Listening to Wade and seeing the cold curve at the corner of his mouth, Dumbledore finally understood the sheer fury and disappointment that had been building up inside the young man throughout this journey.
According to Moody and Lupin's reports, Wade had remained exceptionally composed and proper throughout his trip to the United States.
In the face of provocations and crises, he had never lost control from beginning to end, much less displayed any sharp hostility. He had been so mature that he scarcely seemed like someone his age.
Only now did Dumbledore understand—
It was not that Wade was not angry. He simply knew full well that an impulsive outburst in a foreign land would do no good, only place their group in an even more disadvantageous position.
He had shown restraint because he saw too clearly and thought too thoroughly. That was why he had suppressed all his blazing anger beneath a calm exterior, saying little, doing little, and keeping trouble within manageable bounds as much as possible.
But the anger born of such clear-eyed understanding ran far deeper—and burned far hotter—than simply striking back after being humiliated.
Yet Wade's next words made Dumbledore realize that he had still underestimated the boy before him.
His considerations were far more far-reaching and meticulous than Dumbledore had imagined.
Wade continued his calm analysis, his voice carrying an insight beyond his years:
"Ordinary wizards in the United States generally hate Muggles and isolate themselves from Muggle society. But ironically, the influence of Muggle society permeates every part of their culture!"
"As for the governments on both sides... compared to the ordinary people driven by emotion and hatred, the ruling 'elites' always focus on weighing their interests."
"If Muggle powerholders truly coveted the power of magic, what use would it be to