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Chapter 441: Power in Restraint
Chapter 441: Power in Restraint
"Grindelwald," Dumbledore said coldly, "I never expected that the first thing you'd do after leaving Nurmengard would be to go after a child. Truly, you never cease to surprise me."
Grindelwald burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the ruins.
"Dumbledore...Albus! How high are your expectations of my morality? You know, if the need arises, even a baby..." His voice trailed off as Dumbledore suddenly took a step forward, his ancient wand firmly pointed at Grindelwald's heart, its tip glowing with a golden-red light.
The hidden, powerful force felt like a blade, causing a stinging pain even before it was unsheathed.
Grindelwald tilted his head slightly, a smile playing on his face.
"Why the evasion, Albus? You know what I've done recently. Why not question me on behalf of the Muggles I've killed? Why not accuse me of disrupting the balance and peace between the magical and Muggle worlds?"
"You always side with the weak and foolish. You constantly oppose me to protect them...Why not do the same this time?"
Grindelwald's smile grew wider.
"Is it because you also believe I'm right? Deep down, you know these people deserve to die! The world is rotting, and Muggles are bringing about doomsday. My actions are saving it!"
"And you, Albus, are hailed as a saint. You hide your weakness behind pitiful acts of kindness. But we both know that back then, you were..."
At the mention of the past, Dumbledore's face contorted as if struck, revealing a fleeting look of dismay behind his half-moon glasses, which now shimmered with pain.
Grindelwald abruptly swallowed the rest of his words, his heart racing, his magic surging, and his chest tightening. A trickle of deep red blood escaped from the corner of his mouth.
For a long while, they stood in silence as the cold winter wind, carrying tiny ice crystals, swept over the ravaged ground.
After a while, Dumbledore asked coldly, "Where's Vide?"
"Kill me, and you can take the child back," Grindelwald said, taking a step forward. The tip of his old wand pressed against Dumbledore's chest, sinking deep into his clothes and flesh.
Dumbledore's arm remained motionless, and Grindelwald reached out to grasp the other end of the wand, his eyes gleaming with an unnamed fervor and murderous intent.
"Kill me, Albus, as you've always wanted to. Don't worry about tarnishing your nobility. It was I who killed Ariana, and I deserve it."
Dumbledore's eyes widened suddenly, his pupils dilating slightly, and a hint of pain flashed across his face. Amidst the shock and sorrow, he felt a mix of surprise and relief.
Many years ago, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Albus had a fierce argument that quickly escalated into a duel. In the heat of the moment, Grindelwald cast the Cruciatus Curse on Albus.
As Albus screamed in agony, the unstable young Ariana was triggered, causing her Obscurus to go out of control.
The terrifying and destructive power erupted nearby, and the teenagers struggled to survive, using their most powerful spells to resist the Obscurus. After a chaotic blur, the Obscurus vanished, and Ariana was dead.
This was Dumbledore's deepest wound, his greatest fear...He feared that he had delivered the fatal blow to Ariana, that he had killed his own sister.
Hearing these words from Grindelwald's mouth, Dumbledore felt as if a century-old burden had been lifted from his shoulders. His breath momentarily stilled, and for an instant, he even felt like crying.
But he couldn't help but think of a question—
Did Grindelwald know his greatest fear...Was this intentional? Was this the truth of what happened back then?
The two men stared at each other in silence, their similar blue eyes shadowed by the passage of time, revealing a depth of ruin and despair.
Time seemed to stand still.
"Professor."
The scene was interrupted by a soft voice.
Vide, who had also Apparated to a distant spot to hide, approached Dumbledore from behind.
Dumbledore blinked and turned to look at Vide, his eyes flickering with recognition. The tension in his face eased.
"Are you alright, Vide?"
"I'm fine, Professor," Vide replied. After a pause, he added, "Is there something you want to ask me?"
These were the exact words Vide had said to Dumbledore after viewing the memory-induced visions of Grindelwald.
These words not only confirmed that he was the real Vide Gray, not an imposter using Polyjuice Potion, but also showed that he remained true to himself, with his thoughts, honesty, and trust in Dumbledore unchanged from before.
Dumbledore's eyes held a cryptic smile as he said, "When we return, I'd like to hear the part you're willing to share."
"Okay," Vide nodded, secretly relieved.
Seeing the headmaster appear, he suddenly realized that while he hadn't been mistreated in his daily life, he had indeed been under indescribable pressure.
But as he glanced up, Vide noticed Grindelwald staring at him with a profound gaze, his lips slightly downturned, looking displeased.
Vide's eyes flickered, avoiding the stare, his mind filled with a thousand complaints.
Dumbledore raised his left arm, signaling Vide to grab his arm, and slowly lowered his wand.
"I won't kill you, Grindelwald. Violence doesn't solve problems, and killing has never been my choice—not even for you. I won't end everything with death."
Dumbledore's gaze deepened, and he sighed, saying, "If you believe you're right, then continue on your path—perhaps the world truly needs someone like you..."
His eyes swept over the remnants of the surrounding buildings, and his mind flashed with images of the horrors he had witnessed.
"But I hope... I hope you can understand..."
"True power lies in restraint, in choosing not to harm others, even when we have the ability to do so," Dumbledore said. "It also lies in choosing to protect others from harm, a responsibility that those with power should shoulder."
Grindelwald scoffed, "Don't try to bind me with your ridiculous morality! My thoughts... my ideals have never changed!"
"Whether it's genuine or an act, you're currently doing things that benefit others, not just brutal killings."
"I've never thought your ideals were entirely wrong," Dumbledore said calmly yet firmly. "The error lies in the means."
"After all these years, you should understand that the old ways only lead to destruction. Changing the world requires strength, but it also demands wisdom and kindness."
Dumbledore looked at him with a hint of regret in his eyes. "Even for a greater good, patience, compromise, and compassion are necessary."
"Grindelwald, if you're merely deceiving the world and ultimately choose to rule and oppress through violence, you will undoubtedly fail, no matter how many times you try."
"I hope you understand this."
At his words, Grindelwald's eyebrows twitched, and he shouted, "So that's why you taught the child that way? If you had told me the same back then, wouldn't I have..."
"Crack!"
Dumbledore had no intention of debating with him. After saying what he needed to say, he took Vide and Apparated away.
The loud crack was like a slap across Grindelwald's face, distorting his expression instantly.
The wind, carrying dust and frost, swirled in front of Grindelwald, mocking him.
Grindelwald: "..."
The Wizengamot forces had finished their battle, and Grindelwald was not killed, much to the delight of his followers, who rushed to their leader's side. Then, they saw Grindelwald let out a cold laugh, his eyes flashing with cold light, as he raised his wand and pointed it at the ruins of the estate.
"Destroy it!"
"Hail the Saints!"
The Wizengamot members shouted their slogan and charged into the estate, entering the underground through the cracks in the ground. Soon, sounds of combat echoed from within.
The soldiers, still reeling from the sheer power of the duo's destructive abilities, were now completely demoralized, and the Wizengamot easily gained the upper hand, advancing swiftly.
Drellen approached Grindelwald and handed him a potion, asking with concern, "Sir, how are you feeling now?"
"Me? I feel fantastic!" Grindelwald replied, downing the potion in one gulp, his teeth clenched.
Drellen stood by his side, worried, but he saw that Grindelwald's emaciated body seemed infused with an invisible force, or perhaps his boiling anger became a new pillar of strength, allowing him to forget his physical discomfort, and his eyes lit up once more.
This was definitely not the power of the potion.
Drellen muttered to himself, thinking of how he had felt like the sky was falling earlier, and he sighed silently.
...
The remaining surveillance cameras stubbornly held their positions, slowly rotating and recording the scenes atop the ruins.
Despite the many trials, the wizards finally achieved their goal of entering the estate, and the organization's leader was so moved that he had tears of joy in his eyes, wanting to kneel and thank God.
His colleagues around him had already started cheering, pounding the table vigorously and shouting, "Great!"
The latest news will be released in Chapter 69!
The more level-headed ones advised, "Wait... wait until most of them are inside."
"Of course, I understand."
The team leader wiped the sweat from his palms and pressed the activation button, his eyes fixed intently on the screen.
Beside him, another team member made a call, suppressing their excitement as they spoke in a slightly trembling voice, "The plan is proceeding as expected. We can begin!"
Finally, after most of the wizards had entered the estate, the leader firmly pressed the button!
...
"Vrrrr..."
The quiet machine suddenly emitted a buzzing sound, and the indicator lights on it lit up one by one, startling Dobby. He quickly cut the cables in front of him with swift hand movements.
Seeing that the lights on the machine had not yet gone out, Winky extended her hand and snapped her fingers, causing a loud bang. The machine's surface cracked, revealing several large fissures.
"It's terrifying. What was it about to say?" Dobby asked, still shaken.
"It doesn't speak," Donovan explained. "That was just the sound of the machine starting up. Fortunately, you stopped it in time."
Dobby smiled sheepishly.
Winky frowned and asked, "Are you sure this is the last one?"
"Of course. I heard these things are expensive, and we only have a limited number brought in temporarily."
As Donovan explained, he sent a message to Dumbledore as agreed.
Dumbledore replied instantly: [Please wait.]
Winky noticed the Magi Palette in his hand and narrowed her eyes, asking suspiciously:
"Who is Donovan contacting? Is he lying to me?"
"No, no."
Having just witnessed the power of the two house-elves, Donovan didn't dare offend them. He waved his hand and said, "It's Dumbledore. I told you, I'm Dumbledore's man."
"Dumbledore?!"
Winky screamed and instinctively tried to Apparate, but Donovan's parchment suddenly emitted a glow, followed by a loud bang! Dumbledore appeared.
Winky's eyes darted around, avoiding the headmaster's gaze. Her fingers twisted nervously, and she unconsciously fidgeted with the corners of her robe.
Dobby, on the other hand, looked at Dumbledore with admiration, swallowing nervously as his big eyes became watery.
"Mr. Dumbledore," Donovan stepped forward and said.
"Thank you for your hard work, Donovan," Dumbledore looked at the werewolf's wounds and said, "I'll send you away first. This place will be breached soon."
"Yes."
Donovan had no objections. He took the Portal Key that Dumbledore gave him and instantly disappeared from his original spot.
Then, Dumbledore turned his attention to the two house-elves beside him.
"Good morning, Mr. Dumbledore," Dobby bowed deeply, his nose almost touching the ground.
Winky, standing next to him, quickly followed suit, praying that Dumbledore wouldn't recognize her—
There were so many house-elves at Hogwarts, and wizards usually couldn't tell them apart, right?
"Good morning, Dobby, Winky," Dumbledore said gently. "I want to thank you for your help. You are both very brave and loyal house-elves."
Dobby's eyes lit up instantly, his cheeks flushing with excitement. He waved his hands and said, "Dobby is so happy to be of help!"
Winky, on the other hand, sneaked glances at the headmaster's face from below and mumbled incoherently, "Actually... um... Winky is..."
Dumbledore smiled and said, "I know you left school to buy whiskey for Professor Trelawney... Did you get it?"
Winky shook her head quickly.
"Then go and buy it."
Dumbledore smiled gently and said, "Remember to return to school after buying it... Vide has safely returned to school, so I think you won't have to run a thousand kilometers this time to get the whiskey."
- Is that all? No punishment?
Winky stared at the headmaster in disbelief, and even after Dumbledore reminded them to be careful and left with a wave of his hand, she still couldn't quite believe her luck.
"Great!" Dobby exclaimed, pumping his fists excitedly. "Winky didn't get punished! Mr. Gray was saved too!"
Winky slowly regained her composure and finally smiled.
She remembered passing by a room earlier and seeing a sign for the wine cellar, so she snapped her fingers and disappeared, only to reappear moments later, holding a bottle of whiskey that was almost too big for her to carry.
"Winky should return to school," Winky asked. "Does Dobby want to come along? Mr. Dumbledore will probably agree to accept another house-elf."
Dobby was about to nod, but then he hesitated.
"Mr. Dumbledore is a very good wizard, but..."
Dobby's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but gradually, his expression became more determined.
"But Mr. Gray is a house-elf... Dobby wants to ask him first... Dobby wants to work for the Gray family..."
(End of Chapter)
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