They tidied themselves after the battle, grabbed their luggage and headed to the portkey.
In just a few minutes they were standing in front of the Nurmengard Castle.
Abernathy was also waiting for them at the entrance.
"Hello, Uncle Abernathy. How are you, did the French Ministry give you a lot of trouble?"
"Hi Young Lord. I'm glad you care about me. I would be lying if I said they didn't, but nothing I can't handle." Abernathy answered. "Master is waiting for you in his room."
Oberon left his things in his room and went to meet his father.
"Hello, father. It has been some time." Oberon said.
"Hello, Oberon. I see that you haven't wasted your time." Gellert said as one of his eyes glowed while he looked at Oberon.
"As always, there is nothing I can't hide from you father."
"Your Innate Technique is developing in a different way from mine." Gellert said. "While I focus on the future seen by the stars and the moon, you are focusing on destiny and fate. This is truly a fascinating world, isn't it?"
"Thank you for your insights, father." Oberon commented respectfully.
"This aside, I want to thank you. Vinda has told me that one or two plans of my old friend have been ruined thanks to you. I shall reward you for it."
"There is no need for that father. All I did, I did it because I wanted to." Oberon said. "But there is something that has been troubling me, and I think I need your help."
"What's the matter, son?" Gellert asked preoccupied.
If something was troubling his son to the point of him asking for help, it should be serious. Also, if I haven't seen anything about it, it can't be good.
"A few months ago, after I killed the Troll King and awakened my Maximum Technique, I had a strange dream. Some eerie voices said that someone, a man, was coming. And that no one, not even you, would be able to save me from him."
Gellert closed his eyes and thought about what his son had told him.
"You have had a very special kind of prophetic dream. You have not seen the future but interacted with the Spirits of Time directly. They know about the future, or so they think. They just feed on the remains of possible futures."
Grindelwald went toward his desk and took a small red silk pouch from a drawer.
"I planned to gift this to you on Christmas, but I think we can make a unique exception this time," Grindelwald said as he handed the pouch to Oberon.
"What are they?"
"I remember you were looking for a very special relic a few years ago, but you never were able to find it." His father explained.
"Father! This can't be it…" Oberon said in surprise.
"Yes. It is what you think it is. The Ashes of Nostradamus." Gellert said. "They were very difficult to find. Shielded by tons of spells and anti-divination charms. But thankfully, and with the combined efforts of your Aunt, your Uncle and the whole Alliance, I was able to find them. So, it isn't just my gift, it's the whole Alliance gift."
"Thank you, father!" Oberon said as he hugged his father.
"I will teach you how to use them. A prophetic artefact can be very difficult to use. I spent years until I completely mastered my Hypatia's Astrolabe."
Grindelwald waved his hand and runes started to appear on the floor. After some time of intricate designs being drawn, a very sophisticated magic circle was finally completed.
Grindelwald signalled his son to sit on it.
Oberon sat in the centre of the circle and heard his father's explanation.
"Use the relic as a catalyst to use your Innate Technique. Remember, you are a Grindelwald. Your ability to divinate isn't just your Innate Technique, it flows as more than that in your veins."
Oberon controlled his Magic Energy to flow into the red pouch where the ashes were.
Ash started coming out of the pouch and surrounding Oberon. Runes and symbols appeared from time to time on them.
"You must look into the future and make the future you see the one that will happen." Gellert instructed his son.
Oberon recalled that strange dream and the ashes reacted to it. He opened his eyes, an ethereal light coming out from them.
In the ashes, images started to appear.
A pale and thin man wearing a purple tunic appeared. A lot of people were worshipping him as if he was a god. And an enormous shadow-like substance was behind him.
Out of the countless prayers, one name could be discerned, Lysander.
Lysander raised his head and locked eyes with him.
"I will find you, Pendragon. I will find you…AND KILL YOU!"
The images in the ashes trembled, making them stop moving and falling to the floor.
"What have you seen my son?" Grindelwald asked.
"A man, being worshipped like a god. His name is Lysander. He referred to me as Pendragon and told me that he would kill me."
Grindelwald heard his son and started to act.
"Abernathy!"
Abernathy apparated in front of his master and kneeled.
"Yes, Master!"
"I need you to find information about a cult leader called Lysander. He is from Britain and has some relationship with the Pendragon Family. It should be from around a thousand years ago."
"Your orders will be complied." Abernathy said as he apparated out of Nurmengard Castle.
"Don't worry Oberon. Even though I won't be able to kill him, I can help you to prepare in advance." Grindelwald said. "How fickle can destiny be, can' it? It let me know about what my son will suffer, but don't let me interfere. This is the curse that we, the ones who can interact with fate and see through time, carry."
"Thank you, Father. I will prepare for whatever comes to me." Oberon said.
"Have you brought the cores of the Curse Spirit you killed?" Grindelwald asked.
"Yes." Oberon replied as he took out the cores from the Troll King and the sewers Cursed Spirits, which the MOEG has identified as a Thamesbane Stalker; a Cursed Spirit born from the pollution and negative emotions near the River Thames.
Gellert looked with detail at each Core.
"The Troll King Core is the best one. It has a high concentration of Magic Energy, higher than a normal semi-Special Grade one. It also has a lot of Blood Energy in it. Meanwhile, the Thamesbane Stalker Core is not bad, but not amazing either. It has a high concentration for a high-Grade 1 Curse, but it's normal if it is capable of making an Incomplete Domain. It has Water Energy in it but is in a small quantity."
Grindelwald returned the Cores to his son.
"I recommend you use the Troll King Core to make an armor. Armors made from Blood-related Curses have high-regenerative power and defense. Even more, if it comes from a Troll." Gellert explained.
"Father, could we use the core from the Thamesbane Stalker to make some sort of room where its incomplete domain can manifest?"
"It is difficult, but not impossible," Grindelwald said. "We must get a barrier expert and then use the core as a medium to manifest the barrier. But we also need something to fuel it aside from the core…"
"I can take care of that," Oberon said. "I have a lot of Magic Crystals in the vaults in Gringotts. We can also get some german Aurors from the recent battles and use them as fueling machines."
"I like your idea, son! Vinda!"
Vinda apparated in front of Gellert.
"Yes, Master!"
"Go to the dungeons and bring ten Aurors from the last battle in Deggendorf."
Vinda nodded as she apparated and apparated again, this time with ten men and women wearing rags on the floor.
"Oberon. Tell me, where is the Magic Energy of a Wizard located?"
"Mostly on the stomach. But it's not definite."
Grindelwald waved his hand and strange machines appeared on the floor.
"These are Magic Extractors," Gellert explained as he controlled them to attach them to the stomachs of the prisoners. "In reality, Magic Energy flows through every part of the body, but thanks to some Legilimenecy, now they think it is located in their stomachs. This makes the Magic Energy flow toward the stomach, facilitating the extraction."
The machines started moving and 'teeth' came out of a large tube. The teeth attached themselves to the stomach of the Aurors and started grinding it.
The Aurors screamed in pain but none of the people in the room blinked.
After some minutes, a blueish-transparent crystal appeared in the engine of the machine.
"This will work," Grindelwald said. "Let them rest one day and repeat the process until they can't continue." He stated while looking at Vinda.
"Oh! Could you give them to me when they are not useful anymore? I have been wanting to do some experiments for some time and didn't have any guinea pig to do it." Oberon said.
"Of course." His father replied.
They moved the prisoners with the Magic Extractor to the dungeons and left Gellert's room.
…
"Father, I know you told me that I will learn about the Domain Expansion in Hogwarts. But I am unable to do it. One of my teachers, Filius Flitwick, who is a semi-Special Grade Wizard, told me that I won't be able to unlock my Domain Expansion until I experience an epiphany. I already experienced one when fighting the Troll King, but I was only able to unlock my Maximum Technique."
"Then you already know the answer. Until you reach a higher level of enlightenment, you won't be able to use your Domain Expansion." Gellert replied. "But do not despair. I may not be able to tell you much, but I can tell you that it will reach sooner than later."
Oberon heard his father answer. If his father has told him that it will happen, then it will happen. All he can do is wait.
…
Days passed and Christmas Day arrived.
Oberon, as a good student sent his cherished headmaster a Christmas gift. A pair of woollen socks with Dumbledore's name embroidered on them.
He gifted his father the frozen charred statues of the german Aurors.
To his Aunt Vinda, he gifted her a pair of gloves sewn exclusively for her by a famous magic brand.
And for his Uncle Abernathy, he gifted him a new hat made from the mane of a Zouwu.
He also sent a variety of gifts to his friends and acquaintances.
For Hermione, a book about Introduction to Domains.
For Gabriel, one horn of the Troll King to make a new wand.
For Cho Chang, a new quidditch broom.
For Dots, a set of fighting clothes.
For Neville, a toad-care package.
And then he gifted different miscellaneous gifts to his professors.
He also received a variety of gifts.
Some stood out, like Dumbledore's.
He gifted Oberon a storybook about a boy whose parents were bank robbers, but he became a police officer who detained them one day.
"I think that the Old Fox's manipulative abilities are getting rusty. Normally he would be more discreet and less evident."
…
28th of December, 1991
British Ministry of Magic
"Happy Christmas, Ulbert. Did you like my gift?"
"Yes Mr. Grindelwald. They were some of the most beautiful jewels I have seen in my life."
Ulbert and Oberon talked as they used the lift in the Ministry to go to Level 9 and then go to the Wizengamot Courtroom.
The deadline has finally arrived and the Wizengamot and Minister Fudge must give Oberon an answer.
He wasn't nervous. No matter the outcome, it won't affect him.
'Ding!'
They walked and went down the stairs until they reached the Courtroom.
It was full, with every member of the Wizengamot present. This time two podiums were presiding the room, one with Dumbledore as the Chief Warlock, and another with Cornelius Fudge as the Minister for Magic of Britain.
Relaxed, Oberon walked slowly and sat on the chair in the centre of the Courtroom.
"Can I assume you have made a decision?" Oberon asked.
Minister Fudge was red from the anger. Seeing this, Dumbledore decided to speak instead.
"Mr. Grindelwald, the Wizengamot has voted and discussed it with Minister Fudge. We have made the decision to accept your demands." Dumbledore said.
"You, Oberon Grindelwald Pendragon, rightful heir and actual head of the Pendragon family, shall receive 1000 galleons each month as a rental payment for the lands occupied by the British Ministry of Magic, included in this payment all structures and facilities in it. Is this correct for you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes. Everything sounds fine."
Dumbledore tossed a large parchment into the air. All the members of the Wizengamot, except for a pink cockroach, waved their wands making a signature appear on it.
Minister Fudge stood motionless for a minute and, recruitingly, pulled out his wand and waved it like everyone else.
Seeing him, the pink cockroach, Dolores Umbridge, also waved her wand.
Dumbledore made the parchment come in front of him and stamped the Wizengamot Symbol on it along with his signature.
He then gave it to Oberon, who with Ulbert as a witness, also signed it along with the seal of the Pendragon family.
Ulbert, as a representative of Gringotts, took care of making two official copies of the document.
After that, every person present in the Courtroom made a vow that they wouldn't break or interfere in this agreement.
Oberon bid farewell to the members of the Wizengamot and Dumbledore, completely ignoring Minister Fudge.
"I can't believe they gave in to your demands." Ulbert said.
"What options did they have? Imagine how embarrassing it would be to get out of Gringotts for squatting in someone's house."
Ulbert imagined it and he got shivers. It will be the worst of the humiliations.
As they were leaving the Ministry, they crossed paths with a group of foreigners being guided by Barty Crouch.
"Minister Vogel! How nice to see you." Oberon said.
Hearing him, Barty Crouch and Minister Vogel stopped walking and looked at Oberon and Ulbert.
"Grindelwald's scion!" Alder Vogel exclaimed.
Hearing him, the german Aurors accompanying him drew out their wands and pointed them to Oberon.
"Minister Vogel! The British Ministry won't tolerate these types of actions! Remember, you are not in Germany." Barty Crouch said reprimanding the german visitors.
Hearing Barty Crouch, Minister Vogel signalled the german Aurors to lower their wands.
"Minister Vogel, where is Eber? I thought he always was behind you." Oberon said in a mocking tone.
Alder Vogel frowned and, after breathing slowly, replied to Oberon.
"He is on a mission."
"Well, I hope nothing happens to him," Oberon said. "Well, it would be difficult. He is the Head Auror of the German Ministry after all."
"I will convey your concern to him." Minister Vogel said with his face getting red from anger.
Vogel turned around and urged Barty Crouch to guide him and his aurors to Minister Fudge's office.
"I didn't think there would be such hostility between you and Minister Vogel." Ulbert said.
"It's understandable. His reputation will be tainted as long as my father is alive. After all, his grandfather was a firm supporter of Gellert Grindelwald." Oberon explained.
Just before he and Ulbert each went their separate ways, Oberon called Ulbert.
"Ulbert, could you help me get Master Pralturd to forge me an armor?"
Ulbert looked at Oberon deadpan in the eyes and replied.
"Do you know about Goblin's philosophy, right?"
"Yes."
"It won't be cheap."
"That won't be a problem." Oberon insisted.
Ulbert maintained visual contact with Oberon and after some minutes of silence, he spoke again.
"Come with me."
Ulbert and Oberon reached Gringotts. The goblin guided Oberon to an office in a new place of the bank.
'It is truly a big place.' Oberon thought.
"Master Pralturd, I am banker Ulbert. Could I have some of your time?" Ulbert spoke with the utmost respect, even surprising Oberon.
"Open the door."
Ulbert signalled Oberon to wait outside as he entered the office.
He waited as murmurs escaped the door.
"Come," Ulbert said.
"Ulbert has told me you want to place an order for me." Pralturd said.
"Yes, Master Pralturd. I would like to make a commission personally crafted by you."
"And what would it be?"
"I would like to get an armor made from the Core of a Cursed Spirit."
"Grade?"
"Semi-Special Grade, blood attribute."
"Mmmhh…You will be responsible for getting the necessary materials for it." Pralturd stated.
"No problem. What will you need?" Oberon asked.
Pralturd wrote a list of materials in a list and handed it to Oberon.
"I will get it as soon as possible."
"Boy, you know it will cost you a lot, right? And we goblins don't like it when someone doesn't pay for their things."
"Don't worry Master Pralturd. Money isn't a problem, right Ulbert?"
Pralturd looked at Ulbert waiting for an answer.
Ulbert quickly told Pralturd about the recent events.
"HAHAHA!! I have never seen the Ministry fall so low to a mere 11-year-old boy." Pralturd said as he laughed. "This armor, aside from the material costs, will cost you 2000 galleons. I hope it isn't too much for you."
"I'm okay with it. I think it's a fair price. I also expect the resulting product to be as high quality as the price." Oberon said.
He and Pralturd shook hands and made an Unbreakable Vow with Ulbert as a witness.
"In this week you will receive all the materials needed, along with the payment."
Both said goodbye and Oberon returned to Nurmengard Castle until the end of Christmas Holidays.
…