Chapter 1486: A Succession of Darkness
Chapter 1486: A Succession of Darkness
In return, Albert made time over the next few days to visit Grindelwald in Nurmengard Prison. He brought the older man treats and engaged him in conversations about a topic of great interest: Albus Dumbledore.
Most elderly folk enjoyed reminiscing about the past, and Grindelwald was no exception. Despite knowing Albert's ulterior motives, he welcomed the company and the opportunity to spend his remaining days in comfort and pleasure—a fortunate turn for one so close to death.
Thus, Grindelwald readily agreed to share his memories and divulged the locations of his abandoned secret hideouts, though he had no idea what they might contain now.
"Is this the real reason for your visits?"
"I'm not after money," Albert shook his head. "I may not have mentioned, but my mentor was Nicolas Flamel, and he left me a substantial fortune before he departed."
"You were that old man's student!" Grindelwald exclaimed, eyeing Albert with newfound curiosity before shaking his head and draining his glass of wine. He then casually extracted a memory from his mind and stored it in a glass vial, adding it to the countless others in the wooden box before him.
The aged man offered his knowledge to Albert as compensation for the young man's companionship during their recent chats.
These had been the happiest moments Grindelwald had experienced in decades.
To be honest, Grindelwald was shocked when Albert handed him the wand, but he quickly regained his composure and remained silent.
He knew he had aged, and he sensed that the young man before him was not concerned about the wand in his possession. Albert exuded confidence, assured that he could easily thwart any attempt Grindelwald might make.
"It's hard to imagine what kind of monster you'll become," Grindelwald murmured.
"I am who I am," Albert replied.
"What a pity," Grindelwald said.
"I am not like you," Albert stated.
As Albert reached out to help him close the lid on the box of vials, Grindelwald remarked, "To me, knowledge is the most precious treasure, yet so many overlook it, including you and Dumbledore."
"In that case, you would have made a more suitable Headmaster than him," Grindelwald said, his thoughts becoming clearer as he sorted through his chaotic memories.
"Perhaps," Albert acknowledged, "but the life the Lemes led is what I aspire to."
"Is that so? Well, I suppose there's nothing left here that you want," Grindelwald said with a light laugh, changing the subject. "You're quite the robber, aren't you? Did Dumbledore convince you to help him with this mess by using the same method?"
"Yes, and it's true that someone needed to tie up these loose ends, and I have the ability to do so. That's why I agreed," Albert admitted. "I don't think I would have been left alone if I refused. The conflict with the mysterious man stems from Dumbledore's actions, and his arrogance in deciding the fate of others."
"So, you don't mind me keeping this?" Grindelwald asked with a smile, gesturing to the wand.
"Your life has been quite remarkable, and it shouldn't end in such a pathetic way," Albert said softly.
"You're right," Grindelwald said, putting away the wand, indicating his agreement, and bidding Albert farewell.
"If you could, would you also take care of the prisoners here in Nurmengard Prison?" Albert asked, placing a golden potion vial before Grindelwald. "To prevent them from joining the mysterious man's forces and causing trouble for both of us and the entire wizarding world."
"You are a considerate person, and I've grown quite fond of you, even though we've only just met," Grindelwald said, seeing a kindred spirit in Albert. He made no further attempts to persuade the young man otherwise.
"Consider it a payment for services rendered," Albert said with a malicious smile. "After all, what's given should be reciprocated. Perhaps the mysterious man will think this is a surprise left by Dumbledore. That man has always been afraid of Dumbledore and lived in his shadow, never daring to face him directly."
After erasing all traces of his visit, Albert left Nurmengard Prison, hoping that Voldemort would appreciate this surprise—a passing of the torch from one Dark Lord to another.
It would be unfitting for Grindelwald, the Dark Lord, to simply die in prison. It would be more befitting for him to be killed by the second Dark Lord, completing the succession of darkness.
Of course, Albert had no concerns about Grindelwald escaping with the wand. The old man wasn't much younger than Dumbledore.
Unless he wanted to become another Voldemort and seek rebirth through alternative means, but the chances of that were slim, and Albert would continue to keep a close eye on him.
As for the locations of Grindelwald's hideouts that he had shared, Albert had no urgency to explore them. Instead, he sealed them away along with the divided memories, intending to deal with them after the Wizarding War concluded.
"So, this is why you've been staying up all night these past few days?"
Isabella arched an eyebrow as she gazed at the carefully sealed box containing the vials. "Aren't you worried that he'll do something with the wand you gave him?"
"Grindelwald has spent most of his life in Nurmengard Prison," Albert said meaningfully. "Besides, with Dumbledore's death, I believe the old man would prefer a dignified ending. After all, someone who has lived a colorful life like his shouldn't die a miserable death in prison. And there's also the matter of revenge..."
"So, they really..." Isabella trailed off, her curiosity piqued by the rumor.
"I think their relationship was different from what you might be imagining," Albert said, noting the strange expression on Isabella's face. "When they met, they were both incredibly talented, but their lives were less than ideal. They confided in each other, becoming spiritual confidants and partners, even going so far as to make an unbreakable vow never to harm each other."
"That's still quite a shocking secret," Isabella remarked.
"Geniuses often understand each other," Albert said.
"It's a good thing you met me first," Isabella muttered.
"Ahem, I don't have their complications," Albert coughed lightly, interrupting Isabella's wild fantasies. "Aside from the nuisance of Tom, my life has been smooth sailing."
"Meow!"
Tom the cat meowed softly in response to the mention of his name.
"I wasn't calling you," Albert said, ruffling Tom's fur.
He carefully stored away the box containing Grindelwald's memories, pleased with the completion of another task.
(End of Chapter)
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