“Simple, isn’t it?
But that is the treatment one receives as a defeated man.” Seeming to notice the wistfulness on Leon’s face, Grindelwald began to joke quite candidly.
“The Wizarding World didn’t kill me, but locked me away in this place—that is already a rather decent treatment.” “Is it really just ‘locking away,’ rather than self-imprisonment?” Leon asked a question that had existed in his mind for a long time.
After all, judging by the strength Grindelwald had displayed, this place shouldn’t have been able to keep him confined at all.
Furthermore, even if Grindelwald had lost his ability to cast spells, his followers should not have stood by and watched him suffer here.
“You are very clever, child, just like your mother.
I must admit that the blood of our Grindelwald family is outstanding after all.
Even though your grandfather was a Squib, it could not mask the talent hidden within your bloodline.” Grindelwald looked at Leon with an admiring gaze, his face full of a satisfied smile.
“I am a descendant of the Grindelwald family?” Leon suddenly saw the light upon hearing this.
He now understood why Grindelwald wanted to see him, and why his mother had warned him not to reveal their relationship to outsiders.
His mother’s name was Giovanna Levantine, but in the Wizarding World, she was likely Giovanna Levantine-Grindelwald.
“So, what should I call you?” Thinking this through, Leon’s mood lightened quite a bit.
“Great-grandfather.
Your grandfather was my nephew.” Grindelwald smiled as he clarified the relationship for Leon.
“Your grandfather was unfortunate because he was a Squib.
The family abandoned him after discovering that.
But he was also very lucky; precisely because he was a Squib, he left the Wizarding World, lived in Muggle society, and became the only Grindelwald still able to move about freely.” “So, I don’t count as a member of the Grindelwald family.” Hearing this, Leon felt much more at ease.
Admittedly, having a relative who was the first Dark Wizard sounded prestigious, and it implicitly provided many connections.
However, everything has two sides—good and bad.
At the very least, for Leon, he didn’t particularly care for everything that came with this identity, because he was someone who pursued stability and only wanted to live his quiet, little life.
“Yes, you don’t count, but we are family after all.” Grindelwald saw through Leon’s thoughts but still comforted him with kindness.
“Of course, you don’t need to worry about what conspiracy I might have for bringing you here.
I simply wanted to see you.
I heard you entered Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?” “Yes,” Leon replied, glancing at Munin, who had stood alone in the corner as a bird since they entered the room.
“Hahaha, you noticed that, did you?” Noting Leon’s gaze, Grindelwald laughed even more happily.
“That raven of your mother’s was a coming-of-age gift I gave her, and yours is one of its offspring.
You know, I am very bored here, so I am always trying to find a bit of fun.
The raven now called Huginn is a little fellow I have raised for over twenty years; it is very clever and talented, and this child is the same.” Grindelwald beckoned, and Munin decisively flew onto his arm.
However, the bird’s massive size was clearly something the currently gaunt, skin-and-bones Grindelwald could not support, so Munin touched down and immediately took off, finally landing on Leon’s shoulder.
“What is its name now?” Looking at Munin, Grindelwald asked curiously.
“Munin.” “Hahaha, the same way of thinking as your mother.” Hearing this, Grindelwald laughed even more heartily, to the point where he became slightly breathless, a sickly flush appearing on his face.
“Are you all right?” Seeing Grindelwald’s state, much like a candle in the wind, Leon asked with some concern.
“I’m fine.
I can still hold on for a few more years, but in the end, one must walk toward death.” Speaking of this, the attitude Grindelwald displayed was very calm, and perhaps even a bit expectant.
“But death may not come as peacefully as you hope,” Leon couldn’t help but remind him.
“Oh?” The look on Grindelwald’s face, which had just calmed down, was instantly replaced by surprise.
He then scrutinized Leon’s eyes carefully before shaking his head.
“You have no Inner Eye, nor do you have any talent for prophecy.” Having said that, Grindelwald squinted and muttered, “But who knows if, besides prophecy, there are other techniques to gain insight into the future?” Leon remained silent, not knowing what to say.
Grindelwald certainly had no wand, and he looked incredibly aged, but he was still the first Dark Wizard who had once stirred the entire magical world.
Wizards are not athletes who become weaker as they grow older; Dumbledore is a great example.
Magic is like cultivation; when people say ‘the old are still strong,’ it is this group they are talking about.
Non-verbal and wandless magic could be considered instinct for them, so Leon was not sure if Grindelwald had used Legilimency on him.
“Forget it.
No matter the outcome, this is my final destination.
Let’s stop talking about such meaningless topics.
Tell me about your life at Hogwarts.” Grindelwald smiled and shifted the subject.
Leon did not hide anything and shared his life at Hogwarts.
Since it was just the beginning of the term, there wasn’t much to talk about, but these details still made Grindelwald listen with great interest.
“You were right to take action.
A magical hat daring to deny your will—it deserved a lesson.
But you forgot to follow through and realize your own intent; that is something you need to pay attention to.” After listening to the story of the Sorting Ceremony, Grindelwald put on a rare serious face to advise Leon.
“It doesn’t matter.
To me, every house is more or less the same.
After all, all four houses are Hogwarts students, aren’t they?” Leon expressed his own thoughts.
“That is true, but entering Slytherin might earn you a label that isn’t so pleasant,” Grindelwald reminded him.
“So what?
I live my life, they say their piece.
Are they going to send me to Azkaban without me committing any violations just because I am a Slytherin student?
You think too highly of the British Ministry of Magic and those politicians.” Leon scoffed with disdain.
“I like your character, and I admire your maturity.
Your mother raised you well; you are an excellent child.” Grindelwald revealed a smile once more, the affection he felt for Leon overflowing in his eyes.
This made Leon feel inexplicably frightened; after all, it seemed Grindelwald was also someone who liked men.