After decades of murky imprisonment, the entire castle has long lost its former luxury and splendor.
The floor of the hall was covered with a thick layer of dust, and the original floor tile pattern could no longer be seen clearly. The corners were covered with cobwebs and moss, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that were once filled with stained glass had turned into gray and leaky air with a big hole.
wreckage.
The bronze carved chandelier hanging on the roof had not been lit for a long time. Elena could only look at the huge dirty dining table in the center of the hall and the solid wood high-back chairs with the decorations removed.
Imagine Grindelwald's arrogant momentum that swept the entire wizarding world back then.
"Let's go, don't be in a daze."
Dumbledore looked around at the dilapidated scene around him with a complicated expression, patted Elena on the shoulder and motioned for her to follow.
The two of them went up the stone steps that were located on the left side of the castle foyer and connected to Nurmengard's iconic outer tower. Finally, they came to a dilapidated wooden door with no lock or any sign on it.
The magical protection can be opened with just a slight push - this is the cell that the most powerful dark wizard in history set up for himself.
Not noticing any magic movement, the ajar wooden door opened quietly, and an old voice came from behind the door.
"Albus, you are coming slower and slower. Even without Phoenix, you have wasted too much time on the road."
The room is not spacious, and the only light source comes from the skylight above. A faint light shines from the window, and fine dust dances in the narrow beam of light.
Hidden behind the beam of light, the owner of the castle, Gellert Grindelwald, leaned against the cold wall. His eyes did not look towards the door, but stared at the skylight above, making it difficult to see the expression in his eyes.
"After all these years, we have all grown old. You know, I am already 110 years old this year."
Dumbledore shrugged and admitted openly, taking a deep look at the ragged Grindelwald sitting in the corner.
The long years of self-imprisonment in Nurmengard Castle have made Gellert Grindelwald's body very weak.
The old wizard's thin and shriveled body was like a skeleton, and his face began to look like a skeleton, with his eyes sunk deep into his eye sockets and almost all his teeth.
Almost no one would believe that the scrawny old wizard in front of him was the leader who once nearly fascinated half of the European wizarding world and attracted both men and women, Gellert Grindelwald.
"Ageing is not terrible. What is terrible is that the things I predicted back then are gradually becoming reality. You should also be aware that the Ministry of Magic is becoming more and more cowardly and incompetent. In our time, like this
There would be no farce and compromise."
Grindelwald shook his head, sneered, and moved his gaze from the skylight above to Dumbledore.
Standing behind Dumbledore, Elena keenly noticed that there were several newspapers and magazines spread out beside Grindelwald's bed. If she read correctly, the top one seemed to be the one she just read this morning.
The latest version of "The Quibbler" I've watched.
"But there are many things that are different from what you imagine, and there is still plenty of time left for us. Fifty years have passed, and the balance between the non-magical world and the magical world has not been broken. This shows that the wizards' countermeasures still maintain the same
efficient."
Dumbledore smiled gently, stepped forward and picked up the open copy of "The Quibbler", carefully looked at the terrible cartoon on the cover with interest, raised his eyebrows and smiled.
"As for this... maybe I should send Mr. Lovegood one of my Chocolate Frog cards. To be honest, I almost didn't recognize it was me. I've read the article. The contract itself wasn't leaked, it just happened to be
I just guessed some parts."
"Oh, I hope so. It has nothing to do with me anyway."
Grindelwald glanced at Dumbledore noncommittally and took the initiative to end the topic.
The first-generation Dark Lord looked past Dumbledore and landed on the silver-haired little witch standing by the door, with a hint of undisguised impatience and disgust on his face.
"Why does this annoying little girl still come to my castle? I think I made it very clear in my reply. I refuse."
Grindelwald obviously didn't like Elena Kaslana, whom he met for the second time. He had never seen such a sharp-tongued and annoying little wizard. The scene a month ago
The fierce negotiation and dialogue still stuck in his heart like a fish bone that he couldn't spit out.
"Listen, Albus, I'll say it again."
Grindelwald took a deep breath, turned to look at Dumbledore, and said seriously, "The thing I hate most in this world is children, the second most annoying thing is teaching those mediocre people, and the third most annoying thing is repetition.
Say no to something. Unfortunately, your previous request included all of the above."
"Eh! Have you refused?! Professor Dumbledore, you big liar, you obviously don't want to..." After hearing Grindelwald's answer, Elena's eyes widened instantly, and she looked in disbelief at the star wizard robe in front of her.
The principal's tone was particularly angry.
She had never thought that the dignified headmaster of Hogwarts, an old man a hundred years older than her, would actually act in such a disrespectful way and deceive an ignorant little girl.
"Ahem..."
A trace of embarrassment appeared on Dumbledore's face, he turned around and touched Elena's head, and said kindly in a voice like coaxing a child, "Well, Elena, please wait at the door.
Let me talk to Gellert alone again. If that doesn't work, we'll go back."
"Really?" Elena glanced at the white-bearded grandfather in front of her with suspicion. According to her experience, the credibility of most white-bearded grandfathers does not seem to be that reliable.
"It's absolutely true. But don't go too far. After all, there may still be some residual magical protection in the castle." Dumbledore nodded and gave an extra warning.
"I understand, just stay where you are."
Snap.
Dumbledore watched the girl's figure disappear behind the wooden door. He took out his wand and tapped it lightly. A layer of magical luster flashed in the dark room, and an invisible soundproof barrier bound the sound in the room.
"It seems that you value this child very much? This is not at all like the Albus Dumbledore I know. No wonder you would come to Nurmengard Castle in person after rejecting it. If it weren't for... I wouldn't even
I have some doubts about whether that girl is your illegitimate daughter or granddaughter."
Witnessing Dumbledore's very different expression from usual, Gellert Grindelwald frowned with a complicated expression. He could clearly distinguish the extra patience and patience that Dumbledore had just shown.
Concern, just like when he faced his sister Ariana - somewhat similar to the expression between relatives.
"Gellert, I..." Dumbledore turned around apologetically, looked around the narrow, dim room where only two people were left, and the ragged Grindelwald, and his lips trembled slightly.
"That's enough. Whatever you want to say, it's not this!"
As if he knew what Dumbledore was about to say, Grindelwald waved his hands roughly and adjusted his sitting position, "There is nothing you should be sorry for. I have heard enough apologies over the years.
It's my own choice, and you should know it best. Now, let's talk about that child directly."
The one that took place in 1945 and was said to be the greatest wizard duel in history was just an opportunity. Long before that duel took place, his views had already begun to change due to some things he saw and heard.
Some changes.
Dumbledore knew very well that there was only one curse that truly defeated Grindelwald and imprisoned him in the tower of Nurmengard Castle, the words engraved on the entrance of the castle - for the greater good.
"Elena Kaslana, that child... I saw your shadow in her, and of course my shadow, as well as something different from both of us."
Dumbledore paused, recalling the scene he had seen with Legilimency before, and looked at Grindelwald solemnly, with an extraordinarily sure tone, "If I was just a little skeptical before, I am at least 90% sure now.
.As long as this child doesn't die prematurely, she will be the future of the magical world - whether it's good or bad."