I was honestly about to walk away and not review after reading this chapter, but felt it to be really unfair as you earned it with this battle. I recently found Grindewald under the Character Index (correct me if I'm wrong, I just feel like there was a recent update of characters) and I was glad to see a battle for it. I didn't read the first chapter and went straight to this one, but I'm considering returning to it. I loved that water cage again (I don't remember if it happened in the book, but I remember it from the movie) and it just makes me think that it was Dumbledore's tactic against worthy enemies (Grindewald, Voldemort...) and the battle was very creative; wings, summoning the water... All good stuff.

Something particular I liked was your creating the reason Albus has that scar. I don't believe it was ever revealed how he got it, but I'm sure that's what you were going for since you made the effort to indicate which knee it was. Applause for that.

I was impressed at how Dumbledore destroyed Gellert's initial wand and I'm glad this approach was taken as Albus did note that he was the only one powerful enough at the time to defeat Grindewald, even though he possed the Unbeatable Wand.

This was overall well done. And, hey - you didn't even have to make a love story out of it all. Even more applause for keeping it strictly a respectable battle.

Interesting idea and nice dueling scene. Thanks for writing.

You've truly made this the duel of the century - with all your creative, original spells - particularly the one reminiscent of the movie scene in the Ministry in Order of the Phoenix. And I thought there was really good use of omniscient narrator here (something that terrifies me). Characterisation was flawless and the imagery of the wings was perfect.

I love the authenticity of this. The characters and their exchange are wonderfully natural. I particularly liked the very telling line "Twisting your words to wring false meaning is not a trait I admire anymore, Gellert." And then the way their speech went from long-winded to the directness of the last few lines...great structure! A most intriguing beginning! **eagerly goes onto the next chapter**

And here comes another review from me - because I forgot to say something in the first one.
Your German sentence "Moechten Sie Essen?" sounded a bit too formal for two people who have been friends once - and Gellert normally adresses Albus with his first name. Therefore it should be: "Moechtest du etwas zu essen?"

I enjoyed reading this little fic very much! It was very well-written and was, so far, the most convincing retelling of the famous duel between the two of them.
It really was "the duel of the century". You had everything there: the impressive spells and stunts (my favourite one was "Accio Ruhr!") but you also had them act very wizard-like. I liked how they commented on each other's spells - how they respected each other's skills.
“I must say, Albus, that I am quite impressed by that stunt. A masterful show of force, to be sure. However, it was useless in the end. Now, this,” he said, flicking the Elder Wand. “This should keep you busy for a while.”
I can really imagine that things took place like this.
And the ending reminded me a bit of Star Wars and the duel between Anakin and Obi-Wan (I couldn't help but draw that comparison when I heard that they'd been friends once and Albus was forced to duel him later).
Good job!