"Very keen insight, Wade."
He sighed softly. He had been planning to bring this matter up with Wade himself—but hadn't expected Wade to come straight to him instead.
"So, you all already know what Grindelwald's doing?" Wade asked in surprise.
"We do know that his visit to Hogwarts has ulterior motives," Dumbledore admitted. "That's why we decided to observe him for a while first. But… I must confess, after a month of observation, all we've managed to confirm is this rather obvious scheme of his."
"Then… what does the school plan to do?" Wade asked.
"In fact, I was just about to speak with you about that today…" Dumbledore's expression grew troubled.
"Is what you need me to do… difficult?"
"It's not exactly difficult… but it might be a bit dangerous." Dumbledore's expression was filled with deep regret. "We really shouldn't be placing such a burden on you—a child. This should have been something for us to handle. But…"
"I understand. You want to use my Mutual Aid Society," Wade said sharply, immediately grasping Dumbledore's intent.
"You're very perceptive, Wade…" Dumbledore grew even more conflicted. Wade Reynolds might very well be the most brilliant student he had ever met.
And yet, what he was about to ask would mean pushing such a gifted boy straight into a dangerous storm.
If anything were to happen to him…
For a moment, Dumbledore felt a pang of regret.
Perhaps… he really should just take that Minister position after all. He absolutely couldn't allow this child to be put in danger.
"Professor, what do you want me to do?" Wade asked, his gaze steady and unwavering.
"No… I can't do this. I…" Dumbledore shook his head, visibly torn.
Before speaking with Wade face to face, even with all his doubts, Dumbledore had already made up his mind.
But now—sitting across from this boy—he regretted it immediately.
If anything happened to Wade, the pain would strike him no less than the loss of Ariana.
Because if Wade got hurt, it would also be because of him.
"Professor! Grindelwald wants to indoctrinate us students with his ideology, so… you want me to help resist that, don't you?"
"You… how did you guess that?" Dumbledore stared at Wade in shock.
"At the moment, the only thing I have that can make a real difference is my Mutual Aid Society. Everyone respects me—honestly speaking, even our supervising professor, Professor Slughorn, doesn't have as much influence among the members as I do. So having me lead everyone in resisting his ideological brainwashing is the best method!"
"Wade… you're the smartest child I've ever met, but… I just thought it through, and I can't let you do it! It's too dangerous. We've been too selfish! Minerva was right—placing such a burden on a child is a disgrace to all of us!" After fully realizing Wade's brilliance, Dumbledore completely regretted his plan.
Compared to the pain of potentially losing another like Ariana, Dumbledore would rather go and become Minister for Magic.
"Professor, this is the best way," Wade said slowly.
"We don't have to do this! I said it was a mistake!" Dumbledore said urgently.
"Professor… now that I already know about this plan, whether you agree or not, I'll still go through with it. If Grindelwald wants to brainwash the members of my club, he'll have to get through me first! As long as I instill the right ideas in them, he won't be able to brainwash anyone!" Wade's gaze was as firm as if he were pledging allegiance.
Dumbledore looked at Wade with deep emotion. What a noble child…
Even knowing that doing this would directly anger Grindelwald and put his life in danger, he still chose to stand firm without hesitation.
But while Dumbledore was moved, Tom had already completely understood Wade's real intention.
Indoctrination.
Wade's goal wasn't to stop Grindelwald's brainwashing at all.
He was looking for a perfect excuse to openly instill his own ideology into the members—Wade's own ideology.
And while he was shaping his loyal followers under the guise of "resistance," Dumbledore wouldn't oppose him—in fact, he would even support him.
As for Grindelwald… thinking Wade was on his side, he would naturally believe that Wade's ideological efforts were in service of his cause.
This way, both Dumbledore and Grindelwald had once again become pieces on Wade's chessboard, unknowingly working for his benefit.
Fuck...
Terrifying… absolutely terrifying.
And you still call yourself a good person? Don't you have a conscience?
...
After leaving Dumbledore's office, the righteous look on Wade's face gradually faded. He stood in the corridor, lost in thought for a while, then turned and spoke to Tom with a Whispering Charm, "Do you understand now?"
"I understand," Tom nodded.
Based on what Wade had done before, combined with everything he'd just said to Dumbledore, Tom had completely figured out what Wade was planning.
"Understand what?"
"Unifying thought," Tom paused. "Our thought."
"Very good!" Wade smiled, then turned and started walking away.
Tom quickly followed after him. "Where are we going now?"
"Heh~ To find Grindelwald."
Tom couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. Wade was practically playing with fire.
He had just finished fooling one side, and now he was going to fool the other.
Wasn't this just lying to both of them?
"Are you confident?" Tom hurried after him and asked.
"Confident. But even if it fails, it's not the end of the world. At Hogwarts, as long as Dumbledore and Headmaster Dippet don't object, it won't affect the bigger picture," Wade said calmly.
"It'll be dangerous, won't it?" Tom felt exhausted just thinking about it.
Why not quietly study and let Dumbledore deal with Grindelwald? If he wants to expand his influence, he can wait until after graduation, when he's stronger and better prepared. Does he really have to start now?
Grindelwald is a killer who doesn't blink — this is like dancing on the tip of a knife.
While Tom worried about his life, Wade dropped another bomb.
"But Grindelwald is very suspicious of me right now, so this time you'll smooth things over for me. It's obvious he admires you."
"Who? Me?! Me deal with Grindelwald?! I'll die, won't I!" Tom exploded.
In reality, Tom felt like crying. He only wanted to study… how could going to school possibly risk his life?
"You won't. He really admires you," Wade said confidently.
"Admire… but if he uses Legilimency on me, won't that mean failure? If I fail, I'll be dead! Grindelwald isn't Dumbledore—he actually knows how to use Legilimency!" Even speaking under a Whispering Charm, Tom's voice trembled.
Wade rubbed his chin. "I admit there's an element of gambling here… If you fail, there could be life-threatening danger. But the odds are in our favor, so don't worry too much. You just need to tell Grindelwald exactly what you saw, down to every last detail, and he'll form his own judgement."
"That's easy for you to say when you're not the one risking your life!" Tom snapped.
A flash of disappointment crossed Wade's face. "Tom, if you could stay calm instead of being constantly terrified of Grindelwald, you'd see I was only joking with you earlier."
"That 'joke' wasn't funny. How could I possibly deal with Grindelwald…" Tom breathed out, relieved that, for now, he didn't have to face Grindelwald.
"No, that wasn't the joke I meant," Wade said calmly.
Tom's eyes widened. "Not that one? W-Which one then?" Now he was really about to cry.
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