Harry's legs went weak, and he instinctively took a step backward.

Dumbledore raised a finger and gently flicked it. Two chairs slid into place behind the boys.

"Sit down first."

After Harry and Ron sat down, their hearts were still pounding wildly.

"Professor Dumbledore." Ron pressed his lips together, desperately suppressing the turmoil in his heart. "Don't you think you're exaggerating a little?"

"Mr. Weasley, you didn't live through that era.

"Grindelwald wasn't Voldemort. Besides his immense magical power, it was his ideology that truly earned him the loyalty of so many wizards."

"What ideology?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore paused for a moment before solemnly answering,

"For the Greater Good."

"After Grindelwald rose to power, his first step was to abolish the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy, allowing wizards to walk openly under the sunlight.

"You may have complained about why students aren't allowed to use magic during the holidays. If Grindelwald had succeeded back then, that wouldn't have been a problem for you."

"Many wizards agreed with his ideology and swore loyalty to him. Among them were even Aurors from the Ministry of Magic.

"But such a move would inevitably have led to a war between Muggles and wizards, so I had no choice but to find a way to stop him."

"And then you won and imprisoned him."

"Is that what it says on the Chocolate Frog card?"

Dumbledore gave a self-deprecating smile.

"The truth is, by that point, Grindelwald knew he couldn't win. Continuing the conflict would only lead to a civil war among wizards, something he absolutely didn't want to see.

"So he chose to imprison himself in Nurmengard in exchange for preventing the Saints from being implicated on a massive scale."

"For decades, Grindelwald seemed to accept his fate as well. If nothing unexpected happened, he would have spent the rest of his life in prison."

"Until he foresaw the existence of the Fool."

"That day, he broke through the wall of his prison. But he didn't escape. Instead, he used that crude method to notify me and make me come to him.

"Then... he told me about the prophecy that could determine the fate of the world."

"Harry, do you know what that means?"

Dumbledore stared directly into Harry's eyes.

Harry shook his head.

"I don't know, Professor."

"It means that once you become the Fool, you'll possess the power to change the world.

"Over the past few decades, Muggle technology has advanced far too quickly. Cars, airplanes, televisions, firearms, nuclear weapons... There are many things magic cannot accomplish that technology can.

"Grindelwald is a prophet—a prophet capable of seeing the future.

"Half a century ago, he was confident that he could win a war between wizards and Muggles. Even though the cost would have been unimaginably devastating, he believed it would be worth it.

"Later, he lost that confidence, because that was the final opportunity for wizards to maintain an advantage in a war."

"But the Fool gave him hope again. That's why Grindelwald is so desperate to find you. As long as he gains your help, his reforms will succeed."

Harry gave a self-mocking laugh.

"Even if that day comes, I don't necessarily have to help him."

"Not necessarily."

Dumbledore shook his head wearily.

"Grindelwald is extremely good at persuading people. His charisma has led countless people to willingly follow him.

"To be honest, if there were a way for wizards to walk freely under the sunlight without starting a war..."

Dumbledore hesitated.

"Even I would be tempted."

Gulp.

Harry involuntarily swallowed, feeling confused.

"Professor, Grindelwald doesn't know that Harry is the Fool yet, right?"

"Not at the moment. But he will eventually find out.

"And he is confident that he can persuade you—make you willingly join his side."

Harry remained silent for a long time before hesitantly asking,

"Professor Dumbledore, you also want to find the Fool. What is your attitude toward the Fool?"

"Protection and guidance."

Dumbledore answered frankly.

"I hope the Fool will grow into the kind of person I want him to become, rather than follow Tom's path, lose his way, and continue down the wrong road."

Then his tone suddenly changed.

"But later, I realized that he probably doesn't need that guidance, because he already is that kind of person."

"Kind, determined, brave, and willing to risk himself for his friends.

"Of course, it would be even better if he could break a few fewer school rules."

Harry smiled knowingly, feeling the weight on his shoulders lessen considerably.

He could feel that Dumbledore was being completely sincere with him.

There was no concealment.

No deception.

"Professor, do you have any advice for me?"

"I'm afraid I can't, Harry. What you intend to do in the future and how you choose to do it are your own decisions. I can't make those choices for you."

Dumbledore smiled meaningfully.

"The only thing I can do for you is help you grow safely until you have the ability to decide your own fate."

"As long as these old bones of mine are still standing, Hogwarts will remain the safest place in the magical world. Neither Voldemort nor Grindelwald will be able to do anything to you."

Harry nodded firmly.

"Professor, I have one more question.

"I've been studying at Hogwarts for two years. Aside from having some talent for Quidditch, there's nothing particularly outstanding about me.

"You know my grades too. There's no way I can compare with those true geniuses."

"I can't help wondering... will I really have the power to change the world in the future?"

He normally wouldn't be this depressed.

But after witnessing the power of Enzo and Tom Riddle, he simply couldn't muster much confidence in himself.

Now that's what real magic looks like.

Compared to those two, his duel with Malfoy at the Dueling Club could barely qualify as two amateurs flailing at each other.

"You should have more confidence in yourself."

Dumbledore patiently encouraged him.

"Albus Dumbledore couldn't thwart a Dark Lord's schemes when he was a first-year student. Nor did he receive the Sword of Gryffindor's recognition or possess the strength to defeat a basilisk when he was in his second year."

"Besides, talent has never been something that can be completely displayed on paper.

"I once had a student named Newt Scamander..."

"Do you mean the guy who wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?"

Ron asked with interest.

"Yes, exactly him. Newt's love for magical creatures is engraved into his very bones.

"During his time at school, his performance wasn't much better than yours. In fact, he was even expelled from school for certain reasons."

"But later, he repeatedly thwarted Grindelwald's plans, became a world-renowned Magizoologist, and even received the title of Second Class of the Order of Merlin."

"More importantly, you have many like-minded friends.

"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger—they will be your most loyal companions on the road ahead."

"Believe me, Harry. Even without that prophecy, your future would never be ordinary."

"Thank you, sir."

Harry expressed his gratitude sincerely.

After drinking down this bowl of encouragement, he felt warm all over, and the depression weighing on his heart was completely swept away.

"Any other questions? If not, go back and get some proper rest. Don't miss the feast.

"I also need to write a letter to Azkaban. It seems our gamekeeper should be coming back."

"Professor, I have a question."

Ron raised his hand.

"Do you know who Jerry Tomasi is? He's a Ravenclaw.

"He also found Tom Riddle's diary, but he wasn't deceived by it. Instead, he completely outsmarted Riddle and played him for a fool."

"I'm afraid I can't satisfy your curiosity, Mr. Weasley.

"As far as I know, there is no one named Jerry Tomasi at Hogwarts. There is no doubt that it is a false name."