Inside the dark and towering New Moncade Tower.
Time seemed to freeze this long-awaited reunion into a painting, the faint light at the top of the tower piercing the thick stone walls, casting a dappled light on the two old friends who were once giants of magic.
Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald locked eyes. They are a story of a century, half a century of unspoken words, with a complex and indescribable emotion lingering in the air.
Both a reunion of memories and a touch of serene subtlety.
"Please, sit."
Gellert Grindelwald broke the silence first. The prison he was in was dark but not damp, and the simple bed, table, and chairs did not feel at all shabby.
Time and imprisonment had etched deep marks on this ambitious man's face, yet he remained handsome. His unadorned dark robes and gray-white hair were clearly well cared for.
"Did you foresee my coming?" Dumbledore sat across from Gellert Grindelwald, his elegant purple robes a testament that he had washed away the grime of the battle.
"There's no need for prophecy; I just had to wait every day... this moment would always come." Gellert Grindelwald's blue eyes were like gemstones in the deep sea.
The emotions in his eyes remained as fervent as before, while the magic chains on his wrists and ankles symbolized his lost freedom, yet seemed unable to completely lock away his still-resurgent heart.
"Your man who was watching me is dead, hmm, though maybe you already knew that." Dumbledore did not engage in much small talk.
Perhaps he didn't know what to talk about, or maybe he didn't want to face their past.
"Someone informed me."
Gellert Grindelwald nodded, his expression unchanged, as he continuously gazed at the old friend before him, with Dumbledore uncharacteristically avoiding his gaze.
"Are you not surprised?"
Dumbledore did not inquire who in this forbidden place could possibly have provided the notice; he knew full well that it was never the heavily guarded prison that trapped Gellert Grindelwald.
"Ronnie Ehrlich had willingly gone to his death; it just seemed there was a slight accident..." Gellert Grindelwald's blue eyes shimmered lightly.
One of his pupils seemed about to turn white, yet instantly reverted back to its original state.
"You wanted Aurora to kill him at some point, didn't you?" Dumbledore had guessed this before coming, though he hadn't mentioned it to Snape.
"Just the opposite."
Gellert Grindelwald's smile was enigmatic. His response, fraught with complex terror, made Dumbledore's gaze freeze, yet Dumbledore did not appear surprised.
Perhaps this was the suspicion Dumbledore truly wanted to verify.
"That was the last hope of the Grindelwald Clan, an excellent descendant with a talent equal to yours, yet you wanted her to die at the hands of your fanatical Saints."
Dumbledore sighed softly.
Gellert Grindelwald's expression remained unchanged, "Aurora is a good child—very obedient, very talented—but being merely talented is clearly not enough."
"Perhaps you've already seen that Aurora's sacrifice could be significant; this is what you taught me, Albus... for that greater benefit."
Outside the tower, the wind roared.
Gellert Grindelwald's wildness and defiance had never disappeared.
They even made Dumbledore feel as though the other had grown more mad.
"I won't allow this to happen." Dumbledore finally locked eyes with Gellert Grindelwald, a firmness and unexplainable persistence in his gaze that made Gellert Grindelwald's eyes tremble slightly.
"We both know that day was just an accident... this is different." He seemed worried Dumbledore might misunderstand, so he became a little anxious.
"I understand this very well; otherwise, you wouldn't be only here." Dumbledore's tone was blunt but seemed to relieve Gellert Grindelwald.
"In truth, fate is unpredictable; I still haven't figured it out to this day. I have grown more reverent towards it than before, so I can only tell you one thing."
"Albus, if my blood relative dies at a specific time, an outlook far greater than the benefits you and I envision will be presented before all of us wizards."
Gellert Grindelwald's expression was filled with awe... and fanaticism.
He seemed to be attempting to persuade his old friend.
Yet.
"Absolutely not!"
Dumbledore's response was brief but resounding. Gellert Grindelwald was initially exuding some spirited and eager anticipation, which then slowly quieted down.
He somewhat dispiritedly waved his hand.
"Anyway, you've already shown I may not always be right, so forget it, especially since someone stopped me before you did; I won't continue pushing this matter."
Gellert Grindelwald made a promise.
"Actually, when I first came, I thought you might lie to me, like before, telling me you just intended for Ronnie Ehrlich to sacrifice himself to the Hogwarts Curse."
Dumbledore's eyes carried a dim luminescence.
Snape didn't believe in his words.
Neither did Gellert Grindelwald.
Yet.
Gellert Grindelwald did not mind.
"We have both tasted the bitter fruit of betrayal, haven't we? So in this matter, I surely won't deceive you." Gellert Grindelwald smiled charmingly.