In Andy's view, he and Grindelwald had struck a win-win deal.
At least, Andy felt that he had benefited greatly.
As for Grindelwald...
Andy remembered that the day he had completed the fusion of his mind and magic was the day Grindelwald set out to conduct his experiment.
It was clear that Grindelwald was not willing to die of old age in Nurmengard Castle. He still had unfinished matters to attend to.
It was just that he couldn't see any hope before.
But, now that hope has appeared, the hundred-year-old man obviously wants to make a last-ditch gamble.
Magic Transfiguration.
The fusion of mind and magic.
This is Grindelwald's hope!
Magic Transfiguration can enhance one's magical powers, thereby causing the wizard's magical energy to enter an unstable state.
This is the key to the fusion of mind and magic!
Judging by the time, Grindelwald should have been preparing for Magic Transfiguration at this point or even started it.
With Dumbledore's constant attention on him, he may have noticed Grindelwald's unusual behaviour long ago.
A few months...
Now that makes sense!
Only a dark wizard of Grindelwald and Voldemort's calibre could make Dumbledore so vigilant.
'Poor Dumbledore!' Andy sighed.
Voldemort hadn't been dealt with yet, but Grindelwald was already stirring things up. If Andy also includes himself in this list, there is still one troublemaker at Hogwarts.
Just thinking about it was enough to give Dumbledore a headache.
How exhausting. It's time to end it all!
Dumbledore and his three Dark Lords... this story is going to get good!
***
Headmaster's Office.
Dumbledore sat in his chair, looking tired.
Andy was right in his guess that something had happened at Nurmengard Castle.
Although Grindelwald was imprisoned at Nurmengard, it did not mean that he did not have a loyal follower outside.
On the contrary, many of the people who followed Grindelwald back then were still alive. Moreover, many of these people were still willing to pledge their loyalty to Grindelwald.
Time would prove the truth of some facts.
For example, Grindelwald's prophecies.
He predicted world wars, mushroom clouds, and the rise of the Muggles.
Grindelwald claimed that the rise of the Muggles would gradually reduce the living space of wizards.
That's why he wanted to break the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, allowing wizards to live openly instead of hiding, and even establish a new world ruled by wizards.
Time has proven that Grindelwald was right.
He just used the wrong methods.
Today, many well-informed and perceptive people in the wizarding world are aware of the rise of the Muggles. The Muggles are becoming steadily more dominant, while the wizards have been stagnating at the same level for centuries.
This worries many wizards.
They fear that one day the wizarding world will be noticed by the Muggles.
And when that happens, the wizards may be in a weak bargaining position.
They can't do anything because they no longer have the power to reshape the world.
Until... Grindelwald contacted them again.
Just ten days ago, Dumbledore received news that Grindelwald's former followers were acting out of character.
They were contacting each other and even organising large gatherings.
There were even quite a few young people attending their gatherings.
Upon receiving this news, Dumbledore rushed to Nurmengard as soon as possible. He was keenly aware that Grindelwald might no longer be content to die an old man in Nurmengard.
'Grindelwald' was still in Nurmengard.
But Dumbledore knew at once that it was an impostor.
Someone had used Polyjuice Potion to take Grindelwald's place, and Grindelwald had long since left the castle.
The 'fake' was not surprised to see Dumbledore.
He even gave Dumbledore a personal letter written by Grindelwald.
After leaving Nurmengard, Dumbledore did not make it public.
Grindelwald's escape was a big deal, and once the news spread, it was enough to send shockwaves through the entire European wizarding community.
This was even more sensational than Voldemort's resurrection!
Voldemort only managed to gather a few Death Eaters.
He couldn't even take over the British wizarding community.
But look at Grindelwald!
He only needed to give a speech to make half of the European wizarding community follow him like frenzied fans.
Especially right now
Grindelwald's prophecy has been proven true.
Muggles are on the rise.
The living conditions of wizards are becoming increasingly precarious.
Under these circumstances, there must be many people who want to do something to change the wizarding world.
And Andy's emergence has given Grindelwald hope.
The fusion of mind and magic has undoubtedly raised the upper limit of wizards to a new power level – a terrifying power.
Dumbledore once personally fought the Obscurial.
Of course, the victor of that battle was Dumbledore.
But it wasn't a fair fight.
Dumbledore, a super-talented wizard who had studied magic for decades.
Credence, a novice wizard who had only had a wand for a few years.
Well...if you don't count Andy the cheater, it was like matching Harry against Dumbledore.
Not only that, but due to his blood ties and kind nature, Credence didn't have much desire to fight.
Even so, the battle was extremely unpredictable.
Dumbledore knew full well that once Grindelwald had completed the fusion of mind and magic, his power would instantly surpass Voldemort's and possibly exceed his own.
That would be a terrifying thing!
People always remember their past failures.
The more prideful a person is, the more this is the case.
And Grindelwald was undoubtedly a prideful person.
Ruling over Muggles had probably become his obsession.
Looking out of the window at the gradually darkening sky, Dumbledore seemed to see the future of the wizarding world.
The war might be imminent!
He must find Grindelwald as soon as possible and... stop him.
If that was not possible...
Then Voldemort must be dealt with immediately!
As for Andy...
Fate is a funny thing.
Some people try their best, but in the end, they can't change even the smallest things.
But some people can change the world without even realising it.
Andy is definitely in the latter category.
Andy's aim in contacting Grindelwald was simple: to learn more about magic.
But in the end... he gave Grindelwald hope.
Dumbledore was having a headache.
As Headmaster and professor, he couldn't stop Andy from pursuing his passion for magic.
Isn't it ridiculous for a professor to prevent his students from learning?
Isn't it ironic?
But along with Andy's continuous progress in magic, he will definitely bring some unpredictable changes to the world.
Dumbledore cannot tell whether these changes are good or bad.
To be fair, if the person who wants to 'cause trouble' is Andy, Dumbledore may remain vigilant, but he will not necessarily stop Andy.
Because Andy is different from people like Grindelwald and Voldemort.
In Dumbledore's view, Andy was a very reasonable person.
He would try to understand others and put himself in their shoes, and would never force his own ideas on others.
But unfortunately.
The person who should have caused trouble kept quiet, while the person who shouldn't just raise hell every day.
None of them were trouble-free!
----
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