Grindelwald truly had a sense of the bigger picture.
And—
she could think along the same lines as Dumbledore.
"With my 'reputation' in the wizarding world, no one would doubt it. I am Grindelwald, the former Dark Lord, a prisoner who has only just been paroled. What reasons could I have for attacking you? Too many. Revenge? Escaping prison? Jealousy? Simple madness? Let them think whatever they want."
That was where Grindelwald differed from Voldemort. Her heart was strong enough that she could completely disregard the opinions and condemnation of others. If it had been Voldemort, he would only have raged impotently.
That was, in fact, a manifestation of inferiority.
It had already been apparent in Dumbledore's memories.
Dumbledore looked at his old friend, his gaze carrying something difficult to put into words. "This will make you a target again. The Ministry of Magic will not understand. The International Confederation of Wizards will not understand. The entire wizarding world will not understand. They will see you as a dangerous Dark Wizard who can never change."
He wanted to clear his old friend's name as well.
Grindelwald shrugged, her manner as casual as if they were merely discussing tomorrow's weather. "I spent nearly fifty years in that tower. A few more years make no difference." She paused and looked at Dumbledore. A serious glint flashed through her mismatched eyes. "Besides, Albus, we owe this world too much." "Not as Grindelwald and Dumbledore, but as... two old fools who once believed they could change the world, only to be changed by it in the end." "This time, let us call it repaying a debt."
It was clear that the years had not left Grindelwald unchanged. Perhaps Dumbledore's original intention in imprisoning her had truly had some effect. Dumbledore fell silent for a