Regency in Diagon Alley [Theodore Nott | Harry Potter AU]

Epilogue

Six Years Later

Grindelwald clicked his tongue at another loss. Biting the side of his cheek, he turned to Theodore who sat back in the chair with a smug look on his face. The chess board showed a few pieces left with Theodore only having the king, a pawn, and a bishop while Grindelwald had a king, a knight, a pawn, and a rook in his place, just as he thought he could beat the man, Grindelwald was proven wrong once again, and was taking the glass of ale and drinking it whole. His face crumpled to a look of distaste; he was more of a wine person than beer. He gulped the entire thing and then burped in the end, making Theodore laugh.

"Another good game," he said. "Would it kill you to let me win sometime?"

"Now where is honor in that?" Theodore shrugged. "But it wasn't just me who played this, I had help. Roman and I have been studying your play and he helped me find your pattern and found a strategy to get you."

Grindelwald's laugh was deep and breathy. "Still, you won. And send Alston my regards, from this game, he must be a good player."

"He would beat me sometimes." He waved his hand and had the pieces return to its position. "That's why he is Commander of the Aurors."

Just as the older man was to get up, Theodore went to his side and helped him to his feet. His time in Nurmengard doing mostly nothing has aided the speed of his deterioration brought by age, every month Theodore visited, he could see how Grindelwald was slowly fading – starting with his body... who knows when his mind would also start. It pained him to see the man in such way, so he would do what he can to help him – since the first time he saw Grindelwald squinting to read the book he had, Theodore had a Healer check his eyes and gave him glasses; he commissioned an artisan in Clach Dhubh to produce a cane that would fit the man as Grindelwald showed a bit of trouble when crossing the room, and then there was the problem with his back as the bed became stuffy; so he purchased a new and more comfortable one for him.

Dumbledore thanked him for caring for Grindelwald but warned him of it. He would never know when Grindelwald was suddenly making him bring tools for an attempt to escape. Theodore did not need reminding, though. He knew Grindelwald, he knew the man's game, and though he considered him a friend of sorts, he knew it was best to keep his distance as well. To have an open mind, to step back and think before doing a favor for him.

But for the past six years, every month he visited him, Grindelwald never asked Theodore for anything. In fact, it was him who would give the man these things to help him. Many would call him a fool to empathize with Grindelwald but they were not there to understand why he does so. Grindelwald was a friend, he was there when he needed help, and needed company, and most of all, Grindelwald gave his freedom so he may return to his family.

Coming to the veranda that had the view of the mountains, Theodore helped him down to the single couch and handed him a cup of tea.

"Every day I come here, and every day I paint these mountains, and I never grow tired of it." Grindelwald sighed. "What about you, Theodore, do you have something you never tire of seeing?"