Uncertain Future

December 25, 1992, 8:30 AM, Phoenix’ Roost

Gellert Grindelwald

Outside the window of his solar, the tranquil beauty of the winter landscape unfolded. The grounds were blanketed in a layer of pristine snow, untouched and glistening in the soft morning light. Tall, ancient trees stood sentinel, their branches adorned with delicate frost that sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight.

Gellert stood at the window, a steaming cup of tea cradled in his hands. His gaze was fixed on the serene vista before him, his expression thoughtful and serene.

Despite the chill in the air, there was a sense of peace that permeated the room, matching the immediate calmness of the world outside. Grindelwald took a sip of his tea, savoring the warmth as it spread through him, a moment of quiet contemplation amidst the chaos of his plans and ambitions.

As Grindelwald took another sip, his gaze drifted beyond the scenery outside the window, settling on a figure slowly making its way towards their headquarters.

Someone coming back so early in the morning? We don’t have anyone due to be back for a while— perhaps a visitor…?

His brow furrowed slightly as he recognized the approaching figure; it was Nick Guffries, a young man he had encountered on several occasions before.

The man was one of their officers, though Gellert did not know much about him beyond the reason for his joining and his infamous ‘altercation’ with Mr. Clarke.

As Nick drew closer, Grindelwald could see the exhaustion etched into the lines of the young man’s face, the weariness evident in the slump of his shoulders. It was clear that he had traveled a long way, and whatever had brought him to this state must not have been pleasant.

With a thoughtful frown, Grindelwald set down his tea and moved away from the window, his curiosity piqued by the young officer’s odd arrival. There was a sense of urgency in the boy’s gait.

He moved to the doorway of his solar, and opened it, his guards immediately standing to attention. With a nod of greeting, he instructed one of them to go downstairs and bring Nick Guffries to him. The guard nodded crisply and swiftly exited the room, leaving Grindelwald to await his unexpected guest’s arrival.

Just as he was about to turn back into the solar, Grindelwald’s gaze fell upon Matthias, who was approaching from down the hall with a cheerful smile on his face.

“Merry Christmas.” Matthias greeted warmly as he stepped into the room.

Grindelwald returned the greeting with a nod of appreciation, the holiday spirit infusing the air with a sense of warmth. With a welcoming gesture, Grindelwald invited Matthias to join him. “Tea?”

“No, but thank you.” Matthias said. “I’ve found that caffeine does not agree with me before ten in the morning.”

Grindelwald blinked, but then gave a slight shrug. People had all sorts of tastes, after all. He took a seat, his expression curious as he turned his attention back to Matthias. “Did you have a good celebration last night?”

Matthias’s face lit up with a knowing smile at the question.

“Oh, indeed.” He replied, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. “Eleanor enjoyed my gift very much.”

“As you knew she would.”

“True.” Matthias smiled a little, but then his expression fell away to something unreadable. His right hand man’s soul thread jittered with agitation. “Though, well…”

Grindelwald raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Is something on your mind?” He asked, noticing the oddness in Matthias’s demeanor.

For a moment, Matthias hesitated, his expression thoughtful as he weighed his words carefully. Finally, he took a deep breath and met Grindelwald’s gaze.

“Well…” He began, his voice slightly uncertain. “It seems Eleanor wishes to take our relationship to the next level.”

Grindelwald’s eyebrows shot up in surprise at the revelation.

“Is that so?” He replied, his tone filled with genuine interest. “And how do you feel about that?”

Matthias’s expression softened as he considered the question. “Honestly, I’m a bit nervous. But I care deeply for Eleanor, and I want to see where this journey takes us.”

Grindelwald nodded thoughtfully, a strange smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Albus.

“Love has a way of surprising us.” He remarked, his voice tinged with bittersweetness. “But if you follow your heart, I have no doubt you’ll have a chance to find happiness.”

With a sense of reassurance, Matthias nodded, gratitude shining in his eyes.

“Thank you, Gellert.” He said sincerely. “Your advice means a lot to me.”

“Thank you, my friend.” Grindelwald said. “And, congratulations.”

The two shared smiles which spoke of a now-strong camaraderie for a few moments, before Matthias finally got himself under control.

“To business, then?”

“Nonsense.” Gellert said. “There is much time, this day.”

“Are you sure, sir?” Matthias said, as if he was seeing Grindelwald in a different light. “You’ve said it yourself on several occasions; even a split-second can make all the difference.”

“True, but don’t depend on any one single viewpoint, my friend.” Grindelwald said. “Even if it is from one you respect greatly— you may find that they, or in this case I, are a bit of a hypocrite concerning a few things.”

Matthias shook his head at that. “I suppose…”

“The world can wait for a few hours.”

“True, true.” Matthias said before there was a knock on the door. “Or, I suppose false?”

“No, it’s still true— we do have something of an impromptu guest, however.” Grindelwald said before addressing the guards at the door. “Come in.”

The door opened, revealing Guffries and the guard who’d escorted him in— Marco.

“Ah, Mr. Guffries. So nice of you to grace us with your presence today.” Grindelwald said, and raised his hand before Marco could leave. “Stay with us, Marco, would you? There is something I wish to discuss with you both.”

As Marco stepped into the room, a false look of confusion clouding his features, Grindelwald noted the subtle signs of panic in Guffries’s demeanor. Despite the young man’s efforts to conceal his emotions, Grindelwald could sense the unease radiating from him like a palpable aura.

He hadn’t even needed to observe his writhing soul thread.

“You seem troubled, Mr. Guffries.” He remarked, his tone laden with amusement veiled with concern. “Is there something on your mind?” 

As Guffries remained silent in response to Grindelwald’s initial question, the air in the room grew heavy with tension. Grindelwald’s keen intuition immediately went to work, piecing together the puzzle of Guffries’ stress.

Leaving on the eve of Christmas, during the Yule celebrations held at Hogwarts, returning so late in the morning… Grindelwald thought. Considering the boy’s story, he could likely piece together all that had happened.

With all of that, Grindelwald addressed Guffries once more, his tone calm yet probing. “Did you enjoy your stroll at Hogwarts?”

Guffries’s reaction was all the confirmation Grindelwald needed.

The young man’s eyes darted away as a flicker of guilt passed over his features. Grindelwald exchanged a meaningful glance with Matthias, an unspoken understanding between them.

With a sigh, Grindelwald pinched the bridge of his nose, a gesture of resignation. He had wished to have this day off, at least, but Matthias was right, this time. With a decisive nod, he gestured for Guffries to speak, his expression firm.

“Tell me what happened.” Grindelwald urged, keeping his tone calm, yet unyielding. “Leave no detail out. I need to know everything. But, first, answer me this: has our order been compromised?”

“No, sir.” Was Guffries’ immediate response.

“I’ll take your word for it, for now.” Grindelwald said, though he sent a meaningful glance towards Matthias, who nodded. “But it will be investigated, regardless, so as to ensure that no information was leaked at all.”

“I understand, sir.”

“Go on, then.”

As Guffries began to speak, his words carried a tinge of frustration and anger, painting a vivid picture of the events that had transpired at Hogwarts. He recounted his rather unwise attempt to end Gilderoy Lockhart’s life, his voice laced with bitterness at his own failure.

Grindelwald listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment.

As Guffries finished recounting his failed attempt on Lockhart’s life, Matthias interjected, his voice tinged with some alarm.

“What about the three wizards you compelled to do your bidding?” He inquired, his brow furrowing with unease. “Were they affiliated with the Order?”

Guffries shook his head, a bitter expression on his face.

“No.” He replied. “They were just random wizards I found at the school. I Imperiused them and commanded them to attack. I didn’t bother checking their affiliations.”

Grindelwald’s expression softened slightly at the revelation, a sense of relief washing over him.

“Well, at least you didn’t endanger anyone of note, or in the order.” He remarked, his tone thoughtful. “Using unwitting fools as your tools may have been unwise, as you now well understand, but it spared us from further complications.”

Turning to Matthias, Grindelwald exchanged another meaningful glance with his trusted associate, silently conveying the need for caution moving forward. Though the immediate threat had been neutralized, they could ill afford any more missteps in the days ahead.

With a nod of agreement, Matthias shifted his focus back to Guffries, his expression serious.

“We will act swiftly to rectify this situation.” He stated firmly. “But for now, we must tread carefully to avoid further complications. None can know of our involvement.”

“Just so.” Grindelwald confirmed. “We can ill afford any further missteps at this juncture. Nick Guffries.”

“Yes, sir.” The young man said, though from the look of his face, he likely knew what was coming.

Gellert could sympathize with Guffries’ plight, his anger and frustration at the injustices he had suffered. The pain of losing a loved one to the machinations of someone like Lockhart was a burden Grindelwald could fathom very well.

“I understand your desire for justice, Mr. Guffries.” He said, and shook his head as Guffries’ anger flared. “And make no mistake— it was a bold move on your part, one which may have succeeded, given the chaotic nature of the celebrations at Hogwarts. But you cannot allow your emotions to cloud your judgment. Seeking retribution to the detriment of everyone around you, well…”

Guffries’s eyes blazed with defiance as he challenged Grindelwald’s decision.

“Are you denying me my right for revenge?” He demanded, his voice filled with bitterness and anger.

Grindelwald met Guffries’s gaze with unwavering resolve, unnerving him with his mismatched eyes.

“No, Mr. Guffries. I am not denying you your right for revenge.” He replied, his tone steady as the young man quailed under his scrutiny. “But revenge must be tempered with reason and restraint. We cannot allow ourselves to become consumed by our own hatred for the status quo, and the people who perpetuate it. Guide us, yes. Inflame our passions, most certainly. But, we are not zealots.”

“And how long will reason and restraint take?”

“Indubitably longer than you might want.” Gellert said, amused by the young man’s near-petulant outburst. “And yet, look at what your unrestrained actions have wrought. Abject failure.”

Silence followed his words, but Grindelwald was not done. His lesson needed to be drummed into this man’s head. “While using the Imperius on hapless fools showed that you at least possess some form of self-preservation, your lack of planning shows through. For one, by dint of your random choice of useful patsies, you did not know any of their capabilities, and simply relied on sheer numbers to win the day for you. This is not the first time your hot-headed nature has brought you trouble— or do I need to remind you of your experience with Mr. Clarke?”

Guffries looked like he wanted to protest, but instead he hung his head, forcing his next answer out. “…No, sir.”

Shaking his head, Grindelwald sighed.

“You have great potential, Mr. Guffries.” He said, offering the young man an olive branch. “Potential, and a drive to see it realized. Your indiscretions in the past have been largely without punishment, as we have derived a net benefit from it, as a whole. This time, however…”

He shook his head again.

“You must be punished for your actions.” He stated, his voice tinged with regret for a moment before he hardened it. “As of this moment, you have been demoted to the rank of recruit.”

As Grindelwald delivered the verdict, Guffries’s expression shifted from anger to shock. His eyes widened in disbelief as the weight of the punishment sank in.

Guffries raised his head, his mouth agape in protest.

“But… but you can’t do this!” He exclaimed, his voice tinged with desperation. “I’ve dedicated myself to this cause!”

“Have you?” Grindelwald’s expression remained stoic as he met Guffries’s gaze. “Your actions last night have endangered our cause and operatives. This punishment is necessary to ensure that such recklessness does not happen again.”

Guffries’s shoulders slumped in resignation as he absorbed the severity of his punishment. There was nothing he could say to protest this.

“What am I supposed to do now, then?” He asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.

Matthias stepped forward, his tone stern. “You will remain at Phoenix’ Roost until you have proven yourself worthy of our trust again. You are not to leave these grounds until we deem it fit.”

Guffries’ heart sank at the realization of his confinement, even as Grindelwald began to outline his new responsibilities. “You will report to Marco every morning. You are to act as his aide in all things until further notice.”

To the side, Marco’s face remained impassive, but Grindelwald could sense the underlying tension in the air. He watched closely as Marco’s soul thread shifted and frayed slightly, a telltale sign of inner turmoil. Grindelwald’s mental smile widened at the sight, his mind already piecing together the implications of what he had just witnessed.

Turning to Marco, Grindelwald addressed him directly.

“Will this arrangement be acceptable to you?” He inquired, his tone polite but tinged with an underlying sense of authority.

Marco hesitated for a moment, his soul thread still agitated. Grindelwald could see the reddish-pink strand of Voldemort’s influence infecting the whole of it, a disturbing, yet still intriguing sight.

This game of mutual secrecy of theirs would end, someday, but Grindelwald found a strange pleasure in it, all the same.

After a moment’s pause, Marco nodded in acquiescence.

“Yes, sir.” He replied, his voice carefully neutral. The man knew that he had no choice but to accept this directive, or face consequences of his own.

“Good, good.” Grindelwald said. “I know it’s an imposition, but you’re the only one I can rely on, in this matter.”

At Marco’s nod, Grindelwald turned his attention back to Guffries. “Know that it is not out of malice that I do this, but out of a desire to protect our people and uphold the values we hold dear.”

Guffries’s anger simmered beneath the surface as he absorbed Grindelwald’s words. Though he may not have agreed with the decision, he understood the necessity of it. With a heavy heart, he nodded in acceptance, knowing that he would bear the consequences of his actions with dignity and resolve. “Yes, sir.”

“Very good.” Gellert said. “Your punishment begins tomorrow.”

With a satisfied nod, Grindelwald dismissed them both, watching as they exited, the door closing behind them with a loud thunk.

“There’s always something, isn’t there?” Matthias said, keeping his tone light.

“You don’t know the half of it, my friend.” Grindelwald said as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose for a moment. “I just hope the boy will learn from his mistakes. I can’t even fault him for seeking the justice he deserves.”

“Just his method of achieving it.”

“Just so.”

As a few moments of silence passed in the room, Matthias broke the quiet with a measured tone. “I believe the boy will learn from this experience.”

Grindelwald nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful.

“Time will tell.” He replied, his voice tinged with a mild hint of doubt. “Sometimes, the harshest lessons are the most effective, so this may work.”

Grindelwald reached for his tea, only to realize that it had gone cold during the discussion. With a flick of his wand, he cast a charm, restoring the tea to its former heat.

As he took a sip, the warmth spread through him, chasing away the chill of the room once again. Though the events of the morning had been challenging, Grindelwald felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that he had handled them well.

Now, it was time to relax, and—

“I suppose, since we’ve already dealt with one problem, maybe it’s time for…”

Grindelwald raised his hand and shook his head with a gentle, yet firm motion. “I appreciate your diligence, Matthias. But I have been apprised of everyone’s situations. There comes a point when over-managing stifles rather than empowers our people. Unlike our most recent visitor, our operatives’ service has been exemplary.”

Matthias closed his mouth, absorbing the wise words, borne from years of experience in leadership. “I suppose allowing this leeway is all right…”

“Trust in our allies, Matthias.” Grindelwald said. “They, for the most part, are capable of rising to the occasion without constant oversight.”

“That’s true.”

Grindelwald’s gaze shifted towards the right, where a tall, ornate mirror stood hidden behind several veils of enchantment.

“Besides.” He remarked, his voice carrying a note of significance. “Our most important missions have been successful. All the others are simply there to buy us time.”

Matthias’s curiosity piqued, and he turned to Grindelwald with a furrowed brow.

“I’ve been meaning to ask…” He said, though he didn’t voice the question out loud.

Grindelwald’s lips curved into a cryptic smile as he regarded the mirror.

“This mirror, as you’ve surmised, no doubt, is the Mirror of Erised.” He began, his voice trailing off as he searched for the right words.

“Yes.” Matthias said, nodding. “I’m aware of its ability to enthrall its victims by showing them  their deepest desire, oftentimes which they cannot hope to fulfill.” 

“Very good.” Grindelwald said. “It was created out of the well-meaning hope of aiding others to identify their desires and seek them out for themselves, in order to achieve fulfillment and happiness.”

Matthias gave a somber nod as he exhaled. “Only for it to instead ensnare those very same people, causing them to wither away in front of it, or worse.”

“Yes.” Grindelwald said. “I’ve studied it briefly, in the past. There was more to it— an unintended ability the mirror had gained as a result.”

“An ability, you say?” Matthias said, sending the mirror a look of curiosity.

“Oh, yes.” Gellert confirmed. “It is a result of its creation process. To glean into someone’s desire, it must possess the ability to communicate with, and access a target’s mind, heart and soul at the most basic level.”

“…Communicate!” Matthias said, shocked as he sat up straighter. “You mean to use it as a tool for…!”

“Oh, yes.” Gellert said. “I do.”

His words hung in the air, charged with meaning and mystery. Matthias studied the mirror with renewed interest, his mind racing with the possibilities of what it could mean for their cause.

“The implications alone…”

“We will discuss the matter, in time.” Grindelwald said, taking another sip of his tea. “For now, you should enjoy this day, my friend. For soon, it shall not always be so peaceful.”

Oh, how true his words were…

oooo

Same time, Headmaster’s Office, Hogwarts…

Albus Dumbledore

In the early hours of the morning, the halls of Hogwarts echoed with the cheerful whistle of Albus Dumbledore as he strolled through the corridors. Portraits nodded in greeting and suits of armor snapped to attention, saluting the revered headmaster as he passed by.

With each interaction, Dumbledore replied in kind, his twinkling eyes and warm smile lighting up his features as he exchanged pleasantries and salutes with the enchanted denizens of the castle.

As he reached the entrance to his office, the stone gargoyle guarding the doorway leaped aside with a flourish, revealing the hidden entrance to the spiraling staircase beyond.

With a sense of deep familiarity, Dumbledore ascended the staircase and entered his office, the familiar surroundings wrapping him in a comforting embrace. He took a seat behind his desk, the polished wood gleaming in the soft light filtering through the windows, and breathed a sigh of contentment.

Seemingly out of the blue, flames erupted in midair in a spectacular display, but Albus was not bothered by the sight.

Right on time.

Fawkes emerged from the conflagration, his majestic form landing gracefully atop Dumbledore’s desk. The Phoenix greeted him with an extended foot, and Dumbledore clasped it warmly, a fond smile gracing his lips as he exchanged a greeting with his old friend.

“How are you, Fawkes?” Dumbledore inquired, his eyes twinkling with affection as he studied the radiant Phoenix perched before him. “You’re looking quite healthy, considering the journey you must have taken.”

Fawkes trilled in response, his melodious song echoing through the room like a symphony of joy. Mental impressions came to Albus then, of expansive fields, flames, lightning and much food.

Dumbledore chuckled softly at Fawkes’s somewhat cryptic images, unable to make sense of them.

“Ah, I see you have your own secret.” He mused, his tone lighthearted as he reached out to stroke the phoenix’s feathers. “Perhaps you’ve discovered the trick to eternal vitality in your diet?”

Fawkes only trilled again in amusement, his gaze locking with Dumbledore’s in a silent exchange of understanding. Though his mysteries remained as enigmatic as ever, Dumbledore found comfort in the timeless bond they shared.

After a few moments, Dumbledore turned to Fawkes with a curious glint in his eyes.

“Ah, Fawkes, have you received the message, then?” He inquired, his voice tinged with anticipation.

The Phoenix regarded Dumbledore, nodding solemnly before extending his other foot. Tied securely to his leg was a delicate parchment, its edges tinged with gold and bearing the seal of one of his closest friends and confidants.

Dumbledore’s eyes narrowed with intrigue as he reached out to take the missive, his fingers tracing the elegant script that adorned its surface. He carefully untied the parchment, wondering just what kind of news he would get.

As Dumbledore was about to delve into its contents, the sudden roar of the Floo startled him, diverting his attention to the fireplace with a sense of intrigue. Setting aside the parchment for the moment, he made his way towards the flickering green flames, wondering who might be calling at this juncture.

With a wave of his hand, Dumbledore accepted the call, the flames swirling and crackling as they revealed the weathered features of Alastor Moody. The grizzled Auror’s magical eye swiveled to focus on Dumbledore with its customary intensity, his voice grave but measured.

“Albus.” Moody’s gravelly voice echoed through the room, rougher than usual. “I’ve managed to uncover some unsettling developments regarding our counterparts in China.”

This was unexpected, but Dumbledore supposed that was the nature of bad news; it came at the most unexpected of times.

“What’s happened, Alastor?” Albus said, his mind sharpening in an instant.

Moody hesitated for a moment before delivering his report.

As Dumbledore listened to Moody, a deep furrow creased his brow, his expression growing increasingly somber with each word.

“How certain are you of this?”

“Absolutely; you know I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”

“True.” Albus said. “The Chinese Magicals losing control over their territory in Tibet— to rogue factions, no less… That is unsettling news.”

“It explains why they’ve been so ready to embrace the alliance, though.” Moody said, his special eye swiveling every which way without pause. “At least, in public, anyway. Doubt they’ve suddenly grown to like everyone around them, all of a sudden.”

“It would explain that.” Albus agreed. “But there is another concern, here.”

“What’s that?”

“These events, as you said.” Dumbledore said as he gestured to his friend. “It’s reminiscent of what is happening in the United States.”

“Do you think there could be a connection?” Alastor asked.

Dumbledore nodded. “It’s a possibility we can’t afford to overlook. The events are too similar.”

The parallels were too striking to ignore, hinting at a broader pattern of instability that threatened to engulf the Wizarding community on a global scale.

“There’s more to it than that, is there?” Moody asked.

“There is.” Dumbledore said, nodding gravely. “What do you know of what’s going on in the MACUSA?”

“I’ve read a few reports of highly successful incursions led by an alliance of rogue factions.” Moody said. “Outsiders, I believe they’re called?”

“Yes, but it is much worse than the reports have revealed.”

Moody’s demeanor shifted, gaining a hint of apprehension.

“Not every day that I see something that has you so perturbed, Albus. Go on.” He prompted, his voice low with anticipation.

Dumbledore continued, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. “A child smuggling ring was recently uncovered by one of our allies there.”

“…” Moody absorbed the statement. “I expect there is more to this than meets the eye?”

“Oh, yes. These children were born on specific, magically significant dates.” Albus explained, stressing his last words. “The third of March, for example, among others.”

A furrow formed on Moody’s brow as he processed the information, his mind racing with the potential implications.

“Rituals.” He murmured, a chill creeping into his voice. “Performing rituals with children born on such dates… the havoc that could be wrought…”

Dumbledore nodded solemnly, his expression mirroring Moody’s growing concern. “Indeed. Which is why I will need you to check for such occurrences in China.”

Moody’s gaze hardened, his resolve solidifying as he contemplated the implications of their discovery. “If these kidnappings are part of a larger, global ritualistic scheme, it could mean devastation on a scale I’ve not yet seen— and I’ve seen my fair share of Dark rituals gone wrong.”

“That is my conclusion, as well.”

Moody’s one good eye narrowed in contemplation as he voiced the question that lingered in the back of his mind.

“Do you suspect Grindelwald’s involvement in this?” He asked, his tone edged with suspicion.

Dumbledore’s expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes as he shook his head.

“No, I do not.” He replied. “His influence has primarily been confined to the core countries of Europe. As far as we understand, he has made a few overtures towards the Arab League of Wizards, but nothing more.”

Moody grunted in acknowledgment, though a trace of skepticism lingered in his demeanor. “And you’re certain he’s not playing a deeper game?”

“I cannot say with absolute certainty.” Albus answered. “It is possible that he is the puppetmaster behind all of this, but it all may still be coincidental— we just don’t have enough information. We cannot act without it.”

Moody’s eye narrowed in determination at that.

“I’ll start digging up any reports of missing children, but in China, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.” He remarked, his voice tinged with frustration. “The sheer number of Muggles there makes it nearly impossible to track.”

Dumbledore offered a reassuring nod, though a sense of concern lingered in his gaze.

“Do your best, Alastor.” He urged, his tone gentle yet firm. “And stay safe.”

“You know I’ve never followed that advice.” Moody said, and the two shared a chuckle before the younger man ended the floo call, the flames disappearing with a wink.

Dumbledore watched the smoldering embers for a few moments, a faint furrow forming on his brow as he contemplated the troubling developments.

Turning his attention to the letter on his desk, Dumbledore hesitated before deciding against reading it. Instead, he made his way to the window and gazed out at the tranquil grounds of Hogwarts, the morning light casting a warm glow over the snow-covered landscape.

Despite the serene beauty before him, however, Dumbledore’s thoughts were elsewhere, weighed down by the gravity of the challenges they faced and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

For the third time in his life, Albus felt completely lost and wary of what the future may bring.