He quickly returned the portrait to the drawer and opened the door with wandless magic.

''Queenie?'' he said surprised as Queenie strode into his office. ''What are you doing here so early in the morning.''

He was back to his 'intimidating leader' self and Queenie stumbled a little over her words.

''Uhm, I- I got a letter from my sister,'' she said holding up an envelope. ''I thought you might want to know what it says,'' she said slowly stepping forward, waiting for a reaction.

He was looking in the distance, his eyes held a thoughtful expression.

''Read,'' he demanded softly.

Queenie trembled a little as she removed the parchment from the envelope.

''Dear Queenie,

I hope you realize by now he persuaded you with his 'pretty words' to join him? It's not your fault, there are many who made the same mistake and fell for his lies.

He's not the answer!

I don't blame you for this, Queenie. And know that you can still return. Leave all this nonsense behind and return to your friends, your family.

Jacob loves you so much, if you don't want to return for us, then come back for him.

By the way, I have a message for Grindelwald. You know Credence won't be of any use to you. He's emotionally unstable, I know he is. He misses Nagini, feels lonely and is unsure about what he's supposed to do now he knows who he is.

Queenie, please stop following him and his dream. It won't become reality if he uses force and kills everyone who stands in his way.

I miss you so much, sis. I hope you make the right decision this time,

Love,

Tina.

She looked up concerned. ''What should we do, sir?'' she asked hesitantly.

He was still looking in the distance, but his eyes seemed troubled now.

He rubbed his temples with closed eyes. ''This Muggle. This Jacob. How do you feel about him?'' he asked.

Queenie shrugged with a hurt expression. ''I'm not sure. He called me crazy, twice. He thinks I'm a freak. He doesn't want me, he made that much clear,'' she said her eyes watering and clenching her jaw.

''He might not want you now. But he will. Once he realizes what we are doing is for the good of all people. He'll return to you.''

''What about the letter, sir?'' she asked holding it up.

For the first time, he faced her. ''Do as you like,'' he said dismissively. ''It is our decision to make a problem out of this or not.''

Queenie nodded and turned to leave.

''Queenie, could you tell (Y/N) when she wakes up I'm here waiting for her?'' he asked quickly. ''Of course, sir,'' she said nodding slightly.

You yawned widely as the early morning sun shone onto your face. You hadn't closed the curtains the night before, so now you woke early.

You leaned back against the pillow, relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet.

You weren't used to such silence. You had never really been out of town before, so this was a big change for you. One you enjoyed, nevertheless.

You stepped out of bed and got dressed.

You weren't sure what to do, considering this to be your first day off. You decided to draw. It was the only thing you could think off, next to practicing magic.

You took your quill and opened your bottle of ink.

You didn't know what to draw. Usually, you drew one line across the paper and started developing a drawing around that single stripe. But when you tried that today, the only thing that kept coming to your mind was Grindelwald.

You tried desperately to think of something else, but the harder you tried, the clearer the picture of his face was in your head.

You sighed tiredly and stood up.

You glanced out of the window.

It was beautiful in Austria. The mountains were covered with snow, the trees at the foot of the mountain closest to Nurmengard formed a white sea.

You leaned against the wall and watched a bird soar through the air.

You were thinking about how it would feel to be a bird. To be free from the chains that shackled you to the ground, being able to escape the sorrow of the past, present and the future.

You wondered how it would feel to be able to let go of the past. To forget the pain it brings every time, again and again, when it returns to your mind.

You kept telling yourself to forget the pain and move on, but somewhere inside you couldn't. It was as if some part of you was made to remember them. Even now they were gone.

You were startled by a sudden knock against the door. ''(Y/N), are you awake?'' Queenie asked.

She didn't sound like herself. Something in her voice wasn't right. ''Yes Queenie, come in,'' you said returning your gaze to the window.

She came in with tears in her eyes.

You looked at her, growing worried when you noticed she was on the verge of tears. ''What's wrong, Queenie?'' you asked concerned.

She showed you the opened envelope. ''Tina,'' she said shaking.

Your P.O.V

I remembered Queenie telling me about her sister, Tina Goldstein.

''Do you want to sit down?'' I asked gesturing toward the bed.

She nodded and sat down, holding the envelope tightly. ''She tried to persuade me to come home, she used Jacob as leverage,'' she said growing angry now.

''Can I read it?'' I asked holding out my hand.

She looked at me hesitantly but then handed me the envelope. I placed a comforting arm around her shoulder while reading the letter.

''That's cruel,'' I said lowering the parchment. ''I'm sorry she used your feelings like this.''

I was also angry at what Tina had said. Grindelwald isn't like she says, I thought balling my fist.

''Could you help me write a response?'' Queenie asked hesitantly.

I wasn't sure if that was very smart; they might know some kind of magic to trace the letter back to us.

''Did you show this to Grindelwald?'' I asked.

She nodded quickly. ''He told me to do what I like.''

I bit my lip, looking back at the parchment. ''Alright, but we have to make sure they can't find us by the letter.''

We had been thinking how to reply and after some time we managed to compose a calm and explaining letter.

Dear Tina,

Hey! I miss you too, but I'm afraid that what you're saying about Grindelwald is incorrect. He wants the best for everyone, even for the 'Muggles' as they say it in England.

Grindelwald isn't as bad and evil as everyone says. He has good intentions and is a great leader. I accept that you and the others just need some time to figure that out. I will be waiting here with open arms for you when you have.

I love you Tinie, and I wish you the best.

Love,

Queenie.

I reread the letter several times, then enchanted it so it would be impossible for them to trace it back to Nurmengard. It was essential that our whereabouts stayed hidden.

''Are you alright?'' I asked throwing a sideways glance at Queenie.

She nodded slowly. She had stopped crying for almost twenty minutes and her face had hardened. ''Everything will be fine,'' I said smiling gently.

I slipped the parchment into a freshly conjured envelope and sealed it. ''Do you want me to send it?'' I asked looking at Queenie who was still sitting on the bed.

''Yeah, go ahead,'' she said staring at the window.

I wanted to comfort her, but it didn't seem possible right now, so I just nodded.

But before I could close the door behind me Queenie called, ''Oh, right I forgot. Grindelwald wants to see you.''

''OK. Thank you,'' I said before closing the door.

I quickly went to the owlery of the castle, which was quite a walk.

I scratched Owyn, a male snowy owl, on his head, and offered him the letter. ''Could you deliver this? It's addressed to Tina Goldstein in London,'' I said softly to the owl.

Owyn tilted his head and blinked two times. ''I promise I'll get you some mice when you return,'' I promised.

He took the letter in his beak. I smiled and stepped back so he could take off, and disappear against the bright white sky.

I left the owlery and went back to my room to check on Queenie, but she was gone. I assumed she had returned to her own chambers, so I continued to Grindelwald's office. I was sure he wanted to talk about the letter Queenie got.

I knocked softly against the wooden surface of the door and entered.

Grindelwald sat at his desk, his head resting on his palm with his eyes closed.

''Sir?'' I said walking closer. I saw his chest heaving and rising, so that meant he wasn't dead, which was quite unlikely.

I stopped in front of the desk. ''Sir?'' I tried again. I extended a hand and slightly shook his shoulder.

''Sir,'' I said again when he grunted.

He opened his eyes and stared at me, while his cheeks slowly reddened.

''(Y/N), uhm, I-I think I fell asleep,'' he said uneasily.

I chuckled a little when I realized his hand had left a red print on his cheek.

He smiled uncertainly.

He had dark circles under his eyes, which clearly indicated that he hadn't gotten enough sleep the night before.

''You wanted to discuss something?'' I said when he kept silent. ''Uhm, yes right,'' he said quickly. His expression turned grave, which looked kind of weird with the imprint of his hand on his cheek.

''This morning, Queenie received a letter from her sister, Tina Goldstein. She might be a problem if she keeps contacting Queenie. I do not doubt her loyalty to me, but I am afraid they might try to trick her into something that might hurt us or her,'' he explained.

''Like what, sir?'' I asked.

''Tina Goldstein might propose to meet somewhere and thereafter kidnap her,'' he said. ''And that's only one of the things that could possibly go wrong.''

I knew he was right.

''What do you propose we do, sir?'' I asked.

''First off, I want you to keep a close eye on Queenie. If she receives any more letters make sure to read them. If she doesn't come to me on her own, you need to report to me what it says, do you understand?'' he said sternly.

I nodded.

''Also, 'Tina' Goldstein had a message for me,'' he said slowly.

''I know, sir. I read the letter,'' I said quickly before he started explaining everything.

He nodded curtly. ''Well, I think she's right about Aurelius. The last time I had him use a magic wand he blew up half a mountain,'' he said.

I knew that had happened, but half a mountain was a little exaggerated. ''Do you remember that Maledictus?'' he asked suddenly his face brightening.

I watched him quizzically. ''A Maledictus is someone who is cursed to now and again turn into an animal and after some time back into a human. After years of living with such a curse, they will turn into the animal permanently with no possibilities to reverse it. This particular Maledictus turns into a snake. She goes by Nagini. Aurelius had a close relationship with her. We need to get her,'' he said.

''Do you know where she is?'' I asked.

He shook his head. ''That is not important. As long as she knows where we are.''

He looked at me. ''(Y/N), could you organize a rally?'' he asked. ''I know it's almost too much to ask one person, but I need someone I can trust, someone who knows what they're doing.''

I blushed a little at that but managed to hide it quite well. ''I've never done it before but I can try,'' I said smiling.

''Wonderful!'' he said standing up and approaching me.

I wasn't sure why he stood up but once I realized he was walking towards me my heart started thumping madly.

''I really appreciate you doing this,'' he said stopping in front of me.

He took my hands in his and stared down at me.

His eyes were mesmerizing and I couldn't get myself to look away. ''Of course, sir.'' I stared back at him. ''For the Greater Good,'' I said smiling slightly, trying to hide my nerves.

These moments made me more nervous than anything. Gellert Grindelwald isn't supposed to have physical contact with other people, right? Or is that just what everyone is thinking?

He's nothing like everyone said. He's kind, caring, nice and incredibly handsome.

He tucked my hair behind my ear. His hand lingered on my cheek.

I found myself trembling under his touch and my heart beat faster than I had ever felt.

Before I knew what I was doing, I pushed my lips against his and threw my arms around his neck.

And to my surprise he kissed me back, his head tilting slightly to the side to get better access, while the hand on my cheek slowly trailed down my jawline.

I felt his mustache tickle slightly against my skin.

I raised a hand to his head and ran it through his short white hair.

The kiss had taken over my body. I couldn't do anything.

What are you doing! I thought shocked. Pull back and leave! But I couldn't get myself to actually do it.

I could feel my cheeks light up.

Finally, I managed to retreat, and quickly let go of him. I looked down more ashamed than ever.

''I will keep an eye on Queenie, sir,'' I said before I dashed out of the room, leaving a dreamy looking Grindelwald behind.

A/N: I love you guys for taking the time to read my story :).