He is still as graceful as when he was young, and fond of teasing, "In fact, if you could ask me, the curse on that incompetent student of yours wouldn't be such a problem anymore."
In the face of Gellert Grindelwald's insinuation, Dumbledore shook his head resolutely.
"The curse needs to continue to exist, so that person can feel strong enough, have the courage to challenge me, and reveal the weaknesses he has hidden."
Dumbledore's voice was calm and deep. It wasn't that he couldn't solve the Hogwarts' curse; he just needed to use the curse to achieve certain goals he had to reach.
Regarding this point.
Perhaps only Gellert Grindelwald wasn't surprised.
"This is you, Albus, I can tell, you've just killed someone, quite a few actually, that hidden side of yours has finally emerged once again."
"As always, so charming... Can you tell me, what changed you?" Gellert Grindelwald leaned slightly forward onto the table.
"Can't you see?"
Dumbledore frowned.
"Not everything, we are only mortals, remember?" Gellert Grindelwald smiled as always, he did not hide the weaknesses of his gift.
"I'm not going to let you know, yes, that's better, you might try to guess, it can serve as something for you to pass the time with every day."
Dumbledore's answer made Gellert Grindelwald's smile freeze for a moment.
His eyes looked lost.
But Dumbledore pretended not to see, and began to change the subject, "You said someone stopped you? I thought Ronnie Ehrlich, following your instructions, died at the hands of that little wizard controlled by the Imperio. There was no poison in his body, only alcohol, and he drank quite a bit of strong liquor before he died."
This was not just a change of subject, this was actually Dumbledore's doubt.
"Saints who face death don't need the numbness of alcohol. It is a glorious mission, a dedication to the future." Gellert Grindelwald refuted Dumbledore's words with the loyalty of the saints to him.
"By the way, Ronnie Ehrlich never drank."
His words seemed like a reminder.
Yet the frowning Dumbledore could not fathom it.
"It seems the comfortable life at Hogwarts has made your mind not as sharp as mine." Gellert Grindelwald quipped with a light laugh again.
"Tell me the answer." Dumbledore raised his head.
Gellert Grindelwald pursed his lips and leaned back slightly.
"Ronnie Ehrlich sent me a letter. If you can find my reply in his office, you will understand why Ronnie Ehrlich was celebrating."
One of Gellert Grindelwald's eyes continuously switched between white and blue, very frequently, making Dumbledore feel a sense of something amiss.
"Can't you just tell me the content of the reply?" He realized that Gellert Grindelwald was making a prophecy, but the prophecy seemed unsuccessful.
At least.
It was not completely successful.
"My reply hasn't been sent yet, you see." Gellert Grindelwald drew a letter that had not yet been sealed from beside the table.
Gazing at the paper in his hand.
Dumbledore's pupils suddenly constricted a few times.
"There are no coincidences in this world, Albus. Someone used an Imperio to stop what Ronnie Ehrlich hadn't even started yet. He could even somehow interfere with my ability to continue making prophecies." Gellert Grindelwald showed neither fear nor unease, his expression even seemed to carry a kind of excitement.
Hearing this.
Dumbledore's expression grew significantly more solemn. Since his youth, he had been entangled with various prophecies. The accumulation of years gave him profound research in this regard.
"Someone prophesied the future you attempted to guide and stopped it?" Dumbledore, well aware of the nature of prophecies, knew precisely how terrifying this was.
"Someone disrupted my prophecy and steered the future to the result he wanted—within this murder, two prophets were playing a game."
"And I am still the loser. Yet, I didn't lose without understanding why."
Gellert Grindelwald leaned back against his chair, his tone deep and magnetic, his voice strong yet still relaxed, even if discussing his own defeat, he remained elegant in demeanor.
"Once a prophecy happens, there's nothing coincidental about it. If there is, it would be the answer to the problem." The words of the silver-haired old man awakened a strong sense of unease within Dumbledore.
"Whose coincidence are you referring to?"
He suddenly raised his head.
Staring intensely at Gellert Grindelwald.
"I cannot see it clearly—you've seen my situation. That person is very powerful... Regardless of who he is, you might still need my help."
Gellert Grindelwald did not respond to Dumbledore's question, perhaps he didn't know either. He merely whispered softly and then extended his shackled hand to Dumbledore.
"Albus, this time, it's still for the future you wish to see."
The cold stone walls.
The dimly lit room.
Gellert Grindelwald once again initiated an alliance with his dear friend.
...
The next morning.
Last night's chaos seemed not to have affected the start of a new day.
Just think about it.
Even though Voldemort went on killing sprees everywhere, Hogwarts classes would still proceed as usual, as if nothing had happened. How could a little Fire Ash Snake out of control affect its operation?