2 years earlier

The moist sand shifted as you stepped on top of it. You were walking slowly, your thoughts making you feel sick. Or at least, that's what they had done before you had withdrawn to the one place where you could be alone to think and feel at peace.

The small wooden bench was already in your sight, but you didn't accelerate your pace. No. You took your time to get over there. No rush. No responsibilities. No urging voices in your head.

Owyn was flying next to you. He went everywhere with you. Your only friend. Despite you couldn't communicate with him or did he have human intelligence, he was loyal, kind and caring towards you. Behavior that had almost never been shown in your presence.

You and he had been through everything together. From the start of your Hogwarts journey, to when Carl died in your first year, to your fugitive life. And from all the people you knew, all the souls that had made contact with you. He was the only one that had never left you.

You halted for a second, closing your eyes and enjoying the soft wind caressing your face. To your great annoyance, you could feel your eyes prickle with tears despite you had them closed. You frowned before opening them and allowing the tear to slide down.

You sat down on the single bench and leaned back tiredly. Owyn settled down next to you, staring at the horizon where the sun was starting its descent.

Running from the law had seemed to be a little more exhausting, stressful and troubling than it had always seemed.

You snorted. As if I had a choice, you thought feeling anger bubbling up in your stomach. Running around on false charges wasn't exactly something to give your self-confidence a boost.

Instead of acting upon your emotions, you took a deep breath and let your hands lay on your lap, clutching your wand.

This was the only time when you wouldn't have to worry about anything at all. The little breaks from the society that dared to call itself 'proper'. To you, there was nothing at all to be proud of in the current world and association of people. In your eyes, there were only selfish and barbaric people.

Life meant pain. And pain was something you knew all too well. Pain from losing people, pain from being treated unjust, the pain from the distrust in people's eyes when you passed. The pain of knowing that there was no one on this earth you could trust besides yourself.

Heaving a deep sigh you stared at the waves that rolled onto the already moist sand, just to retreat into the sea a few moments later.

It had a strangely calming effect on you. Nature was one of the things that weren't bad in this world of lies.

The beach was beautiful. Especially because there were no people to destroy it. There hadn't been a person on the beach beside you in a very long time. That was one of the reasons why it was your favorite place to be.

A sudden crack behind you made you feel tense. Cautious not to betray you had your wand, your grip tightened and you heard footsteps close in on you. You tried to locate them by the sound of their footsteps.

You glanced at Owyn who was staring at you. You beckoned towards him to fly away and come back later. When he did, you used the moment to shoot a curse at the person approaching.

They blocked it with ease and looked at you with a judging expression. ''Tried to use the element of surprise, now did you (Y/N) (L/N)?''

Slowly approaching you, the man watched you with a serious expression. ''And what does the great Gellert Grindelwald want to meet me for?'' you asked sarcastically.

He raised an eyebrow. ''Is that how you always greet people?'' he asked. You scooted to the side so he could sit next to you.

You could feel his gaze on you as you were watching the sundown. You hadn't had any idea what he'd want from you but his staring made you feel nervous.

''What is it you want?'' You asked turning to him. ''Such an attitude,'' he said. Then something you wouldn't expect in your wildest dreams happened. He smiled. ''I like it.''

Then he also turned to the horizon and watched as he spoke, ''I have seen you work and escape. What you do is very special. You live like a fugitive in a packed city and you still haven't been caught. For how long now? Years, I think?''

You nodded slowly, not sure where he was going with this. ''I need people. People I can trust. People that strive for the same goal as I do. I know you cannot stand for injustice.''

He studied your face before continuing. ''I could use you in my movement.''

You opened your mouth to say something but he cut you off. ''Take your time to think about it. Once you have made your decision, we'll meet again.''

He stood up and bowed lightly, before disapparating and leaving you in utter astonishment.

(Y/N)'s P.O.V

I didn't know what to expect from tonight, but after he asked me to go on a date, I smirked and went to tell Queenie. She had almost exploded with excitement and made me promise to tell her exactly what had happened while she wasn't with us. And in return, she promised to help me get ready.

I had missed her cheery attitude. It felt good to be able to talk to her again. Even if it meant she was going insane with excitement.

''I told you you two would get together eventually,'' she said smugly as she was digging into my wardrobe.

I rolled my eyes but smiled at her natural behavior. ''But, you haven't told me how it all started yet,'' she said as she closed the wardrobe doors and sat down on the bed next to me.

We were in Grindelwald's quarters, but since he was busy in his office, we could use the room to talk and get me ready for tonight.

''Well, I don't think that's any of your business,'' I said grinning. Her eyes widened but then her smile turned into a broad grin. ''Have you already...'' She watched me with a knowing look and I felt my cheeks reddening.

''We might. Or not.'' I said looking down at my hands. She stared at me with a knowing grin and her eyebrows rose. ''I'll take that as a yes then,'' she said standing up again.

I looked at her and decided to ignore the comment. ''Do you already have any idea what you're going to wear tonight?'' she asked standing with her hands folded.

I was glad I had Queenie back, but I did have to get used to the fact that her incisors reached all the way over her lower lip.

Somehow it still felt like she was the Queenie she had always been, while I knew that wasn't completely true, I was happy that we had managed to at least return her her personality. We hadn't lost her.

I smiled to myself. ''Earth to (Y/N),'' she said waving her hand in front of my eyes. I focused on her and nodded. ''Right.''

She waited, but when I just watched her questioningly she sighed and said, ''I swear (Y/N), if you were thinking about him just now, I feel forced to take precautions.''

I watched her innocently before she repeated the question, ''Do you already know what you're going to wear?''

I shook my head. ''I suppose just something I usually wear,'' I said casually.

Queenie shook her head in disagreement. ''This is a very special occasion. You need to wear something stunning.''

She reopened the wardrobe and went through my dresses again. Disapproving one after the other, as she was muttering under her breath about the shortcomings of every single one.

After some time she turned around and said, ''This is not going to work.'' She approached me and took my hand, dragging me out of the room.

She told me we were going to her quarters, that she might be having a dress that would fit me well.

I decided to trust her on this, not sure what to do myself. I was a little nervous about tonight, and I think that if I would have to choose these things on my own I would be a total failure.

Once in her room, she threw open her wardrobe doors and started digging into the clothes that hung there. I noticed that she had a lot. Which, to be honest, didn't really surprise me.

I sat on the bed, staring at the wall while she was trying to find the perfect dress for me. Then, suddenly, she retreated from the closet and called in triumph, ''Got it!''

I turned to her and as she was approaching the bed, she showed me the dress and I gaped at it.

It was black and short-sleeved. I held the silk in my hand and examined it as I murmured under my breath. On the front, three leaves were embroidered which looked beautiful above the black silk bow.

''It's beautiful Queenie,'' I said looking at her with a smile. She nodded. ''I think it'll suit you very well. Go try it on,'' she urged excitedly.

I nodded and made my way to the bathroom where I quickly dressed up and examined myself.

Once done, I returned to Queenie who smiled broadly. ''I was right. Perfect.''

She stood up and noticed the necklace dangling from my neck. ''You look just perfect,'' she said.

It was only half an hour before our official date would start and all I felt was nervous.

Queenie noticed it and asked, ''Did he tell you what you're going to do?''

I shook my head. ''He only told me to wait in our quarters until he came to pick me up. I have no idea.''

She grinned and whispered, ''Is that where the nervosity comes from?''

''Can you notice it?'' I asked anxiously. I was afraid I might look stupid because of it.

Queenie sniggered and shook her head. ''Calm down. You like each other, so nothing can go wrong.''

Once it was time to go, I bid Queenie goodbye who watched me walk down the corridor to my quarters.

I listened to the soft sound of my footsteps and opened the door. He wasn't there yet, which relieved me slightly. I waited. Sat. And walked across the room. Wishing my nerves would go away and I tried to remember what Queenie had said, but my anxieties refused to leave.

I heaved a sigh and wondered how long I was already there. I was startled by the footsteps approaching and took a deep breath before the door opened and Gellert entered with a smile on his face.

He closed the door behind him and approached me. I stood up and smiled before asking him what we were going to do.

But he didn't say anything. He just looked at me with wide eyes and a soft look as he examined me.

''You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,'' he said. I blushed and noticed he was wearing his tuxedo robes.

He approached me and kissed me deeply. ''I still cannot fathom how lucky I am to have you,'' he whispered into my ear before placing a kiss under my earlobe.

Then he retreated and held out his hand to me. ''Ready?'' he asked excitedly. I smiled and nodded. We disapparated, travelling to the location of our first date.