As Christmas approached, Andy made two preparations.
First, Andy wrote a letter to his family, telling them he would stay at school for this winter holiday.
Second, Andy informed the school that he would go home for the holidays.
Well...
Excellent, nothing could go wrong, right?
***
'Half of the semester has already passed...'
In the library, Andy rested his chin in one hand while absentmindedly leafing through the pages of a book with the other.
It's almost holiday time, who still has the mood to read?
At the moment, there are only Andy and Hermione in the library.
Everyone else has gone to enjoy themselves.
Hermione asked across the table, without looking up from her book, "Will you meet Professor Dumbledore when you go to Europe?"
"I guess so..." Andy was not sure.
Dumbledore had not been seen for months.
The situation in Europe was not looking good.
Malfoy Sr. wrote that Dumbledore and Grindelwald had apparently fought a private duel, but the details and outcome of the duel were not made public, and only a few people knew about it.
In addition, the various countries' wanted notices for Grindelwald seem to have basically no effect.
The wanted notices are still up, but no one is trying to arrest him.
Grindelwald has even held several public gatherings, and Malfoy Sr. attended one. According to Draco Malfoy, his father has become a big fan of Grindelwald. He informed Andy of the conversation he had with his father weekly to show his loyalty.
Even about how his father is now willing to support Grindelwald's cause by donating gold galleons!
All in all, it can be said that Grindelwald is really good at fooling people.
"I wonder how Professor Dumbledore is doing."
Hermione said with some concern. "I read in the newspaper that the situation over there isn't favourable. Grindelwald is different from Voldemort. He wants to gain power through legitimate means."
"The professor probably isn't very good at dealing through official channels."
In Hermione's opinion, although Dumbledore is the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, his position is nothing more than a figurehead and is of no use at all.
"Hmm..."
Andy pondered for a moment before saying, "If the situation permits, I'll go visit him."
"He's already an old man, yet he is still worrying about the stability of the wizarding world. When you think about it, he's quite miserable."
"He should retire!"
Hermione glared at Andy in response.
"Do you think when Professor Dumbledore retires, he'll let you be headmaster?"
After a pause, Hermione shook her head. "But... Professor Dumbledore is already over a hundred years old, isn't he? Oh, I can't help but feel sorry for him."
"In the Muggle world, he should have retired long ago."
"Right?"
Andy said confidently, "If Professor Dumbledore doesn't retire, Professor McGonagall will always be the Deputy Headmistress. That's not fair to Professor McGonagall."
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Anything else you want to tell me?" Andy asked.
"Um…"
Hermione pondered for a moment, then looked up at Andy and whispered, "Be careful!"
"Of course." Andy patted his chest.
***
The night passed.
The next day, Hogwarts officially announced the start of the winter holidays.
After handing his Two-Way Mirror to Hermione and saying goodbye, Andy took the train to King's Cross Station and then used the Portkey to arrive at a beach.
The beach was deserted, with only a run-down wooden boat and a swimming ring on the sand.
"… Can't you use something else?"
Andy muttered, then sighed and walked over resignedly and put the swimming ring around his neck.
The next moment, Andy felt a hook attach to his belly button, and then his feet left the ground spontaneously. The scenery in front of him seemed to be whizzing past like the wind.
When everything calmed down, Andy had appeared at another beach.
Throwing the swimming ring on the sand, Andy looked around.
Not far away, a man was standing.
"Malfoy?" Andy raised an eyebrow.
Lucius Malfoy also noticed Andy at this point and walked quickly up to him. He said in a reserved but respectful tone, "Mr Collins, you have finally arrived."
"Why are you here?" Andy asked.
This Portkey that looked exactly like a swimming ring was naturally arranged by Grindelwald.
He had invited Andy to come to Germany, so naturally he had to arrange for Andy's accommodation. However, to Andy's surprise, the person who received him here turned out to be Lucius Malfoy.
Had he joined Grindelwald?
"Knowing you send me to gather information. Mr Grindelwald asked me to receive you."
Lucius Malfoy said in a subdued voice. "He has arranged a place for you to stay, but something unexpected happened, which needed his attention, causing him to be unable to receive you personally. He asked me to apologise for this and said he would come to see you tonight."
Andy's eyebrows raised.
After a moment's thought, Andy nodded and said, "Let's go then."
"Please hold on to me," said Malfoy Sr, extending his arm.
Andy placed his hand on his shoulder instead.
The next moment, Andy and Malfoy Sr. arrived on the doorstep of a three-storey villa.
"This is the place."
Malfoy Sr. said with a restrained smile before knocking on the door.
After a while, the door was opened from the inside.
It was opened by a woman in her forties; her eyes seemed a little dull, as if she were under the control of a poorly cast Imperius Curse.
Malfoy made a 'please' gesture and then explained without being asked, "You will need a servant to take care of meals."
Andy didn't care about such things and followed Malfoy into the house. He looked around a few times, then sat on the sofa and asked, "Whose house is this?"
"This is Mr Grindelwald's house."
Malfoy seemed to know what Andy meant and explained, "The nanny is also hired, and she will be paid handsomely every month."
"But after all, we are wizards, and there are some secrets that we cannot let Muggles know."
Andy nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Grindelwald, a convicted prison escapee, had the money to buy a Muggle villa. Needless to say, the money must have come from an illegal source.
For unprincipled dark wizards, Muggle money is easy to make; just a few Imperius Curses, and you're a rich man.
Grindelwald may have already taken control of many wealthy people.
Without asking any more questions, Andy changed the subject, "What's the situation here? I read in the Daily Prophet that Grindelwald can even go in and out of the Ministry of Magic openly?"
"Yes!"
When it came to this, Lucius Malfoy brightened up immediately. "Our biggest problem right now is Dumbledore. If it weren't for him, the Ministry of Magic would have already revoked Mr Grindelwald's wanted notice."
"According to our current forces, as long as Mr Grindelwald's wanted notice is revoked, he can smoothly become the Minister of Magic."
"Now it's just one step away."
"The most troublesome obstacle is Dumbledore."
"However, the situation has improved considerably. Many people support Mr Grindelwald, and various countries' Ministries of Magic are also observing the situation. The Aurors will not take action until a final decision is made."
Andy: "..."
Why the fuck are you using that 'we' and 'our' shit?
And…how did that old fart Grindelwald pull it off?
Did his Talk-No-Jutsu reach the level of Naruto while he was in prison?
----
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