Hogwarts: This Dark Lord is Good?

"You really can't go. With Fawkes here, the moment we step outside, Dumbledore will know."

Dragged halfway out the door by Wade, Tom struggled and spoke urgently.

"Besides… if you want to go, go by yourself. Why drag me into it?"

Wade frowned. He couldn't believe an eleven-year-old Voldemort had this much strength…

"I've got a way to deal with Dumbledore. As for why I'm bringing you… isn't this a great learning opportunity? Learn how to become a proper Dark Lord. A live demonstration will definitely be enlightening for you!"

Tom panicked, yanking hard on his own robes.

"How can you slander me like that out of nowhere? I'm a good person! A good wizard! Why would I need to learn how to be some Dark Lord?"

"Tom, you're lying to yourself again. Are you really a good wizard? Then how come I've never seen it?"

"...."

Tom, as the future Dark Lord, could have a massive impact on the world—even the smallest positive change in him could save countless lives.

In other words, fewer people would die because of him.

And as the one changing him, Wade would gain a significant number of merit points from it, right? Kekeke~~

That's why Wade planned to bring him along—to witness certain things and be changed by them.

Even if it weren't for the merit points, doing it for the sake of the future of the world would still be a worthy cause.

Of course, if Wade simply chose to kill Tom outright, he'd gain a massive number of merit points instantly.

A huge number of future tragedies would be avoided in one fell swoop—that wasn't a bad option either.

But Wade still believed that Tom was a highly talented individual.

Even if he didn't become a "good guy" like Dumbledore in the future, he could still grow into someone who had a positive impact on the wizarding world.

Just like what Grindelwald is trying to do now... heh..

And in the long run, that might be more beneficial than just killing him.

Realizing he probably had no way out, Tom reluctantly said, "At the very least… we should tell Professor Dumbledore first. As long as he agrees, I'll go with you."

In Tom's view, the only reason Wade insisted on dragging him along was to show off.

Look, even the powerful Grindelwald has to follow my lead...

It was a way to build up an unattainable image in front of him, to warn him not to challenge Wade's authority.

As for all that stuff about "learning"... that was clearly just nonsense.

Why would I need to learn this stuff? It's not like I'm going to become a Dark Lord in the future!

"That's your own claim." Wade finally let go of Tom's robes. "I'll write to Professor Dumbledore right away!"

That made Tom breathe a sigh of relief. In his view, there was no way Dumbledore would agree to Wade's ridiculous idea.

Right now, Dumbledore couldn't want them farther away from Grindelwald—there was no chance he'd approve Wade's request to attend the public trial.

An hour passed quickly.

When Fawkes returned with the reply, Tom was still calm.

No doubt about it—this had to be Dumbledore rejecting Wade's outrageous request!

However, after reading the letter, Wade casually tossed it aside. "Alright, Professor Dumbledore approved our request. You don't have an excuse anymore, Tom. Get ready to go!"

"Wait, what? No way!" Tom stared at the letter on the floor, stunned.

"Heh~ If you don't believe me, read it yourself." Wade picked it up and handed it to him.

Tom read through it carefully, word for word.

The letter's summary: They were allowed to go, and someone would be coming to escort them shortly...

"This has got to be fake…"

Tom was completely stunned. How could Dumbledore possibly agree to such an outrageous request from Wade?

He carefully examined the letter.

First of all, that looping, elaborate handwriting—it was definitely Dumbledore's.

And... yes, it had indeed been delivered by Fawkes...

Alright, the letter's authenticity was beyond doubt. And besides, someone would be coming to escort them shortly...

"So, how did you convince Dumbledore to agree?"

Wade shrugged. "Well, he doesn't want us attending the trial, sure—but even more than that, he doesn't want us sneaking off to watch it anyway."

Tom suddenly understood.

Dumbledore had clearly developed a very firm grasp of just how much trouble the two of them could cause...

In his eyes, the two of them must be even more Gryffindor than the Gryffindors themselves. So rather than worry about them running off on their own, he figured it was better to give permission and assign someone to watch over them.

Damn it, Wade... was this all part of his plan again?

"They'll be here any minute! Aren't you going to go pack?" Wade urged.

Tom looked at Wade's suitcase—already neatly packed and standing by the door—and his face twisted like he'd just accidentally swallowed a live fly.

Twenty minutes later.

A flash of green light lit up the fireplace in the safe house.

Then Dumbledore's tall, lean figure stepped out.

Unlike the version of Dumbledore from decades later, who favored voluminous wizard robes, the Dumbledore of today often wore suits—even if his taste in suits was... peculiar.

He took off his top hat and looked at the two fully-prepared young wizards in front of him, his face full of resignation.

Tom felt completely wronged. This was all Wade's idea! He, Tom, only wanted to be a well-behaved boy...

"Professor, I thought you'd send someone else to get us. I didn't expect you to come in person!" Wade said cheerfully.

"I wouldn't be at ease sending someone else... Listen, you two. I'm allowing you to go to America, but starting today, wherever I go, you follow. If either of you disobeys and sneaks off somewhere, then you can spend the rest of your summer in this safe house," Dumbledore warned them sternly.

"Understood, Professor Dumbledore!" Wade grabbed his suitcase. "When do we leave?!"

Dumbledore: "…"

He honestly doubted whether this little troublemaker had actually listened to anything he'd just said.

"No need to bring luggage. I've already prepared all the necessities for you..."

…

Once the Floo network connection was open, traveling became much easier.

Even if the destination was thousands of kilometers away.

Dumbledore brought the two young wizards along, and after only a few Floo transfers, they arrived at their destination…

It was a large and ornate fireplace.

Outside the fireplace stretched a vast, open square…

And in this enormous square were many fireplaces identical to the one they'd just exited.

At the moment, many witches and wizards were stepping briskly out of those fireplaces.

"Where are we?" Tom asked warily, eyes scanning their surroundings.

"This is the Magical Congress of the United States of America… In a few days, Grindelwald will stand trial in the Grand Court here," Dumbledore paused, then added, "Most of these people are here for that."

Seeing the massive square before him teeming with crowds, Wade instantly understood that Grindelwald's move had struck a deep chord in the hearts of wizards all over the world.

"The Magical Congress has arranged a place for me to stay. For the next few days, you two will be staying there with me," Dumbledore said as he gave instructions while walking forward. Wade and Tom struggled to keep up with his pace.

"Alright, Professor… Are we heading there now?"

"No. I'm going to meet someone first."

"Then should we wait for you at the place we're staying?"

"No. You're coming with me. As I said, you two are to stay with me at all times during these days," Dumbledore said sternly.

Since the last disappearance incident, no one really knew how many members of the Alliance faction had infiltrated MACUSA.

Even after Dumbledore had personally screened a round of people, he had found very few actual problems.

And based on what he knew of Grindelwald, those who had been caught and examined might have been intentionally planted by him to mislead.

The truly problematic individuals might have already slipped in long before the disappearances ever happened…

In a place like this, crawling with potential enemies, how could he possibly allow Wade and Tom to wander off on their own?

Troublesome as it was… given these two boys' talent for causing trouble, not bringing them along might end up being even more dangerous.

Dumbledore glanced at the two children beside him, who were restlessly glancing around and visibly eager to explore. He couldn't help but sigh.

Taking care of children… really was exhausting…

…

When President Picquery saw Dumbledore, she cast a puzzled look at the two young wizards beside him.

"These two… are your grandsons?"

Dumbledore's old face flushed slightly. "No, they're my students. Due to some special circumstances, I need to keep them with me."

"I see," President Picquery said, glancing at the two boys again.

Though she still had questions, time was tight, and she had no energy to spare on such matters.

"You summoned me so urgently… did you discover something?" Dumbledore asked.

President Picquery bit her lip and handed him a piece of parchment.

Dumbledore accepted it with a puzzled expression, then carefully read through it.

Moments later, his expression grew extremely grave.

"This is…"

"We have no choice, Dumbledore..." President Picquery said wearily. "So far, we still haven't found any evidence strong enough to convict him, so..."

"I advise you not to go through with this, Seraphina," Dumbledore said sternly. "I know him. If he dares to take this path, then he's certainly made preparations for any possible accident."

"There's no other way, Dumbledore… We can't just stand by and watch him clear his name and walk away! You know better than anyone the gravity of the crimes he's committed! How could someone like him escape justice?!"

"I understand how you feel, Seraphina, but with all due respect… your plan might already be part of his design. If you fail, it'll only make it easier for him to be acquitted."

"We won't fail, Dumbledore! Our plan is airtight!"

"Seraphina..."

"I called you here hoping to gain your help, Albus. If you're still clinging to the past and unwilling to act, then we won't hold it against you... please, go."

Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak but eventually let out a long sigh and turned to walk toward the door.

Suddenly, President Picquery said one more thing from behind him, "Even if you won't join us, now that you know everything… I trust you won't inform him, will you?"

Dumbledore paused, "You should believe me, Seraphina..."

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