A Parting of Ways

What Anna meant by Half-blood was actually literal. She did not know what materials her old father had used to create this body besides his own blood. Rather than a Half-blood, she was more like a mixture of various rare experimental materials.

By the Death Eaters' standards, did that not mean she could not even be considered an ordinary Half-blood wizard?

"In my eyes, whether they're Pure-bloods, Half-bloods, Muggle-born wizards, or even Muggles, there's no great difference between them.

"I've never been able to understand why some people always place themselves so high above everyone else.

"They're human themselves, with nothing more than a strange power that others don't have, yet they're so smug about it.

"I don't expect them to have such noble character that they'd use that power for all of humanity and help our civilization progress.

"But those people actually take it upon themselves to divide their own species into different ranks.

"Malfoy, don't you think those people..."

At that point, Anna paused and swept her gaze over the students who followed Voldemort, including those from the Black and Lestrange families, as though calling them out by name.

"Don't you think that such thoughts and behavior are really nothing more than self-satisfied arrogance?"

She continued, a trace of sarcasm in her eyes.

She was only an eleven-year-old girl who had just started school, yet she had placed tremendous pressure on every student at the long table.

This pressure was unlike a scolding from a parent or elder, and unlike the intimidation of Voldemort's reputation. It was simply a merciless crushing from every angle on the grounds of humanity as a whole.

"How remarkable, seniors.

"Even the gods said to have created all living things, or Merlin of Slytherin, would never think so highly of themselves.

"Those people have so readily placed themselves at the pinnacle of humanity, trampled the rest of their own kind underfoot, and even attained a spiritual realm higher than the gods...

"Tell me, how am I supposed to admire those people?"

"Clatter-"

As soon as she finished speaking, more than a dozen Slytherin students, Malfoy among them, leaped to their feet. They drew the attention of everyone in the Great Hall, and the hall fell silent once more.

Snape sat among them, with the person responsible for the commotion beside him.

It was the first time he had witnessed Anna's exquisitely skillful way with words. Her speech had been superb, striking at her opponents' weak points at every turn, each cut stabbing at the pride in their hearts. Though not a single swear word could be heard, the bucket of filthy water she had dumped on them had left them trembling all over.

Anna had not only utterly rejected Voldemort and the Death Eaters' belief in Pure-blood Supremacy, but had even mocked them for imagining they were equal to gods. She had practically put them over a fire to roast, every sentence a resounding slap that left them unable to keep their composure.

If he had been in Lucius's position, he might have been so furious that he would have drawn his wand on the spot and hit her with the Cruciatus Curse a few times to vent his anger.

Unfortunately, in this life, he was on Anna's side.

For the other students at school who opposed Voldemort's rule, watching them get slapped in the face like this was immensely satisfying.

That was especially true for the group led by Riley Charles. They felt as refreshed as if they had gulped down a great bowl of ice water in the scorching heat of summer.

By doing this, however, Anna and the faction under the Acolytes had also openly declared their firm stance, announcing to the entire school that they were not Pure-blood supremacists. It amounted to a complete break with Voldemort's faction.

At the Gryffindor table, Sirius Black saw the expressions of disbelief on the faces of his sister Narcissa Black and those Pure-bloods who considered themselves ancient and noble.

Their leader, Lucius Malfoy, in particular, had abandoned his usual perfect control over his expression. He was doing his utmost to suppress the distortion on his face, and it looked hideous.

What happened?

Lily looked worriedly at Anna, who was at the center of the storm. She saw that Anna and Snape beside her still looked calm. Anna met her gaze and waved a greeting to her, with the result that the group's faces grew even darker.

"What's wrong, seniors?

"Ah, I'm definitely not talking about you. I mean those people!"

The silver-haired girl blinked her big, sky-blue eyes, an innocent expression on her face. But she had deliberately stressed those last words, and even Lucius Malfoy, despite his excellent upbringing and composure, found his hand drifting to the wand at his waist.

How could he refute her?

Although she had aimed her words at them both openly and indirectly, he could hardly charge straight into the trap and brazenly declare himself one of those conceited "people" she had spoken of, who had nearly been cast out of the category of humanity!

"It's nothing, Miss Grindelwald!

"I think everyone is simply welcoming you!

"I hope you have a wonderful time at Slytherin in the future!"

As Lucius Malfoy spoke, every word seemed to leap separately from his mouth. He placed particular emphasis on "future" and "wonderful," making it clear they would not let her public slap in the face go unanswered.

He released his wand and tried to calm himself. Slowly, he sat back down, discreetly signaling the others with his eyes to stay calm.

His opponent's background ran deep, with the shadow of that lord behind her. Since she could confront them so openly just after entering school, she had to possess the strength to oppose You-Know-Who behind the scenes. He could not openly fall out with her in front of the entire school.

"You're too kind, seniors.

"And Malfoy, as I said, just call me Anna.

"I'm sure we'll get along wonderfully from now on."

She spoke cheerfully, as though she had not seen Lucius Malfoy's face nearly twist with anger at her again.

The subject changed, but aside from the Acolytes' faction and the neutral Slytherin students, everyone found the delicious-looking, fragrant dishes before them tasteless.

At the High Table, Dumbledore, who had been watching all along, saw that the clash at the Slytherin table had subsided and silently allowed his taut nerves to ease.

Truth be told, he had paid attention to everything Anna said and did from the moment he saw her. He had even used a little eavesdropping magic for the purpose, so he had heard every word of her speech just now.

Grindelwald was still in Nurmengard. More than a month ago, when Dumbledore had seen that surname in the Book of Admittance, he had made a special trip there to take a look.

Of course, he had gone in secret and stayed far away from Nurmengard prison. No one knew he had been there.