End of the Holidays
Due to the presence of students, Tver received even more gifts this year, nearly stuffing his wallet to bursting. The majority were Christmas chocolates of various flavors, some even surreptitiously mixed with love potions, which were promptly destroyed.
Books came next, as it seemed everyone believed he was fond of reading. This wasn't incorrect, but the books that were both useful and available in bookstores, Tver had already read. What he now lacked were those unknown and even unknowable books, so he only kept a few intriguing ones, leaving the rest at his teacher's place.
Nevertheless, this Christmas break felt more relaxing than previous ones. Previously, he only rested on Christmas Eve, but now, he had learned to enjoy these leisurely moments.
With Cynthia's meticulous care and the teacher taking the opportunity to discuss many matters—magic, old stories, and beguiling strategies among them—Tver wasn't the only one who relaxed, Grindelwald did too.
Spending over half a year in Muggle society seemed to have given the erstwhile Dark Lord a clearer view of his past experiences.
"Only by learning to enjoy life will you have the motivation to move forward," Grindelwald remarked pensively.
On the last day of the holiday, after breakfast with his teacher, Tver strolled through the University of Vienna. Since it was Christmas, there weren't many students around, mostly just a few elderly professors walking the campus.
"That one who just passed studies astrophysics, often carrying star charts I can't make heads or tails of. To be honest, I couldn't even tell those were star charts," Grindelwald noted, referring to an old man who walked hurriedly, lost in thought.
Modern star charts indeed differ significantly from what wizards discuss, or rather, they differ in complexity. Wizards study celestial phenomena only within our solar system, focusing on the objective laws governing these celestial bodies.
However, with the aid of various instruments, Muggles have long since transcended the solar system to probe the secrets of the universe!
Every time he moved through Muggle society, Tver marveled at the progress Muggles had made and clearly remembered what Muggle society would achieve in the next twenty years.
To wizards, that advancement was akin to a different kind of magic altogether.
"The overall pace of progress in the magical world is too slow, too inefficient. It won't be long before wizards realize that studying science might be more beneficial than magic, especially since the latter helps you survive in a broader world," Tver shook his head and sighed.
If given the choice, particularly in a world twenty years later, he would have little interest in becoming a wizard compared to integrating into Muggle society.
"That one studies philosophy," Grindelwald suddenly pointed towards a scholarly-looking elderly professor. "He once said something quite profound—'Progress moves in a spiraling ascent.'"
"So you don't need to rush. Take it slow, and prepare thoroughly before acting. You aren't short on time now, are you?"
Tver smiled faintly.
They had discussed the issue of curses the previous night, and his teacher was astounded to learn that Tver had encountered the will left by Helga at Hogwarts.
Of course, after the surprise, there was joy that his curse was weakening.
"So, I need your help."
"I'm just an old man who wants to rest," Grindelwald asked doubtfully, "what could I possibly help you with?"
"Surely you don't want our confrontation with Headmaster Dumbledore to be a fight to the death, do you?"
"…We'll see," the old man's expression darkened, and he gently shook his head.
Seeing this, Tver dared not say more.
Their emotional entanglements were theirs to resolve, not something a junior like him could meddle in.
"Then have you decided to stay here indefinitely?" he asked nonchalantly.
The teacher clearly intended to distract himself and recuperate, and as a student, he naturally supported this attitude.
However, the teacher always needed someone to look after him, and with Cynthia assigned new duties, she couldn't stay here indefinitely.
Sensing his student's concern, Grindelwald reassured him with a smile.
"Don't worry, I'm quite content living here by myself. Besides, my strength has largely recovered. Even if my identity is exposed, they can't do anything to me!"
He emphatically tapped his cane on the ground as if he could crush the prideful aurors from various countries who might try to harm him, easily trampling them underfoot!
Tver then realized the special nature of the cane, no wonder the teacher had declined his suggestion for a wand, having already prepared his own.
"This is the first time I've seen a wand integrated into a cane. Did you make this yourself?"
"This?" Grindelwald chuckled meaningfully, "I had this custom-made by Gregorovitch; we go way back. And for an old man like me, isn't using a cane quite normal?"
He subtly pulled at the top of the cane, hinting that there might be more to it.
Understanding dawned on Tver, and he laughed along.
This design achieves the element of surprise, especially with an elderly figure like the teacher suddenly pulling out a wand. Most would be caught off guard by such an act.
It seemed then, that the teacher's safety was not something Tver needed to worry about, marking the final resolution for the Christmas holiday.
They strolled until noon before heading back.
During these days spent together, their conversations had been plentiful.
Unexpectedly to Tver, the teacher's understanding of the four elements was not inferior to that of Headmaster Dumbledore. It even seemed as if he was competitively picking faults in Dumbledore's annotations and offering his own interpretations.
For Tver, the perspectives of both were highly valuable, a far cry from the solitary exploration he had anticipated. This was, undoubtedly, his biggest gain this Christmas.
Back at the house, Cynthia had already prepared a lavish lunch, which would be their last meal together in this residence.
"I just received a letter from the Department of International Magical Co-operation, and I can start working there within the week."
Cynthia eagerly showed the parchment she held, a letter from the British Ministry of Magic.
Tver nodded in approval; even with Cynthia's capabilities, securing the position so quickly was a testament to her efforts.
"In that case, I'll entrust you to stay there."
She would be working in a department responsible for communication between the British Ministry of Magic and international counterparts, which was crucial. It was also home to the UK branch of the International Confederation of Wizards.
And the International Confederation of Wizards was the body enforcing the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy!
After lunch, Tver bid farewell to Grindelwald with Cynthia, leaving the house they had stayed in for over a week. Cynthia was headed to the Ministry of Magic, while he would return to Hogwarts to continue his life as a professor.