Hogwarts: Lacus doesn't want to be a witch who destroys nations.

Chapter 102 Grindelwald

For a moment, the only sounds in the carriage were the rhythmic clanging of the train wheels over the rail joints and the howling wind and snow outside the window. Lux felt her heart pounding in her ears, almost drowning out everything else.

She stared intently into the pair of playful eyes opposite her, her fingertips curling coldly in the rough fabric.

Carl, or rather Gellert Grindelwald, quickly lost his slick facade, which was replaced by a deep calm.

He didn't answer directly, but leaned back slightly against the hard seat back, his eyes seemingly able to see through Lux.

"Such keen perception, Lux." He finally spoke, his voice deep and magnetic, a stark contrast to his previous deliberately lowered tone, carrying a composure born of long-standing authority and a penetrating insight that seemed to see through everything.

This is practically the default.

Lux felt her back instantly soaked with cold sweat, and her fingers unconsciously clenched her wand.

She had actually been traveling with the most dangerous Dark Lord in the magical world for so long, and was even scheming every day to learn dark magic from him.

"What do you want to do?" Lux's brain raced as she considered every possible way to escape, but each one seemed pale and laughable in the face of the opponent's absolute strength.

Eve seemed to sense the sudden change in atmosphere as well. Although she didn't understand what had happened, her body tensed slightly, and her blood-red eyes locked onto Grindelwald warily.

Grindelwald chuckled softly, his laughter devoid of warmth: "Relax, child. If I wanted to harm you, you wouldn't have the chance to stand here questioning me. I have two purposes for coming here."

He extended two fingers, gracefully and slowly.

"First, assess the current state of the magical world on this vast frozen wasteland, to see if it is prepared for greater interests." Unfortunately, and fortunately, the Soviet Ministry of Magic was corrupt, sluggish, and immersed in old dreams, utterly vulnerable.

His tone was flat, as if he were stating an objective fact, but his arrogance and disappointment were obvious.

"Secondly," his gaze sharpened as he focused on Lux again.

"For it." He pointed to the spot where he had just suspected the runic power had leaked. "A powerful force is awakening. I can feel its call, but it's like a lighthouse hidden in a thick fog. I can determine the direction, but I can't pinpoint the exact location. And you, Lux—"

He leaned forward, and a sense of oppression spread silently. "You seem to be able to hear its voice clearly, and even talk to it. I was skeptical of this power at first, but now it seems that my prophecy has never failed me."

Lak understood instantly.

Grindelwald could only vaguely sense the general location of the runes, like knowing that the treasure was hidden in a huge lake, but he lacked precise radar, and he was the diver with his own navigation.

"You want me to help you find that rune," Lux stated, her mind racing.

Refuse? She'd probably turn on him immediately; she has almost no chance of beating Grindelwald now.

Agree? That would be tantamount to helping him increase his power, which would lead to endless troubles.

But it seems there isn't a better option.

"It's cooperation, Lux," Grindelwald corrected, a slight smile on his face, but Lux didn't find the smile friendly.

"You help me find it, and I guarantee you and your—playmates—will leave the Soviet Union safely, and I'll keep my promise to send you back to Hogwarts. Besides, you can continue learning my magic in the process. A fair deal, isn't it?" He glanced at Eve.

Lux was silent for a few seconds, her mind racing with calculations.

Finally, she raised her head and looked directly at Grindelwald: "And then what? The rune is yours? How do I know you won't turn on me after you get it?"

"True power is never gained by breaking contracts, Lux," Grindelwald said calmly. "My goals are far greater than an ancient rune, and your value extends far beyond this navigation mission. Besides—"

He looked at her meaningfully. "You seem to know a lot about this power called runes? Very interesting. Perhaps our future cooperation has more potential than you think."

"Think about it, with your talent, after I die, you could become the most powerful wizard in the world."

O

This sounds like a recruitment pitch, but it also suggests that his understanding of Lux's abilities far exceeds her expectations.

Lux cursed LeBlanc inwardly for not revealing any of this information.

"Alright," Lux took a deep breath, deciding to play along for now, "cooperate, but I have one condition: actions must be based on my senses, you can't force me to take risks, and Eve must stay with me at all times."

"A reasonable request." Grindelwald nodded readily.

"Well then, it's a pleasure to work with you, Miss Lux." He extended his hand.

Lux hesitated for a moment, then quickly reached out and shook his hand.

Grindelwald's hands were dry and strong.

"So, navigator, which direction should we go next?" Grindelwald leaned back in his seat.

Lux closed her eyes, trying to block out the train noise and her inner tension, focusing all her attention on the call.

After absorbing the Triple Elixir rune, her perception of the rune became increasingly clear.

"It's moving?" Lux opened her eyes in surprise. "Although it's moving very slowly, it's no longer in the fixed location we were aware of before. It's now moving towards the core area of ​​the Ministry of Magic."

A glint of light flashed in Grindelwald's eyes: "Move it? Interesting. It seems the Soviet Ministry of Magic has made contact with it and is trying to control or transfer it. We must speed things up."

He stood up: "Get ready, we're getting off the train early. It's time to visit the treasure trove of our Soviet counterparts once more."

A few minutes later, accompanied by a slight distortion, Grindelwald, along with Lux and Eve, Apparated and disappeared from the moving train carriage as if they had never been there.

This time, Grindelwald did not choose to enter through the main entrance.

He led Lux ​​and Eve to a secluded alleyway behind the Ministry of Magic building.

This area is clearly a blind spot, with very little surveillance and guarding.

"Sense it, where exactly is it, which floor?" Grindelwald asked in a low voice.

Lux focused her mind: "Very close—right here in this building, vertically downwards, very deep down, like in some secret chamber, with protective spells. They may have been exposed to runes a long time ago."

"As expected, he's been contained." Grindelwald wasn't surprised. "Come with me."

He was clearly not entirely ignorant of the structure of the Soviet Ministry of Magic.

Using their superior Disenchantment and the occasional, almost imperceptible Confusion Charm, they moved like ghosts through the busy, inefficient corridors, avoiding guards as they descended.