Chapter Text
“It is said,” A man was saying as they entered the room, “that I hate les non-Magiques.”
“Grindelwald,” Aurelius whispered in her ear as the man continued.
Ariana raised an eyebrow. “Gellert?”
Aurelius looked confused. “How do you know him?”
“Long story,” she shook her head, turning back to Gellert. “Tell you later.”
“I do not hate them,” he continued. “I do not. For I do not fight out of hatred. I say the Muggles are not lesser, but other. Not worthless, but of other value. Not disposable, but of a different disposition.
“Magic blooms only in rare souls. It is granted to those who live for higher things. Oh, and what a world we would make for all of humanity, we who live for freedom, for truth, and for love.”
Ariana rolled her eyes and made a gagging sound. All these years later and he was still so obviously in love. Honestly, Ariana thought, from what she’d seen so far he might as well have dedicated this speech to Albus.
Gellert turned, and something silver in his pocket caught the light.
And he’s wearing the blood pact over his heart. Of course he is, the idiot.
Ariana realized she hadn’t been paying attention when she was startled by the image of Muggle wars projected into the air.
“How long will it take,” Gellert spoke up again, “before they turn their weapons on us? How long until our daughters, our sons, are attacked in our very own homes. Killed, for something they cannot control. This is what we are fighting. Their arrogance, their hatred, their bloodlust.”
Ariana frowned as Gellert paused. She was fairly sure she had watched Albus and Gellert write this speech so many years ago.
“Do nothing when I speak of this,” Gellert announced, going off script. “You must remain calm and contain your emotions. There are Aurors here among us.”
A wave of murmurs and gasps washed across the room.
“Aurelius,” Ariana whispered, turning to him. “Do you trust me?”
Aurelius nodded and Ariana continued.
“Whatever happens, just go along with it. I’ll explain everything later.”
Nodding again, Aurelius let go of Ariana and the two of them focused back on Gellert.
“Come closer, brother wizards,” he had said, and now the Aurors were slowly descending the stairs.
Great, littlest sister damage control time, Ariana thought. Let’s hope that listening to those two for months straight paid off.
Their door had placed them just above one of the entrance tunnels, which left a path to the stage wide open. She gestured for Aurelius to follow her, and the two of them crept down the stairs to the top of the arch, jumping down the rest of the way.
As soon as she had made it to the stage she turned to face the audience. Gellert, whose back was turned towards her, was still unaware of her presence.
“Brothers and sisters,” she started, and she felt all eyes turn to her. “Please hear me now. There is power in peace. There is honor in forgiveness. And there is strength in understanding that which we do not know. Most of us do not know Muggles, have never given them a chance. We would not know the beauty of a Vila, the loyalty of an elf, the craftsmanship of a goblin, or the wisdom of a centaur, if not for the first wizards and witches who chose to learn and understand rather than fight. Yes, there may be bad Muggles, but there are cruel Vila, and traitorous elves.
“I myself have been hurt by Muggles, but I have been harmed by magic too. I hate neither. I do not blame muggles as a whole for trying to kill me. I blame only the three responsible. Just as I do not blame anyone with magic for the actions of a few. Muggles, like wizards, are complicated and flawed, but for the most part they are good.
“It was those without magic that brought my family food when my mother died, not those with. The people that came together to keep us alive did not have magic. They did not even know my family, but they knew compassion, and caring, and understanding.
“But I do not expect you to believe me. I would not have. All I ask for is peace. Let us be better than those that choose to harm. Let us be better than those who would let fear cloud their judgement. Let us be better than the Ministry, than MACUSA, than the ICW. Let us not sink so low as to let ourselves fear that which we do not understand. I beg you, Aurors, put down your wands, let us all leave this place peacefully. Let us step out these doors and into tomorrow with peace, and with the hope to be better .
“I ask all of you to think on what I’ve said. Not all of you need to believe me. Just some of you. Just enough for all of us to leave this chamber unharmed.”
Finally, she turned to face Gellert. “Do you concur, Mister Grindelwald?”
“I concur,” he laughed in disbelief, “Ariana.”