Hearing Dolores Umbridge's words, Rufus Scrimgeour instinctively furrowed his brow, about to retort. After all, Albus Dumbledore's presence in London would greatly bolster the Ministry of Magic's chances of victory.
More importantly, the arrival of the undisputed greatest wizard of their time would significantly raise the morale of the Aurors under his command!
However, before Scrimgeour could speak, Cornelius Fudge, brimming with enthusiasm, interrupted:
"How could you say such a thing, Umbridge! I hold Albus in the highest regard as the greatest white wizard in history! But I also believe that having Dumbledore keep Grindelwald occupied at Nurmengard is far more important than bringing him to London!"
Scrimgeour swallowed his words reluctantly, while Umbridge beamed with approval.
"You're absolutely right, Minister Fudge!"
Moments later, countless owls departed from the British Ministry of Magic, flying across Europe.
At that moment in Hogwarts, Dumbledore had just bid farewell to the professors gathered in his office. Gazing at the letters and potion bottles before him, he rubbed his eyes lightly, a hint of weariness on his face.
"Someone is in for a lot of trouble," Dumbledore murmured softly in the empty office. Yet, it was unclear who he was referring to.
Just then, an owl from the Ministry arrived with a letter from Fudge.
Opening the letter, Dumbledore's expression grew grave as he read Fudge's account of the events unfolding in London. However, upon seeing Fudge's final request, he suddenly chuckled. Turning to Fawkes, the phoenix perched nearby, he said:
"And this is why making Fudge Minister of Magic wasn't such a bad idea after all!"
Without delay, Dumbledore pulled out parchment and quill, rapidly penning several letters. He summoned Hagrid to dispatch the letters via owls.
Moments later, Fawkes let out a melodious cry, and both Dumbledore and his phoenix vanished from the headmaster's office.
Nurmengard Castle, Austria.
Gellert Grindelwald, his hair a striking white, looked at the unexpected visitor before him—Albus Dumbledore—with a puzzled expression.
"Albus, has my child caused trouble at school? Are you here for a home visit?"
Albus Dumbledore: …
Before Dumbledore could respond, Grindelwald chuckled softly.
"Well, regardless, there's at least one benefit to my dear Wentworth attending Hogwarts. Your visits here have certainly become more frequent."
Hearing this, a trace of guilt flickered across Dumbledore's face.
He proceeded to recount everything that had transpired at Hogwarts concerning Wentworth.
When Dumbledore finished, Grindelwald laughed, though his laughter was tinged with disdain.
"Dumbledore, tell me, what has your old-world order produced? I'm right here, yet they dare not confront me directly. Instead, they target an eleven-year-old child again and again."
Shaking his head, Grindelwald seemed profoundly disappointed with the current state of the wizarding world.
Dumbledore didn't respond to the mockery but spoke slowly, "Gellert, I believe your followers have already deduced who is orchestrating these actions from behind the scenes. Given their fanaticism, a grand war could once again engulf the magical world."
Unconcerned, Grindelwald waved dismissively.
"Relax, Albus. Rosier isn't some brainless dark wizard. She will quietly document everything and settle the score when the time is right—not now, but when Wentworth has come into his own."
"By then, you and I will likely be sipping tea with Merlin," Grindelwald added with a faint smile.
Dumbledore then shared details of the escalating tensions in London.
Grindelwald, rather than responding directly, scrutinized Dumbledore carefully.
"So, why are you here now?"
Feigning a serious expression, Dumbledore replied, "As President of the International Confederation of Wizards, I've been invited by the British Minister of Magic to ensure you're properly contained here."
The two stared at each other for a long moment.
Suddenly, both burst into laughter.
When their laughter subsided, Grindelwald looked at Dumbledore with a sly grin.
"It seems you're under suspicion, Albus, and the one doubting you is none other than the man you helped become Minister. Your judgment of people has always been… questionable!"
Pausing briefly, Grindelwald added with a smirk:
"Except when it came to me."
Dumbledore, unfazed by the jab, seated himself beside Grindelwald and gazed out at the view beyond Nurmengard.
"This isn't so bad, is it? It's been a long time since we've sat together like this, just talking."
Grindelwald scooted slightly away and sneered.
"Let me guess—who have you sent to act as your eyes and ears on the ground? Don't tell me it's that beast tamer again?"
Dumbledore shook his head with a knowing smile as Grindelwald rattled off several more names, all of which Dumbledore denied.
Finally, Dumbledore looked at Grindelwald with a mischievous glint in his eye and said, "Inspired by you, I once founded a secret organization of my own. I call it… the Order of the Phoenix!"
"Before I came here, I sent letters to several members. If things spiral out of control, they'll inform me immediately."
Hearing this, Grindelwald rolled his eyes dramatically.
"And then you'll swoop in like some savior? Just as you did when you defeated me?"
But Grindelwald's tone softened as he added sincerely, "Albus Dumbledore, I've told you before—if we had joined forces back then, the magical world wouldn't be in such turmoil now. Mark my words, the wizarding world, mired in its petty squabbles and stagnation, will one day pay a heavy price for its complacency."
Dumbledore waved off the remark.
"No, Gellert. Back then, many of our ideas were immature, and the timing wasn't right. We…"
Before Dumbledore could finish, Grindelwald cut him off.
"I don't want to discuss this again—it's pointless."
Abruptly shifting the topic, Grindelwald fixed Dumbledore with a piercing gaze.
"Albus, we're both getting old, and our time is limited. Have you ever considered merging your Order of the Phoenix with my Pureblood Party?"
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