Fortunately, Grindelwald didn’t notice this, or perhaps he did but chose not to point it out.
“By the way, you must have met Dumbledore by now.
Tell me, what did you think of him?” Faced with Grindelwald’s inquiry, Leon immediately understood what the old man was getting at.
“He’s a rather kindly old man, but he’s probably not as simple as he seems.
Then again, I’ve only seen him once at the Sorting Ceremony, so I can’t really give you any specifics.” “Yes, he is indeed not that simple.
He is, after all, the greatest Light wizard of the century.
But how many people truly know how much heartbreak and resolve are hidden beneath that glory?” Grindelwald looked up, fragments of memories flashing through his mind, and for a moment, he became lost in thought.
Leon had no intention of disturbing the old man’s reminiscences, so he began to look around, trying to find something to pass the time.
But this cell was far too dilapidated and wretched; looking at it made Leon realize just how difficult Grindelwald’s life here must be.
Especially that thin blanket—could it really keep anyone warm in an environment like this?
Heaven only knew how Grindelwald had endured living here for so long.
“Apologies.
When you get old, it’s easy to lose yourself in the past.
Where were we?” Grindelwald quickly snapped out of his memories and resumed his conversation with Leon.
“The Sorting Ceremony had just ended,” Leon reminded him.
“Continue, then.
Tell me about your classes.” Grindelwald nodded, gesturing for Leon to go on.
Throughout Leon’s description, Grindelwald remained silent, simply listening.
Even when Leon mentioned his conflict with young Malfoy, his expression remained perfectly calm.
It wasn’t until Leon described the circumstances of his punishment that Grindelwald’s face darkened with displeasure.
“Just for teaching a foul-mouthed little brat a lesson, he punishes you by stripping away your free time for an entire school year to use you as child labor?
I think I ought to write a letter to your Headmaster.” “There’s no need, Great-Grandfather.
Actually, I understand Professor Snape’s intentions.
Besides, I don’t really view it as a punishment; it feels more like a reward.
After all, Professor Snape is one of the top Potions Masters in the British wizarding world.
By assisting him, I should be able to learn a great deal,” Leon explained hurriedly.
After all, if Grindelwald really wrote a letter to Dumbledore for his sake, given the love-hate entanglement between the two and the old Headmaster’s convoluted logic, any hope for a peaceful school life at Hogwarts would be completely out the window.
“Oh?
Then it seems this professor is indeed an exceptional man.
It’s good that you have your own thoughts on the matter.” The title of “Great-Grandfather” caused Grindelwald’s weathered face to crinkle with a smile.
His expression softened once more, and his tone overflowed with affection.
“Is there anything else you’d like to know?” Since he had finished recounting his life at Hogwarts, Leon wanted to see if there was anything else Grindelwald wished to hear.
“No need.
Even if I knew, it wouldn’t make much difference to me.
After all, I am nothing more than a prisoner now.” Grindelwald shook his head and then looked closely at Leon.
“You are eleven this year.
By the time you graduate from Hogwarts, you’ll be of age.
I’m afraid I won’t live to see that day, but I must prepare a gift for your coming-of-age.” With that, Grindelwald placed his hand directly against his chest.
To Leon’s surprise, he tore open his own skin and pulled out a blood-stained key from beneath it.
“This is the key to the Grindelwald family vault, and it is the only one in existence.
Keep it safe; this is my gift to you.
You can take it to Gringotts in any country to withdraw funds.
As for the exact amount inside the vault, you will have to make a trip to the Sewers of Germany yourself.
Oh, ‘the Sewers’ is Germany’s wizarding street, equivalent to Britain’s Diagon Alley.
It’s located under a lamppost on the street west of the Brandenburg Gate.
There should be an antique shop nearby.
In the adjacent alley, find a manhole cover hidden beneath a trash can and tap it five times with your wand to enter.” Staring at the key still wet with Grindelwald’s blood, Leon did not rush to take it.
Instead, he looked at the self-inflicted wound on Grindelwald’s chest and asked, “I don’t know the Healing Spell.
Can you cast it yourself?
I can lend you my wand.” “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll take your wand and break out of this prison?” Grindelwald asked, completely indifferent to his bleeding wound as he looked at Leon with an amused expression.
“If you wanted to leave, you would have left long ago.
That’s not something a single wand could decide,” Leon retorted dryly.
“Very well, I knew you wouldn’t be so easily fooled.
But not knowing a Healing Spell is a bit of a problem.
After all, you’re bound to get hurt sooner or later.
Remember to master that spell early; it might just save your life in a crisis.” Grindelwald shook his head with a touch of disappointment, looking exactly like a mischievous elder who had failed to tease a child.
Then, even as he was advising Leon, the wound on his chest healed in an instant.
Not only was there no scar left behind, but even the blood on his clothes and skin vanished completely, as if nothing had happened at all.
Leon wasn’t surprised to see this.
Given the man’s sheer power, it was just standard procedure for a powerhouse of his level.
“Alright, it’s time for you to rest.
You’re at the age where you’re growing, and you need plenty of sleep.” After healing his wound, Grindelwald appeared somewhat fatigued.
His energy had visibly waned, and even his voice sounded a bit weak.
It seemed that his years of imprisonment had still taken a terrible toll on him, causing Leon to let out an involuntary sigh.
But this was his own choice, and Leon knew better than to try and interfere.
He had long since realized just how unshakeable the old man’s convictions were.
“Then I’ll be going, Great-Grandfather.” “Yes, go on.
This may very well be the last time we see each other.
After all, I am Grindelwald—a revolutionary despised by the entire wizarding world.
Being too closely associated with me will only bring you endless trouble.
Do not reveal our relationship.
I believe you are well aware of this yourself,” Grindelwald earnestly advised Leon.
Leon simply nodded, but this response was more than enough to satisfy Grindelwald.
“Go back, child.
You are still young, and you have a bright future ahead of you.
Remember to enjoy everything you have now.
If you find the love of your life, do not hesitate.
Love is never wrong; it is the most beautiful thing of all.” Grindelwald gave Leon a hug, whispering softly into his ear.
Before Leon could even say goodbye, he felt himself pulled once more into that vortex-like sensation of teleportation.
By the time he snapped out of it, he was already back on the outskirts of Hogwarts.
“So it turns out even you can’t break through Hogwarts’ Anti-Apparition enchantment.” Muttering a quiet complaint, Leon looked up at Hogwarts Castle not far away, drew his wand, and made full preparations to head back.