The only things visible in the dim hall were the wide, curious eyes of little wizards, their gazes darting between their classmates and dark entrances, as if Sirius Black might burst in at any moment, wand in hand.
The only light left came from silver glow of the ghosts floating around the Great Hall. Aside from mischievous Peeves and a few reclusive spirits like Moaning Myrtle, nearly every ghost in Hogwarts had gathered to help.
They glided through the hall, speaking solemnly with prefects of each house. With all professors out searching for Sirius Black, it was up to these sleepless spirits to watch over students resting in the Great Hall.
Even so, the young wizards caught between excitement and fear, found it hard to sleep. Their whispered conversations never stopped.
Setting aside any potential danger outside, this was certainly an unusual experience. Even Luna couldn't fall asleep right away. In fact, to her, it was a rare opportunity.
"So beautiful."
Lucifer still mulling over why Sirius Black would risk exposure for this, turned his head in puzzlement at the soft words. She was lying a couple seats beside him, her eyes wide open, clearly far from sleepy.
Following her gaze, he saw the ceiling above a magical expanse reflecting a star-filled sky that looked just like the world beyond the castle walls. It was a view bathed in starlight, and it was easy to see why Luna was entranced.
Still....
"In a situation like this, you're probably the only one who'd still be in the mood to admire it...."
But Luna distracted by the stars, didn't quite catch his words. She only dreamily stared through the darkness. She wasn't some odd girl, just depended on who she was with.
"It's not like anyone's trying to break into Ravenclaw. What's there to worry about?"
So, where was Grindelwald? What was he preparing?
xxxxxx
The Dark Gellert Grindelwald's return began in Germany. There were three master wand-making traditions in Europe, or more accurately, three 'wand-making families.'
Britain has Ollivander, France has the Leclair family.
Germany has the Gregorovitch.
Each family supplies one major magic school and, in effect, each holds a share of Europe's largest magical arms trade. Daphne's wand, for instance, was custom-made by the current Leclair, its core a single hair from her grandmother.
He had been so pleased with his own craftsmanship that he didn't even take payment, Lucifer joked this was simply family favoritism taking shape.
Old Gregorovitch, however, was always the most ambitious of the three. Supplying one school was not enough for him, he wanted more, to challenge the others.
So, years ago, he spread a rumor: He had acquired the legendary 'Elder Wand' itself, and he intended to apply its secrets to his own wandcraft.
Not long after, on a rainy night, the 'Elder Wand' vanished from his workshop. A young blond thief stole it right out from under his nose.
Gregorovitch never saw the boy's face clearly, but when that same blond wizard later appeared in newspapers, reshaping the world, Gregorovitch recognized it at once.
The 'Elder Wand's' appearance was unmistakable, human finger bones, segmented, and protruding. From then on, Gregorovitch buried that night deep in his heart, treating it as his greatest secret.
When asked about it, he would simply laugh and dodge the question. "No such thing ever happened", he'd say.
Now, today, he finished polishing a set of unsold wands and was just heading toward the staircase to retire upstairs when shop door creaked open.
"Sorry, we're closed. If you need something..." His words stopped abruptly, brush in his hand dropped to the floor, because he had seen the man standing at the entrance.
White, wild hair. A face shaped by arrogance and certainty.
Those Heterochromatic eyes.
"Gr... Gr..."
"Grindelwald."
The visitor said gently, dipping his head with polite grace. "I see the world has not forgotten me. It has been decades, Mr. Gregorovitch. You have aged..."
"Grindelwald... sir," Gregorovitch swallowed hard, body gone completely stiff, "Congratulations on... regaining your freedom, your presence is as commanding as ever."
"Thank you."
Grindelwald walked to the counter.
Gregorovitch did not dare move as the former warlord opened a wand box and turned the wand inside between his fingers, "Hawthorn, tail-hair of a Graphorn. Suited for someone who wavers, one who does not yet know themselves. Would you agree?"
"You possess immeasurable knowledge," Gregorovitch said, carefully placing every word like he was disarming a curse.
Grindelwald shook his head. "When you have seen enough, you naturally understand more. But knowledge is not mastery. I only know of wands. You, Mr Gregorovitch, create them."
He raised his eyes, "Therefore, I must trouble you to make one for me."
The tone was polite, but there was no room for refusal, Gregorovitch hurried toward the shelf, hands shaking, ready to offer a selection.
But Grindelwald stopped him.
"No, I said make a wand. Not choose one."
Gregorovitch nodded rapidly, "I understand. I understand perfectly."
"Good."
Grindelwald's gaze sharpened, steady and meaningful, "Then remember my only requirement. I need a wand that performs well even when facing the Elder Wand." His words fell like a stone in deep water.
"After all," he continued softly, "you once held it. You know it better than any living craftsman."
Cold sweat ran down Gregorovitch's brow. Grindelwald had laid their shared secret bare with no hesitation, he wasn't even pretending anymore.
"You know as well as I do that such a thing is almost impossible," Gregorovitch said quietly, "The Elder Wand is not merely strong. Its nature comes from Death..."
"I met something far worse than it, do your best," Grindelwald said simply. He lifted his head to the dark windowpanes, "You have until sunrise. When the sun rises, I will leave with my wand."
Gregorovitch heard the unspoken alternative: Either Grindelwald left with the wand, or he left as a corpse.
Shakily, the old man turned toward his workbench and began to gather materials with trembling fingers.
Grindelwald had spoken the truth.
Gregorovitch did understand the Elder Wand better than anyone, and he had once imagined crafting a wand that could counter it. But without understanding 'the Elder Wand's' true nature, defeating it outright was impossible. At best, he could create a wand that resisted it to some degree, using instinct, experience, and his knowledge of magical materials.
To make such a wand in a single night bordered on madness. But if he wished to live longer, he had no choice but to try.
Meanwhile, as Gregorovitch worked feverishly, Gellert moved through the shop, testing one wand after another.
Lucifer's methods had given him an idea. If one ordinary wand could not withstand repeated battles, then he would simply prepare several. Even slight compatibility would make them useful as backups.
The shop was quiet except for the sound of wand boxes opening and closing, wood tools scraping, and two men breathing.
An uneasy equilibrium, each man working under a different weight.
Gregorovitch was profoundly grateful that it was late autumn sliding into winter. If this had been summer, dawn would have come far earlier, and he never would have finished even one wand in time.
Just as the sky began to lighten, he finally placed the newly crafted wand into Grindelwald's hand who tested a few spells. He gave a slight nod of satisfaction, then gathered the dozen or so spare wands he had chosen and headed out of the shop.
"Sorry, Mr. Gregorovitch. I left in a hurry this time, didn't bring the gold. Next time, I'll repay you. Truly."
'I'd rather give you... ten thousand Galleons than ever see you walk through my door again.' Gregorovitch thought weakly as he watched Grindelwald leave. Once he was sure the man was gone, he immediately contacted the German 'Ministry of Magic.'
Aurors swarmed his shop within minutes.
xxxxx
~Dimensional Space~
Lucifer had barely woken up when Grindelwald dragged him into the training for a live-combat test to try out the new wand.
"Poplar wood, unicorn tail hair. That honestly doesn't suit you at all," he turned the wand over in his fingers, unimpressed, "A guy like you using a unicorn core? Clearly Gregorovitch isn't as skilled as they say..."
"It's true the feel isn't ideal," Grindelwald replied without offense, he knew himself well enough, "This is only a temporary measure to counter Dumbledore's. Taming a wand is not difficult for me."
....Lucifer nodded, he knew the Headmaster's wand was exactly like Potter's Cloak, from that angle, Gregorovitch's choice made sense.
Poplar wood 'favored' those with firm will and a love for dueling, unafraid of authority, able to resist the Albus's suppression of lesser wands. Unicorn tail hair held holy, bright energy, the polar opposite of thestral magic.
The 'forces' would clash.
Lucifer then brought up what happened the night before, "After news of your escape reached him, Dumbledore disappeared in his office. Sirius Black had attempted to go through the Fat lady's portrait... Then, Vinda Rosier got the intel soon after. I told her to stay calm and not act rashly. Better if you contact her yourself..."
Grindelwald fell silent for a moment, then agreed, he didn't want to interfere with Lucifer's leadership of the Acolytes too early, but considering situation, it was more appropriate for him to handle this.
"Black, you say? A minor wizard, he wouldn't dare give trouble after I greet Albus."
Lucifer waved a hand dismissively, "Go ahead, play as you like. Make a little noise. I enjoy a bit of... 'chaos."
With that, he vanished from the space, woke up to see Hermione still fast asleep on his stomach, and most of other students out of their sleeping bags, eating breakfast at a single long table at the edge of the room.
Even Daphne was eating her toast. Harry and Ron had already woken up, were steadily making their way through multiple bowls of cereal.
Dumbledore again disappeared.
Professor McGonagall's expression was dangerously grim. And since the papers didn't report the capture of escaped criminal, everyone realized their assumptions might have been wrong.
Or rather... Dumbledore failed?
But though many within Ministries already knew what had happened, it would take time before news reached students and the general public.
Nearly every European, 'Minister of Magic' had been jolted awake the previous night, forced to accept the reality of Grindelwald's escape. Some dismissed it, but most understood the gravity. Following Babajide's recommendation, several key individuals were quietly placed under watch.
But they didn't dare take more direct action. Arrest everyone?
If Grindelwald heard about it, that would only draw his attention. He may not be able to take on whole world, but 'killing' a few people would be easy.
Lucifer gently shook Hermione awake, her eyes slowly blinked open, and she groaned as the light from the ceiling hit her eyes.
"Just a little longer, Daddy," She sighed as she slumped her head back down on his chest.
"Five minutes," he said, making her lovingly smile at him, and wrap her arms around once again.
After those promised ten minutes later, he shook Hermione again. She turned her head to look at him, and gave him the puppy dog eyes.
"Hermione.. you know I would love to, but we need to get u--" Lucifer was cut off when she forced her lips onto his, "I know what you're doing." He mumbled into her lips.
"Oh yeah, what is it then?"
"You're buying more ti---"
"EWWW!!" A 'first' year groaned and ran away from the couple.
"Now look what you've done. You've scarred that kid for life." Lucifer joked as his eyes wandered into Daphne murdering her jelly beans, "We should really get up, or 'that' knife will be inside us..."
"Orr.." Hermione prompted
"I'll make you get up."
"Then make me!" She teased, laying herself fully on top of Lucifer, but instantly recoiled as his hands connected with her sides. She giggled and squealed, drawing the attention of many nearby students, and 'finally' relented.
"I surrender! Stop! Please!"
She gasped as Lucifer let go, and breathed a sigh of relief, slumping on her back next to him.
"No you don't. Up you get," Lucifer had gotten up from his sleeping bag and grabbed Hermione's hand, pulling her up. Once she had kissed him enough for two lifetimes, they made their way over to the two vacant seats next to Harry and Ron.
"That was quite the show you two put on..." Ron said bitterly.
"Mind your own business."
Lucifer smiled as his girlfriend connected their hands underneath the table in a sweet gesture.
xxxxxx
"You? Being responsible? As if!" Hermione scoffed loudly.
"I'm always responsible! Top marks in my classes, performing spells at a higher level than everybody-!"
"And all whilst breaking every school rule to have ever existed," Hermione smirked, thought she had won.
"You were with me every step of the way, unless you've forgotten," Lucifer as Ginny roared with laughter.
"I believe I got petrified by a Basilisk. The Chamber wasn't my fault!"
"And who ripped a page out of a library book to tell us what was in that Chamber?"
"Hermione ripped a page out of a library book?" Ginny asked, looking shocked.
"I know right? And she's saying I was causing trouble," Lucifer poured a little red syrup on his girlfriend's plate while retorting back.
"Snort!"
Hermione's face turned ugly.
xxxxxx
Meanwhile at dawn, Dumbledore arrived that morning at Gregorovitch's shop in Berlin.
He had already told the Aurors most of what happened, except for the existence of the Elder Wand and Grindelwald's request.
He didn't dare spread that news; otherwise every ambitious wizard alive would eventually come knocking. But Dumbledore was the current master of the 'Elder Wand.'
Gregorovitch gave him a meaningful glance. Dumbledore understood, and once the Aurors were gone, he quietly returned inside.
"Gregorovitch, what is it that you wanted to tell me?"
"Dumbledore.... Grindelwald had me craft a special wand."
Having worked through the night,
Gregorovitch looked exhausted, then endured hours of questioning. His voice was thin and unsteady, "He wanted a wand... that could oppose the Elder Wand."
Dumbledore's expression didn't change, but his eyes deepened. "And did you succeed?"
"I'm sorry." Gregorovitch let out a strained laugh, "I didn't dare refuse him, and I didn't dare cut corners. I did my best. It should be effective to some extent. So you must be careful. His goal is clear, he means to come for you."
"Thank you for the warning." Dumbledore offered a steadying reassurance, "This is not your fault. And do not worry, I defeated him once. I can do so again, even without that wand that brings nothing but misfortune."
Relief washed through Gregorovitch, the shadow Grindelwald left behind finally lifting. This was Dumbledore's strength, who had been winning for a hundred years, and nearly everyone believed he would continue to win.
Perhaps only time itself could defeat him. As Dumbledore stepped outside, the sunlight was bright, but his heart felt dim, Grindelwald had a clear plan. The fact that he went for a wand 'first' meant this escape was no impulsive act.
If Gellert was serious, Dumbledore would need strength to match him.
The Order of the Phoenix...
Dumbledore's steps quickened, he needed to contact his old allies before the world shifted further and found himself fighting alone. 'North America is too far, Paris is closer.'
A phoenix, Fawkes, appeared on his shoulder, under a flash of fire. A heartbeat later, at the gates of 'Nicolas Flamel's' estate, a visitor arrived.
xxxxxx
"No, I'm currently over six hundred years old. Even books in Hogwarts library say so." Nicolas Flamel was happy to see his old friend, yet the news Dumbledore brought weighed heavy. What was even worse was that he actually wanted him to come out of retirement again.
The last time he had even picked up a wand... was to give Lucifer a lesson.
"To most of the world, I'm already dead. Can't I be allowed to enjoy my old age?"
Dumbledore gave a bitter smile, "Nico, I didn't want to disturb you. But the situation is bad. Grindelwald came prepared this time. He went to Gregorovitch, had him craft a wand specifically to counter 'the Elder Wand....' Right now enemy is in the dark, and we are out in the open. I can't handle this alone."
Flamel tapped the floor irritably with his cane, "And what about the Ministries? The Confederation? Albus, you are a school headmaster. You can't put the entire world on your own shoulders..."
"The Ministries?" Dumbledore's smile twisted into something even more strained. He looked gentle and easygoing most days, polite to everyone. But his pride was carved deep into his bones, the number of people in the world he treated as equals was very, very small.
The rest were mediocre. Ordinary.
And because there were so many ordinary people, Dumbledore always thought that might be for the best. Because when capable people cause trouble, they cause real trouble.
Like Grindelwald. Like Voldemort.
Which led to the situation they had now: even an aged, weakened Grindelwald could still stir chaos across the wizarding world.
If Dumbledore didn't intervene, the world could easily slide into a pit no one could climb out of. So he had to step forward, 'again!'
Flamel sank back into his chair, troubled, he had no personal grudge against Grindelwald... but the little they did have was more than enough. Back when Newt stole the 'Blood Pact', he had helped. And when Acolytes were at their strongest, he had simply fled to Devon in UK to hide.
Only after Grindelwald was imprisoned did he return to Paris. Was he supposed to run away again?
Flamel couldn't help silently cursing Grindelwald, 'Couldn't the man have waited a few decades to break out? Wait until Flamel was dust? Or until Lucifer had fully grown?'
This ancient relic had no doubt that Lucifer could stand at Grindelwald's height someday... maybe even surpass him. The problem was simply that boy wasn't there yet. What Flamel didn't know was that Grindelwald's escape had been orchestrated by that very same "promising student."
Dumbledore tried a while longer, but when he realised the old Alchemist wouldn't budge, he changed course and asked him to at least divine Grindelwald's location or where he might appear.
That much Flamel was willing to do.
Unfortunately, he found nothing.
Grindelwald had learned from past mistakes, and Lucifer had no intention of letting anyone find a connection between them. Together, they had cloaked their tracks in magic so thoroughly, not even Archangel Gabriel himself or the 'Fate Sisters' could break it.
Unless you can go knocking on the door of the Creator's bedroom.
"I'm sorry, Albus. I can't help." Flamel sighed. Somehow, he felt the old Grindelwald was harder to deal with than the young one.
"It's alright, Nico. He'll show himself sooner or later." Dumbledore said it calmly, but when he left, his disappointment was obvious. Neither of his goals had been achieved.
After he was gone, Flamel considered whether he should run to Britain to hide again. If Grindelwald really came for him, dealing with him would cost dearly. But after thinking it through, he decided to stay put. Most people believed he was already dead.
Grindelwald likely wouldn't come looking. And besides, being too close to that boy in Britain was just asking for trouble.
Lucifer wouldn't harm him, no, but he would absolutely use him. Recently, Flamel felt like he had produced more alchemical items for the boy than in the past 'few decades' combined. He was being worked like a house-elf.
So the safest move was to stay home and play dead. If trouble came knocking, then he would run.
Still, he needed to warn that boy:
'Grindelwald hostilely targets every student Dumbledore favored. First Newt. Now likely Lucifer... and that Harry Potter kid too.'
xxxxxx
....At Hogwarts, Lucifer received the warning, not only from Flamel, but Newt had sent one as well.
『Socially-Anxious Magizoologist』:
[Lucifer, don't run around right now. Stay at Hogwarts. And... huh? Why did my name change?]
He quickly fixed it; had been messing around last night and experimenting on Newt's account, but honestly the name suited him.
『Lucifer』: Fixed
『Newt Scamander』...
『Newt Scamander』Anyway, stay at Hogwarts, Grindelwald has escaped, and the wizarding world is about to get chaotic.
『Lucifer』: ??? Even if Grindelwald broke out, what's that got to do with me? Why would he bother coming after me?
He couldn't figure out why both Newt and Flamel were thinking the same thing, that was seriously... concerning.
『Tina Scamander』: Because you're Dumbledore's 'favored' student. That's exactly kind of person Grindelwald hates the most.
『Lucifer』: Please don't say things like that. My relationship with the Headmaster is normal. It's not 'that' close.
Specially, after Dumbledore had a plastic surgery, he couldn't even recognise the man anymore.
『Tina Scamander』: It doesn't matter how you see it, but Grindelwald, and another thing. Be careful of Dumbledore too. Whatever he asks you to do, don't agree immediately.... If he says something and you're unsure, come tell me.
『Newt Scamander』: Tina... Dumbledore wouldn't go that far. Lucifer is just a child.
『Tina Scamander』: Quiet, Newt. Lucifer is a child, yes, but not an ordinary one. Who knows what that old man will decide, when it comes to winning, his bottom line... is lower than you think.
Newt was completely shut down by Tina and didn't dare speak again.
After that, it was all Tina, repeatedly warning Lucifer to stay cautious, to think carefully, and not to get involved in matters that had nothing to do with him, he agreed to everything without resistance.
Compared to Newt, a third year student's attitude was far better, which naturally pleased Tina.
Later, Lucifer simply added Nicolas Flamel and Perenelle into the chat as well. It had practically become his second "guardian group." If any professors wanted to complain about him, Evelyn Greengrass, and these 'four' would likely be the only ones they could turn to... assuming they could even 'find' the former.
Watching the group chat fill with complaints about Albus Dumbledore, and Flamel grumbling that Lucifer was still too young, that if he were ten years older there would be nothing to worry about.
He couldn't help but smile.
Earlier, he had been worried that Newt Scamander might go out and unintentionally attract Grindelwald's attention. He had even considered warning Gellert not to provoke Newt.
But judging by how strictly Tina was managing things now, that seemed unnecessary. Closing the notebook, Lucifer remained completely unaffected and continued with his original weekend plans.
....No matter how chaotic the world became, it had little to do with him for now. But if a 'fight' broke out in the harem of witches due to Hermione's snogging without any prior notice, that would give him a headache.
xxxxxx
British Ministry of Magic
Cornelius Fudge had also received Babajide's warning and the invitation to the emergency conference. And he was among the group of Ministers who did not take it seriously.
Britain had never directly experienced worst of Grindelwald's influence thanks to Dumbledore's presence. Fudge, who was in his 'fifties', had missed that era entirely.
To him, Grindelwald was just someone Dumbledore had already defeated, a defeated loser.
Not nearly as terrifying as Voldemort.
So he didn't even bother to pass the warning along, simply told Barty Crouch Sr. from the 'International Cooperation Department' to attend the meeting in his place.
What was bothering him was the fugitive Sirius Black.
"Damned rat... where did he run off to?" Fudge muttered to himself, even considered recalling the Dementors currently stationed around key wizarding areas due to public complaints in his office lately.
But after a moment of hesitation, decided not to. Not unless he confirmed the 'fugitive' had already left the country.
xxxxxx
Paris, Rosier Manor
In the grand hall, Vinda, Vogel, and several old Acolytes stared up at Grindelwald with tears in their eyes.
"My Lord..." Vinda's voice trembled, and shame, deep sense of inferiority weighed on her heart. So many years had passed, yet Grindelwald's presence was still overwhelming.
While she, on the other hand... was a guttering candle, her strength was nowhere near what it once was.
Her influence was diminished. The Acolytes she led were shadows of their 'former power.' Grindelwald understood that guilt immediately and smiled softly, "Vinda, you owe no apology. If anything... I was the one who failed all of you."
He set his glass down and stood, stepping forward, placing a hand, heavy on each Acolyte's shoulder.
"Everything you've endured, Diablo, that 'Silent killer', has already told me. Some of you have seen your families crumble, others were forced into exile. I know all of it. I remember all of it, now is the time to settle accounts."
The Acolytes straightened, blood heating, eager to bring the 'Deathly Hallows' banner back into the skies above Paris.
Vinda asked quietly, "What is your next move?"
"It doesn't concern you yet. Do not act on your own," Grindelwald slowly turned the ring on his finger, "When I arrived, there were already at least two strike teams watching this district. They're here for 'you, Vinda."
"So your task now is simply to follow Lucifer's direction. Support him in spreading those alchemical artifacts. That is the most 'important thing."
His tone shifted, suddenly cold.
"Vinda.... I knew you questioned his decisions last night."
Vinda lowered her head immediately, heart pounding uneasily, the others stayed perfectly still, Grindelwald could treat them like siblings. But the moment someone crossed his principles, that bond vanished instantly.
"I... I was only emotional," She whispered. "I have never disobeyed master Lucifer's orders. I carry them out as I would yours, I would never look down on him."
"That is why you are still standing here alive, Vinda," Grindelwald let out a quiet sigh, "Or your fate would have been worse than Death. Listen well, you may question my orders because I trust your judgment...."
"But Lucifer's? No. Whatever he decides, 'you' follow."
The room froze. What did that mean? Was that boy's authority... above Grindelwald's?
"All of you, pay attention."
Next second, Gellert looked across his followers, voice firm and sharp, severe even, "Lucifer is not a human being, you may call him the Devil himself, he is also the current leader of the Acolytes. My return does not change that, in fact, everything I do from here will be to support his plans...."
"Do not assume that my return weakens his authority. That will not happen. If any of you disobey him, I will deal with you myself."
His voice lowered, but every word struck hard, "This is for your own good, because if Lucifer is the one who deals with you..."
A chilling pause.
"Your entire 'family' will not survive."
Silence fell. Then, slowly, deliberately, Grindelwald spoke the final truth.
"Remember, Lucifer Morningstar is the future of the Wizarding world, only one who can 'fulfill' our ideal."
xxxxxx
Had Grindelwald's ideal changed?
No. From his youth until now, he had always hoped that wizards could live openly and honorably beneath the sun, instead of hiding from Muggles like rats skulking in the dark.
It was only during his imprisonment that he came to 'feel' this dream could never be realized, and so he buried it deep within his heart.
Lucifer had once told him that he did not care about any so-called greater good. To him, the greatest good was simple: 'to keep enjoying his desires, to keep learning, and to keep growing stronger.'
Grindelwald had also promised that he would never force his own beliefs onto him, besides he did not have that right. And in truth, there was no conflict between the two.
By now, Grindelwald could say that he understood the Devil's nature very well, he was unwilling to live beneath anyone else, temperament was somewhat extreme. Either he did nothing at all, or he would see things through to the 'bitter end!' He drew very sharp lines between his own people, strangers by the roadside, and his enemies.
Most importantly, he was not like Dumbledore, did not reject wealth, nor resist power, nor pretend not to care whether strength and status ought to match. Lucifer's creed was that he "wanted it all."
He never allowed himself to suffer a grievance. If anyone tried to make him suffer one, then he would kindly send them to meet their ancestors so the whole family could be reunited as soon as possible, whether in Heaven or Hell, he didn't give a 'fuck' at all.
Grindelwald refused to believe that when one day Lucifer's strength would 'fully' recover, or if he chose to spend a lifetime on this planet for more years until his girls followed back to the Underworld, he would still be able to tolerate the way wizards were forced to live now.
To possess extraordinary power and yet be unable to use it freely, then return to the Muggle world and live as an ordinary person... With Lucifer's personality who had seen everything, Gellert heard about meta-humans where powered up mortals existed, such terrifying abilities such as freezing breath, laser eyes, flyi--list goes on and on, he was told they possessed, demi-humans, so that was 'absolutely impossible!'
So, Grindelwald 'felt' there was nothing he needed to do, realising this planet was not the only where life existed, he had calmed down. He only needed to help Lucifer enjoy here on Earth with all his heart, and wait for the day the dawn 'finally' arrived.
And what was the young man he was so placing hopes on doing right now?
Taking Luna to the Forbidden Forest to play with a baby creature and, more importantly, trying to get some intel about Helena Ravenclaw.
"The Grey Lady?"
Her eyes curved like crescent moons as she rubbed the creature's soft, round belly, a panda. She didn't seem surprised by Lucifer's question.
"Yeah... she's not very social. Doesn't talk to the other ghosts much. I've only ever seen her greet the Fat Friar. She's usually distant with students. But a few said she's helped them out. She seems to know the library inside and out, can tell you exactly which books to read without even looking."
"I've actually never seen her myself up close, she always runs away," Lucifer murmured, stroking his chin.
The RavenClaw tilted her head, "Why the sudden interest in a ghost?"
"Well, it was Halloween just a few days ago," Lucifer said casually, "Every other house ghost showed up, except her. And..." He leaned closer, lowering his voice in mock secrecy, "I heard that Slytherin's house ghost, the Bloody Baron, has history with her. He's always staring up at Ravenclaw Tower, supposedly looking at Grey Lady, like a queen...."
"Wait, really?" Luna perked up immediately, pushing the baby creature aside so she could focus.
Let's face it no human being is immune to gossip, especially when it involves ghosts, that only laded an extra layer of fantasy.
Lucifer shrugged his palms up like an innocent bear, "That's what I heard. I don't know the details, that's why I'm trying to 'find' a way to run into her and maybe get her talking...."
"All right, leave it to me. Iris know the biggest gossip-magnet girl in the school. I'll ask her, but no promises."
xxxxxxx
....Over the next few days, all people seemed to be able to talk about how Black could have possibly gotten into the Castle.
Lucifer didn't much care for their theories, as without something based on the reality he knew, and something that was reasonably logical, he saw no reason to join in on, because he himself had nothing to add.
Another thing that annoyed him, was the fact 'Sir Cadogan' was the Fat Lady's replacement.
He already didn't like the stout knight, and with how often he tried to duel someone or change the password along with making it complicated, Lucifer wanted to rip the portrait off the wall or burn his beard.
It was unfortunate no one was as stupid as Sir Cadogan, because anyone else would've been better.
Another thing Lucifer noticed was an increased tail of teachers on Harry. He could only imagine how frustrated that made him. If he had to suffer with being followed at all times of the day, would only wish that said person was ready for what's coming for him.
Halloween's vibe had already faded, and a new week began, bringing with it second round of monthly exams.
Thankfully, Professor McGonagall hadn't sold Hermione out yet. The students still didn't know that whole "exam reform" idea came from her. Otherwise, she'd have easily beaten Snape and Filch to become the most hated person in Hogwarts.
To be honest, even she was starting to regret it. So many 'exams... and worse,' no magic allowed for writing answers, her schedule was so packed. Nearly dotted even January's on her Charmed ledger that was given by Lucifer as a present. Every word had to be done by hand, her boyfriend was 'finding' it annoying as well.
"Lucifer!"
After writing out five methods for dealing with Grindylows and the casting techniques for the Tickling Charm, the Defence Against the Dark Arts exam finally came to an end.
....Lucifer had only just stepped out of the classroom with Hermione when Luna, who happened to be coming down from upstairs, called out to him.
"You asked me to look into that matter, there's news..." When they reached a corner, she lowered her voice, "The Grey Lady sometimes goes to the library at night... The exact day isn't fixed, but at least once a week, according to Iris. And she also thinks there's definitely something between Baron and the Grey Lady... She's already found out that two of them used to be 'classmates."
The corner of Lucifer's mouth twitched. Stellamaris's gossip gathering ability really had exceeded his expectations. She had actually managed to dig up that much.
"I got it, Luna. Hurry and go prepare for your next exam."
Luna nodded dreamily, her next class was Herbology, so she needed to hurry to the greenhouses.
Only after she left did Hermione ask what was going on, he pulled out the same explanation used yesterday to deal with it, and sure enough, she immediately became excited and insisted he absolutely had to uncover the 'full story' behind it all.
xxxxxx
When they arrived at Transfiguration classroom, what surprised third-year students was that one proctoring the exam was not Professor McGonagall, but Professor Sinistra from Astronomy.
Still, it was only an exam. Whoever invigilated made little difference, so no one paid much attention. They simply picked up quills and began answering the questions.
At that very moment, Professor McGonagall was in Headmaster's office with Dumbledore, using a special enchanted device to connect to headquarters of the 'International Confederation of Wizards' and attend that day's meeting remotely.
New York.
Inside the largest conference room of the 'International Confederation of Wizards', representatives from various countries were arriving one after another.
Those qualified to participate in this meeting were either the Ministers for Magic of their respective nations, or the heads of 'Departments of International Magical Cooperation'.
Yet for most of the continental European countries, people who had come were their 'Ministers for Magic' in person. That alone was enough to show just how much pressure Grindelwald had placed upon them.
Sitting among those people, Barty Crouch looked especially conspicuous, and out of place.
"Has Britain changed its Minister for Magic?"
"No. Didn't you see the placard in front of him? Crouch is still the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
"Tsk. From the looks of it, Britain really is scared too."
"With Dumbledore there to hold the line, if it were me, I wouldn't be worried either."
The group of European Ministers for Magic who had been chatting idly all 'fell' silent at once, a shared bitterness rising in their hearts.
They envied Fudge.
Even in ordinary times, Dumbledore had already brought untold prestige to a declining Britain. And now, in this special period, his presence was like an unshakable reef standing firm in the sea. No matter how great the storm, it could not bring him down.
Barty Crouch was 'fluent' in over a hundred languages, so he naturally heard their discussion as well. Yet his expression did not change in the slightest. He did not care what these people said. Instead, he was thinking about a different matter.
Unlike an idiot like Fudge, his understanding of Grindelwald ran very deep. Though he had never been called the 'Dark Lord', the things he had done, and the influence he had wielded, far surpassed that self-proclaimed Dark Lord.
Even Crouch himself had once been shaken by Grindelwald's ideals and felt the impulse to follow him. And his son, Barty Crouch Junior, was a 'fanatical' follower of the Dark Lord.
Even after Crouch had secretly swapped him out of Azkaban and brought him back, the boy still refused to repent. If he had to choose between the two Dark Lords, Crouch would rather that Barty Junior had 'followed' Grindelwald.
At least his followers could still be counted as normal people, unlike the Death Eaters, who were utterly deranged, 'found' joy only in slaughtering and torturing Muggles and half-blood wizards. The problem troubling Crouch now was how to make contact with Grindelwald, and how to persuade him to spend the effort to reform "Barty Junior."
By the time Crouch had furrowed his brow and thought through all this, it was already time for the meeting to begin.
The curtain in front of Dumbledore 'flickered' to life, displaying a live image of the conference room. He looked toward a seat at the edge of the chamber near the exit, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
Newt and Tina were sitting there.
They looked completely out of place among the cluster of senior Ministry officials around them. The two of them had been specially invited by Babajide to attend. Both had extensive experience in 'fighting' Grindelwald and might be able to offer useful help.
Even Tina had not tried to stop Newt from coming. On the contrary, she had agreed at once. There was simply too much bad blood between them and Grindelwald. Even if they wanted to avoid him now, they could not.
Since vengeance might come for them sooner or later, it was better to strike first. The meeting began.
Austria's Minister for Magic stepped onto the platform and repeated the situation once more.
"We must admit that even after all these decades, he remains a dark wizard of unbelievable power."
"From the memories of the guards, it can be confirmed that he cast 'Protego Diabolica'' without a wand, and even controlled the flames with ease so that they did not harm the guards while destroying the tower of Nurmengard. Is there anyone in your countries who can accomplish such a thing?"
"I estimate that apart from Dumbledore, no one can confidently guarantee it. So, we absolutely cannot lower our guard."
Voices of discussion rose one after another. Then the German Minister for Magic stood up, "Grindelwald has already obtained a suitable wand from Gregorovitch. His level of threat has risen yet again, and there is also the matter of the acolytes..."
He gave a bitter smile.
"To be frank with you all, even now, there are still quite a few descendants of his acolytes in high-ranking positions within my country. Have they inherited will of their forebears? Will they turn to Grindelwald? These people... at this point, do we even count them as our enemies?"
At his words, quite a few Ministers for Magic looked troubled. This situation was hardly unique to Germany.
Back then, Grindelwald had once boasted a hundred thousand followers. How could they possibly all have been killed? Even imprisoning them all had been impossible. Most pure-blood families had traditions of intermarriage, their bloodlines thoroughly entangled.
You in me, me in you.
Who could say for certain that among the people sitting here, there were not also descendants of Grindelwald's followers, or even current believers in his ideals?
Creak!
Creak!
The heavy bronze doors were pushed open. A middle-aged wizard in a neatly pressed suit entered, carrying a briefcase. He offered Babajide an apologetic smile, then looked around for his seat. Babajide and the others who turned back in curiosity did not think much of it.
Most of them knew the man, he was the "Polish Minister for Magic."
Newt glanced at him absentmindedly, then suddenly froze, expression turned grave at once. He sprang to his feet, pulled Tina behind him protectively as he backed away, and raised his wand straight at the man.
"Mr. Scamander?" Babajide asked in confusion.
"Watch out! He's Grindelwald!" Newt's voice rang out loud and clear, drowning out every other sound in the room.
The conference chamber exploded into uproar.
Grindelwald?
Could Scamander have mistaken him?
Others might doubt Newt, but Tina never would. Without the slightest hesitation, she whipped out her wand as well and pointed it, just like Newt, at the disguised Polish Minister for Magic.
Their actions immediately put the Aurors responsible for security on edge. In an instant, the atmosphere in the conference room turned razor-sharp and tense.
"How interesting..."
The Polish Minister for Magic stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed and let out a soft laugh.
"Scamander, I never expected you to be here. And I certainly didn't expect you to recognize me with a single glance."
That was when everyone finally believed Newt's judgment. The hall instantly descended into chaos.
The witches and wizards closest to him fled wildly toward the far end of the room, shouting for Aurors to attack. In the space of a few moments, dozens of spells shot toward the place where Grindelwald stood.
Yet he merely used a graceful Apparition to evade every single one. Before anyone could even determine where he had moved, he was standing back in the same place again.
To the eye, it looked as if his body had only blurred for a single instant, the spells passing through him and striking 'the floor' instead.
"Mr. Scamander, how did you see through Grindelwald's disguise so quickly?" The Swiss Minister for Magic could not help asking.
"I will never forget his eyes..." Newt said with complete honesty, "His eyes are very special, as brilliant and captivating as gemstones."
"'Newt!"
Tina's face darkened. At that moment, she had the overwhelming urge to point her wand at Newt instead.
xxxxxx
Tina was furious.
Not merely irritated, but the kind of furious that could get Newt banned from the 'bed' for an entire year.
Back then, when Newt had praised her eyes by saying they were as charming as a salamander's, she had accepted it. After all, the man she liked was a block of wood, practically poetry.
For Newt, that already counted as a very sincere compliment. But today, right in front of her, he had used perfectly normal, even elegant words to describe another man's eyes.
Did she not have any dignity at all?!
Newt shuddered and immediately realized he had said something truly disastrous. He hurriedly begged for mercy.
"Sorry, Tina."
"I'll deal with you when we get home." She shot him a vicious glare, then turned an even colder look to the enemy, "Gellert Grindelwald, have you come here to walk straight into the net? There are over a hundred Aurors here. Next door is the headquarters of MACUSA, and elite reinforcements are already arriving without end. You're far too arrogant..."
"A net to catch me? With the likes of you?" Grindelwald said, amused, "'Don't be ridiculous, Tina."
He spread his arms, and his appearance gradually shifted back into that wild, prideful face of his, a smile still playing at corner of his lips.
"Tina, we've crossed paths many times. You know all of this is meaningless to me. In this entire hall, even in all of New York, only you, Tina, your useless husband Scamander, and your sister Queenie are worthy of a second glance from me. As for the others... heh."
He let his gaze swept contemptuously across the Aurors, who no longer dared move rashly, and the cowering Ministry officials. Though he did not say the rest aloud, everyone could feel the disdain in it.
"Grindelwald, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Newt asked in a low voice.
He paid no attention to Grindelwald's insulting assessment of him. Ever since their 'first' encounter, he had never heard a single pleasant word from the man. To be honest, Newt was already used to it.
What concerned him more was whether Grindelwald's appearance here concealed some kind of scheme.
"It's merely a fortunate coincidence."
With a soft crack he vanished, appearing at the highest point in the conference chamber, standing atop the head of the statue of 'Pierre Bonaccord', founder of International Confederation of Wizards.
With his feet planted on Bonaccord's head, it looked as though he had placed the entire Confederation beneath his boots.
"Tell me, isn't that amusing?"
His tone was almost casual, like a man sharing an interesting anecdote with friends.
"I had not originally planned to attend your little meeting. I came here to look for someone. Then on the way, I happened to run into this Polish Minister for Magic. What was his name again? Ah yes, Jacek Nowak."
"When you get old, your memory starts to fail you," Grindelwald said with a self-mocking chuckle, "I didn't know him, but he happened to resemble an old acquaintance of mine... So I seized him and asked a few questions. Sure enough, that old acquaintance was his grandfather."
"He is a Minister for Magic. His grandfather was also a Minister for Magic, Zbigniew Nowak, who once crawled at my feet like a dog, then later turned like a jackal and tore into the 'flesh' of my followers."
"So..."
Grindelwald reached into his coat, taking out a handkerchief and wiped his palm, "I sent him off to reunite with his grandfather."
Dead silence fell over the conference room, every heart in the room sank to the bottom. A Minister for Magic... gone 'just like that?
At that moment, the cracking explosions of Apparition began sounding one after another. The Aurors who had received the alarm had finally arrived. In only a few moments, dozens more appeared, and that gave the people present a surge of confidence.
Several dozen against one.
The advantage was theirs.
"Kill him!" one Minister for Magic suddenly shouted.
"Move now! He's alone!"
"Don't let him escape! End this here and now, no holding back!"
"Nurmengard is already destroyed. He has no place left in this world. Strike and kill him!"
The Ministers for Magic cried out loudly, but the Aurors came from both the International Confederation of Wizards and MACUSA. They all looked to their superiors first, and only after receiving Babajide's approval did they move.
Almost at the same instant, dozens of people shouted incantations together.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Reductor!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Brilliant spells in a riot of colors, wrapped in violently surging magic, flew toward a single point. Many others did not attack directly. Instead, they joined forces to lay down 'Anti-Apparition' enchantments, casting a net tight as heaven and earth to prevent Grindelwald from escaping.
"The Aurors of today's magical world... have truly declined."
Without even speaking an incantation, Grindelwald casually drew his wand and sent out a beam of white light. It spread into a barrier, steady and impenetrable, blocking every spell that came at him.
Then it 'flung' them back.
Quite a few unprepared Ministry officials were struck by rebounding curses, and the conference room instantly fell into chaos.
Tina was already moving, blocking a stray curse with a swift shield charm. She seized the moment, aimed carefully, and fired two precise spells that curved around Grindelwald's barrier.
The impact hit true or would have, if the statue beneath him hadn't moved.
At Grindelwald's raised hand, the massive stone effigy mimicked him, lifting its own arm. The spells struck its palm instead, carving deep craters into the stone, "Your aim is still as sharp as ever, Tina."
Grindelwald curled his finger again the statue's arm tore free, hurling itself toward Newt like a cannonball.
"'Scamander," he said almost kindly, "I wasn't planning to look for you. But since you came running to me, it'd be rude not to say hello."
He actually meant it. Coming to North
America hadn't been about them at all, he was only here on Lucifer's little task, dealing with that 'self-righteous Picquery.'
But fate, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor. Enemies always find their way back to each other. Since they'd crossed paths, Grindelwald couldn't just walk away. Not even out of respect for Lucifer, no, he had to teach Scamander a lesson.
Otherwise, that bitterness sitting in his chest would never leave him. It would fester, twist his temper, maybe even corrode his magic. And that, to a wizard like him, was the true danger.
A quick beating to vent his anger that would do. With that thought, he clenched his fist. The statue's massive stone arm shot 'forward' like a cannonball, accelerating as it went.
"Reducto Maxima!"
Tina's furious voice rang out, her curse slamming into stone arm and blasting it to rubble. But hidden behind the debris came several faster, deadlier spells streaking toward them. Even while blocking dozens of Auror attacks, Grindelwald had the presence of mind to weave traps of his own.
The three incoming spells were too fast! Tina had already poured everything she had into the last curse. She grabbed Newt's arm, ready to dodge.
Two sleek black creatures burst from Newt's open suitcase. The spectral cats threw themselves into the path of the spells without hesitation.
The red light struck, and the cats split into 'four.' Grindelwald's expression darkened. 'Of course.' Thestral cats spectral familiars that split when mortally wounded. Even the Killing Curse had to strike them two or three times to truly 'finish' them off.
Perfect living shields.
Always with these blasted creatures. Then and now, Scamander was always hiding behind his beasts!
Grindelwald leapt down from the statue, power radiating from him like a storm. His wand moved so fast it blurred, deflecting curses from every direction, his advance unstoppable.
With each step forward, he sent pulses of interference through the air, warping the magic around Tina and Newt so they couldn't escape.
Only then did the others realize why a single man could shake the entire magical world, why name Gellert Grindelwald had once made nations tremble. Their spells couldn't even scratch him.
Newt's face hardened. He'd hoped to avoid this, but now there was no choice, he flipped open his suitcase completely. One by one, the creatures came pouring out.
'Horned Serpent. Graphorn. Erumpent.'
'Manticore. Even a 'Fire dragon' and a proud Thunderbird, and countless others, a chaotic tide of magic and muscle. In seconds, meeting chamber became a menagerie.
The Dragon tore through the ceiling and roared, spewing 'fire' down from the rafters. The Erumpent's horn glowed a molten red as it charged, every step shaking the floor.
Grindelwald absorbed the Dragonfire with one hand, redirecting it through other in a sweeping arc to force the Erumpent aside. Then a glint from the Serpent's gem-like crown caught his eye a 'flash' of psychic distraction and before he could refocus, a Manticore lunged.
"Out of my way!" he snarled.
A shockwave exploded outward from him, blasting both beasts and wizards off their feet. But the larger creatures barely budged, roaring in defiance.
The room was pure chaos now. Spells, claws, and 'fangs' filled the air. The creatures were doing more damage than all the Aurors combined, and even Grindelwald's stride had slowed.
"Retreat first! There isn't enough room here. The Aurors can't properly 'fight' in such a narrow space!"
Babajide knew they could not continue the battle here. If even one of the senior Ministry officials present died, it would become an enormous problem.
At his warning, the Ministers for Magic and heads of the International Departments woke as though from a dream. In a panic, they scrambled toward the doors. Even if Grindelwald could be caught today, the cost would certainly be terrible, and none of them had any desire to become part.
Grindelwald did not even spare them a glance. His eyes held only Newt, but then a cold voice in his mind brought him back to himself, "Stop playing. They're all about to get away."
They? Right. He was here for Picquery, not for Newt.
Grindelwald's steps halted. He looked toward the doorway, where Sam Picquery, dressed in an elegant suit, was desperately shoving through the crowd and trying to flee with everyone else.
"All curses end!"
He drove his wand into the floor in reverse grip, and a golden curtain of light spread outward at astonishing speed. The spells flying through the air, Dragons' fire, all of it was silenced beneath that light.
Even Anti-Apparition barrier Aurors had just erected ceased functioning at once. 'Crack!'
With a sharp explosive sound, Grindelwald appeared within fleeing crowd. He seized Sam Picquery by the throat with one hand and slammed him directly against the wall.
"Picquery?" he asked, confirming it.
Sam Picquery's face turned red from lack of air, he could only choke and cough, unable to speak a single word, and could do nothing but nod frantically.
As for the witches and wizards trying to escape, none of them showed the slightest intention of rescuing him. Instead, they pushed even more desperately 'toward the exits!'
"Let him go!"
"Grindelwald, stop!"
The Aurors hesitated, afraid to act recklessly. Grindelwald was holding Sam Picquery in front of himself like a human shield. They could only threaten him with words, but wizard paid them no attention at all.
"So it is you." A smile appeared on Grindelwald's face.
"A descendant of Seraphina Picquery... I remember her. A shrewd and capable witch. It was she who led MACUSA in capturing me for the first time, and from that day forward won immense prestige. Am I wrong?"
"Today, I have come for revenge."
As a descendant of the Picquery family, Sam Picquery knew perfectly well what had happened back then. Was that not Newt Scamander's doing? The man was standing right there!
Sam Picquery's eyes darted frantically toward Newt, trying to remind Grindelwald who his real enemy ought to be. But attacked had fixed on him and him alone. Green light began to gather in his hand as he said softly, "You are the 'first,' but you will certainly not be the last."
For a single instant, blinding green light seemed to 'fill' the whole world.
When it faded, Sam Picquery was dead. Grindelwald dropped the corpse to the floor as casually as if he were discarding a piece of rubbish.
After doing all that, he turned toward the device broadcasting live image of the conference hall. It seemed he had guessed who was on the other side. He smiled 'faintly' at it, blasted open wall, and drifted away into the air.
xxxxxx
Far across the sea, at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore had watched the entire farce unfold from beginning to end. Throughout it all, his expression remained as calm as ever, unchanged in the slightest. Only the shifting light in his eyes proved that his heart was far from undisturbed.
Professor McGonagall, however, had gone pale long ago. After seeing Grindelwald suppress dozens of Aurors and then kill a man as though no one else were present before calmly departing, her face had turned white as paper. Her voice trembled as she said, "'Albus... he's back."
Dumbledore understood exactly what she meant.
Gellert Grindelwald had not shown even the 'faintest' trace of decline or old age. It was as if time itself had frozen upon him, as if those long years in prison had simply never existed.
"Calm yourself, Minerva."
Dumbledore met Grindelwald's gaze across the screen. Only after a moment did he withdraw his eyes and speak in a gentle, steady tone.
"Things have not yet reached the worst possible stage. You know as well as I do that he is a master of Dark Magic. He commands many forms, even we have never understood. It is not impossible... that he possesses some method of altering the condition of his body."
"We were watching from far too great a distance, and Grindelwald was not fighting seriously. We cannot judge his true state based on this alone."
McGonagall looked as though she had choked on the words. It took her a long moment before she finally asked in uncertainty, "What did you just say? He wasn't fighting seriously?"
"Of course."
Dumbledore gave a slight nod.
"Didn't you notice? Aside from Newt and Tina, and the final man he killed, that Sam Picquery, he never attacked anyone with any real intent to kill."
It was a cruel truth, but Dumbledore had to say it. In McGonagall's eyes, and in the eyes of everyone else, that battle had already been terrifying enough. Yet in reality, Grindelwald had not even used much of his strength.
So if they truly wanted to determine his current condition, it would not matter even if everyone present had died. Only Dumbledore himself could test the depth of Grindelwald's power.
She took a deep breath. Once again, her understanding of what wizardkind could truly achieve had been raised to a new and unsettling height, and cautiously asked, "What are you planning to do, then? Go to North America to find him?"
"If I left now, it would already be too late. I cannot allow Grindelwald to lead me by the nose."
Dumbledore took out WhatsApp and began writing something across it. Then, all of a sudden, a faint smile touched his face, "Thank heaven. We really ought to thank Mr. Morningstar for inventing something this convenient. Otherwise, our position would be even more passive than it already is."
"....Then what do we do about Black?"
"Ah, yes, the old Marauder lurking in Hogsmeade, I will tell you a secret."
xxxxxx
"Thank Granger's bush, Dumbledore didn't go to that meeting. Otherwise your eyes would have stayed glued to him..."
On the other side, inside the pocket space, Lucifer was complaining about Grindelwald. If the 'Devil's Contract' had not granted him to allow his consciousness to descend into the body of someone who had signed a contract with him, then Sam Picquery would have escaped today.
Of course, even if he ran today, he could not run forever. Sooner or later they could still have 'found' his house and dealt with him there. But if Grindelwald had made a mistake on his very first move, then where would either of them have put their faces?
Old Gellert clearly understood that as well. With demons 'Makima and Mazikeen' both staring at him with obvious contempt, he could only stiffly defend himself.
"He's different. I can stay calm when I see Albus, but I can't do that with Scamander's harmless little face. The moment I see him, I want to throw every spell I have ever learned straight at it."
Lucifer's face darkened with black lines. For a moment, he suddenly felt as though he were looking at a lovesick fool, "Then stay farther away from Newt in the future. Otherwise the moment you two get together, you start fighting." he said exasperated.
"It was an accident. Today was purely an accident." Grindelwald waved a hand awkwardly, "Putting that aside, just tell me this: today's disturbance was big enough, wasn't it? Very soon entire world will know I escaped from prison. There's no way to cover it up."
"That much is true."
Lucifer nodded in approval.
"Then go to the Picquery family and casually kill off a few of their core members. Leave the old, the weak, the sick, and young alive. After that... do whatever you like."
Grindelwald could not help baring his teeth. Compared to 'the Devil', he really was a great philanthropist.
To kill off the backbone of a family while leaving behind only the old, the weak, the sick, and young, that was even more 'terrifying' than simply wiping the bloodline out. The survivors would have to watch helplessly as benefits and influence their 'family' once held were devoured bit by bit, until they finally perished in slow decline.
Mazikeen did not understand the logic behind it. She thought Lucifer had gone soft, and quickly tried to persuade him, "Oye, you're just too kind. What if the people left behind come after you for revenge later? It's better to kill them all together."
"It's fine." Lucifer spoke in a tone that was almost sorrowful, compassionate expression, "I simply can't bring myself to harm the elderly and children. Besides, if they want to hate someone, they'll only hate old Gellert. What does that have to do with me?"
"....." Grindelwald. That last sentence was the real point, wasn't it? "You two keep talking. I've got Aurors catching up to me on this side."
He clearly could not afford to provoke these two any further, waved his hand, then withdrew consciousness from pocket space. After he left, Mazikeen muttered a 'few' more bad things about him before Albedo called her over to continue studying.
Only after no one else was around did Makima finally ask in confusion, "My Lord, why are you insisting on having Grindelwald make such a huge disturbance? Are you planning something for entire magical world?"
Lucifer smiled gently, then shook his head, "Unify the magical world? Too much effort for too little reward. Wizards are the hardest group of people to manage... Having enough useful and dependable subordinates is more than sufficient. Makima, do you know when Muggle civilization advances the fastest?"
She froze for a moment, then honestly shook her head, had never cared about lives or the world of humans. At most, when bored, she watched a little 'Tom and Jerry' with Evelyn, and especially enjoyed the parts where "Tom" got bullied by Jerry.
"War," Lucifer said softly, "In two world wars, Muggles crossed technological barriers that had once resisted them 'for' hundreds of years. The speed of scientific progress came to be measured in months, even days....That is human potential. When survival and resources are at stake, people can unleash strength they didn't even know they had."
He lifted his head and looked at this Demon's who now bore her cruelest smile, ready for bloodshed, "Has the Wizarding world ever had a proper war? In my memory, only the war Grindelwald once started truly counted. That conflict also produced a great many elite wizards. It's a pity that because... of Dumbledore's existence, people still lived too comfortably. They never fully dug out their own potential."
"I hope this time will be different."
The boy slowly clenched his fist.
"Pressure on their very lives, it brings unexpected surprises. I alone find it 'tedious' to break through the limits of this world... I need more inspiration, more extraordinary 'people to work."
"I see now..."
At last, she understood what Lucifer was aiming for. He wanted to artificially create a dazzling new age, to force the stagnant magical world to change and develop in a healthier direction, "Then we'd better control the scale of it. Don't let too many... 'innocent humans' die because of this. Or it will start another Great War, and many of your wives will be 'furious."
"What are you thinking, Makima?" Lucifer could not help laughing, "What I want is only a tense situation, something that stops wizards from lying on achievements of the past and refusing to move forward. I'm not actually preparing to start a 'fight."
"Of course, Grindelwald's followers have accumulated quite a lot of grudges over the years. They can settle those debts themselves. Revenge for revenge, hatred for hatred. You don't need to worry about that."
As long as Lucifer was not deliberately trying to throw the whole universe into bloody chaos, it was fine. After all, she didn't want her Lord to get hurt by the Creator again, however another bone chilling thought went across her brain, what if she just took her own family to wipe out entire 'Silver City,' and take revenge from those Angels?
No, she stopped herself again, for the countless times, going this way.
xxxxxx
New York.
After Grindelwald's escape, the headquarters of the 'International Confederation of Wizards' had been left in utter ruins. Of course, the main responsibility for that did not actually belong to Grindelwald.
It should probably have been placed on Newt's head instead. The ceiling had been smashed open by the dragons. The floor had been cracked apart by the Graphorn and the Erumpent. Then there were all the poisonous fumes and the holes blasted everywhere by the fighting.
With the conference chamber as the center, the two floors above and below it were basically unusable now.
Fortunately, no one had died, apart from a few unlucky souls caught in the aftermath and some Aurors and Ministry officials who had been injured by the curses Grindelwald reflected back at them. None of the wounds were 'life-threatening.'
Covered in dust and looking rather miserable, Babajide led a large group of people into the neighboring Woolworth Building, which was also the headquarters of MACUSA, and resumed the unfinished meeting.
Before it officially began again, he first offered his thanks to Newt.
True, Newt had more or less demolished the place, but he had at least delayed Grindelwald's advance and drawn away most of the pressure.
Babajide made a silent decision in his heart. No matter where a meeting was held in the future, Newt had to be brought along. In peacetime, that suitcase full of magical creatures was basically a "ticking time bomb."
But in wartime, it was a suitcase full of bodyguards. On top of that, Newt himself was a perfectly qualified human shield, 'fully' capable of drawing enemy fire and giving everyone around him a strong sense of security.
"Everyone, you've all seen Grindelwald's arrogance and his strength."
"There is no time to mourn Mr. Picquery's death. What awaits us next is an even graver situation."
This time, no one dismissed the matter lightly, every face had turned solemn. When Grindelwald stood before them, they had been like lambs waiting for slaughter.
His overwhelming magic made resistance feel impossible. The Aurors' spells had seemed like no more than childish sparks in his presence, unable to threaten him in the slightest. With their sense of unity rising, rest of the meeting proceeded much more smoothly.
At a time like this, all petty conflicts and divisions were cast aside completely. Anyone who could become a Minister for Magic or a Director of International Magical Cooperation was no fool. Even Fudge, who was cursed out every day, was still better than most people when it came to political struggle and winning public favor.
These people were the true elite of the wizarding world. And when a group of elites focused their minds on serious matters instead of scheming against one another, their 'efficiency' became frightening.
Very quickly, they worked out the framework of a mutual defense and support system, striving to track Grindelwald's whereabouts as fast as possible and provide assistance wherever needed.
Crouch ended up being questioned again and again. Everyone cared about the same issue: could Dumbledore act, and if he did, could he still defeat Grindelwald like he had 'fifty' years ago?
"Everyone, I truly cannot answer that question."
Even someone as rigid as Crouch was beginning to grow annoyed from being pressed so relentlessly.
"Dumbledore's status is unique. The Ministry has no authority over him. You may ask him yourselves. Even if I made any promise now, it would be nothing..."
"I will speak with Dumbledore," Babajide said, stepping in to relieve Crouch from further interrogation. Then he took out a WhatsApp notebook.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you should all know what this is. Thanks to WhatsApp, I've been able to contact many people as quickly as possible. But at the moment, it's only being sold in Britain, France, Germany, and Spain. The one I have too was imported 'from England.... You should all acquire some as soon as possible, so we can communicate quickly and share intelligence more effectively in the future."
Crouch's heart stirred, and he quietly took out a necklace, "I also have another invention by Lucifer Morningstar here, one that can greatly improve all of your personal safety...."
In an instant, every gaze in the room turned toward Crouch.
After learning what the 'Guardian Necklace' could do, along with the equipment that had been issued to the Aurors, all Ministers and Department Heads had only one thought in mind:
'Britain's Ministry of Magic had been eating very well indeed.'
Especially when they thought back to the Aurors from earlier. If they had possessed equipment like that, not only would their lives have been far better protected, also would have been able to fight much more freely instead of, like before, fearing Grindelwald's reputation and only daring to cast from a distance.
The way they looked at Crouch grew heated. One Auror could not help asking, "Mr. Crouch, do you mean that all this equipment... can be purchased from the 'British Ministry of Magic?"
"No, not from the Ministry," Crouch said, shaking his head. "The inventor of WhatsApp, Mr. Lucifer Morningstar, has opened a shop in Diagon Alley called...ah 'Mistress Kanan's Magical Workshop'. They also sell other tools he has made there. Most of those products can be purchased directly from the shop. Of course, the Guardian Necklace is not among them.... An alchemical item of that level is difficult to measure in money."
Crouch had revealed this information in order to do the senior officials of other countries a favor and make 'future' dealings easier. Naturally, he had no intention of half hiding things, and laid out every piece of info knew without reservation.
Everyone present engraved that important news firmly in their minds, already intending to send Ministry staff to make purchases the moment they returned home.
Those with deep pockets had set their sights on 'the Guardian Necklace' in particular. For the first time in their lives, these great figures of the wizarding world had truly felt how "fragile" life was.
Compared to their lives, Galleons were not worth mentioning. No matter how expensive it was, they would still buy it.
When meeting ended representatives of every country left the Woolworth Building and returned to their own nations.
Babajide let out a sigh.
He and Dumbledore shared the same understanding: 'the most dangerous thing about Grindelwald had never been his magic, but his ideas and power to inspire others.'
Even now, Babajide could not say for certain how many of the people who had sat in that meeting with him were harboring other thoughts, or perhaps were simply followers of Grindelwald already.
And... the turmoil of today was undoubtedly impossible to conceal. Once the news spread, if Grindelwald raised his arm and called again, how many subordinates would gather beneath him? When that time came, world would truly descend into chaos.
But what could Babajide do?
Grindelwald was far too difficult to deal with now. Alone and moving like a ghost, impossible to predict, impossible to know where he might appear next. Perhaps... only once Grindelwald truly had a base of his own would it become the best moment to deal with him.
xxxxx
The Next day.
Before the 'Ministry of Magic' had even officially begun work, Fudge had already brought people with him to Hogwarts and specifically demanded to see Lucifer.
The day before, Crouch had returned to Britain at once by Portkey and personally reported everything to Fudge. Once he had confirmed that Crouch was not treating him like a fool and spinning nonsense, he had begun to panic. 'This Grindelwald... was a bit too fierce.'
Then more and more Ministries began sending letters and WhatsApp chatting requests, asking about the protective equipment and about WhatsApp itself. Only then did Fudge finally realize the seriousness of the matter. 'This wasn't just some old fugitive, man was terrifying!'
So last night, he had dragged Amelia Bones and Rufus Scrimgeour into a small meeting. Early this morning, he had come straight to Hogwarts to discuss a response strategy with Dumbledore.
At the same time, he had also come to stock up on goods from Lucifer.
He wanted everything.
The more, the better.
"The Minister is certainly diligent. It's only a little after seven, and you're already at work," Lucifer said with a polite smile as he entered the Headmaster's office and shook hands with Fudge.
He'd already been warned by Bones last night that Fudge was coming, but hadn't expected him to show up this early. The boy's smile brightened noticeably. And why wouldn't it? The man standing before him was practically a walking vault of gold.
.....Fudge, oblivious to the shift in Lucifer's expression, gave a weary smile of his own.
"Mr. Morningstar, things may seem calm here at Hogwarts, but in truth... The Wizarding world, and by that I mean 'every... Ministry in the world, is about to descend into chaos. Gellert Grindelwald has escaped from prison. You do know who he is, yes?"
Fudge looked grave, and anger entered his voice as well.
xxxxxx
Author's Note
Check out my Patreon to Read 45+ Advanced Chapters, and support this novel.
Bonus up to 350 has already been uploaded there. 😈
Harry secretly likes Hermione and more jealousy angst content waiting for you on Patreon! 😏
Link - patreon.com/SmutDxddy
Only 1 Day left!
xxxxxxx
1 Extra Chapter - 125 Power Stone's! 🎉