Past Events in Godric's Hollow: Coincidence or Premeditation?
After Flamel's explanation, Xiwen finally gained some understanding of this magical Time-Turner.
In fact, Xiwen had some understanding of the power of time when he was in Kamar-Taj, after all, his teacher would occasionally use the power of the Eye of Agamotto to achieve his goals. And at that time, the Eye of Agamotto contained a Time Stone.
As his Christmas gift, the Eye of Agamotto in Xiwen's hands now appears to be genuine, but it lacks the green Time Stone at its core, replaced instead by some time energy from the Department of Mysteries.
Unlike the Time-Turner of this world, time spells cast through the Eye of Agamotto typically twist or transform the form of matter within an area, accelerating or rewinding it to a different point in time.
Of course, the Eye of Agamotto has more than just this one ability. It can also harness the power of the Time Stone, allowing the caster to travel through time as an observer and see countless possible developments in the past and future under different choices.
The Time-Turner, however, has a different function from the Eye of Agamotto.
Time-Turner is essentially a machine that allows a wizard to travel back in time, both body and soul, enabling them to perform short-term activities at past points in time and potentially alter events that have already occurred.
However, because this universe has only one timeline, the things that wizards can change with the Time-Turner are extremely limited. Usually, everything modified by wizards forms a closed loop, so that this world is still just a final outcome that has already been altered.
This ability to shift time is somewhat like the power of Prophecy; even if one can foresee everything in the future, one cannot change it. Manto Trelawney of Ravenclaw once told Xiwen that she could know everything that was going to happen around her, but she couldn't make any effective changes to it.
Thinking of this, Xiwen couldn't help but frown.
When it comes to precognitive abilities, it's hard not to think of Grindelwald, the most famous and powerful dark wizard. And Xiwen, having dealt with him several times, probably knows a little more about him than others.
Grindelwald dropped out of Durmstrang in 1899. That summer, in search of the Deathly Hallows, he traveled to England 'Godric's Hollow to stay with his great-aunt Bathilda Bassett, where he met Dumbledore fellow young man with similar interests and equally brilliant talent.
The two quickly established an extremely close relationship and even made Blood Pact never to harm each other. The pendant of that Blood Pact only shattered this year.
Most people who know this story of the two top wizards believe that their meeting was just a predestined coincidence, Xiwen once thought so too.
However, today Xiwen took a very different approach, connecting the concept of precognition to the perspective of time transformation. He inexplicably came up with a conjecture that astonished even himself—
It's important to understand that Grindelwald's precognitive abilities are an innate talent. This means that he may have known from a very young age, through fragments of the future, that there was a red-haired wizard Albus Dumbledore in England's Godric's Hollow, who would one day become his greatest enemy.
Therefore, Grindelwald's trip to Godric's Hollow and his encounter with Dumbledore were likely not just coincidences, but more likely a meticulously planned scheme guided by his precognitive abilities!
The sound of wind chimes suddenly interrupted Xiwen's thoughts.
"Has someone come in?" Xiwen asked, still somewhat dazed, as he hadn't fully recovered from his shock.
"It's nothing, just an old acquaintance, don't worry about him." Flamel waved his hand casually, then asked curiously, "Xiwen, what were you thinking about just now? You seemed so engrossed in your thoughts?"
"I'm wondering, was Dumbledore and Grindelwald's meeting forty years ago really just a coincidence?" Xiwen pondered for a moment and shared his speculation with Flamel.
"You see, Grindelwald intentionally cultivated an extremely close relationship with Dumbledore, persuading him with his ideas, and the two even formed Blood Pact!" Xiwen explained to Flamel. "If Ariana Dumbledore's tragic loss of control hadn't forced Dumbledore Grindelwald, the two might have actually ended up together!"
Hearing Xiwen's logical analysis, Flamel couldn't help but show an extremely astonished expression, and couldn't help but turn to look at the door of the workshop.
Xiwen sensed something was wrong and instinctively looked towards the door of the workroom.
A reddish-brown wizard stood outside Flamel's workshop, his eyes no longer sharp as usual, but rather somewhat dazed.
"Um, Professor Dumbledore, I was just guessing..." Xiwen quickly stood up and said. At the same time, he glanced helplessly at Flamel, indicating that if Flamel had reminded him that the person who came in was Dumbledore, he might not have said that.
Flamel shrugged, pretending not to see Xiwen's gaze, and looked directly at Dumbledore, asking, "Albus, what do you think of Xiwen's speculation?"
Dumbledore, then gave a somewhat stiff grin and said to Flamel, "It's all in the past; there's no point in dwelling on it anymore."
"That's true." Flamel nodded slightly. "It's good that you can let it go."
"Forget those trivial matters, I need your help, Nico," Dumbledore said solemnly. "I need you to use your Crystal to see how many forests are experiencing large-scale withering."
Upon hearing Dumbledore's request, Xiwen was startled and quickly asked, "Isn't the situation in the Albania Forest an isolated case?"
"I went to Nagini's place of origin, a forest in Indonesia, and found similar phenomena," Dumbledore nodded and said. "We don't know the exact cause yet, but it never hurts to pay attention to these strange occurrences."
Xiwen's expression also turned serious, and he prepared to go with Flamel to take a look at the Crystal.
However, the next second he was chased away by Dumbledore...
"Xiwen, I have no reason to involve an underage wizard in such a dangerous situation," Dumbledore said earnestly. "You have already helped us more than enough."
"I think what you need to do now is go home and have Christmas dinner with your mother!"
Dumbledore winked at Xiwen.