embraced, he realized that, for the first time in a long while, he felt whole. Lila had brought a new sense of purpose and joy into his life, filling the void that Jumanji had left behind.

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Alex and Lila made a silent promise to each other—to face whatever challenges came their way, together. Their journey was just beginning, and they were ready to take on the world, hand in hand.

Gellert Grindelwald stood alone in the dimly lit hall of Nurmengard Castle, the silence around him broken only by the distant hum of the night. His thoughts were a maelstrom of memories and emotions, all centered around one person: Cassandra.

As he gazed out into the night, his mind drifted back to the days of his youth, when life was simpler and his heart had first discovered the depths of love.

Flashback: The Early Days

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had been a place of discovery and growth for Gellert. It was there that he first met Cassandra, a vibrant and spirited witch who had captivated him from the moment he laid eyes on her. They had shared classes, exchanged smiles in the corridors, and formed a bond that felt both natural and profound.

But there had always been another presence, a shadow that loomed over his affections: Theseus Scamander. The charismatic and noble Gryffindor had quickly become Cassandra's closest friend, and eventually, her confidant. Gellert had watched from the sidelines, his heart aching with unspoken longing as he saw them grow closer.

Present Day: A Shocking Revelation

One morning, as Gellert sat in his study, he absentmindedly flipped through the latest edition of the Daily Prophet. His eyes scanned the headlines, a sense of detachment in his gaze—until a particular announcement caught his attention. The words seemed to leap off the page, striking him like a physical blow. Gellert's heart pounded in his chest, his vision narrowing to the article before him. He read and reread the announcement, each word sinking in like a dagger to his heart.

"Theseus Scamander, esteemed Auror, has announced his engagement to long-time partner Cassandra Lestrange. The couple, who have known each other since their school days at Hogwarts, are set to marry next summer. Friends and family describe their relationship as a testament to enduring love and devotion."

Gellert's hands trembled as he set the newspaper down, his mind reeling with a mix of anger, jealousy, and despair. The woman he had loved since he was fourteen was engaged to the one man he had always envied and despised.

The memories of their school days came rushing back, each one a painful reminder of what he had lost.

Flashback: A Flirtatious Encounter

One sunny afternoon, Gellert found himself in the library, engrossed in a particularly challenging spellbook. The sound of soft footsteps drew his attention, and he looked up to see Cassandra approaching, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Studying hard, Gellert?" she teased, her voice light and playful.

Gellert's heart skipped a beat as she took a seat beside him. "Always," he replied with a smile. "What brings you here?"

Cassandra leaned in, her proximity sending a thrill through him. "I was hoping you could help me with my Transfiguration homework. I've heard you're quite the expert."

Gellert chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "I'd be happy to help," he said, his voice softening. "But I think you're more capable than you let on."

She shrugged, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Maybe I just wanted an excuse to spend time with you."

The flirtatious remark sent a rush of excitement through Gellert. He had always admired her boldness and charm. "Well, in that case, I'm glad you found one," he said, holding her gaze.

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their little corner of the library. It was a fleeting moment of connection, one that Gellert would treasure for years to come.

Flashback: A Painful Revelation

One crisp autumn evening, Gellert had found himself alone in the library, his thoughts consumed by Cassandra. He had been sketching a portrait of her, his hand moving almost instinctively across the parchment. As he worked, the door creaked open, and Rosier entered arms crossed, "You might want to know that, we have her. She's here." Perfect, the plan went as planned. Now he could show her that they were meant to be together, from the beginning.

Present Day: A Knife to the Heart

Now, as he stood in Nurmengard, Gellert's heart ached with a familiar pain. Seeing Cassandra and Theseus together at the school had been tormenting enough, but discovering that they were engaged had felt like a knife to the heart.

Gellert's feelings for Cassandra had never waned; if anything, they had grown stronger over the years. But the bitterness of seeing her with Theseus had fueled his desire for power, pushing him to become the formidable dark wizard he was today.

And yet, despite everything, his love for Cassandra remained a constant, a flickering flame that refused to be extinguished.

When he had kidnapped her, it had been a calculated move, a way to weaken Theseus and gain leverage. But as he spent more time with her, the old feelings had resurfaced, rekindling the passion he had once tried to bury.

Gellert clenched his fists, his emotions a storm within him. "Cassandra," he whispered to the night, his voice filled with longing and despair. "I have loved you since I was fourteen, and the thought of you with Theseus is unbearable. But now, having you here with me... it feels like fate."

He closed his eyes, memories of their school days flooding his mind. The stolen glances, the shared laughter, the unspoken connection that had always been there. It was a cruel twist of fate that the woman he loved was engaged to the one man he had always envied.

But Gellert was determined. He would not let Theseus take her away from him again. He would win Cassandra's heart, and together, they would forge a new destiny, one that would make the wizarding world tremble.

As he opened his eyes, his resolve hardened. He would do whatever it took to make Cassandra see that they were meant to be together, even if it meant tearing apart the world to do so.