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In the Dark, A Zabini/ Grindelwald fanfic	By : blaisegellert Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 1326 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: mature, m/m, Harry Potter fandom, no money is made off this project.

Chapter List
- 74
- 75
- 76
Gellert Grindelwald had never truly experienced anxiety before. Oh he understood the meaning of the word, and even believed he'd experienced it until reentering New York City for the first time in over half a century. It was then that anxiety, like a wicked demon, engulfed him.
They'd spent a few pleasurable weeks in Germany, but when Blaise suggested their next stop be America, so they could look into the Picquery situation, Gellert knew he was right. Best attack one's past enemies before they somehow managed to attack him again. Of course they should have no way of knowing that he was even still alive, but considering the fact Gellert still had no idea how they'd known how to take him down in the past, that hardly mattered. In this case, the unknown was too dangerous to be allowed to remain a mystery.
America had grown in astounding leaps and bounds over the past six decades. Everything about the country had gotten bigger. They even served more food than any other country at many of their restaurants. It was no wonder so many of them had problems with their weight. And the people! No matter where they went, there were so very many people everywhere!
Though the clutter that Gellert felt America had become was unpleasant, it wasn't the reason for his nearly paralyzing anxiety. Being quite self aware, he knew precisely what his problem was. Being here where so much had happened that contributed to his downfall got to him more than he expected. Though his mind knew that he had returned to do the necessary research to settle that old score, his emotions were certain that he may be walking into a trap. This put at risk all he had. His intense love and friendship with Blaise, the family connection he had with the Zabini's, and his youth and freedom.
He knew if he expressed as much to Blaise, the dark haired wizard would promise to protect him with all he had. The Italian Cabal, his family's advanced skill with poison's, even Adler's connections if it came to it. Normally all of those assurances would've given Gellert comfort. In this case, however, what if THEY (whoever they were) took Blaise as well? What if he put the only person he loved more than himself at risk?
The unknown had taken him down before and it was the unknown that fed his anxiety now. It was difficult to get his bearings among the excessive over crowding of people, buildings, Muggle cars, trains, trucks, buses and his own brain freezing anxiety.
"Is something the matter," Blaise asked, placing a concerned hand on his arm as they paused at a street corner.
A disheveled homeless muggle woman with a tired face and a shopping cart full of miscellaneous clutter passed them and Gellert found himself cringing back slightly.
"There is too much garbage in this city. The growth of New York has not improved it over the decades."
Blaise nodded, smirking in understanding.
"Be they Muggles or lower class wizards like the Weasleys, they all reek of what I call poorfume."
Gellert burst into sudden laughter, and this at last eased the unrelenting grip anxiety had on his mind.
"So," Blaise asked, leaning slightly closer and resting a light hand on Gellert's back.
"Is everything alright?"
He spoke in a near whisper.
At that, Gellert felt himself relaxing even more. He'd been two seconds away from telling Blaise that they had to go home and regroup, but perhaps that wouldn't be necessary. If he could keep the anxiety at bay, they could run the general reconnaissance they'd come here to do. The fact that Blaise had spoken so quietly, indicated that he understood the need for caution here in particular. He always understood Gellert like no one else, but apparently he could calm his anxiety as well.
"Everything is alright now," he replied, giving Blaise a smile.
"You have even more skills than either of us suspected," he said, hearing his own voice coming out a little shakily.
He sighed, feeling each anxiety tightened muscle in his body unwinding.
"I lost it there for a moment," he explained, leaning closer to murmur so that his voice didn't carry just in case anyone on the crowded street happened to be listening.
Was this paranoia? Yes it was! He had too much to lose now not to be overly careful, though. And though Blaise had calmed him, that anxiety was poised and waiting to return at the slightest provocation.
"It is more difficult to return here than I had guessed."
Sudden understanding showed on Blaise's face and he reached for Gellert's hand. Lacing their fingers together he held on firmly, and Gellert felt his heart expanding with how good that felt, emotionally as well as physically. Support. It was the feeling of having the support he'd never needed before because he was enough for him. This, though, it was nice and he squeezed back and hung on.
"We've got this, sweetheart," Blaise assured.
Somehow the endearment, coming from Blaise of all people, made him melt inside. Damned emotions. They were out in droves today almost as much as all the damned Muggles!
"I know we do," he said, speaking to himself as much as to his partner in all things.
"If you have any bad feelings, we'll leave and go anywhere you want. Remember that," Blaise said, and the intense reassurance in his tone made Gellert relax even more.
Sighing he nodded.
"Yes."
While in Germany, they'd asked Bramble to have Wolfgang look into where Picquery was now. They had an address for her in Atlanta and one in New York. According to the information Wolfgang was able to root out, she spent autumn in her New York home. Blaise and Gellert planned to scope out the place under disillusionment.
The plan was just to get a feel for this new New York tonight and deal with Picquery the next night. Now Gellert wasn't sure that his anxiety would allow him to wait. Perhaps it was best to just get it over with.
"Are you too hungry to wait on dinner," he asked Blaise.
The dark haired wizard shook his head, giving Gellert an inquisitive look.
"It's just that now that we're here, I'd like to get this over with as quickly as possible," he admitted.
"Then let's do that," Blaise said without question.
Gellert grinned.
"Gods I love you."
They entered the nearest restaurant, a crowded hole that served Mexican fast food. The cultural melting pot that was America had developed even more (culture) over the decades, and lost a lot as well, Gellert thought, wrinkling his nose in distaste as they looked around for the men's room.
Once inside, they slipped into a stall, using the privacy it afforded to apparate back into their hotel room. As always, Bramble had their room booked under the Zabini name the day before they arrived. They were staying in Manhattan's hotel for wizards. It was called Merlin's Cave and quaintly each room looked to be carved from rough stone just like a cave. Grindelwald had to admit the hotel was engaging. Now if the rest of the city could just catch up.
Blaise opened one of their trunks and rummaged around until he came up with a small cloth shoe bag. He and Gellert had enchanted the shoes it held before leaving Germany. They were charming gold colored satin dancing slippers. The first enchantment laid upon them was harmless and even useful. It ensured the shoe would adjust to perfectly fit whatever size foot put it on. The next enchantment compelled the wearer to dance until their heart stopped. The final charm made all the other enchantments on the shoes dissipate as if they'd never existed once the dancer stopped dancing.
Along with the shoes, the bag also held a small bottle of veritaserum. Bag in hand, Blaise closed the trunk and straightened, turning to Gellert.
"Ready?"
Gellert took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and nodded.
"Yes. Let's get this done."
He grinned at Blaise who smiled back.
"Want to take a piss before we leave? It wouldn't do to need to piss in the midst of dealing with Picquery."
Gellert laughed.
"You think of everything! And that's so true."
They relieved themselves, then cloaked themselves in disillusionment before apparating hand in hand to the address they had for Picquery's town house. Gellert knew the area but like everything else, it had changed a great deal. While some of the older buildings remained there were far more new ones which only created clutter and killed the once brash yet glorious beauty of the city. Picquery's door only sported the most basic of hex locks. Apparently she felt overly safe, Gellert thought angrily. He looked forward to that changing very soon. On the bright side for her, she wouldn't have to live too long with her new found feeling of unsafety.
Working together, they easily disengaged the hex locks on the door without setting off any trips or alarms and replaced them so as to draw no notice. The woman had made a mistake resting on her laurels in her old age, Gellert thought grimly. No matter how much time passed, one should never do that without a literal wall of fire to protect them if they were wise. Apparently Seraphina Picquery wasn't as wise as she and many others believed her to be.
With silencing charms on their feet, the two prowled the townhouse hand in hand only to find it entirely empty, at least for the moment.
"Perhaps she's gone out for the evening," Blaise said, speaking in a hushed tone so it wouldn't carry if someone approached the door from the outside.
"Or she isn't staying here at present," Gellert added the next possibility.
"We'll have to wait out the rest of the evening to find out. We may as well search the place while we wait."
- 74
- 75
- 76
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In the Dark, A Zabini/ Grindelwald fanfic