to, I have to be," Mie admits, realising that she should never have doubted Sirius's ability to get five-hundred-year-old wine after he said he would get it.
"That's what I like to hear," Sirius says, using his wand to summon two glasses.
"How about we only open one bottle and share, that way we don't risk spoiling both by opening," Mie suggests, as she puts down the drink that Marlene gave her.
"Sure, but we're going to drink both," Sirius tells Mie, who rolls her eyes as Sirius opens the first bottle, takes a smell, and then pours two glasses, handing one to Mie.
"That's a generous pour," Mie tells Sirius, noting just how much he has given both of them.
"Are you surprised?" Sirius asks curious.
"Not at all," Mie responds. "To the end," Mie says, raising her glass.
"To the beginning," Sirius corrects, and he and Mie clink their glasses, and both take a drink.
"Wow, that's good," Mie says amazed, after taking her drink.
"It really is," Sirius says, honestly, he wasn't expecting it to taste this good. "Definitely worth what I paid," Sirius admits, when the person he got it from said it was well preserved he doubted them, turns out they were right.
"Do I want to know how much that was?" Mie asks, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Probably not," Sirius admits, and Mie just gives him an amused look as she takes another drink, knowing that this is something that she is very much going to enjoy drinking.
While Mie is with her fellow seventh years celebrating the end of NEWTs and therefore the end of school Albus and Gellert are in their quarters. Even though they are silently cuddling on the couch Gellert knows Albus so well that he can tell that he is tense.
"Albus, don't keep it bottled up, Mein Schatz, you can talk to me," Gellert says, gently encouraging Albus to open up as he knows how much Albus struggles with that.
"I know," Albus responds. "I knew that Crouch was going to something, but I didn't see him leaking to the papers, I should have," Albus admits, hating that he didn't see it coming.
"Looks like I am just making your life more complicated," Gellert says, feeling bad for that.
"Gellert, having you back in my life, and you using your insight, knowledge, experience, and brain for good things, is worth any complication," Albus tells Gellert.
"You may regret saying that I suspect that things will only get more complicated," Gellert tells Albus, though he is amazed by Albus's words.
"You may be right about complications increasing," Albus admits. "Tomorrow the letters will start arriving," Albus tells Gellert.
"I'll help you deal with them," Gellert tells Albus.
"Thank you," Albus responds. "I should have seen Crouch leaking to the Prophet coming," Albus once again says, not being able to believe that he didn't as it is usually something he would see coming.
"Albus, I know you like to believe otherwise, but not even you, with all your knowledge, can predict everything," Gellert tells him.
"I know, that's exactly what we're going to be facing, but I should have seen this coming," Albus says, as ever since he saw the paper this morning, he has known that he should have seen this coming, but he didn't.
"You're too hard on yourself," Gellert says, kissing Albus's cheek and the two of them drift into silence as they sit cuddled up together.
While her father and Gellert are up in their quarters Mie is sitting alone in the empty classroom where the end of NEWT celebration is going on, and Mie doesn't mind that fact as she is watching the others, the people she has grown to truly care about, and enjoying her wine.
"Hey Mie," A voice says, and Mie turns to see Mary, Marlene, Dorcus, and Emmaline, and all three of them sit down with her.
"You okay?" Emmaline asks curious.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Mie assures them, not completely sure that she is telling the truth but it is the answer she is going to give.
"So… Gellert Grindelwald," Mary says, having no idea how else to bring up the topic. "He's here? Been here since you were abducted," Mary says.
"Yes," Mie confirms. "Dad needed insight into Voldemort, he needed help to get me back," Mie explains, having already decided how she would explain things.
"So, he went to Gellert Grindelwald?" Dorcus asks with a frown, not being able to understand that logic.
"He thought Grindelwald was the best option," Mie admits. "And since I was rescued, Grindelwald has been giving insight into what Voldemort could be thinking, and he's been trying to do good," Mie explains.
"Mie, do you trust him?" Marlene asks curious, as that's what matters.
"I want to," Mie admits to others shock. "I know what he's done, I've heard the stories, I know why dad defeated him, but that person isn't the same as the Grindelwald I have gotten to know," Mie admits. "He's not prejudiced, I wouldn't accept him if he was, and he has been offering suggestions about what Voldemort could be doing and offering insight, he genuinely seems like he wants to make amends," Mie admits.
"But?" Emmaline asks, feeling that there is something Mie isn't saying.
"But, like I said, I know what he's done, and as much as I believe he is different, and does truly want to make amends I am hesitant to fully trust him," Mie admits, though she feels like she trusts him a little more.
"Considering everything that seems pretty prudent," Dorcus admits.
"But it also says a lot that you think he's different, and you want to trust him," Mary admits, as from her perspective Mie grew up around muggles so if she wants to trust someone like Gellert, considering what he has done, it says a hell of a lot. "You really believe he's different?"
"Yeah, I think I do," Mie confirms.
"Then that says a lot, your judgement is pretty great," Marlene says and the five of them drift into silence.
For a few minutes Mie, Marlene, Mary, Dorcus and Emmaline sit in silence, and as they are sitting in silence Mie notices Sirius, Remus and James sitting alone, huddled in a corner, clearly in the middle of a conversation. As soon as Mie sees them, she feels concerned about what they could be up to.
"Excuse me," Mie tells her friends, and she walks over to where James, Sirius and Remus are. "Since when do the three biggest lives of the party hide away?" Mie asks.
"Mie, good! You can be the deciding vote," James says, looking glad to see her.
"Deciding vote?" Mie asks a as she sits down on the armrest of one of the chairs. "What for?"
"The map," Sirius answers, and Mie gives him a curious look.
"We've been talking about what to do with It," Remus admits. "We always thought we would have Flinch take it, just like what happened," Remus tells Mie, who nods.
"So, what's the issue?" Mie asks
"We've realised how useful it can be," Sirius admits. "And we can't help but think that with everything we've got to do that it could be handy to hang onto," Sirius admits.
"But we also know what Flinch getting it leads to, and that's important," James adds, and Mie considers everything that has been said, everything it means, and everything she knows.
"Maybe it doesn't have to be an either or," Mie suggests after a few moments.
"What are you thinking?" Remus asks curious.
"It's true that we still need the map, and it is also true that Flinch confiscating it does lead to a lot of things," Mie admits. "So I think the answer is that we hold onto the map, and then put it in Flinch's cabinet ourselves when we're done, or just hand it on to the next generation," Mie explains, it feeling very strange for her to say next generation as she knows that technically the next generation is her generation, and as she looks between Sirius, Remus and James it is clear that they agree with Mie's suggestion.
Many hours, and many drinks, later Mie, and her fellow seventh years, from all houses, are no longer in the empty classroom, but are running out of the main doors and onto the grounds, all of them holding drinks while some are also holding papers.
"WHOO! WE'RE DONE!" Sirius yells.
"WE DID IT!" Edgar yells, and as the group runs they throw papers into the air.
"We really did," Isaac says to his brother.
"We survived," Amelia says, and the three Bones siblings embrace, as all the students think about not just Peter, but other people they have lost during the seven years they spent at Hogwarts while their world was at war.
"Today's the day our new lives begin," Marlene says as she puts her arm around Dorcus.
"Todays the day we become accountable to so much more," Lily says, as James puts his arm around her.
"Today we take the first steps into our world," Sirius says, putting his arm around Remus.
"Today we start to prepare to join the fight," Alice says, as Frank puts his arm around her.
"Today everything changes," Mie says, looking around at her new friends, while also imagining she can see her friends from her timeline, the friends who she wouldn't be here without, the friends that never got to experience a celebration like this, who never got graduation.
"Ready Padfoot? Ready Moony?" James asks his two friends as he removes his arm from around Lily and takes several steps forward.
"Ready Prongs," Sirius and Remus respond, as they both step forward and together the three of them cause fireworks to suddenly go off from various places around the grounds.
"How did you know we would end up here?" Alora asks as the seventh years clap and cheer as they enjoy their show that was clearly planned in advance.
"Figured it was a good guess," Sirius responds.
"Last one to the lake has to chug three shots," James says and together the students go running together, and all go into the lake fully clothed, as they watch the firework display, and for Mie, she doesn't get a flashback to the last time she saw lights erupting in the Hogwarts sky she is just able to enjoy the celebration with her friends.
While the seventh years are enjoying the show from the lake people inside the castle, including Albus and Gellert, are enjoying the light show from places within the castle. While there is not a single person who doesn't realise where the fireworks come from, or what all the noise is, no one goes to stop them as even Minerva feels that they deserve the celebration after everything they have been through.