Ian nodded.
"I will send your regards and bring back a reply from afar, maybe even some photos." He ran out the door, eager to borrow some books from the library while he still had time.
The long night stretched ahead.
Who can fall asleep without reading a few books?
Focused on the scarce time left, Ian didn't notice that after his words, Dumbledore, preparing to return to his desk, suddenly turned around.
His eyes filled with astonishment.
...
The clock ticked.
Dumbledore flipped through some books.
He did not choose to sleep.
Instead, he waited for another meeting. When the little wizard knocked on the Headmaster's Office door, Dumbledore adjusted his attire, trying to appear as usual.
"Please come in."
Dumbledore spoke with forced vigor, as the wooden door was pushed open by small hands. The cool-faced Aurora hesitated as she entered the office, where the Sorting Hat had yet to return.
"Headmaster Dumbledore."
Aurora maintained basic understanding but was puzzled by her current predicament. She had just returned to Hogwarts. Could it be that someone reported her eighty-plus rules violations from the past few days?
"Please have a seat, Miss Grindelwald."
Dumbledore smiled and raised a hand, inviting Aurora to sit opposite him. The cautious girl appeared suspicious, her differently colored eyes filled with doubt.
"Have I done something wrong?"
She cautiously tested.
"Not at all, Miss Grindelwald. I wanted to meet with you, for reasons unrelated to your hundred and seven violations. It's due to something else entirely."
Dumbledore's tone remained gentle.
"..."
Aurora was stunned.
"Wasn't it only eighty-three?"
She frowned deeply.
As if she had just counted in her head.
"It appears you are well-versed in the rules." Dumbledore's eye twitched slightly, yet he maintained a gentle expression while Aurora sat guardedly opposite him.
"Am I going to be expelled?"
Aurora did not seem nervous, just slightly regretful in her voice.
"Not being caught means no wrongdoing; this, too, is a rule." Dumbledore winked at Aurora, his words lacking any intent to hold accountable.
"Ah?"
Aurora seemed shocked.
"Actually, I wanted to meet with you alone. This matter involves your good friend, Mr. Ian Prince." Dumbledore's words made Aurora's expression more serious.
Her subtle changes were all observed by Dumbledore.
"Miss Grindelwald, surely you have noticed that Ian is different from most little wizards." Seeing Aurora hesitantly nod.
Dumbledore continued, "Among those I've met, none like him possess such astounding talent without his powerful magic. Among those with magic, none have such immense talent. To be honest, in my lifetime, I never thought I would encounter such an unreachable successor."
Albus Dumbledore was truly in awe, gently sighing.
"Can you get to the point?"
Aurora's gaze grew increasingly vigilant.
"Indeed, tonight some things transpired, and I may have been somewhat verbose. Let's get to the point, Miss Grindelwald, I hope you can become my apprentice."
Albus Dumbledore spoke earnestly.
"Apprentice?"
Aurora was somewhat bewildered.
"Yes, you will inherit all my knowledge, continue my school of thought." Dumbledore spoke very seriously. He believed the girl before him understood the meaning of this ancient tradition.
"Did my grandfather agree?"
Aurora was still processing.
"His consent is unnecessary; this is a decision you need to make yourself." Dumbledore's voice was gentle and soothing, his gaze also held an indescribable depth.
"I want to know the reason."
After a long silence, Aurora asked puzzledly.
Dumbledore, as if anticipating this, nodded, responded in a slightly more serious tone, "Your friend, Mr. Ian Prince's upbringing due to his background was never normal, which worries me about him possibly taking a radical path."
"His extraordinary talent will attract much unwanted attention. Miss Grindelwald, perhaps your friendship can help guide him back to the right track."
The words felt familiar.
Luckily, Ian was not here.
Otherwise, all of Hogwarts would know Dumbledore was full of lies tomorrow.
"You want me, a Grindelwald, to stop Ian from becoming the Black Demon King?" Aurora's expression was full of shock, looking at Dumbledore incredulously.
Dumbledore's expression remained unchanged.
"Only you can accomplish this."
He spoke quietly without changing his expression.
"My grandfather isn't mad yet, but you certainly are, Headmaster. Indeed, the followers of my grandfather were right; Hogwarts is also your cage." Aurora still spoke unceremoniously, looking at Dumbledore with a peculiar gaze.
"Ian needs your help, Miss Grindelwald. Without your assistance, many ill-intentioned individuals will undoubtedly view him as a tool to be exploited."
"We both know how... naive Mr. Prince can be in certain aspects." Dumbledore carefully chose his words, causing Aurora's brow to furrow like an elderly lady.
"What is required to become your apprentice?" She finally spoke without refusal, which visibly delighted Dumbledore.
"We both understand the value of friendship. You simply need to learn my knowledge, and in future days, extinguish the seeds that may lead Mr. Ian Prince into darkness."
After much silence following Dumbledore's words, Aurora slowly nodded. He immediately cheerfully arranged study times with Aurora and enthusiastically escorted her out of the office.
"Dumbledore, what kind of nonsense are you pulling, tricking both of them like this?" The wall paintings witnessed Dumbledore's shameless act of using the same argument for two individuals.
"As the most knowledgeable among the Headmasters concerning Dumbledore, Armando Dippet's painting grumbled with displeasure.
"I'm not worried about Ian. Ian has never lacked love since childhood, he also knows how to love."
Dumbledore sat back at his desk, closed his eyes, rubbed his brows, and sighed heavily with a heartfelt tone.
"But Miss Grindelwald is different; she requires special teaching methods to effectively prevent occurrences we all wish to avoid."
The faint whispers echoed in the office.
If one wishes to drive away darkness for others.
She too shall stand in the light because of it.