Riddle And Grindelwald (Book 3)

8. Gritty Reality

The day after the Azkaban breakout, Boderick Bode was killed by his Devil's Snare potplant, which Walden Macnair had successfully sent to St Mungo's disguised as a gift.
Everyone assumed it was an accident, and the Healer in charge, was fired for allowing the plant onto the ward in the first place.
Two lives had been ruined, and Genevieve couldn't help but feel guilty about her involvement in the incident.
Her first few months out of prison, had felt like she was living on a cloud, in a perfect paradise with Tom.
But she suddenly realised the grim reality of loving a serial killer, who wanted to rule the world.
Hope died a few days later, in her sleep, and Genevieve couldn't help but feel that was the consequence for helping Tom come up with an idea to kill Bode.

In order to make herself feel better, Genevieve decided that the only thing she could do was to see Mathilde.
Since her daughters location was being hidden by powerful magic, she would have to speak to Albus Dumbledore for the first time in 14 years. As he was the one in charge of keeping Mathilde safe.
Being a wanted criminal though, meant that Genevieve couldn't just walk up to Hogwarts to speak to the Headmaster. And she couldn't risk sending an owl, in case it was intercepted by the Ministry, or the other death eaters.
So, she would have to use his brother Aberforth, to get to him, just like she had done last time.

When Tom left the house on business, Genevieve opted to stay behind, so that she could inact her plan. Even though she hated the idea of Bellatrix spending time with Tom, with her there to watch over them.
But deep down Genevieve knew that seeing Mathilde was more important.
Once Tom was gone, she removed her wedding ring, and apparated to the outside of the Hog's Head.
She had her hood low, so that it covered most of her face, which she hoped would stop her getting recognised.

There was already one person sat at the bar, when she got there, so Genevieve removed her wand and used the Imperius Curse on the person, to get them to leave.
It may have been an Unforgivable Curse, but since Genevieve was a wanted criminal and an escaped convict, she didn't see the issue with using certain Unforgivable Curses.
When the figure exited the pub, Genevieve flicked her wand behind her, causing the door to lock, and the closed sign to flip around. For she didn't want anyone to interupt her.

"I would like you to arrange a meeting for me, between me and your brother" announced Genevieve, as she approached the bar.
"I am not my brother's messenger. Send him an owl, or go up to the castle yourself if you want to see him" snapped Aberforth.
"I'm afraid that is not possible, for I need to see him now" informed Genevieve.
"Yeah? Well, tough, cos I'm working".
Genevieve sighed and removed her hood, revealing her face to Aberforth.
"Are you sure I can't convince you to summon your brother for me?" Asked Genevieve.

Aberforth took a step back in horror when he saw her.
"You're Genevieve Grindelwald" he mumbled.
"I was once. But I took my husband's name when we married. So, I am not a Grindelwald any more" admitted Genevieve.
"Your husband is a murderer" replied Aberforth.
"I'm aware of that. However, I did not come all this way to discuss my husband. I need you to send a Patronus to your brother, for I need to speak with Albus Dumbledore, urgently"
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't summon a bunch of aurors here instead, to arrest you".

"Look, I am not here to hurt you, or anyone else... I came because I need to talk to Albus, about something that happened, here in your pub, 18 years ago" revealed Genevieve.
"You want to see your daughter?" Questioned Aberforth.
"Yes. I have no intention of revealing my identity to her, or ruining her life in anyway. But I have to see her. I have to know that she is happy and safe. I don't want her father to know what I am doing, which is why I came alone. I know you don't like your brother, but he is the one who is hiding my daughter, which is why I have to speak to him. So please, will you help me see my daughter?" Begged Genevieve.
Aberforth sighed, "Alright, fine. Just wait here".

While Aberforth summoned his goat Patronus, and sent it up to Hogwarts, Genevieve took a seat at one of the tables, and waited.
Several long minutes later, Albus Dumbledore opened the door, and made his way over to her.
"Good day, Genevieve" Dumbledore said politely.
"Hello Dumbledore. You know, I locked that door, with a spell that even Alohomora wouldn't be able to open" admitted Genevieve, as Dumbledore sat down opposite her.
"Yet, I was able to unlock the door with ease" replied Dumbledore.
"Well, you are much more powerful than me. You are also using a wand, which you are the true master of. Unlike me" sighed Genevieve.

Dumbledore spied the wand poking out of Genevieve's pocket, and frowned.
"That wand does not belong to you" commented Dumbledore.
"No. But since my wand was confiscated by the Ministry, I must use another wand instead. And since I had this one lying around, I thought I might as well use it. You are probably the only person alive who would recognise this wand anway" admitted Genevieve.
"It belonged to Gellert Grindelwald" replied Dumbledore.
"Yes, this was my father's wand, which he cast aside to take possession of an even more powerful wand. But despite the superior wand, he still lost his duel with you, all those years ago".

"Yes, he did... When I heard that you escaped from Nurmengard, I guessed that you would seek me out. But I'm sure you didn't summon me here, to talk about your father" said Dumbledore.
"No. And I didn't exactly escape either, I was rescued. I was also able to convince my rescuer to set my father free as well. Me and my husband dropped him off at one of his safe houses, before making our way back here. But you are right, my father is not the reason I am here today. There is someone that matters to me, far more than my father. And that someone I can only see, if you help me. You did as I asked, all those years ago, and kept my daughter safe for me. But before I can continue on with my life, I have to see her. I will not be able to rest, until I have spoken to her, and made sure that she is living a happy and fulfilling life" admitted Genevieve.

Dumbledore sighed, "I hope you understand how dangerous this is".
"I do. But now that Mathilde is older, her father cannot hurt her, or turn her into his protege. Even if he learned where she was, she would be of no use to him" replied Genevieve.
"That is not what worries me" admitted Dumbledore.
"Then what's the issue?" Asked Genevieve.
"The magic I placed around Mathilde, to protect her, was powerful. But there's a chance that seeing you again, after all these years, might affect the memory charm I used on her. And she might start to remember who she is".

Genevieve frowned, "I don't want to ruin her life, by making her remember about her past life, with me and her father".
"I know you don't, which is why I thought I should warn you of the consequences of what could happen if you see her" informed Dumbledore.
"That's only a small risk, right?" Questioned Genevieve.
"It is small, yes" answered Dumbledore.
"Well then, it's a risk I am going to have to take. Because I need to see my daughter. I need to ease my conscience, by making sure that I did the right thing, by giving her to you".

"You may think it worth the risk, but I'm not sure I do. Why should I risk making all the time I spent protecting her, pointless? Why should I risk uprooting her, and making her remember who she really is? I care a great deal for her, and I would hate to see her upset, which is what would happen if she learned the truth. So tell me, why should I do as you ask and let you see her?" Questioned Dumbledore.
"Because she's my daughter, and I love her so much. I couldn't bare it if I never saw her again. I would move heaven and earth for her, to keep her safe. So please, let me see her again, for I can't do it without your help. I know I don't deserve to see her, but I really need to" pleaded Genevieve.

Her answer seemed to please Dumbledore, for he smiled.
"I have no intention of keeping her from you. I just wanted to see what your response would be. I needed to know that your time in prison hadn't changed you, and that you were still pure of heart" revealed Dumbledore.
"I wouldn't exactly say that I was pure of heart. I have killed people, and done other terrible things throughout my life" reminded Genevieve.

"Yes. But despite all that, just now you tried to plead your case with me, instead of threatening me. You could have threatened to reveal my relationship with your father, to the world. Or, you could have even told everyone about my wand. But you chose not to threaten me, which means that there is still good inside you" explained Dumbledore.
"I'm glad you think so, because I don't" mumbled Genevieve.
"I believe that there is good in everyone, including you. So, I will set up a meeting between you and your daughter"
"Thank you, Dumbledore"
"You're welcome".