Chapter 293: Exhibition
Chapter 293: Exhibition
The sound of a mirror falling to the ground startled the sleeping person on the bed, who stirred, turned over, and opened his eyes.
The small mirror lay face-up on the ground, reflecting the faint light from the cell, resembling a tiny pool of cold water.
The old man lying on the bed was as thin as a skeleton, appearing frail and aged, except for his eyes, which still held a cold and sharp power.
As if he were still the leader who had led the revolution in the wizarding world and caused countless tragedies—Gellert Grindelwald.
He saw the mirror but did not get up, merely squinting at it for a while before speaking in a hoarse voice, "Two-Way Mirror? Who sent you here?"
From outside the bare stone wall, a respectful voice replied, "Sir, this is not a Two-Way Mirror but a recent popular item in the wizarding world that can transmit images and sounds, similar to Muggle television."
Although the wizarding world had always been hidden, it was not completely isolated from the ordinary world.
On the contrary, most of the villages where wizards resided were also home to many Muggles, and the Ministry of Magic was also largely hidden within cities, so wizards naturally had some understanding of the popular television in the Muggle world.
Before the old man inside was imprisoned, many families already had black-and-white televisions, but color televisions had not yet been invented.
After hearing the first sentence, the faint light in Grindelwald's eyes disappeared, replaced by boredom and impatience.
"I should have told you not to disturb me again."
"Yes, sir."
The person outside the wall respectfully said, "We are not here to persuade you to leave, but... perhaps you would like to see what the world looks like now?"
Grindelwald closed his eyes again and said coldly, "Get out!"
There was no sound outside, but magic told Grindelwald that the person had left.
He lay there for a long time, his mind seemingly filled with thoughts, yet also feeling like he hadn't thought of anything, as if it were just a fleeting moment, and the darkness had already faded, with sunlight streaming in through the cracks.
On his sinewy arm, he felt a faint warmth.
A house-elf appeared with a 'pop,' bowed to the person on the bed, placed a tray on the low stone table, and then disappeared without a word.
On the tray were a bottle and a loaf of bread.
Grindelwald propped himself up on the bed, his body so weak that even this movement was strenuous.
Despite his hunger, Grindelwald did not reach for the food the house-elf had brought but instead waved his hand casually.
The mirror flew into his hand.
He had intended to throw the mirror out through the crack, but when he saw the aged face in the mirror, Grindelwald couldn't help but hesitate.
The long and lonely prison life could gradually wear down his vitality but couldn't kill his heart along with it.
"I'll just take a look," Grindelwald said to himself.
"I'll throw it away after one look."
He turned the mirror over and pondered for a moment.
The FlowMirror, like the old-fashioned television, was idiot-proof, with only an on/off button and a volume knob on the side, and no channel-changing option.
So, the old man pressed a button at random, and the mirror displayed a moving image, along with the excited voice of a young man—
"Look! The third team is also about to reach the core area! The enraged python is ready! Will they be eliminated within five minutes like the previous teams...?"
The image changed.
A rotund Python and several anxious students appeared in the mirror, all holding wands. On the edge of the frame, a wizard on a broomstick patrolled the sky, with a protective Acromantula hanging on the hedge wall separating the students from the python.
This was Hogwarts, but not the Hogwarts Gellert Grindelwald knew.
"Yes, yes, that sapphire goes perfectly with your tie, making you look noble and elegant. Your hair doesn't need to be too neat; a little messier is even better..."
The man-sized mirror emitted a noisy voice, and the boy in the reflection sighed, his grey eyes showing a hint of exasperation.
He casually ruffled his hair, ignoring the mirror's insistence to put on a hat, and walked to the window, transforming into a bird and taking off.
Soon, Vold landed on the rooftop of a tall building in the city. He transformed back, unlocked the iron door with an unlocking charm, and descended the stairs.
After exiting the building, he found himself on a quiet city street. A bus with a few passengers drove by.
As the bus left, Vold spotted a figure across the street—Professor Morrow, also dressed as an elderly gentleman.
He hurried over and said softly, "Professor."
Professor Morrow took out a pocket watch to check the time, nodded, and said, "You're just in time. Let's go."
The two walked side by side down the street, and Vold thought they would enter a phone booth or an abandoned toy store. Unexpectedly, Professor Morrow led him into a small museum on the street.
"Ding-dong—"
As the glass door opened, Vold heard the sound of a bell. A girl who had been sitting behind the counter stood up.
"Sorry, we're closed today, no visits allowed..."
"We're here to see the magic show upstairs," Professor Morrow interrupted.
"Oh, okay."
The girl's expression changed slightly, and then she led the two of them to the elevator next to them.
As Vold stepped into the elevator, he saw the girl looking at him curiously. He smiled gently.
The girl lowered her head and pressed the button for them.
Vold: ...
If he wasn't mistaken, she had pressed the emergency call button? The elevator door closed, shook, and then began to descend.
"Professor, why can't we use the fireplace or apparition to get there directly?"
It was at this moment that Vold voiced his question.
"Because there will be many valuable alchemical items at the exhibition, and apparition is prohibited. The fireplaces are also unavailable to prevent robbery incidents."
Professor Morrow spoke solemnly, then smiled.
"Of course, more importantly... Alchemists are often interested in Muggle inventions, and the organizers of this event are even more so."
This time, Professor Morrow was taking Vold to an exhibition of alchemists' works, and there were said to be very ancient magical items.
Of course, these private exhibitions were not open to the public. Without Professor Morrow's connection, an ordinary student like Vold would never have received any news.
He had been looking forward to this for a long time.
(End of Chapter)
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