Chapter 174 "The Aftermatch of Gringotts Heist"

Upon hearing Dumbledore's explanation, Wentworth sensed a deeper connection between Dumbledore and his grandfather, though it held enigmatic undertones that eluded his understanding.

He only knew their past relationship that turned them from sworn brothers to sworn enemies, starting from their different ways of viewing the standing between the Wizards and the Muggles.

However, dwelling on these thoughts was a luxury he couldn't afford at the moment. Wentworth deemed it crucial to inform Rosier and the others from the Alliance about the news as quickly as possible.

Eyeing the note in Dumbledore's hand, Wentworth asked, "Professor Dumbledore, can you track down this person through the message on the note?"

Dumbledore wore a bitter smile as he returned the note to Wentworth before replying, "Wentworth, I'm a wizard, not a God. I'm afraid I cannot."

Acknowledging Dumbledore's words and glancing at the note in his possession, Wentworth pulled out a feather quill from his pocket and wrote once more, "I, Wentworth Grindelwald, heir to the Grindelwald family and leader of the Alliance, accept you into the Alliance for the greater good! If possible, I would like to meet you. You can write to me, and I'll be at Hogwarts, awaiting your letter."

After jotting down these words, Wentworth carefully placed the note back in its original spot and turned to Dumbledore, "Professor, I believe our business here is done. Let's return to Hogwarts." He stated as he walked slowly toward the exit.

As Wentworth penned the letter, he couldn't evade Dumbledore's observant gaze. Aware that his identity wasn't a secret to the Headmaster, Wentworth wrote the message with a certain unease.

The lingering silence between the two raised an awkward tension inside the room as Dumbledore kept his mouth sealed upon observing Wentworth's action. The lingering feeling inside Wentworth's heart won't be gone anytime soon, even though he knows that Dumbledore already knows everything about him.

When Wentworth proposed leaving, Dumbledore interjected with unexpected advice, "Wentworth, I suggest you to accumulate more wealth in the future. For now take some of them from your savings and stay vigilant for the situation around you. Another advice of mine would be that it's unwise to come back here in the future without my company. Keep those in mind as you plan your days ahead." Dumbledore stated with a melancholic look on his face.

Though taken aback by Dumbledore's counsel, Wentworth complied, adding a significant number of Galleons to the magically enhanced pockets using the Extension Charm. Together, they exited Gringotts' vault 714.

The Goblin Button, still patiently waiting outside the vault, "Finished your business inside, I see. Now, let us proceed to the exit." Button guided Wentworth and Dumbledore through the winding passages until they left the premises of Gringotts.

"Would the two of you fancy a lunch? It's on the house. Just think of it as a token of apology because of our negligence." Button offered while bowing his head once again.

Despite Button's offer for lunch, the two declined and left. "Thank you for the offer, but I believe we already spent enough time here," Wentworth remarked.

Dumbledore only waved his hand as a sign to decline the offer before they finally exited Gringotts.

Back at Hogwarts, Wentworth promptly set to work on a detailed letter, recounting the day's events and Dumbledore's cautionary advice. He warned Rosier and the others about the wizard who knew his identity, concealing himself behind Christine and their comrades.

As Wentworth diligently composed letters to Rosier and the others, Cassandra also engaged in her correspondence, directing her words to her father. Skipping pleasantries, her letter got straight to the point, "Father, I hope you can assist me in investigating these young wizards, especially their families—Draco Malfoy, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter..."

The names in Cassandra's letter were all the first-year students who seemed close or connected with Wentworth. If any of the results on their name go against Cassandra's standard, then she won't hesitate to push them away from Wentworth.

The news of the Gringott's theft quickly reverberated throughout the magical world, prompting numerous newspapers to cover the incident. However, amid the reports on the heist, another incident captured the public's attention.

The Daily Prophet was among the first to report, featuring photos that vividly depicted Dumbledore leading Wentworth into Gringotts, guided by a Goblin.

A group of Aurors, thwarted by Gringotts, trailed behind.

The Daily Prophet raised questions about Dumbledore's seemingly preferential treatment of the young wizard Wentworth, suggesting that the Headmaster was channeling a considerable portion of his attention towards this particular student. The article questioned whether this was fair to the other students at Hogwarts.

In response, The Quibbler took a stand, countering the accusations by asserting that Dumbledore, as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, possessed superior insights into the education of students compared to those who merely penned articles in newspapers.

Dumbledore's decision to personally mentor Wentworth could be interpreted in only one way—other professors at Hogwarts were deemed incapable of meeting Wentworth's educational needs.

This could be viewed as a positive development for the magical world, considering Dumbledore's advanced age. A wizard capable of leading against evil was deemed essential for the magical community.

The brewing conflict between the "Daily Prophet" and "The Quibbler" was renewed, sparking a fresh round of confrontations in their respective publications. Unbeknownst to the outside world, both articles were crafted by the infamous Rita Skeeter.

As the tension between the two newspapers escalated, drawing more attention from wizards, the sales of both "The Daily Prophet" and "The Quibbler" soared. Wentworth's name once again took center stage, becoming more widely recognized among wizards.

Observing Wentworth's prominence in the newspaper, Rufus frowned thoughtfully. Behind him, a whiteboard displayed the following:

"Assault on Dumbledore and Wentworth - Alliance Neutralizes Attackers.

Alliance's Assault on the Ministry of Magic – Cedric (A student from Hufflepuff) Suddenly Emerged."

In another office at the Ministry of Magic, Thomas glanced at the newspaper report with a sneer, setting it aside before delving back into a pile of documents.

Next to Thomas, a stack of files labeled "British Wizard Family (Top Secret)" was neatly organized.

A secret plan that Thomas has concocted in the dark is about to be executed. Only him and God knows what's the content of his plan. One thing for sure could be seen, it would affect the hierarchy of the British Wizarding World.

Despite the commotion in the outside world, Wentworth remained unaffected. The reappearance of his name in the newspaper didn't stir much reaction among Hogwarts students, except for the first-year students.

The more seasoned students were calm, offering a basic explanation of Wentworth's feats to the newcomers.

The impact of Wentworth's exploits, from conquering the stomachs of Hufflepuff Academy students on the first day to leading Hufflepuff in defeating Slytherin in a duel, making history as the youngest Quidditch Seeker in the Hogwarts house, and inviting Harry Potter, gradually became common knowledge.

Harry himself was only just discovering the true extent of the senior who rescued him from dire situations.

Amid the ongoing debate between "The Daily Prophet" and "The Quibbler," the disappearance of their Headmaster for several days went unnoticed by the Hogwarts students, their attention captivated by the media frenzy.