Chereads / THE RISE OF GRINDELWALD / Chapter 22 - New Allies and Circle of Khanna

Chapter 22 - New Allies and Circle of Khanna

@ USA, New Jersey, Kedward Family Manor.

 

In the vast world, MACUSA is the only country that is seeing massive Muggle improvement with their own eyes.

 

The Kedward Family:

Johnathan Gates Kedward (Father)**: Head of the house Kedward, comes from a Half-blood family, very influential among American Wizards, runs the Gates Wizarding Group of Companies. Mia Thorns Kedward nee Cromwell (Mother)**: Well-versed in politics and business, her father has an enormous amount of wealth, which is not yet distributed. Seeks a fitting successor. May Parker Kedward (Daughter)**: Twin sister of Evans, good-for-nothing in appearance, but a natural at legilimency. Evans Victor Kedward (Son)**: Good with wits and divination, warns his family and helps amass wealth. Wishes to attend Hogwarts instead of Ilvermorny to witness global changes.

 

The Alliance:

The Kedward family, along with the Cromwell, Jones, and Boot families, wrote letters to Gellert Grindelwald, sharing their support when they saw young Valerius producing alternate ways of creating complex potions. Gellert accepted them and assigned some work in magical Britain, focusing on investing and making them investors. Valerius succeeded in his first year at Hogwarts. Gellert's next plan involved placing a powerful witch in the Ministry of Magic to eventually succeed as the Minister.

 

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Adrian left for the Prewett house in Godric's Hollow, where he had his own family house-elf, so the Headmistress allowed him to go out.

 

Setting: Grindelwald Manor, Westminster City

 

Asher: "Welcome, Miss Kedward. Young master Valerius anticipated your arrival." After guiding her to her seat, Asher asked, "Would you like some coffee or tea?"

 

Mia: "A coffee, please."

 

Asher: "Sure, Miss Mia."

 

Valerius entered the room. "Welcome, Miss Kedward."

 

Mia blushed slightly. "Oh, please call me Mia."

 

Valerius: "Anything you wish. Gramps told me that you will be the person who will join the position in Magical Britain."

 

Mia: "Yes, I am here to join the alliance again."

 

Valerius, using a cold tone, asked, "Mia, what is your end goal in joining the alliance?"

 

Mia smirked. "The purpose of joining is to live a comfortable life, void of any trouble, and make contributions to society while building the reputation of the Kedward family."

 

Valerius: "As expected of the Kedwards. I thought you would spout nonsense, but thank God. Always remember, in the chess game called politics, there are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent interests. If you think about it well, you will survive and make a good name. Who knows, the next minister could be you."

 

Mia's thoughts echoed, "Next minister could be you, next minister could be you, next minister could be you..."

 

Valerius: "Now stop daydreaming. Here is the letter."

 

He handed her a letter entitled "From the Brazilian Ministry."

 

Valerius made Rosier get a recommendation letter for Mia. Fudge has a huge debt from Brazil on his account, which he used for elections. Rosier convinced Fudge that he could keep the interest rate from rising if he allowed someone to work inside the ministry with him. Surprisingly, he accepted it and even demanded skilled people, despite being in a position to do so unconditionally.

 

Mia looked at the letter and asked, "Brazil Ministry?"

 

Valerius: "I have people working for me in Brazil. If you pass this letter to Fudge, he will give you a seat next to him."

 

Mia: "But how? We already have an Under Secretary."

 

Valerius: "I guess you don't have the habit of reading newspapers, Miss?"

 

Mia: "I have the habit, but I didn't get Britain's subscription yet."

 

Valerius handed her today's newspaper. "Read the headlines for me."

 

Mia read, "Under Secretary Dolores Jane Umbridge accidentally hurt herself while practicing dark magic, costing her own life."

 

Valerius: "I took away the obstacle in front of you. I am looking forward to your cooperation, Miss Mia."

 

Mia, sweat dropping: "Sur-sure, Mr. Grindelwald. I-I will be on my way to the Ministry."

 

Valerius: "Good. Don't worry, Mia, I will assist you if things go bad and make sure you succeed. After you share an alliance with a Grindelwald, never worry."

 

Mia's face brightened slightly. Seeing Valerius, she thought it was the best decision in her life to form an alliance with the Grindelwald.

 

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Mia left the manor with determination, ready to step into her new role. Valerius watched her go, knowing that their alliance was growing stronger with each new member.

 

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**King's Cross Station**

 

Valerius boarded the Hogwarts Express, finding a familiar face waiting for him.

 

Nott: "Hi, Val."

 

Valerius: "Hi, how are you, Max?"

 

Nott: "Doing well, Val. I've been practicing the spells you taught me."

 

Valerius: "Good to hear from you."

 

Valerius and Nott occupied a vacant compartment. Soon, Evergreen, Cecilia, Orion, and Adrian joined them. The train seemed to fit students from rival houses like Gryffindor and Slytherin together in the same compartment. It was a hard-earned change brought by Valerius.

 

Through the journey, Valerius was engrossed in a book called "The Red-eyed Soul Eater," which delved into the concepts of souls, magical rituals, and strengthening bloodlines.

 

Cecilia, curious: "Val, are you ready for the exams?"

 

Valerius: "Yes, I am ready to face the exams."

 

As they reached Hogwarts, they enjoyed the Christmas feast and then went to their dorms—except Valerius, who wandered to the library's restricted section. He was searching for power, the kind that could destroy an entire army with a single spell, a spell that Protego Diabolica couldn't compare to. Hogwarts had a vast library with texts in Latin, Old English, Old Norse, and Irish Gaelic. Unfortunately, Valerius only knew Latin and could somewhat read Old English. But Norse and Irish Gaelic were a huge challenge.

 

Valerius thought, "I can't proceed into the restricted section without having a solid understanding. It might be why Gramps insisted on learning old languages whenever I was free. Where can I find Old Norse and Irish Gaelic?"

 

Valerius cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and went to his bed.

 

The next morning, Valerius followed his routine and taught dueling to friends in the evening.

 

Merula interfered.

 

Merula: "Hey Grindelwald…"

 

As Valerius turned, he saw Merula, Cedric, Michael Jackson (Jacob's brother), Barnaby Lee, Penny Haywood, and Rowan Khanna.

 

Valerius: "I never wanted to see some faces, but there are some new ones too. What do you want, Merula?"

 

Cedric: "Don't be rude to your senior, Grindelwald."

 

Valerius: "Shoo, shoo, a mosquitos are pestering me."

 

Cedric, enraged: "You are underestimating me, Grindelwald!"

 

Michael Jackson: "Wait, I have heard about you, Mr. Grindelwald. You have defeated many in dueling. Merula is the best dueler we have, so I would like to invite you to our small group."

 

Jackson explained the details: what, when, and where.

 

Valerius: "I will help you when you are in need, but don't involve any students younger than third years in practical dueling, except me. I can't bear the mourning of young parents. Use them for information gathering inside Hogwarts."

 

Cedric: "That means…"

 

Valerius: "Yes, if I join, this will be the case, and you must be excluded."

 

Nott: "Val, why? Don't you believe in us?"

 

Valerius: "I am not a person who makes moves based on emotion, but pure logic. If seniors want me in their team to take down an ex-DADA professor, this is the condition."

 

Jackson, finding it reasonable: "Okay, I accept your conditions."

 

Cedric: "Jackson, you said to fight for your organization, now I find you distrustful."

 

Valerius: "At least you have parents, Cedric. Don't let them down."

 

Merula found herself sharing her situation with Valerius, realizing the complexities and sacrifices involved.