Work Text:
Dark Arts High Master Gellert Grindelwald looked every bit like the powerful aristocrat he was as he waited for Dominik to escort their guest inside. He brushed Onyx’ sleeve tenderly as he sensed his nervousness through the father-son bond.
“He’s an ally and among the few men I can tolerate.” His voice was contemplative as if he spoke half to himself when he added. “I can always make him disappear if he bothers you or Tom. You know very well that no one can enter or leave Nurmengard without my permission. Therefore, you have nothing to worry about. He, on the other hand, has no hope whatsoever if he upsets you.”
The tension in the air shattered and Onyx snorted. “Are you certain you consider him an ally, Father? You sound quite eager to try the new hexes you crafted on him.”
Gellert smirked. “I am in perpetual need of new test subjects. Unfortunately, Haven has been watching me. She’s cutting my fun short before I can thoroughly savour the fruits of my hard labour.” He feigned a pained sigh.
“Doesn’t she always keep an eye on you lest you try something nefarious, Father?” Onyx grinned. “She’s very protective of the three of us.”
“That, she is,” Gellert drawled. His face showed no expression as he sought said woman with his diamond-hard gaze. His eyes glittered like shards of ice when he found her. She was holding a Vipera Aspis and by the glimmer of interest on Tom’s face, they were having a chat with the extremely venomous snake. The smile she was trying to hide spoke volumes. She never ceased to impress him with her capacity for love and forgiveness. His Soulmate was astounding. Again, an image of a black lion came to his mind. Haven Peverell was every bit as wild and unpredictable. Deadly and disconcerting. He held little doubt she could take any foe in an instant. Everyone would be powerless to stop her had she wanted to conquer the Magical world.
Gellert had to admit that he had little experience with women. He spent most of his life pursuing knowledge and travelling around, trying to quench his thirst for power and enlightenment. It certainly hadn’t brought him into more contact with females, not that any of them had ever caught his attention.
He mostly traded clipped comments with a few young witches at the gatherings he attended. He’d never allowed himself to yearn or dream about a Soulmate he might never find. Dreams were dangerous and costly for someone like him. Haven had however changed everything.
Before meeting her, he had always wanted to enflame and burn down the whole world with its old shackles but now, he understood that there was no point in trying to extinguish a fire by feeding it with people that might rise from ashes like rotten Phoenixes. There was more fun in indulging the prey and giving it a fake sense of safety before delivering the killing hit.
Never before had he felt this way. So breathless. So titillated. So very alive and alert. No man was even remotely worthy of her. However, it seemed that he was luckier than most.
After what seemed like a lifetime, Gellert’s brow quirked. His lips twitched in the semblance of a smile. “Interesting. I give you credit for your bravery, Director Graves.”
Dominik came into the great hall followed by Director Percival Graves. His shoulders were still and his cold eyes filled with mistrust.
Graves offered him his hand, black eyes flashing with amusement. “Yet, here I am. I don’t need to inquire to know that only a select few are allowed access to Nurmengard.”
“And even lesser leave it alive,” Dominik muttered under his breath. He kept his spine ramrod stiff, his left hand on his wand, and looked at Director Graves as if assessing his mettle. "I'm afraid you didn't give us time to make more suitable preparations for your arrival, Director Graves."
Gellert snorted inwardly. It was such a Dominik thing to say. The younger wizard and his most trusted man was not one for embellished words and fake niceties. His life revolved around war and not politics and it seemed that he was yet to forgive Director Graves and MACUSA for besmirching his Master's reputation and hunting him down for years. It didn’t matter that the fault was Albus Dumbledore's and his lies. Dominik Gruber was not the most forgiving man.
Gellert ushered his guest inside. “You’re making an awfully large assumption, Director Graves. I might’ve welcomed you into my home but your intentions are yet to be revealed.”
Graves arched a challenging brow up and smiled. Presumably, it looked gracious. It did not feel that way, however. “Then I shall simply use your hospitality as a welcome respite from my travels. There’s really no need for you to look so suspicious, Mr Grindelwald.”
“He is naturally suspicious and I believe he shall remain that way,” Haven offered Graves her hand. “Welcome to Nurmengard, Director Graves.”
Tom peeked up at their guest, his glorious green eyes narrowed suspiciously when Graves lifted Haven’s hand to his lips. “I’ve heard great things about you, Lady Peverell. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“All good things, I hope?” she smirked.
“Mostly,” Graves’ lips twitched. “The Lords of the British Wizengamot might not share my humble opinion.”
Haven took Gellert’s offered arm and smiled virtuously. “I agree. But then, surely you know that matters in Magical Britain seldom make sense. What they had apparently ignored was that House Peverell is not one to suffer from their idiocy. We don’t follow the rules, we make them.”
“Then, I pity whoever dares offend you or yours,” Graves took his seat.
“May I introduce you to my sons, Onyx and Tom,” Gellert lifted his chin and gave a short, clipped nod. Graves remained silent. His eyes, however, sought Onyx.
Tom’s eyes glowered like a Basilisk. Gellert’s cold heart soared when the younger boy tried to shield his adopted brother with his body.
Haven raked his hair back from his forehead with a gentle hand. “Magical children are not meant to be raised by prejudiced Muggles.”
Graves seemed to know better than to press the issue. “MACUSA had been noticed of Mary Lou’s case. We made sure to warp everything nicely. Of course, President Picquery tried to push the investigations but I refused. Auror Porpentina Goldstein had prior interaction with the vile No-Maj. I regret not dealing with her before your…intervention. I can’t deny I’m glad she’s gone forever.”
Onyx stiffened. “What about the other orphans?”
“They’ve been taken care of, don’t worry,” Graves said slowly. “I used my resources to ensure a safe home for them. No harm will come their way again. Tina, Queenie and Mr Kowalski are arranging private tutors and nurses to see to their needs.”
The darkness that had started to seep from Onyx’ pores receded. Graves didn’t as much as blink. “We’ve been made aware of the presence of an Obscurial in No-Maj New York. Fortunately, you made your move before President Picquery located him.”
“It matters little.” Black bled into Onyx’ eyes until they became an ethereal abyss of darkness. She’s no much for me and my Obscurus.”
“But you weren’t in full control of it a few months ago, Onyx,” Graves said evenly. “I think Lady Peverell and Mr Grindelwald are to thank for the control you are exhibiting.”
Haven’s extraordinary eyes glittered behind her sooty lashes. “All Onyx needed was the right guidance. He’s a gifted young wizard.” Her hand touched his back in a loving caress. “He’s our son and we will do our best to help him reach his full potential.”
“Then he is luckier than most,” Graves’ voice held a smile. His gaze went then to Tom. Unlike Onyx, Tom never shied from attention. Feelings, however, were another matter. The coldness of the solitude in his soul was sharper than Gellert had ever encountered before. He wondered if it was because of the Amortentia his mother consumed during his conception or if it was a House Gaunt trait. Either way, he didn’t think that Tom would become a lively, loving boy like children his age. The scars on his soul were too deep to heal overnight. Most would think that the absence of warmth from his eyes was almost debilitating. Gellert, on the other hand, saw an extremely gifted young man in need of guidance.
“You must be Mr Tom Grindelwald?” Graves asked.
“I am Tom Peverell Grindelwald,” Tom replied coolly.
Gellert’s hand curled around Tom’s shoulder. “He's my youngest.”
“He’s his father’s son,” Graves took a sip of the drink the House Elf offered.
“Now that we are done with the introductions,” Haven gave their guest an amused grin. “Why did you make it all the way here, Director Graves? I assume President Picquery won’t be thrilled if she were to find out about our association.”
Graves drummed his fingers against the table. “The International Confederation of Wizards will hold its annual meeting soon.”
“How delightful”, Gellert drawled. “I heard that the leaders of the Magical World are quite fond of hearing their own voices as they spew nonsense.”
“Maybe,” Graves said simply. “I will be acting as the ambassador of MACUSA and I thought, why not give you the chance to introduce yourself and your project properly."
“Oh…” Haven snickered.
“Isn’t Father a wanted man?” Onyx’ fingers pressed together.
“And who would dare try to catch Father?” Tom’s voice dripped with contempt.
“Thank you for the vote of confidence, Tom”, Gellert said quietly. His hard gaze went to Graves. “You want me to speak in public?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” Graves’ smile was all teeth. “I think it’s the right time for you to step out of the shadows and speak your plans loudly. As much as I hate to admit it, few wizards possess your knowledge and your power. You are a talented man with a vision, Mr Grindelwald. Your voice deserves to be heard.”
He looked at Haven. She winked. “And as the Lady of the oldest House in the Magical World, it’s my duty to introduce myself to the ICW. Our esteemed Minister doesn’t represent me. I prefer to speak for myself. And for my Soulmate.”