"I can do it, so I did," Wade retorted. "Is there any harm in helping my classmates improve their spellcasting a bit?"
Hearing his words, Grindelwald's tone softened instead.
"Don't be so prickly, child. There's no harm in listening to advice from your elders—even if you choose to do this out of emotion, you should consider what it can bring you from a rational perspective."
Wade sat by the window, the strong wind driving heavy rain against the glass, the roar of the storm sounding like the hum of an organ.
He lowered his head, playing with the Quill in his hand, Grindelwald's voice resonating in his ears.
"If you're agreeing because you find it hard to refuse someone's plea, then I don't suggest wasting your time on mediocre people."
"If you're aiming to cultivate followers and filter out truly valuable individuals, then setting these moderate obstacles is naturally very suitable. Those who persevere will undoubtedly become excellent Wizards."
"Accordingly, you need to pay extra attention to your teaching methods, words, and actions. You must not only train them in Spells but also learn to shape their way of thinking, mastering the balance between giving and punishing. You can't simply help selflessly, nor can you appear too cold and heartless."
"But if you genuinely just want to help…"
The old man on the other end of the communication seemed to chuckle, as if mocking his foolishness, but then he said:
"Then you must do it thoroughly. Don't do half-heartedly; that wastes time and effort, and in the end, no one will be grateful."
"Have you thought it through? Time is a very valuable resource; don't waste it on meaningless things. If you decide to do something, make sure it serves a greater purpose."
After ending the call, Wade indeed thought seriously for a while about why he had taken on this troublesome task.
Perhaps it was because he wasn't the "Boy Who Lived," and also because of his interference, Harry hadn't experienced the repeated misunderstandings and doubts from the original story. In short, Wade felt that most of his schoolmates got along quite well.
This included Slytherin. After Draco Malfoy was no longer keen on causing trouble, Slytherin students at most just disliked engaging with others, occasionally muttering sarcastic remarks behind people's backs to emphasize the nobility of their bloodline. In Wade's view, this wasn't a major conflict.
Compared to the deaths he had experienced, and the pain Mabel had once endured, what were a few squabbles among schoolmates?
Moreover, in Ravenclaw, Anthony was also a very enthusiastic person. Since entering school, he had been very considerate of his Ravenclaw classmates, including Wade, often reminding everyone of trivial matters, such as when assignments were due for a certain class, or what to bring for the next lesson.
So, when Anthony proposed that he needed help, Wade was inclined to agree.
At the time, he also had a vague idea—with the league approaching, Wade also needed to consider that if a three-person or five-person team event was set up, he would need suitable teammates. It might as well be better to start observing and cultivating them now.
So he agreed to help tutor Spells. Anyway, with the Time-Turner, he had ample time to do various odd jobs.
But after ending the call, Wade's thoughts shifted slightly.
...
"Your suggestion is good."
Facing Michael's question, Wade said, "But we can first trust Anthony's judgment in selecting people, and we can also clearly define boundaries and set tutoring rules to reduce trouble, rather than immediately rejecting people with difficult conditions."
"Waking up at five in the morning is hardly a difficult condition," Michael muttered. "I remember there was a period when you got up before four every day."
He was referring to the period when Wade was practicing Animagus, needing to recite incantations with sunrise and sunset daily.
"I have more time, but others don't."
Wade said objectively, "It's true I have many classes to attend, but others' class schedules aren't easy either. For the same courses and assignments, most people need to spend more time than I do."
"Including you, after entering fourth year, the pressure of studying has increased significantly, and it's not always possible to go to bed early. If you still have to wake up at five, then when will you rest? That's not good for your health in the long run."
Michael was silent for a long time. On the way to Potions Class, he suddenly asked, "Wade… sometimes… do you ever feel… like I'm a bit like a Slytherin?"
He stammered, his voice carrying a rare hint of uncertainty.
"No." Wade smiled and said, "You're just thinking from my perspective. As I said before, I actually think your idea is very good. If someone coerced or enticed me to help, I would do exactly as you said."
He paused, then continued, "But since I choose to do this myself, I should approach it from the perspective of wanting to do it well. That way, even if it doesn't last, I'll have no regrets."
...
"He's been too deeply influenced by Dumbledore," Grindelwald turned to the person beside him and said. "So he's bound to do his best to fulfill what he's promised."
Antoine asked hesitantly, "Is that not good? Do you wish… he would learn to cultivate his own followers?"
Facing such a simple question, Grindelwald fell silent.
He held a Prophecy Orb in his hand, thin mist swirling within it.
After a long while, Grindelwald finally spoke:
"When I was young, at Durmstrang, I had no friends, nor classmates I could call rivals, and I didn't need sycophantic supporters… When I left school, my classmates were celebrating."
"That Voldemort fellow is another kind of folly. He recruited at Hogwarts, maintaining loyalty through fear. Now… would he dare to ask his former friends for help?"
"Dumbledore…" Grindelwald paused, then said, "I heard he once had a few good friends among his classmates, but those fools couldn't keep up with him, nor could they understand his ideas."
He turned his head, looking out at the dark night in the distance.
"Wade is choosing a different path now. Not creating servants, not gathering believers, but… friends who can walk with him."
"It's too early to say whether it's right or wrong before seeing the results… But as long as he doesn't always insist on walking alone, and doesn't indulge in self-admiration, then he has a chance to go further."
"Hitting walls is inevitable. Regardless of whether the outcome is good or bad, it will teach one something. A true leader cannot always stand on a mountaintop looking down on everyone."
"But… to give selflessly and without seeking reward is simply foolish."
Grindelwald patted Antoine's shoulder and said, "Remember to remind those silly kids to be grateful. Don't let them think they can just receive benefits without giving anything in return."
Antoine smiled and said, "I understand."
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