The incident of Grindelwald's raid on Gringotts simply couldn't be concealed, and news of it quickly spread.
Countless people on the streets had witnessed the sudden eruption of blue flames, the dragon soaring into the sky, along with the dozens of witnesses present inside Gringotts at the time. The Ministry of Magic and the Goblins had no chance to suppress the information.
Everyone knew Gringotts had suffered devastating losses today—from now on, this place would no longer be considered the safest in the world, and people's trust in it had greatly diminished.
These intangible losses were far greater than the Galleons they would have to compensate.
Soon, Fudge arrived with a large contingent—fifty Aurors, nearly a hundred Hit Wizards, and officials from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Combined with the several squads that had arrived earlier, this represented two-thirds of the British Ministry of Magic's armed forces.
"Where is Grindelwald?" Fudge asked rhetorically, having only dared to show up after confirming Grindelwald had completely departed.
Dawlish said with despair, "Minister, he emptied my vault completely! He left nothing behind!"
"Don't be upset, Dawlish," Fudge comforted. "I'm sure Gringotts will compensate you for your losses."
A Goblin behind him paled. "Minister Fudge, this was Grindelwald! How could Gringotts possibly have stopped him?"
"That's irrelevant," Fudge didn't even glance at him. "The wizards' money was lost at Gringotts, so you must provide compensation. I don't need any excuses."
The Goblin shot him a hateful look before leading his team to assess the plundered vaults.
By evening, even the young witches and wizards at Hogwarts had received the news, with the Daily Prophet releasing a special evening edition dedicated to the event.
The students shuddered upon learning that Grindelwald had come to Britain and raided Gringotts. - Thank goodness he came today. If it had been two days earlier, many of us would have been there!
Ron's focus differed from most others.
Staring at the list of victims in the newspaper, his voice strained as he read, "Malfoy, Lestrange, Flint, Black... How much money did Grindelwald actually take?"
The annual maintenance fees for these pure-blood families' vaults exceeded the total wealth of his own family. He simply couldn't fathom how wealthy Grindelwald must have become after looting so many.
Meanwhile, Harry grew concerned for Sirius and hurried off to write him a letter after reading the paper.
Inside the suitcase world...
Hermione studied the newspaper with a troubled expression. "Why would Grindelwald come all this way just to rob a bank?"
...
At Durmstrang, Grindelwald had been staring at the intelligence report in stunned silence for ten minutes.
"My Lord," Vinda Rosier hesitated, "It... really wasn't you?"
To be perfectly honest, even if Grindelwald denied it now, she wouldn't believe him.
The charismatic speeches, the Fiendfyre left burning everywhere he went...
Plus, she hadn't seen Grindelwald since last night until he reappeared this afternoon—making it all the more suspicious.
Most crucially... Grindelwald was currently short on funds, and the secret plans the Saints were pursuing were a bottomless pit of money.
He had the motive, the reason to rob a bank.
And certainly the capability.
"Would I deny it if it were me?" Grindelwald raged unusually, slamming his hand on the table: "Just robbing Gringotts, and you'd need me to handle it personally? What are you lot even for!"
Doing such things would lower his standing, turning him from a life mentor into a greedy robber?
How could he possibly be that foolish!
Vinda Rosier quickly bowed her head, "Someone must be framing you, perhaps Lord Voldemort or Dumbledore?"
Grindelwald didn't respond. He picked up the newspaper again, his eyes gleaming sharply when they fell upon a particular line.
[Grindelwald has shown great wariness towards Mr Lawrence and praised him as a great wizard not seen in a thousand years.]
Such shameless words - he would never say them.
Dumbledore wouldn't either.
Voldemort was even less likely, as he absolutely despised Wayne.
Therefore...
Grindelwald's mind flashed with the image of the young man's shy smile, his hand crushing the newspaper with a sharp crack, tearing it to shreds.
"Wayne Lawrence!"
Vinda looked up in surprise, "You think Lawrence did this? Isn't he our ally?"
"Allies mean nothing!" Grindelwald fumed, "That boy wouldn't hesitate to screw over his own family. Last time he brought Scamander along, he was setting him up, too."
"Even Scamander gets screwed over, what chance do I stand?"
Rosier was speechless, never expecting Grindelwald to insult himself in his fury. She instinctively asked, "Should we issue a public clarification then?"
"Useless." Grindelwald said bitterly, "Do you think people would rather believe Lawrence or me?"
Rosier had no reply.
Their reputation was indeed rather poor.
"Suspend the experiments tomorrow. The International Confederation will definitely come. We'll deal with them first, then I'll settle accounts with Lawrence!"
Grindelwald was furious, not just because Wayne had used his identity for misdeeds, but because the misdeeds were so tasteless.
'At least attack the Ministry of Magic, kill the Minister for Magic or something.'
'Just robbing that bit of money - any common Dark Wizard could do that!'
'Besides, it's not like you're short of money.'
'Just trying to piss me off, aren't you?'
...
The next day, before the International Confederation representatives arrived, the culprit appeared instead.
Wayne had come to Durmstrang silently, appearing in Grindelwald's office without alerting anyone.
Except Vinda Rosier.
Nominally, Grindelwald was the school's Headmaster, but in reality, Rosier managed everything. This was essentially her office.
Ten minutes later, Rosier entered with a furious Grindelwald, wand in hand.
"Lawrence boy, I haven't even come looking for you yet, and you deliver yourself to my doorstep."
"Are we really going to fight?" Wayne glanced at Rosier, "I don't mind, but I'm afraid your assistant might die from stray spells. What a pity that would be."
"You jest, Mr Lawrence." Vinda Rosier said calmly, "It would be my honour to sacrifice myself for Lord Grindelwald."
Tch.
What a fine secretary, just with poor judgment.
"You may leave."
Grindelwald said gloomily." Rosier gave a slight bow, closing the door behind her as she left, simultaneously clearing everyone from the entire floor.
The confused teachers and students didn't understand what was happening, but didn't dare disobey her orders.
"You must give me an explanation." In the office, Grindelwald's cold expression reminded Wayne of Snape—both equally foul. "Why did you use my identity to do such a thing?"
"To spread the Dark Lord's fame."
Wayne grinned. "Most British wizards don't know your power. I helped promote you—no need to thank me."
Grindelwald fell silent.
He must be joking, right?
Yesterday's incident had the entire wizarding world on edge, thinking Grindelwald was about to tear up the recently agreed-upon pact.
And now he claimed it was to boost his reputation?
It certainly boosted his reputation—all of it infamous!
During breakfast this morning, Durmstrang students had looked at him with incredibly complicated expressions. Some had even approached him, asking if he needed donations.
Had Grindelwald fallen so low that he was reduced to begging for a living?
"I am not joking with you." Grindelwald slowly straightened up. "Wayne, we are partners, but that does not give you the right to act recklessly."
"If you don't give me a reasonable explanation today, even if I'm no match for you, I'll tear a piece of flesh from you."
Dark Lords had their dignity—except for Voldemort.
Wayne's outrageous actions yesterday, without prior notice, had crossed Grindelwald's line. They got along well and shared similar temperaments, but that wasn't enough.
"Fine, I came here to explain."
Wayne sighed, scratching his hair in frustration. "One of Voldemort's Horcruxes was hidden in Gringotts."
Grindelwald's expression shifted. "You went to look for a Horcrux?"
"Exactly. My identity isn't suitable for a forced entry, but you're different—anything evil you do is taken for granted."
Grindelwald's mouth twitched. He couldn't argue with that.
"Did you find it?"
"No." Wayne leaned back. "Voldemort has become more cautious. He knows we're searching for Horcruxes, so he didn't leave it in the Lestrange Family vault."
"Of course, this was also a cover, an excuse. After 'your' little stunt, I now have grounds to let Aurors legally use the Killing Curse."
"You could have informed me and let me do it myself." Grindelwald's anger had mostly subsided, but he was still somewhat displeased.
"There wasn't time," Wayne explained weakly. He had been up late last night doing academic research with Hermione and had travelled a long way this morning to placate Grindelwald.
"I want eighty percent of the stolen money."
Grindelwald glanced at his weary appearance, pursed his lips, and dropped the issue.
What was done was done. Staying angry would only hurt himself.
When it came to dealing with Voldemort, his interests aligned with Wayne's.
Dumbledore's arch-nemesis could only be him!
What was Voldemort, anyway!
"Are you bloody mad?" Wayne stared at him strangely. "Why should I share the money I worked hard to steal?"
"That was 'Grindelwald' who stole it!"
"Twenty percent at most."
"Sixty percent. I'll handle the fallout for you."
"Thirty percent."
"Fifty percent. Any less and I'll blow my cover, transform into your likeness, and rob other Gringotts branches."
"You're ruthless. Fifty percent it is."
Wayne reluctantly deducted half of the hundreds of thousands of Galleons he had seized before splitting the remainder equally with Grindelwald.
"Is that all?" Grindelwald eyed him suspiciously.
"My goal was to find the Horcrux. Taking the money was merely a cover."
"Fine." Grindelwald pocketed his share expressionlessly, effectively accepting responsibility for the deed.
"ROAR!"
A tremendous dragon's roar suddenly echoed from outside the castle. Grindelwald looked out to see a dragon circling the school.
"Oh, I forgot to mention," Wayne said casually. "That's the one I released from Gringotts. Leaving it here makes your involvement more convincing."
"Hmph." Grindelwald snorted without further comment.
"I'll be off now." Wayne stood and summoned Ho-Oh.
"In such a hurry?" Grindelwald frowned. "I still have some questions to discuss with you – about magic."
"Next time. I have matters to attend to back home."
Wayne waved a hand, his expression turning grim. "Those Goblins actually dared to encourage you to rob my vault yesterday! I haven't settled accounts with them yet!"
With that, Wayne vanished under Grindelwald's peculiar gaze.
...
Just as Grindelwald had anticipated, Keynes from the International Federation soon arrived with a large contingent of Aurors, blocking the school entrance.
The sight of the still-circling iron-bellied dragon erased any lingering doubts in their minds.
If Grindelwald wasn't responsible, why would the dragon be here?
With several acolytes in tow, Grindelwald stormed out through the gates with a dark expression.
"What do you want now?"
"Grindelwald, you broke the agreement first!" Keynes shouted angrily. "Have you forgotten our terms? Hand over the stolen treasures, or I'll invite Mr Lawrence to pay you another visit!"
Already in a foul mood from being framed, Grindelwald's eyes flashed with murderous intent at this provocation.
Whoosh!
A spell cut through the air, piercing Keynes' ear before any Auror could react.
"That money was sponsored to me by Gringotts. What business is it of yours?"
"You have five seconds to leave. If you're still here after that, you'll all become snack pellets for the dragon!"