Modified Side-Along Apparition

Holding a cup of hot cocoa in his hands, Draco sat opposite Gandalf while Grindelwald sat on the sofa beside him. In a low voice, he recounted everything he had experienced at Malfoy Manor.

A single Christmas holiday had been enough for cruel reality to shatter all his pride.

The father he remembered as omnipotent had crawled at that man’s feet, begging for forgiveness. The mother he remembered as ever elegant and composed had been dragged around by the hair and interrogated by his aunt, her face grimy and disheveled. And he himself had…

"It’s all right now, Draco. You’re safe."

Although Draco’s voice was broken and trembling, and he had not finished speaking, Adam had already learned the entire story from the memories Draco relived.

"I have to admit, your father, Mr. Lucius Malfoy, loves you very much."

It had been Lucius who proposed having Draco work for Voldemort. To that end, he had even been willing to let Draco receive the Dark Mark, all so Draco could return to Hogwarts.

Did Voldemort know what Lucius was planning?

He did. Lucius knew that he would know as well. But Voldemort was confident enough—confident that Draco, bearing the Dark Mark, could never escape his grasp. Besides, Lucius and Narcissa were in his hands.

Even if Lucius and Narcissa had already given up on their own lives, it did not matter. What mattered was that Voldemort was confident he would be the final victor.

He believed that everyone would ultimately fall under his rule. Even if Draco chose betrayal now, he would eventually grovel at his feet.

Just like those Death Eaters who had betrayed him before his resurrection…

"Hold out your hand. Let me see that mark."

Grindelwald, who had been listening until now, extended a hand toward Draco.

Draco’s hands trembled around the cup of hot cocoa. He set it down, then slowly extended his arm.

The red mark of a snake emerging from a skull’s mouth had been branded onto his pale skin. Draco could still remember the terror of receiving it, as well as the searing heat in his arm, like a branding iron…

"It’s ugly."

Grindelwald frowned instinctively, and Gandalf nodded in agreement.

A skull and a snake—what kind of tacky tattoo was that?

"Well? Can you find them?"

After observing it for a while, Gandalf looked at Grindelwald. Grindelwald nodded.

"It seems impossible to trace it back to the caster through this mark, but it can be traced to the holders of other marks. As for tracing it to a specific target… that’s a little difficult."

Voldemort could use a Dark Mark to notify all the Death Eaters, so it was only natural that the Dark Marks were magically connected. It was simply not the sort of connection that could target a specific individual.

"Fortunately, the people you want to trace are directly related to Draco by blood, so it won’t be much of a problem."

"Then I’ll leave it to you."

"Mm."

Grindelwald nodded, then looked at Gandalf.

"Are you sure you’re prepared? Dumbledore believes his Dark Arts have surpassed every living wizard. I don’t think I’m excluded from that group."

Adam was not surprised that Voldemort’s Dark Arts were stronger than Grindelwald’s.

Grindelwald regarded the Dark Arts as tools. He studied them to realize his ideals. Thus, while his accomplishments and talent in the field were profound, he would not abandon his ideals and lose sight of what mattered merely to delve deeper into the Dark Arts.

"Of course. I’m ready."

An interested expression appeared on Gandalf’s face.

"Perfect. It’ll be my first time meeting him in person…"

Watching the two exchange words, Draco seemed to understand. Professor Gandalf was going to meet Voldemort?

"I do need to pay him a visit. I need to tell him that ignoring my words comes at a painful price. Not everything in this world can go as he wishes. That was true back then, it is true now, and it will be true in the future… as well."

Gandalf turned back and smiled at Draco.

"But before that, there is something else I need to do."

As soon as he finished speaking, Draco felt the Dark Mark on his arm burn fiercely. Terror immediately appeared on his face, but in the next moment, he realized this experience was different from before.

Previously, he had been able to feel a summons coming from afar. It represented Voldemort’s call, and the Death Eaters would Apparate through that sensation to wherever the Dark Mark was located.

But now, the summons seemed to be coming from… his Dark Mark?

Draco stared blankly at Professor Grindelwald, whose hand was pressed against his Dark Mark. Suddenly, the credentials Grindelwald had mentioned when introducing himself came to mind.

Gandalf narrowed his eyes and caught the two invisible magical connections. Surging magic spread outward along them.

Grand Summoning! (crossed out) Modified Side-Along Apparition!

Pop! Pop!

Accompanied by two nearly simultaneous sounds, two figures appeared in The Office, their faces still filled with confusion.

"Dad? Mom!"

Draco froze for a moment, then rushed toward them with shining eyes.

Though they still did not understand what had happened, the suddenly reunited family of three embraced one another excitedly.

After the initial excitement and agitation faded, Lucius finally had the presence of mind to look around. He then saw the familiar Headmaster’s Office at Hogwarts, along with the two familiar elderly men.

"Professor Gandalf. Professor Grindelwald."

Lucius’s pupils contracted. He tightened his hold on Narcissa’s hand slightly, then offered a respectful greeting.

Narcissa came back to her senses as well and greeted the two men before her.

Their etiquette was impeccable, but their haggard faces and less-than-presentable clothing somewhat diminished their bearing.

They had clearly been at Malfoy Manor moments ago, accompanied—or rather, watched—by several Death Eaters, yet they had suddenly arrived here. These two must have done it.

But… could anyone truly accomplish something like that?

"Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy, hello. I have already learned from Draco what happened at Malfoy Manor. I am saddened… and angered by it."

Gandalf rose to his feet, leaning on his long white wand.

"Clearly, some people ignored my words. Perhaps they thought I was merely making empty remarks, or perhaps they believed I lacked the ability… In any case, he reached into Hogwarts and allowed the war to spread directly to the children."

Lucius lowered his head, his breathing catching.

Strictly speaking, the person who had proposed making Draco a Death Eater and bringing the flames of war into Hogwarts… had been him.

"Please do not worry, Mr. Lucius. I will not condemn what you did to protect your child. In order to survive, people often have no choice but to make difficult decisions."

Gandalf’s words made Lucius let out a tremendous sigh of relief.

"Thank you for your mercy and wisdom, Professor Gandalf."

Gandalf shook his head unconcernedly, then said,

"Next, let us discuss how to handle the aftermath of this matter… May I ask whether the two of you would be interested in remaining at Hogwarts to teach?"