Inspired by this picture set. (http://68.media.tumblr.com/a6c03675b112676713dfbce519fc9c19/tumblr_ok5ojvjTTY1rmbkt2o1_1280.jpg)
Percival has just graduated from Ilvermorny and he's begun working for the MACUSA. He's young, ambitious, capable, handsome, gay and repressed, because the magical world, like the no-maj one, isn't particularly tolerant of gay people, even if their reason is population control/eugenics rather than religion. Percival coming from such a respected family that he can embarrass/ruin his own prospects for a good career are all the more reason to be repressed. He's also painfully, soul-crushingly lonely.
One day he meets a handsome older stranger who wants to be his friend - and seemingly isn't interested in his family's connections. He's kind and funny and staggeringly powerful and knowledgeable and so, so charming and he makes Percival feel special and no longer alone. That's Gringeldwald, of course, and Grindelwald does what Grindelwald does best - grooms and seduces a vulnerable but powerful young wizard for his own purposes. Grindelwald has a plan and having the loyalty of a capable young Auror who will definitely rise through the ranks while secretly being on his side (and in his bed) is definitely a part of that plan.
Percival Graves/Grindelwald, grooming, internalized homophobia
Percival has just graduated from Ilvermorny and he's begun working for the MACUSA. He's young, ambitious, capable, handsome, gay and repressed, because the magical world, like the no-maj one, isn't particularly tolerant of gay people, even if their reason is population control/eugenics rather than religion. Percival coming from such a respected family that he can embarrass/ruin his own prospects for a good career are all the more reason to be repressed. He's also painfully, soul-crushingly lonely.
One day he meets a handsome older stranger who wants to be his friend - and seemingly isn't interested in his family's connections. He's kind and funny and staggeringly powerful and knowledgeable and so, so charming and he makes Percival feel special and no longer alone. That's Gringeldwald, of course, and Grindelwald does what Grindelwald does best - grooms and seduces a vulnerable but powerful young wizard for his own purposes. Grindelwald has a plan and having the loyalty of a capable young Auror who will definitely rise through the ranks while secretly being on his side (and in his bed) is definitely a part of that plan.