Playing Mind Games with Me? I'll Cut You to Pieces!

The Slytherin first-years all looked at Argus in confusion.

Argus sneered inwardly.

Can't stand it already?

Don't worry, there'll be plenty more you won't be able to stand!

Setting aside the grievances between the Acolytes and Dumbledore, Argus himself did not have such a poor impression of Dumbledore.

Whatever else could be said, the old man had devoted his entire life to maintaining peace in the Wizarding World.

Even if he was sometimes too dictatorial, wanting everyone to follow his thinking.

His intentions were good.

He was unlike certain hypocrites who talked about sacrificing everything, only to run faster than anyone when their own turn came.

Dumbledore's selflessness lay in the fact that he would sacrifice not only others, but his own life as well.

Unfortunately, his ideas were not necessarily right.

Forcing his own ideas on others was itself wrong.

"Mr. Grindelwald, unless you intend to stand there like a Troll, you'd better come with me."

Snape's impatient voice rang out.

The corners of Argus's mouth lifted. "Head of House, please lead the way."

"Hmph!"

Snape snorted coldly and led Argus toward the Headmaster's Office on the Seventh Floor.

Along the way, Argus did not rashly venture to say anything.

Snape was not as easy to fool as Harry.

How could someone capable of working as a double agent be swayed by a few words!

The slightest carelessness might put him on his guard.

Fortunately, Snape was not a talkative man either. The two reached the Seventh Floor in silence and stepped onto the griffin-shaped spiral staircase.

"Fizzing Whizbees!"

The stone beast opened the door, and the two entered the Headmaster's Office.

The first things that greeted them were portraits of past headmasters and countless books.

The scruffy chicken known as a phoenix perched on a parasol tree branch, preening its feathers with its beak.

Dumbledore looked momentarily dazed when he saw Argus, but quickly recovered and addressed Snape.

"Sorry for the trouble, Severus."

"Heh. I hope a certain headmaster might eat fewer sweets, so his poor Potions professor could have a little less work to do."

Snape had spotted the sweets on the desk the moment he entered and could not resist a cutting remark.

"Have some sympathy. This is a hundred-year-old man's only hobby."

Dumbledore replied with a smile and extended an invitation to Argus.

"Mr. Grindelwald, would you like a Sherbet Lemon? Or some Cockroach Clusters?"

"No, thank you, Headmaster."

"Perhaps you could consider Professor Snape's suggestion. Eating too many sweets at night really is bad for your teeth."

"Especially for a hundred-year-old man."

With his level-seven Occlumency, Argus showed little fear of Dumbledore.

If Voldemort had been standing opposite him, he might have needed to consider how to escape.

With Dumbledore, he could speak freely and boldly.

Dealing with an old man who followed the rules was much better than dealing with a madman.

Even if that old man's power was terrifying!

"Severus, if there's nothing else, go and have a look at the Slytherin Common Room."

"According to Slytherin tradition, the selection of the chief should be starting soon."

I knew this old geezer was up to no good!

Argus sneered inwardly.

You deliberately summoned me to the Headmaster's Office at this hour just to disqualify me from competing for chief!

If I can't become chief, my standing in Slytherin will fall drastically.

By supporting this year's chief, you can also cultivate someone to rival me.

Just what I'd expect of you, Dumbledore!

One little move, and it contains several layers of scheming!

Snape turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

"Mr. Grindelwald, please sit," Dumbledore said unhurriedly.

"What would you like to drink? How about some English black tea?"

"That would be lovely. Thank you, Headmaster." Argus was all smiles.

"I really envy how you can enjoy life whenever and wherever you please, unlike my father."

"He should be about your age, living alone in a tower."

"He has no one to talk to and only plain food each day. All he can do is sit quietly in his room, staring blankly at the letters in his hands."

"I once asked him why I'd never seen a reply. He said nothing, only gazed silently into the distance."

"If only he could enjoy life a little more, like you."

"Wouldn't you agree, Headmaster?"

You bastard, trying these petty tricks on me?

I'll damn well cut you to pieces!

As Argus spoke, he stared straight at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore looked calm, but his slightly trembling hands betrayed what lay beneath.

"I really don't understand what my father is thinking. He knows there can never be a reply, yet he keeps sending out letter after letter."

"Then again, who would love an old man like him?"

Argus's words, delivered with feigned emotion, made Dumbledore completely lose his composure.

He did not even notice the hot tea spilling onto his hand!

Watching Dumbledore's eyes gradually redden, Argus bit down hard on his back teeth.

He was terrified that one careless moment would let a laugh escape!

You were the one who set that goal with my dad in the first place. Even the slogan came from you.

But afterward?

You just walked away and left my old man to struggle alone!

That would have been bad enough, but for the sake of some love, you even chose to break the Blood Pact and fight him!

You stepped over his corpse to become the greatest white wizard of the century!

My old man is imprisoned in Nurmengard, while you live in comfort.

Eating honey sweets and singing every day!

Is there no justice?

Is there no law!

For a moment, Dumbledore did not know how to speak. Perhaps it would have been more accurate to say he did not dare.

Argus did not hurry him, quietly savoring the changes in his expression.

From recollection to longing, then regret and remorse.

Nearly ten minutes passed before Dumbledore emerged from his emotions, his gaze growing even more complicated as he looked at Argus.

"When you get old, memories tend to come back."

"Sorry for the wait."

"It's all right, Headmaster. Only those who have someone etched into their hearts have a past to look back on."

Argus's words stabbed straight into Dumbledore's heart, each thrust crueler than the last!

"You still haven't told me why you summoned me."

After Argus's barrage of accusations, Dumbledore had forgotten what he had wanted to discuss when he summoned him.

For a moment, the question stumped him!

Just then, a sudden disturbance came from outside the door.

Professor Snape, who had only recently left, returned once again.

"What is it, Severus?"

"You'll have to ask our esteemed Mr. Grindelwald."

"Mr. Malfoy and the others say that the Slytherin first-years will obey no one but Mr. Grindelwald."

Dumbledore finally remembered why he had summoned Argus.

He simply had not expected Argus's standing in Slytherin to be this high.

His already wrinkled forehead furrowed tightly...