Chapter 12: A Vision

Chapter 12: A Vision

Hogwarts

Hogwarts hummed with renewed energy as Dumbledore returned. His prolonged absence had sparked speculation and worry among the ancient wizarding families, his influence casting long shadows across Britain's magical community. The whispers had only grown louder with his return.

Due to Dumbledore being the strongest wizard in the entire Britain his action and movement played huge political impacts on the wizarding community of Britain and the rest of the world. When the people tried to figure out what was Dumbledore up to, they only found that he has visited Paris, to meet one of the oldest most renowned alchemists, Nicolas Flamel. Since, they knew that Dumbledore and Flamel were old acquaintance everybody left the investigation since it is of no use now. But some members of the wizarding community of Britain still kept investigating since they were aware that Dumbledore had left Hogwarts prior to one week he had been sited at Paris, so they kept their ears open to any news about it.

In his office, Dumbledore sat, weary but resolute. The room, filled with trinkets and artifacts, seemed to reflect his own complexity. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. "It turned out to be a long chat," he mused aloud.

...

[Few Months Ago]

Nurmengard Castle

Dumbledore and Grindelwald sat face to face in the highest floor of the Nurmangard Castle, both sipped tea and Dumbledore proceeded with the inquiry of why Grindelwald, who had been shut in for last couple of decades has decided to become active. "So, decided on how you are going to explain yourself?" Dumbledore asked as he kept the cup full of tea back at the table

"You've become quite impatient, my friend," Grindelwald replied with a thin smile, taking another deliberate sip.

"You are a prisoner of the wizarding community. You should know better than I why I'm impatient," Dumbledore said, his annoyance rare but palpable.

Grindelwald's smile widened. "Since you're so eager, let me show you." He stood, retrieving a skull-shaped artifact joined to a pipe. Dumbledore's eyes narrowed, recognizing it instantly.

"I have seen quite a few futures ever since you defeated me," Grindelwald began. "Each ends with my death at the hands of a new dark lord, Voldemort."

Dumbledore's eyes widened. "Voldemort kills you? Why?"

"The Elder Wand," Grindelwald stated simply, watching as realization dawned on Dumbledore's face.

"I see," Dumbledore said, the pieces falling into place.

"I stopped looking into the future, but as you know, curiosity never dies," Grindelwald continued. "Three years ago, I saw a future." He inhaled deeply through the pipe, releasing a thick cloud of smoke that enveloped the room.

The smoke formed a dome, displaying a vision. Dumbledore watched, captivated, as a prosperous city filled with wizards and witches unfolded before him. Majestic buildings and magical vehicles filled the scene. But then, the vision shifted. Muggle planes dropped explosives, wreaking havoc. War erupted.

"What happened?" Dumbledore asked, his voice strained.

Grindelwald dispelled the smoke with a wave. "I've seen both prosperous and disastrous futures. Some show a magical utopia, others a world where Muggles wage war on us."

Dumbledore wrestled with his thoughts, torn between distrust and the pressing need to prevent disaster. "I want your memories," he demanded after a pause.

"I can accept that," Grindelwald said, knowing well that Dumbledore won't easily believe him.

"I will extract them myself, under Veritaserum," Dumbledore added, firm.

Grindelwald's eyes widened in anger. "I can't trust you, not anymore," Dumbledore finished.

Both of them argued. Grindelwald was angry as he saw it as disrespectful but Dumbledore didn't yield his demand, at last Grindelwald agreed but with his own set of conditions and Dumbledore had no choice but to accept it.

It took Dumbledore and Grindelwald a week to reach an agreement between both of them. Then they decided to visit Nicolas Flamel, to help them make a better judgement of the visions of future.

….

Paris, France

Nicolas Flamel reclined in his chair, his age and immortality evident in his frail frame. His peaceful rest was interrupted by unexpected visitors. Dumbledore and Grindelwald, old foes, now allies in necessity.

"Why are you here, Albus? And why bring him?" Flamel's voice quivered with restrained anger.

"Grindelwald had a vision. We need to confirm it," Dumbledore explained.

"Why does it even matter?" said Flamel

"It concerns the safety of the entire magical world," Grindelwald interjected. "I don't want to be here anymore than you want me here."

"Tell me everything," Flamel demanded.

Dumbledore sighed, breaking the tension. "We want to see if there's a war coming between Muggles and the wizarding community."

Flamel, understanding the gravity, approached a transparent sphere among his many artifacts. He placed his hand on it, channeling his magic. The sphere showed a scene similar to Grindelwald's vision: a prosperous world followed by apocalyptic chaos.

"This, Albus..." Flamel began but paused as the scene shifted to the chaos of war, Muggle planes bombing Hogwarts and other magical sites, wizards dying.

"This is what worries us. Why did this war start? Who started it?" Dumbledore asked, his tone grave.

Flamel cast a spell, the sphere shifting scenes. Finally, they saw Voldemort, furious and destructive, attacking both magical and Muggle communities. In the final vision, Voldemort fought a figure with piercing blue eyes.

"You leaving him alive till now is going to cost everyone, Albus," Grindelwald mocked. "Your ways will lead to the destruction of everything."

"That was the Dark Lord from Britain, wasn't it, Albus?" Flamel asked.

"Yes," Dumbledore confirmed, ignoring Grindelwald. "But who was the other fighting him?"

"It will take time to deduce. The future is fickle, full of possibilities," Flamel said. "I'll need to look more carefully."

Over the next months, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Flamel delved into their research, piecing together fragments of the future. They concluded that the war hinged on the conflict between Voldemort and the mysterious blue-eyed figure.

…..

[Present]

Back in his office, Dumbledore sighed, as he thought about all that had happened in these few months, 'To find someone, just based on their eyes and to let him decided future of the entire magical world.'

The door to the Headmaster's office opened, and Professors McGonagall and Snape entered.

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