Harry potter:Dark lord

The moment Robert saw Dumbledore appear, he knew his plan to delay time had succeeded.

However, what truly surprised him was that Grindelwald seemed to have anticipated his stalling tactics all along.

Yet, instead of exposing him, Grindelwald chose to play along.

If he had intended to confront Robert about it, there were plenty of other places to have a conversation. Why insist on staying here?

Especially after learning that Professor Hicks had escaped.

With Hicks free, it was inevitable that Dumbledore would arrive as soon as possible.

Yet, Grindelwald showed no urgency. If he had wanted to, they might have already reached Nurmengard by now.

But Grindelwald's next words dispelled Robert's doubts.

"You arrived so quickly, Dumbledore..." Grindelwald said with a smile. "I had intended to persuade these two young talents to join us in front of you, but... unfortunately, I failed. It's strange—so eager for power, yet so indifferent to my offer."

Trying to recruit people right in front of Dumbledore? What kind of twisted satisfaction was that? Robert scoffed internally.

"Perhaps that just means your charm isn't as compelling as you imagined," Dumbledore replied coldly. "Not everyone is like you, willing to do anything to achieve their goals. They may be young, but they can still distinguish right from wrong."

Dumbledore's gaze sharpened. "I have always foreseen your failure, Grindelwald."

"Failure?" Grindelwald let out a chuckle. "My power is at its peak. My followers are spread across the world. Even our enemies waver in the face of our ideals... And yet, you say I will fail?"

"So many years have passed, and countless realities have proven that your dreams were nothing more than the fantasies of our youth," Dumbledore said, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "Your vision is unachievable."

Then, his expression darkened. "But I suspect that doesn't even matter to you. You never truly cared about the future of the world. You just wanted to satisfy your own selfish ambitions, didn't you?"

Grindelwald's smile faded. "Is that truly how low you think of me?"

"People change," Dumbledore said solemnly. "The Gellert I once knew would never have done such terrible things."

His voice grew heavy with grief. "Think about everything you've done over the years. How many innocents have died because of your so-called ideals? How many were deceived and sacrificed in vain?"

"Revolutions demand bloodshed!" Grindelwald's voice rose in frustration. "This world is broken, and my mission is to heal it!"

"You are the one who is sick, Grindelwald."

Grindelwald's expression hardened. "I want wizards to stand tall beneath the sky, Dumbledore! Magic is a gift given to only a select few. We are exceptional! So why must we hide in the shadows while the mediocre walk freely in the sun?

"Are you truly content to cower in the dark, hiding in that school like a scared mouse?" His voice was filled with contempt. "If you refuse to change the world, then I will! You may bury your head in the sand, but one day, I will lay my perfect world before you.

"And before that day comes... do not try to stop me!"

Silence fell.

Neither man spoke, and in their presence, no one else dared to.

After a long pause, Dumbledore sighed. "No matter how grand your words sound, they cannot erase the pain you've inflicted upon the world." His voice was tired. "There is no use arguing. We've had this debate countless times before, Grindelwald.

"So let's settle this."

With that, Dumbledore raised his wand.

Grindelwald spread his arms slightly. "When words fail, you resort to force? But tell me, Dumbledore, do you really believe you can defeat me?"

The wizards behind Grindelwald shifted, eyes burning with hostility.

No matter how powerful Dumbledore was, he was still just one man. If a battle broke out, he would not face Grindelwald alone.

If Grindelwald held him off while the others attacked, even Dumbledore would struggle to win.

Robert narrowed his eyes.

Could it be that his mere presence—his butterfly effect—had accelerated the legendary battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald?

Dumbledore, however, remained unfazed. He acted as though he hadn't even noticed the witches and wizards behind Grindelwald.

"You truly think I came alone?"

As soon as he spoke, a multitude of figures appeared behind him.

Aurors, Ministry officials, and fellow wizards stood at his back, their numbers quickly surpassing Grindelwald's forces.

Though Dumbledore's side was smaller than Grindelwald's, the presence of trained Aurors gave them an advantage.

Professor Hicks was among them. She looked disheveled, evidence of the hardships she had endured to bring Dumbledore here in time.

At that moment, her gaze landed on Robert and Tom with deep concern.

"Wade, Tom, come here," Dumbledore called.

Robert did not hesitate. After signaling to Toby, he strode toward Dumbledore's side.

Tom, however, hesitated.

The conversation earlier had revealed much. Tom now understood what kind of man Grindelwald was. Ruthless, manipulative, dangerous.

But if that was the case...

Why was he letting them go?

They were close—Grindelwald could easily stop them.

Grindelwald seemed to read Tom's thoughts. "If you don't wish to join me, then leave," he said casually. "Don't worry—I won't harm you. There are so few like us in this world… I wouldn't waste lives so easily."

Then his voice softened. "My offer remains open. If you change your mind in the future, you'll always be welcome."

Tom hesitated for only a moment longer before quickly following Robert.

"Stop trying to manipulate my students, Grindelwald." Dumbledore's voice carried an uncharacteristic edge of anger.

"People have the right to choose their own paths, Dumbledore," Grindelwald said, smiling as he raised his wand. "You cannot suppress the desire for freedom and truth."

In his hand was a wand marked with age and power—one of the fabled Deathly Hallows.

The Elder Wand.

He lifted it and traced a slow arc through the air.

With a sharp whoosh, a towering wall of blue fire erupted between the two sides.

It cut through the battlefield, splitting Dumbledore's forces from Grindelwald's.

Then, with a wave of his hand, Grindelwald's followers turned and vanished into the night.

Dumbledore's side may have held the advantage today, but a direct battle would have cost too much.

Grindelwald had no intention of engaging in an all-out war—not yet.

Because he had already achieved his goal.

Though his attempt to sway the two young wizards had failed today, his words had left an impression.

One day, he believed, they would remember them.

And that, in itself, was a victory.

End of Chapter.

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