Chapter 77: The Exposed Culprit

"Sorry, I may have been too rude."

The short, chubby man straightened his body, bowed seriously to Grindelwald, who was sitting on the bed, and continued with a smile, "Allow me to introduce myself first..."

"No need."

Grindelwald remained calm with his eyes closed, not even sparing a glance at the man.

The Dark Lord calmly issued his eviction order, "Young man, I'm old and have no interest in getting to know an irrelevant person. Leave, there's nothing you want here."

"..."

The short, fat man's voice faltered.

This was the first time he had been thoroughly suppressed by someone's words.

Isn't the first Dark Lord being a bit too ungrateful now? Out of respect for his current identity, he was being courteous to Grindelwald.

Now...

Since Grindelwald wasn't being polite...

He wouldn't mind using other means.

The corners of the short, fat man's eyes twitched, a mocking smile appearing on his sharp lips, "Mr. Grindelwald, I know very well if this castle has what I want..."

As he said this, a gleam of light flashed at his fingertips, and he continued with a light laugh, "Of course, I also know very well what Mr. Grindelwald wants..."

"What do I want?"

Gellert Grindelwald looked at him with disdain, his gaze seemingly transcending everything. A mysterious smile played at his lips, "Hehehe... young man, I've had the most precious thing in this world!"

As Grindelwald said this, his hand slowly clenched and then relaxed, "Even the power and status that most people in this world consider precious are easily within my reach. Don't think you understand anyone in this world..."

"Do you want a photo of a young Dumbledore?"

The short, fat man smiled and watched Grindelwald's eyes tighten sharply. Clearly, this sentence immediately struck a nerve with Grindelwald!

Sure enough.

Some rumors aren't just rumors.

The short man watched Grindelwald, whose expression seemed calm, and his smile grew wider, regaining the initiative in this conversation, his smile becoming more obnoxious!

"Looks like I guessed wrong!"

The short man spread his arms, ignoring Grindelwald's expressions and actions, sighing helplessly, "I originally wanted to bring you a photo of a young Dumbledore as a Christmas Eve gift, but my subordinates didn't think it necessary, and it seems Mr. Grindelwald doesn't really want it either..."

"..."

Grindelwald's forehead twitched.

He could hear the sarcasm in the short man's words!

This short man who snuck into Nurmengard on Christmas Eve wasn't a simple character!

"Of course."

The short man looked at Grindelwald's expression, chuckling as he continued, "Maybe I should at least bring you a bouquet of roses from Godric's Hollow. Unfortunately, it's not the season for roses to bloom..."

"Stop saying meaningless nonsense."

Grindelwald showed a bit of temper, coldly interrupting him.

What's with this young man?

He kept talking about gifts he could accept but suddenly said he brought nothing. If he brought nothing, why say all this nonsense? This guy was obviously mocking him!

"Very sorry."

The short, fat man seemed to sense Grindelwald's meaning, bowing again with a smile, "Hehehe... I only bring my most sincere greetings to Mr. Grindelwald."

"What is your name?"

Grindelwald, his face cold, raised his head, deciding to take a good look at this unremarkable short, fat man. He wanted to remember this man's face and name!

"Peter, Peter Pettigrew."

The short, fat man finally became serious, continuing his introduction politely, "Once an ordinary student at Hogwarts' Gryffindor House..."

"A Gryffindor student?"

Grindelwald was very familiar with the Hogwarts houses, and his gaze became strange, "Young man, tell me, what's your relationship with Dumbledore?"

Having been out of touch with the outside world for years, Grindelwald didn't know Peter Pettigrew's story, nor would he care even if he had the chance to hear about him.

"Headmaster Dumbledore is the person I respect most."

Peter calmly said, then chuckled lowly, "But it seems our headmaster misunderstands me. He thinks I might be a Dark Wizard harming the wizarding world, even setting a trap for me in Godric's Hollow..."

"..."

Grindelwald's gaze immediately became subtle, concluding, "Then it seems Dumbledore clearly hasn't misjudged you."

This young man... really is something!

A Gryffindor student who could threaten the wizarding world?

And even powerful Dumbledore had to set a trap to catch him?

Grindelwald scrutinized Peter, trying to see what kind of danger this chubby man posed to the wizarding world...

Honestly, it was hard to tell.

Because this man named Peter looked rough, with no visible sign of strength, and his demeanor was like a rat hiding in a sewer...

However...

A Dark Wizard who could easily sneak into Nurmengard and had even made Dumbledore set traps to catch him couldn't be talentless or useless!

Yet this Peter Pettigrew...

Really seemed like a troublemaker who couldn't accomplish anything significant!

"Do you know?"

Gellert Grindelwald's gaze suddenly became firm.

"Know what?"

Peter Pettigrew still smiled, seemingly not understanding Grindelwald's meaning.

"Young man hiding his true face..."

Grindelwald stared directly at Peter, laughing lightly as he continued, "Young man, sixty years ago, I also liked becoming others. Instead of Polyjuice Potion, you should practice your Transfiguration seriously, as it spares you the worry of materials and others' deaths."

"..."

Peter's eyes slightly stiffened.

At this moment...

Should he say 'as expected of the first Dark Lord'?

He so easily saw through his disguise!

Even Severus Snape, who was very familiar with Peter Pettigrew, had never suspected, yet someone who had never seen Peter directly saw through the disguise!

Whether it was because of Grindelwald's experience with impersonation or his keen insight, it was impressive!

Most importantly...

Peter's identity couldn't be used easily now!

If Grindelwald could see through it, Dumbledore might too, and even Newt Scamander, who once exposed Grindelwald's disguise, might see through it!

Of course.

This needed to be tested.

Just as Peter Pettigrew was about to say something, Grindelwald interrupted, firmly stating, "No need to deny it, I trust my eyes, just as I knew at first glance that Dumbledore would become a wizard who would influence the world..."

Seeing Peter's fingers twitch, Grindelwald continued, "No need to be nervous, I don't care about your story. I have no interest in the wizarding world anymore..."

"Such a pity."

Peter slowly shook his head, sighing softly, "Mr. Grindelwald, did you forget something important while uncovering the world's truths?"

Peter raised his finger, his sharp nails pointing at Grindelwald, his voice growing eerily cold, "Sometimes, knowing too much isn't good... if you had just seen through but not exposed me, this naive young man might have been fooled."

Indeed.

It was very dangerous.

If Grindelwald hadn't exposed him and had hidden this to inform Dumbledore, he would have had to create a new Dark Lord to take the fall.

"Do you think there's a need to hide it?"

Grindelwald suddenly chuckled, leaning against the wall, continuing softly, "To me, you're just a passerby. Whatever you plan to do doesn't matter... as for the naive young man who even troubles Dumbledore..."

Honestly.

Grindelwald really didn't care.

And if this person disguised as Peter intended to threaten his life...

Grindelwald seemed suddenly interested, his gaze becoming sharp again!

This once powerful Dark Lord coldly said, "Young man, though I'm old, I won't be at someone's mercy... if you want my life, prove you have the power!"

"That's perfect."

As Peter Pettigrew spoke, his form and appearance changed, revealing a gray-haired boy, his youthful voice echoing in the tower room.

"This is exactly why I'm here."

The gray-haired boy extended his hand, adjusting his somewhat large clothes, and bowed to Grindelwald, "Let me introduce myself: Wilson Wright, a first-year student at Hogwarts' Hufflepuff House. Allow me to witness... the power of the first Dark Lord!"

(End of Chapter)

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