Chapter Text
Tina looked around the castle in amazement. After what had happened within the last past weeks, after seeing the destruction and death around them, she had nearly lost any hope of ever seeing anything beautiful, preserved or much less intact.
She had never understood how important it was either. She sent a mental apology to her History of Magic teacher who had, without success, tried to instil some sense of pride and interest about their past in their teenage selves. Now, when it was almost too late, Tina understood the value of that past and how it tied them to the present.
At her side, Newt's almost twitchy movements attracted her attention. With his hands around his beloved suitcase, Newt looked around them like he was looking for someone. His agitation seemed to arise from his warring wishes to stay with them and also go somewhere, Tina wasn't sure where. Hogwarts looked like a great fortress getting ready for war, people were walking around carrying supplies, steering people who - like them - had come to the castle for protection against what was happening outside. It looked like organised chaos - at least she hoped it was organised.
At her other side, Jacob looked as lost as ever. Even if the muggle man had learnt to accept their world as best he could, Hogwarts in the best of times was another world itself. Older and... more magical than most of the other schools in the world - including Ilvermorny - even Tina was having problems with coming to terms with it.
A new movement from Newt drew her attention back to the other wizard. He had withdrawn his wand, and the strange act made her tense and look around trying to see the reason for it.
She saw the motive immediately and she had to repress her own wish to both withdraw her wand and run to the side of the wizards who had just arrived at the castle after them. There, in the middle of the entrance, was a group of wizards headed by a very familiar military-styled blonde.
Gellert Grindelwald and his acolytes had arrived at Hogwarts. Were they looking for refuge? Or were they planning to start a fight for the control of one of the few places who had stood firm after the cataclysm? A few steps behind him were what was left of his people - or so Tina supposed - a dozen wizards and witches loyal to the Dark Lord.
Her sister among them and Tina had to stop herself from running at her. Grindelwald's intentions were still in doubt and she didn't want to make anything worse.
The people around them started to notice the new arrivals and the tension in the Entrance Hall rose exponentially in response. No one dared to get any closer to the group or challenge their presence in Hogwarts, but many had recognised Grindelwald and the fear was starting to grow. Tina noticed the presence of several British Ministry workers around the room - including Travers and several of his Aurors - but none of them took even a step towards the newcomers. If Tina was any judge of it, it seemed to her that they were trying to blend into the walls and avoid the notice of the Dark Lord.
The cowards.
Before Tina - or Newt - could decide what to do about their new guests. Suddenly, the mood changed. Tina heard murmurs growing from the back of the Hall where the main staircase was and the people around there turned and moved around to see what was behind. Tina noticed Grindelwald's group getting tense while waiting to see what was happening.
Except for Grindelwald himself, who only looked expectant. Tina wondered if he was so arrogant that thought he could overpower everyone in the castle if necessary, or if he thought that with the situation as it was no one would turn them away. Or had the authority to do it.
The reason for the murmuring revealed himself. The unassuming - but well-known - form of Professor Dumbledore entered the Hall from the inner castle, his clear blue eyes quickly looking for and finding the newcomers.
Grindelwald and Dumbledore locked gazes from opposite sides of the room and Tina felt a shot of something going down her spine at the charged atmosphere between the two powerful wizards. Neither of them looked surprised to see each other. And neither of them seemed scared or worried.
Dumbledore, who had momentarily stopped when entering the room to look around, fearlessly walked in the other wizard's direction, not even a hint of hesitation in his step.
Grindelwald also started to move to meet the other wizard in the middle, carelessly waving his hand to signal his followers to stay back. Tina saw Rosier frowning and looking like she wanted to argue but Queenie! held her back and quickly whispered something into her ear. The French witch looked unconvinced but Queenie kept a firm hold on her arm, continuing with her argument until a brief look of shock appeared in the brunette's face and she looked back to her companion in wonder. She seemed to regain her composure after a moment and turned back to her master, her face stoic and solemn again watching the meeting with blank eyes.
Dumbledore and Grindelwald met at the centre of the room, stopping close to each other, within arm-distance. The people in the room around them backed away in fear from the Dark Lord, leaving a wide empty ring for the two wizards to meet. Despite the fear, everyone around the room was straining their ears to hear what the two wizards would say to each other.
With the situation with the British Ministry as it was - the location destroyed and many of its workers including the Minister dead - Hogwarts was an independent institution with Albus Dumbledore as the Deputy Headmaster - the Headmaster now with Dipped dead - at its head. Which made the older man one of the few leaders they had left right now. And if the rumours were true, he was the only wizard who was a match for Grindelwald in the first place.
Tina held her breath in anticipation for what would happen next.
"Hello Gellert" - Dumbledore finally said to the shock of the present. Several gasps of surprise were heard around the room at the use of Grindelwald's given name. Grindelwald didn't seem surprised - or offended - he almost looked - in Tina's eyes - amused.
"Hello Albus, you are looking good meine liebe" - Grindelwald responded with the start of a wicked smile. The surprise in the room exploded, voices and exclamations being heard from everyone around. Those present who talked German quickly translating the term of endearment to their neighbours.
Tina noticed that, while Newt had stayed tense over the curse of all the interaction, he didn't look in the least bit surprised. Tina wondered again what the other wizard had told to the Professor and what was that object he had given him.
The older wizard's actions returned her focus to the centre of the room, and Tina felt her own shock growing.
Gellert Grindelwald stepped into Dumbledore's space and drew him to his chest with a quick gesture, kissing him thoroughly in the next moment while the room around them exploded in shock. After a moment of surprise, to everyone's further confusion, Dumbledore raised his arms to place them around the blond wizard's neck while he surrendered to the kiss.
Tina wouldn't be surprised if another meteorite fell into their midst right now.