https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-546-Grindelwald-What-Do-You-Want-/13474701/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-548-Defence-Against-the-Dark-Arts/13475078/
Chapter 547: For a Greater Purpose
Chapter 547: For a Greater Purpose
"I can do it, no problem." Wade countered, "What harm could come from helping my classmates improve their spell-casting skills a bit?"
Hearing his words, Grindelwald's tone softened.
"Don't be so sharp, child. There's no harm in listening to an elder's advice—while you may have chosen to do this out of emotion, think about it rationally as well. What will it bring you?"
Wade sat by the window, the storm outside lashing the glass with wind and rain, the roar of the tempest sounding like the hum of an organ.
He lowered his head, fiddling with the quill in his hand, Grindelwald's voice echoing in his ears.
"If you're doing this because you can't refuse someone's request, I wouldn't advise wasting your time on mediocre individuals."
"If you're trying to cultivate followers and screen out truly valuable candidates, then setting these moderate obstacles is quite appropriate. Those who persist will undoubtedly become excellent wizards."
"Consequently, you must be particularly mindful of your teaching methods and demeanor. You need to not only teach them spells but also shape their way of thinking, balancing acts of kindness with discipline. You can't be purely selfless nor appear too cold and unfeeling."
"But if you really just want to help..."
The old man on the other end of the communication seemed to laugh, as if mocking Wade's naivety, but then he continued:
"Then you must commit fully. Don't do half the job, as that would waste both time and effort, and in the end, no one will appreciate it."
"Have you thought it through? Time is a precious resource. Don't waste it on meaningless tasks. If you decide to do something, ensure it serves a greater purpose."
After the call, Wade seriously pondered the reasons for taking on this troublesome task. Perhaps it was because he wasn't the "Boy Who Lived", and due to his interference, Harry hadn't experienced the repeated misunderstandings and doubts from the original story. In any case, Wade found that most of his classmates got along relatively well.
Even in Slytherin, with Draco Malfoy no longer actively stirring up trouble, the students were at most indifferent, occasionally muttering sarcastic comments about blood purity. To Wade, this wasn't a significant issue compared to the deaths he had witnessed and the pain Mabel had endured.
In Ravenclaw, Antoine was a very enthusiastic person. From the start, he had been very supportive of his fellow Ravenclaw students, including Wade, often reminding them about assignments and what to bring to class.
So when Antoine asked for help, Wade was inclined to agree. He also had a vague idea—approaching the tournament, Wade needed to consider potential team projects of three or five members. Observing and cultivating suitable teammates from now on seemed like a good idea.
Thus, he agreed to help with spell tutoring, knowing that with the Time-Turner, he had ample time to manage these additional tasks.
However, after the call, Wade's thoughts shifted slightly.
...
"Your advice is good."
In response to Michael's question, Wade said, "But we can trust Antoine's judgment in selecting people, and we can set clear boundaries and rules to minimize trouble, rather than immediately setting impossible conditions to reject people."
"Waking up at five isn’t that hard of a condition", Michael muttered. "I remember a time when you used to get up at four every morning."
He was referring to the period when Wade was practicing his Animagus transformation, reciting spells with the sunrise and sunset every day.
"I have more time, but others don’t."
Wade said objectively, "I do have a lot of classes, but other people’s schedules aren’t any easier. Most people need more time to complete the same coursework and homework as I do."
"Even you, after starting fourth year, have been under more and more stress with your studies. You don’t always get to sleep early at night. If you also have to wake up at five, when do you get to rest? It’s not good for your health in the long run."
Michael was silent for a long time. On the way to Potions class, he suddenly asked, "Wade… sometimes… do you ever think… that I might be a bit like a Slytherin?"
He spoke hesitantly, a rare note of uncertainty in his voice.
"No", Wade smiled. "You’re just thinking from my perspective. Like I said before, I actually think your idea is good. If someone were to pressure or persuade me to help, I would do it the way you suggested."
He paused, then continued, "But when I choose to do something, I should approach it with the intention of doing it well. Even if I can’t keep it up in the long term, I can at least be content with my efforts."
...
"He’s been too deeply influenced by Dumbledore", Grindelwald said, turning to the person beside him. "So he’ll definitely do his best to fulfill his promises."
Antoine hesitated, then asked, "Is that a bad thing? Do you prefer… that he learns to cultivate his own followers?"
Faced with such a simple question, Grindelwald fell silent.
He held a prophecy orb in his hand, the thin mist swirling inside.
After a long pause, Grindelwald said, "When I was young, at Durmstrang, I had no friends and no classmates who could be considered true rivals. I didn’t need fawning supporters… When I left school, my classmates were all celebrating."
"Voldemort is another kind of fool. He recruited followers at Hogwarts, maintaining loyalty through fear. Now… would he dare ask his former friends for help?"
"Dumbledore…" Grindelwald paused, then continued, "I heard he once had a few close classmates, but those fools couldn’t keep up with him and couldn’t understand his ideas."
He turned his head, gazing into the dark night.
"Wade is choosing a different path now. He’s not creating servants or gathering followers, but rather… finding companions who can walk with him."
"Before we see the results, it’s too early to say if it’s right or wrong… But as long as he doesn’t insist on going it alone and doesn’t get lost in self-admiration, he has a chance to go further."
"Running into obstacles is inevitable. Whether the results are good or bad, there’s always something to learn. A true leader can’t always stand on the mountaintop looking down on everyone else."
"But… silently and selflessly giving without expecting anything in return is too foolish."
Grindelwald patted Antoine’s shoulder and said, "Remember to remind those foolish kids to be grateful. Don’t let them think they can get all the benefits without giving anything in return."
Antoine smiled and said, "I understand."
(End of Chapter)
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