Strings Attached

Chapter 17

"Don't write a letter. Just do what you are doing. Because I will be joining you soon." Celeste said, as she finally completed her pep talk.

"Yes, understood. But I am still skeptical about this." Newt said, his lips in thin line. "We don't have a choice, Newt." Celeste said, shrugging on her faux leather coat.

"Where are you going though?" Queenie asked, ready in her travel cloak. "Germany. My father and some other aurors were having trouble in tracking down this acolyte. We now know the location so we are gonna bomb it today." Celeste said, gesturing to the letter that came in the morning.

"Stay safe." Newt said, his gaze piercing through Celeste's. Celeste just smiled and nodded her head. She headed out, apparating near the British ministry.

Her heart was racing as she approached ministry. As she entered the ministry, she was greeted by a bustling ministry. She took a deep breath before heading towards her office.

Leta was waiting for her already as she approached her office. "Celeste, you need to go to the German ministry of magic quickly. The Minister of Magic thinks the acolyte knows the location of Grindelwald." She said, following Celeste into the office.

"Oh not again. Rushing me is always an option for him." Celeste grumbled, fixing her coat. "Tell him I am already there. I need to get over with this thing soon." Celeste said, removing her coat, and hanging it on the coat rack.

"Ok, anything else Celeste?" Leta asked. "No thank you. Just page Mr. Gilbert Fischer with the rest of my schedule." Celeste said, before making a gesture that made a green fire come alive in the chimney.

"As you say. Have a safe journey." Leta said, walking out of the office. Celeste stepped into the green flames and exclaimed the place where she had to be.

She appeared in the office of the German minister, who seemed to be waiting for her. "Ah, Madam Scamander. Everyone is awaiting your presence." The German minister said in his thick German accent.

"Es tut mir leid, minister. I apologize for my tardiness. I was not informed about the change before." Celeste said, following the minister out of his office.

"Es ist in Ordnung. Minister Fawley offered your help earlier." The minister said, leading the woman to where the prisoner was kept.

"Anything I should know, minister?" Celeste asked, her wand was already in her hand. "He seems to have the location of Grindelwald or perhaps his further plan. But he hasn't opened his mouth. Your father tried his best." Minister said, making Celeste nod her head.

She stepped in the prison ward, and her father was standing there, trying to get an answer. "Mr. Fischer, your duty is done here. Leave it to me." Celeste said, her voice booming in the prison.

Her father nodded his head, and stepped back. Celeste grabbed a chair and sat in front of him. "So, are you gonna cooperate or will I have to force you to do so?" Celeste asked, staring in the eyes of acolyte.

"You can't make me speak." He said, his lips pulled in a mocking grin. The slap that Celeste planted on his cheek resounded across the room. "I will literally slap that grin off your face without even trying. So be a good puppy, tell me. What is Grindelwald planning and where is he?" Celeste asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Do you think physically attacking me is going to do a thing? You are lying to yourself if you think that you can make me talk. You might be most feared amongst your kind, but I am not afraid of you." He said, sneering at the woman.

"Let me demonstrate why wizards and witches fear me." Celeste said, moving her wand and casting a curse under her breath.

And as though pushed into his wildest nightmare, the acolyte started to trash on the chair, trying to break the bond.

"No no, not them. Please don't kill Grindelwald." He begged the invisible entity while Celeste and other aurors watched him trashing.

After thinking that her methods have cracked a layer, Celeste lifted the curse. "So still the tough guy?" Celeste asked, an eyebrow raised in mocking him.

"You can't do anything even if I tell you. I don't know where he is. I just know that he wants an acolyte gathered in paris. Where? No idea. He doesn't share any plans with anyone. We get a signal, and we apparate there." The acolyte said, breathing heavily and his eyes frantic with fear.

"What kind of gathering?" Celeste asked, twirling her wand between her fingers. "Something about getting two of his weapons and getting people on his side for the civil war. I swear it's all I know. Don't make me see that again." The acolyte begged, eyes getting teary.

Celeste nodded towards the group of auror before standing up. "See, it wasn't that hard." Celeste said, before turning around on her heels and was about to exit the prison with her father.

But the acolyte had different plans. "You should be on your guard Celeste Scamander. You don't know what you are getting into and what will be the result of this. But I assure you that it's going to destroy your little world." The acolyte said, his voice filled with venom.

Celeste turned her neck a bit, raising her brows. "We will see about that. Right now, be worried about yourself." Celeste said, walking out of the prison.