"Ah, my apologies." Dumbledore dabbed at the corner of his eye, feigning composure as he said: "Recalling the past always stirs one's emotions... Those were difficult times for us."
Vid nodded silently and did not look at the other's expression.
The phantom figures vanished with a touch of illusion. When they reappeared, Ariana had already fallen to the ground, her face pale, the sparkle in her eyes gone.
Abeforth immediately rushed to his sister, and the young Dumbledore was utterly stunned, his face blank.
Grindelwald stepped back two paces, looking flustered. He glanced at Dumbledore, seemingly wanting to say something. But before Dumbledore could look at him, he turned and fled in panic.
A diamond-shaped pendant flashed across the scene, the gem-like center gleaming with brilliant scarlet light.
The scene changed rapidly, the image of a funeral flickered past, Vid saw Abeforth angrily break Dumbledore's nose, with Dumbledore standing up clutching his bloodied nose without retaliation.
Then, the once spirited young man became silent and sorrowful, all his dreams came to an abrupt halt, his ambitions turned into nothing.
Dumbledore returned to school and began teaching, students came and went around him like a long, unreal dream.
Then, there was Grindelwald again.
He became tall and strong, and the wand in his hand was replaced with the one known as the undefeatable Elder Wand.
He walked in different countries, speaking from high stages.
The previous fear and panic had completely disappeared from his face, his expression sometimes severe and calm, sometimes fervent yet sincere, eyes exuding a strong power that attracted followers.
The followers behind him grew more numerous, sharp-eyed, fervent, and loyal.
Unlike those Death Eaters who knelt on the ground to kiss Voldemort's shoes.
Grindelwald and his Witch Pure Party continually launched horror attacks—elderly people, pregnant women, infants... anyone who impended their path was ruthlessly eliminated.
They never hesitated to destroy streets and burn buildings, without regard for innocent lives being affected.
Among the Witch Pure Party, there were some who still retained a shred of conscience, feeling pained and reluctant over this, but Grindelwald placed a hand on those young people's shoulders and solemnly told them—
"The limited sacrifice now is for the future of the whole Wizarding World; it's an unavoidable tragedy on the road ahead, believe me, child, I feel deeply pained by this too."
"If victory could be achieved through persuasion alone, we wouldn't need war!"
"The masses are blindly stupid, the Ministry of Magic bloated and incompetent, unwilling to acknowledge that the world is one where the strong devour the weak! Wizards must live with dignity, spoken through blood and fire!"
"Children, although those people have lost their lives, we must carry the will of the dead forward, continuing to struggle, which is much harder than directly dying."
"For those... parents and children watching us from behind, for those whose lives we must take, we must bear the infamy and misunderstanding, burning everything for the Wizarding World's future."
"I firmly believe, we can lead Wizards to rise, break the Confidentiality Law, forcing Muggles to admit we are the superior race. I will devote my life to this endeavor, until all our companions can live without fear!"
"Stand tall, children, you have not committed a crime, just exchanged 'the few' for 'the many', 'now' for 'the future'!"
"Even if our pain is understood by none, our sacrifice known by no one, we will exchange hope for more to live calmly! History will prove we are correct!"
"If you do not understand, then there is no need to think, I will think for you, and bear the sins for you. You just need to do one thing—"
"Follow me!"
Black tides ignited fires of war across one nation after another.
Wizards wearing unique insignias on their garments, faces steadfast, will unyielding. They carry with them noble sense of mission, leaving behind fields of corpses.
They ignore the fear and cries of the people, but Dumbledore cannot disregard them.
Eventually he decided to step forward. But since he and Grindelwald made a "never harm each other" Blood Alliance, Dumbledore could only entrust important tasks to Newt Scamander.
The following story, Vid had read in history books and seen in films.
He, with Dumbledore, witnessed Grindelwald attempt to seize greater power, wield unmatched force time and time again, only to be thwarted by Dumbledore and Scamander.
Finally, as the Muggle world's war was about to end, Grindelwald's Witch Pure Party also approached its demise. He agreed to a decisive battle with Dumbledore, resulting in a devastating defeat.
Dumbledore obtained the Elder Wand, while Grindelwald was imprisoned in Nimongard's highest cell.
Time swiftly flowed by, in no time, the illusory Dumbledore became the Vid familiar one.
With long white hair and beard, sitting in an armchair, eyes showing wisdom and composure tempered by the years.
A man in a dark green uniform stood before him, face gaunt, his short hair meticulously combed.
"...He regrets his past actions." The man said: "He wants to see you, hopes to apologize to you in person."