"What's going on?" Dumbledore asked in surprise.
Robert explained, "This is the drug we begged from Professor Slughorn. We originally planned to use it to drug the trolls in the Forbidden Forest. I used my portion on those people, but the dose meant for Tom hadn't been used yet. So, when he was caught just now, I used it directly..."
"A drug?" Grindelwald eyed Robert suspiciously. The moment he smelled the gas, he could clearly feel his body weakening. Otherwise, he wouldn't have pushed Tom away so easily.
And now, he was being told that this was just a drug?
When Grindelwald saw Robert's submissive demeanor—completely different from his previous arrogant attitude—he silently shut his mouth. It was obvious that this kid didn't want Dumbledore to know he had poisoned his classmates, so he kept insisting it was just a drug. Everything happening now was just an act.
Tom, meanwhile, still looked frail, his eyes filled with fear. It was clear that he was still under the effects of the poison. Robert must have warned him when neither he nor Dumbledore was looking.
However, even though Grindelwald knew Robert was acting, he had no way to stop him. At this moment, could Dumbledore still listen to him? Or would it just sound like he was slandering his favorite student?
So, he chose to keep quiet.
However, precisely because of this, he admired Robert even more—cunning and ruthless.
How could such a person stay under Dumbledore's wing?
Just wait and see. He and Dumbledore would have a falling out sooner or later.
Grindelwald wasn't worried at all. In fact, he was looking forward to it.
Compared to Grindelwald's complicated thoughts, Dumbledore was much happier.
"You went to the Forbidden Forest to drug a troll? You two..." Dumbledore shook his head in amusement.
These two mischievous kids... Even though they were Gryffindors, they had the audacity to think of something as outrageous as drugging a troll in the Forbidden Forest.
The most surprising part was that Horace actually agreed and even provided them with the formula for the drug.
But... it was fortunate that things played out this way. Otherwise, Tom might have been in real danger tonight.
"You two little troublemakers are really... Forget it. Wait aside. I'll deal with you later," Dumbledore said before turning his gaze back to Grindelwald.
The warmth in his eyes disappeared instantly.
Grindelwald smirked. "What now? Are you going to kill me, Dumbledore?"
"I won't kill you. You should stand trial before the world and receive the punishment you deserve," Dumbledore said coldly.
"Ha! A trial? The punishment I deserve?" Grindelwald sneered. "Dumbledore, you'll never learn! Unless you kill me right now, do you really think there's a prison in this world that can hold me?"
"Enough. Facts have proven that our previous visions were impossible to achieve... Do you really want to see the world fall into chaos?"
"There's nothing more to discuss, Dumbledore. Come, let me see if you've improved over the years!"
With that, Grindelwald raised his wand, releasing a jet of green light!
Dumbledore reacted instantly, countering with a red beam.
The two spells collided fiercely, just as they had the day the Blood Pact shattered seven or eight years ago...
Robert, watching the two powerful wizards engage in their "welding match," quickly dragged the weakened Tom toward a large pillar where Annie was hiding.
Annie was completely stunned. Tom's resurrection and the battle unfolding before her eyes were overwhelming.
"Help him up," Robert instructed, snapping Annie out of her daze.
She quickly helped Tom sit against the pillar.
"This... this isn't really poison, right?" Annie asked hesitantly.
Tom, his face pale, gritted his teeth and shook his head. "No, it's really just a drug. We really were planning to drug the troll."
Robert noted that Tom didn't expose his secret and nodded in satisfaction. He then pulled out a small bottle from his pocket and handed it to Tom.
"The drug you took earlier hasn't completely broken down. Drink this, and you'll be fine."
Tom hesitated, then suddenly realized something—his poison hadn't been fully cured yet?
That meant if he didn't drink this antidote, he could still die. And only after he gave a satisfactory answer did Robert offer him the antidote...
So, Robert's threat earlier—that if he dared to speak out, he would "heroically sacrifice himself"—was not an empty one!
Tom shuddered. Robert was cruel, ruthless, and incredibly petty!
Without hesitation, he uncorked the bottle and gulped down the antidote.
"Ugh! Why does this stuff taste like a sweaty shoe insole?" Tom gagged.
Robert, watching the duel nearby, smirked. "Be grateful! That's my improved version. The one I rubbed under your nose earlier was the original—want to try that instead?"
Tom fell silent, recalling the smell of the previous ointment. As awful as this was, it was better than that!
Just then—
BOOM!
The battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald reached its peak!
The initial clash of light beams had long ended. Now, spells of all kinds—some Robert could understand, others beyond his comprehension—were flying everywhere.
Beyond just spells, both wizards were now using Transfiguration to gain the upper hand.
Dumbledore had summoned a giant golem from shattered debris, and Grindelwald responded with a massive earthen dragon. The two constructs wrestled, causing the ground to shake violently.
The sheer intensity of the battle left Robert and the others no choice but to retreat even further.
Just as Robert and his group moved, Grindelwald deflected a spell and roared, channeling his power into his wand.
The earthen dragon tore off the golem's head! But since it was merely a transfiguration, the golem continued fighting, landing a devastating punch that shattered the dragon's horn.
"Hoo!"
Grindelwald waved his wand again, summoning dark blue flames that took the shape of a massive bat, charging toward Dumbledore.
Dumbledore, unfazed, countered with his own flames—orange-red, in the shape of a phoenix!
The two fiery constructs collided, engulfing the battlefield in flames. The transfigured creatures were instantly reduced to ash. The sheer heat forced Robert and the others to move further away.
Tom yelped. The soles of his shoes were melting!
Robert quickly cast a freezing spell around them and led them deeper into the chamber, where they found themselves in front of a giant metal sphere.
A flash of desire flickered in Annie's eyes. But she knew she had no chance under the watchful eyes of Dumbledore and Robert.
Besides, Grindelwald was still fighting.
She lowered her head, tearing her gaze away from the magical energy source.
Meanwhile, Grindelwald was growing desperate.
Dumbledore's power was far beyond what he had expected! Even wielding the Elder Wand, he found himself struggling.
What had Dumbledore done? How had his strength grown so terrifying?
"Gellert, you have no chance. Put down your wand and surrender," Dumbledore said calmly.
Grindelwald gritted his teeth, feeling the pressure bearing down on him.
"No... Impossible! I can't lose!"
His body trembled, his wand shaking violently.
"I don't want to hurt you. Accept the judgment of the world—"
"Shut up! No one in this world can judge me!" Grindelwald roared.
The Elder Wand pulsed, and the dark blue flames surged once more!
(End of Chapter)
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