Hogwarts: Dumbledore reigned over the wizarding world.

Chapter 245 Dumbledore: Gellert, I need your help!

His indifference and rationality were not a lack of emotion, but rather—he harbored a grander ambition within him!

His ambitions were so grand that his emotions could only focus on those around him, on "small love," and he had neither the energy nor the desire to spare the energy to think about "great love."

"His mind, and the things he thinks about, are far more far-reaching than ours, perhaps extending for many, many years on a time scale."

Dumbledore's voice was as faint as if he were dreaming.

But Grindelwald already understood what he meant, and the old wizard's eyes widened: "Magic?"

"Yes, magic—"

Dumbledore seemed to snap out of his reverie. He glanced at the astonished Grindelwald and forced a smile: "Or, in Muggle terms, it's called truth, the laws governing things, intrinsic motivation, the laws of magic, and so on. He wants to unravel the mysteries of magic and find the ultimate answer!"

Grindelwald was somewhat shaken.

But soon, he revealed a disdainful expression: "Hmph, a child's thought!"

It's like a Muggle saying their dream when they're young is to be a doctor, a lawyer, or a scientist—that's just the fearlessness of an ignorant child.

Many wizards had this dream when they were young: to find the source of magic and figure out what magic really is.

Grindelwald, who lived to be over a hundred years old, had seen far too much.

But only one in a hundred could persevere—including himself.

"Yes, it sounds naive, but Vaughn is different!"

Dumbledore emphasized again, and seeing Grindelwald's somewhat impatient expression, he slowly said, "I don't mean I think he can do it, but rather, he is well aware of how difficult the path to truth is—Gellert, what do you think his purpose was in founding the WAC?"

The answer to this question was clearly written in the newspaper in Grindelwald's hand.

For the werewolves!

But Grindelwald knew that wasn't the answer Dumbledore had in mind.

Dumbledore didn't press him to think, and simply answered, "He's laying the groundwork for his future!"

"Vaughn doesn't like the Secret Code, but this dislike isn't because of its double standards, nor because wizards are vulnerable in the face of the Secret Code."

"He has no objections to Muggles, nor does he have any opinions on protecting them. In fact, from a philosophical perspective, Vaughn's way of thinking is closer to that of a Muggle. If you've talked to him, you'll have a strong feeling that he's like a Muggle scientist!"

"What he hated was the lifeless, unchanging nature of the magical world under the constraints of law—occasionally, during our conversations, he would complain to me about the lack of ambition among wizards, such as how the modern spell system had been developing for hundreds of years, yet still lacked a unified development theory."

"For example, Muggles already have electric lights, televisions, and computers, while the wizarding world still uses braziers and candles for lighting. The first wizarding radio station was only built a few years ago, and television is still a thing of the past."

"The wizards walking the streets looked like medieval savages compared to Muggles—"

"Of course, it's just complaining, because in his mind, he knows where the root of the problem lies. In his view, all the problems are the result of the 'Law of Secrecy' blocking communication between the wizarding world and Muggle society. Wizards are trapped in a corner of the world by a law, losing their competitive spirit and their ability to innovate. If they fall behind one step, they will fall behind step by step."

"Vorn hated that backwardness—or to be more precise, he hated the backward, lifeless magical world, the loneliness of having no one to accompany him in his pursuit of truth—"

Dumbledore's voice echoed through the deep castle.

The candlelight flickered.

The disdain on Grindelwald's face gradually faded, replaced by a look of surprise.

This legendary wizard, who once dismantled the Aurors of many nations in Paris with just his speeches, suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

After a long pause, he finally asked, "Is this how you see Vaughn Weasley?"

He was surprised by the hoarseness of his voice.

As if struck by something, just like his mind at this moment, it was unable to maintain its usual calm.

Dumbledore didn't notice the tremor hidden in that hoarse voice, nor did he ponder whether it was excitement or—fear.

After all, when he first guessed Vaughn's true thoughts, he was also conflicted and struggled to make a decision.

However, I have already thought about and hesitated over the past few days.

Dumbledore continued, "No, not the Vaughn Weasley I see, but the real Vaughn, that's what he thinks. His goals are different from yours, and the means he uses to achieve them are different from yours."

"You are a legendary wizard, Gettler. Powerful magic grants you the ability to achieve your ideals, but it has also led you astray. He, however, has not—not yet!"

"Vaughn is well aware that the Statute of Secrecy, which has been in effect for 300 years, is politically correct and represents the mainstream view in the wizarding world. If he were to violently resist, many wizards would stand against him, including me."

As he spoke, he smiled and said, "Of course, it's also possible that your failure helped him see the inevitable outcome of this choice."

Grindelwald put on a stern face.

Dumbledore's tone became lighter: "So he chose another way, a way that none of us had thought of back then, or that we had thought of but subconsciously ignored—"

Unexpected? Overlooked?

As a genius who was once on par with Dumbledore, even in his old age, Grindelwald has not lost his sensitivity to problems.

Besides, Dumbledore has already laid out all the clues.

Let's connect this to the previous conversation.

Grindelwald thought for a moment, then suddenly realized: "He's found a loophole in the Secrecy Act!"

Yes!

The Law on Guarding State Secrets has loopholes.

Dumbledore nodded: "That's right, a loophole—300 years ago, when the wizarding world was pushing for the Statute of Secrets, the intention was to bring all magical creatures under the law. So the contract signing section not only included wizards, but also goblins, centaurs, mermaids—and other magical creatures."

"The wizards divided magical creatures into two main categories: humans and beasts. Based on this classification, they determined rights and obligations. It must be said that the wizards of that time were very thorough in their considerations and did their best to avoid the 'Secrecy Act' being challenged in legal terms."

"However, due to long-standing issues of perception, they still overlook two groups."

Before he could finish speaking...

Grindelwald, on the other side, replied in a deep voice: "House-elves, and, werewolves—"

Dumbledore was somewhat moved.

In fact, not only wizards 300 years ago, but even now, 300 years later, few wizards have noticed this loophole.

It was during the establishment of WAC, when he was constantly speculating about Vaughn's motives, that he accidentally noticed the hidden danger left in the signature column.

This is not a matter of wisdom, but rather a matter of being blinded by preconceived notions.

Wizards are accustomed to viewing house-elves as "private property," rather than as people or beasts.

We've become accustomed to viewing werewolves as "pests" rather than intelligent beings!

If you never value certain things, then you will naturally overlook them, even if they are actually very important.

The castle, dimly lit except for the flickering firelight, fell silent for a moment.

The night sky outside the window gradually brightened as the clouds parted, and moonlight and starlight spilled onto the snow. Under the dark sky, the mountains were covered in a vast expanse of white.

After a long silence, Dumbledore's voice echoed again: "Vaughn's choice of werewolves was neither accidental nor inevitable. If not werewolves, then house-elves—he knew from the beginning the role of these groups, to gather them, to gradually re-establish their identity, to elevate their status, and then one day, to use them to shake the entire Statute of Secrecy!"

The secrecy law is both a law and a "contract" with magical power.

No country is willing to bear the consequences of violating it, which is the main reason why the International Confederation of Wizards, which holds the Secret Law, has not become a rubber stamp like the Muggle United Nations, but has developed into a "state above states".

Grindelwald remained silent, sinking into the soft sofa.

The shadows cast by the firelight obscured his features, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Perhaps they are regretting not discovering this vulnerability back then?

Or perhaps it was the shock caused by Vaughn Weasley's ideals and methods, as Dumbledore described?

No one knew what he was thinking, including Dumbledore. Their tacit understanding had been shattered since that battle more than 40 years ago.

Two hearts that were once so close have grown old and scarred with time, and drifted apart.

Dumbledore only saw Grindelwald slump into the sofa as if all his strength had been drained, and after a while, his voice came: "I still don't understand why you support him."

"Because I saw restraint in his behavior—"

"Restraint? You mean those two werewolves who died in the newspaper? The trigger for the werewolves' parade?" Grindelwald's tone was undisguised sarcasm. "Or are you really senile and can't see how those two werewolves died? Do you believe your Vaughn Weasley is some innocent little flower?"

Dumbledore's expression remained calm: "Yes, only two werewolves died, which is quite restrained—sometimes, sacrifice is necessary!"

"

Grindelwald's gaze was somewhat dazed.

For a fleeting moment, he felt as if he had returned to a long, long time ago, to the small building in Godric Valley, dark and cramped, but deeply imprinted in his memory.

They met there, found common interests, and vowed to overthrow the wizarding world, the Muggle regime, and eliminate injustice.

At that time, Dumbledore, just as he was now, casually remarked as they discussed the potentially disastrous impact of the subversion plan on innocent Muggles:

That was a necessary sacrifice!

He hadn't seen Albus Dumbledore like that in a long time, and he suddenly felt a pang of jealousy.

However, he couldn't quite explain what he was jealous of.

On the other side, Dumbledore continued, "As I said before, I'm not sure if Vaughn's ideal can be realized. All I can see are the preparations he has made to achieve it, and I must admit, the chances of success are very high."

"During the time he went to North America, I hesitated many times. Sometimes I would sit in the headmaster's office at Hogwarts, and sometimes I would change into Muggle clothes and go to London or Paris to take a walk and see the sights."

"Two conflicting thoughts are swirling in my head—you know, Gellert, sadly, until now, I haven't really made up my mind, and that just goes to show how serious the problem is."

"Even though I try hard to understand the plight of werewolves and house-elves, even though I walk the streets of London and the alleys of Paris and feel with absolute clarity that the lifestyle and scientific level of Muggles are leaving wizards far behind, I still cannot shake off the neglect and contempt brought about by preconceived notions."

"Perhaps Vaughn is right. The existence of the Statute of Secrecy has indeed only brought harm to the wizarding world; we have gradually become arrogant without realizing it!"

"This world may really need to change—I certainly can't say with certainty that Vaughn's methods are correct, but I know what is wrong—the seclusion I once insisted on was clearly wrong in my observations during that period, and you, Gellert, your violent revolution full of deception and power is clearly wrong as well."

"Our initial choice failed; it was essentially trial and error. Now, Vaughn presents me with a new choice—"

Dumbledore turned to his old friend across from him and asked quietly, "What do you think I should do?"

With this murmur, magic surged within the aged body of the man who had been revered as the greatest white wizard for half a century.

The air suddenly blurred for a moment.

In a daze, Grindelwald saw that the scenery behind Dumbledore turned gray and white; the sofa back, the floor, the decorations, the walls—even the flickering firelight of the fireplace—were stripped of their color behind Dumbledore.

But that misty gray-white was not entirely monotonous.

A ray of light, like that of dusk, peeked out from the gray depths. It was neither bright nor dazzling, like a curtain gently drawn back at dusk, or a few swaying rays of light filtering through the leaves of a tree in the evening breeze.

Upon seeing the light, Grindelwald instinctively sat up straight.

"Albus, you—"

"My time is running out, Gellert," Dumbledore said softly, raising his hand and watching the "grey-white" stain spread across his hand, leaving jagged marks until it was completely covered.

And so I watched as the light of dusk followed closely behind the "grayish-white," penetrating the skin, flesh, and bones, shining from behind to the front.

"My heart is still hesitant, but my body and my soul will not allow me to hesitate any longer. Our past mistakes have no reason to continue in the face of this urgent time. Although I am still not sure if Vaughn is right, the fact is that it will probably be the last choice I firmly support in my final journey in this world."

"You asked me why I chose different methods for Tom and Vaughn, and these are my answers, and the reason I'm here to see you today—Gellert, I need your help!"

."

Grindelwald stood there, stunned, for a long time before hesitantly saying, "Albus, twilight is not irreversible, you—"

He didn't finish his sentence.

Dumbledore interrupted him, the old wizard calmly saying, "You know me. I have never feared death. Your words also show that you subconsciously have no doubt that I came to you to prolong my life. There's something I said to Vaughn last year, and a year has passed, and I still hold the same belief."

"Death is nothing more than another great adventure!"

"I saw Dumbledore rushing back from outside yesterday!"

In the morning, at the Gryffindor long table in the dining room, Harry, who wasn't in a very good mood, said to Ron beside him.

Ron's eyes widened: "You did it again last night—"

He realized he had made a bit too much noise, so he quickly looked around furtively, lowered his voice, and said like a secret agent making a rendezvous: "—You've been out at night again, wearing an invisibility cloak?"

"Just wandering around."

"But you didn't take me with you!"

Ron was a little angry.

Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes. He was getting annoyed by Ron's erratic behavior, something he wouldn't normally do. This bad mood wasn't because the magic dome of the Great Hall was gloomy and overcast today.

It wasn't because of food—

Although breakfast was indeed a bit terrible, the table was piled with bowls of bland oatmeal porridge, and plates of pickled herring and smoked meat. The strong smell of smokiness and smoke mixed with the salty and savory aroma of the meat to create an indescribable flavor.

Harry had just overheard Seamus, who was sitting not far away, complaining that the Hogwarts kitchens were probably dealing with leftover pickled food from two years ago.

Only when the bread is baked to perfection.

Harry absentmindedly tore at the buttered bread and soaked it in the oatmeal—that way the porridge would at least have some flavor and not taste like water.

He was certainly aware that there was something wrong with his mindset. After all, he had undergone Vaughn's grueling training and was used to maintaining his brain closed.

Although the coolness brought by the brain block surgery this time did not cover up the anxiety that kept popping up in my mind.

The anxiety may stem from the loss of your laptop!

Harry found himself unable to stop "missing" his notebook these past two days. Every time he passed through the lobby on the first floor, he had a strong urge to do what he had done two days ago and break into the Potions office in the basement.

Even though he knew that doing so was absolutely wrong.

Of course, Harry also suspected that his anxiety might stem from Hermione's indifference—

He initially thought he could accept Hermione's passive-aggressive behavior, but after only two days, Harry realized that he had underestimated the power of true "habit".

Having gone through thick and thin together over the past year, Hermione is far more important to him than he thinks she is.

These past two days, he's been subconsciously trying to talk to Hermione, as if their relationship is still like it was during summer vacation. However, the reality is that every time he greets her, the girl ignores him.

Right now, Hermione was sitting diagonally across from him, but she wasn't participating in his conversation with Ron at all. He was pretty sure she had heard Ron say the word "night stroll."

In the past, Hermione would not have tolerated such a thing.

But now she seemed not to hear anything at all.

More hurtful than arguing is indifference.

Harry was beginning to understand the true meaning of those words.

Regardless, the anxiety was there, and Harry found himself unable to talk to anyone. Hermione ignored him and Ron, and after breaking into the Potions office a couple of nights ago, Ron thought he must have gone mad to listen to Harry's advice and go and provoke Snape.

Harry suspected that if he told Ron about the notebook, the guy might grab his wand, pry open his skull, and see if it was broken inside.

Ron was more interested in Dumbledore's whereabouts: "—You said he came back from outside the school?"

"Of course, his robe was still covered in snow."

In September, the Scottish Highlands are obviously snowless, and the mountain peaks nearby are damp, much like the shores of the Black Lake, due to warm, humid air currents.

"Perhaps he went to some secluded, remote place," Ron speculated with great interest. "Like a castle high in the mountains of a faraway land? A secluded cabin? Or—"

He suddenly had a wild idea: "Hey Harry, didn't someone say they've been seeing Vaughn and Dumbledore together a lot lately? Do you think Dumbledore might be involved in our Defense Against the Dark Arts practice? Maybe it'll be somewhere in the polar regions north of the North Sea?"

Harry did not respond to his "whimsical idea".

Besides the anxiety that made him less inclined to think, Professor McGonagall had also arrived. The vice-principal, wearing tortoiseshell glasses, was distributing parchments one by one at the Gryffindor table, carrying a stack of parchments.

A new week has begun.

Courses for all subjects are about to officially begin, and the parchment Professor McGonagall sent us contains the second-year course schedule.

Before Harry could even look at the package, he heard Ron beside him let out a wail: "Merlin's socks! Second-year students have four Potions classes a week!"

This "horrifying" news immediately made Harry forget his anxiety.

He quickly unfolded the course schedule and, sure enough, saw the course name he least wanted to see.

To be precise, second-grade potions class still consists of "two periods," one on Wednesday and one on Thursday. However, the alarming change is that each period, which was 30 minutes in first grade, has been extended to one and a half hours on Wednesday morning and one and a half hours on Thursday afternoon.

Other courses, including Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration course, are only 45 minutes long!

No wonder Ron screamed that it was four lessons.

"That's terrible news—"

The thought of having to face Snape's face for three hours at a time for two consecutive days made Harry feel utterly hopeless!

The only good news is that those painful days are still two days away.

The new schedule is full of enjoyable classes on Mondays—herbology and transfiguration in the morning, defense against the dark arts in the afternoon, and astronomy in the evening.

Come to think of it, they hadn't even met Professor Isabella Rozier during the first week of school!

Professor McGonagall previously taught Defense Against the Dark Arts class—because Quirrell died early, she also assigned the summer homework and was responsible for grading it.

Already anxious, Harry decided to temporarily forget about the threat of Potions class on Wednesday and Thursday.

After finishing his meal, he went with Ron, Neville, Seamus, and the others to the Herbology Greenhouse outside the castle—Hermione still ignored them and left alone early on.