After Delaine escorted Wade back to his room, he returned to the study, where he found Grindelwald sitting in a chair and flipping through a stack of documents.
He knew these were the materials his subordinates had gathered on Wade Grey, including his academic performance at Hogwarts, his collaboration with the Aslan Magic Workshop, evaluations from both professors and students, and even assignments from his time at a Muggle elementary school, such as social surveys and writing.
"Sir," Delaine bowed.
"Did you send him back?" Grindelwald asked.
"Yes," Delaine replied. "Mr. Wovilette was waiting by the door the entire time. He's very concerned about the boy."
Grindelwald glanced at him. "Delaine, what are you worried about?"
Delaine hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Wade Grey is, after all, Dumbledore's person... If Wovilette spends too much time with him, could it shake his resolve? After all, he's so deeply immersed in alchemy, and his ideas are... pure."
Grindelwald smiled.
"Wovilette is over a hundred years old. He's not so easily swayed. If he betrays me, it's like betraying his entire life."
"But Wade Grey... Although he's young, he doesn't blindly follow anyone. He has his own ideas and will independently judge right from wrong, then determine his stance."
He pulled out a social research paper from the stack of documents and pushed it forward. "Look at this. It's something he wrote when he was nine."
Delaine stepped forward, took the paper in his hands, and quickly read through it. His eyebrows raised in surprise.
This was a social research assignment on a hot-button issue, and Wade Grey had chosen the very mature and controversial topic of "Abolishing the Death Penalty," which is rather unsuitable for a young child.
Many European countries, such as Austria and Germany, had already abolished the death penalty. The UK had been discussing the issue for years, although no legislation had been passed, the general consensus was leaning towards agreeing to abolish capital punishment.
The wizarding world had opposed killing and death for much longer, of course due to wizards' strong protection of the soul.
Because of this, Grindelwald had been arrested several times but never sentenced to death, and even after escaping prison, he was able to make a comeback.
But in his assignment, nine-year-old Wade Grey subtly expressed an opposing stance. At the end of his research paper, he wrote:
[The right to personal life is protected on the premise of respecting and not unlawfully depriving the innocent of their right to life. If this premise is violated, I believe only the deceased have the right to decide whether to forgive, and whether to offer the criminal a chance to redeem themselves.]
Delaine was surprised. "Does he mean... criminals should go to hell and seek forgiveness from the victims?"
Grindelwald laughed heartily.
"Isn't it interesting? In such an incompetent family, in such a weak and vulgar Muggle society, they've raised a child with such unique ideas!"
He smiled and asked Delaine, "Do you still think he's entirely Dumbledore's person?"
Delaine thought for a moment, shook his head, gently set the paper down, and remained silent.
"Dumbledore failed to stop Tom Riddle from becoming Lord Voldemort, and he didn't nip that little bastard in the bud. Now, he's gone and created an even more terrifying one himself... and yet, he still hasn't realized it."
Grindelwald said mockingly and suddenly frowned. After a moment, he added, "Do you think... it's because this child is particularly good at acting and disguising himself, or is it that Dumbledore is just too blind to see clearly anymore?"
Delaine pondered for a while and then cautiously said, "Maybe Dumbledore is just waiting... waiting to subtly bind the child with moral constraints, to help him... understand the true meaning of love."
He silently suppressed the goosebumps that were forming on his arms as he spoke.
Grindelwald scoffed.
"Don't let his lofty words brainwash you! Dumbledore doesn't understand what love is! He's colder than anyone you've ever met!"
Grindelwald became slightly angry. He stared at a young photo of Wade on a document and suddenly understood something, murmuring:
"Maybe he knows... Maybe he wants to change, but he can't do it himself... His hands are tied, so he places his hopes on others... It was me once, and now it's this child..."
"Dumbledore is so smart, smart enough to always see the darkness in others' hearts, but he can turn a blind eye when it suits his purpose... He was my first supporter. If it weren't for what happened back then..."
Grindelwald had grown accustomed to speaking to himself in prison, and now he fell into some memories and his voice gradually grew too faint to hear.
Delaine took the initiative to block the sound and discreetly left the room.
He then grabbed a passing subordinate and said, "Modify that cloak and have it ready for Wade Grey tomorrow morning."
The subordinate looked a bit surprised. "Didn't you say earlier that you wanted to record some footage, as leverage to control him later? We've already prepared the streaming mirror for that."
Delaine shook his head. "Anyone can use a Polyjuice Potion to take his form. That footage wouldn't have much value unless the British Ministry of Magic decides to go after him or Dumbledore. Only then would the footage become useful. And..."
And our leader probably has other plans for the child, not just simple control or manipulation.
At times like this, using sneaky methods, regardless of what Wade Grey might think, might make Grindelwald extremely angry.
Delaine paused and then stopped speaking. He simply followed his intuition and said, "Don't ask too many questions, just prepare as I've said."
...
After bidding farewell to the overly worried Wovilette, Wade returned to his bedroom. He looked at the waning moon through the small window, then sat at his desk and poured himself a cup of black tea.
The service in this place was likely provided by house-elves, but Wade had never seen them. They didn't have the courtesy of preparing hot water for him every day, so when he wanted something warm at night, black tea was the only option.
However... black tea is better.
Wade slowly finished his cup of tea, leaving a small amount of tea that he gently swirled around, then turned the cup upside down. He watched the remaining tea slowly flow out and his fingers lightly tapped the bottom of the cup, letting the tea leaves fall down.
After a moment, Wade lifted the cup, rotated the saucer, and observed the patterns on it.
Nothing too special about the tea leaves gathered in a small pile, but as he rotated it in different directions, the leaves formed special shapes in his eyes.
Door: A turning point is coming.
Box: A gift is on the way.
Envelope: You will receive a long-awaited letter or item.
Rake: The crossroads of fate.
The other signs are all good news, but...
The crossroads of fate?
Am I about to face a very important choice? What would happen if I chose wrong?
Wade furrowed his brows and thought for a moment before putting the cup back in place, cleaning up, and going to bed.
After lying in bed for a while, he became frustrated and decided to stop thinking about it.
Before the choice came, he didn't even know what to choose, and thinking any further would only add to his worries without helping.
"This is why I don't like divination..."
Wade muttered to himself as he pulled the blanket up to his chin, and closed his eyes.
A turning point... a gift...
In the end, it is mostly good news, right?
...
Late at night, a house-elf silently appeared in the bedroom.
Using a small charm, it completely muffled its sound and moved quietly to tidy up the room. When it saw the upside-down teacup on the table, it paused for a moment before taking it away exactly as it was.
One minute later, the teacup and saucer appeared in front of Delaine.
"Tea leaf divination?" Delaine's companion said in surprise. "He still believes in this? Is he a little bit of a charlatan?"
"Wait, I remember his divination grades were supposed to be quite good."
Delaine flipped through Wade's files and saw what Professor Trelawney usually had to say about him.
Unlike his classmates, Wade didn't invent fantastical ways he could die, but Trelawney still gave him the evaluation of "very talented."
"Looks like he's quite skilled in this area..." Delaine lifted the teacup and asked the house-elf, "You didn't disturb the tea leaves, did you?"
"No." The house-elf lowered its head and spoke softly. "Bibbich was very careful. No shaking, and no touching."
"Mm." Delaine lowered his head and stared at the shape of the tea leaves. "Rectangle?"
"Wait, let me check!"
The companion flipped through a divination book, rustling through pages for a moment before saying, "Hmm... rectangle, symbolizing a rupture..."
"We're not exactly companions, but we can't say we're at odds either," Delaine pondered. "So... does it mean a rupture with his former companions?"
He thought this was a good omen.
The companion spun the teacup around, then continued flipping through the book.
"Looks like a rougher cross, symbolizing attack... We are indeed preparing for an attack; then there's the comb, which means improving appearance—I've heard you had a cloak prepared for him?"
Delaine nodded.
"That matches too!" His companion grew more confident and continued spinning the teacup. "This looks like a fence, meaning a temporary restriction. He's definitely been restricted in his movements right now..."
The next three interpretations matched their current situation, making the first interpretation more and more plausible.
A rupture...
Will Wade Grey break his friendship with Dumbledore?
If Mr. Grindelwald knew, he'd probably be pleased, right?
Delaine thought to himself.
His companion was still shaking the saucer, staring at the tea leaves, and said with surprise, "So tea leaf divination really works? How come I never noticed this back when I was in school..."
"Stop playing around." Delaine took the saucer from his hand, handing it to the house-elf, and said, "We have two people left to interrogate tonight. Hurry up, it's best to finish before midnight."
"Got it!" His companion said casually.
The house-elf Bibbich shivered silently, and it held the teacup and disappeared from the spot.
...
"Whoosh—"
A stream of hot water flowed into the cup, causing the curled tea leaves to unfurl.
Ryan Troka watched his nephew eagerly pour tea for a little girl, while the friend he brought along wiped tears and watered flowers by the windowsill, feeling quite strange.
"Why aren't you eating breakfast?" Ryan asked.
"I... I'm not hungry, Uncle Ryan." Gale forced a smile and said, "I'll eat later."
"Alright..." Ryan Troka turned to the other person and said, "Don't be busy, Mr. Lockhart, please sit down and take a rest for a while?"
"No, no!" Lockhart waved his hand with a twisted expression and said, "I prefer standing. I'm happy to stand."
Ryan Troka thought both of them were acting a bit odd today, but they usually behaved as if they were hiding many secrets, so Ryan Troka habitually didn't ask questions.
The kids had grown up; when it was time to let go, he would let go. After all, if he asked too many questions, they might think he didn't welcome them staying at his house.
Ryan Troka turned to Mabel and asked, "Have you heard from your parents?"
Mabel put down her fork and her expression darkened as she shook her head.
Ryan Troka quickly comforted her, "Don't worry, maybe it's just because they're too far away, and the owl hasn't reached them yet... In any case, you can stay at my house until they come to pick you up."
"Thank you, Mr. Troka." Mabel whispered her thanks.
Seeing her act like a shy little girl, Lockhart couldn't help but show a pained expression.
Last night, they had planned to ambush Mabel while she was asleep and at least get control of the dangerous little child, but they almost ended up being strangled!
While Mabel was asleep, the dark mist on her didn't fall asleep too, which was something Lockhart and Gale hadn't anticipated.
Then, Lockhart decided to try escaping the house, but when he reached the front door, he was caught by dark mist that wrapped around his ankle and dragged him back in!
He never wanted to remember the painful journey back. Even though he had drunk a potion, his tailbone still hurt so much today that he couldn't sit down.
Lockhart almost cried.
—How could anyone be this unlucky?
Could it be that those fans I tricked are all together cursing me?
...
After breakfast, Ryan Troka hurried back to his study to prepare his lessons. He had to organize courses for seven entire grades, which was no small task. Over the past few days, he had practically lived in the study.
As soon as he left, the atmosphere in the living room shifted abruptly.
Mabel's expression darkened, and faint dark mist began to rise from her body. Lockhart and Gale nearly fell to their knees in fear.
"There's no need to act like this," Mabel said, irritated by their frightened behavior. "As long as you keep your promises, I won't hurt you."
Gale smiled awkwardly, saying, "Yes, yes," while rolling his eyes internally.
Last night, when the dark mist ropes had thrown him down from the roof, Mabel hadn't said anything like that!
Thankfully, being a vampire meant Gale had strong vitality and could turn into a bat; otherwise, he would have been in even worse shape than Lockhart today.
Of course, as Gale observed Mabel's expression, he noticed that she truly didn't remember that experience, which surprisingly relieved him.
The Obscurus and the Obscurial... they are indeed not the same... but that Obscurus is terrifying. The three of us together aren't a match for that creature...
"Why haven't I received a reply?" Mabel asked, frowning. "Can owls really deliver packages? Are you lying to me?"
"Not at all." Gale quickly found an excuse for the non-replying Wade Grey. "It's probably... it's probably because he received too many Christmas gifts... Or maybe he's traveling abroad during the holidays, and the owl hasn't found anyone yet!"
Mabel accepted the latter explanation, sighing. "He's probably abroad... I hope he comes back soon."
Unconsciously, she looked out the window, hoping to see a long-traveling owl, but instead, she saw a spark streaking across the sky.
"What's that?" Mabel asked.
Lockhart glanced over and casually guessed, "Fireworks?"
Bang.
The firebird landed on the windowsill, light smoke rose from it, and its delicate claws left several scorch marks on the surface.
It tilted its head and looked toward the people in the room.
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⭐Harry Potter: Becoming a Study God (HP:BSG)- +235 Chapters
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