"Grindelwald," Dumbledore said, his voice icy. "After all these years, I'm surprised the first thing you do after leaving Nurmengard is attack a child."
Grindelwald burst into laughter, his mirth echoing through the ruins.
"Dumbledore… Albus! How high are your expectations for my morals? You know, if necessary, even an infant…"
His voice trailed off as Dumbledore suddenly stepped forward, the Elder Wand held steadily, pointed at Grindelwald's heart. The tip glowed faintly with a golden-red light.
The powerful, hidden strength was like a blade, its un-drawn presence already making one feel a tearing pain.
Grindelwald tilted his head slightly, a smile still on his face.
"Why avoid it, Albus? You know what I've been doing recently, why don't you question me about those Muggles I killed? Why don't you accuse me of disturbing the balance and peace between the Wizarding World and the Muggle world?"
"You always side with those weak, foolish people, you always oppose me to protect them… why aren't you bringing it up this time?"
Grindelwald's smile widened.
"Is it because you also think I'm right? Deep down, you also think these people deserve to die! The world is rotting, Muggles are creating doomsday, my actions are the only way to save it!"
"And you, Albus, you're hailed as a saint, using pathetic mercy to mask your weakness! But we all know, back then, you were also…"
At the mention of "back then," Dumbledore's face looked as if he'd been punched, caught off guard. A hint of discomfiture appeared, and a pained light shimmered behind his half-moon spectacles.
Grindelwald abruptly swallowed the rest of his words, his emotions surging, Magical Power churning. A dull ache flared in his chest, and dark red blood spilled from the corner of his mouth again.
A long silence fell between them. The cold winter wind carried tiny ice crystals, swirling across the unrecognizable ground.
After a long time, Dumbledore asked coldly, "Where's Wade?"
"Kill me, and you can take the child back."
Grindelwald stepped forward, the tip of the Elder Wand pressing against Dumbledore's chest, sinking deeply into his clothes and skin.
Dumbledore's arm remained motionless. Grindelwald reached out and grasped the other end of the Wand, his eyes shining with an inexplicable fanaticism and killing intent.
"Kill me, Albus, just like you've always wanted to… Don't worry about it harming your nobility. I killed Ariana, I deserve this."
Dumbledore's eyes snapped open, his pupils slightly dilated, a flicker of pain crossing his face. Amidst the shock and grief, he suddenly felt a sense of relief and liberation.
Many years ago, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Aberforth had a violent confrontation. The argument quickly escalated into a duel, and Grindelwald even used the Cruciatus Curse on Aberforth.
Amidst his brother's piercing screams, the mentally unstable little sister, Ariana, was stimulated, and the Obscurus within her instantly went rampant.
Such terrifying and destructive power suddenly erupted beside them. The young men barely managed to survive, using the strongest Spells they knew to resist the Obscurus… After a period of chaos that no one could fully explain, the Obscurus vanished, and Ariana was dead.
This was Dumbledore's deepest wound, and his greatest fear… He feared that he was the one who delivered the fatal blow to Ariana, that he had killed his own sister.
Hearing these words from Grindelwald now, Dumbledore felt as if a mountain that had been weighing on his back for a hundred years had been lifted. His breath briefly hitched, and for a moment, he even felt the urge to cry.
But he couldn't help but consider a question—
Grindelwald knew his deepest fear… Was he saying this intentionally? Was this the truth of that day?
They stood in silent gaze, their similar blue eyes shadowed by the passage of time, their depths like a ruined landscape.
Time seemed to stand still in that moment.
"Professor."
A soft call shattered the scene.
Wade, who had also Apparated to a safe distance earlier, came to stand not far behind Dumbledore, speaking softly.
Dumbledore blinked, then turned to look at Wade, his gaze softening, his tense expression relaxing.
"Are you alright, Wade?"
"I'm fine, Professor," Wade replied. After a pause, he added, "Is there anything you want to ask me?"
Back when Dumbledore had shown him the memory illusion related to Grindelwald, Wade had said the exact same thing to Dumbledore.
This sentence not only confirmed that he was indeed Wade Gray, not an imposter using Polyjuice Potion, but also that he was still himself. His thoughts, his honesty, and his trust in Dumbledore remained unchanged.
A subtle smile appeared in Dumbledore's eyes. "When we get back, I'd like to hear the part you're willing to tell me."
"Alright," Wade nodded, secretly relieved.
Seeing the Headmaster appear, he suddenly realized that even though his life hadn't been difficult, he had indeed been under an indescribable amount of pressure.
But a quick glance revealed Grindelwald staring at him with deep, somber eyes, the corners of his mouth slightly downturned, looking very displeased.
Wade's gaze flickered, avoiding the eye contact, a million complaints bubbling up inside him.
Dumbledore raised his left arm, signaling Wade to take hold of it, and slowly lowered his Wand.
"I won't kill you, Grindelwald. Violence cannot solve problems, and killing has never been my choice—even for you, I won't end everything with death."
Dumbledore's gaze was profound as he sighed.
"If you believe you are right, then continue on your path—perhaps the world truly does need someone like you…"
His eyes swept over the remaining structures, and the various tragic scenes he had witnessed flashed through his mind.
"But I hope… I hope you understand…"
Dumbledore said, "True strength lies in restraint, in choosing not to harm others, even when we have the power to do so… and in choosing to protect others from harm. This is the responsibility that those with power should bear."
Grindelwald scoffed, "Don't try to bind me with your ridiculous morality! My thoughts… my ideals, they haven't changed from the beginning!"
"Whether you mean it or not, whether you're pretending or not, you are indeed doing things that benefit others now, not just committing brutal slaughter."
Dumbledore said calmly and powerfully:
"I never believed your ideals were entirely wrong; it was only your methods that were flawed."
"After all these years, you must have realized that the old ways only lead to destruction. Changing the world certainly requires power, but it needs wisdom and compassion even more."
Dumbledore looked at him with a hint of regret in his eyes:
"Even for the greater good, patience, compromise, and mercy are essential."
"Grindelwald, if you are now merely trying to deceive the world, but ultimately still choose to rule and oppress through violence, then no matter how many times you repeat it, you will surely fail."
"I hope you understand this."
Hearing his words, Grindelwald's eyebrow twitched, and he loudly said, "Is that why you're teaching that child like this? If you had told me this before, would I not have…?"
*"Wham!"*
Dumbledore had no intention of debating with him. After saying what he needed to say, he took Wade and instantly Apparated away.
That explosive sound was like a slap across Grindelwald's face, instantly twisting his expression.
The wind swirled dust and frost, dancing in front of Grindelwald and mockingly giving him a sneer.
Grindelwald: "…"
Seeing that the battle was over and Grindelwald wasn't killed, the Alliance were overjoyed. They rushed to their leader's side, only to see Grindelwald let out a cold laugh, a chilling glint in his eyes, as he raised his Wand and pointed it at the ruins of the manor before him.
"Destroy it!"
"Saints forever!"
The Alliance chanted slogans and rushed into the manor, entering the underground through cracks in the ground. Soon, sounds of fighting could be heard from within.
The Organization's soldiers, having just been stunned by the two men's world-shattering power, were now completely demoralized. The Alliance easily gained the upper hand, advancing with unstoppable momentum.
Drayne approached Grindelwald, handed him a Potions, and asked worriedly, "Sir, how are you feeling now?"
"Me? I feel absolutely wonderful!"
Grindelwald gulped down the Potions, gnashing his teeth as he spoke.
Drayne stayed by his side, still concerned, but saw an invisible force seemingly infused into Grindelwald's gaunt body. Perhaps it was boiling rage that became a new pillar, making him forget his physical discomfort and rekindling the light in his eyes.
—This definitely isn't the power of the Potions.
Drayne muttered to himself, thinking of the feeling like the sky had fallen just moments ago, and silently sighed.
…
A few surviving cameras stubbornly held their ground, slowly rotating and recording the scene over the ruins.
Despite the hardships, seeing the Wizards finally enter the manor as they wished, The Organization's leader was so moved he was nearly in tears, wishing he could kneel and thank God.
His colleagues around him were already cheering, pounding on the table and shouting, "Excellent!"
The calmer ones still cautioned, "Wait… wait until most of them are inside before you do anything else."
"Of course, I understand."
The leader wiped the sweat from his palms, pressed the activation button, and stared intently at the screen.
Beside him, another person dialed a phone, suppressing his excitement, and said with a slight tremor in his voice, "The plan is proceeding as normal; we can make our move!"
Finally, after most of the Wizards had entered the manor, the leader pressed the button hard!
…
*"Buzz—"*
The quiet machine in front of them suddenly hummed, and its indicator lights flashed on. Dobby was startled, then quickly and deftly cut the cable in front of him.
Seeing that the lights on the machine hadn't gone out, Mikey pointed a finger again, and with a loud *"Boom,"* several large cracks appeared on the machine's surface.
"That was scary, what was it trying to say just now?" Dobby asked, still shaken.
"It doesn't talk; that was just the sound of the machine starting up," Donovan explained. "It's a good thing you stopped it in time."
Dobby smiled shyly.
Mikey frowned and asked, "Are you sure this is the last one?"
"Of course. I hear these things are expensive, and this is all they could transport on short notice."
Donovan explained, and as agreed, sent a message to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore replied instantly: [Wait a moment.]
Mikey saw the Book of Friends in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and asked suspiciously:
"Who is Donovan talking to? Is he lying to Mikey?"
"No, no, no."
Donovan had just witnessed the two House-elves' power and didn't dare offend them, so he quickly waved his hands and said:
"It's Dumbledore. Didn't I tell you? I'm Dumbledore's man."
"Dumbledore?!"
Mikey shrieked, instinctively trying to Apparate, but the parchment in Donovan's hand suddenly glowed, followed by a loud bang!
Dumbledore appeared.
Mikey's gaze flickered nervously, not daring to look at the Headmaster, his fingers anxiously twining together, unconsciously fiddling with the hem of his clothes.
Dobby, meanwhile, looked at Dumbledore with adoration, nervously swallowing, his large eyes watery.
"Mr. Dumbledore," Donovan said, stepping forward.
"Thank you for your hard work, Donovan." Dumbledore looked at the wounds on the Werewolf, saying, "I'll send you away first; this place will be breached soon."
"Yes."
Donovan naturally had no objection. He took the Portkey Dumbledore gave him and instantly vanished from the spot.
Then, Dumbledore's gaze turned to the two House-elves beside him.
"Good morning, Mr. Dumbledore," Dobby bowed deeply, his nose almost touching the floor.
Mikey quickly followed suit, praying in his heart that Dumbledore wouldn't recognize him—
There were so many House-elves at Hogwarts; Wizards always had trouble telling them apart, didn't they?
"Good morning, Dobby, Mikey."
Dumbledore said gently, "I want to thank you for your help. You are both very brave and loyal House-elves."
Dobby's eyes instantly lit up, his cheeks flushed with excitement, and he gushed, waving his hands, "Dobby, Dobby is very happy to help!"
Mikey secretly glanced at the Headmaster's expression from below and stammered in a small voice, "Actually… um… Mikey is…"
Dumbledore looked at him with a smile and said, "I know you left school to buy wine for Professor Trelawney… Did you get it?"
Mikey quickly shook his head.
"Then go buy it."
Dumbledore smiled gently and said, "Remember to return to school after you've bought it… Wade has safely returned, so I don't think you'll need to travel a thousand kilometers this time just to buy whiskey."
That's… that's it? No punishment?
Mikey looked at the Headmaster in disbelief, unable to believe his good fortune even after Dumbledore reminded them to be careful and Apparated away.
"That's great!" Dobby excitedly punched the air, saying, "Mikey wasn't punished! Mr. Gray was rescued too!"
Mikey slowly came back to his senses, finally breaking into a smile.
He remembered seeing a sign for a wine cellar on a room he passed by a moment ago, so he vanished with a pop and reappeared quickly, clutching an armful of whiskey that was almost too much to carry.
"Mikey should go back to school," Mikey asked, "Does Dobby want to come along? Mr. Dumbledore would probably agree to take in another new House-elf."
Dobby was about to nod, but then he hesitated.
"Mr. Dumbledore is a very, very good Wizard, but… but…"
Dobby's eyes flickered, starting to waver, then slowly becoming resolute.
"But Mr. Gray doesn't have a single House-elf… Dobby wants to ask Mr. Gray first; if he's willing to take Dobby in… Dobby wants to work for House Gray…"
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