Burned Into Glory

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"Where has Aurelius Dumbledore gone?" asked Vinda as she and Queenie walked toward group dinner. "I haven't seen him in several days, since the morning after the party."

"He went to his cottage in the mountains to train in peace," Queenie said. "With the castle so bustling and busy, he gets overwhelmed. Gellert Apparates up there a few times a day to help him train, and Aurelius stays at the cottage. He's happier that way."

"What a strange creature he is," Vinda mused. She paused outside the dining room and whispered, "Will you listen to Klaus Reiner for me tonight? See if he's thinking of me?"

"Vinda, you want me to eavesdrop?" Queenie quirked up half her mouth and one eyebrow, but she drew her wand into four circles and dragged it and then cast her Babel Charm on the entire dining room. Vinda breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

"Thank you. I just... Before I fall for another man, Queenie, I want to know what I'm getting into."

"I understand." Queenie's eyes went wide, and she whispered, "Are you falling for Klaus?"

"Much too early to be speculating about that, don't you think?" Vinda huffed a breath and said softly, "Let's go eat dinner."

The two witches walked into the dining room, and Vinda seemed shocked to see that her name tag was right beside Klaus Reiner's. Well, Queenie wasn't surprised; it was just like Grindelwald to put Vinda and Reiner together. She smirked a little as she sat down at her place to Grindelwald's right and listened to the thoughts Reiner was having.

Oh, Vinda's sitting beside me. I mustn't make a fool of myself, not before she even has the chance to get to know me. I must keep things together; I must stay cool and collected.

"Good evening, Mademoiselle Rosier," said Reiner gently as Vinda sat, and she smiled at him.

"Hello, Herr Reiner. How are you finding Nurmengard? And your new position? I hear you and I will be working closely together planning rallies and parties."

"Yes; I've been assigned to the preparations squad," Klaus Reiner said happily. "Our next rally will be in Rome, I am told."

"There will be a great deal of planning needed for the Rome rally," nodded Vinda, sipping at her water. "You and Krenn and I will need to meet, the three of us, within the next day or two to lay out a plan just for the preparations."

"Of course. I am fully on board for whatever capacity you need me, Mademoiselle Rosier," said Reiner earnestly. "I long to serve properly. Fully."

"Good." Vinda smiled again at him, and then they went quiet, for Grindelwald came striding into the room. Everyone rose, including Queenie. She was surprised when Grindelwald entered looking tired, bowed his head and murmured,

"Please do sit."

He promptly took his place at the head of the table, and as soon as he slid his chair in, the first course of mixed greens with marinated onion and vinegar appeared. He stabbed rather aggressively at his food, and those around the table ate with caution, as though being cautious not to upset Grindelwald.

"The rally in Rome will take place in the ancient Colosseum," murmured Vinda to Klaus Reiner, and the two of them resumed their quiet conversation. Queenie peered into Reiner's mind and found nothing but determination to serve the cause, nothing but admiration for Vinda. She was pretty, he thought. Beautiful. And she was very intelligent and very capable. He quite liked her. He was looking forward to serving with her. He couldn't care less about Krenn.

Other thoughts crept into Queenie's mind since she'd cast the Babel Charm.

I wonder if something happened with that boy. Grindelwald seems upset.