The Silent Witch of Hogwarts

Chapter 689 The Prisoner

In the end, Loila chose to come to Nurmengard alone.

Standing beneath the dilapidated castle, Loila's feelings had changed considerably since her last visit—it seemed that her emotions were different every time she came here.

But some things are the same.

That was nervousness—it was inevitable that I was nervous about coming to Loila this time.

After all, if Dumbledore and Lord Grindelwald had that kind of relationship—then tell Lord Grindelwald the news of Dumbledore's death—

Isn't that very bad?

But I have to tell Lord Grindelwald about this—telling others such a sad thing isn't exactly a happy thing, is it?

And then there was the conversation between Dumbledore and Lord Grindelwald—the deal—Roy didn't even know what expression to wear when facing Lord Grindelwald—Lord Grindelwald had been deceiving him for so long.

But was it a white lie?

If Lord Grindelwald had actually told him from the beginning that they had made a deal or something, he probably would have just thought he had been sold to Dumbledore.

Aloyra paced back and forth by the castle, finally taking a deep breath after a long period of contemplation—

"Clatter".

Loila slowly pushed open the castle door, pursed her lips, and stepped inside.

As before, the air carried a faint smell of wood and a slightly damp, rotten odor—but this smell disappeared as you entered the hall.

Not only had the taste disappeared, but Loila's eyes widened slightly as well.

Unexpectedly, she saw Lord Grindelwald in the hall.

The old man sat quietly on the sofa, watching Loila walk into the castle with gentle eyes.

"Grindelwald—Lord Grindelwald?!"

Loila, who had been preparing herself mentally at the door, was startled. She quickly bowed and said somewhat awkwardly, "Hello."

"Hahahaha." Grindelwald chuckled at the sight, shook his head with a smile, and said, "It has indeed been a while, Miss Hamilton."

"Please sit down," he said, bowing slightly.

"Mmm."

She slowly sat down, her legs together, and kept fidgeting with the hem of her clothes, unsure of what to say.

All my own thoughts seemed to pale in comparison to Lord Grindelwald sitting in the hall from his room.

"What brings you here this time?" Grindelwald asked slowly, his eyes carrying a hint of meaning.

"It's because—" Loila had just started to speak when she didn't know how to bring it up—how ​​to tell Grindelwald such bad news.

Lord Grindelwald is already so old, and I'm still so cruel as to tell him such bad news—

"Dumbledore is dead, right?"

"Huh?!" Grindelwald shrugged at Loila's astonished gaze. "Miss Hamilton, don't forget—I am a prophetic Magus."

The prophecy—so Lord Grindelwald actually knew all along—

"But I actually saw this in the newspaper," Grindelwald said, taking out a newspaper and casually placing it on the table.

"Hmm—" Looking at Lord Grindelwald's smiling face, Loira didn't know what to say.

But Lord Grindelwald isn't sad at all?

At least it wasn't as painful as Roy had imagined—that's because—because their relationship was fake, right?

All that talk about blood pacts and stuff is definitely Dumbledore's nonsense.

"You should already know my story with Dumbledore, right?"

"Ah—um—uh—" Loila was once again at a loss because of Lord Grindelwald's words, as if he knew what she was thinking—

This is Lord Grindelwald—he seems perfectly normal.

"Those things are all true," Grindelwald said calmly, acknowledging everything. "We were indeed in love."

"But that's all in the past," he said with a sigh. "Regarding this matter—I also must apologize to you."

"Apologize?!" Upon hearing this, Loila quickly waved her hands: "I—I have never blamed Lord Grindelwald—for these things—"

“But I really should apologize.” Grindelwald’s heterochromatic eyes lowered slightly. “I’ve deceived you for so long—without even an apology—that’s far too—far too presumptuous of me.”

"After all, you're different from them," Grindelwald said with a light laugh. "You're not just my compatriot—you're also my family."

"Home—family!" Loila felt like she was about to faint, not knowing whether it was from happiness or excitement.

Is it a dream that I am actually family with Lord Grindelwald?

Grindelwald chuckled softly as he looked at Loila.

"Alright—Miss Hamilton, perhaps we should get down to business?" he said, slowly placing a letter on the table. "Here's what you need."

"After showing them this letter, they will naturally be willing to cooperate with the Order of the Phoenix."

"Lord Grindelwald—" Loila slowly picked up the letter, looking at him with some surprise.

"I did indeed know this through a prophecy." Grindelwald smiled slightly, leaning back on the sofa with a hint of smugness.

This image of Lord Grindelwald evoked a sense of nostalgia in Roy—yes, Lord Grindelwald was once just like that, proud—and self-assured—

If only she could be like Lord Grindelwald—Loila couldn't help but feel envious.

"Actually, you've been just like me for a long time," Grindelwald said calmly, as if he knew what she was thinking. "I rely on oratory and rule to unite our people."

"Your method is actually much more subtle—much gentler," he said with a slight smile. "In the hearts of Hogwarts students, in the hearts of the Hamilton family—"

"You are their Gellert Grindelwald."

Grindelwald's words caught Roy off guard. She instinctively wanted to argue, but then she saw Lord Grindelwald slowly walk up to her.

He gently reached out and patted Loira's head, then continued as she froze, "For that, I'd like to thank Albus."

"If it weren't for him—I don't know what we would be facing right now."

Yes—yes—my acquaintance with the Hamilton family, and with the teachers and students of Hogwarts—all began at Hogwarts—from Dumbledore's invitation—from his decision to keep his promise to give me a home—

"Actually, do you know?" Grindelwald said softly, "Dumbledore has always had his own plans."

"He wasn't initially prepared to give his life."

Grindelwald's words startled Loila slightly.

"Do you remember that letter Dumbledore sent, informing the Malachi Party?" Grindelwald's words made Loila purse her lips.

"He had hoped to wait with you at Hogwarts for Voldemort's arrival," Grindelwald said, shaking his head. "But he didn't realize—you had already fallen into Voldemort's trap."

I----

Loila pursed her lips, feeling a pang of unease—what if she hadn't fallen for Voldemort's trick?

Wouldn't that mean Dumbledore wouldn't have to die either?

In other words—actually—did he himself harm Dumbledore?