Strings Attached

Chapter 20

"I speak nothing but the truth. You know how the last war devastated you and your colleagues. Why do you not see that muggles need magical intervention." Grindelwald questioned, making Celeste scoff. "All you want is supremacy. To enslave wizards and muggles. The world saw your face back in New York. So kindly patronise someone else." Celeste replied, coolly.

Grindelwald chuckled, moving his gaze from around his supporters to Celeste, who held his stare with equal power and effectiveness. "They disagree. These people disagree." Grindelwald said, spreading his arms wide. The crowd cheered for him. Celeste just shook his head.

"They are the same people who would hunt muggles for sport. Their word is not holy grail." Celeste said, folding her hands behind and descending down the stairs. "They are the people who thinks half bloods and muggle-born are not witch or wizard enough." She continued before stopping in front of the circle of white flame.

"So tell me, why should I waste my time on mundane talks?" Celeste asked, staring directly into the wizard's mismatched eyes. He chuckled, tilting his head like he knew something that nobody knows. "Your mother's fire. I always liked that about her." Grindelwald said, before walking to the right side of the stage to address people. How did he know her mother?

"The Aurors murdered us- who want nothing but freedom- and tortured me because i have desire to express myself and not hide." Grindelwald said,. Celeste gritted her teeth as she drew in a deep breath.

"No one tortured you, Grindelwald. You destroyed an entire city in your pursuit of power. You want nothing but power over people who can't stand up to you. So, spare us the energy and surrender." Celeste growled, lifted her wand in an offensive position.

Grindelwald chuckled and shook his head as if he found this humorous. "Oh sweetie, this meeting has everything to do with you. Do you think you have everything under control or you know everything?" Grindelwald asked, moving back to her.

He had a smirk on his face as he approached until it was only white flames separating them. Celeste kept glaring at the man who kept smirking. "Who are your parents?" He asked, and as if his words held some gravity the entire auditorium was silent to let Grindelwald speak.

"Resorting to stupid questions? I thought I would never see that day but here we are." Celeste commented, not lowering her wand. "Do you think Stephanie Fischer gave birth to you?" Grindelwald asked, tilting his head in amusement. "Everyone, take your position. He is trying to distract us. Nobody leaves this place."Celeste ordered.

Her eyes inspected the white flames, trying to come up with a plan to cross the flames. "Do you think people around you are telling you the truth?" He asked, stepping closer. The flames separated to let him walk a little bit further.

Celeste did not budge and kept her wand trained at him, ready to utter knockback jinx. "You are not their daughter. They just raised you, but you do not share the blood relation with them." Grindelwald said. The whole auditorium looked at each other and whispers broke out.

"Petty moves, Grindelwald. That's pretty low blow if you want to recruit me." Celeste said, her grip on her wand tightening. "Why would I need to lie to you to get you on my side? You are not a fischer, Celeste. You are a Grindelwald." Grindelwald said, and it was all needed for Celeste to let it all lose.

She fired a knockback jinx, knocking Grindelwald back to the stage with a loud thud and everyone started to shout and scream. "SILENCE! ABSOLUTE SILENCE!" Celeste screamed, making the people rushing towards her halt. She is scary when she's angry. She sent two hexes at the lady inside and a man near Grindelwald, knocking them back as well.

Nobody dared to move, Noone dared to raise their wands, not even the acolytes. Celeste looked around with wild anger dancing in her eyes, sending shivers down everyone's spine. Gilbert and Theseus shared a look before trying to look for a way out from the crowd.