[72] The Price of Discovery

Time flew by. Meanwhile, George and Fred's first firecracker — the "Voldemort" firecracker — was completed.

The firecracker was shaped like a miniature Voldemort. Stomping on it caused colourful Voldemort figures to explode and transform into random, quirky patterns. Cute and fun, suitable for children and adults. The materials were cheap — mostly discarded lab items.

Hall sold the gadget through the Black family's tenants. He took a thirty percent cut. Twenty for 1 Knut. The remaining seventy percent was split between George and Fred.

After a few weeks, sales were excellent. The majority of consumers were housewives. Demand exceeded supply — George and Fred expanded production and recruited classmates. Fred wanted to expand to more locations, but Hall advised against it. Production was handled; materials were supplied by the Black and Malfoy shops. Sales went through Malfoy — the Black staff lacked suitable management talent.

Hall didn't want the twins to focus solely on this gadget. They needed to continue their research.

As for Hall himself — Sirius had taken on Dumbledore's mission, with an assistant. Hall guessed it was Lupin.

He spent nearly a month at Grimmauld Place, memorising the entire Black library. Setting down the last book, Hall opened his control panel.

"Long time no see."

[Ding]

[C-Rank Abilities: Quidditch Talent, Herbalism Talent {Self-taught}, Astronomy Talent {Self-taught}, History of Magic Talent {Self-taught}, Defence Against the Dark Arts Talent {Self-taught}, Transfiguration Talent {Self-taught}, Dark Magic Talent {Self-taught}, Alchemy Talent {Self-taught}, Ancient Rune Talent {Self-taught}, Divination Talent {Self-taught}]

[Available Galleons: 78,181 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

"Upgrade Alchemy Talent and Ancient Rune Talent to S-Rank."

Hall needed these at the highest level for the time array. Only then could he ensure absolute safety. He wasn't the one participating in the experiment — Sirius was. Hall had to keep his participant available.

Time passed, and a notification chimed in Hall's mind.

[Ding]

[Panel Update]

[S-Rank Abilities: Memory Palace (Upgradeable), Disguise Mage (Upgradeable), Alchemy Talent, Ancient Rune Talent]

[Available Galleons: 46,181 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

Hall calculated that upgrading Alchemy and Ancient Rune to SS-rank would require another two hundred thousand Galleons. His monthly bonus was coming soon, but he knew his current projects wouldn't be enough. He needed new income.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

He couldn't think of any good ideas — had he been reading too much? The holiday was only half over, and he'd barely stepped outside. This couldn't go on. He needed to clear his head.

Tomorrow, Knockturn Alley.

A month and a half earlier.

Dumbledore arrived at Nurmengard, carrying a letter. Apparition was forbidden on the mountain — only a verbal prohibition by the castle's owner, but obeyed by every visitor. By the time Dumbledore climbed from the foot to the castle, he was out of breath.

He wiped his brow. "I really am getting old."

He calmed his breathing and knocked three times. The door opened with a creak. A house-elf in tattered but clean robes stood in the doorway, carrying a candle lamp.

"Master, please come in," said Misty, the castle's only house-elf.

"Long time no see, Misty."

Dumbledore entered. The castle was pitch black inside — only the faint candlelight flickering in Misty's hand. The castle was vast, with many rooms and corridors. Misty led the way without a word, her face expressionless, yet impeccably polite — simply unlike a house-elf.

After countless turns and staircases, Misty led Dumbledore to a wooden door — the highest point in the castle. She turned, glanced at him, then left, taking the gentle friendliness from Dumbledore's face with her. His eyes became sharp.

He straightened his clothes and knocked.

"The door's unlocked."

A dry, hoarse voice — yet recognisable as an old friend.

Dumbledore pushed open the door. The man's face was covered in deep wrinkles, skin a dull grey like dried bark. Sunken eyes with dark circles — endless weariness and despair. His body was nearly bones, arms skeletal, fingers bent and stiff. White hair hung lifelessly over his shoulders.

Anyone who saw him would feel pity. Dumbledore felt nothing.

"I received this letter, Gellert."

The man read it. "I will handle this." A few minutes later: "You can leave."

Dumbledore sat on a stool with a missing leg. "Gellert, do you have children? Or any blood relatives?"

Grindelwald coughed violently. "What nonsense are you spouting? Grindelwald has no one left."

Dumbledore stared at him. Grindelwald's deathly pale face flushed with anger. "Are you insulting me, Albus?"

"I discovered a gift in a child." Dumbledore slowly revealed his purpose. "The ability to speak Parseltongue — outside the Slytherin line. In the wizarding world, only one family has shown such affinity for serpent speech."

Grindelwald's eyes widened — a glimmer of hope flickering and dying. "No, impossible. He can't be Grindelwald's descendant. I'm certain of that."

Dumbledore had actually guessed as much. If Hall were related to Grindelwald, Arthur and Molly wouldn't be so loyal. But even as a guess, he wouldn't dismiss the possibility.

"Now that I have my answer, I'll be going." Dumbledore rose.

Grindelwald watched him leave, then spoke faster. "I see your future —"

"Oh." Dumbledore's tone was indifferent.

"Don't you want to know?"

"No."

Grindelwald roared, "I saw you dead! Dead in Hogwarts — the place you so desperately wanted to protect!"

Finally, Dumbledore turned. He smiled for the first time since entering. "I see — that's wonderful."

Grindelwald searched his face, trying to discern truth from lie. Dumbledore's eyes gleamed, as if overjoyed. Grindelwald's heart sank.

Dumbledore smiled and left. He didn't hear Grindelwald's last words — low, almost muttered.

"I saw a variable. A variable that could change your fate. Perhaps — it could also change mine."

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