Chapter 25

The remainder of the afternoon was very much a celebration. Harry's family had rented out a large private room at the three broomsticks where the Delacours, Potters, and friends could join. Harry had also invited Susan, his school friends, and the other champions along with their families if they wished to join. Of them, only Aimee and her family accepted the invitation.

It was a nice celebration among family, friends, and new allies, and the atmosphere remained light as people pestered Harry with questions of how he performed his feat of magic, and how he even came up with the idea. In the end it was this day that they finally realized just how special a wizard Harry was. Not even Dumbledore had completed such impressive magic at such a young age. Harry took it all in stride trying not to let it get to his ego, but even he knew he had done something that was thought of as impossible. To separate such a large body of water didn't only take an immense amount of power, but also an inordinate amount of control.

Harry kept Fleur at his side all evening, and was seen continuously holding her hand which led to some good natured ribbing from Herbert and Cedric who had of course come to celebrate. When the time came to return to the castle it was just the Potters and the Delacours. Of course, Grindelwald and Anita were still sipping their drinks watching their family celebrate with fond smiles, and when Sebastian Delacour put an arm around Harry's shoulders the conversations around the room lowered to hear the two men speak, "Harry, your magical abilities astounded many today, and it has been a fine evening of celebration. Now, however, we must discuss the thing we last spoke of on New Year's morning."

Fleur, who had been standing next to Harry, rolled her eyes, "Really, papa?"

James, who had been watching the interaction unfold, approached the two with a knowing smile, "Sebastian, are you over here harassing my son?"

The man protested, "Of course not, James! However, my daughter is a beautiful woman from an esteemed line in France. I merely wish to know your son's intentions, and I gave him time to ponder them over the last few months. They were a shining star together at the Yule Ball, and made another lovely couple at our home on New Year's."

"Yes, we heard you and Harry might have had a disagreement." Sirius said with a grin.

This made Sebastian laugh, "Not at all. A friendly exhibition match where he threatened to drop a tidal wave on me. I had little doubt he would attempt something similar today when I learned of the task. This young man has earned my respect in a duel, but also my undying gratitude for what he did for my daughters on the night of the World Cup. Any honorable intentions towards my daughter would have my approval."

Fleur grinned at Harry while they were all bantering, "Are your intentions truly honorable, monsieur Potter?"

"Not even a little, madam. I would have figured you knew that after New Year's." The young man returned quietly into her ear.

This made the girl blush a little, and Harry jumped back into the conversation, "Well your daughter hasn't driven me crazy just yet. I have enjoyed my fellow champion's company a lot in the past few months, and I think I can honestly say my intentions are sincere. There is no limit to what we could accomplish together, and I think our families moving our alliance a step further would be a blessing. Your daughter is a magical talent that I have immensely enjoyed working with. With my head of house's permission, I think at the end of the school year we can begin a formal courtship - with your permission as well of course?"

James nodded proudly, "Of course he has my permission. Not that he really needed it. I am not sure if you have figured it out yet, but my son largely does exactly what he wants to do."

"I'd kick your ass if you tried to stop me, Prongs." Harry said with a grin, making the room laugh happily.

Sebastian smiled at the two men, and his eyes went to his daughter, "Lord Potter, it seems that my daughter is just as stubborn as your son, because I have been unable to tell her what to do since she became a teenager. What say you, mon cher, do you wish to proceed into a formal courtship with monsieur Potter?"

Fleur seemed to step away from her boyfriend looking him up and down with a straight face. After a moment a small smile graced her face, "I suppose he will do, papa, if that's the best we can come up with."

She said this last part with a wink towards Harry making the room laugh again. Harry shook his head as he grabbed the girl around the waist and brought her into one of their more chaste kisses. Harry kept his arms around the girl as he turned to his father, "For the record, it does help that she is likely one of the most beautiful women in the world."

This made the Marauders laugh, while Lily Potter merely shook her head in exasperation at her son's joke. Before she could say anything, a loud voice boomed from outside, "Harry Potter, come out with your hands in the air."

The entire room seemed to stiffen at the voice. It was familiar to Harry, and he stared towards the door that would lead out into the middle of Hogsmeade in wonder. He closed his eyes and stretched his senses just trying to fight the effect the alcohol he had consumed during the evening was having on him. It took longer than normal, but he discovered what was waiting for him. His eyes shot open with a pulse of power and rage, "We are surrounded."

James's eyebrows shot up as he ran to the window, and swore, "What the fuck is this? There are probably thirty ICW Aurors outside."

Harry had rarely heard his father swear like this, and it was a testament to his fury. The Marauders and most of the room went to the windows while Harry hung back already knowing what they would see. The only other two who remained back were Fleur and Grindelwald. The man turned to his apprentice, "They have discovered our secret I fear."

"They can't have any proof."

"They have enough to arrest you and take you before the ICW. It is enough." Grindelwald said with certainty.

"You knew this would happen, didn't you? It's why you risked coming to the task, and being so close to Dumbledore?" Harry said with a hint of accusation in his voice.

The man merely smiled, "I told you I would not miss my apprentice's rise to power for anything. I saw this vision as a possibility, as I see many others like always."

Harry shook his head, "You shouldn't have let me celebrate. You should've-"

"What I should, and will do, Harry, is protect you. Just like I have since the beginning." Grindelwald said with finality as Fleur watched the two go back and forth.

This was really her first time in the man's presence knowing exactly who he was. She suspected after the task that the man had in fact been Grindelwald after escorting her grandmother who had not been romantically involved with a man in the last decade. It was a decent cover, but she had seen through it with suspicion, but not with certainty. A voice from outside boomed again, "Mr Potter, you are surrounded. Come out with your hands up. There is nowhere to run."

Lily spoke after a moment of silence descended through the room, "He's right. These wards they have put up are immensely powerful. Whatever this is they must be certain it's legal."

James turned to Harry sharply, "What did you do?"

Harry immediately spat back allowing his nerves to fray with the alcohol in his system playing a factor, "Nothing other than the task today, and the fight you already knew about from two weeks ago. I have hardly even been around since then to do anything wrong."

Sebastian frowned, "Well, let us at least go out there and see what they want."

James shook his head at the man, "He goes out there without a wand and the first thing they are going to do is put him down."

Lily added, "Any other way he goes out will be seen as resisting arrest, and they will curse him anyway."

Harry watched his family argue back and forth for a moment, and his eyes flitted to the Delacours who watched him with worry written on their faces. He took a deep breath and glanced at Grindelwald who nodded his head. Pushing himself off the bar he was leaning against he spoke, "We will go out there and see what they want. If they attack me without announcing what they want with me then I will fight."

Grindelwald nodded gravely, "They brought just over two dozen fighters. If they do not wish to play fair, then they did not bring enough witches and wizards to take my apprentice."

The family all tensed at his words, and Sirius was the first to speak, "Harry I have good relations with the ICW, and they won't attack the Lord Black. Let me go find out what is going on. Damnit you are my Godson let me protect you."

Taking a deep breath Harry put a hand on the man's shoulder, "Stay out of this one Padfoot. You did your part taking care of me for all those years when I was a boy unable to defend himself. I am not that boy anymore. If you go out there the Wizarding World may crucify you at best, and at worst blame you for my relationship with Grindelwald. It is no secret half your family supported him in the war. If you go out there you basically confirm suspicions that will already be laid at your feet, and they won't even be true. Trust me. We can handle this."

Turning to his father Harry shook his head and sighed, "Dad, do what you have to do. Don't get involved. Your career is likely in jeopardy, and the same goes for you, mum. We will handle this."

The confidence in his words silenced the room. Sirius and James looked like they wanted to argue, but Harry merely stepped past the man, "Stay out of this fight. It may not end well."

With that, the two men walked to the front of the Three Broomsticks and stepped out the front door to see nearly two dozen wands pointed at them. Perseus Chase was standing in front of the Aurors wearing a large smile, "Good evening, Harry. You don't mind if I call you that right? After all, I feel with everything that has happened we are on a first-name basis."

Harry said nothing as he eyed the witches and wizards that held him at wand point. They were all wearing the standard blue auror robes, but the badges on their uniforms suggested this was an international contingent, not a British one. Which explained how they kept it from his father. Harry swallowed thickly before saying, "Alright, Percy. First name basis is acceptable. What is all this about?"

The man pulled a piece of paper out of his back pocket and made a show of squinting before he started reading, "This is an arrest warrant issued by Chief Warlock Dumbledore. The ICW has the intention of charging you with two counts of homicide, along with aiding and abetting a known fugitive."

Harry frowned at the charges, "Two counts of homicide? Aiding and abetting? What the devil are you talking about?"

The man grinned, "We can talk about all this at the ICW holding cell in Germany. That is where we will be taking you. Perhaps we might draw your old friend out seeing as we are sending you to his old stomping grounds."

Harry's eyes narrowed and his magic swelled in anger, while he barked out, "Who are you saying I killed?"

"You left your master's calling card boy. You think we wouldn't figure it out. You have been using the magic of Gellert Grindelwald in front of international committees. You have made your last mistake. The ICW intends to charge you with the death of Marcus Flint, and...High master Igor Karkaroff."

The second name caught him flat-footed. He had seen the headmaster of Durmstrang earlier that afternoon. If he was dead, then there was no doubt any longer that someone was trying to frame him. Two people he had openly skirmished with turned up dead, likely with the Deathly Hallows engraved into their skulls. This was a setup. Harry spoke calmly as he tried to force his magic to be ready, "I have an alibi for the time of both murders. There couldn't have been enough proof to warrant this kind of arrest."

Then it occurred to Harry. The only reason Dumbledore would have approved this was because he knew that Gellert was here with him. He knew it would mean exposure. He was likely willing to stay quiet about their relationship, but when bodies started turning up his conscience and the Greater Good won out. Dumbledore really believed him to be guilty.

Harry felt the tension in the air rising. The Aurors were becoming impatient for him to surrender. His eyes glanced around at his battle ready opponents and knew the time to fight was coming. He would not be surrendering peacefully. His magic tensed in preparation. He would summon a wandless shield to start, and then get both wands in his hand in a flash. This would have to be decisive and deadly. Before he could start though, Grindelwald stepped forward addressing the crowd of Aurors who stirred at the sight of him. With a slow draw of his wand, some of the Aurors began shouting, but he slowly whirled it across his face as his transfigurations began undoing themselves. In seconds the man he had grown up with was standing in front for the world to see. His white hair was spiked well, and his eyes had returned to their normal colors. His face was its usual pale color, and Harry wondered what exactly the man's play was. Gellert spoke calmly, "Wizarding brothers and sisters. My apprentice and I do not wish to battle you. Every drop of magical blood is a waste when it is spilt. Besides, young Mr Potter is not guilty of these crimes. My name is Gellert Grindelwald, and I murdered those two men."

Harry froze at the man's confession. It was impossible. The man had been with Harry since the time Karkaroff's body could've turned up. Before he could verbally question it, Grindelwald gave him a look over his shoulder that said he needed to go along with whatever was said. His stomach clenched at the thought, but he did nothing to show the man gave him any sort of instruction.

Perseus Chase stared across at the man with a grin, "Well, isn't this something special. I had heard you were alive, but to see it for myself is something historical. You are under arrest, My Lord."

Grindelwald gave the man a patronizing smile, "You come with no more than twenty Aurors? I am insulted. I may have grown in age, but I assure you...you did not bring enough fighters."

All the Aurors shuffled at this. Some clearly remember this man's reputation. Seventy years ago, this man had taken down fifty American Aurors with a flash of destruction. That may have been a long time ago, but they would be foolish to think the coming fight would be simple. The smile on the ICW investigator's face slipped a little at the man's threat, and his brows furrowed with anger, "I take it you do not mean to come peacefully."

Grindelwald held his arms out wide and smiled, "I have longed to do battle by my apprentice's side. Though I offer you a choice. Go home and live a little longer. There is no need for bloodshed."

"There will be no further bloodshed tonight, Gellert." A voice from nearby echoed across the seemingly empty streets of Hogsmeade.

Harry knew the streets may appear empty, but the windows around the town were not. It was clear the Aurors had shepherded everyone to cover before attempting this arrest. The world was watching. Gellert frowned at the man, "Albus. It has been a long time, my old friend."

Dumbledore merely nodded as he strode forward with the Elder Wand in hand, "That it has. It was foolish of you to come here tonight."

Harry growled, "It was foolish of you to approach us in this way. If you had any hopes of taking either of us down, it was when we were separated. Together, we are unstoppable."

The headmaster frowned, "Harry. You must step aside for the Greater Good. Gellert has confessed to the crime. You could still walk away."

Silence echoed through the village while Harry contemplated what was said. It wasn't long before a wand shot to his hand, "I made my decision in the Black Forest seven years ago. When I pledged my life to being the best wizard I could be, and the man beside me made me into exactly that."

Grindelwald now stepped back to stand beside Harry with a look of pride etched on his face, "Loyalty is something infinitely valuable, Dumbledore. Besides who will defeat your Dark Lord if you allow this to happen."

"It is not Mr Potter's destiny to do so." Dumbledore said with a frustrated look on his face.

Gellert shook his head, "You mean to doom us all. You have no idea what I have seen. The type of terror that this Lord Voldemort will wreak on the world if he goes unchallenged will make what we did in the Great War look like child's play."

Before Dumbledore could respond the ICW Investigator stepped forward, "Gellert Grindelwald, you are to be taken into custody for war crimes. We are no longer interested in this conversation. Surrender, or be taken by force. Mr Potter you have conspired with a dangerous enemy of the magical community, and will be charged in a manner befitting the crime."

A final flash of Harry's eyes told the man exactly what would happen next, but the words are what started it off as the young man spat at the group, "It's treason then."

In a flash, Harry had a massive shield up as dozens of curses came sailing toward him. A green killing curse was in this mix, and with his spare wand a massive amount of earth came up and swallowed the offense, while Grindelwald flicked his wand out banishing the ground towards the Aurors making them scatter in a panic. The master and apprentice did not start this fight, but they had every intention of ending it.

In a moment Grindelwald had conjured up massive rocks, while Harry began transfiguring them into a range of weapons, animals, and other battle transfigurations as he began banishing them back at the Aurors, who could barely scrounge up any sort of defense. Dumbledore was doing his best to disarm Harry's creations, but they were too numerous. In a last ditch effort, the headmaster shot a torrent of water at Harry, but Grindelwald had frozen it with a flick of his wrist, and Harry broke it into thousands of pieces, sending the icicles flying back at the man who then turned it all to sand. In that time, Harry was on the remaining Aurors in a flash. Chase was attempting to engage him, but Harry merely pounded him with blasting curses and bone breakers, downing the man in seconds.

Grindelwald barked out a command and Harry instantly obeyed when he comprehended the word, "Shield!"

A dome-like protection appeared in front of the duo as a blast of lightning nearly shattered Harry's spell, and another large piece of rock that seemed to come from the sky nearly broke what remained of the shield. In return, Grindelwald flashed his wand in a large horizontal slashing motion, downing over half a dozen Aurors in one strike. Harry's eyes widened at the spell he had never seen before, and he glanced questioningly at the man who was smiling widely. It was a moment they had long awaited for. In Harry's mind it would always be against Death Eaters, not ICW Aurors, but still, the thrill of battling beside his magical mentor was something he would likely never forget.

A few minutes passed with the numbers dwindling, until only the three magical Titans were all that were left standing. Dumbledore was heaving for breath when Grindelwald and Harry stopped bombarding him with magic. The two stood before him looking as fresh as when they started, while the tired man seemed to be nearing defeat. Grindelwald spoke