Nurmengard

The summer sun shines down on the Europe continent.

But a fortress perched atop a desolate mountaintop rejected this light.

It stood there like a tombstone, making even the wind here silent and desolate.

Suddenly, a tall old man appeared Silencio in the place, his silver hair and beard ruffled by the sea breeze.

Dumbledore gazed at the ancient castle— Nurmengard.

One of the most famous prisons in the Wizarding World, unlike the overcrowded Azkaban, this prison holds only one prisoner.

Gellert Grindelwald.

That dark wizard who stirred up trouble in Europe...

No, according to Grindelwald himself, he is not a dark wizard; if anything, he is an idealist who pursues the rights of his fellow human beings.

His followers, those Acolytes, have always firmly believed that they are following Grindelwald on the path to greatness.

Ignoring the surrounding magical barriers, Dumbledore walked directly through the transparent enchantment.

As they walked step by step toward the castle, bright blue eyes were hidden behind crescent-shaped glasses.

Arriving at the dilapidated gate, Dumbledore looked up at the line of words above it.

The once clear and distinct characters have become blurred after decades of wind and rain.

But Dumbledore didn't need to see it clearly to repeat the line of text:

" For the For the Greater Good"

"Well..."

Dumbledore sighed and stepped into the castle.

The elderly Squib guarding the door seemed unaware of Dumbledore's presence, continuing his guard duty.

Unlike Azkaban, which is guarded by a group of terrifying Dementor, Nurmengard is only equipped with a few elderly Squib.

As for why not seek out a wizard?

When Grindelwald was imprisoned in the United States, he managed to Auror guarding him to work for him solely based on his language skills.

This was under the premise of frequent rotations, but in just a few days of interaction, an Auror was willing to give his life for Grindelwald.

Of course, it doesn't really matter whether the Squib or the Wizard acts as the guard.

If this guy from Nurmengard really wants to leave, even dozens more elite Auror wouldn't make a difference.

But Grindelwald also knew very well that even if he left this place temporarily, he would eventually have to face Dumbledore.

What trapped him wasn't some law or rule, nor some magical barrier...

Dumbledore ascended the stairs, the air filled with the sound of decaying stone and a faint, lingering scent of dust, a scent of bygone dreams.

The door to the only cell at the top of the tower opened.

An old man stood with his back to Dumbledore in front of a narrow window. His thin figure was like a broken sword, straight but with its sharpness hidden.

Her once-bright blonde hair is now withered and white; her voice, which once resonated throughout Europe, has become hoarse.

"You haven't written since Christmas; I thought you were short of parchment too."

Dumbledore didn't approach; he simply stood in the center of the cell.

I was very busy recently, but now that summer vacation is here, I can relax a bit.

Grindelwald did not turn around, and said calmly:

"It's for that the Boy Who Lived it?"

"Yes, that kid needs to grow up, he needs to confront Voldemort..."

Dumbledore narrated softly, seemingly unconcerned whether Grindelwald liked listening to his rambling.

However, Grindelwald didn't interrupt and just listened.

"The Ravenclaw freshman I mentioned to you, his talent is excellent, even too excellent, the most outstanding in Hogwarts history..."

"He has a magical pet, a Qilin..."

Grindelwald finally turned around; his face was deeply lined in the shadows, but his heterochromatic eyes remained sharp.

One eye is a bright blue, while the other is much dimmer.

These peculiar eyes can see fragments of the future, though not complete, but that doesn't prevent Grindelwald from being a born prophet.

"Qilin?"

Grindelwald knew this Magical Creatures all too well, far too well.

He once tried to seize leadership of the Wizarding World using a Qilin, but alas...

They were stopped by a kind Hufflepuff.

Seeing that Grindelwald had shown interest, Dumbledore stopped standing and walked over to sit down at the old wooden table.

Dumbledore picked up the damp Cockroach Cluster on the table, casually tossed it into his mouth, and crunched on it.

"You're still the same as always, you like these cheap candies."

Grindelwald also sat down at the table and casually remarked.

"Hehe, they remind us that there are still some simple sweet things in life."

Dumbledore his hand, and black tea and several plates of fresh desserts appeared on the table.

"I just brought Honeydukes, have a taste."

Upon hearing this, Grindelwald, who had already picked up his teacup, took a Lemon Sherbet and slowly peeled off the wrapper.

The two of them suddenly fell silent, quietly enjoying what seemed like an ordinary afternoon tea.

"Lord of Qilin, is the Wizarding World about to welcome a new leader? A true leader?"

Grindelwald took a sip of his black tea and chuckled softly.

But he saw Dumbledore shake his head, then nod slightly.

Grindelwald, who knew the man before him very well, was genuinely surprised, which meant that Dumbledore was also completely unsure of what to do.

Is that little wizard Lucien Grafton really that special?

Grindelwald couldn't help but develop some interest in him.

"Lucien's Qilin is very different from the Qilin we know..."

Dumbledore gave a general description of the wondrous manifestations of the Liuguang, but did not fully explain the astonishing vitality contained in the Qilin Saliva and Qilin Blood.

"New York... a Magical Creatures expert said that it should be a mutation, a very special and powerful mutation."

Grindelwald's lips twitched slightly behind his teacup. Magical Creatures Expert?

Who else could be a Magical Creatures expert mentioned by Dumbledore?

"That child is only in first grade, yet he's already become Animagus. His Transfiguration are simply beyond comprehension."

"He also accomplished the Transfiguration of Magical Creatures. Although I didn't witness the entire process firsthand, my senses are accurate. It was a complete and utter reproduction of the Magic Circuit's Transfiguration —not just a mere facade, but a genuine Fire Dragon!"

Grindelwald's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air. He trusted Dumbledore, trusted Dumbledore's strength, trusted Dumbledore's insight; Dumbledore wouldn't be wrong.

"Animagus is indeed surprising, but Magical Creature Transfiguration..."

Grindelwald knew what a genius was like; he himself was a true genius, as was Dumbledore on the other side.

But can that boy named Lucien's performance really be described as genius?

Grindelwald stared at the rippling tea, a glint of light flashing in his heterochromatic eyes.