"I'm already over six hundred years old, Albus."
Nicolas Flamel was delighted by the visit of his old friend… yet troubled by the grim news he brought.
What troubled him even more was that Albus Dumbledore actually wanted him to come out of retirement again.
The last time he had picked up his wand… was when he had disciplined Tom.
"In the eyes of the outside world, I'm already a dead man. Can't you just let me enjoy my retirement in peace?"
Dumbledore gave a helpless smile.
"Nic, it's not that I want to disturb you. But the situation is dire. Grindelwald came prepared this time. He sought out Gregorovitch and had him craft a wand specifically to counter the Elder Wand."
"Right now, the enemy is in the shadows while we stand exposed. I cannot handle this alone."
Flamel tapped his cane against the ground in irritation.
"What about the Ministries of Magic? The Magical Congress? Albus, you're just a school headmaster. Don't carry everything on your own shoulders."
"Them?"
Dumbledore's smile grew even more bitter.
On the surface, he was always gentle, always courteous. But deep down, his pride ran strong. There were very few in the wizarding world he truly regarded as equals.
Most people… were ordinary. Mediocre.
And yet, it was precisely because there were so many ordinary people that Dumbledore bore such an immense burden.
Because the more capable a person was, the greater the chaos they could unleash.
Like Gellert Grindelwald.
Like Lord Voldemort.
And so the current situation had come to be.
Even an aged, diminished Grindelwald, stirring the winds once more… if Dumbledore did not step in, the wizarding world might not be able to resist him at all.
It could even descend into an abyss beyond prediction.
So once again, he had to stand at the forefront.
...
Flamel leaned back in his chair, equally troubled.
His entanglement with Grindelwald was not extensive, but it was deep enough.
Back then, when Newt Scamander stole the blood pact, Flamel had provided considerable assistance. During the peak of the Saints' power, he had simply fled to Devon in England to live in seclusion, only returning to Paris after Grindelwald was imprisoned in the tower.
And now… was he supposed to run again?
Flamel couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Couldn't Grindelwald have waited a few more decades before escaping?
If he were gone by then… or if Tom had grown strong enough… he wouldn't have to worry about any of this.
Flamel had no doubt that Tom could rival, even surpass Grindelwald.
The only problem was time.
What he didn't know…
Was that Grindelwald's escape had been orchestrated by that very same "good student."
...
Dumbledore tried persuading Flamel for quite some time. When he realized the old alchemist would not budge, he settled for a lesser request.
He asked Flamel to divine Grindelwald's whereabouts… or any place he might appear in the future.
This, Flamel agreed to.
But the result was… nothing.
Grindelwald had suffered from such methods before, and Tom had no intention of allowing anyone to uncover his connection with Grindelwald through prophecy. Together, they had concealed their traces with magic.
Unless it was a true, destined prophecy like those of Sybill Trelawney, there was no way to pinpoint them.
And such prophecies were always vague, never naming names.
"I'm sorry, Dumbledore. There's nothing I can do," Flamel said apologetically.
If anything, it felt like the older Grindelwald had become even harder to deal with.
"It's alright, Nic. Sooner or later… he will reveal himself."
Though Dumbledore said this, he left with clear disappointment.
Neither of his objectives had been achieved.
...
After he departed, Flamel sat in thought.
Should he flee to England for safety?
If Grindelwald came knocking, dealing with him would cost a tremendous price.
But after some consideration, he decided to stay put.
Most people believed he was already dead. Grindelwald was unlikely to seek him out specifically.
Besides… going to England would put him too close to that boy.
Tom wouldn't harm him.
But he would definitely use him.
Recently, Flamel felt like he had produced more alchemical items than he had in the past several decades combined. He had practically become Tom's personal laborer.
Better to stay hidden at home.
If trouble truly came, he could always run later.
Still… he should at least warn the boy.
Grindelwald had always been hostile toward students favored by Dumbledore. In the past, it had been Newt.
Now… it would likely be Tom.
And that Harry Potter boy as well.
...
At Hogwarts, Tom received the warning.
Not just from Flamel, but also from Newt.
[Socially Anxious Magizoologist: Tom, don't go wandering around lately. Stay in Hogwarts. Gellert Grindelwald has escaped, and the wizarding world is about to descend into chaos.]
[Tom: ??? Even if Grindelwald escaped, what does that have to do with me? Why would he come after me?]
Tom couldn't quite understand Newt and Flamel's line of thinking.
And honestly… their concern made him uneasy.
[Tina: Because you're Dumbledore's prized student. That's exactly the kind of person Grindelwald hates the most.]
[Tom: Aunt Tina, don't exaggerate. My relationship with the Headmaster is just normal. Nothing special.]
[Tina: It's not about what you think. It's about what Grindelwald thinks. You need to be wary of him… and of Dumbledore as well. Whatever he asks you to do, don't agree easily. If he tells you anything and you're unsure, come to me.]
[Newt: Tina, that's a bit much. Dumbledore wouldn't go that far. Tom is still a child.]
[Tina: Shut up, Newt. Tom may be a child, but he's not ordinary. Who knows what that old man is thinking? For the sake of victory… his bottom line is far lower than you imagine.]