Chapter 360 " A Big Lie"

After a moment of silence, Headmistress Lopez shattered the quiet of the principal's office with disbelief evident in her voice, "So, you're suggesting that I establish the Uagadou Board of Governors, and you'll be its chairman? Wentworth, are you joking?"

Wentworth remained composed as he responded, "Headmistress Lopez, do I seem like I'm joking?"

Observing his demeanor, Headmistress Lopez ventured cautiously, "Then, who do you propose to include in Uagadou's school board?"

With a calm demeanor, Wentworth gestured nonchalantly and stated, "Just me."

Headmistress Lopez shook her head vehemently in response, insisting, "That's impossible, Wentworth. Absolutely impossible."

Suddenly, Headmistress Lopez appeared to have an epiphany, her expression transforming into a wry smile. "Wentworth, I understand that the Dumbledore family is esteemed in Europe. However, this is Africa, and their reputation there holds no sway."

"Even if Albus Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard in the world, were to intervene, he currently serves as the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The International Confederation of Wizards wouldn't stand by and allow Dumbledore to take control of Uagadou School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, even if he were their president."

As Headmistress Lopez absorbed Wentworth's words, she shook her head in confusion, asking, "Just you? Wentworth, how do you expect to challenge the entire Coney tribe alone?"

Wentworth responded with a dismissive smile, reaching for his wand at his side. "If my own abilities aren't sufficient," he began, brandishing his wand, "then I'll enlist a little extra help."

With a deft motion, Wentworth swirled his wand in the air. Gradually, a mystical symbol materialized before them, radiating an eerie glow—it was the Deathly Hallows.

As the ominous light bathed Headmistress Lopez's features, she recoiled, visibly perturbed.

Stumbling backward, she sank into her chair, clearly unsettled by the presence of the legendary artifacts.

In the tense atmosphere, Headmistress Lopez rose to her feet once more, her gaze fixed on the hovering Deathly Hallows. Pointing accusingly at the mystical symbol, she demanded answers from Wentworth.

"Wentworth! What is the meaning of this?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with disbelief. With a swift motion, she drew her wand and aimed it squarely at Wentworth, her apprehension palpable.

Caught off guard by Headmistress Lopez's sudden aggression, Wentworth stood rooted to the spot, silently observing the principal's mounting agitation.

In response, Headmistress Lopez hesitated, her expression a mix of confusion and denial.

"No, it can't be true! It's inconceivable!" she protested, her voice laced with doubt. "As a direct descendant of the revered Dumbledore family, why would you align yourself with the Alliance? And even if you wish to, the very mention of your name would have you imprisoned in Nurmengard alongside Gellert Grindelwald himself! How could you possibly be present here, in Uagadou?"

Desperate for clarification, Headmistress Lopez pressed on, her doubts mounting with each passing moment. But Wentworth's response only served to deepen her unease.

"Who are you, Wentworth Dumbledore?!" she implored, her voice tinged with urgency.

In the face of Headmistress Lopez's skepticism, Wentworth offered a cryptic revelation, his words laden with significance.

"A name is but a label," he began, his tone measured and deliberate. "I could just as easily call myself Merlin, if I so desired."

Then, with a solemnity that belied his youth, Wentworth disclosed his true identity.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself—I am Wentworth Grindelwald, scion of the Grindelwald lineage, and heir to the legacy of the Alliance."

In response to Wentworth's revelation, Headmistress Lopez's grip on her wand wavered, her expression a mix of disbelief and incredulity.

"Wentworth Grindelwald? Are you claiming to be a member of the Grindelwald family?" she questioned, her voice tinged with skepticism. "But that's impossible! How could Albus Dumbledore, known for his integrity and opposition to the Alliance, allow the heir of such a notorious lineage to roam freely, let alone entrust him with matters of importance?"

Unbeknownst to Headmistress Lopez, even Wentworth himself was uncertain of Dumbledore's motivations.

Yet, during his time in Nurmengard, he had glimpsed a side to their relationship that contradicted the prevailing narrative of enmity between Dumbledore and the Alliance.

Contrary to popular belief, Wentworth had sensed a genuine affection from Dumbledore, one that transcended familial ties. It was this realization that prompted Wentworth to concoct a bold falsehood.

A sardonic smile graced Wentworth's lips as he spoke, his tone laced with contempt.

"Have you witnessed the legendary confrontation between my grandfather, Gellert Grindelwald, and Albus Dumbledore firsthand?" he inquired, his words dripping with disdain.

Caught off guard by Wentworth's question, Headmistress Lopez hesitated before shaking her head slowly, her expression clouded with uncertainty.

As Headmistress Lopez attempted to interject, Wentworth preemptively silenced her with a decisive gesture.

"Perception can be deceptive, and even witnessing may not guarantee the truth," Wentworth asserted confidently. "In reality, the victor of the legendary duel between my grandfather, Gellert Grindelwald, and Albus Dumbledore was none other than my grandfather himself."

Headmistress Lopez's throat tightened at Wentworth's proclamation, her expression reflecting a mixture of disbelief and apprehension.

However, before she could voice her doubts, Wentworth continued with unwavering resolve.

 

"It's inconceivable!" Headmistress Lopez protested, her brows furrowing in confusion. "If Gellert Grindelwald emerged victorious and Albus Dumbledore was defeated, then why is he imprisoned in Nurmengard while Dumbledore remains the esteemed headmaster of Hogwarts?"

In response to Headmistress Lopez's query, Wentworth maintained his composure, addressing her with a calm demeanor.

"Imprisoned in Nurmengard? Spare me the jest!" Wentworth retorted sharply. "Who could possibly incarcerate my grandfather? Consider this: who erected Nurmengard, and whose domain did it once belong to?"

"Nurmengard, constructed by Gellert Grindelwald, was once the stronghold of the Alliance," Headmistress Lopez murmured, her voice trailing off uncertainly.

Wentworth's countenance darkened as he continued, his tone heavy with conviction.

"Indeed," he affirmed grimly. "My grandfather intentionally assumed the guise of defeat, lurking in the shadows until the opportune moment. Every action he took was calculated to serve a grander purpose."

Wentworth's words hung heavily in the air, casting a pall of uncertainty over the room. Headmistress Lopez listened intently, her eyes widening with disbelief at the shocking revelation.

"The current Professor Dumbledore is nothing more than a puppet," Wentworth declared with a tone of bitter resignation. "The true Albus Dumbledore... even I am unaware of his current whereabouts. It's entirely possible... he's already deceased."

The weight of Wentworth's words settled heavily upon Headmistress Lopez, leaving her momentarily speechless.

The implications of such a revelation were staggering, challenging everything she had come to believe about the revered headmaster of Hogwarts.

As the gravity of the situation sank in, Headmistress Lopez felt a wave of apprehension wash over her.

If what Wentworth claimed was true, then the very foundations of the wizarding world were in jeopardy.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, filling her with a sense of foreboding unlike anything she had ever experienced before.