Wade turned around and saw that Dumbledore had fallen into a long silence. The old man's slender fingers unconsciously stroked his Wand, his eyes carrying a complex emotion that was difficult to put into words.
After waiting a moment, he softly asked, "Professor Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore looked up and let out a deep sigh, his voice so low it was nearly a whisper:
"If the situation calls for it, Wade... contact whatever 'helpers' you can reach... You needn't worry about their affiliations..."
He placed slight emphasis on the word "helpers," speaking with deliberate restraint.
Wade's eyes widened instantly. When he saw the helpless yet clear-headed resolve in the old man's eyes, his surprise turned into understanding.
"I understand, Professor."
Wade nodded solemnly. He did not ask another question, calmly accepting this trust and understanding that transcended allegiances.
Only after leaving the Headmaster's Office did Wade raise a hand to rub his face, still unable to believe what he had just heard.
More than anyone, he knew of the century-long entanglement of grudges between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. He had thought that Dumbledore's silence while watching him stand beside Grindelwald and unleash flames to block the Demonized Forest was already the limit.
Yet unexpectedly...
For Dumbledore to take the initiative and suggest borrowing the strength of his sworn enemy, who knew how much inner struggle and compromise that had required.
Without question, in the Headmaster's eyes, Wade's safety mattered more than his personal grudges. That was why he had made the suggestion himself.
When Wade lowered his hand, the shock and confusion in his eyes had cleared.
Moody's Aurors were supporting him openly; the Acolytes' forces could be used in secret; and there were also the House-elves and Golems he had arranged to send ahead...
If even that failed to uncover anything, and