Upon hearing Wentworth's reply, Tom Riddle was momentarily speechless. It was a long while before he finally spoke, his expression tinged with curiosity and disbelief:
"I'm curious—who exactly are you? You seem to have known of my existence long before this... and that shouldn't be possible!"
Wentworth responded with a mock look of sudden realization.
"Oh! My apologies. Please forgive my poor manners. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Wentworth Grindelwald."
Tom Riddle muttered Wentworth's name to himself. After a moment, his expression froze in place, clearly shaken.
"Grindelwald? Are you a descendant of Gellert Grindelwald?"
Wentworth shook his head gently and answered calmly:
"Not quite. My grandfather was his younger brother."
Upon hearing this, Riddle's expression shifted into understanding, though it quickly morphed into shock. He stared at Wentworth, clearly stunned.
"I never would have imagined Dumbledore would allow an heir of the Grindelwald family into Hogwarts!"
But then Riddle's eyes began to gleam with interest as he spoke:
"In that case, you and I—we're destined to be allies!"
Wentworth quickly raised a hand to cut him off, speaking firmly:
"Hold it right there. You and I are no such thing. My grandfather said, in his own words, that he never hated Muggles. Muggles aren't worthless—they're useful, in their own way. You and I are not on the same side. In fact, we might even be... rivals. Wouldn't you say?"
Riddle hurried to explain:
"If you're willing to help bring me back, I'll gladly join forces with your Alliance. Together, the world would be ours! Don't worry—I only want Britain. The rest can go to your Alliance. You'd be the ruler of the entire wizarding world!"
Whatever Riddle was truly thinking, his words rang with conviction and a dangerously persuasive charisma.
Unfortunately for him, he was speaking to Wentworth.
Wentworth blinked in surprise, then burst into unrestrained laughter. His laughter echoed across the room, loud and wild.
By the end of it, he was nearly doubled over, clutching his sides in mirth.
Annoyed, Riddle scowled and snapped:
"Is something I said amusing to you?"
Still holding the edge of the table to steady himself, Wentworth slowly stood upright and pointed at the young Tom Riddle.
"You... you're trying to draw lines for me?"
Riddle, irritated by the laughter, replied with a dark glare:
"And what if I am?"
Wentworth's laughter gradually faded. Straightening his back, he looked at Riddle with a cold smile.
"Tom Riddle, do you know what happens when someone crosses a line that's been drawn?"
Riddle frowned, clearly confused, and slowly shook his head.
Wentworth wasn't surprised. Smiling faintly, he extended a finger and said:
"It's simple. First possibility—the one who crosses the line is eliminated. Second possibility—the line itself disappears."
"And guess which one the Alliance tends to go with?"
Riddle remained silent, staring intently at Wentworth.
Wentworth didn't wait for a reply. He extended a third finger and pronounced each word clearly:
"The Alliance usually opts for the third outcome—we get rid of the one who drew the line."
Riddle's face twisted with fury. Pointing an accusatory finger, he shouted:
"Wentworth Grindelwald, don't be so full of yourself! You're standing before the most powerful Dark wizard in history!"
But Wentworth just shrugged dismissively, looking completely unimpressed.
"The most powerful Dark wizard in history? You're the wizard whose body was destroyed by a baby. That's your legacy? This is it?"
Riddle was left speechless. Though he was merely a memory, even his chest seemed to rise and fall with rage.
Wentworth, unfazed, continued:
"Enough, Tom Riddle. Your time has passed. You should just fade away peacefully."
As he spoke, Wentworth didn't wait for another word. He drew his wand and aimed it directly at the diary before him.
"Sectumsempra!"
But despite the flash of magic, the diary didn't move a single inch.
Wentworth frowned and tried again.
"Reducto!"
"Diffindo!"
Watching the scene unfold, Riddle sneered from the side.
"Don't waste your strength. Did you really think a Horcrux I crafted could be destroyed so easily? Or is it that you simply lack the power to destroy it?"
Wentworth scowled, clearly irritated.
"Keep talking and I'll hand you over to Albus Dumbledore. I'm sure the Headmaster would love to have another heart-to-heart with Hogwarts' former golden boy."
Riddle paused, visibly startled. Then, with disbelief:
"So… you don't plan to turn me in to Dumbledore? I assumed you'd go straight to him for help!"
Wentworth gave a derisive snort and said:
"Tom Riddle, let me teach you an old saying from the distant East—'Raise a bandit to gain weight.' As long as Dumbledore hasn't confirmed that all your Horcruxes are gone, there's always a chance you could return."
"And that makes me the safest man alive—because our dear Headmaster hasn't abandoned the idea of using me and my Alliance to fight you and your Death Eaters."
Riddle quickly interjected:
"And you're just going to let Dumbledore use you like that?"
Wentworth spread his hands and replied coolly:
"Why not? Aren't I using his expectations to quietly and securely complete my education at Hogwarts?"
Riddle, eager to bargain, pressed on:
"I can teach you anything you want to learn! I'm still one of the most powerful wizards in history!"
Wentworth gave a cold chuckle.
"The Alliance already has its share of powerful wizards. What I need are good teachers, not powerful egos."
"And one more thing—I've always doubted just how powerful you really are."
---
TL/N: Ahhh... So it was Wenthworth's grandfather and not his father who was Gellert's brother. I thought it was the latter and got confused when he called Gellert 'grandfather'. It might be my bad memory leading to my confusion.
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