Knowledge is Power

Chapter 55

"I'd like to begin today's meeting with a concept," Wolfgang began.
They sat in the library of Adler manor. It was the second time the group had met, and the atmosphere in the room was a pleasant enough mix of friendly and focused.
"What if Potter fails," Wolfgang questioned.
The room was silent as everyone exchanged glances.

"Yes, I believe he likely will not fail in spite of everything I have heard concerning the boy's inadequacies. I believe this because prophecies see what we do not. I have promised to keep us all alive, though. As such I feel that a back up plan is only logical and wise no matter what I believe about prophecies."

"Sounds great," Mag said, giving Wolfgang a ready smile.
The more plans in place to keep Severus safe the better as far as she was concerned. Of course she wanted everyone to be safe, but her Severus was the one all too constantly in the line of danger.
Wolfgang smiled back.
"I feel my idea is overly obvious. So obvious that I can't believe none of the ministries have put it into action before me."

"Whatever it is, I can totally believe it because every ministry seems to be infected with a virus of stupidity and fear," Kereston grumped.
"Leave them to handle it alone and we'll all be dead or serving Voldemort when it's all said and done."

Wolfgang nodded.
"So it seems. What I have in mind is an ace in the hole as they say. There is a perfectly brilliant, skilled and perhaps even still able wizard currently rotting away right now in a prison of his own making called Nurmengard."
His words were met by some soft gasps from some and the sounds of chairs creaking as others leaned forward eagerly.

"Gellert Grindelwald," Raislen said.
"That's interesting!"
"Thank you," Wolfgang replied. "Though it has taken a few weeks of planning and research, I have finally managed to arrange a suitable way to carry out his escape that won't draw any unwanted attention. We don't want anyone knowing Grindelwald has escaped, because if Voldemort becomes aware, we will lose our surprise factor. Grindelwald will be an asset, surprise or no, but the surprise certainly won't hurt. What Voldemort doesn't see coming, certainly can hurt him."

"So we're breaking him out to help us," Mag said carefully, and Wolfgang nodded.
"That's the plan. I think he will be quite the addition to our little group."
"Do you know how illegal that is," Severus burst out.
He was risking enough right now without being implicated in something like breaking Grindelwald out of prison. Besides, he didn't know how he felt about Grindelwald. The man could hate Muggles for all Severus knew, and considering the activities that got him put in prison, he probably did.

Grindelwald had claimed not to hate Muggles, but Severus thought most people lied including great wizards, when it came to their political views. Severus didn't hate Muggles more than he did anyone else, but that wasn't because they were Muggles. It was because they were stupid, as were most wizards who Severus also hated. His father had been a Muggle and he'd never disrespect that by standing with someone who, like Voldemort, would've killed Tobias Snape for being a Muggle who dared to go into a wizarding potions shop for his wife's supplies.
The point was he knew nothing about Grindelwald.

"Does it matter how illegal it is if it keeps us all alive," Wolfgang asked calmly, tone reasonable.
"No one is ever going to find out. We will do it here, and to someone who won't be missed...And most important of all for the greater good." The half giant chuckled in a way that said he was pleased with himself for incorporating Grindelwald's slogan into his argument.

"I have found someone who is old enough to take his place in Nurmengard so no one will even guess that he has escaped when we free him," Wolfgang explained.
Snape almost looked impressed. "Sounds reasonable I suppose," the potions master said carefully. "How did you manage to convince someone to go to prison for life," he asked, arching dark brows at the dignified half giant.