Jane Yu was so anxious that she could hardly sit still. She couldn't help but voice her puzzlement once more.
"Whatever the case, I must thank you, Yu," Dumbledore replied, his response seemingly unrelated. "Thank you for caring about the emotions of an old man, one who is aged but still deeply sentimental. I am truly grateful for your support in many of my endeavors... In fact, many of the regrets in my life have been eased because of you."
The old man and the young woman locked eyes—one filled with gratitude, the other with confusion.
Although Jane Yu couldn't quite grasp why Dumbledore was speaking in riddles again...
Over the years, she'd developed an odd sense of familiarity with this—a peculiar "here we go again" feeling.
In truth, ever since the situation escalated into a brutal 1v2 battle that led to Azkaban's destruction and the escapes of both Voldemort and Grindelwald, Dumbledore had pieced together the events from the accounts of the LeMays.
"To be precise, we weren't kidnapped by Grindelwald," the elderly Nicolas corrected the common misconception. "We went with him voluntarily... Of course, this doesn't mean we were allies. We simply shared a common interest in advancing certain inventions for the wizarding world. Some of Yu's ideas deeply resonated with us."
"So the distress signal you sent me, asking me to go to Azkaban... was fake?" Dumbledore asked hesitantly.
"What Azkaban distress signal?" Perenelle asked, puzzled. "We were doing quite well. Grindelwald has a profound understanding of magical scripts, which greatly accelerated our experiments. We were all immersed in the ocean of progress—until Yu barged in, urging us to go to Azkaban to rescue you."
The couple tilted their heads, astonished, as they watched Dumbledore's every wrinkle radiate a sense of sudden realization.
"So that's how it is..." he murmured. "Perhaps he truly wanted to atone for something..."
Dumbledore lifted his head, gently pressing his eyes, and then asked:
"But I'm still curious—why would Grindelwald undergo such a drastic change? I heard he abducted some Muggles—those who were well-educated, apparently. What was it he wanted to take from them?"
"Ahem," Nicolas's aged face turned slightly red, veins bulging on his forehead as he argued, "Research can't be called theft... Can research be considered theft? What abduction of Muggles... It was clearly a matter of friendly communication and cultural exchange... How could that be considered abduction?"
He went on a rambling tirade, mentioning terms like "mobile communication" and "base stations," which left Dumbledore utterly baffled.
"So you did abduct some Muggles, didn't you?" Dumbledore ignored the incomprehensible jargon and sought to confirm the key point amidst the couple's argument.
"I said it wasn't abduction!" Nicolas exclaimed, waving his hand so vigorously that his little finger nearly fell off. "No one was harmed! We made proper arrangements, obtained the knowledge, and ensured they would forget anything related to wizards..."
Dumbledore stared at him in disbelief.
It was hard for him to accept that the morally exemplary couple had aligned themselves with Grindelwald, becoming unrecognizable.
"Because we see the future in Yu, Albus. I believe Grindelwald, with his keen perception, must have seen it too," Perenelle explained. "It's a future filled with information and knowledge, a vibrant era. The wizarding world needs progress... innovation by integrating Muggle technology with ancient magical traditions. We're working for the welfare of wizards."
Nicolas sighed, his gaze fixed on something far away:
"We're old, Albus. The future belongs to the young. Even though we have crystal balls, prophecies, and divination... I often feel that Yu can see much farther into the future than we can... I believe you feel the same, don't you?"
Dumbledore remained silent. He had already realized that this entire operation stemmed from Jane Yu's ability to glimpse parts of the future.
To achieve the future she envisioned, she had deliberately fabricated the distress message about the LeMays being tortured by Grindelwald, lured him to Azkaban to confront Voldemort, and sought the help of Grindelwald and the LeMays...
First, to prevent Voldemort's faction from growing stronger, and second... to give him and him a chance to meet, to stop avoiding each other.
He understood her painstaking efforts and was deeply moved by the emotional solace she provided him.
Dumbledore felt a surge of warmth fill his chest, swelling his heart...
It was a feeling he hadn't experienced since the deaths of his parents and sister.
"I have indeed sensed that she can see parts of the future... Though she doesn't say it, her actions speak volumes," he said slowly. "My only concern is the burden of prophecies—focusing too much on the intangible future might trap someone in it."
Thinking of Trelawney's prophecies, Dumbledore pressed his temples in mild frustration.
"But in any case, she has hinted to me not to avoid it anymore." His gaze gradually hardened with determination. "If he can repent for his dreadful actions and seek redemption, it would be cowardly of me to remain stagnant."
He looked out at the distant sun hanging high in the sky, as if making a firm decision:
"I will meet with him."
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