Chapter 356: The Grand Show

John and Hermione were being lovey-dovey in the Screaming Shack all afternoon.

Only when they returned to the castle did they, under the teasing gazes of everyone, head together to dinner.

Though getting engaged before graduation sounds impressive, it actually has no effect on them.

Even without that bond, they'd still be lovey-dovey and still be flaunting their affection.

It's just that they're now more unabashed and have a better excuse.

After dinner, John still wanted to go to the library with Hermione.

But he was stopped by Professor Snape.

"The headmaster wants to see you," Professor Snape said flatly, then led the way toward the headmaster's office.

After the Gringotts incident, a month passed, and Dumbledore summoned John for the first time.

Is Dumbledore finally going to take action?

Or has Voldemort made a new move?

John found it odd, but he still turned to Hermione, winked, mouthed "I'll be back," and hurried after her.

The two arrived at the headmaster's office, one after the other.

Dumbledore was already sitting behind his desk, waiting for them.

"Come in, have a seat."

Dumbledore waved his hand, and two chairs appeared.

John had just sat down when Dumbledore began to speak.

"Severus, has Voldemort made any recent moves?"

"None," Professor Snape said expressionlessly.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than he rolled up his right sleeve.

The Dark Mark on his inner forearm kept twitching.

"It's just that the Dark Lord has been unusually irritable lately; the Dark Mark on his arm hasn't settled for the past month."

"Of course, this is also urging me to act quickly."

Saying that, he looked at John.

This so-called "action" naturally refers to the assignment to assassinate John.

Dumbledore nodded and spoke again.

"Actually, during this time I occasionally visited the Gaunt family's old house and the seaside cave where Voldemort hid a Horcrux."

"At first, those places showed no change."

"But when I went back a few days ago, those places had clearly changed—likely Voldemort had been there."

"Obviously, after we destroyed two of his Horcruxes right in front of him, he began checking the locations of his other hiding spots."

"In other words, he probably knows he doesn't have many Horcruxes left."

Hearing this, John tilted his head and asked, "Will Voldemort keep making new Horcruxes?"

"Hard to say," Dumbledore shook his head.

"Seven is the number he believes in, and his soul is probably too weakened to support making more Horcruxes."

"But nothing is absolute; he might break his self‑imposed limit in extreme circumstances."

Having said that, Dumbledore turned to Snape and said.

"So I think we should also start taking action."

"What do you have in mind?"

Snape furrowed his brows and asked oddly.

Dumbledore rose slowly and walked to the window.

"We need to put on a grand show for Voldemort."

"Lord Grindelwald, how did you come here?"

In a deserted corridor of Hogwarts.

Draco stared in surprise at the old man before him.

"I've come to catch up with an old friend."

Grindelwald stood with his hands behind his back at the corridor's edge, gazing at the moon overhead.

"By the way, let's see how your evaluation is coming along."

Hearing the word "evaluation," Draco froze, then lowered his head.

"Sorry, my lord, I haven't yet challenged Potter and Meilik..."

"Hmph, I knew as much."

Grindelwald let out a faint cold snort, but did not lash out.

"This evaluation is, as previously stated, the condition Grindelwald set for nurturing him: as his representative among the younger generation, he must defeat Harry and John, who represent Dumbledore."

"I command you, within this month, to defeat one of them in front of everyone and humiliate them."

"At the same time, you must spread my name so that the entire wizarding world hears again the name that once made Europe tremble—Gellert Grindelwald."

"Tell the world who pulled you from the abyss and who trained you to become a young wizard capable of defeating Harry Potter and John Merick."

"Let the world know that Gellert Grindelwald has returned."

"You are merely the first step of my revenge."

Hearing this long string of orders, Draco was somewhat taken aback.

In the end, he only grasped a few key points: humiliation and revenge.

Then he asked, looking utterly bewildered.

Aren't we and them in the same group?

Grindelwald gave a strange raised eyebrow: "Yeah, we're definitely on the same side."

"Then... why...?" Draco spoke somewhat hesitantly, not knowing how to describe this task.

It seemed he finally saw Draco's confusion, and Grindelwald shook his head and laughed.

"Don't worry, this is just a good show."

"Performed for Voldemort to watch."

"Not letting you truly break off with your newly made friends."

Upon hearing this, Draco fell into another silence, then tried to express what he understood.

"You mean I should spread your name throughout the whole school and shape it into a villain's image?"

"Exactly." Grindelwald nodded with a look of being teachable.

Upon hearing that, Draco finally let out a breath of relief.

Just don't defect again.

During this time, he barely managed to regain his dignity, finding long-lost respect and trust in Harry and John.

He really didn't want to go back into that abyss of despair again.

After all that fuss, it's just to put on a show.

Can't you just speak properly?

He really wanted to complain but didn't dare to.

"However." Grindelwald shifted his tone.

"Having you act as my representative to defeat them is serious."

"If you embarrass me, then you can wait to wander the streets with your parents, then be hunted by the Death Eaters."

Draco, who had just relaxed, instantly tensed up and earnestly agreed.

"I understand."

Although it's unclear why Grindelwald suddenly wants me to promote his name.

But he just needs to carry it out.

Coincidentally, he had also wanted to duel Harry again for a while.

One to clear his name, one to let him regain respect and glory.

As for John... forget about this numbers monster.

The next day.

Hogwarts' morning was as tranquil as ever.

But this tranquility was suddenly broken.

"Bo Te, let's duel."

Draco's voice was clear and sharp, facing hundreds in the Great Hall, directly pointing at Harry Potter, who was bowing his head drinking pumpkin juice.

Harry, just woke up, looked at him dazedly, even forgetting to swallow the pumpkin juice, which dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Draco looked at Harry with disgust at his sloppy appearance.

"You really embarrass Dumbledore."

Upon hearing this, the still-dazed Harry instantly flared up.

"No, Draco must have taken the wrong medicine!"

Harry was very puzzled; Draco was fine yesterday, even having drunk several cups of Butterbeer with him, their relationship previously being very good.

As a result, why did he suddenly come to provoke me today?