This is a mysterious group.
The level of mystery is only second to that so-called Mysterious Affairs Department.
"You certainly have a diverse range of studies." Grindelwald gave Ian an approving glance, wiping his hand with a towel that had been washed several times. He did not directly answer Ian's question but rather shared his thoughts, "Our headmaster, Mr. Albus Dumbledore, turned Hogwarts into a charity home; that kind of broad-mindedness and kindness is something I could never achieve. That's why he is the great man and I am not like him."
"Being great is not only a respectful praise, but also a glorious title; it possesses power, and the protection of a great person is sufficient to shield others from misfortune and certain consequences."
"A half-blood giant with a record, a former Death Eater who switched sides halfway, an overly sensitive old Squib, and myself, a clueless charlatan." Grindelwald gestured to himself from top to bottom, clearly implying that the charlatan he referred to was the role he played as Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Fortune-telling and divination by the wandering girl are the same. These people live under Albus's protection, which alters their fates in some unique ways."
"Remember the question you asked me before? This is also why a prophet needs the participation of a great person to realize a prophecy that does not exist."
Grindelwald's response brought some enlightenment to Ian.
However.
The unraveling from this influential figure continued, "Of course, even with the protection of a great person, like Trelawney frequently making prophecies, it does not come without costs. Her sight and thoughts have been perpetually confined within the West Tower of Hogwarts, never growing, which is fate's punishment."
"And she herself will never realize it," Grindelwald's words carried deep philosophical meaning. He had only been at Hogwarts for a short time, yet he seemed to have developed detailed insights and opinions on his colleagues.
"Perhaps it's not so bad?"
In Grindelwald's words, Ian felt more of Dumbledore's significance.
"Certainly, after all, scaring the little wizards and divining trivial household matters are not things that have a great impact." Grindelwald returned to his desk.
"As for your mention of Tom Riddle's prophecy... in fact, I have a different view on it." His words immediately caught Ian's attention.
"What view?"
Ian temporarily set down the basket from his back, sitting across from Grindelwald. He glanced at the cup of bitter tea he hadn't finished and hesitated slightly.
Then.
He lifted it again, sipping a bit — still bitter to the point of making his teeth grit, yet humans sometimes are like this; this tea truly does have an increasingly addictive taste.
"Just my personal view, even though our headmaster might not agree with it," Grindelwald first made a disclaimer, then quietly spoke while looking towards the West Tower outside the window.
"We all know Sybil Trelawney's ancestor is Cassandra Trelawney, the famous priestess from Greek mythology."
"Cassandra Trelawney offended Apollo, causing her and her descendants' prophecies to always be true, yet no one believes them."
Grindelwald stated a commonly known fact, and seeing Ian nod in acknowledgment, he continued, "Yet such legendary tales are merely tales; the ability for prophecies to always be true is not a punishment, no prophet possesses such powerful prophetic ability."
"Even if granted by gods, humans cannot endure it... of course, I believe Trelawney indeed carries a curse, but in my view, the prophetic ability of this family is nothing extraordinary."
"The distinction between this family and most other prophetic families is largely due to having an ancestor who served as a priestess; the priestess bloodline within them far excels the prophetic bloodline."
Grindelwald's words made Ian slightly stunned.
"You mean..."
He widened his eyes, expression full of disbelief, evidently already guessing Grindelwald's intended meaning. Grindelwald showed a slightly flippant smile.
"Yes, precisely, the one who made that prophecy was not our Professor Trelawney, but her ancestor. That's why she is still alive and kicking, not caught up and shattered into pieces by the prophecy." Grindelwald surprised Ian with his statement and judgment.
Meanwhile.
He whispered to Ian earnestly.
"Some prophecies are not meant to be spoken aloud; prophets should understand this."
This seemed to be a reminder full of profound meaning, as if reflecting on his own past. Ian remained in shock over Grindelwald's somewhat radical remarks.
"Spirit communication? Crossing the boundary between life and death?"
Ian was not thinking crossing such a boundary should be solely his privilege, just not expecting Grindelwald's view that Professor Trelawney's family might possess such unique abilities.
Upon reflection, it indeed made sense, each time Professor Trelawney made a significant prophecy she seemed to change drastically and wouldn't remember anything afterward.
Her extremely eccentric conduct also aligns closely with the stereotypical image of a spirit medium.