(Gilderoy Lockhart)
Sunday, February 26, 1995
Every few weeks, whenever I managed to escape my ever-growing mountain of responsibilities for an afternoon, I would Apparate to one of the best-kept secrets in magical Britain.
An old manor hidden beneath so many layers of concealment that even I occasionally had to double-check I was walking in the right direction.
To the rest of the world...
Gellert Grindelwald was dead.
Or so the official records claimed.
Only three people knew the truth.
Albus.
Myself.
And the supposedly deceased Dark Lord currently enjoying his retirement in a comfortable countryside manor.
I still maintained that Albus had gone too far when he insisted on giving him a garden.
According to Grindelwald, tending roses was "surprisingly therapeutic."
According to me...
The greatest Dark Lord before Voldemort spending his mornings arguing with gnomes over flower beds was one of the funniest things I had ever witnessed.
As I reached the front door, it swung open before I had the chance to knock.
"I know you're there, Gilderoy," came Grindelwald's irritated voice from somewhere inside.
"I can hear you admiring yourself in the window."
I coughed awkwardly. "I was merely ensuring the journey hadn't diminished my handsomeness."
"It hasn't."
I could practically hear the roll of his eyes.
"Excellent." I stepped inside.
The manor was warm and surprisingly cosy.
Bookshelves lined nearly every wall, magical portraits debated politics amongst themselves, and a roaring fireplace filled the sitting room with pleasant warmth.
Grindelwald sat comfortably in an armchair, a thick book resting on one knee and a steaming cup of tea balanced on the armrest.
He barely looked up.
"What are you doing here? I have nothing else to teach you."
He turned a page. "And you still refuse to learn my disguise spells."
I gasped dramatically.
"And hide this handsome face?" I placed a hand over my heart as though mortally offended.
"Absolutely not."
Only then did Grindelwald lower his book. "I truly don't understand you."
He studied me for a moment.
"You already disguise yourself every time you transform into your Animagus."
"That's different." I shook my head firmly.
"My Animagus is merely another aspect of my magnificence."
I spread my arms grandly. "It is still me."
"The glorious Gilderoy Lockhart simply happens to become an equally glorious lion."
Grindelwald pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I refuse to alter who I am."
I continued as though he hadn't interrupted.
"Disguises are useful for spies."
I pointed dramatically at him.
"But I am a leader."
"A general."
"A symbol."
"When I march into battle, my followers should immediately recognise the dazzling beacon leading them to victory."
Grindelwald stared at me for several long seconds. "...You really believe every word you just said."
"I do."
He sighed. "I hate admitting it… But I agree with part of it."
I blinked. "You do?"
"A leader shouldn't hide." He leaned back in his chair.
"The men following him must know exactly who they're following."
He paused. "However..."
His sharp eyes fixed on mine. "A wise leader also knows when to become someone else."
"When survival demands it."
"When information demands it."
"When victory demands it."
"I've worn more faces than you can imagine."
He smiled faintly. "And every single one brought me closer to my objective."
I shrugged. "Perhaps. But I still refuse. I worked far too hard to become this handsome."
Grindelwald let out a weary sigh that suggested I was personally responsible for several of his wrinkles.
"Your vanity remains astonishing."
"What can I say, it's my greatest strength."
"It's your greatest flaw." He deadpanned.
"Tomato, tomahto."
He looked genuinely confused. "What?"
"...Never mind."
Silence settled comfortably between us.
Eventually he closed his book. "Very well. If you're not here to learn, then what brings you to my humble abode?"
"Oh." I snapped my fingers.
"Right. I almost forgot."
Grindelwald raised an eyebrow.
"I've been investigating someone, have you heard of Ivan Karkaroff?"
"The Durmstrang champion?"
"The very same."
Grindelwald nodded slowly. "I've seen his name in the newspapers. He seems remarkably talented."
"He is." I folded my arms. "Perhaps too talented."
"I've spent the last few months quietly looking into him."
"School records."
"Ministry archives."
"Competition registrations."
"Old newspapers."
"Family histories."
"And?" He lifted a brow.
I frowned thoughtfully. "Everything checks out. But… There are tiny inconsistencies. The sort most people would never notice."
Grindelwald became interested. "What kind?"
"Nothing definitive." I began pacing.
"A teacher remembering him differently."
"A date that doesn't quite line up."
"Documents that appear authentic… yet somehow lack history."
He nodded slowly. "As though someone fabricated an entire life."
"Exactly." I stopped pacing.
"My conclusion… is that Ivan Karkaroff may not have existed before last year."
Grindelwald blinked once, "...Use Legilimency."
I looked scandalised. "What?"
"It would answer your question in five minutes."
"It probably would."
"Then why haven't you?"
I shook my head. "No. Unless I'm dealing with a criminal… or a genuine life-or-death situation… I refuse to abuse mind magic."
Grindelwald raised an eyebrow. "You?"
"Me." I nodded.
"I've already misused it enough for one lifetime." I smiled ruefully. "I'd rather not repeat my mistakes."
"I don't mind a superficial brush. Surface thoughts are one thing. But to truly uncover who someone is… I'd have to dig deeply."
"And I won't do that lightly."
For several seconds, Grindelwald simply looked at me. Then he chuckled.
"You know… Albus said almost exactly the same thing."
I looked up immediately. "Oh?"
My curiosity won instantly. "He's been visiting?"
Grindelwald smirked. "Now and then."
I leaned forward conspiratorially. "Well? How are things between you two? I hope you haven't been arguing."
Grindelwald gave me a thoroughly unimpressed look. "...You're gossiping."
"I prefer to think of it as maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships."
A snort escaped the old wizard. "I spent decades trying to conquer Europe. And now..."
He slowly shook his head. "...I'm apparently discussing my social life with a narcissistic brat."
I smiled brightly. "Life takes unexpected turns."
…