Chapter 775: Chapter 775

"Including that. It was Dumbledore's wish, he made a great sacrifice, but I'm not sure if things will unfold according to his original intentions... Unexpected events... In Dumbledore's original plan, it was me, Professor McGonagall, Harry, and maybe you two, who were supposed to know everything."

"Unexpected? What unexpected events?" Ron asked, looking at Harry and Hermione, who seemed downcast.

"Grindelwald." Harry said suddenly, sitting on the steps.

Hermione looked partially enlightened, partially puzzled.

"You should know Leonhard Bagshot's true identity," Felix said, his tone affirmative, "and what he has done before. Not long ago, he proposed an idea—specifically to address possible turmoil."

"I," he pointed to himself, "Dumbledore, and himself, were supposed to tackle the complexities of the future together, such as the wizarding world being forced to come out... But Dumbledore refused because he knew then that this plan could never be realized. Not to mention, Grindelwald is nowhere to be found now..."

"Professor, do you think he will disrupt Dumbledore's arrangements?" Hermione asked keenly.

Harry listened intently, unsure of his own feelings at the moment. He both hoped Dumbledore's achievements would be known and feared his plans being thwarted. His emotions were conflicting.

"Oh, I see!" Ron said confidently. "He wants to go solo, to relive the past glory. When Grindelwald was being moved last night—Simone told me, we were outside the headmaster's office at the time, didn't see the scene—Simone said he was completely unconscious, which might seem like a betrayal to Grindelwald."

"It's possible," he said, "but Grindelwald's relationship with Dumbledore is complex. No one knows for sure what he's thinking." Perhaps Dumbledore's true feelings were recorded in that Tales of Beedle the Bard book.

"If Grindelwald really sees Dumbledore as an enemy," Harry pondered, "besides rallying his followers, there's one more thing he must do—announce Dumbledore's death!" He finished, looking shocked.

Felix silently pondered; he was concerned about that too. Even if Grindelwald understood Dumbledore's dilemma, would his intentions change? From everything Felix had gathered, Grindelwald had always been strong-willed, and Dumbledore's apprehension of him, perhaps stemming from their dynamic when they were young.

The world's greatest white wizard could have been Grindelwald's first follower, a chilling thought indeed.

Even after half a century, could Grindelwald have mellowed? Felix didn't think so. Those who had experienced or even orchestrated wars were not ones to show weakness when it was necessary to be ruthless.

He hadn't forgotten the contents of the letter Dumbledore left him.

Felix hoped Grindelwald hadn't abandoned his previous idea. Even though one of the three was now missing, Felix's magic could create an identity for Dumbledore as long as he didn't act, enough to fool anyone. And the real him and Grindelwald could find a balance, ostensibly at odds but communicating in secret.

Peaceful, moderate wizards supported the International Confederation of Wizards and Dumbledore (Felix), while radical, ambitious wizards sided with Grindelwald, eliminating hidden dangers. If they could reach an understanding, Felix wouldn't mind supporting his formation of a new Saints. After all, Grindelwald had already destroyed the imprisonment spell within him.

So Felix didn't leave the school; it was also a signal: he was waiting for Grindelwald to find him.

"Harry, you should know that I've transformed the Slytherin Chamber into a spacious playground, and there's not much going on at school these days. I suggest you organize a few club activities..."

This historic city in western Austria, near the German border, is replete with Baroque-style ancient buildings in the old town. Churches and monasteries abound, and gardens and fountains compete for attention. People living here can see the beautiful scenery of the Alps with just a glance.

In a spacious theater, thousands of wizards gathered, each with different appearances and moods. If one had to find a common point, it would be that these people were not young, their faces wrinkled with age.

Everyone gazed at the person on stage.

"My brothers, my sisters, my friends..." Grindelwald's deep voice echoed in the spacious room, this was the opening of his past speeches, saying this, it seemed to traverse through a long time, bringing them back to that fervent era. But everyone knew everything was different now, the once thunderous man was now old.

"I'm not sure... if I still have the right to address you as I used to. You were my staunchest supporters, trusting me without reservation... but I failed." The crowd became restless. "The future I promised you was delayed by half a century. If you are disappointed, wavering, if you have changed your minds, I fully understand because I've also been disappointed, wavered, and changed my mind..."

Grindelwald reached out his hand from behind him—there were exclamations from the Saints—his left hand was charred black.

"Don't worry about me," Grindelwald said softly. "This hand is the price of my freedom and also represents my determination." Blue flames flew out from the tip of his wand, igniting the entire stage, and a high phoenix cry came from the flames.

"...But if you still harbor a glimmer of hope, then follow me, and I will show you that future."

The flames obscured his figure, amidst the hesitation of the wizards in the crowd, one wizard walked out without hesitation, a witch with white hair. If Felix were present, he would definitely recognize her, she had once used the name Nicole Noel.

She plunged into the flames, unharmed by them. Grindelwald welcomed her with his intact hand.

"Welcome back, Vita."

More and more people came out, and soon, the figures in the flames were indistinct, even a bit crowded. Their figures blurred in the flames, and only from their movements could it be seen that they were all looking at a few companions. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novᴇlfire.net

In the flames, Grindelwald spoke hoarsely.

"We were once close, so do me one last favor: tell Felix Harp that we will meet soon, but not in the way he hopes." After finishing, he bowed slightly, then straightened up.

He waved his wand sharply, and the flames suddenly shrank, disappearing into nothingness.

Everyone on stage disappeared.

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