"Your headmaster, Dumbledore, he doesn't want to sacrifice any innocent people. The Magic World praises him as a saint, though to me, it's truly hypocritical... Don't frown, child... If you read more history books—I'm talking about Muggle history books—you would see there's no change without bloodshed..."
"Dumbledore is too weak. Only Gellert—only his propositions can truly change the situation of wizards hiding away. Even if he has failed, I still have to say this... I will always believe in him..."
"Thank you, John, thank you for your trust and praise." Grindelwald entered through the door, seeing the relaxed expressions of the two, he smiled and said, "Looks like what I want can be completed soon?"
"Actually, this Zero-Day Squirrel is already completed!"
John Vorvillet patted the mechanical "squirrel" beside him, smiling as he praised, "Truly a genius design! Now we are just adding a layer of protection to it, so it won't be easily damaged during use later."
Grindelwald's eyes lit up, clearly very pleased, he said, "Great, I think our plan can be ahead of schedule by a few days... John, can you finish the remaining work on your own?"
"Of course..." Vorvillet suddenly realized something, glanced worriedly at Vid, and changed his tone: "But there are some areas I don't quite understand, I very much need the wisdom of Mr. Gray..."
"Then I'll borrow Vid for a moment." Grindelwald interrupted him, placing his hand affectionately on Vid's shoulder, fondly calling the boy's name, saying, "We have some things to discuss."
"Gellert, Mr. Gray truly is a remarkable alchemist. I've never seen someone his age possess such extensive knowledge..."
Vorvillet's face was faintly pale, gathering up his courage to say, "He's still young, even if you disagree with him, please don't... don't..."
"Hahaha, what are you thinking, John." Grindelwald laughed, "We're really just going to [talk], in the literal sense!"
Vorvillet breathed a sigh of relief, watching the few people leave the room, then sighed with worry.
Although he himself chose to follow... Grindelwald can be truly terrifying when he is ruthless!
And he was well aware, Grindelwald's temperament could be impulsive, capricious, and could change at any moment... if the young Vid Gray spoke out of turn...
The more he thought about it, the more he worried. Vorvillet simply put down his magic wand and began pacing the room, waiting for the result of the [talk].
...
In Vorvillet's imagination, Grindelwald, seeing Vid's value, would likely use threats and enticements to make him join the Witch Pure Party.
But Vid clearly held Dumbledore in high regard and had a strong sense of belonging to Hogwarts, which could not be easily broken with mere words.
A rejected Grindelwald would first use a few Cruciatus Curses to "convince" him. Most people would yield in the face of direct violence, but some might be provoked into a stronger sense of resistance...
The fact, however, differed from Vorvillet's imagined scenario. Grindelwald's discussion had nothing to do with allegiance.
He casually sat in an armchair, signaling to Delaine to pour Vid a cup of tea, then asked, "Child, do you know your ancestry?"
Vid was taken aback, then answered, "I naturally know who my parents are."
"No, I'm not talking about your parents, but rather your grandparents, maternal grandmother, and your great-grandparents." Grindelwald said.
Vid remained silent for a moment.
Though Vid had heard his parents mention some things, his family didn't have a family tree or photos of those people, he had never been curious enough to ask.
In his view, sending two children without magic ability away during chaotic times and not caring for them thereafter was outright abandonment. Despite it being a tradition in the Magic World—even the Weasley Family practices the same—his parents were undoubtedly derelict in their duties.
Vid had never thought of seeking relatives. In school, he consistently claimed to be from a non-magical family.
Ferdinand and Fiona were his parents in this life, raising him diligently; only they were his family. As for anyone else, how could they just become a shackle around his neck simply because of blood relations?
It was impossible.
No one knew how Grindelwald interpreted Vid's silence; he just offhandedly revealed his subordinate's investigation results:
"I originally thought your parents were Muggles, then found that during your time at Hogwarts, they entered Diagon Alley."
Vid's eyes sharpened instantly, staring at Grindelwald.
"Don't worry, I don't plan to use them to threaten you." Grindelwald stroked the rim of the cup, smiling, "I just realized if they could see the Leaky Cauldron but had no magic ability, your parents are probably Dud?"
"Then my men investigated your grandparents, where records were hard to find, luckily there was a helpful young man at the British Ministry of Magic..."
He looked into Vid's gray eyes, saying, "Your maternal grandmother was named Rosie Black, her father was Marius Black. I heard you once visited the Black Clan's mansion, though probably didn't see this name—Marius Black was disowned early on for being a Dud."
Vid's eyes flickered slightly but did not seem surprised.
Don't be fooled by the Black Family's dwindling numbers now; they were once as thriving as the Weasley Family. He had seen the Black Clan's tapestry, the well-known family names in the Magic World—Potter, Weasley, Malfoy, Crabbe, Longbottom and so on—all had alliances with the Blacks.
And Vid had noticed early on... His own appearance bore some resemblance to Sirius, though their blood relation was quite distant—likely hanging on the fringes of family trees.
"And your great-grandfather." Grindelwald continued, "He was named Joseph Bones, your grandfather Andrew, grandmother Kara. The Bones Family produced many excellent wizards—do you know Amelia Bones? She is presently the head of the British Magic Law Enforcement Department, technically your distant aunt."
Vid leaned back slightly, observing him, then asked: "So what? What's your purpose in telling me this? To help me find relatives?"
Grindelwald propped his chin on his hand, smiling lightly, "I do wish to help you establish more intimate connections in the Magic World, but unfortunately..."
The Dark Wizard sighed softly, "Your grandparents and maternal grandmother's families have all been killed by Voldemort or his Death Eaters."
"Originally, you should have returned to the Bones Family after being accepted to Hogwarts, but because your grandparents passed, you remained in Muggle society, and Amelia Bones is unaware that her Dud cousin still exists."
Grindelwald talked while watching with interest the young wizard's expression.
Typically, most people would display noticeable emotional fluctuations upon hearing news of relatives they'd never met—joy, regret, anger, sadness, yearning... All understandable.
But Vid Gray was different.
He seemed to be listening to a stranger's story, even his gaze showed no obvious change.
Grindelwald could see, he wasn't feigning calm; he genuinely did not care. Regardless of whether the family was strong or declining, it appeared unrelated to him.
A subtle smile surfaced deep in Grindelwald's eyes.
"I'm fine with not knowing, used to the surname Gray, not planning to change it." Vid adjusted his posture, saying, "Thank you for informing me, even though I'm not particularly eager to know any of this."
Grindelwald's fingers lightly tapped the chair's armrest, musing aloud, "Though I'm curious—children like you, meant to grow up in the Magic World but mistakenly lived among Muggles, deeply understanding both sides—what's your view on the current wizard-Muggle relations?"
Vid's expression shifted, lifting his gaze to meet his.
He realized, this was the true topic of conversation.
If Vid were simply from a Muggle background, this would not be an issue... But being related by blood to two renowned Magic World families now gave significance to this question.
Even his parents couldn't be termed as non-magical people.
Duds, though at the bottom of the Magic World's contempt, remained part of the magic community.
After contemplating for a moment, Vid said, "I'm not sure if you've noticed a fact—I'm thirteen years old."
Age was his disadvantage, age was his shield.
Grindelwald laughed.
"Indeed, I am too hasty." He stood up, undeniably saying: "Return to rest now, surely you will have many thoughts tonight, but still need sleep early... Tomorrow we might need to go out, you should come as well."