Unspoken // Theseus Scamander

Chapter Thirty-Nine - Erkstag

Word Count: 2,653 words. 

Warnings: None. 

Godric's Hollow... that day...

"Is it much further?" Natalia asked. Barely old enough to know what the words further meant, Gellert was coloured impressed by the small creature he had taken to.

"Just a small bit," he told her, hand in hand as they ventured deeper into the woods.

"My feet are sore," the young girl complained, hearing the shuffle of other beasts in the dark forest. She did not fear, however, hand in hand with her friend. He would protect her.

"We're almost there Natty." Gellert let out a short, warm laugh. The warmth was false, but she was too young to recognise tone.

"Okay."

It was several steps later when Grindelwald cast a glance at the clearing around them. They were far enough away from civilisation that they would not be heard, but just close enough that they could not be counted as lost.

Turning around, Gellert moved to his hunkers before the young girl and smiled. "Do you trust me Natty?" he posed.

Inquisitive, Natalia tilted her head. "Of course I do, Gelly."

His heart almost beat for how she used that nickname. Almost. "I want to show you something; something that will stop those mean men from coming back."

"The ones who tried to hurt Ari?" Ariana.

"Yes, Natty, those ones. It's a spell."

She shook her head. "Abe said no spells."

"Abe doesn't understand how strong you are," Gellert argued calmly, spite for the elder Dumbledore in the back of his tone. Aberforth had a habit of ruining plans.

"I don't know."

He squeezed her hands. "Natty, do you trust me?"

There was hesitation on the young girl's face, but it would never hold. Not when she adored the man before her, not when he treated her like his own. She nodded.

Taking the wand from his side, Gellert held it up and cast a glance at a small spider. It crawled upon the leaved ground, legs propelling it forward as it reached the its peak.

"Now..." Grindelwald began. "...watch carefully."

The stream of magic shone green.

Years later, Gellert Grindelwald looked at his old wand as he remembered that day. He had expected Natalia Clayton to look upon him with horror, to see the body of that worthless spider and scream; everyone else had.

Natty had not. She had gasped, hands covering her mouth, but then she had journeyed closer and asked him to show her how.

"Sir..." Her voice was not right. No one's voice but hers was right.

"What is it?" Gellert all but snapped, tucking the old wand away and turning to his follower.

"We must leave."

For the banquet, the dinner party, the politician trap. He needed the power, he needed to be the greatest wizard in this world and the next, but that was still not enough.

No matter how many people he controls, how many families he destroys, cities he vanquishes, nothing would compare to the feeling of that day; of looking at little Natalia Clayton and seeing only understanding and interest in her eyes. She had only looked at him with love, and he hoped that when she finally remembered, that that love will come flittering back.