Chapter 17: An Alliance Gathering

Soon it was almost time for the Christmas break. "Alyssa, are you going back for Christmas or staying at Hogwarts?" Wilson and Cedric came to the auditorium and asked.

"If I don't go back during the Christmas holidays, I'm afraid the old guys in the family would think I was imprisoned by Dumbledore. We don't want them to raid Hogwarts yet, do we?" Alyssa said, winking at Green and Cedric.

The expressions of the two changed, and they waved their hands and said," Please go back"

"We aren't ready for a war."

"What war?" asked Toby, who had just come up to them.

"It's nothing," said Alyssa," By the way, will you stay in Hogwarts or come back."

"Of course, I'm coming back, Alyssa. I would rather stay in Australia for a while than spend winter here in Hogwarts." Toby rolled his eyes as he responded.

Alyssa thought for a while and said," Before you go, can you give me the paper crane used to contact Cassandra."

Toby handed it over to Alyssa who chuckled," What? Do you actually bring it wherever you go?"

Blushing, Toby said," Forget about that. Why do you want Cassandra's contact?"

Just then, they heard the sound of high heels on the floor. Turning around, they saw Cassandra walking towards them with a happy expression.

" You look chipper today. What made you so happy?" asked Toby.

Cassandra said with a happy tone, "Yesterday, my father came back!"

Hearing Cassandra say this, everyone immediately showed a look of surprise."Really, this is really good! I think this a Christmas miracle!" Cedric told Cassandra sincerely.

Cassandra nodded again and again while explaining, "It turns out that my father was injured before and was in a coma. Fortunately, he was found by a passing Muggle! My father has been in a Muggle hospital for a long time. Since he has no wand and no owl, he has no way to communicate with his family. It wasn't until he recovered a few days ago that my father was released from the Muggle hospital and returned home."

Cassandra took a deep breath and continued, "To celebrate my father's discharge from the hospital, I decided to host a Christmas dinner at home! Please be sure to enjoy it when that happens!"

Hearing Cassandra's invitation, Alyssa accepted the invitation on behalf of everyone else.

Before Cassandra turned and left, Alyssa said," If you ever need to talk with us, you can contact me." Alyssa showed the paper crane in her arms.

Cassandra's eyes glanced at the paper crane, and showed a look of shock, then understanding.

After Cassandra left, Wilson smiled and said, "Cassandra held this dinner mainly to tell her classmates at Hogwarts that her father is back! Her family background is still prominent. Toby, you are one lucky man."

"Yeah..." muttered Toby as he frowned.

"What's wrong Toby?" asked Cedric

"Don't you think it's too convenient?" said Toby.

"Convenient?" repeated Wilson with a puzzled face," What do you mean?"

"A former Head of Aurors is ambushed and escapes heroically. After recovering, he plans to invite a bunch of people to show that he's back and still in power. Isn't this the perfect time for an ambush by the dark wizards? With one shot, they can capture a bunch of Purebloods, key figures of the ministry. They can basically cripple the British Ministry of Magic by taking out the key figures and no way to select a new Head of the Departments." explained Toby.

"So what are you saying, Toby? Are you insinuating that Thomas Reeves has joined that group of black wizards?" asked Cedric.

"Or under some sort of Imperius curse," said Toby," Either way, this party is too sketchy. We should be careful."

Finally, Alyssa spoke," Toby, you are right, but those dark wizards are not targeting the Ministry. They are targeting me."

Toby's eyes widened. He started laughing and tried to brush it off as a joke," Haha, Alyssa, you are really funny. Why would a group of Black Wizards try to target you? Don't make jokes like that anymore. It really scares me."

Alyssa grinned," Relax, everyone is part of The Alliance here. There's no need to panic."

Toby looked at Wilson who nodded in confirmation. Even Cedric shrugged as if expressing his helplessness." Wait? The Alliance. Isn't that the group of wizards who kidnapped Cedric? Why would the Alliance kidnap their own members? And since when was Cedric a dark wizard?"

Cedric said," During the attack, Alyssa sent me with Mrs.Illona as a hostage. Then, I joined the Alliance."

"Wait! Ms.Ilona is a member of The Alliance?"

"Ms.Ilona is actually your grandma Rosier. She's using Polyjuice potion."

(Toby.exe has stopped working) ( ・◇・)

....

Upon reaching the London Railway Station, Toby and Alyssa found Albernotch waiting there for them. Albernotch gave a curt bow despite his age and said," Lady Alyssa, I'm glad to see that you are safe. Boy! Good job taking care of her."

Toby rolled his eyes," Shut up you Kratos Wannabe. Now tell me what's up with The Alliance attacking the British Ministry of Magic and the matter of sending my grandma to Hogwarts as a spy."

Albernotch ignored Toby and said," Lady Alyssa, Rosier has arrived in Australia already. She is in the Manor, waiting for us as we speak. Please grab a hold of the Portkey."

In the Manor, Toby entered the door to find stacks of jewelry, Golden Galleons, and precious magical artifacts piled up in heaps on the floor. Stunned, he asked," What's going on here? Did you rob Gringotts while we were away?"

Proudly, Albernotch said," Oh this? This is just all the Christmas gifts from our members all around the world. I put them on the floor for sorting. If there are any useful items, we will keep them. Or else, we'll throw them in the vault."

Toby walked through the piles of gifts and muttered," Can't you just throw a thousand gold Galleons in my vault? Damn rich old men."

Unfortunately, Grandma Rosier heard his whisper and said," Toby, put those thoughts away. These are all Lady Alyssa's gifts. They represent the trust that her last name represents in the world."

"Oh yeah, speaking of last names. Alyssa, what is your last name?"

Alyssa just simply said," Grindelwald," while rummaging through the pile of magical artifacts.

"Grindelwald...Grindelwald... No Idea who that is. Who is that guy." said Toby cluelessly.

Albernotch almost had a heart attack after hearing those words," WHO IS GRINDELWALD? WHAT ARE THOSE FOOLS TEACHING AT HOGWARTS? HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW WHO GRINDELWALD IS? LORD GRINDELWALD IS THE FIRST GENERATION DARK LORD IN THE 20TH CENTURY. DUMBLEDORE IS A FOOL FOR NOT TEACHING OF THE LORD'S VISION AND GREATNESS TO THE FUTURE GENERATIONS."

"Geez," Toby rubbed his ears," So we are his version of Death Eaters."

Grandma Rosier raised her eyebrow at that," Don't compare us to those bunnies you called Death Eaters. Voldemort was just a stronger wizard who made everyone in Britain fear him while to this day, everyone in the world fears the surname Grindelwald."

"That bad huh," said Toby," Is that why a bunch of wizards are using Thomas Reeves to ambush Alyssa?"

"Ambush? Who is trying to ambush Lady Alyssa?"

"A conversation for another time Grandpa Albernotch," interrupted Alyssa," For now, help me choose two Broomsticks from this pile and email it to Cedric Diggory and Wilson Green."

"Of course Lady Alyssa."

Watching the roaring Old man turn into something as soft as a kitten, Toby just sighed at the injustice and twirled the ring in his hand.

Hearing Alyssa's words, Rosier nodded thoughtfully, and then smiled."One is a genius wizard recognized by Hogwarts, and the other is a prefect of Hufflepuff. The young lady has learned to win over excellent wizards at the age of eleven. This is something that even the master has not done.."

Albernotch said," Go to sleep early Ms. Alyssa. Tomorrow, some of the members of the Alliance will come for a Christmas Party."

…..

Early morning, the next day, Toby was forced to put on his best dress and apply light makeup to his face. He was controlled like a marionette, changing by Grandma Rosier's whims. Finally, after the ordeal was over, he thought he could rest for a while at the party but even then, he was led around to meet a bunch of old wizards. Apparently, all of them had fought at the British Magic Ministry, so they were allowed the honor of meeting the future leader of The Alliance.

Finally, he sat down with a drink in his hand after shaking his hand with almost everyone at the party. It really did make Toby wonder about the charm of the old man Grindelwald. Finally, Alyssa arrived. She was dressed in an elegant black gown with emerald earrings shaped like a wilted rose adorned on her ears.

Immediately, everyone lined up to meet her. The first person in line was a young man. He lowered his head and said,'' Austin Greengrass greets Lady Grindelwald."

Hundreds of other voices echoed along with Austin Greengrass's voice," I have been graced by Lady Grindelwald's presense."

Led By Albernotch and Rosier, Alyssa walked past the group of wizards and got up on the stage. Looking at everyone like a Queen, she said," Listen to me! From now on, The Grindelwald Surname shall resonate across the entire world."

Many of the older wizards started crying upon hearing her words. Even Grandma Rosier wiped away the tears that were forming in her eyes and laughed with joy. At the entrance of the banquet hall, Austin Greengrass suddenly stood up and shouted, "Grindelwald!"

Then, the cheers of "Grindelwald" resounded throughout the manor again. Just when the cheers reached their climax, Alyssa raised her hands high, and then slowly put them down. With her movements, the cheers at the scene gradually decreased.

At this time, Alyssa said again in the face of many wizards from the shaman party,"My family, my friends, your cheers should not be given to me, but to yourselves first! Some say we're dark wizards. No! We're not! Do they think they are righteous? But how can justice be judged by mere bureaucrats? Mere mortals! History has proven countless times that the truth is often decided by the winner"

As she spoke, Alyssa raised her right hand and drew a circle of flames using an Incendio curse. Alyssa then continued, "We never said we were going to rule the world. Neither did we do it for our own sake, and now, I want you to tell me, we, for what?"

In the face of Alyssa's inquiry, after a while of silence, a common voice resounded through the manor again, "For the greater good!"

From the Incendius curse's flames, a triangle formed inside the circle followed by a vertical straight line. And in front of all the wizards, the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, the symbol of the Alliance burned brightly in front of their eyes.

At this moment, a ragged wizard who had been crawling on the ground after Alyssa entered the hall, suddenly stood up and ran towards Alyssa.

"This is Carlos, who used to follow your grandfather's side like us, and once swore, the Carlos family, to follow Grindelwald forever. However, his descendants joined the Death Eaters and turned their backs on the Alliance!"

Seeing Carlos approaching, Albernotch whispered in Alyssa's ear. At this moment, Carlos had come to Alyssa, and then, in front of everyone's eyes, Carlos knelt down at Alyssa's feet again.

Then, Toby saw that Carlos stretched out his hands and slowly held up a key.

"A Gringotts vault key? Your family's vault key? Did you always carry this with you throughout these long years?"

Seeing Carlos holding up Gringotts' vault key with both hands, Abernotch's face showed a hint of surprise, and he asked in disbelief. Carlos, on the other hand, did not lift his head, still crawling in front of Alyssa, lowered his head, and replied, "That's right, this is the key of the Carlos family in the Gringotts vault. Those two little brats suddenly shot at me. The goal was also this key, but they didn't succeed."

Looking at the key that Carlo held high in both hands and looking at the ragged clothes on Carlo's body, Albernotch sighed and said, "You… I really can't say anything."

An older wizard next to Toby explained what was happening to the other younger wizards," This is a tradition passed down in ancient wizard families. When a wizard declares his allegiance to another wizard, he will offer his most precious items with both hands. This is tribute and submission."

Similarly, other wizards started walking to Alyssa and knelt down offering a precious item on their body," Tribute to you my Lady."

During the whole process, no one stood up to direct, but all the wizards' movements and actions were as quick and orderly as if they had been rehearsed. In the silent hall, only the footsteps of people were heard, and the sounds of "pay tribute to you, my master"!

Silently, Toby watched these proceedings with disbelief and shock in his eyes. He caught the eyes of Grandma Rosier and hundreds of other wizards who had placed their trust in Alyssa, for a surname he couldn't understand.

Alyssa exchanged eye contact with Toby. With a mischievous smirk, she said," Toby, would you like to say a few words?"

All the eyes of the wizards present turned to Toby.

"Me?" Toby pointed to himself in disbelief.

Alyssa rolled his eyes," No Toby Keith. Of course it's you!"

Walking up onto the stage, he stood beside staring at the much older and experienced wizards. From their gazes, he saw confusion, skepticism, disbelief, and envy, but no respect. Toby realized that people believed in Alyssa because of her surname and her excellent showcase of spell casting, but if he wanted people to respect him, he needed something revolting.

He took a deep breath and began," I, Toby Maguire, have a dream. That is to support Lady Alyssa in her endeavors. Let her stand at the apex of the world. Even the strongest wizard in the past must bow down to her.

So here I am. A hogwarts student in his first year. Talking to those who can only blindly follow someone's instructions like sheep. We are wizards working together for a brighter future. Explore the mysteries of magic. Become stronger to become not better tools, but a better aid to Alyssa's dreams.

Now Dumbeldore is dying of old age, Voldermort is half dead, the current era is ending and the dawn of a new era is forthcoming. So I can proudly say that The Alliance will be brought to greater heights.

For the Future!"

""For the Future!""

Countless wizards raised their wands and exclaimed with passion. Even Grandma Rosier shed tears of joy that her grandson had finally grown up and was willing to become a member of the Alliance, following in her footsteps.

While the banquet was happening, a strawberry blond-haired small girl walked up to Toby. He looked at her. They looked into each other's eyes until the girl said," Hello Toby Maguire, my name is Luna Lovegood."

Luna? How could Luna be here? But thinking that Cedric could join the Alliance, Toby felt that Luna's presence here was not unacceptable. Luna tilted her head, looked at Toby for a moment, and suddenly said again, "My father said that all the dark wizards are present here, and you will be one of their future leaders, so I was told to stay away from you."

Hearing Luna's blunt expression, Toby couldn't help showing a wry smile, glanced at Xenophilius Lovegood who was looking for Luna, and said slowly, "Sometimes, the perception of a person is determined by others. However, we must remember in our hearts what kind of person we are, this is very important."

Hearing Toby's answer, Luna seemed a little puzzled. After thinking for a long time, Luna asked again, "Then what kind of person are you?"

Toby smiled and said," I don't really know. I don't even know how I got here,b ut all I can say is that I will protect my friends. That is my Ninja way."

Luna giggled," The wrack spurts in you have cleared out. They will not bother you from now on."

Toby ruffled her hair," I appreciate it, now go back to your father. It's not safe here for little girls like you.

While this was going on, Alyssa was planning her next step. She called Rosier and asked," Grandma Rosier, can you send someone to infiltrate the Reeves Manor? I've been invited to a trap and it's time to fight back."

Albernotch interjected," Let me go into the mansion. I'll find out all the details as soon as I can."