As Vaughn was about to leave, he turned back and looked at Dumbledore strangely.
Old Dumbledore smiled back at him.
After a brief pause, Vaughn said with a hint of mockery, "I thought you wouldn't let me take part in the little make-believe game you prepared for the Chosen One."
At least, he had that much self-awareness. Though he and Old Dumbledore were working closely together now, that was only because he had not displayed any dangerous behavior.
In truth, Vaughn and Dumbledore had always interacted in a state of mutual trust and mutual wariness.
Their differing ideals made it difficult for them to truly accept one another.
Vaughn was too "obsessed" with power. Whether it was his pursuit of fame and prestige or his thirst for knowledge, at their core, both were pursuits of power.
Dumbledore, on the other hand, was too "divine." He had seen too much of the complexity and treachery of the human heart, and hoped everyone could remain as simple as possible.
Of course, up to now, both had restrained themselves regarding the other's beliefs. They had even tacitly agreed not to interfere behind the scenes in matters the other cared about, laying everything out in the open.
So, although Dumbledore had clearly guessed that Barty Crouch Jr. might still be alive, and that Vaughn had used that fact to win Crouch over, he had not pursued the matter any further.
And every time Vaughn met with Harry, he would show Dumbledore his memories of their time together, because he knew Old Dumbledore feared that his ideals might influence Harry.
Keeping their distance, not touching each other's weak points, and cooperating only in limited ways—this was the foundation that had allowed their relatively fragile trust to endure until now.
Harry was Old Dumbledore's weak point!