Chapter 34
19 Jan 2025
-oOo-
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
February 14, 1994
Karlsburg Preserve, Switzerland
Sirius rapped his knuckles on the sill of the open window. It was the middle of winter, yet in the cavern it was like a warm spring day. Looking down at the wide boulevard that ran the circuit of Nurmengard, he was still astounded to see so many peoples getting along.
The dwarves were known as a surly race who loved to delve into the earth and make grand structures. Before they had been driven out of Britain by the goblins, they were the best-known craftsmen. Hogwarts and other places that wizards had been using for hundreds, if not thousands of years, were most often built by their hand.
The goblins were no slouches in building either, but most of their structures were utilitarian, with ornamentation only to show off their wealth. Their pride in craftsmanship lay in the forges.
The dwarves took pride in what their hands could wrought.
The place was beautiful. He hadn't noticed when they had first arrived, but the cavern gently sloped down. The massive arches that held the glacier from ripping this place up were masterpieces in design, rune work and the intricacy of the carving. The bases were giant figures of dwarves, each stretching their hands up, as though to hold up the dome, that turned into the arches.
Even more confounding than the masterpiece of the cavern was the mass of peoples. He had seen wizards, dwarves, Eireich, veela and house elves. The Eireich, from what they had found, were related to the yeti, but unlike their violent kin, the Eireich were at one time half wizard. That half wizard side of them made some of them magical, while most were just like any normal man, although between ten and twelve feet tall.
Even with all this marvel, he couldn't help but feel frustrated.
They had been here two days now, and the council had not called for them to meet.
Alain was getting just as restless as he was. "We could go explore again," Alain suggested.
"You know they won't let us out of this dome."
Alain nodded.
"They are watching us," Alain stated.
"I know."
"They do not have wands."
"I know," Sirius said. They had used their 'liberty' to explore and find out as much as they could. There were bookstores, grocers, cafes, blacksmiths, muggle electronic shops… it was a large town that he estimated had a few thousand living in it. By the number of shops, and how many they saw on the boulevard, he suspected the population to be much more. He also could tell that most were not wizards. The majority of the population were most likely squibs.
"There are tales," Alain said. Sirius cocked his head to look at the man out of the corner of his eye. "My grandfather and father had stories. Stories passed down over generations that at one time wizards and non-wizards lived peacefully together."
Alain waved towards the window. "This is a utopia like my families legends, but there is something else. Something, not dark, but not kind either."
Sirius frowned. "You felt that too?"
"There is something that is not being said."
Sirius nodded.
He was going to say something else when a knock came at the door of the apartment.
Standing in the hallway was a dwarf in what Sirius called fancy-wizard clothing. It was very reminiscent of when he was younger. Pressed black trousers, a white button-up shirt, a burgundy vest with fancy embroidery and an open set of robes made of nice quality. He had noticed that most of the dwarves and those of magical abilities tended to dress this way. It was probably to distinguish themselves. While the rest dressed in more modern, upscale normal fashions.
The dwarf slightly bowed his head. "I send greeting from the council. I am Gimroin, son of Gimlin. Master Black, Master Greengrass, if you would come with me, the council is ready to receive you now."
Sirius returned the gesture. There was no need to offend their hosts, and he felt this was not a time to be snarky about the delay. Sirius looked to his sword, uncertain if he should leave it here or not.
Gimroin saw the gesture. "You are guests and given the honour to remained armed. You will come to no harm unless you mean harm."
Sirius wasn't sure but grabbed the sword anyways. It was a symbol of his status, as much as he hated that. Something about this situation wreaked of how magical society was back where he came from.
Alain left his gun in the room.
"The council wanted to thank you for your patience the last two days and hopes that you enjoyed our hospitality," Gimroin said as he led them out of the apartment block and onto the boulevard.
"It has been very enjoyable. I've never seen anything like this. How do you maintain the temperature and the gardens?" Sirius asked.
Gimroin smiled with pride. "The dwarves have long delved into the mountains. The people that now live here once lived above ground. There was a valley that wizards and others made into a paradise similar to this."
Sirius had a suspicion the others were goblins. Dwarves were not known for their rune work. Not that they were not skilled, but goblins had had the market on that for centuries in his old world.
"When word came of the fall of some of the sanctuaries, we were asked to help the people that lived there. Nurmengard is the largest and first of the sanctuaries in Karlsburg. It was not as grand as it is now, but over the last three hundred years, it has become the jewel of the empire," Gimroin informed them.
That wasn't the first time they had heard references to an empire, but it was spoken of casually. Most of the books in the store they had found were of muggle origin. The magic and the true history of this place seemed to be guarded.
"There are more places than Nurmengard?" Alain enquired.
"Four. Nurmengard, Strausgard, Eisengard and Westfold. Our population is growing so that a fifth city is under construction, but it will be another few years before it is ready. Nurmengard is the oldest and largest, founded in seventeen-twelve. Strausgard was founded in seventeen-forty-two. Eisengard and Westfold were both founded in nineteen-forty-three. The council has done much to help since its founding in nineteen-twenty-one. Before then, it was a struggle. Now, we are thriving." The pride and reverence in Gimroin's voice was evident in the council and the accomplishments that had been made here.
"When Reichstag is completed, it will be larger than Nurmengard, but it will never replace the heart of the Empire." The dwarf indicated the dome of Nurmengard.
Gimroin led them to a huge set of heavy iron reinforced wooden doors. There were eight of these spaced throughout the dome. The doors were open, and people and carts were moving through them. This time, unlike the other times, the guards at the open doors did not stop them. Sirius eyed the large Eireich that had threatened him the last time he had tried.
The black eyes of the white-haired giant met his.
Sirius walked past. It didn't twitch.
The tunnel was brightly lit with muggle lamps. There were a few dozen inhabitants moving up or down. The traffic heading down into the mountain was on the right, while that heading up was on the left. It was wide enough to let a dozen men walk side-by-side without touching.
"The council chambers are in Eisengard. It is not a far walk," Gimroin assured them.
"Why not in Nurmengard?" Sirius enquired.
"Nurmengard is primarily a residential town, like Strausgard. Eisengard is the seat of our government and where the Knights of Walpurgis reside."
Sirius stiffened. The Knights of Walpurgis were the personal army founded by Grindelwald and then used by Voldemort to build his initial forces. The Death Eaters were still known as the Knights of Walpurgis to those in the proper circles.
Alain looked a little confused. "What are the Knights of Walpurgis?"
"They are the guards that protect us. All those with magical abilities or who would take up arms are trained and serve the Knights. It is how we have fended off the Order of Saint John d'Atares for many years, as well as other threats," Gimroin replied.
Sirius was frantically trying to figure out what they had gotten themselves into. Why would they have not been told almost anything for the last two days, to suddenly be given this history lesson? He prayed to all the gods he could that his suspicions were wrong.
Grindelwald was an insane monster that wanted to rule the world. The Knights of Walpurgis were his personal guard that had brought Europe to its knees during a twenty-year reign of terror. A terror that only ended when the last of the free ICW nations had banded together to take him down. Dumbledore was the only one that had been capable of going toe-to-toe with Grindelwald and finally defeat him.
His tension must had been evident as Alain gave him a curious look.
Sirius gently shook his head as Gimroin went on about the various settlements. It was a ten-minute walk before they made it to the next set of doors. Eisengard was half the size of Nurmengard. There were grassy lawns and some flowerbeds, but this was a far more utilitarian settlement.
A dozen military style buildings were around the edges and along the far wall. The lawn before them could easily host a thousand people, and it was currently being used by a few groups practicing with guns, hand weapons and drilling in team tactics.
Alain gave him a surreptitious look.
They were led across the field along a cobbled path to a large granite building. The outside was covered in mosaics that must represent the history of Karlsburg. He noticed a few battle scenes along with the triumphs of farming and unity.
This was far more than he had ever expected to find.
And more worrying.
Gimroin led them into the building. There was a large atrium that went up three stories to end in a large dome over their heads.
"The council chambers are on the first floor," Gimroin said, leading them up a larger staircase to the right side. He stopped before a large set of doors that had an intricate carving of a tree. "The white tree. It was rumoured to have been the centre of the world above but was lost when the armies of the Ungpurgs' swept over the lands."
They didn't have time to question what the Ungpurgs were before Gimroin knocked on the door. It swung open. Sirius suppress the low whistle he wanted to let out. The council chamber was a larger room setup like an old meeting house. A long stone table was at the far end of the hall on a raised stage. Hundreds of seats were in neat rows. They were all painted white. A white cloth hung from the table with a tree that spread out the length of it. There were nine sitting at the table: two for each of the peoples in the preserve and one in the centre.
Sirius's eyes were drawn to the centre. A man with shoulder length white hair, a neat trimmed beard, wearing white robes and suit with the white tree embroidered in silver on his left breast and piercing brown eyes was the obvious centre piece of the room. Even from here, he could feel the man's magic. It was like when Harry was around, even if his godson didn't realize it.
The others were just props compared to the commanding presence he had.
The man gave them a welcome smile as they approached a dais just past the last chairs. Gimroin gave the same small bow to the head of the council as he had to Alain and him. "Honoured councillors, may I present Master Sirius Black of Isla Nublar and Master Alain Greengrass of Durmstrang."
The man smiled with a welcoming gesture. "Welcome, our brothers. It has been many years since we have heard of news from Durmstrang or new preserves. I hope you have found our hospitality welcoming?"
Alain did the same small bow of his head as their guide. "Thank you, councillor. On behalf of my family and the others that have maintained our oath for all these years, I, Alain Greengrass of Durmstrang, am honoured and thankful for your generosity."
The man returned the gesture. "You are welcome, Master Greengrass. Forgive my manners, I should have introduced myself and the other councillors. Starting from my right, representing the humans are Wendyl Daryn and Miska Belinda. Our brethren from the dwarves are Gimlin Oakcrest and Arise Rubispear. The Eireich are represented by Foristear and Brengtril. And last, but not least, are those of the veela, Portia Lefebvre and Earin Norberg. I am the Chief Councillor, Gellert Grindelwald."
FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! Sirius screamed in his head. They couldn't have met anyone else? He would have taken Dumbledore or even Malfoy over Grindelwald. His only hope was that this man was different than the one he knew from his history books.
The man focused on Sirius. "And you must be Master Sirius Black? I have spent many years tracking down the last of the preserves, and I must confess to not knowing of any in Costa Rica. In fact, there are only two in all the Americas, and only the Nunavut Preserve has any magicals left. The Azteca is just ruins, much like Hogwarts and most of the other preserves. Durmstrang I will admit I have not heard from since your grandfather, Master Greengrass."
Sirius was unsure what to say for a moment. Everyone caught his pause. Alain spoke up after a moment. "Isla Nublar is not a preserve, Chief Councillor."
"Then what is it? I must confess myself interested, especially as you have wands, and the only ones to have wands anymore are those that inherited them," Grindelwald enquired.
Sirius swallowed. "We had heard that the Canadian preserve still knew how to make wands."
Grindelwald shook his head. "I do not know where you heard that, but that is not the case. They are the ones that taught the other preserves how to make the rods and staffs most use. It is not the same, nor are they as powerful. I take it you did not make the wands you have?"
Alain gave him a look out of the corner of his eye. Sirius didn't want to tell this man that they had almost two hundred wands, but didn't know how to make them. "I'm sorry, Chief Councillor, we do not."
Grindelwald focused on Alain now. "When last I talked with your family, you did not possess any wands or the knowledge. Where did you obtain the one you have?"
"It was a gift," Alain said.
The man at the far right spoke this time. "That is a grand gift. Did it come from Isla Nublar?"
"It was salvaged from the remains of Hogwarts," Sirius told them. "We were only able to find a few."
As much as he hated it, maybe he could barter a small handful? It was the only way he could see of getting out of this situation. A bad wand match would be worse than the rods that were used, so that might not be bad.
"And do you have more?" This time it was the woman dwarf, Arise, that asked.
Sirius licked his lips. "We have some, but not with us."
Grindelwald leaned forward. "We would be interested in obtaining them. Perhaps we can find the methods in which they were made? A joint project between the Karlsburg Preserve and Isla Nublar. Are you the one responsible for the dinosaurs that are all over the news and commercials?"
Sirius blinked for a moment. "Ah, no. We were just lucky enough to end up there."
"What do you mean 'just end up there'?" one of the veela asked.
Sirius had not focused on them yet. When he looked to the one that spoke, he had to admit the woman was exceedingly beautiful. Within the aura of Grindelwald, he had not noticed their powers. Now that he focused on it, he felt the allure.
Sirius knew there were a few ways to counter their powers. The easiest was not to find them attractive, as in he preferred the other sex. The harder way was to know and employ occlumency. Neither of those were perfect though.
If you had any doubt on your sexuality or slipped in your control, the allure could sneak in.
The next way was to have an iron will. A person that refused to be dominated by anyone else could refuse the pull. Sirius had no doubt that Harry was one of those types of people, but people of his will power were not as common as most would like to believe.
The last way was to be in love. Not just the feeling of love, but to know what love was. That feeling that you could not live without someone. That you would do anything to keep the other person happy. The type of love that you would be nothing without the other but would willingly let them go if it meant their happiness or protection.
Sirius knew he was straight. Even looking at the gorgeous blonde, he knew his body liked hers. He was good at occlumency but knew that he had always struggled to avoid the allure in the past. Sirius also knew he lacked the iron will be needed. He had vices and he gave into Harry, Lynne, Lex, and even Timmy.
Looking at her, Sirius knew that he wasn't affected by her magic. He only found her an incredibly hot woman.
He didn't have time to really think of that though.
Sirius shrugged his shoulders, and the woman rose an eyebrow in interest. "We just ended up there, but I live there now."
Grindelwald regarded them with very calculating eyes even if he had an open and inviting visage still. "And what of this teleportation you were doing?"
"It's called apparition."
"This 'apparition', how did you learn it? Is it a family spell? Something in and old book you found?" the witch asked this time.
"It's a standard form of transportation where we came from," Sirius replied. The more they were questioned, the more he wanted to keep from them, but felt a compulsion to tell them. As he realized it, Sirius stepped back, pulling Alain from the podium. Anger flashed across his face. "You used a compulsion charm on us to tell you what we know!"
A ripple of surprise went through the assembled councillors. Grindelwald looked slightly surprised with a raised brow. Alain shook his head. "We come to you in good faith, and you force this upon us? What of the old treaties?"
Grindelwald held up his hand and the others quieted down. "I must confess, I have never known anyone to resist, let alone break the truth spell on the speaker stand. When you step into the Hall of Councillors, it is our deepest believe that the truth be spoken. We have taken oaths to do so and require anyone talking before the council to do so as well."
Sirius glared at the man. "I will not be controlled like this."
He took the scrolls out of his pocket. "We came to talk to you about a treaty and to find other magicals. Instead, we find betrayal," Sirius angrily snapped. He could still feel the traces of the compulsion.
Most of the councillors looked shocked at the accusation. He wasn't sure if they were good actors or not. He threw the scrolls onto the floor between them. "We want to go back to our rooms. We will leave in the morning. If you need to contact us, I will leave a way."
He turned and marched out of the hall. He had no clue if they would be allowed to leave. He had a feeling if they weren't there was no way to fight through the thousands that probably now stood between them and the way out. He wasn't even sure if he could find his way out.
Alain looked stunned for a moment, before following Sirius. "Sirius?"
Perhaps apparition would work?
"Master Black! Master Greengrass! Please, come back!" Gimroin called after them.
Sirius grabbed Alain's arm. He didn't wait for the man as he spun on the spot. With a louder crack than normal, they squeezed through the narrow non-space between the council hall and the rooms they had been in.
Alain stumbled. He cursed in Norwegian before turning on him. "What was that? We are supposed to be talking with them! What happened? Why was I feeling odd and as though I had to tell them everything?" Alain asked.
Sirius huffed. He moved to the bed and started to pack his rucksack. "It was some type of ward or charm called a compulsion. It gives you the feeling as though you must follow whatever the caster wants you to do. Unlike the Imperious, it can be resisted. Just knowing that you are compulsed often breaks it."
Alain regarded him. "Why haven't you told me about this before?"
"It's relatively advanced magic and you and your family are more like third years. It's usually a post NEWT spell because of what someone can do with it, but I bet most sixth years would have enough control of their magic and emotions to learn it. Do you want me to teach you and your girls how to cast a spell that could suggest, just about force, someone to do something? Whether they wanted too or not? What do you think a teen would do with a spell like that?" Sirius snapped back.
Alain was silent as Sirius stuffed the last of his clothes in the bag.
"Why are you so riled up? You have been tensing ever since we arrived. I don't like how secretive they seem, but the preserves had an agreement to help each other if they could. What is going on?" Alain questioned.
Sirius stood up, putting a hand onto the back of his neck and let out a long sigh. Alain should know. He should have told him this days ago. Taking out his wand, he started to cast detection spells around the room. Surprisingly, he didn't find any type of listening charm or ward. Still being cautious, he silently cast an muffliato and a few other privacy spells.
Alain watched the wand work. The man growing shrewd at Sirius' display of magic. Sirius turned to him. "I am not keeping any of this magic from you, but you need to get some other basics down first. I have just made sure that there is no listening charms and then cast some privacy charms so we can talk."
Alain's brow rose.
Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "Where I came from, Nurmengard is a prison. It was where one of our most dangerous dark lords imprisoned those that opposed him. He killed many of his opponents and then the people inside his kingdom that spoke against his tyrannical reign. The dark lord caused both the magical and muggle worlds to plunge into war. Many thousands of witches and wizards died. Even more Muggles. It took an ICW army of over a thousand fully trained Aurors and Hit Wizards to bring his forces down. Then a duel between the dark lord and a man of the Light shook our world to its core.
After the deranged man was defeated, he was locked away in the same prison he had locked others in. Nurmengard is talked about with the same fear at Azkaban."
A dawning realization was coming over Alain's face. "Are you saying that one of the councillors was this dark lord?"
"Gellert Grindelwald was responsible for millions of Muggle deaths, and thousands of witches and wizards, and I don't even know how many creatures or the other races. He wanted to rule the world. I have no idea if this is the same man, but you don't know what fear there is to mention him. His shadow still looms over our world, and he was defeated fifty years ago.
Alain, there was only one other person that was spoken of with more fear. Voldemort terrorized my home country for more than a decade before a baby Harry defeated him. He killed entire families. In one massacre, an entire village of Muggles was killed in the vilest ways. Over three hundred in one night. He left victims as little more than husks after torturing them into insanity or defiling their bodies to the point you couldn't recognize the person. He was defeated when Harry was only fifteen months old. We all thought him dead. Then the insane wanker came back. If we find that Voldemort is here too, I can't tell you how fucked we are," Sirius shot back.
He was going to have to see if Hammond could find anything on Tom Riddle. Alain swallowed. "Are you saying that Chief Councillor Grindelwald is this man?"
"I don't know, Alain. So far everything has been turned on its head here. The dementors were the guards of Azkaban. Durmstrang was a school that focused on the dark arts but produced many that went on to do a lot of good in our world. Beauxbatons was mainly a school known for its arts and charms and tolerance for creatures and half-wizards of all kinds. Hogwarts was the oldest and most diverse school in magical arts of the largest European schools.
The Knights of Walpurgis were the shock troops of Grindelwald. Their name is talked about only in shadows. The Knights fought with Grindelwald and brought most of Europe under his control before he was defeated. They then served Voldemort. Where Grindelwald wanted to rule the world and tried to do so once he conquered a country, Voldemort just wanted to see the world burn.
Voldemort is the reason why Harry is the way he is. He is the reason Harry's parents were murdered when one of our best friends betrayed us. I spent twelve years as a prisoner surrounded by dementors because of the rat. Harry faced the bastard multiple times before he was fifteen. The night we came here, we were fighting the Death Eaters. The Death Eaters were once the Knights of Walpurgis before Voldemort changed their name.
My grandfather and Harry's grandfather fought against Grindelwald. My best friends, Harry's parents, and I fought against Voldemort. As far as I know, both wars were because of this man. I just… I just don't know what to think," Sirius said, grabbing his hair.
Alain sat on his bed. After a moment, he put a hand over his mouth.
They were silent as Sirius breathed heavily. So far, his old life hadn't come crashing down on him as hard as it just had.
When Alain looked up, he asked, "I won't endanger my family. Are you sure this is the same Gellert Grindelwald from your world?"
Sirius sat on his bed. He put his head down and his face into his hands. "I don't know, Alain. I haven't seen anything that says this is the same man, but he is training people to fight, and there are too many similarities for me to see straight right now."
A knock came at the door.
Sirius shot up, his wand spinning around to face the door. Alain wasn't as quick, slowly drawing his wand, but pointing it towards the floor. "Will they hear us?"
Sirius was spooked. He didn't want to give up any advantage they might have. Still, when the knock came again, it seemed hesitant. After a moment, he silently cast 'finite incantatum'!
The privacy charms all fell.
"…grass. Please open up. Are you in there?" It was Gimroin.
Alain looked at him. After a moment, Sirius nodded. Alain moved to the door. When he opened it, the dwarf was wringing his hands. Sirius was behind the door and could only just make out the dwarf. He looked relieved. "Master Greengrass. We were worried something had happened to you. Is Master Black with you?"
"We are both here," Alain confirmed.
Gimroin let out a long breath. "Thank the gods. Chief Council Grindelwald sent me after you. He wanted to apologize about not letting you know about the hall. Will you be amenable to meet him tonight for dinner? He does not want you to leave. The preserves have a pact that the council wants to honour."
Alain shared a look with Sirius. After a moment, he lowered his wand. "I can't do this tonight."
"Do you still want to leave in the morning?" Alain questioned.
Gimroin looked at them, obviously not understanding what they were saying as they were avoiding the translation on the rings. Sirius sighed. "If we meet him in a place that we will not be spelled or potioned I will meet with him tomorrow."
Alain nodded and relayed the message. Gimroin's eyes widened. "Never! We would never do that to a guest or anyone seeking asylum."
A horn blared outside their room. Sirius brought his wand up again. "What is that?"
Gimroin looked grim. "The Seekers return and require aid."
"What do you mean aid?"
Gimroin motioned towards the windows. "You may see them pass to get to the hospital in Westfold."
They moved toward the window. The people in the boulevard had all moved to the side, leaving a wide path. Three men were guarding two stretchers. Two others were each carrying one of the stretchers and a man was rushing besides them, holding a young boy in his arms and the hand of a girl that looked about eleven.
Alain was concerned. "What happened to those people?"
Gimroin joined them. He looked over the ledge. "The Seekers are tasked with finding those that show magic before the Ungpurgs. Sometimes they are successful. Sometimes not. It is always a sad day when the Ungpurgs reach them first. Sometimes they can save them."
Sirius had a sinking feeling. "Do you mean the hunters?" Sirius asked.
Gimroin looked up to him. "The who?"
"The hunters? The Inquisition?" Alain questioned.
Gimroin hissed. "Do not mention those Ungpurgs!"
Sirius leaned against the wall. Was nothing the same? After almost a year, he should be used to these wild turns.
Perhaps the council and Grindelwald wasn't the bad guy?
-oOo-
February 15, 1994
Karlsburg Preserve, Switzerland
Sirius was walking along the boulevard. Alain had gone off on his own. After seeing that family being rescued yesterday, he was unsure about all this. Seeing an apothecary, he was heading for it, hoping to be able to start a potions lab, when a man in dark blue robes walked through the crowd.
Most respectfully bowed their heads or greeted the man with deference or heartily. He smiled. Shook hands. Bowed his head back. It was like most influential politicians.
Sirius leaned against the wall to watch Gellert Grindelwald walk through the street.
He had seen what maniacal devotion or sycophantic worship looked like. He had seen it on those that served the Dark Lord or looked at Dumbledore like he was the next messiah. What he saw was devotion and worship by some, but it was an honest feeling that he had not seen from the other two men.
He had heard that Grindelwald had been a suave talker and could sway all but the most devout in their beliefs. Watching the man, Sirius didn't get the sense he was using honeyed words to get his way.
No.
The people around him were honestly thankful and proud when he recognized them.
After a moment, the man noticed Sirius. It took a few moments for Grindelwald to work his way towards him. When he did, he bowed his head. "Master Black, I'm pleased to see you decided not to leave just yet."
Grindelwald spoke in a slightly accented English. Even so, his elocution was almost perfect.
Sirius returned the head bow. "Chief Councillor Grindelwald."
The man gave a wry smile. "Please, we are outside of the chambers. Call me Gellert." He looked around. "Yesterday we did not get to finish our meeting, and I feel that the council slighted you. Would you join me for a walk?"
Sirius was still a bit unsure but kicked off the wall after a moment. "If you want."
The man wasn't offended at his curt nature. As they walked, Grindelwald greeted more people before turning his attention to Sirius. "Master Black, I want to apologize for yesterday."
Sirius shrugged. He was not a great statesman like the man he was walking next too. "I don't like being manipulated or to be forced to give up secrets to people I don't know."
"That is completely understandable. If I had been put into the same position, I would have felt the same. Though I don't think I would have been as restrained as you," the man said with a slight smirk.
Sirius snorted. "I've had to learn to not be as brash as I was when younger."
Gellert nodded. "Yes. I can tell when a man has been forced to accept responsibility. I sense that you have taken on a great deal of responsibility that you do not want."
Sirius looked to him. "Are you a Legillimens?"
Gellert looked curious. "What is a Legillimens?"
"Legilimency is the art of reading another's thoughts," Sirius replied. He saw no value in hiding this. If the conversation got close to his family or those he was protecting, that would be a different story.
Gellert shook his head. "I am not a Legillimens. I do have certain natural abilities to sense emotions."
Sirius focused more on his occlumency.
Gellert looked curious. "Few are able to hide their emotions, and yet, you just went blank to me. How curious."
Sirius didn't reply. They were heading towards a tunnel on the far side of the dome. After a moment, Gellert went on. "I admit, I have never heard of this term Legillimens. Nor several you have used. I have visited every preserve, coven or enclave we know of. There are very few left. You are obviously skilled in the magical arts, and no one I have met are trained like you are. I am curious where you learned such arts, why you are associated with an unknown enclave and whether you are involved with the dinosaurs, but those are your secrets, as you say, and I will not pry."
Sirius still stayed silent. Gellert Grindelwald was a smooth talker. If they had met in a different way, he could have found himself trusting the man more and perhaps giving more information than he wanted.
Walking up to the door, the four guards let them pass. This passage led down and curved. No one else was in the passage. Sirius was unsure if he should go down here alone. After a quick look back, he decided to go. If they wanted him dead or imprisoned, the guards and Gellert had already had many opportunities.
Gellert had stopped and was patiently waiting for him. When Sirius stepped in besides him, Gellert continued walking.
"Master Black, you do not like me." It was a statement.
Sirius frowned. "I do not trust you."
"There is a difference?"
Sirius thought about it for a moment. He had been up most of the night thinking about what he had seen in the last few days. After a moment, he slowly said, "Where I come from, dark lords frequently tried to take over the wizarding, and sometimes the Muggle world."
"What is a muggle?"
"Non-magical people. I know it sounds offensive, but I grew up calling them that, and I don't like saying normal or No-Maj. It makes everyone sound like they are less because they don't have magic," Sirius said. He shook his head. "Of course, I would never even think of it like that if someone hadn't pointed it out."
"And what is a dark lord?"
Sirius looked at the man as they walked down the tunnel. It had turned back the other way now. "You are aware that there is different types of magic? Most would call the magics light, neutral or dark. It is more the intent, but still, dark magic usually can only be used when you mean ill will to another. It can taint you. This taint often leads to maniacal overlords. We call them dark lords. But there have been those that don't use dark magic, but their intent is still the same. You get the idea?"
Gellert nodded. "And you think me one of these dark lords?"
"I never said that."
"Your reactions yesterday spoke differently," Gellert remarked.
Sirius pursed his lips. "May I ask if you ever knew an Albus Dumbledore?"
Gellert pondered the question for a moment. "I can say that I have never come across anyone by that name. To my knowledge, we don't have any families by the name of Dumbledore either, but I don't know everyone. I have actually come across very few from Britain, and in the time I have lived here, fewer and fewer are being found by the Seekers."
Sirius jumped on this. "Gimroin mentioned the Seekers yesterday when we saw that family being carried through the street. Who are the Seekers?"
Gellert frowned. "Yes. Unfortunately, the mother could not be saved, but the daughter was."
"What happened?"
"I should answer your first question before I answer the second." The sound of hammering was echoing up the passage. As they walked down, the passage had also gone from nicely mosaiced to cruder. "Many years ago, before the Inquisition turned its sights on the wizards, we have records that show a game called kiddith was played by wizards."
Sirius chuckled. "It's quidditch."
"You know of the sport?"
"It's a brilliant game played on brooms. Are you telling be that Seekers are called that because of the Seekers that would chase after the golden snitch?" Sirius asked, still finding it a little amusing ,though knowing what the Seekers were doing was anything but.
"I see. I grow more curious about where you come from. So, you understand that Seekers are looking for something precious?" Gellert put to him.
Sirius nodded.
The sounds of hammers and other construction noises was growing louder.
"I also take it you know of the Inquisition?"
Sirius nodded again.
"For many years, the magical peoples of earth were hunted to near extinction. When I was in my twenties, Hunters found me and my family. We belonged to a coven not far outside of Munich." A dark look passed over Gellert's face. "My sisters and I were told to head towards here. By the time I was found by the Eireich, only my youngest sister and I survived. Twenty-four people where in my family's coven. Only two of us survived. You can imagine that I was rather distraught."
Sirius frowned. The Gellert Grindelwald of his world had been an only child. His 'loving' mother had forced him to learn about the man when he was younger.
"They took me to Nurmengard. At the time, it was a place that was falling into ruin. The races were fighting amongst themselves as the world around them fell apart. That was in eighteen-ninety-seven. Almost two hundred years after most of the wizarding strongholds fell. Most of the covens were falling as well. My mentor gave me a purpose. A purpose that I adhere to this day," Gellert told him.
"What purpose is that?" Sirius enquired.
The passage turned back the other way and a large cavern could be seen not far away.
Gellert motioned towards the open passageway. "You are not the first Black I have met, Master Black. Your name holds much importance in Karlsburg. Phineas Nigellas Black was the founder of the Seekers and the Knights of Walpurgis. He charged them with protecting all that was magical. The Seekers are to find those that possess the gift, while the knights protect us and fight the church and anyone that threatens us."
They walked out into a cavern that was almost twice the size of Nurmengard.
"As much as I would love for us to directly challenge the church and live above the ground again, secrecy has been our largest ally. It is why I will not press for your secrets. I have been tasked with protecting the people that have voted me to head the council. In the last hundred years, we have gone from a broke people, to a thriving people," Gellert told him.
Sirius looked around at the hundreds of gnomes, Eireich and wizards working on the new city.
"How many live here?"
"We don't keep precise records. It is safer that way in case this place is ever found. I would say three or four thousand humans, a few hundred veela and Eireich, maybe two hundred brownies and between here and the deep cities, a few tens of thousands of dwarves. Out of that, there are only a few hundred of us capable of the magic that would use rods or wands. That is between all our peoples.
If you are willing, we could use your knowledge to better protect ourselves. In turn, we will promise to give you support. I protect those under my care, as I can tell you do as well, Master Black. Though, I must caution you in any dealings with the goblins or the mystics of Beauxbatons," Gellert said.
Sirius blinked at the man. "My great-great grandfather founded the Knights of Walpurgis?"
Gellert looked at him curiously. "This is the point you are most interested in?"
Sirius gave a dark laugh. "You will have to excuse me, but the family of Blacks I knew would have sooner seen a veela, dwarf or Eireich killed and mounted on their walls than help."
"You will find that there are still Blacks here and they are some of the deepest supporters of the preserve. Until recently, there had always been a Black on the council, but the elder Orion stepped down a few years ago and none of his children have taken up the mantle. Though I suspect his granddaughter, Alana, will when she is old enough."
"Bloody hell," Sirius said.
He looked around at the construction.
"I hope that you stay for a bit more, Master Black. I can tell we have much to talk about, not least of all the treaty you presented the council yesterday, or a family history you were not aware of," Gellert suggested.
"Fuck," Sirius muttered. After a moment, he said, "Please, call me Sirius."
"Very well, Sirius."
Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "I want to meet these other Blacks."
"Of course. I'm sure they are excited to meet you as well," Gellert told him.
His world was completely upside down.
-oOo-
The same day...
Cartago, Costa Rica
Cardinal Richelieu was being driven through the central valley of Costa Rica. The highlands valley was home to San Jose and the sprawling metropolis that was the heart of the country. Not far over a ridge was the smaller city of Cartago.
Cartago was the only place the Order had a foot hold in most of central America. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels and the nearby seminary was the temporary base of operations of the Inquisition he was heading up.
Not in more than seventy years was a full inquisition called. He had been given permission from the council to conduct the inquisition. He had almost a hundred of their order at his disposal. The pope had flatly refused to allow any of the Papal Guard to be involved, and had threatened them that if nothing was found, the Order would be disbanded for good.
There were some disturbing stories coming out of England and Wales that were related to the church, and the last thing the pope needed was a major incident with a rogue element of the church.
He thought about all he had learned over the last month as the car drove into the mountain pass.
"Your eminence, we should be there in about an hour."
"Thank you, Brother Zander."
He watched as the rainforest passed by as the car slowly made its way.
He knew the general area of where they needed to go. The issue was getting a hundred and twenty miles off the coast was not an easy thing if they needed all the inquisitors and brothers they had. Nor would it be easy to sneak there.
They needed to know more about InGen's operations here and how they got back and forth from the island. That would be his top priority.
-oOo-
February 16, 1994
Isla Nublar, Costa Rica
John sat in his office in the Visitor's Center. He had just hung up the phone. The Board of Directors were still ecstatic about the publicity and the potential revenue from Jurassic Park and the other discoveries they had made here.
The genetic research division was going to setup a new lab in San Jaun. With the laws and the relationship InGen and Jurassic Park had with the government, they were extremely interested in the business. Enough so that they were investing in new power generation, electrical grid upgrades and talk had changed about closing the railroads. Instead, with some investment from InGen, the railroad was going to be refurbished and fully reopened after the damage it took a few years back in a massive earthquake.
That was of vital importance to the park as many of the supplies were sourced outside of Costa Rica and it took less time and cost less to have supplies shipped between Limon on the east coast and Moin on the west coast. He would spare no expense for his dream, but that did not mean he had to be stupid about it.
The fact that the board wanted to throw more money at Jurassic Park, and the two sister parks, was a good thing. He just wasn't sure if he wanted the InGen board and management involved. He was getting concerned with Benjamin's nephew who had brought up the idea of using the dinosaurs or genetic research for something other than medical uses.
He sat back in his chair. Grabbing his cane, he lifted it to his face to look at the egg-shaped amber that was imbedded in the top.
The mosquito that was trapped in it had been determined to be petrified. Only one in five had the perfectly preserved insect and blood required to make all this possible. When Margaret had started her collection of amber pieces, he had no inkling of magic or the power of science. He was a salesman and visionary. He knew that was where his strengths lay.
He spun his cane to see the mosquito from every angle. They had found that mosquitos were not the only bug they could extract DNA from, they were only the easiest. They had also found that the sap that made amber could also preserve plant matter, and in one case, the body of a small chick of an archaeopteryx.
Jurassic Park had enough dinosaurs in development to keep introducing one to three new species a year for the next decade or more. There was no doubt that Margaret's and his dream of showing the world the beauty of the beasts would be a success and keep the imagination of the world alive. Within three years, he was expecting to make back the money poured into this place and Henry's group.
The only thing that could derail this all was the picture on his desk.
He looked past the amber to the photographs. His three favourites of Margaret were on the left. One of their wedding day, her in the field smiling over a discovery and the last sitting in the solar of their Washington, D.C. townhouse. She was looking out the window. It was taken a few months before her death. The signs of the cancer ravaging her body was only apparent in her gaunt cheeks. Otherwise, she was just as beautiful as she had always been.
Next to her were pictures of the three most important people in his life now.
Lynne was their pride and joy. A joy he had almost lost after Margaret's death because of his obsession in building Jurassic Park and trying to find a cure for cancer. The relationship they had now was much more what it was when Margaret was alive.
Next to her was Alexis. His sixteen, almost seventeen-year-old granddaughter was just as striking as her mother at the same age. She had always been a happy child. Much more of a tomboy than her mother. Lex reminded him of Margaret, who was always more comfortable camping and looking for bones than wearing dresses and attending board meetings and social gatherings. Though Lex definitely dressed more feminine in the last year or two.
Last was Timothy. The twelve-year-old had the half wild hair of the boy's father. His love for the dinosaurs and anything to do with them had been something John had loved and cultivated since he had been a small boy. Being at Jurassic Park had only made that inclination grow. He had a feeling that Tim would be the one most likely to take over management of the park when he got older as John had no plans to let this get out of the family.
Looking at Lynne, Alexis and Timothy, it was also the answer to how they had been able to make Jurassic Park work.
John had seen many fantastical things over his sixty-three years, but he had never seen anything the like of magic until last March.
Hanging on the walls of the office were various pictures of Jurassic Park. To his right was one of the more recent ones. In it, was a team by one of the paddock gates. An Hypsilophodon was walking out of the large crate. It was a magnificent creature.
John didn't really look at it though. By the crate was a boy with the biggest rat's nest of black hair he had ever seen and striking green eyes.
Standing next to Muldoon, John could immediately see the way the boy held himself mirrored the skilled gamesman and the guards on the periphery of the photograph. For such a young man, he radiated confidence, power and an innate leadership that had people looking to him, even if he, or they, didn't realize it.
He also radiated magic.
Magic was key to all this. The amber, his family, the park, the genetic research, Harry Potter…
Without magic, he would not be sitting where he was at this time. Jurassic Park would not be getting ready for its first large scale visit next month. Nor would animals that were sixty-five million years extinct be breathing, eating and walking.
John smiled to the young man.
He had a feeling that the relationship he had with Lex was going to last the test of time. They were very smitten with each other. Harry was a young man years more mature than his age. It was a maturity he had seen Lex take on. He wasn't sure if it was magic or the life experiences shoved on her, but Lex was quickly becoming a woman in her own right.
Yes, they were still young and immature in some ways, but far more put together than most in their twenties.
He just hoped that they would take it slow enough to get married after university and wait to have children. Lynne had struggled having Lex so young and while still in university, but it had worked out. If Lex and Harry had the same issue, then John, Lynne and Sirius would do all they could to them be successful. He had no doubt about that.
He was brought out of his musing by a knock on his door. Looking towards the glass wall, he motioned for Raymond to step in.
"Morning, John," the man said around the cigarette he always had in his mouth.
"Good morning, Raymond. What can I do for you today?" he asked, giving the man a smile.
Raymond put a thin report folder onto his desk. "Just the report you asked about staffing. We have hired and vetted out all the staff for the Visitor Center, hospitality and the extra two nurses. We are still trying to find three more maintenance workers after the others quit."
"Excellent," he said, taking the folder. "Are they all at the park to start training?" he asked. They would be ready when the board of directors and their families arrived in four weeks from now.
Ray took the cigarette out of his mouth. "The last group comes over from the mainland next weekend. It shouldn't take more than two weeks to train the cleaning crews and hotel workers with the staff we already have."
John nodded. In two weeks from now, the personnel count for the island would be more than a hundred and fifty. At full capacity, the park could host almost five thousand people. With the other two hotels being built, that would easily get to ten thousand by end of next year. The staff would expand as needed.
"And all the safety measures have been tested?" John questioned.
"We are doing another full system check next Monday and have the finalized plans to do so once a month after that," Ray said.
"And the tracking system is still working?"
Ray smiled. "Your granddaughter is some kind of genius. My staff is looking at her coding and is struggling to understand half of it. In a few months she coded more than ten thousand lines on top of what was there. It still has a few quirks, but ninety-four percent of the time it correctly identifies each animal. The daily counts vary a little, but we don't see any wild swings in the population. Though, you may need to consider moving some of the animals back to the preserve on Isla Sorna. Gerry is concerned that there are too many in the valley once the new egg clutches hatch."
John nodded. He had a great amount of pride in his granddaughter. "Muldoon and Gerry have already brought that concern to me. I will consider it."
Ray shrugged. "No skin off my back. Anything else today?"
"I think that is it."
Ray went to leave, then turned back before opening the door. "John, about this position as the park manager…"
John knew where this was probably going. "You don't want it, do you?"
Ray grinned. "Not at first. It's been growing on me though."
John smiled back. Ray was an engineer. He was the driving force behind the design of the park and all its systems. No one knew the capability and the workings of the infrastructure and the day-to-day operations like Ray. "I'm glad to hear that."
"I don't want to be in charge of the guests though. I'll run the park, but you need someone else to take care of the people," Ray told him.
John nodded. That was fair. "I've already been interviewing people. Benjamin and I just need to make a decision."
"Anyone I know?"
"No one on the island has expressed interest. I've been able to talk with a few big names in the hospitality industry," John said.
"Not that bastard that helped us plan all this?" Ray said with a cringe.
John laughed. "No. I have no plans to work with John Hilton again. I've been talking with a woman by the name of Jasmine Wright. She's been the manager at a few big resorts in the States."
Ray shrugged. "As long as it's not that asshole, I'm sure it'll be fine."
"I'm sure it will be also."
In all their plans to get this place up and going, he had not really thought much about the guests' overall experience in the hotels. After a few interviews, he was coming to realize how large of an oversight that had been. With Ray taking on the park management, he had a few calls to make before offering the woman a job. He needed her as soon as possible.
Looking at the amber on the top of his cane, he reaffirmed is stance of sparing no expense to make this happen.
-oOo-
Next time on The Magic of Amber: Sirius finds out more about his family. The Council is hosted at Isla Nublar. The Church prepares for its final assault on the infadels.