"This is the infamous Dark Wizard, so why haven't you seen Voldemort's card?
That's because he's already a household name," Hermione explained slowly.
"Gellert Grindelwald, born around 1882, is considered one of the most powerful Dark Wizards in history. The title of Dark Lord was exclusive to him until Voldemort appeared," Hermione said slowly.
"There is also a theory that he was Voldemort's predecessor.
"His power swept across almost the entire continent of Europe, but never reached Britain. Or perhaps he was defeated by Dumbledore before his ambitions could reach that level.
"He was imprisoned in Nurmengard, a prison on par with Azkaban."
Hermione recited the information as if she had memorized it from a textbook.
Then her intelligent brown eyes suddenly turned toward Harry, making him extremely uncomfortable.
"You seemed to know nothing about him just now, so why did you suddenly ask?"
Hermione had a very keen sense of perception.
Harry was speechless. He couldn't quite explain that he had reconnected with Voldemort's senses.
Hermione quickly deduced what was happening, and her expression changed drastically.
"You've connected with Voldemort's mind again?" she asked anxiously, lowering her voice.
Harry nodded stiffly.
"Don't believe what you see. This could be a conspiracy by Voldemort," Hermione warned, frowning.
"Also, if Grindelwald escaped, why wasn't it reported? He should still be locked up in the highest levels of Nurmengard."
Hermione questioned this point, which was the biggest loophole.
Harry didn't reveal any more information or mention the word "duel," as he didn't know whom Voldemort was referring to as his opponent.
"If he really gets out of prison, he'll most likely join forces with Voldemort." Hermione slowly traced the needle and thread across the wooden table, lost in thought.
It had to be said that Hermione's ability to predict things was truly remarkable.
Perhaps Professor Trelawney had misjudged the situation.
Then, on Monday morning, while all the students were having breakfast in the Great Hall, at least a hundred owls flew in from outside.
They hovered throughout the Great Hall, searching for their recipients.
Because Christmas was approaching, many parents had sent their gifts in advance.
Hermione received a large package containing gifts prepared for her by the Grangers.
Her favorite set of encyclopedias.
Hagrid also sent her a gift: a quill made from the tail feather of some unknown animal.
It was incredibly smooth and eye-catching, and whenever she wrote with it, the feather emitted faint blue sparks.
It was extremely cool.
Most surprisingly, there was also a copy of The Daily Prophet.
"Do you all have them?" Hermione asked, noticing that Ron and Harry had also pulled newspapers from the bottom of their packages.
Hermione speculated that this might be some kind of promotional tactic.
To be honest, Hermione didn't like this newspaper very much. Rita Skeeter had previously distorted facts and fabricated many scandalous stories about her in its pages.
Out of habit, she subconsciously flipped open the newspaper.
A row of bold black letters immediately caught her eye.
"A Shocking Scandal Involving the German Ministry of Magic."
"The once most feared Dark Lord, Grindelwald, has successfully escaped from the top floor of Nurmengard, and this news is said to have been circulating for several months."
"In other words, he may have already regained his power."
"We have no way of knowing his whereabouts, and we condemn the German Ministry of Magic for its ostrich-like behavior of suppressing information and deceiving the public."
"Overstaffing and Shirking of Responsibility."
An anonymous Auror source said, "Grindelwald's power is far less than it was before. He's just an old geezer now. I hope everyone doesn't panic."
"But we do not believe this one-sided statement. There is every reason to suspect that this old man may stir up another bloodbath."
"What kind of disaster would You-Know-Who and Grindelwald bring to the Wizarding World if they joined forces?"
…
In short, the article provided a substantial and detailed account of Grindelwald.
Hermione's face turned ashen.
She wished she had simply lied.
This was not good news for anyone.
It made Harry's words even more credible.
Hermione immediately turned her gaze toward Harry.
After a brief exchange in whispers, she repeated,
"A duel?"
This time, Harry finally revealed everything he had heard.
"Who's dueling with whom?" Hermione murmured to herself, gently brushing her slightly curly brown hair aside as she fell into deep thought.
While everyone else was enjoying the Christmas atmosphere, she couldn't relax at all.
Night fell quickly.
With deliberate relaxation, Harry now dreamed almost every night of wandering through the corridors toward the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic, always ending up standing longingly in front of that black door.
The black door grew larger and larger.
He was running so fast that he almost crashed into it.
Just a few steps away, he saw that faint blue light again.
The door suddenly opened!
He finally entered—a round room with black walls and a black floor, candles burning with blue flames, and several other doors surrounding it—
He didn't wake up.
The scene twisted again, changing abruptly.
What came into view was an ugly woman sitting at an elegant desk, working diligently.
Dolores Umbridge.
Even though this was only the second time Harry had seen this woman, he was still deeply impressed by her.
The office was filled with vanilla-white cat figurines, a girlish decoration that clashed horribly with the unattractive woman.
"Oh, come quickly and help me think of what to do."
Umbridge's face lit up with surprise when she saw someone push open the door and enter.
She spoke lightly, then handed Voldemort a roll of parchment.
A sinister smile quickly spread across Voldemort's face, starkly contrasting with his refined, pale countenance.
He was pleasantly surprised.
What Umbridge was struggling with was exactly what Voldemort wanted to know.
The location of the duel.
This was Grindelwald's challenge, and also a challenge to Dumbledore.
"How about deciding on the Ministry of Magic?" Voldemort gave a reassuring smile.
When he met Umbridge, he was using the appearance he had possessed when he was young, before he had been disfigured by the Dark Arts. This kind of magic, similar to the disguise spells used by wizards, was not difficult for him.
His appearance, inherited from his father, inspired trust in people without them even realizing it.
A handsome face was enough to make people feel close to him.
This world was simply that cruel.
Umbridge never seemed to care how the man had gotten in.
"No, those two will tear this place apart." Umbridge's thick lips trembled.
"You should know that after you handle this matter well for Germany, your reputation will rise again, and no one will be your political enemy anymore.
That Rufus Scrimgeour, however, has not completely given up on your position."
Voldemort amplified the fear in Umbridge's heart.
"Okay, it's decided."
Umbridge's hands trembled, but her face was filled with an extremely joyful smile, as if she were already intoxicated by the fantasy of having completely seized power.
She took the quill and began writing on the parchment.
The torrents of fate had thus begun to converge, and few knew where they would lead.