Volume 4: The Sea and the Ship Heading North Chapter 272 Win-win!
"My English is very good, and of course I have no deviation in my understanding of protection. That is why I said that letting Green stay as a professor here is the best protection for him."
Grindelwald's voice was flat as he casually picked up a cup of tea from his desk and took a sip.
At the same time, opposite him, a chair suddenly slid out, like a figure skater on the ice rink, and with a beautiful spin, it came to Jon's side.
Fawkes had already jumped onto Jon's head. This arrogant phoenix was like Hagrid's Beech, and liked to use his hair as a temporary base.
Jon sat down in the chair carefully and listened to this conversation of the highest standard in the wizarding world.
Dumbledore in the fireplace also saw John coming in. He smiled and nodded slightly to him.
"He is very talented, you know that, and I also know that when I saw him fighting those Death Eaters during the day. If he stays with you all the time, always on the front line of the battlefield, are you really sure you can guarantee his safety?"
Grindelwald said slowly.
"Especially after he did something like that, when your student learns his identity from the person who did it, do you think he will hate him as much as he hates you?"
Dumbledore was not deceived by Grindelwald's heresy.
"Okay, maybe what you said is all right. You kept him in Durmstrang to better protect him. I have no objection to that. Jon has done enough. I don't think he doesn't deserve a safe environment. But what does this have to do with you wanting him to be a Transfiguration professor? As a student at Hogwarts, can't he stay in Durmstrang temporarily?"
Grindelwald put down his teacup and spoke loudly.
"Of course not. With his talent, what can he learn while staying here temporarily, even if he takes classes with other third-year students? He needs special instruction, Albus. In this school, no one except me can fully develop his talent. Do you think I will teach him for no reason?"
Dumbledore's tone sounded sarcastic and mocking.
"You are such a mean person."
In response, Grindelwald snapped his fingers nonchalantly.
"So, here's the problem. In order not to waste his talent, I need to teach him something, but I'm stingy and won't teach someone for no reason. What's more, this person has already taken something from me. Is it an unreasonable request to ask him to come to my school as a professor and help my students?"
His words were clearly those of a rogue, but they were so reasonable, and his tone was full of unquestionable questions and statements, as if blocking all of Dumbledore's rebuttals.
Dumbledore did not look at Grindelwald, but turned his gaze to John.
"The British Ministry of Magic has set up a centaur liaison office for hundreds of years, but during this period no centaur has ever walked into the door of the Ministry of Magic and had any communication with wizards, because the so-called liaison office is just the wizards' wishful thinking that they are making efforts for contact between the two parties. What you said is just your idea, Gellert. I don't mind your attempt to poach Jon from me. What I mind is whether you respect the boy's own ideas. Has he told you what he thinks?"
Grindelwald leaned back in his chair and looked at Jon. There was no coercion or threat in his eyes , but rather a calm look with some interest.
When this choice is given to John, what will he choose in front of himself and Dumbledore?
When Dumbledore finished speaking, Jon was already a little confused.
I've already given up, why do you still let me make a choice?
Since you two can't come to an agreement, you want me to make the decision?
"Don't feel embarrassed, just say what you really think." Dumbledore said softly, "Gettler is right. Since he wants to teach you something, it will be good for you, and you can also have the safest learning environment in Durmstrang. If you don't want to stay there, Fawkes is by your side and can bring you back at any time. This old rogue is not as good as before and cannot be stopped. So there is no problem with any choice you make, and I will respect your opinion."
Grindelwald didn't care about Dumbledore's revelation. He just picked up the tea that had been refilled at some point and took a sip.
Jon rubbed his thighs with his hands, frowned and hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively.
"Is it really okay to choose any one?"
"Of course, an old man like me would not lie to a child." Dumbledore smiled and blinked.
Jon took a deep breath, and under the gaze of Grindelwald and Dumbledore, he spoke in a firm tone.
"I can't stay at Durmstrang. Even if Professor Dumbledore says I've done enough, I won't stay alone and watch my classmates and teachers go to the battlefield from a safe distance. The talent may be mine, but without Hogwarts, Jon Green would probably still be in that castle sweeping toilets and washing clothes for the purebloods!"
On Dumbledore's face, which was made of green fire, the smile did not change after hearing John's speech, but there was a hint of helplessness and a hint of relief.
There was no change in the expression on Grindelwald's face. Although he did not know Jon inside and out, he could tell from his performance today that he had a strong sense of belonging to Hogwarts. When the power of choice was given to Jon, he was destined to not be able to stay in Durmstrang.
Just when the matter seemed to be coming to an end, Jon seemed not to have finished speaking and continued.
"But I think that being a Hogwarts student and a Durmstrang professor aren't that conflicting, right?"
An awkward smile appeared on his face, and it was obvious that he had not yet developed enough thickness to be thick enough.
"Durmstrang is not in short supply of Transfiguration professors. I can study with Headmaster Bagshot first, and then return to Hogwarts to continue fighting for the liberation of Britain when the situation in France stabilizes. If Durmstrang needs me in the future, I will certainly take on the responsibility of being a professor without hesitation."
After Jon finished speaking, the principal's office fell into silence.
Fox, who was lying on top of Jon's head, was combing his colorful feathers with his sharp beak. He seemed to sense that the atmosphere had suddenly become quiet, so he raised his head and looked curiously to see what was happening.
The jumping green fire did not turn back to its normal bright yellow color, which proved that Dumbledore's Floo network connecting France to the headmaster's office had not been interrupted and the picture was indeed not static.
Jon just felt embarrassed at first, but after not hearing any response, he wanted to hide his head in his robe.
This seemed to be a win-win plan that neither left Hogwarts nor embarrassed Grindelwald, but in fact, the only one who truly won the game was himself.
With the title of professor at Durmstrang, he learned from Grindelwald, and then returned to Hogwarts. It was completely a case of getting something for nothing!
Just when Jon thought that Grindelwald and Dumbledore were shocked by his shamelessness, a burst of unrestrained laughter suddenly rang out in the headmaster's office.
"Hahahaha! I really want to know how you taught him, Albus. He is very smart, much smarter than you were when you were young!"
Instead of receiving the curse like "You want to eat p" as he had imagined, he was praised. This made Jon, who had originally planned to play ostrich, raise his head again and look at the situation in the principal's office blankly.
Grindelwald laughed, and Dumbledore's smile became even more helpless.
"I agree."
Jon was stunned, and Dumbledore in the fireplace also showed surprise on his face.
They looked at Grindelwald, who had stopped smiling, and listened to him casually repeating what he had just said.
"You can be both a student at Hogwarts and a professor at Durmstrang. I also allow you to stay in Durmstrang as you please."
If Grindelwald hadn't emphasized it again, John would have thought that there was something wrong with his ears. Even now, he looked at the old man leaning on the chair with an incredible expression, and then turned to look at Dumbledore.
You just called him stingy, professor?
Dumbledore looked at Grindelwald, the surprise on his face had turned into solemnity, and he asked seriously on behalf of John.
"What's the price?"
Grindelwald chuckled as he played with his wand.
"Price? Of course there is a price. This world has always been fair. Since he can gain more, he also has to pay something. It's just that whether what he gains and what he pays are worth it depends on his decision."
He turned to look at Jon.
"Since you want both, I can totally agree. It's not like Durmstrang really needs a Transfiguration professor like you. But if you want to learn from me, then from now on until you leave this castle, you must complete any goals and tasks I give you."
This request seemed simple, so simple that it could be agreed to immediately no matter who came, but Jon said it hesitantly.
“I can’t do what I can’t do…”
"If I really wanted to torture you, I wouldn't have spent so much time with Albus because of this matter." Grindelwald said calmly, "But don't take it lightly. If you agree now but fail to fulfill your promise tonight, I will find a way to take back what you have learned from me."
Dumbledore did not say anything in response to Grindelwald's words. He just looked at John, because he was the only one who could make the final choice in this matter.
After getting Grindelwald's assurance, Jon did not continue to struggle. Since he had the nerve to propose such a "win-win" solution, he also had the courage to make this promise.
"I agree."
Jon's answer did not surprise Grindelwald. He turned and looked at Dumbledore in the fireplace.
"So, are you satisfied with the result tonight?"
Dumbledore smiled again.
"I said I would not interfere with any of Jon's choices as long as it was his own wish."
"Then why are you still here?" Grindelwald mercilessly ordered him to leave. "I have already handed over the list you sent over. The necessary materials will be prepared and sent over the day after tomorrow at the latest. The problem with your students has also been solved. Then get out of my sight right now."
Dumbledore did not show any impatience, and the smile on his face remained unchanged, but the green flame in the fireplace was becoming weaker and weaker, and then soon disappeared.
The principal's office returned to darkness for a second, and then the bright yellow fire was reignited in the fireplace, illuminating everything around.
Fox, who was originally lying on top of Jon's head, also spread his wings, and after a golden-red light flashed, he also disappeared.
Now at Durmstrang, as long as Grindelwald is there, there is naturally no need for Fawkes to stay with them all the time. He can go back to France to provide more help to the wizards on the wizarding horizon.
Grindelwald and John were the only ones left in the headmaster's office.
"You can just keep the title of professor, but you don't have to be responsible for the specific teaching work. As for the third-year courses, you can go if you want. If you don't want to go, the teachers in Durmstrang won't bother you. Then come to my place tomorrow afternoon before dinner."
Jon was told about the arrangements for him, but he still had no intention of leaving the principal's office.
This made Grindelwald, who had originally lowered his head to look at the letters in the office, raise his head again.
"Do you have anything else to do?"
Jon asked hesitantly.
"Sir...when you were talking to Professor Dumbledore just now, you said, 'I have something of yours here?'"
Grindelwald put down the quill in his hand and looked at Jon.
"Dumbledore didn't tell you?"
Jon shook his head.
"Professor Dumbledore never told me about this."
"Yes, this is indeed not something to brag about." Grindelwald said softly, "Chestnut wood with phoenix tail feathers, fourteen inches, a pretty good combination."
Hearing his words, Jon raised the old wand in his hand with a look of astonishment.
He recalled the scene when he received it in Headmaster Dumbledore's office on his first day in the carriage at Hogwarts.
At that time, Dumbledore clearly showed a different kind of nostalgia for this wand than for other wands.
Jon had previously speculated that the original owner of this wand might have had a good relationship with Dumbledore, so its original owner was actually Grindelwald?
