Chương 321: Chapter 320 "Burning Room"

As Grindelwald's words echoed in the room, Wentworth couldn't help but admire the cunning and audacity of the first Dark Lord.

Before he could respond, Dumbledore's voice interjected from outside the door, "Gellert, I heard what you said! We didn't agree to this at the beginning! You said you only wanted to meet your grandson for a quick chat. Now look at what you are doing!" Dumbledore's tone carried a note of firmness.

Grindelwald's sneer only deepened as he exited the room, his words dripping with sarcasm. "A joke, Albus. Did you expect anything less from me? Rest assured, my grandson will aid you against Voldemort. But don't think you can control me in any way."

Sensing the impending clash between the two formidable wizards, Wentworth wisely remained in the room.

The potential consequences of their conflict were too dire to risk involvement.

Outside the door, Dumbledore's voice rang out again, determined, "I'm taking him with me now. He's my student."

Grindelwald's response was laced with disdain. "Dumbledore, he's my grandson. It's not your place, as an outsider, to meddle in Grindelwald family affairs."

As Grindelwald's words hung in the air, the explosion of curses outside the house shattered the tense silence.

Dumbledore's response was swift and furious, "An outsider? Gellert, have I always been an outsider?" His voice crackled with anger, echoing through the chamber.

Wentworth felt a twinge of intrigue at Dumbledore's words, sensing the weight of their implications.

The flames of curiosity burned within him, eager to devour every morsel of information.

Just as he contemplated sneaking closer to eavesdrop on the confrontation outside, the battle escalated, punctuated by Dumbledore's exclamation. "Gellert, your command of magic has waned!"

Grindelwald's retort cut through the chaos. "After all these years, I expected more from you. But it seems you've only grown weaker."

Outside, the clash intensified, mirroring the fiery intensity within the chamber. Wentworth licked his lips nervously, torn between curiosity and caution. Yet, as he attempted to leave the room, he found himself inexplicably trapped, unable to exit.

As the the power of Grindelwald's spell surged around the room, a spectral barrier of blue flames sealed the exit, trapping Wentworth within.

Grindelwald's aging control over the spell seemed to falter, allowing the fire's fury to spread unchecked, threatening to consume the entire chamber.

With mounting concern, Wentworth strained to hear any sounds from outside, but the battlefield's cacophony had shifted elsewhere.

Panic set in as he realized the danger, prompting frantic shouts, "Professor! Grandfather! Cease your battle and quench the flames! The room is ablaze!"

"Grandfather, dispel your spell swiftly! Decades of memories will be lost to the flame!"

"Professor, I implore you! Your students have vacated for summer break. Should Hogwarts suffer damages, it could jeopardize future admissions!"

Outside, Dumbledore and Grindelwald stood side by side, the former listening with amusement, while the latter wore a vexed expression.

Unable to bear Wentworth's pleas any longer, Grindelwald relented with a dismissive wave of his hand.

As the faint blue flames surged once more, Wentworth stood frozen at the door, aghast at the sudden escalation of the fire's intensity.

Panic gripped him as he watched the azure inferno rapidly encroach from all sides toward the room's center.

"These darned old men! In a fluke of emotion both of them are trying to get me killed! What are they even doing?!" Wentworth muttered.

Desperation gripped him, and with gritted teeth, Wentworth plucked a hair from his head and attempted to employ the Levitation Charm to guide it over the flames.

Yet, as the controlled hair approached the fiery barrier, a sinister blue spark erupted, reducing it to ash in an instant.

"What spell is this?!" Wentworth exclaimed in frustration, his voice echoing through the chamber, "Grandfather, please! You should stop this now or I won't even be able to get out of this place."

Outside, observing the conflagration, Dumbledore turned to Grindelwald and remarked, "Gellert, this seems a tad excessive for a first encounter. Shouldn't you two exchange pleasantries first?"

Grindelwald shrugged indifferently before retorting, "If he can't surmount this trial, then Hogwarts has no use for him. He should seek refuge in the Muggle world and spare us further trouble."

Dumbledore shrugged, continuing his admonition, "But did you have to employ such a test right off the bat? You know, in France, this very trick nearly razed Paris to the ground!"

Unmoved, Grindelwald countered, "I've meticulously controlled the power this time, reducing its effect to a mere fraction of its former potency. Rest assured, if he truly can't withstand it, we'll have ample time to intervene, and he'll only suffer minor injuries."

Dumbledore sighed in response, shaking his head. "What a merciless grandfather," he murmured under his breath.

With a disdainful smirk, Grindelwald retorted, "Albus, I've long been disillusioned with your coddling approach at Hogwarts! Remember, spoiling a child does more harm than good!"

Dumbledore's expression betrayed his confusion at the unexpected turn of phrase, "I'm not responsible for any damages done to him. Remember, Gellert, if anything befall Wentworth and he doesn't want to see you again, it's all your fault."

"So be it! If he couldn't even bear to pass this trial, then he is not worthy of the Grindelwald's name," Grindelwald replied coldly.

While Dumbledore and Grindelwald engaged in their casual conversation outside the room, inside, Wentworth watched in mounting anxiety as the flames drew ever nearer.

With no sign of Dumbledore or Grindelwald returning anytime soon, Wentworth realized he had to take matters into his own hands.

"Calm down, Wentworth. What can I do to get rid of all these flames? This is not a mere illusion. This is all the same kind of flame that brought terror to the wizarding world..." He talked to himself, trying to calm his panicking mind.

Attempting every method at his disposal, Wentworth desperately sought to extinguish the encroaching flames. Yet, despite his efforts, he couldn't quell the azure blaze.

Even as he knew ordinary water would prove futile against magical flames, Wentworth, in his panic, resorted to casting a spell with the hope of extinguishing it, "Aguamenti!" He screamed.

As Wentworth poured water onto the flames, he realized his mistake too late. Instead of quenching the fire, the water seemed to fuel its intensity, causing the azure flames to spread with alarming speed.

Soon, the entire room was engulfed in an inferno. The once modest wooden bed, now consumed by the flames, crackled and splintered, adding to the chaos. With each passing moment, the space for Wentworth to stand dwindled, hemmed in by the encroaching fire.

With a deep breath, Wentworth steeled himself for what came next. Gritting his teeth, he made a bold decision, knowing it was his only chance at survival.