When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 41

The Ways of War

The Wizengamot gatherings were not joyous to attend on any occasion, but the meeting taking place this morning was particularly sombre. For Arcturus, the Minister was only confirming what he already knew was coming; that Grindelwald was finally pursuing his ambitions out of the shadows, and with more tenacity.

Those that had chosen to ignore the threat were silent now. There was no laughter nor mocking the severity of what mankind faced. A war amongst wizards was one thing, but such a conflict between the muggles was another entirely.

Arcturus did not know what would come to pass in the coming months and years, but he was certain the world would change because of it.

"Grindelwald has invaded Denmark and Sweden, and he met little resistance," an exhausted Minister Fawley explained. "He did so before any defence could be mounted, and it is expected that he will cross over into Norway in the coming days."

"Is a defence of Norway planned?" Lord Nott asked.

Fawley released a deep sigh.

"The ICW are dispatching men but with how thinly spread they are with the defence of more tactically significant countries, I am not expecting a positive outcome. The fact is, we need more men."

"We have had an influx of volunteers, Minister," Gabriel Moody announced. "Unfortunately, they will have to be trained where they are deployed, but it cannot be said that Britain isn't doing its' part."

Fawley nodded almost proudly.

"And what of the muggles?" Lord Yaxley questioned. "You met with the Prime Minister, did you not?"

"I did," Fawley confirmed frustratedly. "If truth be told, Chamberlain is doing his best, but he is not cut-out to be a leader during times of war. I expect he will either resign or be replaced in the coming months. The man is a bag of nerves."

"So, what are the muggles doing?" Yaxley pressed.

"Currently, they are preparing to deploy their own men to the continent, and their navy has been sent to blockade the Atlantic to preserve trade roots and block supplies being sent through to Germany," Fawley informed them. "It will be weeks before any significant fighting will take place amongst them, but the Prime Minister is certain that this is merely the calm before the storm."

Arcturus nodded his agreement.

The fighting would come, and when it did, it would be as ferocious as it would violent.

"Do we know exactly what caused this?" Lord Boot asked.

"The Germans broke yet another agreement," Fawley huffed. "They invaded Poland who is an ally of both Britain and France. An ultimatum was given and ignored. Now Poland is under the control of the Germans, and even the Russians arrived to stake their own claim on land. It is a very messy situation."

Lord Nott shook his head disapprovingly.

"The Russians?"

"They signed a pact with the Germans," Fawley informed the lords and ladies. "I don't know the ins and outs of it, but it is bad news. If the Russians form an alliance with them, the outlook is bleak."