Medals

"When did you get such a sense of social responsibility, Grindelwald?"

Credence staggered back two steps, only stopping his weakness when he leaned against Dumbledore. He lowered his head, smiled self-mockingly, and smoothed the collar Grindelwald had twisted into a crumpled mess. In the instant their gazes met, he understood that Grindelwald still had not changed. He was still the man from so many years ago who had given him power, then taken everything from him.

In a daze, Grindelwald seemed to become a great mountain, the peak that had stood on the outskirts of Nurmengard when it was not yet prosperous, the mountain Grindelwald had made him destroy.

"Have you changed?" Looking at Credence, who was wreathed in black magic because of his surging emotions, Grindelwald smiled. His laugh conveyed different feelings in different people's ears. "What exactly is it that you want to protect?"

"There's no time to lose. Let's go."

Before the atmosphere could stiffen past the point of no return, Dumbledore squeezed in between Grindelwald and Credence. He raised his hand, and a crisp snap of his fingers drew everyone's eyes. A mass of Phoenix fire ignited beside his hand, and with Fawkes's cry, an ancient-looking washbasin was tossed to the ground.

"Hold it tight, child." Dumbledore looked at Nagini, helped wipe away the bloody tears bursting from the corners of her eyes, and said gently, "You've already defeated the Blood Malediction once. These memories are nothing to you."

Nagini nodded, dazed.

"Nelson helped you hold on to yourself. He's fighting in Herpo the Foul's memories right now. This is only that Animagus transformation happening again." Dumbledore stuffed the basin into Nagini's arms. Her gaze was already beginning to drift; those memories that did not belong to her were washing over her sense of self, but