The Reformer (Dark Lord)

Professor Vinda...

Isaac's form of address for Vinda Rosier was remarkably familiar. Even now, when he called Old Dumbledore that, it was still only Professor Dumbledore.

From the very beginning, Isaac had addressed Grindelwald as the overly casual Gellert, and Grindelwald had not minded much.

Or rather, to someone like Grindelwald, who did great things, even a form of address could be something to "use."

Isaac's choice not to call Vinda Rosier by her surname and instead address her directly by her given name was likewise a way of expressing familiarity.

He was telling Vinda Rosier that they could be on the same side.

In the original timeline, none of Grindelwald's followers had ever appeared in Britain's Wizarding World. Even Grindelwald himself had died in Nurmengard after learning that Dumbledore had died atop the Hogwarts tower.

But now, not long after Quirrell's death, Vinda Rosier had come to Hogwarts to apply for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Who had she come for?

What a difficult mystery to solve~

When Isaac warmly called out, "Professor Vinda," Vinda Rosier lost herself in thought once more.

She had never seen Grindelwald at that age, yet from Isaac's features, she could see just how high-spirited Grindelwald had once been.

To Fudge, Isaac could have been a young Dumbledore.

But to Acolytes like Vinda, Isaac was clearly a young Grindelwald.

If you said he was a young Dumbledore, then even if he did not look alike, he ought to have had a phoenix, shouldn't he?

Now Isaac looked so much like Grindelwald and could even see the future. How could anyone dare say he was Dumbledore's?

He had to be a young Grindelwald. Even if Merlin himself came, it would still have to be that way!

At that moment, Isaac's "Professor Vinda" briefly carried Vinda Rosier back to the days when she had followed Grindelwald.

Grindelwald had addressed her with the same warmth back then, and he had trusted her just as much.

Vinda Rosier's already straight back became even straighter as she gave Isaac a confident smile.

"Isaac, you should know that the Rosier Family has always followed the reformers of the age. Dark Magic is also the source of our family's strength.

"As for Dark Magic items..."

Vinda gave a dismissive laugh. The Rosier Family had more of those things than they could count.

The Rosier Family was a great family with countless branches, such as the Rosiers of Britain, France, and Germany.

Though the branches differed, proficiency in Dark Magic was practically a family talent.

Isaac nodded repeatedly as he listened. Well then, Professor Vinda truly was the descendant of an old pure-blood wizarding family. She certainly knew how to make it sound good.

So, following reformers meant that the Rosier Family rather enjoyed assisting Dark Lords?

Put that way, there was nothing wrong with it. Hadn't the British Rosier Family followed Voldemort?

All one could say was that, although they were both Rosiers, the British Rosiers had far worse judgment than Professor Vinda's branch.

"Since Professor Vinda is so confident, then please come with me. I'll show you one of Hogwarts's specialties~"

Old Grindelwald really was considerate. He knew Isaac had trouble getting around Hogwarts and needed someone to help him, so he had sent Vinda Rosier.

How had Old Dumbledore ever had the heart to treat such a considerate Old Grindelwald that way?

Who will love you now, Dumbledore? You're all alone.

It had to be Old Grindelwald. As expected of an old Seer, he truly understood everything so clearly.

For Isaac, the feeling of being understood without having to say anything—or even meet someone—was genuinely wonderful.

He turned around excitedly and headed toward Hogwarts Castle.

Vinda Rosier instinctively followed, habitually staying half a step behind him.

It was a habit she had developed while following Grindelwald.

Being a full step behind would not have reflected the weight of her position as Grindelwald's second-in-command, yet Vinda would not walk side by side with Grindelwald either.

Half a step was just right, just as it suited Vinda's place in her own mind.

Atop one of Hogwarts's towers, Dumbledore watched the two figures by the Black Lake in silence for a long time.

Vinda Rosier saw the young Grindelwald in that instant, but had Dumbledore not also seen the high spirits his former lover had once possessed?

Dumbledore removed his glasses and wiped them again and again.

He recalled the interview from earlier.

A month ago, Dumbledore would never have allowed Vinda Rosier into his "territory," no matter what.

But Gellert still understood him so well. He truly knew what method to use to persuade him, and when.

Dumbledore put his glasses back on, but the two figures had already vanished.

Inside Hogwarts Castle, Isaac led Vinda Rosier all the way to the Seventh Floor.

Their steps then stopped before the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by trolls.

Isaac walked to the opposite side of the tapestry and concentrated on the thought: "I need a place to hide things."

He walked back and forth three times, and then a door appeared in the wall.

Vinda Rosier instinctively drew her wand, wary of whatever might be hidden behind the door.

Isaac stared at the door for a moment before turning back and giving Professor Vinda a relaxed smile.

"Don't worry, Professor Vinda. The danger isn't behind this door."

Isaac stepped forward and shoved the door open.

Before them stood a vast cathedral filled with junk.

Towering walls were formed from items hidden here over countless centuries, while narrow alleyways twisted between mountains of piled-up objects.

The air was thick with dust and mildew. Faint light streamed in through the high windows, casting long shadows across the bizarre assortment of objects.

"Follow me." Isaac led the way, moving swiftly along the "alleyways" past tottering bookshelves and stacks of crates.

"Here it is."

Isaac recognized the skeleton of the five-legged creature, the corner crammed full of flying brooms, and the large cabinet corroded by strong acid.

What they sought was on top of that cabinet. The chipped stone bust of an ugly old wizard still stood there.

The dusty old wig on its head and the ancient, tarnished headdress were precisely—the Diadem of Ravenclaw.

"Are you ready, Professor Vinda? Just as we planned on the way here." Isaac's eyes were fixed firmly on the Diadem before him.

His hand trembled slightly.

It was not from fear, but excitement—Dumbledore had dealt with Quirrell without bringing him along.

Now it was Isaac's turn to face Voldemort's remnant soul himself.

If Isaac had been facing the complete Voldemort, no one would have needed to persuade him not to appear before Voldemort.

But this was merely a wisp of a remnant soul.

"Phew..." Isaac let out a breath, then flicked his wand. "Diadem, come!"