Chapter 821: We Are Both Merely Committing Atrocities in the Name of Justice...
Chapter 821: We Are Both Merely Committing Atrocities in the Name of Justice...
Ivan, standing to the side, was completely engrossed in the story Dumbledore was telling, amazed by Grindelwald's audacity and feeling a sense of regret over the two men's eventual falling out.
"Are you telling me this in the hope that I will abandon my plans to change the Wizarding World, Professors?" Ivan pondered for a long while, then let out a slow breath before asking. The thoughts in his mind began to waver.
As someone who disliked trouble, Ivan had never wanted to spend his days worrying about how Wizards and Muggles could coexist peacefully. A life of attending classes and occasionally researching magic in peace was what he truly desired.
However, things did not go as planned. Voldemort's resurrection completely disrupted his plans, and Fudge's relentless pressure forced Ivan to take some drastic actions—such as attacking the Ministry of Magic!
Before he knew it, the entire British Wizarding World was under his control, and with it came increasingly heavy burdens.
After all, he was not Fudge, who could turn a blind eye to problems and pass them on to his successors without a second thought. It was precisely because of this that Ivan changed his mindset.
He wanted more than just to defeat Voldemort. Ivan also hoped to genuinely accomplish something to make up for the harm he had caused to the Wizarding World...
However, it now seemed that changing the current state of the Wizarding World was far more difficult than he had anticipated. Even a genius like Grindelwald, who dedicated his entire life to this cause, failed to resolve the internal conflicts among Wizards. This made Ivan begin to doubt whether he was facing an impossible situation.
Just as Ivan was feeling lost, Dumbledore's voice suddenly broke the silence.
"You may have misunderstood my intention, Hals."
"If there is anyone who can truly change this Wizarding World, I believe it will be you..." Dumbledore looked at Ivan with a serious expression. "Regardless of whether this path ultimately leads to heaven or hell..."
Ivan was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head. "You overestimate me, Professors..."
"You probably don't fully understand your own uniqueness, Hals. You are the most talented Wizard I have ever seen. Neither Tom, Grindelwald, nor I had such formidable power when we were young", Dumbledore said.
Ivan gave a wry smile but remained silent. He knew himself best; without the System's accelerated learning methods, he would probably be just an excellent fifth-year student.
"Moreover, your talent far surpasses ours. I have never seen anyone who, at fourteen or fifteen, could subdue over a hundred Dark Wizards and rule the entire British Wizarding World", Dumbledore's gaze, through his half-moon glasses, focused on Ivan as he continued. "You have achieved what Voldemort could only dream of..."
The previously harmonious atmosphere in the room suddenly turned cold.
Ivan was silent for a moment, then asked directly without denying it.
"You know? Did Professor Snape tell you?"
Although Ivan had long suspected that Dumbledore might have some knowledge of his affairs, he still felt a bit nervous when it was brought up explicitly.
Dumbledore shook his head. "While wandering the Wizarding World, I happened to encounter a lost Wizard. This poor soul had just broken free from the Imperius Curse, with his memories in a jumbled mess, and he couldn't even remember his own name..."
Notte?!
Ivan immediately guessed who Dumbledore was referring to. He hadn't expected this guy, who had been missing for several days, to be so lucky as to run into Dumbledore.
No, it was more accurate to say that he himself was rather unlucky.
While silently complaining in his heart, Ivan retorted, "Notte is far from pitiful. You should have seen the Dark Mark on his arm. The number of Muggles and Wizards who have died at his hands is not small!"
"And what about the Aurors who died at the Ministry of Magic and the innocent Clerks who were injured?" Dumbledore's gaze grew sharper, and he spoke with grave seriousness.
"Their sacrifices saved the lives of seventy-one elite Death Eaters. Don't forget, if these people manage to escape from Azkaban and return to the Dark Lord's side, they will only cause more destruction!" Ivan countered.
"You could have ended those Death Eaters' lives at Azkaban... instead of leading a raid on the Ministry of Magic, killing the current Minister of Magic and causing the deaths of dozens of innocent Aurors!" Dumbledore's anger was evident, and his white beard and hair fluttered slightly from the magical disturbance.
"Fudge has already caused enough trouble for the Wizarding World. If he remains Minister of Magic, he will drag everyone into the mud! I killed him to prevent more people from dying due to his incompetence!" Ivan spoke with firm resolve, showing no signs of backing down.
A terrifying Dragon Aura continuously emanated from Ivan, intertwining with Dumbledore's presence. The mahogany table in the center of the room trembled, and cracks began to form on its surface...
Ivan kept his eyes fixed on the elderly man before him, his anger rising. He continued mercilessly, "And what about you, Professor Dumbledore? What have you done for the Wizarding World since Voldemort's return?"
"I don't believe Professor Snape failed to report Voldemort's plans to break out the prisoners. You had the chance to kill those Death Eaters, didn't you?"
"But you didn't act! Because you feared it might expose Professor Snape's identity... In your eyes, this undercover agent in Voldemort's inner circle is more important than seventy-one Death Eaters and the destruction they could cause! Are the Wizards who will die at their hands any less innocent?"
Ivan's accusations cut like the sharpest blade, piercing Dumbledore's heart and making the elderly man's form seem even more withered.
"Perhaps you are right, Hals. We both sacrifice the innocent for what we believe is justice..." Dumbledore closed his eyes, his voice moved.
But after a brief moment, Dumbledore opened his eyes again, his withered form seeming to straighten. His voice was like a thunderous bell as he spoke.
"Since you are so steadfast in your justice, prove it to me, Hals..."
"It's time to make a decision!"
As he spoke, Dumbledore's deep blue eyes glowed with an unusual light, staring intently at Ivan as if trying to discern something from his face. "After all, you've already made up your mind, haven't you? To clear the last obstacle and avenge your father..."
(End of Chapter)
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