thebusnovel Chapter 129, Section 128: Chaos! The First Generation Leader was nothing but trash!
Chapter 129, Section 128: Chaos! The First Generation Leader was nothing but trash!
Chapter 129, Section 128: Chaos! The First Generation Leader was nothing but trash!
Inside the mysterious underground palace.
Ian discovered something bizarre: there was no runaway mother, no gambling father, no academically gifted younger brother, and no woman who had gone into prostitution; instead, there was a person who had come back from the dead!
"Professor Ronnie Ehrlich—"
The man lying on the ground looked so unreal that Ian, having seen his body with his own eyes, found it hard to describe his feelings—he felt a chill run down his spine, his thoughts even more chaotic than when he knew he might be trapped in a time loop.
It's one thing that Slytherin's methods trapped him in a time loop, but how come even a professor who only recently died was able to be resurrected in this loop with unclear motives?
Does the school possess some means to trap the souls of those who die here? Otherwise, shouldn't Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's soul have already gone to the Enchanted Realm before the beginning of this cycle, or perhaps embarked on a mysterious journey even further than the Enchanted Realm?
The fact that Ariana was unaffected before clearly demonstrates the methods left behind by Slytherin.
It shouldn't be able to extend into the realm of illusion and confusion to have any effect.
The most crucial question is, even if the remnants of Slytherin in Hogwarts truly possess the power of resurrection, why is it that the resurrected ones are saints who have only been working at Hogwarts for less than a day this semester?
Many questions remain.
These thoughts surged within Ian's heart one after another.
"I don't understand! I really don't understand!" Ian didn't believe that Salazar Slytherin could have foreseen what would happen at Hogwarts a thousand years ago and made preparations and left his mark.
Unless Slytherin is still alive and has always known what is happening at Hogwarts, otherwise...
The only plausible explanation he could think of was that Slytherin's Legacy would capture the souls of the most recently deceased and resurrect them in the dungeon after someone triggered the Legacy.
If that's really the case.
This resurrection must have some meaning, at least for Salazar Slytherin, it must be a meaning to demonstrate or test to those who follow and trigger the dungeon's remnants.
"I don't understand what you're talking about, little one---Although I may have suffered some unknown influences that have caused memory confusion, I think I still know whether I am dead or alive."
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich estimated that he had broken several ribs in the earlier impact with the keel. When he got up, he was coughing violently and clutching his chest, which was throbbing with pain.
"No, Professor, I think you have no idea what's going on right now." Ian's eyes were still slightly trembling, but his thoughts were becoming clearer and clearer.
He had a very strong premonition.
Just as initially suspected, the key to breaking the curse mark on his hand was indeed in this dungeon, in front of him, the former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who had come back to life without even realizing it.
"I don't think it's hard to understand." Professor Ronnie Ehrlich didn't dare to pick up the wand. He had noticed the young wizard's emotional sensitivity, so he just sighed as he looked at his wand that had fallen to the distance.
"As you can see, my memory is confused, and I don't know how much time has passed. All signs indicate that I have been attacked by the Imperius Curse and am being controlled by some mysterious person."
"That mysterious person may have encountered some accident, or perhaps he used me to achieve his goal."
That's how I gradually regained my self-awareness from his Soul-Stealing Curse.
It must be said that Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's judgment was actually quite reasonable, and his current state was indeed similar to that of someone who had been subjected to the Imperius Curse and then regained consciousness.
however.
This is certainly not true.
Ian had clearly seen the man in front of him pieced together, and those pieces were later verified by several professors and even Headmaster Dumbledore himself to be Ronnie Ehrlich.
"I've said it more than once, Professor, you should have been dead." Ian didn't intend to hide the truth.
He wasn't worried that Professor Ronnie Ehrlich would have a mental breakdown upon learning the truth. The ruthlessness with which he cast the Disarming Charm just now showed that he and this professor, who had only been in office for a day or two and had already fallen out, were truly not close.
"Ha, the dead can't be hit by your magic." Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, however, was unaffected by the mental damage.
Because this guy simply didn't believe what Ian said.
What grade are you in now?
The Ian he remembered was shorter than he is now.
"First year, and it's just before Christmas—I'm wondering what you remember?" Ian answered the other's question and then posed his own.
"Still in first grade? Pfft."
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich did not answer immediately. He first looked at his hand, which had lost its wand, and then at the wand that was very far away from him.
The sight of a newly enrolled wizard unleashing such a powerful disarming spell filled the eyes of this second-generation saint with complex emotions and a hint of hidden fanaticism.
"I saw the traces of your polymorph spell in the owl hut before. It was an extremely impressive spell. At that time, I thought you were just a very promising dark wizard."
"Who would have thought that in just a few dozen days, you've even learned the Killing Curse?" Professor Ronnie Ehrlich recalled the green light that had appeared on Ian's wand earlier. He trusted his judgment; it was definitely a silent spell ready to be cast, and the young wizard's proficiency with it far surpassed that of the Disarming Curse.
"Professor, could you answer my question? I want to know when your last clear memory stopped." Ian sensed that the other person had no intention of answering his question.
as predicted.
Even though Professor Ronnie Ehrlich was now unarmed and could only support himself by leaning against the keel,
But he still ignored Ian's question with a smile.
"To be honest, Hogwarts can't tolerate someone as talented as you. The headmaster here has always hated anyone who studies dark magic, and I don't think he would forgive you if he knew about your situation."
The guy's chest was already caved in, and he kept spitting out bloody saliva. He was clearly in a terrible state, yet he still tried to scare Ian with the school rules.
"Dumbledore and I are on very good terms, you don't need to worry about me." Ian rolled his eyes dramatically.
He felt it was really difficult to communicate with people whose thinking was still stuck in the past.
"The people he likes to hurt most are those who think they have a good relationship with him. You don't understand our headmaster." Professor Ronnie Ehrlich made no attempt to hide his prejudice against Albus Dumbledore.
As saints.
It's reasonable for him to have such thoughts, the only unreasonable thing is that he shouldn't have exposed himself like that. This behavior is almost like telling Ian that he is a Hogwarts traitor.
"I know our principal all too well. You have no idea about your current situation. I hope you won't try to change the subject of my questions."
Ian frowned.
He searched the underground palace again but found nothing unusual, which further reinforced his belief that Professor Ronnie Ehrlich was the key to the problem.
"I'm sorry, that's a secret I can't tell you."
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich shook his aching head and finally answered Ian's persistent questions directly, then continued to speak to Ian in a seductive tone.
"Hogwarts isn't right for you. I know a better place where you can truly reach your potential." His intention to recruit Raine was extremely clear.
This is perhaps the generation gap that arises between people living at different points in time.
"Professor, you should save your energy. Nurmengard is not a good place for further studies now." Ian slapped his forehead speechlessly.
His words caused Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's pupils to shrink sharply.
"How is this possible! Damn it! What do you know!" Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's tone became unusually tense, more so than when he suspected he had been under the Imperius Curse.
"You're one of Gellert Grindelwald's men, I don't think that's a secret, is it?" Ian hadn't expected Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's reaction to be so strong.
The professor first covered his head, and then his eyes became cloudy.
"On the surface, I'm here to monitor Dumbledore, but that's not really the case—" Professor Ronnie Ehrlich dropped the pretense, but his expression suddenly changed drastically as he said this.
"So that's how it is! It seems that the one who cast the Imperius Curse on me was Dumbledore—indeed, indeed, only a wizard like him could have made me fall for it without me even realizing it."
"No wonder I'm still alive. That hypocrite Dumbledore loves to flaunt his high moral character like that." Professor Ronnie Ehrlich seemed to be connecting all the information.
His extremely cloudy eyes turned to look around.
"Everything makes sense now. This is Hogwarts prison, right? He couldn't find the answers in my memories, so he's trying to use a little wizard like you to extract information?"
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich chuckled coldly. "Unfortunately, I have no hidden memories. I thought I came here to find you."
"But now it seems you've chosen Dumbledore—and he's even involved you in my interrogation, pfft, perhaps you see this as a sign of his respect for you."
"I think your final fate will be the same as everyone else who believes in him. You're only eleven years old, and he's already teaching you the Killing Curse. How do you know you're not a weapon he created?"
"Let me think. You have a Voldemort here, right? He was once Dumbledore's favorite student." Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, who had remained amiable despite being severely injured earlier, now spoke in a very sinister tone and wanted to put a bad word about Dumbledore in Ian's eyes.
The young wizard remained unmoved.
This tactic might work on Harry Potter, but it's just nonsense to him. As a good brother of the Dumbledore family, how could he not know whether Voldemort was Dumbledore's beloved disciple?
"You overestimate yourself and underestimate our principal—how could you possibly think he wants to examine your memories and would be troubled by your methods of hiding them?"
Ian found it somewhat difficult to communicate with Professor Ronnie Ehrlich.
"I have no hidden memories!"
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich raised his voice slightly. And perhaps that was indeed the case; even if he did have a mission, Gellert Grindelwald certainly wouldn't tell him immediately.
after all.
Although the professor was unaware of Dumbledore's abilities, Gellert Grindelwald was certainly not as foolish as him. Only by giving instructions at the last minute could he avoid being spied on by Dumbledore.
"To be honest, I really don't want to use violence, especially since I'm a student and you're a professor. I just want to know what happened to you."
"I hope you won't pressure me, you haven't taught me yet—"—Professor. Ian's patience also has its limits, and he spoke to Professor Ronnie Ehrlich in a sincere and earnest tone.
"Heh, what will you do then? Continue using the Killing Curse on me? I suggest you try the Cruciatus Curse. If you haven't learned it, I can teach you a little bit now."
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich showed his tough side.
"The Crucifixion Curse won't give me the answer I want, so—Soul Stealer!" Ian's wand flashed, and his eyes, which were fixed on Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, took on an eerie hue.
next moment.
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich became somewhat dazed. His expression showed struggle, but his will was clearly strong. If this were Ian's level 2 Imperishable Curse, the effect might not have been very good.
however.
【Soul Stealing】is closer to 【Mind Extraction】. Ian entered Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's thoughts, but the chaotic and fragmented memories made him somewhat at a loss.
"How could it be so broken!"
Ian found it hard to believe that Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, with his fragmented memory, could still communicate normally. Perhaps his certainty that everything was Dumbledore's conspiracy was also related to his fragmented memory and thinking.
"I refuse to believe it!"
The young wizard attempted to piece together Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's memories manually, and discovered something extremely strange: the professor had hundreds of different experiences of the same event. For example, the memory of eating breakfast the day before school started contained various different scenes of the meal.
In some scenes, he's eating oatmeal, in others he's eating sandwiches, and in still others he's not eating anything at all—it's as if the professor is the one experiencing the cycle.
Every scene felt so real.
But all the fragments seem somewhat ambiguous.
"Could I end up like that too?" Ian felt a chill run down his spine again, but thankfully Professor Ronnie Ehrlich didn't have the Ouroboros seal on the back of his hand.
In Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's jumbled memories, Ian could hardly piece together a complete account of his experiences; perhaps even Professor Ronnie Ehrlich himself couldn't distinguish what was true and what was false.
"No wonder he even doubted that several years had passed just now." Ian found it hard to imagine what kind of willpower would allow Professor Ronnie Ehrlich to still be able to communicate.
He felt that if his memories were fragmented and chaotic like this, even if he didn't go insane, he might have become the kind of person who was unable to communicate with others.
Time passed second by second.
More than half an hour later.
"I can't tell the difference, damn it, I really can't!"
Ian with a frustrated expression exited Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's memory.
"I told you, I don't hide my memories."
Having lost the effects of the magic and regained his senses, Professor Ronnie Ehrlich slumped to the ground, though his gaze toward Ian still held a hint of inexplicable schadenfreude.
"If you could calm down a little, I think we could go talk to the people you serve right now." Ian was genuinely at a loss with this professor who overthought things. Perhaps Ronnie Ehrlich really had a mental problem; otherwise, how could a normal person imagine so many absurd possibilities?
"You think I'd believe you?"
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's self-illumination seemed to see through everything, remaining completely unmoved, as if he was certain that Ian would only take him to see Dumbledore, who had transformed into Grindelwald.
"I understand your mind isn't clear right now, but I really don't want you to ruin my Christmas." Seeing that he couldn't persuade Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, Ian immediately turned and left.
"where are you going!"
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich quickly caught up.
"Go find someone who can give me the answer." When Ian turned around, he was surprised to find that Professor Ronnie Ehrlich had only followed him into the passageway outside the underground palace.
"That little girl Aurora can't order me around."
The former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor stood where the last candle could reach, not daring to go any further. He suddenly stopped as if he had sensed something.
"What happened to me?"
Professor Ronnie Ehrlich hesitated to take a step, but before he could even step out, he immediately clutched his head and let out a bloodcurdling roar.
"Aaaaaah!"
His contorted expression made it seem as if he was enduring immense pain.
"You can't get out?"
Ian stared thoughtfully at the deep red candle.
"There's a voice in my head! A voice is warning me! Get out! Get out!" Professor Ronnie Ehrlich clutched his head, hunched over, and knelt on the ground, screaming hysterically.
The sight of that contorted expression and trembling body sent chills down Ian's spine again—this was probably the extent of the pain experienced by someone afflicted by the Cruciatus Curse.
It felt as if my very soul was trembling.
"This resurrection—it's better not to have it at all." Ian felt a little sorry for Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, and he raised his hand to cast a spell to throw Professor Ronnie Ehrlich back into the dungeon.
as predicted.
Upon returning to the underground palace, Professor Ronnie Ehrlich immediately stopped roaring and lay on the ground, panting heavily. He looked towards the passage and asked Ian a question tinged with fear.
"What exactly did you do to me?"
His expression was filled with terror.
"I also want to know what Salazar Slytherin did to you."
Ian did not linger in the underground passage for long. Under Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's somewhat bewildered gaze, he quickly ran up the stairs.
"This professor was really unlucky; he survived, but it felt worse than death."
Ian knew that if he wanted to get useful information from Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, he had to find the right person; only Gellert Grindelwald could get Professor Ronnie Ehrlich to tell him everything he knew.
of course.
Judging from the degree of confusion in Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's memory, the credibility of his words is probably not high. It remains to be seen whether Grindelwald and Dumbledore can piece together the truth that he cannot.
"It's a pity I don't know where Slytherin is buried, otherwise I would definitely find his location based on his remains, and lead people to ambush him in the Dreamlike Realm to ask him what happened."
Ian ran quickly up the stairs.
He reduced the journey, which originally took forty minutes, to just over ten minutes.
His physical abilities are amazing.
"Dumbledore is probably in Hogsmeade, and Grindelwald is in his office." Ian prepared to gather both of them and then explain the situation to them.
however.
The plan was very comprehensive.
But as the saying goes, plans can never keep up with changes.
"Well, you probably won't find me in the office, since I'm not there anymore." Grindelwald's voice rang in Ian's ears as soon as Ian crawled out of the large hole in the second-floor restroom. The First Generation, dressed in black running gear, was standing in the restroom.
"Huh?"
Ian hadn't expected to run into Grindelwald as soon as he emerged from the secret passage.
"So it's on your end?"
Grindelwald watched the washbasin automatically reset after Ian came out, his tone unusual. He was standing at the same washbasin as Ian.
Judging from the way Grindelwald was bent over studying the sink, it was easy to tell that he was looking for something before Ian came out, his hands touching a faucet with a snake-shaped relief.
"Professor Grindelwald—Professor Lockhart." Ian looked at Grindelwald with some surprise as he approached, then his eyes widened as if he had realized something.
Are you looking for me?
Ian didn't think Grindelwald had deliberately gone to such lengths to use the abandoned toilet; it was usually only frequented by quirky little wizards who wanted to date Myrtle.
"I noticed your name; it disappears from the map right here." Grindelwald pulled out a Marauder's Map, the very one Ian had sold to someone unknown.
"Um... I should be sleeping in my dorm according to the map..." Ian looked at Grindelwald's smiling face and realized that his little trick on the map had definitely been cracked by the other party.
"You should be sleeping in your dorm right now, instead of going on some adventure in the middle of the night. You know, based on my judgment, there are more dangers lurking in this school than just your Dark Lord."
Grindelwald's voice carried a profound meaning.
Before Ian could even ask a question...
Grindelwald was already touching the newly closed washbasin.
"I think this leads to the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin, right?" Clearly, the current Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had done considerable research into the history and secrets of Hogwarts.
"Not just the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin, but also the hidden underground chambers of Hogwarts. And right now, our deceased Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, is inside."
Ian certainly remembered the help he needed.
"Um?"
Grindelwald's smile froze slightly as he carefully examined the somewhat anxious young wizard before him, his deep eyes gradually narrowing.
"I don't think this is a funny joke. I've already had Ronnie Ehrlich's remains returned to his homeland." His tone was serious and earnest.
obviously.
Even a wizard like Grindelwald would find it hard to imagine the possibility of the dead being brought back to life.
"This is no joke, Professor, Ronnie Ehrlich is alive again!" Ian immediately recounted how he encountered Ronnie Ehrlich in the underground palace and how he discovered the strangeness about Ronnie Ehrlich.
Seeing Grindelwald's brows slowly furrow, Ian couldn't help but continue, "Perhaps you should send someone to check if the remains you buried are still there."
This is definitely a question worth verifying.
just.
Grindelwald shook his head.
"It's a great story, but that's absolutely impossible. If you want to convince me, you'll need to provide me with some convincing evidence."
Grindelwald's tone was devoid of any emotion.
"We can go to the underground palace now." With that, Ian opened the door to the secret passage again in Parsley, but Grindelwald grabbed him as he tried to enter.
"Wait a minute."
Grindelwald didn't seem to be in a hurry.
"Didn't you want me to show you the evidence? The living Ronnie Ehrlich is right here in the dungeon. You'll see for yourself when you see it." Ian was somewhat puzzled by Grindelwald's dawdling.
"We need to wait for Dumbledore here," Grindelwald said, pausing briefly before adding, "After all, this is his school."
I never realized he was such a rule-abiding person!
This isn't mentioned in history books!
"When did you inform Dumbledore?"
Ian was somewhat taken aback.
He didn't see Grindelwald make any other moves.
"Just now."
Grindelwald responded with a succinct smile, "We're old friends after all, so we have some special ways of keeping in touch. Maybe I can teach you sometime in the future."
Since he had said that, what could Ian say? He could only wait along with him. In fact, Ian had originally planned to seek Dumbledore's help as well.
The empty girls' washroom.
Two men, one tall and one short, stood in front of the washbasin.
The atmosphere was somewhat somber.
suddenly.
"Perhaps you could tell me about some other things that have happened to you first." Grindelwald's calm, deep eyes gazed at the young wizard beside him.
Ian was taken aback by Grindelwald's sudden outburst.
What's wrong with these old guys?
"I did encounter some situations, not just with Professor Ronnie Ehrlich coming back to life—" After hesitating for a moment, Ian finally recounted his experience.
He had intended to seek a safer approach by revealing his time loop experience in Dumbledore's presence, since he trusted his friend's older brother more than Grindelwald.
but.
Now that Grindelwald had already asked, it would be inappropriate not to answer. He found it hard to understand how Grindelwald had noticed the anomaly.
"That's not what I was asking, but—interesting, Salazar Slytherin's legacy, perhaps?" Grindelwald looked at Ian's raised hand with only surprise in his voice.
It wasn't as unbelievable as Ian had imagined.
"Are you aware of this situation?"
Ian felt that the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was a little too calm.
"Never encountered it, never heard of it, and that's what makes it interesting, isn't it?" Grindelwald grabbed Ian's hand and cast some kind of spell on his own eyes.
"Oh."
His smile widened. "In fact, I can't see the pattern on the back of your hand, nor can I feel any magical power contained within it."
talking.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, speaking calmly, pulled out a potion and poured it directly onto the back of Ian's hand. Ian saw that the constantly flashing Ouroboros seal became even more pronounced.
Not only that, but the fiery red patterns gifted by Ariana also appeared, along with another pattern that Ian had never seen before, which also appeared on the back of his hand at the same time.
"Just as I thought."
Grindelwald seemed to be able to see half of the Ouroboros Seal, but his gaze only lingered on the Ouroboros Seal for a moment before fixing on the fiery red patterns.
"It seems some of the rumors circulating in the castle aren't entirely unfounded," the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor said out of the blue, his tone unusually serious.
"What kind of magic potion is this?"
Ian only smelled some familiar material scents.
"A bloodline potion that can reveal a special bloodline." Grindelwald's answer caught Ian somewhat off guard.
His eyes widened, his expression showing a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.
"Am I tainted by Slytherin blood?"
The young wizard's thought process was indeed somewhat unusual. This was understandable, as he initially thought he had only been cursed, but it turned out he had been unknowingly infused with something else.
"Then all my learning of Parsleyan dialect would have been for nothing!"
Ian's repeated focus on certain issues also took Grindelwald somewhat by surprise.
He remained silent for a while before speaking somewhat speechlessly, "Perhaps you do have Slytherin blood in your veins, after all, intermarriage between wizards is very common."
"They are all wizards living on this land, so it's not impossible for them to have a mix of special bloodlines." Grindelwald looked meaningfully at the other two patterns on the back of Ian's hand.
Ian felt that he was being called a bastard, but he couldn't produce any solid evidence.
"I'm pretty sure I didn't have Slytherin blood before." Ian recalled the hardships he endured learning Parsley, which didn't seem like someone with Slytherin blood.
"This isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Grindelwald chuckled softly.
"Right now, I just want to erase this thing. I believe it's what brought me back to the present." Ian's tone was firm. He was the last disciple of the legendary witch Morgan, and in a way, Slytherin was more than a generation below him.
Who would want to be taken advantage of by Slytherin who doesn't offer any benefits but only plays pranks on people?
"The problem will be solved."
Grindelwald smiled easily.
This put Ian at ease.
He even had the leisure to pay attention to the potion that Grindelwald had just used.
"Professor, could you give me the formula for this potion?" Ian stared at the empty bottle in Grindelwald's hand; he hadn't seen any description of this kind of potion in the library.
Perhaps because paternity testing is equally sensitive in the wizarding world, and for the sake of harmony and stability in the wizarding world, the Department of Mysteries has also targeted potion formulas that make men and women uneasy.
"You should ask your Potions professor."
Grindelwald refused Ian's request.
"You're so stingy."
Ian sighed in disappointment.
"I don't have the recipe, so you should ask your Potions professor for it. He's brewed a lot of this potion; I just grabbed a bottle."
Grindelwald then reinterpreted his meaning.
"????"
Ian was stunned.
It turns out that it wasn't just the little wizard and Quirrell who bought their goods from Uncle Good!
"I never expected you to do something like this."
Ian Mountain smiled.
Grindelwald laughed heartily. "Your good uncle has insulted me in public more than once, and he's still alive and kicking, not just because my temper has improved a lot."
"His potion-making skills are indeed quite good." Grindelwald's tone was somewhat wistful. It was hard to imagine how many times he had stocked up on potions in Snape's locked office.
Ian felt that if he continued talking, he would be letting his good uncle down.
He chose to change the subject.
"When Headmaster Dumbledore arrives, you really need to see what Professor Ronnie Ehrlich is like now." Ian recalled Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's incredibly strange multiple memories.
He felt that Professor Ronnie Ehrlich's ordeal was definitely more than just a time loop.
"I thought you would ask about the meaning of the other two symbols, but it seems you already know your situation." Grindelwald nodded and continued.
The old man's observation skills are indeed impressive.
He gleaned a great deal from Ian's expression.
"Forehead-"
Ian didn't know how to answer. The first pattern he saw must be due to the special bloodline of the Prince family; after all, there must be a reason why each generation could become a Potions Master. As for the other fiery red pattern, it came from Ariana's gift, which was a difficult question to explain without revealing the illusion.
Just as Ian was pondering how to change the subject, Grindelwald seemed to have found an excuse for Ian himself.
"I always thought I knew the Dumbledore family better than Albus, but now it seems --.---"
Grindelwald didn't seem to be expressing any particular sentiment.
He suddenly stopped talking and turned to look towards the entrance of the restroom. There he saw...
Albus Dumbledore, dressed in a long purple robe, walked in from outside.
"Gellert, it's not April Fool's Day."
The old headmaster still had some bruises on his face, and he was pouring potions into his mouth with one hand while a fiery red phoenix stood on the other.
Upon seeing Albus Dumbledore, Ian was about to speak.
"Little one, please forgive my slight betrayal. After all, it's not an easy task to get our principal back from his family."
Grindelwald suddenly lowered his voice and, before Ian could speak, preemptively apologized to him.
Just as Ian was completely bewildered and didn't understand what he was talking about, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor quickly approached Albus Dumbledore.
"Albus, I'm not lying to you."
Grindelwald stood before Albus Dumbledore.
He turned around and pointed at Ian.
"This absolutely happened! It was that brat over there. I saw it with my own eyes in my crystal ball. He was running around like crazy in the eighth-floor corridor with Ariana's soul in his arms!"
"He must be hiding some huge secret from me!"
It's hard to imagine.
This is the first Dark Lord in the eyes of the world.
He spoke with great emotion.
He was complaining to Dumbledore about the little wizard.