Night.
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was as bright as day.
Headmaster Dippet stood at the front podium, preparing to give his pre-dinner speech.
"I don't like to talk too much before dinner, but… please allow me to say a few words today. Yes… perhaps some of you have noticed that Professor Dumbledore is not in the classroom. He has some business to attend to and needs to go on a temporary trip to America. In his absence, Professor Hicks will take over the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."
Principal Dippet looked back at Hicks and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Professor Hicks."
"It's okay, Armando. Albus told me before he left," Professor Hicks said with a smile.
Below the stage, students began whispering about why Dumbledore had left. The moment Principal Dippet announced that dinner was ready, these murmurs exploded into full-blown discussions.
Tom and Robert exchanged glances.
Tom cast a Whispering Charm and said, "Looks like your plan is working. Grindelwald successfully got Dumbledore away from Hogwarts... But can you not look at me when using the Whispering Charm? It's so weird!"
Robert had no choice but to turn his head and pretend to focus on the lamb ribs in front of him. "America… It seems Grindelwald still holds a grudge against the Magical Congress of the United States. I heard that President Picquery had him arrested and imprisoned for six months."
"Really?" Tom asked, surprised.
He couldn't imagine someone as powerful as Grindelwald getting captured so easily.
"Of course."
"But if they caught him, why only six months? If they had locked him up for good, wouldn't all these troubles have been avoided?" Tom asked.
"Only six months? Of course not! Grindelwald turned the Aurors guarding him against each other and escaped while being transported to Europe for trial."
"He's got patience," Tom said. "If it were me… humph… I'd have killed everyone on sight. Why wait for revenge?"
"He has big ambitions. He's not as petty as you. He even ran for President of the International Confederation of Wizards a few years later. If revenge was his only goal, what would be the point of his election campaign? And there wouldn't be bodies everywhere—he only kills when necessary."
"Why do you always say I'm small-minded?"
"Ask yourself why your thinking is so limited."
"You—!"
Dumbledore's absence didn't seem to disrupt Hogwarts' daily life.
Even with Professor Hicks temporarily managing two subjects, everything continued as usual.
But soon, shocking news arrived from America.
The Daily Prophet finally got word and reported a series of mysterious disappearances…
And even after Dumbledore arrived, the crisis wasn't resolved immediately. In fact, the missing cases expanded from the staff of the Magical Congress to include ordinary wizards.
Just by reading the Daily Prophet, Robert could guess how anxious Dumbledore must be.
Not just Dumbledore—the Magical Congress of the United States was now requesting aid from Ministries of Magic worldwide.
Suddenly, Aurors from different countries, along with powerful wizards with strong moral values, started gathering in America…
Hogwarts, however, remained as peaceful as ever.
"This is the calm before the storm! Are you really ready?" Tom asked through gritted teeth while taking notes for Robert in History of Magic class.
"Don't worry, he won't act so soon."
"How are you so sure?"
"Haven't you noticed Annie's recent activities?"
"She's been acting a bit mysterious lately… Could it be… she's scouting locations for Grindelwald?"
"Tom! You're finally thinking! That's right! If Grindelwald had already found the exact place, why would he need Annie to investigate?"
"But… what if Annie never finds it? Then your plan fails, right?"
"Don't worry. Annie is capable. She'll find it soon."
"I have no idea where she's looking," Tom admitted, frowning.
Hogwarts had countless secret passages. Even if he were in their shoes, he wouldn't know where to start.
"If it were you… how would you find it?"
Robert smirked. "I was just about to compliment your intelligence. Now, I have to take it back."
"Stop insulting me! Tell me now! Or I'll mess up these notes on purpose!"
Robert sighed theatrically. "Fine. Since you ask sincerely, I'll be merciful and tell you." He pointed at Professor Binns, the ghost who taught History of Magic.
"A ghost?" Tom blinked.
"If anyone knows Hogwarts best, it's not Headmaster Dippet or even Dumbledore—it's the ghosts."
Ghosts wandered the castle without needing to walk, and they could pass through walls. Some had been at Hogwarts for centuries. If there was a hidden place in the castle, they would know about it.
In other words, if Annie thought of this and asked the ghosts for clues, she would soon find the location.
"So the day Annie finds the place will be the day Grindelwald's forces attack…" Tom murmured.
"That depends. Maybe Grindelwald and Dumbledore are too busy playing hide-and-seek in America. You know, they used to be close…" Robert said mischievously.
"Close?" Tom's eyes widened. "You mean… they… they… Ugh, disgusting!"
"It's fine. It's just Britain's way," Robert said with a chuckle.
Hearing that, Tom instinctively stepped half a pace away.
"Tom, are you serious about stepping back? If anyone should be on guard, it's me. You're the one from Britain!"
Meanwhile, the disappearances in America continued. Even foreign Aurors sent to assist had begun vanishing.
But Robert wasn't too concerned.
Even if Grindelwald was planning a war, he wouldn't kill this many wizards recklessly.
His true targets were Muggles.
That meant the missing wizards were either being imprisoned… or they had already joined the Witch Party.
Time passed, and soon it was mid-March.
The disappearances slowed, and Dumbledore finally confronted Grindelwald. According to reports, a war nearly erupted between them.
Unfortunately, their magic was so powerful that wizard reporters had difficulty following and documenting their battle.
At Hogwarts, Tom had been keeping an eye on Annie. He finally noticed that she was now seeking out ghosts.
That meant she would soon find the location Robert had chosen.
Tom rushed to the Room of Requirement, where Robert was brewing potions, and relayed the news.
"Finally! She found it. The timing is perfect," Robert said, handing Tom the newspaper detailing the near-battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
"Why do you say that?" Tom asked.
"It seems they've 'almost' fought several times. That means Dumbledore is convinced Grindelwald is still in America."
"You mean… Grindelwald isn't in America at all? He tricked Dumbledore into believing he was there?" Tom asked, stunned.
"If Grindelwald was actually there, they wouldn't have almost fought. They would have fought," Robert explained. "Dumbledore is now stuck, too afraid to leave America unattended."
"In other words… Grindelwald is about to act here. We should prepare."
Tom fell silent, then asked, "What if Dumbledore realizes this and comes back immediately? Wizards travel fast."
"They'll find ways to stall him. But even if he rushes back, Grindelwald won't lose anything. Do you really think this is all just to distract Dumbledore?"
Tom hesitated.
"This isn't just about Dumbledore," Robert continued. "So many officials in the Magical Congress of the United States have gone missing. And their positions won't stay vacant forever."
"You mean… Grindelwald's people will replace them?" Tom's eyes widened.
"Exactly. Even if Dumbledore returns, the damage is done. Grindelwald is planting his people in the highest ranks of the Magical Congress."
Tom exhaled.
"So Grindelwald is seizing power… and using this chaos to lure Dumbledore away. And no matter what Dumbledore does, he can't stop it."
"At least, that's what Grindelwald thinks." Robert smiled.
"The strong never choose between power and victory. They take both."
(End of Chapter)
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