I was striding across the corridors of the castle. Finding an unoccupied room was much harder than I had expected it to be. Many rooms were in use by people, and every time I entered one which was filled with personal belongings and items that indicated that the room was taken, I felt like an intruder.

I even interrupted a lovemaking session of two people, and my face must've glowed like a tomato before I had quickly closed the door and muttered a ton of apologies. They hadn't seemed to recognize me, nor did I them which had brought me relief.

With the time, the corridors grew more and more familiar and I noticed quickly that I was in the corridor of my old quarters where now Tom was probably wondering what would happen in his life now he knew he possessed over magic.

I couldn't help but pause as tears brimmed my eyes. Knowing the future was a bigger burden than I had expected it to be. Knowing I was going to lose someone that meant much to me ached deep within my core. Even now I had a solution, I was still terrified to death what might happen if it didn't work. And also, I didn't want to give up my connection with Owyn, but I had no choice.

My mind wandered off and I looked out of the window and saw a bird soar through the air. A beautiful raven, feathers ruffling in the strong wind on which it soared easily.

I opened the window and felt the icy wind stroke my cheeks. The raven watched me with curiosity and descended until it had reached the window sill, and stood there, eyes locked with mine.

Again a wave of familiarity flooded through me as I watched the bird intently. I slowly extended a hand to touch it but before my fingers could make contact with its black feathers, the bird took off and soared back out of the window.

I watched it vanish behind the trees below.

Sighing, I closed the window and waited a few seconds before a door behind me opened and I looked around startled.

Tom appeared in the doorway and was watching me with an uncertain expression. He was still wearing his own Muggle clothes and watched me a little anxiously.

I smiled to greet him and he stepped forward, closing the door behind him. ''Can I ask you something?'' he asked quietly.

I noticed excitement, confusion but also fear in his eyes.

I slowly nodded.

''How is it possible that he's alive?'' he asked softly. I knew who he was talking about. Grindelwald.

Even in the Muggle world, everyone knew he was a dangerous man. The Minister of Magic would visit the Prime Minister to tell them about a dangerous witch or wizard that is a threat to both, magical and non-magical people. Then they'll even tell the Muggles they're criminals and wanted.

In this case, Tom did know about Grindelwald and had probably read in a newspaper or heard from other people that he had died.

I was wondering if it was a good idea to tell him we had traveled through time because if I did, it might cause problems that I would rather avoid.

''Listen, there is something going on that I can't tell you about. It might cause problems that might be fatal for every single one of us. But I want you to understand, that whatever you've heard, read or seen, that we want the best for everyone. We are the good guys.''

His eyes still contained confusion but he nodded in understanding. ''I'll try and answer most of your questions, but some things are beyond your understanding. There are also things I do not yet understand myself, so there will be limits to my ability to answer.''

I was thinking about our parents. The murderer. Grindelwald. And him. I was still convinced it would be better for him not to know we were related.

''Now, first you should change into your new clothes.'' I gestured towards the room and watched him disappear.

Every second he was gone felt like wasted time. Time I could be spending on brewing the potion that would save the life of my dear Gellert.

Not after very long he reappeared and I turned to him.

He was now wearing the clothes Knobbs had brought him and I couldn't help but smile a little even though I felt like I was crumbling inside.

This boy had to endure the same terrible life I had. If his future was the same as mine, god bless his soul.

Tears started forming and I had to wipe them away quickly before they fell.

''Do you have many questions, because I'm in a hurry, to be honest. I need to get some things done,'' I said, hiding my emotions and forcing away the aching sadness that had settled in my chest.

We talked for some time. Mostly he asked questions about the wizarding world itself and not about the situation we were in. Which I was happy about. I was afraid I would break down if I had to talk about anything that was related to Grindelwald right now.

As we finished he plopped down onto the bed and stared at a wall. ''So I'm really a wizard?'' he asked, just to hear me confirm the wonderful truth of him being able to do magic.

I nodded and watched him, trying to read his expression.

He looked at me, and for the first time since I met him, his eyes contained nothing but happiness. A warm feeling spread through my body and I couldn't help but smile a genuine smile.

''You should get some rest and settle in before dinner. I'll come and get you.''

He nodded slightly and I stood up to leave the room.

''(Y/N)?'' he asked looking at me with a small smile. I looked around and raised my eyebrows.

''Thank you,'' he whispered.

I smiled and nodded.

Once I was out in the corridor again, the warmth from before drained from my body and I looked around checking the corridors for anybody. There was only one person on the far end of the corridor and I waited for them to vanish behind the corner, before taking the parchment scroll that Knobbs had given me.

I wanted to find a room so I could examine it in private, but now I had lost too much time, so I decided to just start.

Finding the potion ingredients didn't seem to be the hard part, which surprised me. The really hard part was preparing the potion. It was extremely complex and it said that when done wrong, it was worse than the deadliest poison existing.

I sighed and stowed it away in my pocket. How was I supposed to prepare an incredibly advanced potion, while I had always been dreadful at potions?

I felt an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't do this alone. I needed someone that could do it for me. Someone I could trust enough to tell what had happened and help me prepare the potion.

Again, frustration flooded inside of me when I realized I wouldn't be able to solve this problem on my own. There was only one gigantic problem; I trusted no one. No one, except for Grindelwald, had gained my true trust ever since I learned the world was a cruel place.

I placed a hand on my stomach, hoping the unsettling feeling would cease, but it didn't.

Nagini and Credence suddenly appeared from nowhere and called for me. I shot around startled, watching the couple approach, hand in hand.

I waited for them to reach me, too troubled to move my own two feet.

''Grindelwald needs to see you. It's really important,'' Credence said stopping in front of me. He was smiling.

Grindelwald had been right. Nagini had cured Credence's instability.

Nagini was watching me a little concerned. ''(Y/N), are you alright?'' she asked trying to catch my gaze.

I nodded, quickly faking a small, curt smile before changing the subject. ''So, is he in his office?'' I asked looking at the both of them.

Nagini didn't seem convinced. She didn't ask more and decided it might be better to leave it as it was.

Credence nodded and pointed at the end of the corridor. ''Just down...''

''I know where his office is, thank you,'' I snapped. I didn't mean to act irritated, but I couldn't help it.

I quickly muttered an apology for my harsh reply and hurriedly set off into the hallway, head down.

Once I stood before his office door, I halted. I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath. I would need it.

I raised my hand and slowly knocked against the door and faked a casual expression, hoping he wouldn't grow suspicious and ask me all sorts of questions I couldn't answer.

A soft 'enter' sounded from inside and I opened the door.

The first thing my eyes caught was, of course, his platinum blonde hair. He looked up and smiled at me from behind his desk.

''Credence told me I was needed?'' I asked, trying to hide the quaver in my voice. ''That's right.''

He looked at me intently, I knew he sensed something was wrong, and that made it even harder for me to keep a straight face.

''I wanted to talk to you about the ball. As you know I've made preparations for it when you were in the infirmary, and today is the day it will take place.''

I groaned mentally. Could the timing be any worse?

I nodded, hiding the frustration I was feeling.

He smiled and stood up. ''It will be held at a big manor in London. The owners are gone to France for another few weeks or so, so we'll have enough room for at least 200 people.''

Sometimes I nodded, showing I was still listening and trying to keep the emotions in and hidden.

Finally, he was done talking and watched me hopefully. ''Well? What do you think?'' he asked softly. He knew something was wrong. I could see it in the way he was looking at me.

I was afraid that when I started talking tears would spill.

I gathered my courage and locked my emotions away. ''Sounds great, sir.'' I faked a smile.

For a moment we just looked at each other and I couldn't do it anymore. I needed someone. And hesitantly, I approached him.

He looked at me curiously as I was slowly nearing him. A hint of concern hiding behind his eyes.

I locked our stares and sat down on his lap, my arms snaking around his neck, my face buried against his shoulder. I needed this. I needed him. Right now.

I tried to keep in the tears as I breathed in his scent and he started caressing the back of my head.

This was perfect. A perfect, calm moment.

''I knew something wasn't right,'' he whispered into my ear. I looked up at him and the first tear rolled down my cheek. I cursed myself in my head, but I needed to cry. I couldn't keep it in any longer.

He wiped it away and continued caressing me while he soothed me.

To my surprise, he didn't ask me what was wrong. I was glad he didn't because it would bring me in a rather difficult position.

''Are you tired?'' he asked after some time.

Only when I realized what he said I noticed the weariness I was feeling. I nodded slowly and sighed.

I got off him and stood there for a second. He watched me struggle and so he joined me and took my hand. ''Come on.''

We walked out of his office and down the hallway to our quarters.

I needed rest. After some rest, everything would be fine. I would be able to think clearly again.

I looked at my feet and couldn't help but ask, ''Sir, do you know a potion master that you trust really well?''

At first, he watched me surprised at the sudden question but then nodded slowly. ''Charlie Porter. He lives here in the castle and knows everything about potions.''

I felt a sparkle of hope. ''Charlie Porter,'' I repeated under my breath.

''Why do you ask?'' he asked slightly suspicious. I smiled at him and shook my head. ''No reason.''

I knew he didn't quite believe me but I was glad he accepted my reply.

When we finally arrived at our quarters I opened the door and took out a pair of his trousers and a shirt and quickly changed before lying down on the bed and pulling the covers over me. I found out that his clothes were nicer to sleep in than my nightgown, and since he didn't seem to mind I used them, even though they were quite oversized for me.

He stood in the doorway and watched me sympathetically.

''Will you stay with me?'' I asked softly, my eyes closed.

He seemed surprised but nevertheless, he took off his trench coat and waistcoat so he only wore his white shirt and lay down next to me.

He placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

''Always.''