By late summer, a faint desolation had already settled over Nurmengard.
Dumbledore Apparated onto the rooftop terrace. The chilly mountain wind brushed over him, and he could not help pulling his robes tighter.
The Old Beekeeper sighed inwardly that age had finally caught up with him. Rather than entering the tower at once, he unconsciously took out another handful of sweets and ate them, staring blankly at the distant, snow-white peaks.
He kept feeling that the current situation was like those countless layers of piled snow, ready at any moment to become an unstoppable avalanche.
"Albus, why are you standing out here in the cold?"
Just then, Grindelwald slowly emerged from the stairway. He was warmly dressed, with a cashmere hat Dumbledore had given him on his head.
He draped the padded robe over his arm around Dumbledore's shoulders, then took out a matching cashmere hat and gently replaced the one Dumbledore wore before continuing to tease him.
"Oh? Why so glum? Still worrying about that wizarding conference? What's there to worry about? Just beat the disobedient ones into submission."
Dumbledore let Grindelwald fuss over him, simply gazing steadily at his relaxed, contented expression.
His brows furrowed. After a moment's consideration, he asked directly.
"What is your attitude toward Muggles now? Do you still see them as useful beasts of burden?"
Grindelwald blinked. His easy expression turned displeased, as he assumed Dumbledore was testing him again.
"I don't concern myself with politics anymore. Why bring this up all of a sudden?"
Dumbledore sighed inwardly and spoke solemnly once more.
"Gellert, don't evade the question. You've kept certain things well hidden, but I've still noticed them. So please give me a straight answer."
Grindelwald looked sharply at Dumbledore and began circling him.
"What exactly happened to leave you so conflicted? Let