Hogwarts...
Great Hall...
As Gellert Grindelwald strode confidently into the Great Hall,
A soft smile played on his lips, calm and disarming—
As if he were merely a visitor dropping by an old school.
The clatter of forks and spoons fell silent.
"____"
"____"
"____"
At first, students blinked in confusion.
Most had never seen the man before, and his sudden appearance without warning in the middle of their meal raised immediate curiosity.
A few professors stood up in alarm.
But then, one student—
A Ravenclaw seventh-year—
Gasped.
"Is… is that Grindelwald?!"
Heads whipped toward the entrance.
Then another voice, this time from a Slytherin table, confirmed it with wide eyes:
"That is Grindelwald! He escaped from Nurmengard 8 years ago!"
Panic erupted like wildfire.
Gasps, shouts, and chairs scraping as students stood up.
Some reached for wands instinctively, while others looked toward the staff table for guidance.
Grindelwald, unfazed by the outburst, chuckled softly, like a grandfather amused by the overreaction of children.
Chuckle~
"Albus,"
He said, projecting his voice across the stunned hall,
"Why do all your students look like chickens in a snake den?"
His voice was velvet-smooth and charismatic, his eyes scanning the sea of young witches and wizards who now trembled, unsure whether to run or fight.
At the staff table,
Dumbledore rose slowly, his expression unreadable.
There was a long silence as the two former legends locked eyes—
Past and present, friend and enemy, staring across decades of unspoken pain.
For a brief moment,
Dumbledore's face softened as memories of youth, ideas, blood oaths, and betrayals flickered behind his half-moon spectacles.
But only for a moment.
Then he straightened, and his tone became firm, laced with authority.
"Gellert… if you dare make any move against these students,"
Dumbledore said coldly,
"I will not treat it lightly. No old tie will stop me."
The air turned heavy, thick with magic and tension.
Grindelwald raised his hands slightly in mock surrender, still smiling.
"I come not with a wand raised, Albus. Merely a message… and a meeting I must have."
His eyes turned now—
Not to Dumbledore, but to Leo Morningstar.
"With him."
The hall went utterly silent again as all eyes turned to Leo.
"____"
"____"
Leo remained seated, calm and composed, fingers steepled before him.
His eyes locked with Grindelwald's.
Leo calmly set down the fork in his hand, the clink of silver against the plate echoing faintly in the hushed hall.
He leaned back slightly in his chair, his red eyes locking onto Grindelwald, who now stood casually in the centre of the Great Hall like he belonged there.
The Grindelwald's piercing gaze was focused entirely on Leo—
Analysing, measuring, as though trying to solve an enigma wrapped in human form.
Leo gave a light chuckle, the corners of his lips quirking up.
Chuckle~
"So, the first generation Dark Lord comes to Hogwarts to gawk at me like I'm some rare magical species?"
"Should I be flattered, or worried?"
A ripple of nervous laughter stirred among the braver students.
Even a few professors tensed, unsure whether to intervene.
But Grindelwald only laughed, rich and amused, brushing his silvery-blond hair back with one hand.
Haha~
"Worried? No."
"Flattered? Definitely."
He took a slow step forward, still keeping his movements non-threatening—
Yet utterly confident.
"You see, young man…"
He said, voice echoing with power and charisma,
"…the world has become bland. Predictable. Magic has grown complacent, bound by laws crafted by fearful minds."
"But you—Leo Morningstar—you are the crack in that stone. A variable where none should exist."
He now stood not far from the faculty table, speaking directly to Leo with a reverence that shocked even Dumbledore.
"For eight years, I have watched."
"Watched you teach, lead, build… change things others thought unchangeable."
His voice dipped low with something close to awe.
"You bring hope, yes—but also unpredictability. And that… that intrigues me more than anything."
The students listened in stunned silence.
"____"
Many couldn't believe their ears.
The infamous Grindelwald—
Once the most dangerous Dark Wizard in history—
Was speaking to Leo not as a foe, but as a fan.
Then Grindelwald tilted his head slightly.
"So I've come. Finally. To see with my own eyes if the man I've observed all this time is truly what I believe he is…"
"…or just another bright candle destined to burn out."
He gave Leo a knowing smile, his blue eyes glinting.
"Shall we talk, Leo Morningstar? Alone."
All eyes shifted to Leo once more, waiting for his answer.
Hearing Grindelwald's words, Leo's red eyes gleamed, the flicker of his power glowing in their depths.
"____"
He said nothing at first—
just stood slowly, every movement calm and deliberate.
The entire Great Hall held its breath.
Then, without even sparing Grindelwald a glance, Leo said coolly:
"Come. We'll talk somewhere more private."
The authority in his voice was quiet but absolute—
The kind that didn't ask, only expected compliance.
Grindelwald, ever amused, gave a small chuckle and winked at Dumbledore, as if taunting him like the old days.
Chuckle~ Wink~
"Always the gentleman, Albus."
Then he followed Leo out of the Great Hall, his dark cloak fluttering slightly behind him.
As the two figures disappeared through the archway,
The entire student body erupted into murmurs—
Confusion, excitement, fear, speculation—
Everything at once.
"Is that really Grindelwald?"
"Why him? Why talk to Professor Morningstar?"
"He winked at Dumbledore! Did you see that?"
"Wasn't he supposed to be in prison forever?"
Their whispers created a storm of noise until a sharp, commanding voice rang out like thunder.
Dumbledore had risen to his feet.
With a flick of his wand against his own throat, he cast a Sonorus charm.
"Silence, everyone!"
The hall instantly quieted.
"____"
"____"
"All students are to return to your respective house common rooms immediately. House prefects, escort your members swiftly and calmly. There is no danger, but this is not a request."
His voice was sharp, serious—
A rare sight for most students.
The professors, understanding the tension of the situation, quickly followed his lead.
Some shot each other glances—
Worried, curious, cautious.
At the staff table:
Professor Minerva McGonagall remained seated for a heartbeat longer than the others,
Her eyes lingered on the path Leo had taken, her jaw tight with worry.
Young Professor Pomona Sprout, only three years into her role as Head of Hufflepuff and Herbology professor, received a nod from Dumbledore.
Nod~
"Pomona, coordinate the prefects. Keep them calm."
"Yes, Headmaster."
She immediately moved to rally the prefects from each House,
Her demeanour was firm but gentle.
Meanwhile, Dumbledore's expression darkened.
Whatever Leo was walking into, it was now clear to him that this was no ordinary meeting—
And Gellert Grindelwald had not come for mere pleasantries.
DADA Office...
Inside the Defence Against the Dark Arts office,
The atmosphere was warm and dimly lit, the scent of herbs and ancient tomes lingering in the air.
Leo closed the door with a soft click, the protective enchantments automatically weaving around the room in silence.
Click~
"____"
Only he and Grindelwald remained within.
Leo moved with casual grace to his seat behind the desk and gestured to the opposite chair.
Grindelwald, with an amused look in his eyes, sat without hesitation—
Like an old acquaintance invited for tea.
Without a word, Leo picked up a porcelain plate from the side of his desk.
On it were fresh cookies—
Buttery, golden, and lightly dusted with powdered sugar. He placed them between them on the table.
"Bella insisted I try these."
Leo said idly,
"Wakana baked them this morning. Take one."
Grindelwald raised a brow but chuckled as he reached out and took one of the cookies.
Chuckle~
He took a bite, eyes widening slightly in surprise at the flavour.
"Mmm... now this—this-this is dangerously good,"
He said, savouring it.
"Lucky one aren't you…"
Leo gave a small smirk.
Smirk~
"She's a perfectionist when it comes to flavours..."
Grindelwald chuckled again, brushing off a crumb from his cloak.
Chuckle~
"Better than what Albus ever fed me. That sweet-tongued devil nearly gave me cavities during our youth."
"Always talking about love, unity, the greater good—until it turned against him."
He leaned back, the mirth still in his voice, but there was a shadow behind his gaze—
A memory he didn't care to entertain for long.
"You know, it's funny,"
He said, turning his attention fully to Leo now,
"I used to think no one could reshape this dying magical world. But then... I saw you. Not just your feats or battles—but the way you made people think differently. Act differently."
Grindelwald leaned in slightly, eyes sharp as a hawk now.
"So tell me, Leo Morningstar—what is your vision on the current magical world?"
Just as Leo opened his mouth,
His Voice of Reason began to pulse with the quiet authority that could sway even the hardest minds, but a sharp knock interrupted the moment.
Knock~ knock~
"____"
A pause followed, and then came a familiar, gentle voice—
Warm, polite, but edged with firm intent.
"Leo, my boy,"
Said Dumbledore from the other side of the door,
"Would you allow an old man to intrude for just a moment?"
Leo's expression barely flickered, but Grindelwald let out a sharp sneer and leaned back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh.
Sneer~ Sigh~
"Still the same,"
Grindelwald muttered, loud enough for Leo to hear.
"He just can't help himself, can he? That damned habit of shoving his crooked nose into matters he was never invited to."
He glanced toward the door and added with a theatrical scoff,
Scoff~
"It twitches the moment someone else dares to have secrets."
Leo raised a brow but said nothing.
The tension in the room shifted—
Not hostile, but crackling with old history, like flint and steel.
Leo glanced at the door and then at Grindelwald.
"Shall I let him in?"
He asked casually, though his voice held weight.
Grindelwald gave a half-smirk.
"Your kingdom, your rules, Herr Professor. But if he starts quoting poetry about love and lilies, I'm jumping out the window."
Leo opened the door with a calm, measured movement.
Standing on the other side was Dumbledore, his eyes sharp—
No longer the warm twinkle of a grandfatherly professor, but the cold steel of a man who'd fought wars.
The moment the door parted, his gaze locked instantly—
Not on Leo, but beyond him, straight at Grindelwald.
Behind Dumbledore stood several others:
Minerva McGonagall, her brows tightly knit with worry, eyes darting over Leo with concern, silently asking:
'Are you alright?'
Horace Slughorn, clearly uncomfortable, dabbed sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
His presence here felt like it wasn't his choice—
Dragged along, perhaps for some diplomatic balance.
Bellatrix, but now standing confidently, arms crossed, as though this was all just a formality.
She didn't seem fazed.
In fact, there was a knowing calm in her eyes—
She trusted Leo implicitly.
Filius Flitwick, usually cheerful and affable, looked surprisingly grim.
His small hand clutched his wand tightly, hidden just inside his sleeve—
Ready to act if needed.
Leo stood aside and gestured for them to enter with a courteous nod.
Nod~
One by one, they stepped inside.
The air in the office shifted the moment Dumbledore stepped in fully, his magical presence pressing ever so slightly against the walls—
A silent warning.
Grindelwald, still seated, lazily turned his head to observe them all, a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Ah,"
He drawled with amusement.
"The welcome committee. How thoughtful, Albus. And you brought your… war council."
Dumbledore ignored the jab, his voice controlled and cool.
"Gellert, I don't recall inviting you to Hogwarts. State your purpose clearly. I won't have the children put at risk, no matter what history lies between us."
Grindelwald chuckled.
Chuckle~
"Oh, always so theatrical. But don't worry, old friend,"
He said, flicking his gaze toward Leo.
"I'm only here for him."
He nodded toward Leo.
Nod~
"He is the one with a vision. Not clinging to the ghosts of the past. Not wearing guilt like a cloak. He's building something new—and I want in."
Silence fell.
"____"
The room bristled with tension.
Minerva's hand twitched near her wand.
Bella simply smirked.
Smirk~
Dumbledore's jaw tightened.
Slughorn looked ready to faint.
Leo, still calm, stepped forward and gestured to a chair across from Grindelwald.
"Then let's talk, properly."
He said.
Leo took a step forward and flicked his wand with a precise, almost casual motion.
A few owl feathers resting unnoticed in the corner of the room shimmered and began to twist and expand—
Transfiguring midair into elegant, high-backed chairs.
They landed softly beside Grindelwald with a faint rustle of displaced air.
"Please,"
Leo said calmly,
"Take a seat. What I'm about to say will need all of you to be grounded."
Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, eyes narrowing, but finally moved to sit, never taking his eyes off Grindelwald.
Minerva followed, her posture rigid, hands clasped tightly in her lap.
Slughorn sank down with a sigh of relief, and Flitwick perched on the edge of his chair, tense and ready.
Sigh~
Bella didn't move at first—
Until Leo gave her a nod, and she settled beside him, like a shadow at his side.
Nod~
Grindelwald smirked, watching all this with quiet amusement.
"____"
Nod~
But even he didn't speak now—
Something in Leo's expression silenced the room.
Leo stood tall, his arms crossed behind his back, his eyes—
Those gleaming red eyes—
Piercing through the air.
"What I'm about to tell you,"
He began,
"Is not a theory. It's not speculation. It's a truth I've confirmed over the past years, through ancient sources, forbidden archives, and magical residue analysis."
He paused, letting their attention settle fully on him.
"The magic of this world is dying."
A stillness fell like a dropped curtain.
Dumbledore's eyes widened slightly, brows furrowing in immediate calculation.
Minerva gasped softly, her hand flying to her chest.
Slughorn blinked dumbly, as if trying to understand if he had heard correctly.
Flitwick straightened, now fully alert.
And even Grindelwald… his smile faded, eyes sharpening.
Leo continued, his voice even.
"The core magical energy of this world—call it the leyline nexus, the planet's foundational essence—it is fading."
"It's not visible in day-to-day spells yet, but the ancient sources all point to the same end: in less than two centuries, magic will no longer exist in this world. And when that core is gone…"
He looked around the room, gaze meeting each of theirs.
"…so will the world. The collapse will not be gentle. Magical ecosystems will crumble first. Then the magical races."
"Then the barriers between realities. And finally—existence itself will fracture."
"____"
"____"
"____"
A stunned silence reigned.
No one spoke.
Not even Grindelwald.
Leo allowed the moment to stretch, to let the gravity of his words sink in.
"This is the fate we're heading toward. Everything I've done these past years—the House of Dragon, the expansion of Cauldron and Charm, the gathering of powerful beings and knowledge—it's not just to shape a better magical society."
"It's to prepare us for this fight… to save magic itself."
He turned to Dumbledore.
"And this is why I didn't tell you before. Because if you doubted me even once, you would have stopped me. This is beyond Hogwarts, beyond Grindelwald, beyond Voldemort…"
"This is the fate of the magical world. And we are running out of time."
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)I hope you guys are enjoying the story.
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review and power stone!!! It will Motivate Me.