Hogwarts: Era of Darkness

"I'm sorry it's like this, but you must understand." I began, looking at the group and nodding towards Krum before my eyes scanned over the girl I also recognized. I didn't need to think for long to recall that she was named Hermione before I let my gaze finally settle back to Neville.

"I do." He smiled, looking back and forth between us, "Say, the news... Are they real?"

"They are." We answered in tandem, "I am not playing around this time, Neville. I know you are with the Order, but I consider them an enemy."

"I understand... But not everyone is one."

"I understand that too, but it won't make me rethink it..."

"What are your goals?" Hermione asked, stepping forward, looking directly at us, and surprising me with her intensive gaze.

"To defeat both sides and make it so that the wizarding world can start anew." I answered without waiting, and it was Quincy who continued explaining it.

"Right now, there is a battle for control, for power, and both sides have already lost their ways. I don't care what they say; we see them as equally guilty of the same thing. One is fighting to be an immortal wizard, while the other is on a quest to collect three magical instruments to become basically the same. Their methods may differ, but their effects on people and their lives are the same."

"I don't think he would do that..." Neville whispered, but his voice betrayed his already shaken belief. "And I don't think they are the same!"

"We know he would... and we saw how they operate, killing off their own. Tell me if that is in any way, shape, or form different than how HE does it."

"How you know?" Krum asked, wanting to know more, but I wasn't going to reveal that. If they want to learn it, it is up to them to figure it out.

"You already know that I can't answer that. I will also not try to convince you to believe me nor to fight for me."

"What will you do to those who are stuck on one side or the other?" Hermione questioned us, looking intently at our faces, barely blinking her eyes, "Those who don't want to be part of it all yet have no choice?"

"We will give them a chance to quit." I answered, and I couldn't help but watch their surprised looks.

"You will understand soon enough." Quincy added with a giggle, "Those who are the victims of circumstances will have their chance to step away. They only need a little help, and it will arrive soon enough. If they refuse it... Stay, and we will consider you part of your respected camp."

"And you will show no mercy to them." She added quickly because she vividly remembered what happened to Fleur that day she got involved in it all.

"We won't." We answered in unison, and I hoped that our answer had enough strength behind it so they would know we weren't joking around.

"I believe you." Hermione whispered, finally closing her eyes, taking a deep breath, and stepping back, her mind already set. "I can get you allies if I return to Beauxbatons."

"Really?" We asked, surprised because neither of us expected a helping hand from there of all places.

"Yes." She nodded resolutely, "There are many there who were helped by your father, and if I explain it well... I know that there would be a handful who would return with me."

"Well... I won't say no to new helping hands, but make sure you tell them it is not going to be easy."

"Nor safe." Quincy warned her, "This is not a game."

"I am aware of it."

"I can go back to Durmstrang." Krum said, seemingly feeling the same way as Hermione.

"Durmstrang is settled." I interjected, "They are out of the battle, and we do not want to drag any of the major schools into this. Our goal is to snuff this out here, fix Hogwarts, and establish a balance once again. Decades-long degeneracy has transformed everything into something that is responsible for our current lives. We are not the only ones who were chased off like this, but we are the lucky ones, people who had the option to fight back. I will end it and ensure that the new generation has a say in rebuilding it instead of some ancient bastard declaring what will happen. Both sides are old, so it is time to forcefully retire them and give a chance to the young."

"I believe in what the Order stands for." After thinking a little, Neville expressed his honest beliefs; I wasn't angry hearing it. I understood where he was coming from and was sure he was also correct. But I didn't care anymore. They had to be gone, just like the Death Eaters. They were the same type of cancer. If they give up peacefully, so be it, but they must be disbanded one way or another. "What if... What if The Order has a change in management?"

"..."

"What you think?" Krum asked, furrowing his brows.

"I realize that the Order has changed a lot, but you can't blame them for it. Their intention was good, but their views got... skewed. I can change it. It isn't late!" He said, looking at me confidently, "I know people who would agree, and there are some of them who are high up enough to make a change. I know them to be rational enough to see it if I confront them with it. They should be willing to sit down and listen to me."

"I understand." I sighed but continued before he could say anything, "I still won't change my stance. The Order must be gone like the Death Eaters."

"..."

"If you convince others and leave, I am not going to pursue it." I added, looking at my old friend, "Good luck with that, Neville."

"Mhm. I'll do it, you just watch." He smiled, feeling fired up.

"How can we contact you?" Hermione asked before we disappeared.

"Look for Luna." Quincy answered as both of our faces began to distort as the spell was wearing off. "She is an excellent witch. She will stay in contact with you."

"Okie-dokie." Luna nodded, standing at the side, observing the whole conversation with great curiosity, sipping on a chocolate milkshake that she had pulled out from who knows where.

"See you guys later." I chuckled before the fire was gone, and they were left alone while we found ourselves back in our home, pulling out our heads from the fireplace.

"It should be fine." Grindelwald nodded, canceling his spell and countering anybody who would try to spy on our conversation or follow the possible little magical crumbs back to us.

"Yeah, it should be." I mumbled, scratching my chin, "Things... just got really interesting."

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"You are coming with me?" Hermione asked, a day after their meeting with Conrad and Quincy. She was trying to mask her happiness, yet she couldn't help but smile honestly while she looked at Krum with warmly glinting eyes.

"Yeah. It is logical."

"Hehe... it is..."

"I guess we won't meet for a time, huh?" Neville chuckled, glancing at the two before they all turned towards him, shaking his hands, and Krum patted him on the shoulders with such force he felt it would hurt even tomorrow.

"Good luck. You need it."

"I feel it is the right way. Conrad is correct in what he said, but some of his... ideas may be too drastic after what happened to him and his father. I will try to save my friends, be it in the Order or him."

"You can do it." Hermione nodded at Neville, "I believe in you."

"Thanks. Well, saying goodbyes is not my forte. Later?"

"Later." They repeated and watched as Neville disappeared.

"We will go by boat." Hermione chuckled, reaching out and holding Krum's hand in hers. "It won't take long!"

"I don't mind." He smiled at her, interlocking his fingers with hers as they also left, intending to return to Beauxbatons and have a talk with its headmaster.

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Two days after we met with the goblins, we woke up to surprising news from a visiting goblin servant. He was an Italian wizard who, for some reason, was speaking candidly with Grindelwald when we walked into the conference room, holding onto our morning coffee.

"Let me introduce you to Luca. His father served under me, and after my failure, they found refuge in the service of Old Silver."

"And he doesn't look annoyed?" I asked, unable to hold back my sarcasm.

"It is fine." Luca chuckled, speaking perfect English, switching quickly, running his fingers through his black, wavy hair. I couldn't tell how old he was because he looked twenty and forty at once. How weird... "Serving the family is not that bad because I could enjoy luxuries that I wouldn't have otherwise. I may not be 'free' per se, but they reward good work. I think I have more wealth than some accomplished wizarding families."

"Mmmh. I see. Well, Mister Luca, what brings you here then?"

"I came to give you two the very first payment and bring back something to my Lord."

With a snap of his fingers, fourteen massive chests appeared in the room, and they opened one after another, revealing so much gold that I could see nothing but yellow for a while.

"Damn. That was fast." I whistled, summoning a sealed parchment. "The password is Open Sesame." I said, giving it over to him, unable to tear my eyes off the chests as if I had been turned into a dragon or something. "Who did you steal this from?"

"Both sides." He answered candidly, giggling as if it was the funniest story he had ever heard. "Half of it comes from Death Eaters' vaults, and the other half comes from members of the Order. Both sides have been pushing to get control over Gringotts... so, my Lord had decided it is time to fight back."

"I think I get your stance now, Mister Luca..." I mumbled, running my finger over the first box of shining coins, "I think I also like goblins."