Deceiving Appearances

[tabby19]

ooo that was wonderful!
very interesing I can't wait to see
what's going to happen next!
;D ~tabby~

[twinkle]

It was quite a long wait this time but what we got in return was really great. An amazing chapter and - to speak with another favourite of mine, Mr. Spock - quite fascinating. I especially liked the end and am curious to see what the duel of minds will bring. A great idea to transfer the battle into Minerva's mind so she can keep fighting even though her body is broken.
I hope you will update again soon and we will see Minerva fight her way out of her situation and/or see Albus come to the rescue.
Thanks for the lovely bedtime story ;o))

[kissofdeath]

ooh, just got into this fic but am totally loving it!

[Jessabelle]

I love fics where Minerva really does come across as Albus' equal in terms of her skill and stamina in fighting. She is certainly perservering. Please don't leave us too long with this cliff hanger.
- Jess

[sherbetkitty]

OMG! You trapped him in Minerva's mind?!
Awesome! This gets more and more interesting, seriously, not to mention the originality and delivery... Damn, you're good.

Please update soon. I don't like hanging from cliffs. ^_^

[esoterica1693]

Excellent excellent excellent. I do think Minerva is at least Albus's equal in this fic, actually I think she's more powerful in some ways.

I agree--please don't keep us waiting!

[phantomgirl]

Awesome! this is getting more interesting every upddate!

[bethj4013]

Okay just read the whole story so far in one sitting and can't wait to read more please update soon weekends are when I keep up on my fanfics

[asouldreams]

Chapter 17 - Arrival


Albus picked up the silver sphere, palming it in his hand as the door to the room snapped close – sealing the containment spell. He raised his arm, bringing his palm to eye level. Vaguely he took notice that everyone placed their hand on the shoulder before them…and within ten seconds, the entire room was linked to Albus. His eyes broke from the globe for one heartbeat to meet Bree’s steadfast expression. She gave a brief nod, and then he uttered the necessary words…and the entire room cracked…and groaned and then everyone within it was, gone.

Xoxoxoxxooxoxoxo


They struck her body with a third Crucio curse…her body flailing…blood was bubbling at her lips. When the alarms to the building sounded.

Minerva’s concentration was broken as her body jerked, again…as she was struck from both without and from within. Her ability to hold Gellert disintegrating around her, as she collapsed to her knees. The walls to her mind buckling, and he could now see that she had indeed left the portkey behind…as tears fell from her eyes at her own failure as he was finally able to withdraw from her mind…his laugh ringing in her ears as she crumpled to the ground…broken.

Gellert finally was finally able to pull from the witch’s mind, to see the frantic face of Willard and the warning bells going off.
“We have been trying to rouse you for ten minutes, my Lord.”
Gellert glanced at the witch, whose broken, bloody body was heaped on the floor before his feet. “Kill her.” He spat, and the two wizards already had their wands pointed, when he held up his hand. “Hold.” He said, pausing to look back at the woman. There had never been a witch or wizard who had stood their ground as she did. Perhaps, there was a place for her in his world – for he wanted one heir. And she could give him a powerful one at that. “Bring her with us.”
The two men opened their mouths, but snapped them close at his gaze and grudgingly picked her body up.
Willard’s high strung voice broke through the awkward moment. “We must hurry. There are over 150 wizards and witches in the lower levels, including Dumbledore.”


Oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo


Bree was running to keep up with the wizard at her side, his lean form weaving between the duels as he headed toward the heart of Gellert’s lair – and any wizard foolish enough to duel him, was instantly defeated within moments.
A shrill cry from above caused Bree to follow Albus’ gaze towards the ceiling as Fawkes dove towards them.
“Grab on.” Albus said, reaching upwards.
Instinctively, Bree knew he was going elsewhere and if she was to follow, she would have to listen. As his hand connected with Fawkes tail feathers, hers touched his silken starred robe. Flames danced around them, blanketing the noise and then she felt a heavy pull and then Fawkes was flying low to the ground in a large, ostentatious marble columned room…weaving between the white columns at a dizzying speed before his massive wings pulled them to a stop as bolts of reds and greens struck the walls around them.
And Bree felt her heart in her throat as an emerald clad heap was dropped as the wizards raised their wands to attack them. She only knew one witch whose robes were that color, for it matched her eyes…and as a protego charm erupted from Albus’ wand. She could see that he had seen what she had…as his lips whispered, Minerva.


Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxox


A large plumed bird sped through the passageways at a blurring speed, large black eyes sweeping each room for that which his counter-part sought. Again he beat his large wings as he scaled higher to avoid another wizard’s duel.
Fawkes dove through a tunnel, heading deeper inwards, knowing that time was of the essence as the storm behind him grew louder as magic littered the levels behind him. He swept through another ten rooms, and turned down another passageway…and he could smell blood…
He beat his wings…magic beckoning to his wish, the walls flashing by –
The scent becoming more poignant…and then he picked up the smell that drew a deep sadness within the phoenix’s heart…for it was of the witch he sought.
He shot through the passageway at a blinding speed, eyes instantly seeking affirmation…and then he willed his body faster…and he was across the room in less than a heartbeat…his body about to strike the marbled wall…and with a pop…a flash of fire danced across the top of the marble, unnoticed to all…
As he sprang to life, several levels away…his shrill cry, alerting, and filled with heartache as he dove south. His wizard already raising his arm, knowingly…and then he noticed that the witch beside him was going to ride with…and Fawkes felt his heart lift at the notion that Albus would not be alone in his quest.
Then he felt Albus’ fingers graze his coat…and he brought his destination to mind and the room vanished in flame…replaced in a blink with large pearly columns…he felt his body dropping from the weight of both the wizard and witch as he weaved through the pillars, his wings beating against the still air…causing him to accelerate faster…faster…until he saw the cluster of wizards getting ready to exit the room…and he pulled his wings back…
Quickly drawing to a halt as first one…quickly joined by a dozen more bolts of magic eschewed forth and he could see the body of the witch being dumped onto the ground as Albus let go of his tail feathers. Fawkes let out a deep, bone chilling cry in anger as he drew himself upright…propelling himself forward – his black eyes zeroing in on his target…


Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxo


Albus felt Bree’s hand clench around his arm as Fawkes’ fire spread around them and the room shifted; columns filling his vision as Fawkes’ speed increased – and then his blue eyes saw the figures moving at the far end of the hall…
He could see the purple robed figure, gold piping glistening against the torch light….the robed figure he knew well; whose long blond hair cascaded down his back – grey eyes glancing down the hall at the disturbance…
Their eyes momentarily meeting – grey and blue…
Clashing…
And then Fawkes swerved around the pillar and as he came back around; Albus’ eyes already training on the same spot – his heart leapt into his throat at the emerald clad figure perched between two wizards.
Vaguely, he noticed hexes and curses flying past them as Fawkes dipped and twisted, avoiding the onslaught – his own gaze remaining fixed upon the witch, his heart hammering in his chest at who lay less than fifty feet away.
He felt Fawkes stop, his feet crashing into the marble – jolting his brain into action as Fawkes spiraled north and a half dozen curses were zooming towards them. With a quick flick of his wand, he conjured a protego charm.
And then the two men let go of his beloved, her body collapsing in a heap…and despite the distance, he could see the blood marring her robes, the bruises lining her beautiful face…and his heart whispered her name as the charm before him shimmered, deflecting the spells.
“Minerva…dear god, love…”
Then as the men who had let his love fall raised their arms, Albus felt a deep anger pulse through him…
And as if in agreement with his sentiment, Fawkes let out a bone chilling screech – several of the wizards trying to clamp their hands over their ears…and then he saw a haze of blue leap forth beside him as Bree sent of flurry of spells towards their adversaries, and Albus felt his world solidify around him…the very air crackling at his barely contained rage as he raised his wand…spells tumbling from the tip…and then a rainbow of colors sparkled against the pearly walls as the light reflected off the black floor, bathing the hall in a whirlwind of spells.


Oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


She felt the jostling of her body’s movement, and as her consciousness wavered, she felt the meat of hands release her arms – her broken leg igniting in pain as she collapsed onto the ground, jolting her ribs…
And as the blackness began enveloping her – she heard a welcome sound, bringing forth a moment of clarity and hope…as Fawkes’ cry echoed off the walls.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo


Bree had never seen Albus so determined, nor focused as they moved forward despite the overwhelming odds in Gellert’s favor. There were still another eight wizards, besides Gellert, after the three that had already fallen.
She fought down the momentary panic, that this was truly suicidal…as they both took another step closer…beads of sweat pouring down her face at the pure exertion of energy they were both expending…
And then…another one fell, and another…as they both immobilized a wizard.
Seven…
Perhaps…there was hope after all...
And then Gellert along with two wizards broke away from the other four…the group becoming divided as Albus headed in their direction, leaving Bree with two wizards she recognized. Willard Wilcox, his turquoise robes a startling contrast to Albert Engle’s deep russet ones, while the third wizard wore very plain grey robes with a silver broach and the forth wore olive robes with ornate designs of Grindlewald’s campaign woven into the material.
Bree didn’t have time to analyze further nor wipe the sweat from her brow before the melee between them erupted and her view of Albus vanished as she began to defend her life.


Ooxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxo


Within moments the other two wizards fell to Albus’ spells, leaving Gellert and he, alone. Prey versus predator…now they only needed to determine who was the prey and who was the predator.
Their wands raised as they circled one another…eyes locked –
“You should not have come here, Albus. I will kill you.”
Albus raised his brow, eyes flashing. “You have lost your way, Gellert.”
“No more than you, friend…” His wand making a deep arcing motion, “To defend the muggles as you do.” He finished as Albus deflected the disarming spell. “What happened to the boy whom I met in our youth?”
“We were wrong.” Albus replied.
“No,” Gellert shook his head, “We were not wrong, quite the opposite.” He snapped his wand towards Albus, and a large fire snake sprung from it.
Albus merely twirled his wand in return, and the snake swirled around him before collapsing in a cloud of smoke. “And how do you justify all of the deaths you have caused?”
“Purification.”


Oxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoo


Fawkes quietly landed on the far side of the room, forgotten by all as he carefully stepped onto the torn fabric. His black eyes sweeping across her form, noticing the large gash across her back, along with the internal injuries that littered her chest.
With great care, he maneuvered around her head, coming to stand by her shoulder…and as the first tear slipped off his beak, he watched it’s glittering substance drop onto her mouth, mixing with her blood. And then another tear followed the first…and another…

oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

A/N: No – I have definitely not forgotten this little gem; and have been slowly finishing it. It will be about another 7-8 chapters. Please do leave me note if you are still reading and enjoying this – feedback is incredibly helpful…and motivating!!

[micha]

Oh, thank you! How wonderful! What a relief to see that Fawkes is around, too ! I hope nothing will happen to Bree now - she is so courageous!

[bethj4013]

yeah I was glad to see an update please write more soon I am still reading and want to read more

[tabby19]

OOOO that was sooo good!! I can't wait to see what happens next! please update soon!! love the story so far keep it up!!
Tabby

[Jessabelle]

Excellent update. Hope to see another soon.
- Jess

[phantomgirl]

That was awesome! Please update soon...

[Jessabelle]

Are you going to finish this story?

[BonesBooth]

Yes, are you? I really want to see what happens. This story is so good.

[twinkle]

I can only second that. Pleaaaaase continue soon.

[waenthoronien]

Yes, please do - I found this only yesterday and stayed up half the night to read it, and it's brilliant! I can't even say how good I think it is, and that's something, because I'm not easily pleased. I was totally bewitched and couldn't go to sleep before I'd read all there was, even though I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open...

[asouldreams]

Let me first say...thank you for all your kind reviews...


And second...

Here is another update...



Chapter 18


Bree felt the curse strike her leg, and as she fell to the ground, tears were stinging her eyes at the intense pain as she swung her wand in quick swish and the spell that was going to collide with her face splintered into a thousand stars, raining soot on the room. Willard and the man in the plain grey robes were undeterred, and in her current situation, Bree knew that her odds had just decreased exponentially as there were still two wizards hell bent on killing her. Not that she didn’t deserve their wrath, for she had already killed two – probably their friends or at least colleagues.

She slid backwards between casting both offensive and defensive spells at her attackers, but her mobility was almost non-existent and they were taking full advantage of the fact as they maneuvered around her. As her protego charm deflected a crucio curse, she felt herself let go of a deep breath at the sudden realization that she, Brianna Katherine Bolthouse, would not survive the day as her back made contact with a pillar. Despite all of the disastrous situations, the split hair – life saving stunts, and all out suicidal missions she had miraculously lived through; today would be the one day where the odds finally caught up to her.

She felt a sense of loss at all she had not taken the time to do or see. All the people who she had lost contact with over the years, with the intent of catching back up with them, as soon as her life quieted down.

To see her son…her granddaughter as she ran down to the sea as the breeze fluttered through her blond locks as she laughed gaily in the warm sun.

She stopped another curse from striking her…and another…and as she cast a third spell…her wand slipped from her fingers and began the short trek into Willard’s stout fingers.

Her deep brown eyes met theirs…and she felt herself take a staggering last breath as they both leveled their wands at her.


Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo


The minutes had seemed to stretch forever as Albus dodged hex after curse between casting his own jinxes and hexes as Gellert. Their wands were moving at a speed that defied time…both tips turning a brilliant orange from the heat and ferocity of their spells.

Snakes becoming waterfalls, into vicious rainstorms, as flying marble morphed into statues that became both sentinels and warriors…

And then the world slowed to a painful stop as Willard and a grey-cloaked man stepped into view…along with Bree and Minerva’s body. He felt his heart sink…dreading Gellert’s words as he opened his mouth.

“I told you, Albus, you should not have come.” Gellert said as he nodded towards Bree, and Willard levitated her body upright.

Albus watched as Bree lifted her head, their eyes locking…as Gellert continued on. “To kill me, means to kill...” He shifted his head towards Bree and Minerva. “Brianna Bolthouse, a lifelong friend, and Minerva McGonagall, your protégé. Are the muggles truly worth their lives?”

Albus knew what he needed to do; he saw it in Bree’s eyes as she silently pleaded with him to do what she knew he had to do. But to do that, meant a bloodstain that would kill his soul…for he would be responsible for killing a friend, who was the wife of his best friend…and then there was Minerva.

Slowly, his eyes slid from Bree’s to that of Minerva’s hunched over figure. He had seen her from afar before beginning to duel with Gellert, but that did not prepare him for the blood or drying blood caked on her once pristine robes. Her black hair askew as it splayed across her body covering her beautiful face from his hungry eyes.

To be able to see her face…whilst life beat within her bosom.

The thought of never seeing her beautiful face…

“She means more than I thought…” Gellert’s voice interrupted his musing, as he turned now crystalline eyes towards Gellert.

“You can have me…” He rasped as he locked eyes with Gellert. “But you must let them go, alive.”

“Tsst..tsst…” Gellert shook his head, mouth buckling into a frown. “You love her.” He stated as his eyes dropped down to Minerva’s still form. “And from our earlier interactions, I believe that she does indeed love you. Though, I doubt she knows you as I have.”

Bree glanced from Gellert to Albus and back again, wondering what in Merlin’s name Gellert was talking about. How would Albus know Gellert? It was ludicrous…preposterous…it was…then she was a sadness within from deep within Albus’ blue eyes that she had so often associated with the great wizard upon meeting him and she knew…dear Merlin…Gellert is speaking the truth. They know each other.

And then…she watched as Albus flexed his jaw…as if trying to force words from his mouth; words that were not obviously easy for him to utter. “Yes or no, Gellert.”

“And if I say yes…will you come,” He stepped closer, voice softening. “Willingly.”

Albus starred deeply into the other man’s eyes…and felt his world crashing down around him as he spoke a word that would save his beloved while damning his life forever as he would be bound to Gellert for eternity. “If you spare their lives, then the answer is…” He felt the word trying to form as he pictured her beautiful pearly face, her glistening soft lips, and her piercing emerald eyes… “Y…”


Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


She felt the hand release her body, and she allowed herself to collapse – surprised that neither her chest nor her leg ached. Carefully, she moved her fingers to her left hand and was rewarded with the wonderful feeling of movement. Somehow her injuries had been healed. Correction…she thought to herself, it had to have been Fawkes.

Then she heard Grindlewald’s voice, but it had become soft – endearing, almost sad. “I told you, Albus, you should not have come.” It took every ounce of self-control to remain motionless and not flip her hair away from her eyes, and gaze at Albus. He had lived! And he was…

“To kill me, means to kill…” There was a dreadfully long pause, and then Minerva heard another intake of breath…and realized that she was not alone. Gellert had someone else besides her. And her question was answered before she could formulate it, as he stated, “Briana Bolthouse, a life long friend, and Minerva McGonagall, your protégé. Are the muggles truly worth their lives?”

Yes! Minerva’s mind screamed. Finish it, Albus! We understand! God, I love you, but I understand! But as the seconds ticked by, there was no response. And for a moment, Minerva felt as though perhaps she was hallucinating, when Grindlewald’s voice broke the silence.

“She means more than I thought…”

And then she heard his beautiful voice, though it was raw…filled with emotion as he spoke. His words burning her soul, “You can have me…” And as he paused, she could feel the fire from his eyes, “But you must let them go, alive.”

No! No! Tears were burning against her eyes, Albus, what are you doing?! She thought, as she desperately sought for a reason as to why he would say what he did…but there was no solace, only more questions as Grindlewald spoke.

“Tsst..tsst…” He muttered before clearing his throat slightly, “You love her.” She could picture his deep grey eyes dropping to gaze at her body. “And from our earlier interactions, I believe that she does indeed love you. Though, I doubt she knows you as I have.”

Minerva felt her heart hammer in her chest at the implications of what he was saying…that Albus and Gellert…thought Gellert had said that Albus loved her. He loved her…!

“Yes or no, Gellert.” Albus’ voice was soft, almost broken and Minerva realized that whatever was going on between the two wizards would be the death of Albus…as he sought to save her. Her mind frantically seeking an alternative, any alternative as Gellert quickly asked for expanded answer.

“And if I say yes…will you come…willingly?”

“If you spare their lives, then the answer is…” She had no time left…he was going to turn his life over to Gellert…to save her and Brianna. “Y…”

“No Alb…” Bree’s voice died away, as a silencing charm was placed upon her. Minerva could hear her struggling and knew that Albus was about to consent.

Minerva wasted no more time as she focused on forcing her tired body to transfigure. At once she felt her magic swell around her…and before anyone could move, she was lunging upwards, her claws digging deeply into a grey cloaked wizard, his arm jerking…and then she was jumping from his chest onto a turquoise robed man’s arm…her claws sinking deeply into his wand hand as she used his hand to propel onto his shoulder, scratching his cheek as she went. And then onto Bree’s arm, her paw already transforming into a hand, as Fawkes body swooped low; her fingers grazing his tail feathers…and she felt something strike her side as a swirl of fire engulfed her…and Bree.


Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo



Three of the four wizards lurched backwards as a brilliant flash of flame burst forth at eye level, their hands instantly flying to protect their eyes as Fawkes vanished. Albus wasted no time as his eyes were accustomed to the brilliancy of the phoenix fire; his wand already casting a binding spell that threw Willard backwards, his arms and legs locked at his side. With a rebounding motion, the grey-cloaked wizard was scrambling to keep his footing as he conjured a protego charm, and the force of the two spells had thrown him askew.

Leaving Albus momentarily alone with Gellert, which he ensured as he whipped his wand in a wide arc, drawing a sharp crack from the stone…and then the pillars broke free from their numerous columns, forming a small, solidly enclosed white circle. The diameter less than forty feet wide, both wizards now staring at the other, a mixture of emotions in both grey and blue eyes.

“This ends tonight Gellert.” Albus stated, voice betraying his fatigue.

“Oh yes, Albus…” A small smirk perked at the corner of his mouth, “It will end tonight.” He flipped his wrist, sending an expellimarus spell at his opponent who deflected it with ease. “And I will have lost you, but I will have Minerva.”

Albus shook his head, “You will never have her, Gellert. She would rather die than be with you.”

“Perhaps…” His grey eyes sparkling, “But, I believe she will offer herself freely to me, as you were willing to do, to save your life. For you shall lose…” His voice became thin, haunting. “Everything for denying me.”

Albus heard a spell ricochet off the outside of the marble columns and knew that it was only a matter of minutes before Grindlewald’s men broke through, but if minutes was all he had, then that…is what he would make work. For…he would not endanger Minerva, again. Even if it cost him everything, her life was worth any price.

Blinding blue-white light shot from Gellert’s wand, Albus barely had time to transfigure the dust into a statue which abruptly blew apart. And as the chunks of rock flew threw the air, Albus propelled five of them toward Gellert as he cast an engorgio charm on them. As the boulders descended onto Gellert, they disintegrated in rain of dust that he spun into a tornado…

Albus felt the grit striking his skin as he created a lasso of fire, whipping it around the tornado and in another heartbeat; the lasso was shattering a pyramid of glass…sending the shards towards Gellert as he dodged a crucio curse…

Albus drew his hand across his brow, sweat dropping off his fingers…which he flicked towards Grindlewald…the few droplets becoming a wave of water as Albus cast a protego charm at the arrowheads of glass which splattered against the invisible wall, save for the handful that slipped past, sinking deep into his left arm and right leg. His blue eyes watched as Gellert tried to stop the water, only to have his body thrown into the marble pillars…head cracking against the stone.

As Albus cast another spell, Gellert sank with the water, disappearing from view and as the spell crashed into the water, Albus eyed the fluid mass as it now leveled off and was coming back towards him. The water sloshed along the walls, Gellert standing, his purple robes hanging awkwardly off his lean frame, blond hair plastered against his head as red and pink droplets slid onto his face. “You damn fool…you’ll kill us both.” Gellert snapped, the water quickly moving towards Albus and then it crashed at his feet…legs becoming immobile, frozen in a solid mass of ice.

A great numbness swept through Albus from the cold in his lower legs, but he remained focused as he and Gellert traded spell after spell…the colors dancing across the white marble and icy floor that held both wizards. Neither having time to free themselves as chunks of ice became weapons that spiraled at the other, becoming harder to deflect and move due to the limited mobility…

Blood was freely running down Albus’ arm…matching the flow that oozed out of Gellert’s leg…

Their lips turning blue…as spells flew from their wands, the tips glowing orange…

Electricity sprouting between their wands…and then it slid to their free hands – as their wands arced in sweeping motions…the charge between them holding as fire, stone, metal, water and air...moved between their wands…

Their breaths becoming ragged…

Stone smattering their faces, arms, legs…as water cascaded down their backs…the ice finally giving way to steam…

As molten metal burnt through their robes…sizzling flesh as cool air eased their skin…

The connection between them growing…burning the tips of their fingers…as the bones in their arms shook from the charge…their wand and wand arms moving at a speed defining possibility heedless of the magic streaming violently between their other arms; as both cast verbal and non-verbal spells…two levels of magic…

The columns buckling…groaning as the magic between them doubled in intensity…both groaning out from the exertion…as both men grasped their wands with their second, albeit now burnt hands. The magic between their wands…and the magic that had been flowing between their hands colliding.

Their bodies billowing backwards…as both desperately held their wands…
“Let go…Albus.” Gellert’s voice shaking in time with his body, “I feel your magic…it’s weakening.”

“As is yours…Gellert.” Albus replied, eyes twinkling back him. “You should duel more…your lack of…” Albus pulled his left hand from his wand for a hair’s breath as he wandlessly cast a binding spell, “Practice…is beginning to show.”

Gellert barely avoided the silent spell, “You should not be so arrogant…” He grimaced, focusing his attention…and a large bolt shot through the stream, heading towards Albus. “For your wand cannot beat this one.”

Albus narrowed his eyes against the light, taking in the wand before him…and realized what Gellert meant. He could see the faint marking even thought twenty feet separated them. “The Elder wand is not invincible.” He replied forcing the ripple back towards Gellert.

“But it is stronger.” Grindlewald stated, grimacing from the effort to move back towards Albus.

“No…” He dropped his wand, the force preventing the large magical current from striking him now gone, and in an instant it was at his chest…the mere proximity already pushing him backwards as he softly uttered, “Love…”

And he pictured Minerva’s beautiful face, her lips against his…as she arched beneath him, meeting him…thrust for thrust…her words lacing with his…green eyes burrowing into his soul…

Albus felt the magic strike the center of his chest…forcing the very air…life from his body as his mind focused on the one thing that could defeat darkness - love. And as the blackness swelled along the edges of his consciousness, he felt a sudden white, burning charge of magic swell through him…bursting across his chest…driving the curse out of his body…as red sparks lined his blue eyes that now turned to Gellert. “Love, Gellert.” He picked up his wand, eyes focusing beyond Grindlewald…seeing the woman who he wished to hold in his arms, “Love is more powerful.” He stated and then he was moving forward, long strides bringing him closer as they traded spell after spell…curse for a hex…

Then Gellert’s wand was flying across the scant space between them…only to have Gellert pull another one…an ebony one, from his robe. “Perhaps this is more fitting…” Gellert stated, “That the wand of your lover will be the cause of your death.”

As Albus’ burnt left hand wrapped around the Elder wand, he gazed at Gellert. “You have but one chance, Gellert, drop Minerva’s wand.”

He chuckled, “You cannot use two wands at once, Albus…”

Albus raised both his arms…moving the right with a flick as his left hand arced. Two spells sped towards Gellert…fear flashing through his grey eyes at the implication. He deflected one and then barely avoided the other. “That is…impossible.” He screeched as he sent the Avada Kedava curse towards Albus.

Albus molded the green curse into a snake with his right hand…and snapped it towards Gellert as it grew in size, becoming encompassed in flames with his left. “As is that.”

Gellert gritted his teeth, trying to master his fear as he brandished his wand as a whip, forcing the snake back. And then he was moving to the side to avoid another curse…and hex…as Albus cast spell after spell…left hand and then right. Gellert was losing…he could feel the sweat pouring off his back, not from exertion but from fear.

And when he thought he could not go on…the column burst apart…and four other wizards poured in. The first two never had an opportunity to raise their wands as their bodies collapsed.

Gellert joined the other two, combining curses and hexes…which only seemed to strengthen Albus’ resolve as they dueled. He morphed the clothes from one of the fallen wizards into leaves that spun around one wizard…becoming vines that wrapped around his arms, legs, torso…until his body was suspended in the air against a white column – unconscious from the lack of oxygen.

Only Gellert and the grey robed wizard remained.

Albus barely acknowledged either…as he leapt forward, body morphing into a phoenix avoiding the spells, his body bursting into flames…and before either wizard could move, he was standing behind them – wands at both their backs. “It is over, Gellert.”

The grey wizard went to move, and Albus felt the curse slice his side, but the man collapsed before he could do any further damage, unconscious. Blood was freely running down his robes as he took Minerva’s wand from Gellert’s hand. “You should have killed me while you had the chance, Albus. Whether or not today, or four decades from now…I will take that which you hold dear.”

Albus flicked his wand, binding Gellert as he softly replied to his immobile adversary. “Good-bye Gellert.” With that, he reached into his pocket, pulling a silver tabby cat from within and pressing the tail before flicking it onto Gellert’s still form. As it landed…a circle of dust swirled around the purple robed man…and then with a loud grinding pop…Gellert Grindlewald was gone, and in Ministry custody.

Albus reached around his side, feeling the large amount of blood graze his fingertips he knew that time was of the essence as he silently called for Fawkes.


A/N; Sorry this is just taking a bit of time that I really don’t have to finish this. Rest assured – this story will get finished bearing there are people who are still reading it. ☺ Hope you enjoyed!

[micha]

;D Oh wow - I could never not continue reading this story!!!
What a show-down!!! Fawkes is just awesom!

[BonesBooth]

Loved this chapter! You must continue! I know there are a bunch of people still reading, obviously including me! Can't wait for the next update!

[LadyJolly]

So it's been a very long time since i've last logged on and i'm glad that i actually came back to check on this site and you know what this story is amazing. I love it, it is at a very good length for each chapter. Please write more soon and finish the story because this story really deserves an ending!!

Lady Jolly

[twinkle]

It's been another lovely and extremely exciting update. Great work!!!!
But I will bother you again and again and again... Pleaaaaase update soon ;o))

[tabby19]

OOOO yay they are all alive!!! ;D I haven't read for a while and it was so fun to catch up! please update soon!!!
tabby19

[catekat]

I'm so glad I found this story. It's really well written, and the plot is fantastic.

Please don't abandon it.. It's so great, and I would feel terrible if it was not finished.

[minervasong]

This fan-fiction is one of the most incredible I've read to date... I absolutely love this. I stayed up past three this morning reading it... I finished what was posted this morning, and I was deeply disappointed that more was not posted... I avoided this fan-fiction at all costs because I feared that your idea would rub off on mine (because mine is also set in the same time-frame), but they are completely different ideas. Ironically, by reading this fan-fiction, I was able to fix a very great plot-hole in my piece with the inspiration you gave me. -laughs-

I hope you are still writing this, and if not, then I suppose I'll remain disappointed. I would be a hypocrite to be angry with you for leaving us here, where the fluff is supposed to occur at last... That makes the heartache and the bloodshed all worth it-- if it ends happily, of course... -grins-

There are so many aspects that I wish I had thought of myself... The fact that Minerva took on a role of an older, reclusive witch in her family was genius, but was far more genius was having Poppy cover her trail with the Polyjuice potion... Superb, my dear. Something else that was just so beautiful was the letter Minerva wrote for him in the case that she returned to London after being treated... That was one heck of a letter! You write so beautifully... It blows my mind away with some of the things you've written here, namely the insight you have to these character's emotions, and the fights in which they triumph over evil. I love your choreography in the fighting... It's as though I am watching every move from the sidelines.

I love this fan-fiction. I do sincerely hope you haven't lost your muse in writing it. I would so hope to see that happy ending, but if it is not happy, I would like for you to post it all the same. I would be quite content with an unhappy ending at this point, I'm afraid! ;D

~MinervaSong

[Mrs Mendes]

I do so much agree with MinervaSong!!!!!
The story is great <3!!!!!
Please, keep it going!!!!
Love,
Mrs Mendes

[~Aly~]

Aly loves it
& is desperately hoping for more soon
Aly wants more
& says please and thank you

[scotswoman1010]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE update, it's captivating, and perfect, please, pretty please* falls on knees begging for an update* okay that was a bit much, but the characters are perfect. I love it!!!

[twinkle]

Heiho, is there any more to come? We've been waiting for so long.
Please update.