Talk To Me (Albus Dumbledore x OC)

3 - A Fancy Tea Party

The remaining five wandered out of the station and into the busy streets of Berlin. They stuck close together in this foreign city and ran across tramlines to the safety of the pavement, hiding themselves slightly from the cold winds. Newt led the group to a plain, red brick wall and paused to allow all to gather around, Jacob staring in awe as the Ministry of Magic symbol erupted from the layers.

They all walked on through the stone – an invisible doorway disguised as a building. As loud as the station had been with the bustling crowd of both muggles and wizards alike, nothing could prepare them for the ruckus waiting on the other side of the veil. Even Jacob's groans of displeasure were silenced with the hollers, though they hadn't been missed by Aurora who held a hand to his shoulder in support before following her siblings.

The occasional firework was let loose, bursting with colour into the blackened sky, casting haunting shadows over the otherwise snow-white ground. Posters of Grindelwald had been nailed to every pillar in the hopes that someone, somewhere, would leak his whereabouts and allow the Ministry to bring him to justice. Mr Kowalski stared at Gellert's moving picture with a slight snarl gracing his features – unusual for such a kind-hearted muggle, but backstory alone would provide enough explanation.

"German Ministry of Magic," Theseus started, but it wasn't a question.

"Yes,"

More red and yellow fireworks exploded in the sky. "I take it we're here for a reason," He sighed, hands finding the comfort of his coat pockets.

"Yes," Newt rubbed his hands along his coat to keep them busy. "We have a tea ceremony to attend, and if we don't hurry up," He paused, looking around at the various political posters. "we'll be late."

Theseus stared after his brother dumbfounded before summoning the others to follow. Jacob was still staring at the wanted posters, but Lally's warning about staying with the group interrupted his thought pattern enough to draw him away. Theseus and Newt took the lead in front with Lally just ahead of Aurora and Jacob bringing up the rear.

The closer they walked to the Ministry building, the louder everything became. Shouts, screams, chants and vulgar language was thrown around as if any of it were to make a difference to the Ministry's decisions. Red on one side, yellow on the other; the five wizards walked down the centre of hundreds of witches and wizards and Aurora was becoming anxious. Her shoulders were lifting in a hunched position, and her fingers quickly found her ears to try and shut out some of the noise, face wincing at the aggression between sides. She didn't like crowds, nor did she like any of this uproar.

As her brothers neared the front, one large spell was cast by an enthusiastic woman which sent a yellow spark from her wand into the sky. The boom that echoed was enough to make Aurora cower into herself, feeling personally under attack. It was Jacob's turn to comfort her with a soft hand on her arm to reduce her rising panic, but it did little once she'd realised just how far her brothers had gotten away from them.

Theseus started to communicate with one of the Aurors at the front of the crowd, advising their security that the remaining three were with him and to unhand them. They were encouraged forward and passed an intimidating man with a crooked nose – his eyes had landed on Aurora the second she had advanced the stairs, almost in recognition. Her brows furrowed in confusion – his nose was unmistakably familiar, but she couldn't place as to where. The knowing stare he was giving her had unnerved the young girl, so she lowered her gaze and retreated to the sanctity of her friends.

As the doors closed behind them, the silence that ensued was a relief to all. Smart shoes on tile floors clacked as they all wandered forward, attempting to remain as discrete as possible. Jacob and Aurora admired the old-fashioned paintings placed delicately around the room – not so much as to distract any guests, but enough to entice them forward.