"That old bastard..."
Voldemort's remnant soul felt even more wary facing Gellert Grindelwald than he did facing Tom Riddle. After all, Tom's the one who beat me into this state. Besides, I'm not in good shape. Can I even beat the old man?
Truthfully, in his prime, Voldemort's remnant soul knew he could win. Grindelwald's age would be his downfall. Even if he wasn't as fragile as Nicolas Flamel, his stamina was bound to give out. Maybe he can last half a day? It's inescapable that wizards are still physical freaks. Whether I can last half a day in my current state is another question. If his stamina declines, I could find an opening to defeat Grindelwald. But that was only a slight advantage.
"You old codger, why don't you just bury yourself!" Voldemort's remnant soul felt his blood pressure spike; these past two days were giving him a massive headache... not that it was a serious concern for a wizard.
"I'm sorry, my little bald brother, but these old bones can hold out a little longer." Gellert Grindelwald wore a thoughtful expression. "Hmm… maybe two more years than you?"
"..."
Voldemort's remnant soul refused to be provoked by Grindelwald's words. He was looking for a chance to escape, but quickly realized that, with just the basic Flight Charm, he couldn't outrun Grindelwald, who could Apparate.
"Enough chatter! Come and die now; maybe I'll bury you to cheer myself up!" Voldemort's remnant soul unleashed two Blasting Charms!
BOOM—!
Two craters, each tens of meters across, erupted in the clouds.
"You truly don't understand reason." Gellert Grindelwald appeared behind him, hands clasped behind his back, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "You should know you're no match for me in your current state."
"Heh…" Voldemort's remnant soul's mouth stretched into a wide grin. "That's just nonsense!"
ROAR!
A ball of Fiendfyre erupted, rapidly spreading through the clouds, threatening to engulf the entire sky! If a small spell won't hit him, make it a big one!
"Fiendfyre?" Blue flames ignited around Gellert Grindelwald. "This is rather dangerous."
Boom!
The two Fiendfyres collided! The furious crimson serpent and the raging blue fire dragon crashed and tore at each other, a bizarre red and blue inferno splitting the sky in two!
...
Boom—!
"Hmm?" Harry Potter, walking down the street, instinctively turned around.
"Scarface, what's wrong?" Draco Malfoy questioned, noticing Harry's distraction.
Harry shook his head slightly. "Nothing, I just thought I heard an explosion… Maybe I misheard."
"..." Cassandra Volle gave him a knowing look.
"Forget it; never mind that." Harry shook his head again, trying to clear his mind. "Let's hurry; we shouldn't keep Professor Nagini waiting."
Walking close to Tom Riddle, Cassandra quietly asked, "Who did you send to beat him up this time?"
Hearing this, Tom Riddle merely smiled, remaining silent.
"Tch." Cassandra knew that this cryptic attitude was nothing new for him. "If Snape wasn't so weak, he wouldn't have liked Riddle so much, right?"
I know without you saying it. Cassandra glanced back, then confidently stated, "The only ones who can fight that thing are Albus Dumbledore or Gellert Grindelwald."
...
The blue and red Fiendfyre continued to clash.
"Stop struggling; you're almost out of magic, aren't you?" Gellert Grindelwald shook his head in feigned sympathy. "When you don't have enough magic to control that Fiendfyre, you'll be the first to burn to death."
"..."
Voldemort's remnant soul didn't reply, just kept attacking. After getting pummeled for so long, I've got a temper too! I can't beat Tom Riddle! Fine! I can't beat those brats! Fine! But you, Gellert Grindelwald, aren't stronger than me either! Do you think you have some kind of backing? Even if I'm not in good shape right now! I'll make sure you suffer too!
"Heh…" While maintaining the spell, Voldemort's remnant soul also began to needle Grindelwald with his words. "Old man, are you really content to be a professor at a trash magic school for the rest of your life?"
"..."
Gellert Grindelwald's expression darkened, not because he was provoked, but because he was no longer a professor. Not wanting to reveal the embarrassing "truth," pretending to still be a professor made him feel awkward.
"That's none of your concern." Gellert Grindelwald's tone lost its earlier relaxed quality, now carrying a hint of anger.
Seeing this, Voldemort's remnant soul sensed an opening. Originally, he only wanted to influence the other party to gain a tactical advantage, but now he had other ideas. If Gellert Grindelwald truly "doesn't want to be trapped in Hogwarts," then maybe he can be won over.
"I know what you're thinking. Someone like you will never be content; coincidentally, I'm just like you, and we both despise Muggles equally." Voldemort's remnant soul continued, seemingly oblivious to his situation. "Come with me; let's do this together, all for the wizards, to make this world completely submit to us!"
"…"
Gellert Grindelwald stared at him as if he were mad. "Are you joking?"
Voldemort's remnant soul's eyes gleamed. "No! I'm serious!"
"You plan to fight Tom Riddle?"
"Actually, I was just kidding." Voldemort's remnant soul continued his sneak attacks as he spoke, increasing his magic output, shattering the blue Fiery Dragon. But soon, the blue flames reformed into another dragon. Seeing this, Voldemort's remnant soul gritted his teeth in annoyance. If Gellert Grindelwald had truly been tempted, I would have used him first to deal with those annoying insects and the few brats I can't handle directly. That socket-wielding devil only cares about himself! Once he finishes that spell, he'll sell Grindelwald out! He'll use the "traitor" label to curry favor with Tom Riddle, taking a huge step forward to becoming second-in-command!
Evidently, this Gellert Grindelwald was different from what he had imagined. Like himself, he had clearly been beaten into submission by Tom Riddle.
"What a pity. We could have been friends." Voldemort's remnant soul felt the last dregs of magic power within him… almost gone. The output from just now had taken a heavy toll. But he couldn't show it, or he would truly be finished.
"..."
Gellert Grindelwald remained silent, studying this madman, wondering what he was planning. He also grew more vigilant; Voldemort's remnant soul's skill at ambushes was indeed excellent, making it easy to catch him off guard.
"Since we can't be friends, I'll just have to let you die here!" Ferocity flashed in Voldemort's remnant soul's eyes. "Don't worry; I'll make good use of your corpse!"
Gellert Grindelwald gripped his wand tightly, ready to defend himself.
"Take this!" Voldemort's remnant soul shouted!
Apparition!
That's right! Time's up! His stolen escape technique has returned!
---