The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 684 For the Greater Good (Part 2)

Before Loila could find the answer to her questions, everything before her eyes changed. The rural countryside gradually receded into the distance, and the castle known as Hogwarts slowly appeared.

"Dumbledore!" The first thing that came into view was a man with freckles on his face and slightly disheveled hair. He was wearing a worn-out trench coat and carrying a briefcase.

Although she didn't know who he was, Loila recognized the suitcase—it was Newt Scamander's suitcase—in other words, the person in front of her—should be Newt?

Young Newt stood on the stone bridge at Hogwarts, surrounded by all sorts of people—even—

Loila saw a more familiar face.

Is that Miss Nagini?

Yes—a woman with long black hair is standing in the distance, seemingly talking to someone else—

Yes, Miss Nagini once mentioned that she and Dumbledore had known each other for a long time—so is this a story from their youth?

Indeed, Dumbledore looked quite different from his usual white-bearded appearance; he appeared tall, with sharp eyes and a thick, bushy head of reddish-brown hair.

He stood beside Newt and said, "Mr. Scamander, I remember you've been gone for a long time, haven't you?"

What brings you here?

"Professor Dumbledore," Newt coughed, "we need your help—no one but you can stop Grindelwald."

You need to add "adult" to that, you rascal!

Even in my memory, Newt was always so rude!

"Me?" Dumbledore's expression turned complicated upon hearing this, but Royla had seen the later plot. You cunning fellow, you still ended up fighting Lord Grindelwald, didn't you?

Now pretend to be a —

"I cannot be his enemy," Dumbledore said, his tone quite complex.

"Why?" Newt's question echoed Royla's thoughts, and they both looked intently at Dumbledore.

"Because—" Dumbledore slightly raised his right hand, on which was wrapped a red chain and a silver crystal.

This is... a blood pact?

And wasn't that the person I just saw—so that person—that person was Dumbledore?!

Dumbledore and Lord Grindelwald knew each other when they were so young, and... and...

Loila never expected such a thing to happen—

Is this fake?

impossible?

Is Dumbledore lying to me? He definitely is!

Loila didn't believe such nonsense. Dumbledore was definitely lying to her on purpose—to make her serve Hogwarts well, right?

She didn't believe Lord Grindelwald and Dumbledore could have that kind of relationship—it was impossible—this—

Despite her inner denials, Loila felt her head was in a complete mess. Why was Dumbledore showing her this kind of thing?

I don't want to watch this kind of thing!

As if hearing Loila's thoughts, the scene before her eyes began to change, and then gradually transformed into another place familiar to Loila.

Nurmengard.

The place where she had lived for three years was now far from dilapidated—Niumengard was exceptionally prosperous at that time.

Under the crystal chandelier, Loila saw Lord Grindelwald and Dumbledore standing opposite each other, wands in hand.

Did this happen when I left?

Loila's memory of 1945 stops at this very moment, at the instant she stepped out of Nurmengard—and after she left Nurmengard, Lord Grindelwald should have met Dumbledore, right?

He kept saying he didn't want to—the blood pact—but in the end, he still came, didn't he, Dumbledore?

"It's been a long time, Albus." Lord Grindelwald spoke first. He looked at Dumbledore with a slightly complicated expression, but his grip on his wand showed no hesitation.

"It has indeed been a while, Gellert," Dumbledore said, looking quietly at Grindelwald. "Why don't you run away?"

“There’s no need, Albus,” said Lord Grindelwald. “I am not one to fear failure.”

"And even if I fail—it doesn't matter," Grindelwald said, shrugging. "Wouldn't that just prove that might makes right?"

"Not so—Gellert." Dumbledore shook his head slightly. "Your failure proves that strength is not power."

"Hahaha." Lord Grindelwald laughed. "You're still as good at debating as ever, Albus."

"Perhaps—after all, we haven't changed much since then." Dumbledore shook his head. "Put down your wands—your men have all been defeated."

"What can you do if you're all alone?"

"They are not my men, Albus," Lord Grindelwald said quietly. "They are my fellow countrymen who share the same ideals."

"Whether they are your own people or your subordinates, it's all the same." Dumbledore paused. "Put down your wand—your life is not in danger."

"I am not a coward, you know that, Albus."

"Of course I know," Dumbledore said hesitantly—he took a deep breath, raised his wand, and said, "You understand what I mean, don't you?"

"Ah—you're starting to show mercy now, Albus." Lord Grindelwald chuckled. "You can't bear to let me die, can you?"

silence.

Dumbledore didn't speak, but shook his head slightly.

""

"It's not a big deal for me to put down my wand," Lord Grindelwald said with a soft laugh. "But I have a few conditions."

"What are the conditions?" Surprisingly, Dumbledore didn't refuse, but instead asked calmly, "I might be able to agree to your request."

"It's not a particularly difficult condition," Lord Grindelwald said calmly, looking at Dumbledore. "First—"

""

"I hope I can guarantee the safety of my fellow countrymen." Lord Grindelwald's words made Loila purse her lips.

"They have followed me for many years—I do not wish for them to be held accountable because of my incompetence," Lord Grindelwald said, looking at Dumbledore. "Without me, they will not cause any more trouble."

"—" Dumbledore paused for a few seconds, then nodded slightly: "I can grant your request—"

"But those who committed murder—must go to Azkaban—" he paused, then continued, "Even if they don't go to Azkaban—"

"Alright, Albus," Lord Grindelwald interrupted him, "it's just the two of us here."

"You understand what the best option is," he said slowly. "If you disagree—I will leave—and continue to cause you trouble."

"Until one of us goes to see Merlin."

"————" Dumbledore finally had no choice but to nod gently: "I promise you."

"They will not be purged, but only if they do not start a new war."

"That's natural." Lord Grindelwald appeared nonchalant, as if the discussion wasn't about his own fate.

"And then?" Dumbledore asked slowly. "Your conditions weren't just one, were they?"

"Hmm." Lord Grindelwald nodded slightly. "Of course—"

"I have one more condition," he said, his eyes suddenly turning to Loila.

Huh?

Loila was stunned for a moment, and was surprised to find that Lord Grindelwald's eyes were looking at her—what was going on?

His heterochromatic eyes held a gentle yet helpless expression as he quietly looked at Loila, who should have been unseen by anyone, and said, "I took in a poor child before."

"Can you continue to take care of her?"

A child?

Loila looked at Dumbledore with trembling eyes and found that his expression was equally astonished.

"Who?" Dumbledore asked. "Is it your child?"

"No." Grindelwald chuckled. "Her name is Loila Hamilton, and she has beautiful silver hair and a pair of lovely pointed ears."

"I once promised her a home—but now that home no longer exists."

"Albus, can you do me this favor?"

>