— — — — — —
"No, I'm over six hundred years old."
Nicolas Flamel was happy to see his old friend, yet the news Dumbledore brought weighed heavy. What was worse was that Dumbledore actually wanted him to come out of retirement again.
The last time he had even picked up a wand… was to give Tom a lesson.
"To most of the world, I'm already dead. Can't I be allowed to enjoy my old age?"
Dumbledore gave a bitter smile. "Nico, I didn't want to disturb you. But the situation is bad. Grindelwald came prepared this time. He went to Gregorovitch and had him craft a wand specifically to counter the Elder Wand."
"Nico, the enemy is in the dark, and we are out in the open. I can't handle this alone."
Flamel tapped the floor irritably with his cane. "And what about the Ministries? The Confederation? Albus, you are a school headmaster. You can't put the entire world on your own shoulders."
"The Ministries?" Dumbledore's smile twisted into something even more strained.
He looked gentle and easygoing most days, polite to everyone. But his pride was carved deep into his bones. The number of people in the world he treated as equals was very, very small.
The rest were mediocre. Ordinary.
And because there were so many ordinary people, Dumbledore always thought that might be for the best.
Because when capable people cause trouble, they cause real trouble.
Like Grindelwald. Like Voldemort.
Which led to the situation they had now: even an aged, weakened Grindelwald could still stir chaos across the wizarding world. If Dumbledore didn't intervene, the world could easily slide into a pit no one could climb out of.
So he had to step forward. Again.
Flamel sank back into his chair, troubled. He had no personal grudge against Grindelwald… but the little they did have was more than enough.
Back when Newt stole the Blood Pact, Flamel had helped. And when the Acolytes were at their strongest, he had simply fled to Devon in the UK to hide. Only after Grindelwald was imprisoned did he return to Paris.
Was he supposed to run away again?
Flamel couldn't help silently cursing Grindelwald. Couldn't the man have waited a few decades to break out?
Wait until Flamel was dust? Or until Tom had fully grown?
Flamel had no doubt that Tom could stand at Grindelwald's height someday… maybe even surpass him. The problem was simply that Tom wasn't there yet.
What Flamel didn't know was that Grindelwald's escape had been orchestrated by that very same promising student.
Dumbledore tried a while longer, but Flamel remained unmoved. So Dumbledore changed course and asked him to at least divine Grindelwald's location or where he might appear.
That much Flamel was willing to do. Unfortunately, he found nothing.
Grindelwald had learned from past mistakes, and Tom had no intention of letting anyone find a connection between them. Together, they had cloaked their tracks in magic so thoroughly that only a true destiny-bound prophecy could break it. And destiny prophecies never named names.
"I'm sorry, Albus. I can't help." Flamel sighed. Somehow, he felt the old Grindelwald was harder to deal with than the young one.
"It's alright, Nico. He'll show himself sooner or later."
Dumbledore said it calmly, but when he left, his disappointment was obvious. Neither of his goals had been achieved.
After he was gone, Flamel considered whether he should run to Britain to hide again. If Grindelwald really came for him, dealing with him would cost dearly.
But after thinking it through, he decided to stay put.
Most people believed he was already dead. Grindelwald likely wouldn't come looking. And besides, being too close to that boy in Britain was just asking for trouble. Tom wouldn't harm him, no…But Tom would absolutely use him.
Recently, Flamel felt like he had produced more alchemical items for Tom than in the past few decades combined. He was being worked like a house-elf.
So the safest move was to stay home and play dead. If trouble came knocking, then he would run.
Still, he needed to warn that boy: Grindelwald hostilely targeted every student Dumbledore favored. First Newt. Now likely Tom… and that Harry Potter kid too.
---
Hogwarts
Tom received the warning. Not only from Flamel — Newt had sent one as well.
『Socially-Anxious Pokémon Master』: Tom, don't run around right now. Stay at Hogwarts. And... huh? Why did my name change?
Tom quickly fixed it; he had been messing around last night and experimenting on Newt's account. But honestly the name suited him.
『Tom Riddle』: Fixed
『Newt Scamander』: ....
『Newt Scamander』: Anyway, stay at Hogwarts. Grindelwald has escaped. The wizarding world is about to get chaotic.
『Tom Riddle』: ??? Even if Grindelwald broke out, what's that got to do with me? Why would he bother coming after me?
Tom couldn't figure out why both Newt and Flamel were thinking the same thing.
『Tina Scamander』: Because you're Dumbledore's favored student. That's the kind of person Grindelwald hates the most.
『Tom Riddle』: Please don't say things like that. My relationship with the Headmaster is normal. It's not that close.
『Tina Scamander』: It doesn't matter how you see it. It matters how Grindelwald sees it. And another thing. Be careful of Dumbledore too. Whatever he asks you to do, don't agree immediately. If he says something and you're unsure, come tell me.
『Newt Scamander』: Tina… Dumbledore wouldn't go that far. Tom is just a child.
『Tina Scamander』 : Quiet, Newt. Tom is a child, yes, but not an ordinary one. Who knows what that old man will decide. When it comes to winning, his bottom line is lower than you think.
Newt fell silent after that. The rest was Tina lecturing Tom in her stern, worried tone. Tom agreed obediently to every warning.
That attitude alone was enough to satisfy her. Compared to how Newt used to deal with danger, Tom was at least realistic.
Afterward, Tom simply added Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel into the group chat as well. It was, essentially, his parent group chat. If any professor were to complain about him, these four would be the only ones anyone could turn to. Assuming they could even find them.
Watching the group complain about Dumbledore, and Flamel muttering that Tom was still too young and needed another decade before he could relax, Tom couldn't help laughing to himself.
Closing the Codex, Tom's mood didn't waver. He simply continued with his usual weekend schedule.
No matter how chaotic the world became, it had nothing to do with him for now.
---
British Ministry of Magic
Cornelius Fudge had also received Babajide's warning and the invitation to the emergency conference. And he was among the group of Ministers who did not take it seriously.
Britain had never directly experienced the worst of Grindelwald's influence thanks to Dumbledore's presence. Fudge, who was in his fifties, had missed that era entirely.
To him, Grindelwald was just someone Dumbledore had already defeated. Not nearly as terrifying as Voldemort.
So he didn't even bother to pass the warning along. He simply told Barty Crouch Sr. from the International Cooperation Department to attend the meeting in his place.
What was bothering him were the fugitives Lestrange and Lockhart.
"Damned rats… where did they run off to?"
Fudge muttered to himself. He considered recalling the Dementors currently stationed around key wizarding areas due to public complaints… but after a moment of hesitation, decided not to.
Not unless he confirmed the fugitives had already left the country.
---
Paris — Rosier Manor
In the grand hall, Vinda, Vogel, and several old Acolytes stared up at Grindelwald with tears in their eyes.
"My Lord…" Vinda's voice trembled, and shame weighed on her heart.
So many years had passed, yet Grindelwald's presence was still overwhelming. While she, on the other hand… was a guttering candle. Her strength was nowhere near what it once was. Her influence was diminished. The Acolytes she led were shadows of their former power.
Grindelwald understood that guilt immediately and smiled softly.
"Vinda, you owe no apology. If anything… I was the one who failed all of you."
He set his glass down and stood. He stepped forward, placing a hand — heavy — on each Acolyte's shoulder.
"Everything you've endured, Tom has already told me. Some of you have seen your families crumble. Some were forced into exile. I know all of it. I remember all of it."
"Now is the time to settle accounts."
The Acolytes straightened, blood heating, eager to bring the Deathly Hallows banner back into the skies above Paris.
Vinda asked quietly, "What is your next move?"
"It doesn't concern you yet. Do not act on your own."
Grindelwald slowly turned the ring on his finger.
"When I arrived, there were already at least two strike teams watching this district. They're here for you, Vinda."
"So your task now is simply to follow Tom's direction. Support him in spreading those alchemical artifacts. That is the most important thing."
His tone shifted, suddenly cold.
"Vinda. I knew you questioned Tom's decisions last night."
Vinda lowered her head immediately, heart pounding.
The others stayed perfectly still. Grindelwald could treat them like siblings. But the moment someone crossed his principles, that sibling bond vanished instantly.
"I… I was only emotional," Vinda whispered. "I have never disobeyed master Riddle's orders. I carry them out as I would yours. I would never look down on him."
"That is why you are still standing, Vinda," Grindelwald sighed. "Listen well. You may question my orders because I trust your judgment. But Tom's? No. Whatever he decides, you follow."
The room froze.
What did that mean?
Was Riddle's authority… above Grindelwald's?
"All of you, pay attention."
Grindelwald looked across his followers, voice firm and sharp.
"Tom is my student. But he is also the current leader of the Acolytes. My return does not change that. In fact, everything I do from here will be to support his plans."
"Do not assume that my return weakens his authority. That will not happen. If any of you disobey him, I will deal with you myself."
His voice lowered, but every word struck hard.
"Remember. Tom Riddle is the future of the wizarding world. He is the only one who can fulfill our ideal."
.
.
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