When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 21

Unexpected Horizons

"What are we even doing in a dump like this?"

"We are building our alliances, Lord Black," Gellert answered, "and paving the way for much bigger things here. The Germans are looking to expand, and it is in our best interest that they meet little resistance whilst doing so."

Orion eyed the passing muggles with distaste, shaking his head.

"What can a country like this offer?" he asked. "These people are poor, and I doubt the wizards are any better off."

"They're not," Gellert confirmed, "but we must begin laying our foundations. It may not seem like much, but it is a beneficial alliance for us. The people here have truly opened their eyes to the world around them, and it is now time that they're freed from their shackles."

Orion did not comment further and followed as Grindelwald stepped through a wall into a large atrium.

The Czechoslovakian Ministry of Magic was not a grand building.

There were no golden statues, no sparkling floors, and no wealth to be seen.

The room Orion found himself in was hewn from stone, and even the dozen or so fires that lined the walls offered little warmth.

They had barely made it a few steps into the room before they were accosted by a large man wearing white robes.

He had his wand drawn and began conversing with Gellert in a language that Orion did not understand.

After a moment, the man left, and Grindelwald nodded satisfactorily.

"What was that about?" Orion questioned.

"Our friend there has gone to sound the alarm. This place will be swarming with aurors and the like in just a minute."

"Sound the alarm?" Orion choked. "Have you gone mad?"

Gellert nodded.

"Quite," he said brightly.

True to his word, the atrium quickly began to fill with more men and women in the same robes as the first that had approached, each with their wands drawn and pointed at Orion and Grindelwald.

"Bloody hell, we're going to die!" the former groaned.

Gellert was unmoved by the disadvantage they found themselves at and waited patiently for something else to happen.

"Remain calm, Lord Black," he urged.

The one-sided stand-off continued for several moments until a flustered man dressed in black robes and sporting a large gold chain around his neck pushed his way through the crowd.

He began shouting in the same harsh language Gellert had conversed in with the first man.

"In English, Minister Horak," Grindelwald sighed. "My friend here does not understand what you are saying."

The man purpled, his jaw clenched tightly as he growled.

"I want to know what you think you are doing?"