The Map Secret Room fell into a prolonged silence.
Even though Vivi had known the portraits of the three professors for over a hundred years, she had never spoken about her past with them.
However... the inheritors of Ancient Magic indeed had this or that kind of... shortcoming, or one might say a defect.
Being a Dud was just one of them.
By the standards of that era, and since Vivi was from a Pure-blood Family, her entire childhood must have been difficult.
Even in these enlightened times, the fact that a child is a Dud is still largely unacceptable to common wizarding families.
For a moment, silence reigned in the Map Secret Room.
Even Professor Luke Wood didn't interrupt with a joke or two to lighten the mood, but instead stood quietly within his frame.
After a long time, Vivi finally snapped out of her daze.
"That was... Christmas 1888," Vivi softly said.
...
Nimongard Castle.
Gellert Grindelwald sat by the fireplace, lost in thought, gazing at the snow-covered Alps in the distance.
Even though he had been defeated by Dumbledore and imprisoned in Nimongard, he still retained quite a bit of autonomy.
Besides not being able to leave Nimongard Castle, he could still meet with some old friends here.
This was the Western custom and could be considered a form of dignity — just like when Napoleon was first exiled and still retained a considerable amount of freedom.
"How is Vida doing over there?" he casually asked, reaching out to stroke the chin of the owl before him.
"She has successfully entered Hogwarts, sir," the wizard with a white beard replied from behind.
Gellert pondered for a moment before instructing, "Feed that... that writer some more Hair Growth Potion, and remember not to cut Vida's hair over there."
"Yes, sir," the wizard with a white beard nodded.
"I have a premonition..." Gellert's eye, glowing with a silvery-white light, spun around like Mad-Eye Moody's.
He covered his eye, waiting quietly for a moment.
"Whew..."
"Sir, are you alright?" the wizard with a white beard asked.
"My eye hurts a bit, but it's nothing serious," Gellert softly said. "It tells me... my sister is coming back..."
"Sister?" Everyone in the room was stunned.
They had never heard of the master mentioning that he had a sister.
"Yes, sister..."
Gellert softly murmured a few words.
He took the magic wand handed to him by someone nearby and carefully caressed it.
After a while, he left the room, descended the stairs, and headed for the underground prison.
Even in summer, Nimongard Castle, nestled in the mountains, was slightly chilly, especially in the dungeon, which was dark and damp, fitting the stereotype perfectly.
Gellert walked briskly into the left-hand dungeon.
Inside the dungeon were several bed-like slabs, on which lay three witches with dazed expressions.
When they saw Gellert enter, they whimpered and began to plead incessantly.
"Did you know, William Minnie," Gellert softly said, "my sister is about to return —"
Upon hearing Gellert's words, the witch named William Minnie opened her eyes wide.
"But you need not worry; it has been over a hundred years, and you may not suffer like Hydra did. Perhaps my sister has long forgotten about your trash-like existence, don't you think, William Minnie Grindelwald?"
"I beg you, please, Gellert, I'm your cousin —"
"Beg me..." Gellert casually played with the magic wand in his hand, "If only you could have — ah, never mind, talking to you is a waste of my time. Let's start today's lesson."
He slowly pointed the magic wand in his hand at William Minnie, and a red light emitted from its tip.
The last thing William Minnie heard was a spell whispered gently like a lover's murmur.
"Crucio!"
...
1888, Vienna.
Ever since the Old Grindelwalds passed away, life for the Grindelwald family had become increasingly difficult.
The eldest daughter, Vilatia Grindelwald, being a Dud of Nimongard Castle, undoubtedly shamed the entire Grindelwald Clan.
Even though the Old Grindelwalds always protected their daughter, gossip still reached Vilatia's ears.
Fortunately, Vivi's aunt was Princess Sissi, so even if she couldn't become a witch, she could stay by her aunt's side and learn how to be a lady-in-waiting.
However, in the eyes of wizards, associating with Muggles is considered a disgraceful act, even for a Dud like Vivi.
Especially in Pure-blood Families like the Grindelwald family, this belief held strong.
Christmas was a time for family reunions, and Princess Sissi, being kind-hearted, understood her niece's hardship in raising her younger brother alone. She arranged a holiday for her early and even gave her extra cash to make their lives less difficult.
Even though this niece was forgetful and messed up everything, Princess Sissi, for her sisterly bond with Vivi's mother, tolerated her small imperfections.
Yet, rumors of "The Clumsy Grindelwald" spread through the court.
"Well, if it isn't Dud Vira?"
A sharp and harsh voice sounded behind her.
It was her cousin, Hydra Grindelwald.
Vivi didn't respond, merely walking quickly ahead, clutching the beef her aunt had given her to share with Gellert at home.
Seeing Vivi not replying, Hydra smirked contemptuously.