"Look I don't like it any better than any of you!" Spencer-Moon roared out, despite the arguing going on in the room, he was heard by the fifty plus people currently making a racket. "But the reality is…we have to stop him, for our sakes, for our children, for our grandchildren. He's making his way steadily closer to us. We have no idea what he wants, but I strongly suspect it's something here. He came to Britain once before, there IS a reason." He'd bet his job on that actually.
"Meanwhile our children learn there's no consequences for breaking the law?" Abraxas' father hissed out through gritted teeth, fury thrumming throughout his entire body. His son, Abraxas should have been sitting next to him, still learning the ropes of his duties, unfortunately, he had asked for a few days to himself. Abraxas had been working very hard, dedicating everything to learning it all, and doing so in a timely manner. He couldn't just deny him the only thing he'd asked recently. "That anyone could just walk free at any given moment? Do you realize who he antagonised?"
"I am aware that this situation isn't ideal, but he won't be going free, a house arrest is the next best thing I could offer him to get this far." The Minister argued, knowing it wasn't enough, it turned his stomach too.
"I assume you're going to tell Hadrian Peverell yourself?" Aaron Moody boldly proclaimed, an Auror and proud member of the Wizengamot.
"Peverell-Slytherin," one of the women reminded him, absently.
"Ah, my apologised, Peverell-Slytherin," Aaron stated, his bold proclamation causing all voices to cease as they stared at the Minister actually wanting to hear that answer themselves.
Spencer-Moon swallowed thickly, of course, they'd all bloody stare at him waiting on his answers. This didn't usually happen in a courtroom, it was usually the damn press that stared hawk eyed after a particularly juicy – to them anyway – question had come up. "Is that what it would take to get an agreement with everyone?" the Minister answered their question with one of his own.
The pureblood's they are, they saw through it, and refused to bite. Instead silently stared, waiting on an answer being given.
The thought of actually having to speak to the boy, actually left him feeling rather nervous. He wasn't even sure why, he'd only ever seen him at the trials. He had an air about him, of one who knew the power he held, and would wield it if needed. He even had every single pureblood backing him up. He and his husband were the upcoming power couple, nobody wanted to mess with. Doing this would mess with his standing, both in the magical world and the political world. He'd more than likely find himself out of a job upon re-election time. Yet, he knew, regardless of where it would lead him…he would need to do this. For the safety of everyone, Dumbledore was the only one who held a chance of stopping the powerful dark wizard in his tracks. "He deserves to hear it from me, so yes, I will tell him myself," he revealed with a resigned air around him.
"This is a bad idea," Lord Avery stated sharply, "Letting Dumbledore go, it's going to bite us when we least expect it." furious with the way the tide was blowing. With over fifty people in the room, he didn't like the odds of them actually getting the Minister to back down from his current path. Glancing over at Malfoy who looked just as grim as him, realizing the way things were going too.
"I'm in full agreement," Lord Malfoy insisted, "Less time with the Dementors and a bigger cell is all that man deserves."
"I only got the agreement for house arrest, anything less…will not do." Spencer-Moon sighed, slumping into his seat as if his strings had been cut. "You have to look at this objectively without feelings or emotions getting in the way. Dumbledore has the best bet at ending Grindelwald once and for all. The global was is taking its toll on all of us, can we risk losing our children to this dark wizard hell bent on domination? There is too much at stake to risk it. The American Aurors have tried their hardest to get him, and their forces are considerably larger than our own…we will lose." And he didn't want to be the Minister responsible for the decimation of the British magical world. Grindelwald was ruthless, his forces just as bad if not worse. They wouldn't be able to fight him, not alone, and they were spread thin as it was due to the global war.
That frightened the majority of the people sitting in the room. Only because it was the truth and they did not like it.
"Very well then, it seems we have no choice," Fawley sighed, looking older than his fifty years of age.
"Shall we put it to a vote?" the room was grim and filled with an unnatural silence.
"Those who agree to Albus Dumbledore's house arrest, and the agreement laid out before you, raise your wands." The Minister stated, sitting up straighter, his heart pounding away like a never ending beat of an erratic drum. Watching with rapid attention, as slowly wizengamot members begun to raise their wands with clear reluctance.
There had to be at least twenty-seven people in agreement for the agreement to be fulfilled. Otherwise they would find themselves in a tie-break with nobody winning or worse, no agreement for Dumbledore and them in serious trouble. The Minister was absolutely terrified of either latter outcomes. It wouldn't be required to be fulfilled until both the Minister and Dumbledore signed on the dotted line. Then they'd just have to track where Grindelwald was – never hard just find out the last attack – and get Dumbledore there in hopes of Grindelwald's defeat.
Breath gushed out of Spencer-Moon, relief almost paralyzing him as he'd locked his entire body up awaiting the verdict. There were at least thirty hands up in the air, wands all lit. No matter what happened next, this was going through and that was…a load of his shoulders. He just hoped Dumbledore was able to live up to the hype.
Many of the wizengamot members who had not raised their wands were glaring broodily at those who had. Clearly very irritated with their decision, and part of Spencer-Moon didn't blame them at all. He wouldn't be doing this if he had any hope of a different choice in front of him. unfortunately, there was no other options, he'd been wracking his mind to come up with something…anything. His mind had remained blank, there was nothing else to be done.
"Then we're all in agreement," Spencer-Moon proclaimed, countenance grim, just like everyone else's.
Instead of immediately heading out after such a meeting, they remained seated, clearly reeling over what they were doing. They were basically letting a criminal go free to stop this war. While they knew deep down it was the thing they needed to do, it had never felt more wrong.
"Well, excuse me," Avery stated, gazing appallingly around the room, "It seems my opinion won't matter," he dreaded having to tell Hadrian Peverell-Slytherin. He would have to, after all, his family was sworn fealty to him, his son Aiden wouldn't have been successful without his approval (as he was the head of the family/magic) he had felt it when the oath took. There hadn't been much any of them could do, even those who had been happy to see Dumbledore go down for his actions – despite his previous popularity – were scrambling to get him out in order for justice to be served. He'd wait until they returned from their trip, let them enjoy their little holiday even if it was a working one for Hadrian due to the book signing he had going on.
Avery was the first to leave the room, followed by the Minister, who immediately went to his office to draw up the contract with a heavy heart.
The scribe was the last to leave the room, going to the small office he had beside the Ministers to go over the information and file it away.
-------0
"…wake up! C'mon Hadrian wake up!" Avery hollered, slapping at his face, as he deflected yet another bombardment of spells coming his way. The only thing keeping him going was his oath and the damn adrenaline that was coursing through him. "Aguamenti!" Cygnus cast wand aimed directly in Hadrian's projected path. It hit him right in the face, causing Harry to splutter and return to consciousness. In front of Hadrian and him was Tom, using debris from the completely obliterated bookstore and his own spells to hold off five wizards with Cygnus and Abraxas' aid. There were two others aiding them from down the road, saving as many people as they could. Drawing three of the wizards clearly on Grindelwald's side, attention to prevent massacre.
Dolohov was helping the girls to their feet, spell after spell emerging from his wand almost manically, as he strove to keep everyone safe. Perhaps for the first time Dolohov wasn't afraid for himself...but the others, and that was helping him find his courage. either that or shock had a part to do with it, Harry thought, he was covered in debris and blood, he wasn't sure how much of it was Dolohov's but he couldn't keep watching for long, he needed to get up. He needed to fight.
"What the fuck!" Hadrian he cursed, sitting up, wincing in agony, there was something poking into his back. Using his left arm, he felt around his back. Damn it, oh this was going to be painful, closing his eyes, gritting his teeth, he yanked out whatever was imbedded in his back. One glance at it, he realized it must have been debris he fell on when they exploded the place, it was a broken piece of wood, that was now bloody.
"You alright?" Tom asked, the only one feeling what Hadrian was right now, and it wasn't a small amount of pain either.
"I'll be fine," Hadrian grunted, "Help me up!" grasping a hold of Aiden's arm and propelling himself onto his feet. "Fucking bookstore owner, I'm definitely firing my publishers!" it was the only person who could have done it. Nobody else knew he'd be coming and as good as Grindelwald was…he wasn't bloody omnipotent. "How's everyone? And who's helping?" wand out, hearing one conjuring up fire, he hollered "Bombarda Aguamenti maxima!" and like a fireman's hose the water propelled out, sweeping the five wizards off their feet and down the street. "Lets get this over with."
Dolohov and the girls wanted to laugh at the sight of them being swept of their feet by the water but this definitely wasn't the time or the place.
"I don't see Grindelwald here," Orion said, completely covered in soot from head to toe, but otherwise unharmed from the blasting curse. Others hadn't been so lucky, there were dead bodies strewn all over the store, it made his stomach queasy, or perhaps it was the suddenness of the attack maybe? Relaxing a little in relief now that the wizards were down, temporarily as it may be.
"Oh, he's here alright," Hadrian cast a sonorous on his voice, "Come out then Grindelwald, I know you are here, you are always there watching your people attack, stop being a coward and face me like a man."
"Bloody hell," Walburga grumbled, "Stop goading the psychopath!" sounding very much like her old portrait, so much so that a choked laugh came out of Hadrian.
"Walburga!" Dolohov choked out in reprimand, while even he had to stop himself laughing.
"Is that…it is….bloody hell…it's the Scamander brothers," Alphard blurted out, his neck clicking as he swiftly moved to check the other side when he heard spells being cast in the direction of the other five of Grindelwald's enforcers.
"Ah, shit there's more," Orion warned them, noticing another three wizards Apparating into the area. "Why the hell is the Auror here?" Scamander was an Auror.
"Well, one of them is mine," Hadrian said with feral intensity, eyes on the middle figure. Feeling the Elder wand calling to him properly for the first time.
"You must be the elusive Hadrian Peverell," came the soft voice of Grindelwald.
"Hardly elusive," Hadrian replied wryly, "You have something that belongs to me," gesturing to the wand without a hint of subtly, "How about we do this the wizarding way? Gellert Grindelwald I challenge you to a duel, with Tom Peverell-Slytherin as my second,"
"I do owe you for your disrespect," Grindelwald replied, coming closer eyes flashing in genuine anger. "By the time I'm finished you will be begging for death before I grant it to you." This was the pathetic wizard who had managed to take down Albus?
"I think that's the other way around, you don't get to go around using my coat of arms and make it hated all over the world." Hadrian retorted without a hint of anger or even hurt in his voice. He knew better than to let emotion get the best of him, it caused mistakes and he couldn't make any. What was it with bad guys having to talk about themselves and what they wanted to do? "Can we just skip the talk where you tell me I'm going to die. How I'm going to die and how much I'm going to beg for it? I've already heard it before, it gets boring real fast."
Tom coughed, trying desperately to stop himself laughing at the look on Gellert's face, the indignation was hilarious. Hadrian was very good at riling up everyone around him. Hell, even he'd gotten riled up, in the past and Harry's past (as Voldemort), hoping to keep Gellert's attention fixed upon them, they had a chance of killing him the others did not.
Hadrian gave Tom a wry look, a wicked smirk upon his face. 'This is why I was always able to defeat you' Dark Lord's and their need to hear themselves talking. 'It's a little wonder the duel between Grindelwald and Dumbledore lasted so long…' no doubt there was a lot of talking between them too. "Os confractus," Hadrian immediately cast a spell, refusing to let Grindelwald surprise him.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Really straight to the killing curse? How unoriginal, are you sure you're from Durmstrang?" Hadrian snapped out, whipping a large chunk of stone towards the killing curse, so it didn't hit anyone more importantly himself. "ulcere sanguis!" immediately returning fire. Sensing Tom casting his own spells, he refused to take his eyes of Grindelwald, Tom was brilliant, he could hold his own he knew that.
Grindelwald growled, and began to shoot spells in Ernest from his wand, using his left hand to make it doubly hard for Hadrian. Not many could use a wand and cast Wandless magic at the same time. Unfortunately, for Grindelwald, he realized belated that Hadrian could do so as well.
"Necare!"
"Bombarda!" using his left hand to use debris to block the spell, which was actually darker than the killing curse, even though it did the same thing. Although this one was darker than most, it caused excruciating pain before death was finally granted. He'd heard of the spell, but had never seen anyone use it before. Even Voldemort had preferred 'Avada Kedavra' over that sort of spell, it showed he had mercy in his body.
"Interficio!"
"Scutum!" Harry shielded himself from the spell, while conjuring arrows from his hands and flinging them with all his might towards Grindelwald, two out of the dozen hit the dark wizard, one in the leg, the other was his left shoulder. It would make casting spells with both his hands extremely difficult. Good.
"Optrunco!"
"Parma!" swiftly using the counter curse to get that particular spell of his back, evidently he was through holding back, they were getting more and more vicious. Hadrian wasn't sure how much longer he could go without using some of his…darker arsenal he had in mind. He couldn't risk doing anything too dark, the duel was going to be replayed probably all over the world by everyone.
"Neco!"
"Combibo! Redire!" the idea coming to him swiftly, a way to keep Grindelwald on his toes absorb the spells then spit them back at him.
Grindelwald was surprised enough that he had to jerk away from the spell, allowing Hadrian a few precious moments to cast another spell, "Dirumpo!" technically a 'light' spell despite the fact it would literally burst someone asunder. Having to stick to light or neutral or boarding dark spells was really irking him.
The connection with the Elder wand was strengthening, "Having trouble using that wand?" Hadrian taunted, green eyes gleaming in amusement, telling a tale of a secret only he knew. "Dejugo!" trying to sever the connection Grindelwald had to his magical core.
Grindelwald alarmed by the spell, summoned his closest follower, and used his body as a shield from the spell, "Crucio!"
The spell hit it's mark.
---------0
The Minister for magic, Spencer-Moon stared down at the contract, breathing out raggedly. An hour it had taken him to make sure the contract was airtight, getting three different peoples opinions as well just to make sure. He'd written to Hadrian Peverell-Slytherin, who was probably at Hogwarts no doubt enjoying the Christmas holidays. He'd set up a meeting with the young Lord, intending on keeping his promise. He would inform Hadrian himself, apologise for any pain it brought him, and pray he wasn't out of a job within the next few weeks. As Minister for Magic he wasn't above the law, what he was doing letting Dumbledore free, was acting as though he was above the law letting criminals go free.
He worried that he was setting up precedent to be used in the future by other Ministers. That thought was actually terrifying.
Stiffening his shoulders, he stood up and swiftly excited his office, not taking the time to see anything in front of him. As soon as he was on the move, five Aurors began to shadow him, they knew where he was going and his schedule. Not that this had been his original schedule this morning.
Shivering slightly, unable to believe he was returning to Azkaban, let alone so soon. Hopefully it wouldn't take too long to have Dumbledore situated, he didn't want to remain on the island too long. He was depressed enough as it was, without the Dementors adding to it to be frank. He didn't use a Portkey, it would take too long to set up, so he apparated to the other end of the island.
The Aurors soon followed.
Before long, six people got into a tiny boat, and with a flick of their wand, the boat glided along the water. Even if the water was clashing and waving, the boat didn't so much as budge and the water didn't touch them. It was a deeply uncomfortable ten minutes ride, they were grateful when it docked…for all of a few moments.
They failed to see or hear the Ministry clerk waving – fanatically at that - and calling them from the banks at the other side with urgency.
"I'm here to see Albus Dumbledore, prisoner XO123," Spencer-Moon revealed sternly, and he didn't need permission, he was the Minister for magic, he could come and go as he pleased.
"Follow me, the prisoners are currently eating, they'll be finished in five minutes," the guard explained, as he glided like the dementors through the eerily prison. They didn't encounter a single Dementor on their way, but that was hardly surprising, the Dementors always left during prisoner feeding times.
-------------0
Hadrian was propelled back by the intensity of the spell, surprised by the fact it wasn't as strong as Tom's. He guess he had his answer, Tom was actually more powerful than Grindelwald. He guessed that's where Tom had gotten his 'darkest wizard since Grindelwald' from. He was seconds away from crumbling, the pain getting a bit too much to bear when it ceased, as Grindelwald was swept off his feet by a dozen or so broomsticks whizzing by.
'Tom…we need to end him now, I'm going to focus on the Elder wand it will only give you two minutes to cast a spell, you understand? It needs to hit him and it needs to be something that takes him out. Do not use a dark curse, if you can do it, let me know' Hadrian murmured through their bond, as his knees buckled as the pain became too much. The blood loss was getting to be too much he could feel how wet the wound on his back was. He could feel darkness creeping up on him, but he fought it dangerously dizzy.
'Do it' Tom declared strongly, placing the Imperius curse upon his opponent and "Stupefy!" and he was out for the count, loathing that he was using light spells such a high paced duel, only stopping himself from being killed by Grindelwald's fanatics. They'd agreed to it, prepared to go through with it, but it was harder than he could have ever imagined.
He didn't wait to make sure his opponent was down, he turned swiftly in Hadrian's direction. Concerned and eager to get this over with once and for all. He knew just the spell, and thanks to Hadrian he knew exactly where best to put it.
Grindelwald was going down, now.
--------0
One such witness shuddered in horror at what they were witnessing, they'd never see that particular spell – the Cruciatus Curse – performed before. He'd imagined it much worse, but the immense pain on the face of the foreign wizard was a bit too much for him to stomach. He'd been watching from the beginning, trapped under debris, and he definitely wasn't brave enough to move or try to. He was seeing a duel between a young teenager – who he was positive was Hadrian Peverell he'd been coming to have his book signed - and the evil Dark Lord Grindelwald and the boy had done so well in holding his own until now. If only he could reach for his wand, give the boy aid, he didn't want to see someone die in front of him. Even twitching caused immense pain to flare through his body, reminding him that he was useless.
Groaning lowly in his throat, tears blurring his eyes as he fought to remain conscious, ceasing his struggle to try and reach for his wand. His entire right side was pinned down, and his left arm was trapped under his body, there wasn't a part of him that wasn't flaring in agony.
He could see from the corner of his eyes, that other fights were currently going on as well. They were just young boys, barely looked adults – in fact he'd be surprised if they were – righting wizards with decades more experience. He had no idea how long it had been going on for, it felt like hours, why was nobody coming? Then he realized…there will be wards up, it wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last.
Another groan passed his lips, as his eyes fluttered closed, but he wasn't too far gone that he didn't fail to hear the utterance of that dreaded spell.
After that he knew no more.
----------0
"Crucio!"
All Hadrian could think when the spell was cast was 'why the hell do Dark wizards prefer this spell' quite honestly it was entirely too predictable and boring. Not the spell, the spell itself was bloody debilitating. Thankfully due to him being the 'Master' of the wand, Hadrian reckoned it wasn't working to its full capacity. 'NOW,' Hadrian closed his eyes, focusing on the Master of Death powers, calling the Elder wand to him. It was his, after all, his to command, and his focus was so narrowminded that he literally summoned the wand to him, ripping it right out of Grindelwald's hand.
"Diffindo!" Tom slashed, his aim true, the light green spell hit the wizard in the thigh.
In the femora artery more accurately.
Grindelwald crumbled, as the blood began to pour from the open wound. Trying to use wandless magic to cauterise the wound, but his magic wasn't reacting. Grasping at the wound, trying to stem the flow of blood, as dizziness began to overwhelm him. Panic clawing at him, he hadn't foreseen his death at the hands of a school kid, he refused to let this be how he died.
Tom made his way towards Hadrian, sensing his looming unconsciousness and struggle to keep doing whatever it is that he was doing. Turning him on his side, wincing at the state of him. The wound was no small thing, it was still steadily oozing blood, debris still coated the wound too. He cursed the fact he hadn't taken healer classes, otherwise he would be able to help him. He needed to get him to the closest hospital immediately. He didn't want to take him to a French one though, neither of them spoke much French and he refused to argue with someone who couldn't understand a word that came out of his mouth. How long would the potion he'd taken before the attack keep him going? Was it the only thing keeping him alive?
"How is he?" Avery asked, panting outrageously.
"You need to take him to hospital," Newt said, not staring at either wizard, but rather off to the side. "Now." Feeling his brother demolishing the anti-Apparation and Portkey wards surrounding the small French wizarding town.
"Go, I'll help everyone else, I'll use the portkey, get them back to Britain," Avery urged Tom, worry and fear his most pressing emotion.
Tom nodded his agreement, fishing out the portkey he handed it over, barely glancing at the devastation that had been done to the wizarding street. He honestly didn't really care, even if he would need to put a mask on and pretend he did. Without another word, cradling Hadrian to him he apparated them away.
At the same moment Aurors apparated onto the scene, wands out tense and alert already wards flared up, as yet more spells went up preventing Apparation and Portkey usage.
"Facile, je m'appelle Theseus Scamander, un Auror britannique. Voici le sorcier noir Gellert Grindelwald. Il a besoin d'une attention et d'une détention immédiates." Theseus Scamander informed the head Auror, showing his credentials, proving he was who he said he was.
One of the Aurors knelt down before the dark wizard, shaking in fear, he was definitely new. Two fingers pressed against his neck, the shaking stopped, as he blurted out, "He's dead!"
"Que s'est-il passé ici?" demanded the head Auror, "reste où tu es!"
"Stay where you are," Scamander urged the teenagers, "Ils sont citoyens britanniques, mineurs, ils auront besoin de leurs parents ou de leurs représentants. Ils ne parlent pas français."
Actually the Black's did, but they weren't about to admit that, their French wasn't the best. They hadn't learnt any French since they were eleven and started Hogwarts. They weren't worried about the ramifications of their outing, for they knew their parents would get them back to the UK before they knew it. although, they'd be lucky if they were allowed to go on holiday again before they were forty.
"Dites-leur qu'ils vont au ministère de la Magie, nous allons contacter leurs parents là-bas, un traducteur attendra."
"You're going to the Ministry of magic, they'll have your parents alerted and have a translator on hand," Scamander explained, "Newt will get in touch with the Ministry at home, I'll stay here with you." As a senior Auror it was his right and duty to protect British citizens.
Dolohov surprisingly was able to keep up with the conversation, he knew French best out of them all, he had relatives who spoke nothing but French and during Christmas and holidays and parties he wanted to be able to converse with them. Still, he worried, his parents were going to be furious, and his mother...she wasn't well enough to handle this. He hadn't thought this through.
Newt didn't waste time, he immediately bolted away, only Apparating when he could further down the road, leaving his brother to explain in rapid French as to why he was retreating. Everyone else spread out, as orders were barked out as they searched for survivors, and praying over the dead as they respectfully lay them out in a large row in mourning. Except for Grindelwald and his men, who were discarded in a pile very disrespectfully.
---------0
Ignatius Tuft cursed as the Minister turned his back, the five guards too. Irritation swamped him, casting a spell, waiting impatiently for the boat to return to the other side – to his side – he had to get to Minister Spencer-Moon before they signed the contract. The higher ups were terrified there was something in the contract that would allow Dumbledore to go free despite the fact Grindelwald was in fact now dead. Which he couldn't believe, and if the rumours were true…it made it even less believable.
Rocking on the balls of his feet, excitement warring with disbelief, as he tried to put his pureblood decorum – which he had been taught since he was a young boy – back into place. Unfortunately, he just couldn't, it was how he imagined an anxiety attack to be. Breathing evenly, centring himself, if he blabbered at the Minister he might not get far in the Ministry. They didn't want some young experienced blabber mouth going up the ladder. His mother had gotten him this job, and he wouldn't let her down.
He might only be eighteen, but he had grown up in a very ambitious household. Both his parents had been determined to better themselves and their status. Finally, finally the boat docked, he jumped in immediately, and cast the spell, grateful he had learned it before today. He didn't bother sitting down, instead of knelt down, as it zoomed over to the island.
Unlike everyone else, Ignatius didn't fear the Dementors, in fact, he was fascinated by them. Always had been ever since he read about them and their duties and abilities. They barely affected him, as he stepped foot off the boat.
"I need to see the Minister, immediately," Ignatius informed the guard imperiously.
"He's busy," the guard grunted, barely glancing at the wizard before him.
"It's imperative that I speak to him, on orders of the entire Wizengamot," Ignatius stated indignantly.
"Then wait," the guard replied, still not gracing the wizard with a single look.
"Look I have to tell him Grindelwald is dead! It can't wait!" now that got a reaction, the guard's head jerked up, staring at Ignatius in disbelief, as he tried to tell if he was joking or not. "We mustn't let him sign that paperwork! A prisoner could go free! For no reason!"
"Follow me," the guard didn't wait for a reply, he merely turned around and began to run into the prison, through doors and up steps. Both were wheezing and breathing heavily by the time they'd ran up five levels, which thankfully was the last one Ignatius realized, as the guard exited through the door not up another level. "Thank Merlin for that!" he wheezed, his lungs felt as though they were being squeezed for an Apparation on their own.
"Two doors down," the guard pointed in the direction, leaning against the wall, hands on his knees as he tried to regain his equilibrium.
Ignatius didn't wait, he jogged the hallway, ignoring the feeling of helplessness the Dementors produced. They were only doing what they had been bred to do after all. He didn't care how rude it was, he banged open the door, it swung on its hinges and smacked against the wall with a resounding bang causing the Aurors to point their wands at him and both the Minister and Dumbledore to swing around in alarm.
Ignatius walked over, leaning down he whispered, "Grindelwald is dead." so only the Minister could hear.
"What?" Spencer-Moon shouted, his voice strangled as he stood, eyes wide with disbelief, this had to be a joke surely?
Dumbledore sat up straighter, watching both of them with wary caution, wishing he could hear what was being whispered to the Minister. What was going on? and why was the Minister allowing such interruptions? Better yet, would it have any affect on his deal?
"You're needed at the Ministry," he continued, "Minister Renard is waiting for a conference call from you."
Renard…French Minister…Grindelwald rumoured to be in France…conference call.
"Merlin," The Minister whispered, stunned to the core, he honestly could have been knocked over with a feather. "You're serious…this is really happening?"
"Sir?" one of his guards asked cautiously.
"Let's go," the Minister retorted, grasping he contract and ripping it up, and setting it on fire. "You will no longer be needed."
The look on Dumbledore's face was…extremely exhilarating to say the least.
He looked a cross between stunned and indignant. Failing to realize exactly what had happened.
"What is going on?" Dumbledore asked, moving to stand only to pause when five wands were pointed at him, each of them looking as though they were begging Dumbledore to make a move so they could curse him.
"Grindelwald is dead."
Dumbledore's jaw dropped, before he slumped back onto the chair, staring at the Minister in blatant disbelief.