The semester at Durmstrang had been far from peaceful.
Karkaroff had mysteriously disappeared during the summer holidays, with no one knowing whether he was dead or alive.
It wasn't until a month after the new term began that the school reluctantly announced the termination of his position as Headmaster, simultaneously appointing the former Deputy Headmaster—who also served as their Dark Magic professor—as the new Headmaster.
Unlike Hogwarts, all students at this school were pure-blood descendants from across Europe, and their attitude towards Dark Magic was rather... ambiguous.
They didn't prohibit students from studying Dark Magic; they merely imposed certain restrictions on it.
Moreover, after students reached their fifth year, the school specifically established Dark Magic courses to facilitate better learning and mastery of the subject.
Durmstrang values strength above all. Originally, Karkaroff had defeated the previous Headmaster and successfully risen to power by relying on the scraps of Dark Magic he learned from Voldemort.
Although the new Headmaster was relatively capable among the professors, he lacked Karkaroff's ruthless methods and the prestige built up over the years, making his position as Headmaster rather unstable.
Arguments between him and other professors frequently erupted within the school.
This continued until Grindelwald's prison break shook Europe.
As a severely affected region during the Great Wizarding War, how many of the pure-blood young wizards studying at Durmstrang didn't have ancestors connected to Grindelwald?
Generally speaking, these connections fell into two categories.
The first: ancestors who followed Grindelwald.
The second: those whose ancestors were hunted down by Grindelwald's followers.
The latter group was actually larger, given that the original followers had been outnumbered.
After several decades, the old hatreds had mostly dissipated.
But ever since Grindelwald left Nurmengard, his past stories began circulating again, dividing Durmstrang's students into two factions.
Radical students spontaneously supported him, becoming his new generation of followers, while descendants of wizards who his original followers had harmed began recalling their ancestral grievances.
Tensions within the school escalated dramatically, and even the professors' efforts to mediate couldn't contain the growing atmosphere of tension.
Finally, on one quiet night.
Grindelwald came personally.
Hidden within the northern snow-capped mountains, Durmstrang's castle location remained unknown to anyone except the school's students.
Fortunately, though he'd been expelled, having lived here for several years meant Grindelwald could still find his way back.
He had countless methods to infiltrate the castle, yet he chose the most brazen and arrogant approach—a direct assault.
A burst of flame exploded in the sky, ultimately coalescing into the symbol of the Deathly Hallows.
Then Grindelwald began to wait. He watched as all the extinguished lights within the castle flickered on, followed by sounds of chaos and panic.
This thousand-year-old institution naturally possessed some hidden cards up its sleeve.
Vinda Rosier, who stood behind Grindelwald, tested the defences. Her most powerful spell merely created faint ripples against the barrier.
"The art of negotiation lies in demonstrating power."
Grindelwald leisurely drew his wand. "Only when others have witnessed the power you possess will they contemplate and value your every word and action."
A violet light began to gather at the tip of his wand. Within mere seconds, the radiance swelled to rival the protective enchantment itself.
With a casual flick of his wrist, the purple light shot skyward, transforming into lightning that crashed down with a deafening roar.
Boom!
The first thunderbolt struck. The protective shield trembled violently, cracks spiderwebbing across its domed surface. Gasps and panicked shouts erupted from within the school.
Crack!
A second thunderbolt followed immediately. The already strained protective shield shattered completely, scattering glowing fragments like fireflies before fading into nothingness.
With just two lightning strikes, Grindelwald had achieved his goal.
He had shown the students and staff of Durmstrang what true power meant. What the Dark Lord represented.
Not a single person stepped forward to obstruct him as he led his followers into the Great Hall.
"Who is the Headmaster?" Grindelwald asked, standing on the raised platform at the front and scanning the room.
"I-It's me..." A middle-aged man timidly raised his hand.
"Good day, Headmaster." Grindelwald gave a slight bow. "I hope you don't mind this uninvited visit."
The Headmaster forced an awkward smile.
Mind?
Did he dare?
"M-Mr Grindelwald, next time you visit, there's really no need for such... dramatic gestures. Just notify me a week in advance would suffice."
Thinking of the precious materials required to repair the shattered protective enchantment made the Headmaster's heart ache.
"Next time?" Grindelwald stroked his chin. "Well, when you come to visit me, I'll be sure to extend proper hospitality."
"Huh?" The Headmaster blinked, not understanding Grindelwald's meaning, but the Dark Lord clearly had no intention of explaining as he waved a dismissive hand.
"Go now. Gather all the students. Let me see the future of the wizarding world."
The Great Hall currently held only about half the school's population. Durmstrang's professors dared not disobey his command, reluctantly going to summon the remaining students.
A quarter hour later, all students had assembled. Their gazes toward Grindelwald were complex—some ecstatic, some filled with hatred, but most with confusion and fear.
The image of Grindelwald shattering their protective enchantment with two lightning strikes was already deeply engraved in their hearts.
If... if he wished, he could single-handedly destroy the entire school.
Fortunately, this Dark Lord seemed to be in rather good spirits, a smile playing on his lips as he showed no intention of interfering with the slightly chaotic hall.
Vinda Rosier stood behind him, one step back, alongside the Headmaster.
But when Grindelwald raised a hand, all noise instantly ceased.
The first Dark Lord began his first public speech since leaving Nurmengard.
"A century ago, I too was a student at this school. But during my sixth year, I was expelled by the then Headmaster."
"So, strictly speaking, I should address many of you here as my seniors."
Several people couldn't help but chuckle.
Though records about Grindelwald were scarce, the story of his expulsion was widely known.
Yet precisely because he had exposed his own dark history, the students' vigilance dropped considerably, while their curiosity grew about what this Dark Lord actually wanted to say.
"I was once proud to be a student of Durmstrang." Grindelwald smiled self-deprecatingly, his gaze slowly sweeping across the Great Hall as if making eye contact with each person for a moment.
"Because it is the only school in all of Europe that accepts only pure-blood students. Being able to come to Durmstrang proves the purity of your bloodline and the nobility of your ancestors."
Many puffed out their chests proudly. Durmstrang's pure-blood ideology was extremely similar to Slytherin's, and his words had struck just the right chord.
"But..." Grindelwald's tone shifted abruptly, his eyes filled with disappointment.
"It wasn't until I came to Durmstrang that I realised I was wrong."
"My classmates were only immersed in past glories, completely unaware that the world was quietly changing."
"The self-righteous International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy completely isolates wizards from Muggles, prettily calling it 'living in harmony', but in truth, this is an act of cowardice."
"So I was dissatisfied, I was angry. I believed wizards shouldn't live in the world's shadows like rats in sewers. They should openly use magic and take pride in their identity."
"But as you can see, I failed."
The sorrow in Grindelwald's eyes made many students' hearts tremble violently. Even some professors bowed their heads gloomily.
"I must admit, Dumbledore is a great wizard. His achievements are no less than mine, perhaps even greater. But I didn't just lose to him - I lost to the entire Muggle world."
"Their power has become enough to give me pause. Continuing to stubbornly resist would only cost me more of our kind, making the very existence of wizards precarious."
"During these decades I've been imprisoned in that tower, I've witnessed the rapid advancement of Muggle technology, seen their population explode." Grindelwald slowly spread his hands and exhaled.
White smoke coalesced above the Great Hall, showing towering skyscrapers and concrete jungles, with occasional aeroplanes flashing past.
Everyone in the Great Hall looked up. Even though they were just illusions, they could feel an intense sense of oppression.
"Dumbledore, in whom I once placed great hopes, has disappointed me. Over these decades, the wizarding world has shrunk. Each country just closes its doors and muddles through, wasting time."
"And you-you are the future of the wizarding world, yet you've become so weak that a Death Eater scum can become your Headmaster."
Grindelwald asked softly: "Have you read that interview with me?"
After a brief silence, a bold student shouted: "Yes, sir!"
Then, more people responded to him enthusiastically.
"Good."
When Grindelwald spoke again, the Great Hall fell silent once more. "In my eyes, Death Eaters are nothing but cowards who can't even show their faces properly, only spreading terror."
"That such people can become Headmaster of Durmstrang brings deep shame to me as a former alumnus."
"After careful consideration for some time, I have decided that since no one can teach you 'the future' and how to grow up properly, I might as well contribute my share."
The current Headmaster's eyes widened, but Grindelwald paid him no mind. Vinda Rosier's wand had already imperceptibly pressed against the current Headmaster's back, making him dare not utter a word.
Grindelwald watched the students' increasingly excited faces and slowly spread his arms, as if embracing them.
"Wizards have been weak for far too long. What I can do is hold up a world for you, sowing the seeds of hope. Magic will not wither, power shall be eternally inherited."
"I believe in the future, there will emerge a second, even a third Grindelwald among you. Only then can the wizarding world become truly safe, without worrying that one day, Muggle weapons might come knocking at our doors."
"If possible, I would even sacrifice my own life to help you grow quickly, all because..."
"Everything is for the greater good."
"And I shall become great because of you!"
After several seconds of silence, the entire Great Hall erupted with thunderous applause. Everyone stood up excitedly, shouting loudly.
"Headmaster! Headmaster!"
Grindelwald's lips curved upward again as he slightly stepped back, leaning close to Vinda Rosier's ear to whisper.
"Throw this eyesore out."
...
In the blink of an eye.
The entire European continent received the news that Grindelwald had been elected the new Headmaster of Durmstrang by unanimous vote.
This time, the entire European continent exploded.
Just as Grindelwald himself had said, he had already 'grasped' the future.
These descendants of pure-blood families were like hostages of ancient dynasties. Now their lives were entirely under Grindelwald's control, and the impact this could create was even more terrifying than it had been decades before.
During Grindelwald's most rampant period back then, there was at least a Dumbledore who made him think twice.
But now, it seemed there was no one left who could stop his steps from eroding Europe.
Two and a half days later, International Confederation of Wizards Chairman Keynes arrived at Hogwarts with the Ministers for Magic from France, Spain, and Austria.
Wayne, who was attending Care of Magical Creatures class, was pulled out of the Forbidden Forest by Professor McGonagall.
Keynes said sincerely, "Mr Lawrence, the world is in grave danger. We need a hero. Only you, you are the only hope against Grindelwald."
Wayne laughed.
"Chairman Keynes, I never considered myself a hero. On the contrary, I think I'm a qualified businessman."
"Dealing with Grindelwald? That's truly dangerous work."
"What price are you willing to pay to have me stand on your side?"