When Dumbledore declared himself Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Gellert Grindelwald, seated to the side, gave a low, derisive snort.
But Dumbledore paid him no mind and continued calmly,
"I've already contacted Uagadou School of Magic. We'll be heading there today. Once the investigation is complete, I'll escort you and the Uagadou champion to Japan's Mahoutokoro for this year's Potions Championship."
Wentworth, though visibly reluctant, could do nothing but comply.
Later, after making his preparations, Wentworth made his way to Grindelwald's room. The old wizard, as always, sat alone on his wooden cot.
Approaching quietly, Wentworth said softly,
"Grandfather, I'll be leaving with Headmaster Dumbledore now. I'll visit you often."
Without turning his head, Grindelwald responded coldly,
"From now on, without my permission, you are not to return to Nurmengard."
Startled, Wentworth opened his mouth to speak, but Grindelwald cut him off.
"Wentworth, don't forget the answer you discovered for yourself over these past few months."
Wentworth nodded solemnly, then turned and left.
Outside, beneath the looming shadow of Nurmengard Castle, Albus Dumbledore was waiting. Seeing Wentworth descend, he remarked instinctively,
"Finished saying your goodbyes already?"
Then, as though recalling something, Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head. Just as he was about to lead Wentworth away, the young man turned to gaze back at the castle where he had spent the past few months. Speaking to himself, he murmured,
"What would it cost… to bring him out of Nurmengard?"
Hearing this, Dumbledore too turned and looked back. After a long pause, he replied with layered meaning,
"No one can truly imprison Gellert Grindelwald… except himself."
Wentworth gave a barely perceptible nod, then turned with a bright smile.
"Shall we go, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, and in an instant, the two of them vanished.
After they disappeared, Grindelwald emerged at the entrance of Nurmengard. He stood silently, staring at the space where they had stood, then raised his eyes to the inscription above:
"For the Greater Good."
At last, he turned and walked back into the fortress. In the end, he did not take that final step.
The mountain winds of Austria could not shake Nurmengard's stone walls, but they could stir the heart.
...
When Wentworth regained his bearings, he and Dumbledore stood upon a vast African savannah. But there was no time to admire the foreign landscape, he immediately doubled over, dry heaving from the journey.
After some time, he straightened, face pale, and said,
"Headmaster, I thought we were Apparating, but that felt… When did you pull out a Portkey?!"
In response, Dumbledore raised his hand. Only then did Wentworth see the battered old pocket watch he held, so aged, it might well have been older than Dumbledore himself.
"You'll need to work on your observation skills, Wentworth," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.
Wentworth pursed his lips, about to retort, when something behind Dumbledore caught his attention. He froze, then stepped forward, eyes wide.
"This really is… a whole different world from Hogwarts."
In the middle of the sprawling grassland, a single mountain rose like a giant's spire, soaring into the clouds. From their vantage point, only the mountainside could be seen.
And there, enshrouded in shifting mist, stood a grand structure, half-hidden among the drifting clouds.
Standing beside him, Dumbledore began to explain.
"That peak is Mountains of the Moon. And nestled on its slopes lies the most renowned magical school in Africa: Uagadou School of Magic."
"There are many smaller magical schools scattered across Africa. In the past, nearly every tribe had its own. But Uagadou alone has withstood the test of time and earned widespread international acclaim."
"Witches and wizards educated at Uagadou are not only experts in Potioneering, but also show great proficiency in Astronomy, Alchemy, and Transfiguration."
Here, Dumbledore gave Wentworth a pointed look and added meaningfully,
"If Hogwarts nurtures the wizarding talent of Britain, then Uagadou shapes the very best across the African continent. Your opponent at the Potions Championship… will be no ordinary competitor."
Wentworth grinned in reply,
"Is that so? Well, what of it? My headmaster is the greatest white wizard of all time, and my grandfather is a name known across the world as the Dark Lord. Wouldn't you say I have some reason to be proud?"
Dumbledore burst into laughter, then clapped Wentworth warmly on the shoulder.
"Remember this, Wentworth: from this moment on, you are no longer Wentworth Grindelwald. You are Wentworth Dumbledore. I will tell the world you are the grandson of my brother, making you, in effect, my own grandson. Do you understand?"
"The Confundus Charm I cast earlier made people instinctively avoid asking your surname. But now we'll be facing the finest minds of the magical world. That charm won't fool them. So, from now on, you must learn to live with your new name."
Wentworth frowned slightly, clearly displeased.
"Is this really necessary, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore looked at him seriously and said with firm resolve,
"Not yet, Wentworth. The time isn't right."
Seeing the sincerity in Dumbledore's eyes, Wentworth nodded, grave and silent.
Then, curiosity shining through, he asked,
"Professor Dumbledore, what kind of brilliant wizards will we be meeting along the way?"
Dumbledore pointed forward with a smile.
"Well, there's one right now."
Following the direction of Dumbledore's finger, Wentworth saw a tall, dark-skinned wizard striding toward them.
"Albus," the man called, his voice warm, "Welcome, welcome to Mountains of the Moon, and to Uagadou!"
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]