By the time the Aurors were done with the kids, the adults were beyond exhausted. Arcturus had spent the entire time fuming, an over the top papa bear routine. Given how his son, daughter and niece and nephews had been in danger nobody was surprised. Although, the fact the entire Black brood wasn't there definitely was a surprise. Mel was…more protective than Arcturus, so the fact she wasn't there indicated that she either didn't know or she had been forced to remain behind. Considering what they knew about Arcturus and his relationship to Mel they didn't think it was likely, plus, Mel wouldn't have listened at all.
"Join us for a drink?" The Black Lord suggested, while they waited for their children to return from the pharmacy which would dispense the potions.
"Where is Melania, Arcturus?" Lord Avery questioned, instead of giving an answer.
"She's waiting at home with the kids, I've been updating her frequently, she knows everyone is safe." Arcturus, it was the only way to prevent Mel leaving the kids with the House-elves and just coming with him. By kids, he was speaking of the children on Melania's side of the family, the Macmillan's, they were young, Erin had just celebrated her first birthday and Edward his third. Orion and Lucretia were thankfully fully grown, and no longer needed constant supervision.
"Dad? Can I stay?" Aiden Avery asked his father, with just a hint of pleading entering his eyes.
"Son, the visiting hours have already gone by, nobody will be allowed in that room until tomorrows visiting hours. The boys need some rest to recover, as do you all, you'll be lucky to get out of my sight before Hogwarts returns." Lord Avery grunted, extremely serious about that. "Do not fight me on this and I'll see about you visiting them tomorrow." He conceded, he really didn't want to have his son throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of St. Mungo's. well, to them it would be a temper tantrum, open defiance, refusing to move, but it wasn't something over the top.
"You can all stay over tonight if you wish," Arcturus informed them all, his son and daughters eyes lit up. "The townhouse is more than big enough to have you all resting comfortably, you are all welcome to be my guests," looking out at all the parents, mothers and fathers, no doubt anxious grandparents waiting at home too. None of the Black's would fight me on where the kids were, but would likely be making an appearance at some point to check on their kids.
"I'll accept that drink, Arcturus, but I think we will be returning home afterwards," Lord Dolohov was the first to give an answer to Arcturus' question.
"That's fine, Damien," Arcturus agreed, "I'm sure Temperance would be grateful for her own bed tonight," he said in agreement, Temperance had delipidating back problems that not even potions could cure. She had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and got hit by the Aurors when she had just returned from her honeymoon. There had been fears she wouldn't be able to carry a child to term due to the pain, hence why she'd only had the one son.
"I would indeed," Temperance agreed, her husband had spent the entire time between fussing with her, pleading her to return home and worrying about their son and heir. For the past half hour he'd finally calmed down when the realisation that everything was going to be just fine had sunk in. As soon as her son came closer, his potions in vials in a pouch to prevent breakages, she brought him to her side, when she'd heard the news her heart had almost stopped.
"Where the bloody hell is she?" Arcturus grumbled, there was only one person missing, Walburga, his niece, daughter of his brother Pollux.
"I'll go find her," her brother offered immediately, his arm heavily wrapped with bandages shielding the cuts from becoming infected. Alphard was probably the one with the most injuries, nothing life threatening and would probably be healed by tomorrow. "Mother will be displeased if anything happens," Irma Crabbe favoured her daughter, constantly enforcing Alphard and Cygnus to keep her safe. It was why they and Orion had such a difficult time letting Lucretia and Walburga come to France.
"She's coming," Cygnus informed them, gesturing towards his sister, squeezing his brothers good arm. He was grateful to their uncle for suggesting they stay together, he wanted to stay close, the attack had left them all shaken, despite their resolution to see it through. They didn't regret it, far from it, but he wanted them all together. Especially Lucretia who had been unconscious for however brief a time.
"I have a portkey calibrated to take us to the townhouse," Arcturus informed them as his niece ambled slowly towards them. His baby sister Dorea (the baby in the family, a very, very late pregnancy by their parents but not the only girl, Cassiopeia was the third eldest) was quick to help Walburga. They were aunt and niece, but they acted more like sisters, they'd been raised together so it made sense. Everyone always acted surprised when they realized they weren't actually sisters. He'd bet there wasn't a single student at Hogwarts who realized Dorea was his sister not his daughter or niece. He would be wrong of course, since Hadrian was very much aware of his grandmothers origins. "Those that wish to come, hold on," unsurprisingly everyone placed a finger on the portkey, which had been calibrated by the Aurors earlier. There was no doubt everyone wished to discuss what had gone down.
"Well, thank Merlin for that!" was the first thing the group heard, "You promised me an update every half hour Arcturus Black!" came the voice of one pissed of witch called Melania who was a force to be reckoned with. And she had been the one to teach the Black females how to manipulate and play the game as well as any man.
"Melania, I've just spent the past few hours in St. Mungo's, filling in copious amounts of paperwork, paying for full workups to be done and making sure there were no curses upon the children." Arcturus stated firmly, he wasn't in the mood to be chided so especially in such a public manner he was tired, no, exhausted. If not physically then most definitely emotionally. "That is after watching them being interrogated instead of questioned like the victims they are!" the lawyer had made it clear it was unacceptable, but the Aurors hadn't cared, too determined to get to the bottom of what happened.
"Have any of you eaten?" Melania asked, hands still on her silk clad hips. Her eyes mostly upon that of her son and daughter, who looked a little worse for wear, but generally they had looked worse after catching wizarding virus' that were at least marginally easily to cure.
"No, there was talk about going to the cafeteria in St. Mungo's but none of us wanted to eat substandard food," Arcturus grimaced, the thought of it was enough to make him gag. They had witches mass make the food for everyone, instead of taking on House-elves in order to aid them. "Why don't you show the boys the bathroom, Orion, let everyone get cleaned up…perhaps have your House-elves send something to wear over?"
"Good idea," Lord Donovan agreed quickly, his son looked washed out, it wasn't a good look on him. that and quite frankly if he'd been in any other company he'd have been embarrassed by it. fortunately, the situation was self-explanatory and the Black's wouldn't judge them for it.
"Girls you may use my bathroom," Melania offered her en-suite to the girls, they were still covered in blood, pieces of wood, smeared with some sort of debris power-y stuff she couldn't name. Robes were ripped and torn, pieces of it were clearly missing and others cleaned where the Aurors had taken pieces for analysis. Why they felt the need to do that when what happened was clear as day she didn't know.
"After you're done you may eat in your rooms or come to the dining area," Arcturus added, causing Orion and Lucretia's eyes to widen in disbelief. Their father never let them eat meals in their rooms, the only place to eat a meal as a family, he always insisted as together and in the dining room. With a few exceptions obviously, when they were sick, and couldn't get out of bed. Although some soup couldn't really be considered a meal now could it? There was a first for everything, even when they had friends over, they'd had to eat in the dining room no matter how much they begged. Had their father got such a big fright that he was off his game? "Orion, Lucretia just let me know what you'd prefer,"
With their jaws still hanging unattractively open, Arcturus' son and daughter – a stunned Orion and Lucretia - led the others up the stairs of the townhouse. Passing the portrait of their grandfather and mother , Arcturus, Pollux, Cassiopeia and Dorea's mother and father who had passed while Dorea had been quite young, just eight years old. Arcturus as the head of the family had been the one raising Dorea since. They were silent, watching them pass sensing the gravity of the situation. Something had happened. Once up the stairs they split off one set to Melania's bedroom and the other to Orion's - who as the heir had the biggest room even if girls tended to have more items – but both had en-suite bathrooms anyway.
As they entered Arcturus' and Melania's suite the Order Of Merlin medal gleamed proudly from where it was displayed on the wall. If Hadrian had been there, he would have smiled with a hint of wistfulness, remembering the tale Sirius told, with derision of course. How he'd probably just given them a bunch of gold, honestly, Sirius had been so prejudice towards his whole family, it was a shame.
Hadrian wasn't going to let it happen this time.
Just having them in the house settled what was left of Arcturus' and Melania's frayed nerves. "I don't know about you lot, but I could use a drink," Arcturus' grunted, gesturing for everyone to follow him, and they did, before long the parents were sitting comfortably around the brightly lit kitchen of Grimmauld Place, the favoured residence of Lord Black's. It's light coloured walls going well with the gleaming silver utilisations, most of them were actual silver which was kept in very good shape thanks to wonderful House-elves. Stamped with the Black coat of arms, even the individual forks, knives and spoons, handed down over the generations, and new ones were bought for each new marriage into the family.
A crystal – made by a prominent wizarding glassware maker – decanter and glasses on a silver tray – a gift for Melania's and Arcturus' wedding anniversary – was set in the middle for them, along with a pitcher for ice, and a pair of tongs to put the circular ice balls into their glasses should they desire to have their whiskey watered down a little.
Watering down a bottle of Ogden's Old 1808 firewhisky not something they ever thought to do, but a few of the witches elected to do so. Being smart enough to realize their husbands were going to get themselves sloshed, and would inevitably need looking after. Temperance and Melania shared commiseration looks over the top of their husbands heads.
Snack foods popped up on the table shortly afterwards, the entire basement down below belonged to the House-elves. They had a kitchen down there, rooms, and of course, a table which was an exact replica of this one, allowing them to send up food or the likes without the endless popping in and out. A good house-elf was never seen after all.
Also in that basement a baby elf lay curled in the corner where it had been placed by Kerusha, it's name was Kreacher. Plans had already been made to give it to Orion for his seventeenth birthday.
"Anyone else still trying to make sense of this…this…" Dolohov muttered before taking a gulp of the firewhisky, the cold feeling immediately left him feeling warm and almost giddy. He no longer felt the full affects due to the habitual drinking, although he wasn't used to this kind of year, it was strong, almost smooth for a burn and definitely the best he'd ever had. "Incident?" he added it like it was almost a question.
"Oh, so I'm not the only one who thinks there's more to it?" Arcturus said dryly, sitting at the head of the table, eyes gleaming with an almost knowing look in his eye. Yes, he'd suspected as much, he knew his kids better than anyone else, knew his sister, knew his niece and nephews better than most. He knew when they were leaving things out.
"They probably think they've gotten away with it," Lord Avery said with an amused scoff of a chuckle. Raising his glass once before sipping on it, savouring as it was meant to be. "Question is, do we leave it and let them think they've gotten away with it…"
"Or teach them a lesson they won't quite forget," Arcturus joined in, more amused than actually pissed off.
"You just want to know what really happened," Melania teased her husband.
"Is it just me that believes they're actually telling the truth in terms of what's actually happened today?" Lord Nott said, before adding, "It's something else they're hiding."
"Presumably something to do with the boys," Lord Malfoy insisted, silver eyes gleaming, "My son thinks he's being sneaky but he has a lot to learn." Thankfully those that had observed his son were all firmly in his pocket.
"Why is that? What have they been up to?" Arcturus questioned pensively, watching everyone around him, the witches looked wrung out, tired beyond belief. Not that the wizards were any better, but they weren't showing it quite so obviously.
"He copied information about Grindelwald's inner circle just three days ago," Lord Malfoy informed them, "That's just the last information he decided he wanted. Normally the information is sent off via owl, given the way he speaks of the Peverell-Slytherin's I believe he's sending them the information." He kept a close eye on his son and heir, not out of suspicion but because of threats on their lives.
"That information will contain their fighting styles," Arcturus concluded, "It's little wonder they were able to beat them back." Knowing how your opponent fought was nine tenths of defeating your opponent.
"Are you telling me that those boys deliberately put my children at risk?" Melania questioned darkly, eyes gleaming with feral protectiveness. "My daughter? My nieces? My nephews? My sister-in-law?"
"Oh, come now," Lord Avery said, scoffing a little, "As good as those boys are, I doubt very much they could force our boys to comply with them. They wanted to go, of that I have no doubt." While his son probably had felt the need to go in order to protect Hadrian Peverell-Slytherin, the others definitely hadn't.
"The thought of anyone being able to force Dorea, Lucretia or Walburga to do anything is truly laughable," Arcturus conceded with a wry smirk on his face. "Although, their actions are a little out of character." Going into battle? Why on earth would they feel the need to do anything like that? He needed to have a conversation with them. It had been too long, the last time he had a conversation with them was when he was offering the destroy the marriage contracts they were under. Walburga and Orion had chosen not to, as had Lucretia who was marrying Ignatius Prewett. Dorea, however, never had a marriage contract, their parents had never set one up, and neither had Arcturus, he felt no need to force Dorea to marry, the family had more than enough members without it. although, Dorea was talking about marrying Charles Potter, but so far, he hadn't had any meeting with Charles – who would need to ask his permission as Dorea's head of house – so he wouldn't think of it further until such time it occurred.
Melania relaxed back, as the truth settled her, it was true enough, her son and daughter definitely wouldn't do anything they didn't wish to. What on earth made them want to face Grindelwald's men though? Was it possible that they planned all this? The fathers all seemed to think so, and they were probably right, who knew their children better than the parents?
Their attention was immediately caught when Orion, who looked much better after a shower and clean clothes, came into the kitchen. "Can we still eat up stairs father?" he asked respectfully, barely refraining from yawning, he was exhausted, as everyone could tell by his slightly hunched shoulders.
"I'm only going to ask you this once, Orion," Melania asked, "Did you know what you were walking into?" her tone firm and unyielding.
Orion stared at them all, clearly caught of guard, and unsure of what to say.
"It will not be brought up again," Arcturus promised, eyes gleaming, he already knew the answer, but he did desire confirmation. He was sure between the adults they could figure out exactly what they had been up to and intended to do.
Knowing his father always kept his word, he relaxed a little before contemplating his answer for a second, "Yes, we knew, although the explosion was a surprise." He decided to give them that at least. "They had targeted Hadrian." Without them any of the wiser, if Hadrian had gone alone…the outcome might have been very, very different and no doubt they'd already realized this. It left them all reeling really, even after everything they'd seen and done today.
"Very well, I'll have the elf bring something up," Arcturus declared, using the word 'elf' with a general tone, he neither hated the creatures or liked them overly much. "Go on, after dinner you will all head to bed," it wasn't a suggestion, it was an order. At least, they wouldn't be tempted to disobey that order tonight, he had a feeling they'd be all too grateful for the sleep.
"Remember to take your potions," Melania informed him, "I shall drop by to make sure everyone's taken what they're supposed to." All of them had come in with potions from St. Mungo's so yes, she'd make sure they took what they needed to in order to fully heal.
"We will mother," Orion promised, giving them a tired smile, a nod before he exited the kitchen.
"Anyone else feeling overwhelmingly proud they were able to do what Aurors all over the world were unable to do?" Lord Rosier said, sounding extremely smug.
Lady Mulciber tutted, "It could have all gone wrong," she chided.
"But it didn't," Lord Mulciber stated firmly, patting his wife's arm, looking just as smug as Rosier felt.
"You didn't change the marriage contracts did you?" Lord Avery said, "Let's just hope your grandchildren aren't going to pay the price for that."
"You forget that the marriage contract is with Arcturus," Rosier pointed out smugly. Cygnus was set to marry his daughter Druella Rosier soon to be Black. "I have no doubt they will have powerful children."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," came the voice of Abraxas, "The Rosier's are related to the Black's through both lines." And according to the books Hadrian had written it was never a good idea.
"Abraxas, is everything alright?" Melania asked already half out of her seat, concerned that something was wrong.
"Yes. Everyone is fine." Abraxas informed her, allowing her to relax, "I would rather eat here, I am no longer used to eating on the floor, I'm not as young as I used to be." Speaking like he was in his thirties instead of just a few years older than those he had just left. Plus, they weren't having much in the way of conversation, all too exhausted both magically and mentally after the day they'd had.
-----0
"Excuse me? Can you repeat yourself, Armando?" Slughorn shook his head as if to clear his head, staring at the elderly wizard as if he had grown an additional head in the past few moments. The rest of the professors were all nodding, agreeing with Slughorn, perhaps they had misheard what he had just said. It all seemed like a wonderfully terrible dream.
There was only one faculty member missing, Healer Yaxley, who was frequently missing from meetings. He only really worked part time at Hogwarts, the rest of his time was given to St. Mungo's, he was a healer first and foremost after all. He taught healer in order to encourage more students to come healers or Medi-wizards or witches. They always needed more healers, they were extremely important.
Just as important for the progression of the magical world was Potions Masters.
"It seems that some of our students are responsible for the defeat of Grindelwald and his enforcers," Armando Dippet informed them, looking a cross between undeniably proud and anxious.
"Who? The Scamander brothers?" Herbert Beery, Head of Hufflepuff house asked, he was well aware of the adventures the Scamander brothers had been having as of late.
"Come now, Newt wouldn't harm anyone," Felix Meadowes, Head of Ravenclaw waved off that possibility.
"No, Dippet said students, not former students," Slughorn pointed out, heart sinking, as Head of Slytherin he knew how well distinctions were used. "I have a feeling I'm not going to like this…am I?" understanding the look on the Headmaster's face a little better. "My Slytherins are involved aren't they?"
"I'm afraid so, many of them," Dippet informed him, "There is already talk of them getting Order of Merlin awards," first class ones at that, and they weren't even out of school yet.
"Dear Merlin, don't tell me, Mr. Peverell-Slytherin," it was Merrythought who suggested this.
Slughorn pinched the bridge of his nose, "Which means Tom and the rest of their friends was involved too," he didn't need Dippet to confirm, the look of surprise on his face was enough.
"Indeed," Dippet informed them, "Mr. Avery, Dolohov, Malfoy, Rosier, Mulciber, Orion, Alphard, Cygnus, Lucretia, Walburga and Dorea Black."
Slughorn gulped, thirteen of his students had been put in a very dangerous situation, they could have died. "How are they?" his tone grim, staring straight at Dippet demanding a straightforward explanation.
"Hadrian is in St. Mungo's, I have no doubt Tom is right there with him, but the rest were checked over and released with full bills of health just a little magically depleted." Dippet explained, "They will be returning after the holidays baring no unforeseen complications." At least according to the Aurors, but he wouldn't take everything they said at the face of value. He had his contacts within the Ministry, of course, and the portraits helped too, so he believed the information to be quite correct.
"How is he?" Slughorn demanded at once. He was fond of all his students, but Hadrian and Tom…they were very important to him. He'd never had a family, and often regretted it, but his students were his family and still spoke to the majority of them, they often brought gifts for him so he was never truly alone. Hadrian and Tom came close to being sons to him, and would do anything for them. He was already making plans to visit St. Mungo's as soon as he was able to check on them himself regardless of what he heard.
"He is doing well and expected to make a full recovery," Dippet reassured Slughorn, very much aware of Slughorn's protective tendencies when it came to his snakes. It was why he allowed Slughorn so much leeway in his parties and such. "I've not been privy to much of the details, I'm afraid, due to his emancipation I'm not legally allowed to know such information." He was legally an adult now, and in the eyes of the law his medical information was private, not even as his headmaster was able to glean information regarding Hadrian's wellbeing.
"I see," Slughorn was relieved to hear that, it took a great deal of weight from his shoulders. All his Slytherins were alive, they had survived…thank Merlin for that.
"By defeat…" Tyrian Selnick ventured, the librarian sounding rather afraid to voice the words. How many times had Grindelwald been caught but managed to get away now? Two or three? Honestly, everywhere seemed to be unable to hold the extraordinary powerful wizard.
"The threat that Grindelwald poses is gone, for good," Dippet explained somewhat hollowly, while he wanted to feel victorious that the evil wizard hell bent of world dominion was dead he couldn't. For it had come at a cost of one of his students, taking a life…however, accidental, weighed even the most battle hardened of wizards down. Tom had been abandoned at an Orphanage, by the majority of his family, his mother dying in childbirth, his father, uncle, grandparents on both sides were dead before he could get to know them. He'd never forget the look on Tom's face when he found out. He tried, Merlin, he tried to keep his face impassive but it had not worked. "He is dead."
"Who did the deed?" Slughorn asked, eyes closed, despair souring his stomach. He honestly didn't want to hear the answer, but he needed to prepare. One of his Slytherins had murdered someone in self-defence, when they returned they would be different, need a mind healer to make sure they knew and understood they weren't to blame. Survivors guilt wasn't an easy thing to live with. Although, it wasn't quite survivors guilt in the term it's normally used in.
Each of the professors were all thinking the same thing, there was no celebration, or plans for one when it came to the professors. They were mourning the loss of innocence that one of the students had gone through. Soon, though, they would need to endure celebrations, as they let the children be happy and party over the fact the very real, very bad threat that Grindelwald posed was gone. The Muggle war not so much, but that hadn't been the biggest threat to them.
Most of the students had elected to remain at Hogwarts, except most of the pureblood's, they felt safe at Hogwarts so it was hardly surprising they'd elected to remain.
"Where did it all go down? How bad was the damage?" Apollyon Pringle, groundkeeper asked his tone subdued.
"France," Dippet explained, "They are still counting the body count, I'm afraid more people were injured and killed than they first thought." The youngest according to rumours was just a ten year old boy, he sincerely hoped that it wasn't the case.
"What the hell were they doing in France?" Beery asked, incredulously, it was Christmas, and travel was strict, due to both wars.
"Book signing," Slughorn defended Hadrian as he always defended his snakes. "He was doing a book signing, but from what I heard, Hadrian only agreed to go if there were oaths involved, he didn't want to be overwhelmed by people coming to the book signing in hoards to see him, hence why he chose a small village." he had been talking to the Prince girl and Rosier if he recalled correctly. Hadrian truly did not like being overwhelmed by the public, it was almost to the point of a phobia. They unfortunately, didn't know a lot about Hadrian's childhood, so he couldn't safely say if that was the cause of it. It may very well be because of the initial attack by Grindelwald and his men back when he first appeared on everyone's radar after making it to Hogsmeade.
--------0
Unsurprisingly, Hadrian woke well before it was expected of him, and insisted right away that he be released.
"Mr. Peverell-Slytherin, you were severely injured, you need to take it easy," the Medi-witch protested most heavily. Hadrian was a wonderful budding healer, but as a patient? He was horrendous to deal with, but wasn't that always the way when it came to healers and hospitals. They make the worst patients. "You have a few more Blood replenisher potions to take before we feel comfortable releasing you."
"I excel at Potions, I can take a few potions at the requisite times," Hadrian informed her, flinging the covers back.
"It's the middle of the night, Hadrian, please," the Medi-witch pleaded with Hadrian to take it easy, they didn't want to release him only for something to happen. Overnight Hadrian and Tom had become hero's, there were people out there still celebrating their victory she could imagine what would happen if anything happened to them here in St. Mungo's. she had horrific visions of the hospital burning down due to some overzealous thankful wizard or witch.
"What the hell is going on?" Tom retorted staring narrowed eyed as he exited the bathroom. He had felt Hadrian wakening so he wasn't surprised by that. Nor could he say he was surprised that Hadrian was trying to leave the hospital. He hated being here, despite the fact quite frankly he should have a named bed for him with the amount of times he'd been here.
"We're heading home, is what's going on, now help me," Hadrian declared, grasping onto the bed as he took a dizzy turn, his back spasmed as pain made itself known. He barely refrained from grimacing, wondering when he had his last dose, or if the potions even in St. Mungo's were sometimes watered down. At least Fenrir wouldn't be aware of what was happening and wouldn't be worried enough to run without getting answers.
He rather hoped not.
"Perhaps you should listen to Sally," Tom said, but he was nonetheless approaching Hadrian in order to help him.
A knock at the door surprised all the occupants, Sally sighed, before opening the door, blinking in surprise at the sight of the Aurors once more. She'd been expecting the healer, Yaxley was fond of Hadrian and often with pride bragged about him. Given the fact that Hadrian was much like him, a type of rare natural healer, if given the right training…it hardly surprised them.
They had said they would be back, but she'd presumed it would be when they had information that Hadrian was awake. Which only she and Tom knew about at the moment, she hadn't even had a chance to tell the healer. "You put a spell upon my patient?" Sally said, her tone quiet and cold, looking ready to unleash hell.
"No ma'am, we only had a few more questions for Tom Peverell-Slytherin," saying Mr. Peverell-Slytherin wouldn't clarify anything since there were two of them.
"Lord Tom Peverell-Slytherin," corrected Sally primly, all for the correct usage of titles.
"Yes, Lord Tom Peverell-Slytherin, our apologies," the Auror was primarily staring at Hadrian, "I hope you are recovering well, Sir,"
"Call me Hadrian," Hadrian said wryly, eyes gleaming wickedly, "Our names are a mouthful I know," his lack of defensiveness and general good natured tone had both Auror's relaxing and smiling a little. They weren't used to people being so open with them. They were law enforcement, they were usually avoided or regarded with suspicion. Slumping back onto his bed wincing in pain.
"Can Hadrian have another potion yet? He's in pain." Tom asked Sally, without looking away from his husband.
One glance at his chart, Sally nodded, "Excuse me I'll be back in a few minutes," she couldn't just summon the potions, everyone had to go down to the dispenser to get them. It was too dangerous just to allow anyone to summon potions, so there were spells to prevent it.
"Thanks," Hadrian murmured, sighing resignedly, as he tried to get comfortable. "Well, I'm afraid I can't leave the room for you to ask Tom those questions." he said teasingly, it would always be a good idea to have the Aurors on your side, avoid suspicion and make it difficult for them to think of them doing anything illegal.
"These are Aurors Antaya and Chausse," Tom informed Hadrian, watching surprise bloom on their features at the fact he remembered their names after just a single meeting. "They've been asking questions about what happened…yesterday now."
"What time is it?" Hadrian asked, blinking in surprise at hearing that it was now officially the next day.
"It's currently two forty-five am, Sir, we apologise for the lateness," Chausse said, genuinely apologetic.
"You look exhausted, sit down and ask your questions, then go get some sleep, your bosses will surely understand," Hadrian said, observing them. "Plus, you can ask me questions and get that out of the way which means you can get some more rest."
Tom's lips twitched at Hadrian bossing the Aurors around, but the truth was, they had deep dark bags under their eyes. It was probably at least twenty-four hours, maybe longer since they'd slept.
"Our colleagues are returning to take over tomorrow morning, we will be fine," Antaya said, surprised that she was choosing to be so forthcoming. It was either the tiredness or the fact she genuinely liked Hadrian Peverell-Slytherin and she didn't take to strangers easily at all.
The pair took the seat on the opposite side of Tom, books out ready to record everything.
It would be the last thing they did tonight before they went to the Leaky Cauldron to stay the night. It was the only half decent place, which was putting it lightly really. They'd actually ended up cleaning it themselves and making sure the bedding and everything was done too. They were far from germaphobes but there was only so much they could take without being offended. It was insulting that they were taking anything for the rooms in reality given their condition.
Sally returned with the potions while the Aurors asked Tom to clarify a few points before getting to Hadrian's tale.
It took everything in Hadrian to keep a straight face when Tom suggested buying a few onions and chopping them in front of him in order to make him realize he was being a little too cavalier towards Grindelwald and his men.
He surprised the Aurors with a few very good suggestions that they vowed to take up to their superior ASAP.
--------0
Two days later
The silent wizard, staring straight ahead was jolted as Aurors grabbed him, holding onto either side of his arms. Shock and defeat his most prominent emotions. Things had been going so well, the Dark Lord had been so close to taking over the world, then in a single hour…was it even that? Everything had just crumbled to dust. He'd watched Gellert for years, watched him taking on the groups of Aurors, civilians and everyone who dared stand against him. The echoes of voices surrounded him on all edges, he wasn't sure whether they were talking to him or not, even though he'd heard his name mentioned.
He'd apparated with him thinking it was just another day, getting rid of another threat. Although, why Gellert had been so angry he didn't truly comprehend. It was just a school boy, he wasn't a threat to anyone let alone Gellert so why had he gone after him? Because of one stupid little bloody article? Hell of a thing to die for just when they were so close to their goals. Someone was talking to him again but he barely heard a word, he was too deep in his own thoughts.
"Gustav Huber do you understand what we have just said?" the Auror said, his French accent grating on Gustav's nerves. He was officially being arrested and kept in prison until his trial and then once it was done he'd be transferred right back. There was no doubt that he was guilty, they had more evidence than they'd ever need to use in a trial.
"He's not going to answer, let's just go!" another Auror grumbled, annoyance thrumming through him. He'd had to stand through their silence over a dozen times. The Aurors were working in full force to bring in all of Gellert's followers, at least the ones they knew were guilty. They were working simultaneously with every force in order to bring them all in.
"Do you understand?" the Auror – Auror Bernard – stated a bit louder before repeating himself in German which yielded no results, he was being deliberately obtuse. He had returned to France while two of his fellow Aurors had remained in Britain to tie up loose ends within the Ministry of magic. They had only returned home to speak to their boss and grab a change of clothes before leaving again. They'd be going back and forth for a while still, until the cases were all wrapped up, which could take years, but the worst was over with. The war itself was over with.
When they apparated him to his 'prison' it got a genuine and very real reaction from the dark wizard. As Grindelwald's 'second in command' so to speak, he had remained impassive no matter what they said or did. It was almost as if he was just waiting to be rescued.
Fear and indignation splashed across his face, when it penetrated exactly where he was. Even in the dark the place was lit up like a beacon, plus the words spread across the place kind of gave it away.
'For the greater good'
Struggling futilely, his wand was already taken from him, and his non-verbal magic dimmed with the cuffs upon his person. "NO!" he snarled sounding like a rabid dog unable to believe they would bring him here. "Don't you dare!" he knew how impenetrable the prison was, he'd helped design it. If he ended up in there, he would be stuck forever, unable to escape. Pale and clammy, Gustav was frog marched towards the prison without pause or sympathy. Others of Grindelwald's arrested supporters were inside.
It had taken five ward breakers to tear down those wards – not easily found – but they'd succeeded. It had taken nearly a day of constant work before they'd managed to tear them down. Then the Auror enforcement head of office had used dozens of wizards to put up the best wards they were capable of. Actually using some of the wards that they had torn down, finding them ingenious really. This idea was all thanks to one quite ingenious underage (only a technicality) yet emancipated wizard. They'd been worried about space for a time, but with this idea, well, there was no worries anymore.
Gustav had been brought to Nurmengard.
"How dare you touch this place with your filthy hands and magic!" Gustav hissed ferally, jerking angrily in their hold, screaming in anger when it produced absolutely no results. He could feel the Dark Lord's magic was no longer present, instead filthy light magic had replaced it. It made his skin crawl being so close to such an accumulation of light magic.
He didn't stop screaming and cursing until dawn peeked over the horizon, and by then his throat was inflamed preventing any more screaming on his part.
It was a new day, making it three days since he'd lost his freedom, three whole days.
---------0
Newton Scamander walked slowly with the guard beside him, almost walking sideways, refusing to meet anyone's eyes as he trudged through Azkaban prison. His leg had been injured in the ensuing battle, Queenie and Tina had taken Jacob away to safety, but weren't able to get back in to fight themselves, as the wards had been put up. The entire thing had been over by the time they managed to find a way to get to them on foot.
It took longer with his leg bandaged up, but he managed to keep up with the guard and get to the visiting centre.
Where Albus Dumbledore sat, shoulders hunched and hands bound so he couldn't hurt anyone or himself.
"Newt!" Albus said, giving him a small smile, blue eyes missing their usual twinkle but nonetheless there was genuine happiness to see his former student.
"Sir," Newt said, giving a nod as he slowly made his way over.
"Are you alright?" Albus asked, noticing the awkward gait and obvious bandages.