The group returning to the Ministry of Magic split up. Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Tonks were tasked with escorting Samuel Carpenter and the Horcrux, Isolde Carpenter, to Azkaban. Scrimgeour, on the other hand, was responsible for bringing Harry Potter and the others back to the Ministry promptly, foregoing the Muggle train.
As they arrived at the Ministry, they were greeted by a beaming Fudge and Tom Riddle, who Fudge described as "long-awaited." Fudge was quick to inquire whether Harry and his companions had given further thought to joining the Auror program after graduation.
"I still intend to be second-in-command."
"Malfoy, give it up. Stop dreaming. That position is as good as mine."
"Hmm… Aurors are excellent, and the work seems interesting, but I still favor magical creatures. I'm not particularly interested."
"Me too. I still plan to join the Ministry after graduation. I've decided that once I have sufficient experience, I shall run for Minister of Magic."
"..."
With each sentence uttered by Harry and the others, Fudge's smile waned, until Hermione Granger's declaration struck him like a physical blow, leaving him figuratively collapsed. The sole consolation was Cedric Diggory's apparent commitment to becoming an Auror.
Aside from that, the news was universally grim for Fudge, leading him to rue the very suggestion of the "summer Auror experience program." Perhaps this "opportunistic" approach was flawed from the start. Perhaps only through diligently enhancing his abilities and proving his worth could he find the right path. He needed to strive harder; he desperately wanted to be re-elected Minister! If he couldn't even compete with a young girl in the future, where would that leave him?
However, his efforts were his own concern. After all, Harry and his friends' holiday was nearing its end, and the start of their fifth year was just around the corner.
...
Another week passed.
Tom Riddle was in his office as usual, engrossed in a book. But he paused mid-chapter, sensing the arrival of guests. Not at his office door, of course. These "guests" had not even set foot on Hogwarts grounds. Yet, they were coming with haste, and Tom Riddle was well aware of their purpose.
He closed his copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, placed it on his desk, and leisurely left his office, making his way toward the Headmaster's Office.
...
Soon, a group of special guests arrived in the Headmaster's Office. When they witnessed Gellert Grindelwald and Albus Dumbledore acting all "lovey-dovey," they felt as if the sky had fallen—especially Rosier!
Yes, these special "guests" were none other than the inner circle of Grindelwald's old movement.
"..."
The inner circle stared at Grindelwald, who was seated next to Dumbledore, in stunned silence.
"You disappeared without a word back then, and the disappearance of Nurmengard led us to frantically search the world for you, only to find you flirting with the ex-boyfriend who put you in prison?!"
"..."
All eyes turned to Tom Riddle, who stood at the doorway.
"What? Isn't that what you're all thinking?" Tom Riddle asked expressionlessly. "I merely voiced it for you. You're welcome."
With that, he walked to a corner of the Headmaster's Office, found a stool, and settled down, ready to watch the spectacle unfold.
"Gellert..."
Rosier frowned and glared at Dumbledore, then looked at Grindelwald with a sorrowful gaze. "I need to understand why."
"That's none of my affair," Grindelwald retorted, immediately trying to divert the blame. "I was kidnapped!"
"Hey! You old bastard!" Tom Riddle immediately lost his composure. "You dare claim you didn't want to come out? You dare claim you didn't want to be all 'lovey-dovey' with old Dumbledore? You dare claim you weren't even a little happy when I rescued you?!"
"I dare."
"..."
Tom Riddle was taken aback by the old man's utter shamelessness. He smirked. "Fine! I'm the villain, then!"
He then released a subtle wave of pressure toward the members of the inner circle who were looking at him. "What? Do you have a problem with that? If you do, feel free to take him back. I won't stand in your way."
"..."
Rosier, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead, averted her gaze. The others didn't dare to utter a word. After all, they hadn't been imprisoned before, and though they were old, they weren't foolish enough to ignore the fact that this seemingly handsome brat was the Dark Lord, the most powerful wizard in the world! Just making eye contact with Tom Riddle had been enough to prove that they were completely outmatched!
"We already know your predicament," one of them said.
Grindelwald was somewhat surprised by their words. Hmm? How is it that I didn't realize I was in a predicament?
"Gellert, we also know you don't want to be forced to stay here."
No, actually, I quite want to.
"Come back with us."
"..."
How should I refuse?
Grindelwald pondered for a moment, then shook his head and sighed deeply. "I can't go back."
Dumbledore's beard twitched beside him; anyone who didn't know better would assume he was consumed by anger, but Tom Riddle knew he was suppressing a laugh.
"But we need you!" Rosier said, heartbroken, then looked at Dumbledore with displeasure. "Is it because of him?"
"It's not my fault. I have no objection to you taking Grindelwald back," Dumbledore replied, his words laced with a hidden agenda, which made Grindelwald glare at him with displeasure.
"..."
But the scene of the two exchanging complicated glances made Rosier feel wretched. How could she be inferior to this old man?!
She gritted her teeth. "Or is it because you have no choice?"
"No way! Since I said so, absolutely no one is stopping you from taking him back," Tom Riddle interjected, drawing another disapproving look from Grindelwald.
"..."
Feeling "retaliated against," Grindelwald could only sigh helplessly. "Sigh, I'll be frank, we... we can't go back. It's all over, everything."
"..."
The inner circle looked on incredulously. "Gellert, but we..."
"Don't even entertain the thought. Even if Albus and I were to join forces, we wouldn't be a match for that kid over there," Grindelwald said, pouring cold water on their hopes of rekindling the "For the Greater Good" movement. "The inner circle can't fight the Death Eaters scattered all over the world... We... we can't go back."
Unusually, there was a hint of weariness in Grindelwald's voice.
"..."
It was only at this moment that they realized that both Grindelwald and the rest of them seemed to have grown old. This is unavoidable; that's how the world is—one wave pushes another, the new wave crashing over the old.
Even Grindelwald acknowledged that he no longer possessed the ability to realize his dream. But like the others, his dream wouldn't so easily vanish.
He had considered a roundabout approach, directly persuading Tom Riddle to wage war against the Muggles. He couldn't speak for others, but if Tom Riddle was willing to start this war, Grindelwald guaranteed a swift victory! He didn't know Tom Riddle's current strength, but based on his previous abilities—intercontinental Apparition and nuclear-weapon-level magic... one second he was in Europe, the next he was in America, casually dropping a nuclear bomb!
(In fact, when Tom Riddle's magic was SS-level, his Apparition was intercontinental; at full power, it could probably traverse most of Europe in one go; but now, he could appear in any corner of the world at any time.)
In less than three days, Grindelwald's dream would be realized!
Unfortunately, Tom Riddle wasn't so easily fooled, which was precisely why Dumbledore trusted him.
"Sigh..."
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