"You might think I'm arrogant, but I'm simply doing my job. I hope you'll cooperate fully, Professor Dumbledore," Grindelwald said calmly.
"Grindelwald—"
"In a professional setting, please address me by my title, Professor Dumbledore."
"Alright, of course… I will, of course, cooperate with your work, Department Head.."
Dumbledore replied, leaning back in his chair and quietly watching Grindelwald. "Since you believe that the educational philosophy which has produced countless outstanding talents over the years is outdated, then may I ask, how exactly do you plan to reform it?"
"You may think I have ulterior motives, but... I'm serious about this," Grindelwald said. "I reviewed the so-called list of 'outstanding students' who graduated from Hogwarts over the past twenty years. To date, the most accomplished among them... became the Head of the Auror Office. But he was removed just five months into the job—on the grounds of cowardice and incompetence."
Grindelwald flipped through the documents in front of him, then continued, "Because of that, I looked into the background of the other candidates for the position. That's when I discovered that he wasn't promoted because of his abilities, but because of his pure-blood family background."
"In fact, his competitors were all far more qualified, both in terms of experience and skill. These candidates had all graduated from Hogwarts over forty years ago and had served as Aurors for more than thirty years…"
"And what exactly does that prove, Department Head?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"It proves that Hogwarts' so-called proud education has not produced the results it claims to," Grindelwald said bluntly. "The only reason these so-called excellent wizards made it to the top is because they had to struggle and grind for decades after graduation. I believe that if our education system were better, they wouldn't have needed to spend so long polishing themselves. And let's not forget… many didn't survive that grind at all. And this is just data from a single profession—Aurors."
This time, Dumbledore didn't respond with sarcasm—because he had to admit, the data Grindelwald presented was compelling.
Indeed, those who rose to the top ranks as Aurors were all individuals who had survived countless battles and emerged as the best of the best.
Even Newt's brother, Theseus Scamander—though highly accomplished—still couldn't compare in experience to those veteran Aurors.
That was why Theseus remained just a team captain within the Auror ranks, rather than becoming the Head of the Office. His qualifications were still slightly lacking.
"So, where do you think our original educational philosophy went wrong?" Dumbledore asked.
Grindelwald replied, "First, the management is far too lenient. The students don't have enough pressure. You and I both know that young wizards are impulsive by nature. Without pressure, many won't take their studies seriously."
"Second, the curriculum is too outdated and conservative… Take Defence Against the Dark Arts, for example. If students have never studied Dark Magic themselves, how can they defend against it accurately?"
Dumbledore raised his hand to interrupt. "The first point is debatable, but the second… I'm sorry, Hogwarts students do not need to learn Dark Magic. You and I both know the danger Dark Magic poses to young wizards… They'll be seduced by its power and ultimately lose themselves!"
Grindelwald responded passionately, "That's exactly the purpose of education, Dumbledore! You think that if we don't teach them Dark Magic, those curious students won't go learn it in secret?"
"Wouldn't it be better for us to teach them ourselves, under supervision, than to have them explore it alone and fall under its influence with no guidance?"
"If, through our education, they can truly feel the danger of such power, then they'll learn to respect it. Dark Magic is a double-edged sword—I won't deny that. At the very least, we should teach them how to avoid harming themselves with it! And... when it's truly appropriate to draw that sharp blade..."
Dumbledore furrowed his brow. Though he still instinctively felt that letting students come into contact with Dark Magic was absurd—after all, he always saw Hogwarts students as just children—after thinking more deeply about Grindelwald's words, he had to admit that they weren't entirely without merit...
Even so, Dark Magic was still Dark Magic.
Its dangers were immense, even for adult wizards. So Dumbledore still believed that Hogwarts should not teach such things.
He took a deep breath before speaking. "Department Head… while your arguments are not without merit, I still believe they are too young. It is far too early for them to be exposed to Dark Magic."
"Then we can start with the upper years… say, fifth-year students. By then, they're fifteen or sixteen—practically adults. That would be the perfect time to begin studying Dark Magic. As for the lower years, they can begin with theoretical studies. That way, by the time they reach fifth year, they'll be better prepared to learn it properly."
Dumbledore asked, "Why are you so intent on making young wizards study Dark Magic?"
"Because our current education system is raising a flock of sheep!"
"So many wizards in our world can't even cast a basic offensive spell! That means they wouldn't even be able to win against Muggles… If they ever face real danger, the consequences would be unimaginable. For the sake of the wizarding world's future—and for their ability to survive—we need to raise wolves, not sheep!"
Grindelwald said, waving his arms, his expression intense.
"Gr—Department Head, am I to understand… that you're trying to build a wizard army?" Dumbledore asked coldly, his face dark.
"If you insist on putting it that way… then yes. Ideally, with military-style management. Sure, their school years might be a little less enjoyable—but at least I won't have to hear about wizards being captured, hanged, or burned to death by Muggles ever again."
"Oh? Because to me, it sounds like you're building an army meant to go to war with Muggles," Dumbledore said coldly.
Military-style management? The moment that was implemented, not only would the students' behavior be strictly controlled—their thinking would be as well.
And how far would that control go? There was no need to ask. Grindelwald's intentions were as plain as day.
Plenty of people still opposed Grindelwald's ideals now, but under the influence of his education reforms, future generations of young wizards would only become less and less likely to resist him.
"Professor Dumbledore… you really do have a remarkable talent," Grindelwald said coldly, "a talent for twisting all of my intentions into sinister conspiracies."
"Whether it's a conspiracy or not—you know best," Dumbledore replied. "I'm not against reforming education, but it must be done on a reasonable foundation. Just because you're now Head of the Department of Magical Education doesn't mean you can act recklessly, ignoring the voice of the people. You may be able to force your reforms on us for now… but no parent would want their child to be educated that way. If everyone resists you, can you even hold onto your position?"
"Is that so?" A dangerous glint flashed in Grindelwald's eyes.
"I know what you're thinking, Department Head…" Dumbledore said with a smile. "But the moment you chose this path, the moment you changed your former ways, you also agreed to play by the rules—just like I do."
Grindelwald's expression shifted, his face clouded and uncertain.
Dumbledore continued, "In the past, you never cared whether I discovered your crimes—but now, you have to care, don't you? Right now, it may look like you hold the upper hand… but the moment you stepped into politics, you shackled yourself with invisible chains."
Grindelwald didn't say anything this time—because he knew Dumbledore was right.
With Dumbledore's abilities, if he decided to investigate something, he would absolutely get to the bottom of it.
Back when Grindelwald was up to no good, he wasn't afraid of Dumbledore investigating him because he wasn't in politics—he was already a known dark figure!
Everyone already saw him as a villain, so Dumbledore's investigations didn't change anything.
But now... he had cleaned up his image and entered the political arena.
That meant if he kept doing things like kidnapping and murder like before, Dumbledore would definitely find out.
And once that happened, he'd be caught red-handed. His path to political redemption would be over—completely and utterly.
In other words... now he had to "play by the rules" just like Dumbledore did.
Only at that moment did the triumphant Grindelwald truly realize this—and it hit him hard.
"I'll be watching you, Grindelwald…" Dumbledore said as he stood up and picked up his top hat. "Very well then. I'll be waiting at Hogwarts for your reform proposal, Department Head, and I will cooperate fully… of course, only if it's based on reason."
After Dumbledore finished speaking, he left Grindelwald's office.
Grindelwald stared at the door that had just closed again, his chest rising and falling unevenly...
It was a long while before he slowly sat back down, closing his eyes in thought.
These past few days, he had indeed gotten carried away…
Which had made him far more impulsive in his actions.
Now, it was time to calm down and reflect properly.
The path he had chosen was probably not wrong—but...
He couldn't rush it.
It had to be taken one step at a time.
________
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