The sound of the mirror falling on the ground startled the person sleeping on the bed. He moved slightly, turned over, and opened his eyes.
The small mirror lay on the ground, its surface facing up, reflecting the dim light within the prison cell, resembling a small, cold puddle.
The elderly man lying on the bed was as thin as a skeleton, appearing weak and aged, yet his eyes still showed a cold and sharp power.
As if he was still that leader who brought revolution to the Wizarding World and caused numerous tragedies — Gellert Grindelwald.
He saw the mirror but didn't get up at all, only squinted at it for a while before speaking in a hoarse voice:
"Two-Sided Mirror? Who sent this to you?"
Outside the bare stone walls, a respectful voice answered:
"Sir, this is not a Two-Sided Mirror, but an item recently popular in the Magic World, similar to Muggle television, capable of transmitting images and sounds."
Though the Magic World has always remained hidden, it does not exist completely isolated from the ordinary world.
On the contrary, many Muggle villages are inhabited by wizards, and the Ministry of Magic is mostly hidden within cities, so wizards naturally have some understanding of the televisions popular in the Muggle World.
Before being imprisoned, the elderly man inside knew many families already owned black-and-white televisions, although color televisions had yet to be introduced.
Grindelwald's eyes lost their faint glimmer of light after hearing the first sentence, replaced by boredom and impatience.
"I should have told you all, never to disturb me again."
"Yes."
The person outside replied respectfully: "We are not here to persuade you to leave, it's just...perhaps you wish to see the world as it is now?"
Grindelwald closed his eyes again, saying coldly: "Get out!"
There was no sound outside, but magic told Grindelwald that the person had already left.
He lay there for a long time, his mind seemed filled with many thoughts, yet it felt as though he hadn't thought of anything at all. As if in a daze, the darkness had already faded, and sunlight streamed in through the narrow slit.
The veined arm felt a faint warmth.
A House-Elf appeared with a "bang," bowed to the person on the bed, placed a tray on the low stone table, and then disappeared without uttering a word.
On the tray was a bottle of water and a piece of bread.
Grindelwald propped himself up on the bed with his hands, his body so weak that even such a movement proved strenuous.
Despite his hunger, Grindelwald did not take the food brought by the House-Elf, he instead casually stretched out his hand.
The mirror flew into his hand.
He initially intended to throw the mirror out through the slit, but upon seeing the elderly face in the mirror, Grindelwald hesitated.
The long and solitary prison life could gradually wear down his vitality but could not let his heart perish with it.
——I'll just take one look.
Grindelwald said to himself in his mind.
——One look and then throw it away.
He flipped the mirror over and pondered.
Flow Mirrors, like old-style televisions, operated with simple controls. The side had only a power button and a volume adjustment knob, without even an option to change channels.
Thus, with a casual press, the mirror displayed an active image, simultaneously projecting an excited voice of a young boy —
"Look! The third team is about to reach the core area! The enraged Ball Python is ready, waiting in battle! Will they be eliminated within five minutes like the previous teams…"
The display changed.
A chubby Ball Python and several tense-looking students appeared on the mirror, all holding Magic Wands.
At the edge of the image, wizards patrolling on brooms were visible in the sky, separating students from the Ball Python. A hedge wall bore a Tree-Protector Lofa.
That was Hogwarts.
But it was not the Hogwarts Grindelwald knew.
...
"Yes, yes, your tie paired with this blue sapphire makes you appear noble and elegant. Your hair shouldn't be too neatly groomed, slightly tousled looks better…"
The person-high mirror emitted a noisy voice, the gray eyes of the boy in the mirror appeared slightly helpless.
He casually raked his hair, ignored the mirror's shouting to wear a hat, and walked to the window, transforming into a bird to take flight.
Soon after, Vid landed on the rooftop of a high-rise in the city, reverted back, and used an Unlocking Charm to open the locked iron door, descending the staircase.
Upon exiting the building, he entered a deserted city street. A bus carrying few passengers just passed by in front.
After the bus departed, Vid noticed the figure across from him — it was none other than Professor Morry dressed as a distinguished old gentleman.
He quickly walked over and whispered: "Professor."
Professor Morry glanced at his pocket watch for the time, nodded and said: "Just on time, let's go."
The two walked side by side along the street. Vid thought they might enter a nearby telephone booth or an abandoned toy store, but unexpectedly, Professor Morry led him into a small museum by the roadside.
"Ding dong—"
As the glass door opened, Vid heard the sound of a bell ringing, and a girl who had been seated behind the counter stood up.
"Sorry, the museum is closed today, visits are not allowed…"
"We are here for the magic show upstairs." Professor Morry interrupted her.
"Oh, oh, okay."
The girl's expression changed slightly before she led them to the nearby elevator.
Once Vid entered, he noticed the girl was curiously observing him, so he smiled warmly.
The girl lowered her head and helped them press the elevator button.
Vid: …
If I'm not mistaken, didn't she press the emergency call button?
The elevator doors closed, then vibrated slightly, beginning its descent.
"Professor, why can't we use the fireplace or Apparition to arrive directly?"
Only then did Vid voice his question.
"Because there will be many valuable Magic Items at the exhibition, Apparition is forbidden, and fireplaces cannot be used. This is to prevent any robbery incidents."
Professor Morry said seriously, then smiled again.
"Of course, more importantly… Alchemists are pretty interested in Muggle inventions, and the organizers of this event are no different."
This time, Professor Morry brought Vid to attend an Alchemist's works exhibition, rumored to showcase very ancient Magic Items.
Of course, this kind of private exhibition was not open to the public. Without Professor Morry's connections, an ordinary student like Vid wouldn't catch a whiff of it.
He had been looking forward to it for a long time.