Fantastic Beasts 3

Newt's Basement

NURMENGARD CASTLE, NIGHT

"Professor McGonagall," Grindelwald greeted her coldly as he entered the room, breaking the silence, "I need to ask a favour of you."

Minerva sat on a chair in the centre of the freezing room. It was dimly lit by a lamp swaying above her head, hanging down from the frost-covered ceiling. She was bound to the uncomfortable chair by several cold chains. She remained silent.

"I need to know... where the blood pact is."

After a long moment of hesitation, she responded, "I need to know where I am."

Grindelwald paused for a moment, considering this. "You're in Nurmengard Castle, high in the mountains of Austria."

"Nurmengard Castle?"

"It's a castle that I built to imprison my enemies."

Grindelwald waited for her to speak again. Then he asked, "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"I told you where you are, so now I should know where the blood pact is."

"I'm afraid I can't tell you," She answered coolly.

Grindelwald withdrew his wand and muttered, "Crucio."

Minerva screamed and lost her balance on the chair. Grindelwald lowered his wand to stop the spell. The chair and chains came down with her. She hit her head on the cold concrete and a loose end of the chain swung onto her nose. Blood spattered onto the floor in front of her. Her head was swimming as stars appeared in her eyes.

Minerva then lost consciousness.

___________________________

MINISTRY OF MAGIC

As soon as Tina entered Theseus's office, it became clear to her that Theseus was one of the best aurors working at the ministry; the room was very spacious and he had a photo of him with the minister. However, the overload of paperwork that he had, messily scattered across the desk, indicated that he was struggling to keep up with work.

"So what do you want me to help you with?" He asked Newt.

Newt then proceeded to explain the situation that Tina was in and how MACUSA suspected her of joining Grindelwald. When he was done, Theseus asked, "Why should I help you in illegally removing these admonitor bracelets from you, Miss Goldstein?"

"Because she's the best auror I've ever met," Newt interjected, flushing as he said so.

Theseus seemed slightly offended. "So I'm not the– but she probably isn't going to be an auror anymore, anyway. What I meant was that I'll get into big trouble if I'm found helping you out."

There was a short silence.

"Fine," Theseus said in defeat after a while, "But just consider joining the ministry, Newt?"

"I'll consider if you remove the bracelets."

Theseus withdrew his wand and flicked it at the bracelets on Tina's wrists. The heavy admonitor bracelets fell onto the floor.

"Well, we best be off, then," Newt said as Jacob and Tina began to make their way out of the office. "And, uh– Theseus?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks," He said, appreciative, "thanks a lot for your help."

"Anytime," Was Theseus' response.

___________________________

HOGWARTS CASTLE, THE NEXT DAY – MORNING

Dumbledore paced up and down the corridor hurriedly, staring intently at the wall before him. In his desperation, he thought of anything related to the mysterious cabinet he had found. I need to get to the cabinet, I need to enter the cabinet...