Dumbledore was telling the truth.
He knew full well that Andy had exchanged spell theories with Grindelwald.
Grindelwald had taught Andy some practical spells, and Andy had taught Grindelwald the key to the fusion of mind and magic.
Once Grindelwald had achieved the fusion, his power would increase dramatically.
If it came to that, Dumbledore felt that the outcome of the battle between the two of them would probably be 50-50.
However, to Scrimgeour, Dumbledore's words meant something else entirely.
If Grindelwald couldn't be arrested soon?
Those words meant: Don't look at how well I've prepared, but this arrest operation is bound to fail!
Even I will be no match for him?
Those words meant: After the arrest operation fails, I would be at a stalemate with Grindelwald for a long time.
Scrimgeour's heartbeat quickened, and his hands grew cold.
Looking at the ever-kind Dumbledore before him, Scrimgeour felt that a sinister plot was looming over the wizarding world.
And the mastermind behind this plot was none other than Dumbledore himself!
"Hoo..."
Scrimgeour let out a breath, his face remaining stoic, while his mind sorted through all the information he had on Dumbledore.
First, when they were young, Dumbledore and Grindelwald were best friends.
During the time when Grindelwald was wreaking havoc on the European wizarding community, Dumbledore had remained holed up at Hogwarts, indifferent to what was going on outside.
It wasn't until Grindelwald had become a major threat that Dumbledore stepped forward to stop him.
However...
According to confidential intelligence, the year when Grindelwald failed was also the year when Voldemort – Tom Riddle – graduated.
Dumbledore personally guided Voldemort into the wizarding world!
Not only that.
Scrimgeour recalled the last wizard war – one in which he had participated.
During the war, Dumbledore actively opposed Voldemort, even going so far as to form a civilian organisation named the Order of the Phoenix. However, from beginning to end, Dumbledore never once fought Voldemort head-on.
After Voldemort's resurrection, the two sides continued to remain 'even' in terms of power.
Only after Grindelwald's comeback did Dumbledore promptly eliminate Voldemort.
It took... just two days!
The more he thought about it, the more appalled Scrimgeour felt.
To be fair, Scrimgeour had never doubted Dumbledore before the Battle of Diagon Alley.
Although he didn't like some of Dumbledore's choices, he had always respected the Headmaster.
It wasn't until the Battle of Diagon Alley and the subsequent rumours against Dumbledore began to circulate that Scrimgeour became doubtful.
After Voldemort's death, Scrimgeour's suspicions reached a peak.
What did Dumbledore want?
He had no shortage of fame, status, or power – in fact, as far as Scrimgeour knew, Dumbledore had turned down the position of Minister for Magic several times.
It was clear that Dumbledore wanted none of those things!
So what did he want?
Scrimgeour glanced at Dumbledore nonchalantly.
Greater power?
Or immortality?
Within a century, the last two Dark Lords who wreaked havoc on the wizarding world before and after were Dumbledore's best friend and Dumbledore's student.
It's fine if you don't give it much thought.
But when Scrimgeour gave it some serious thought, he felt a chill.
There was also that Andy Collins... he is also Dumbledore's student!
Judging from Andy's various actions, he is definitely not a good person.
At such a young age, he has killed without flinching.
Even if the people Andy killed were Death Eaters, from a legal perspective, these actions were all perfectly legal.
But when you think about Andy's age...
Scrimgeour's heart went cold.
Facing Dumbledore, Scrimgeour dared not show the slightest flaw on his face.
"Even you can't stop him?"
Scrimgeour said solemnly while operating the Occlumency spell. "You defeated him once. Grindelwald has been imprisoned for decades, so he shouldn't be your match, right?"
At the moment, all of this is just Scrimgeour's speculation.
He needs to confirm his speculation.
And the way to confirm this is very simple—it depends on whether this arrest operation will be successful!
Grindelwald has been imprisoned for decades, so logically, his abilities in all aspects will inevitably decline.
Grindelwald wasn't Dumbledore's match back then, let alone now.
"I know him well."
Dumbledore said with a solemn tone, "Grindelwald dared to escape from prison, so he must have been prepared. He is proficient in divination and can foresee the future, so if he is intent on hiding, I will not be able to find him."
What a perfect excuse!
Scrimgeour sneered in his heart.
But... didn't you easily defeat Voldemort, who was also hiding?
Scrimgeour frowned and said, "It is indeed a bit tricky!"
Dumbledore nodded slightly.
With Dumbledore's life experience, even without using Legilimency, he knew exactly what had been going through Scrimgeour's mind.
But Dumbledore didn't care about any of that.
The information about the Horcruxes had to be kept secret.
The secret of the fusion of mind and magic...could not be revealed either.
Without these two crucial pieces of information, it was only natural that some people would suspect Dumbledore.
He had no intention of defending himself.
Compared to these, Dumbledore was more worried about the future of the wizarding world.
In this world, anyone with a little ability will not be content to be ordinary – the only difference is that their pursuits are different.
Dumbledore was the same.
If it wasn't for his sister Ariana's death, which made him come to his senses, things would have turned out differently in the wizarding world.
Those who are not content to be ordinary will stir up trouble.
Grindelwald was like this, and the same goes for Voldemort and Andy.
What Dumbledore is worried about is the lack of capable successors among the order-keeping faction of the wizarding world. Dumbledore alone simply cannot do everything.
It's not that reform is a bad thing.
Dumbledore is well aware of the wizarding world's shortcomings and that it urgently needs reform.
But reform of the wizarding world must not be premised on 'war with Muggles' and must not aim to 'enslave Muggles'.
That would only be a recipe for disaster!
Therefore... Grindelwald is not the right person to lead the wizarding world.
His ideas are too extreme.
In contrast, Andy is undoubtedly a more suitable candidate.
In Dumbledore's view, Andy possesses a magical talent that outshines others, as well as all kinds of whimsical ideas and the ability and drive to turn those whimsical ideas into reality.
The fusion of mind and magic has undoubtedly greatly raised the upper limit of wizards.
More importantly, Andy doesn't discriminate against Muggles and has no desire to enslave them.
Dumbledore believes that in today's wizarding world, only Andy has the ability to lead wizards through self-transformation and secure more living space for wizards.
But the problem is...
Although Andy doesn't discriminate against Muggles, he doesn't care for wizards!
And this is the main reason why Dumbledore wants to 'bring Andy to reality'.
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