"Since everything's already at a standstill, there's no reason to keep drawing distinctions."
Tom smiled as he spoke. "We're all wizards, after all, and the Saints are simply another part of that whole. Let them go through the normal process for a travel permit, and they'll be free to go wherever they like."
Grindelwald nodded along, and none of the other representatives raised any objection either.
Nobody wanted to drag this out any further. Getting back to normal was in everyone's interest.
Only Babajide found himself troubled. Did Grindelwald, and every representative in this room besides, genuinely believe the International Confederation carried no real deterrent power at all?
It felt like a flat dismissal of decades of his own effort. Ever since taking the chairmanship, Babajide had poured himself into expanding the Confederation's reach, building an order every nation would be bound to respect.
And now, looking at it plainly... the whole thing looked like a joke. Nobody in that room took them seriously at all.
Still, after that brief sting of hurt passed, a strange lightness settled over him instead. What did any of it matter now? He was resigning in disgrace regardless. Whatever crisis of trust followed could be someone else's problem to solve. He simply didn't have the fight left in him anymore.
Better to go home and live out his days running a plantation in peace.
"Gentlemen, I think handling everything nation by nation makes this all needlessly complicated. What we actually need is an independent organization, something outside government entirely."
Tom offered his usual bashful smile. "As it happens, this works out rather conveniently. To keep my own goods moving more smoothly, and to spare wizards the constant hassle of border logistics..."
"I'm planning to found a Wizards' Guild. It won't concern itself with bloodline or allegiance. Any member who joins gets access to a basic set of rights, including free travel to any Ministry-recognized nation that's also joined the Guild."
"Isn't this the perfect opportunity, really? Any member of the Wizards' Guild wouldn't need to be labeled a Saint or otherwise. So long as they break no laws, treat them exactly as you would any ordinary wizard. Simple as that."
Dumbledore stared at Tom, unable quite to believe what he was hearing.
What was the boy trying to do here? Compete with the International Confederation itself for authority? For standing?
The same thought was written plainly across every other representative's face as they turned to look at Tom.
This boy's ambition knew no bounds. Still in school, and already reaching to plant a foothold in every nation at once?
"Interesting..."
Into that strange, charged silence, Grindelwald suddenly laughed. "Riddle, no wonder I singled you out the moment I saw you. That really is a fine idea. Rather than let the International Confederation lord itself over both our heads, why not simply build our own structures instead? My Saints. Your Wizards' Guild."
"I'm in." Grindelwald glanced at the sour faces around the table before turning back to Dumbledore, one eyebrow raised. "Riddle, I'll have every Saint, and every wizard in these nations under my influence, join your Wizards' Guild."
"Better yet, why not headquarter it in Berlin? I could throw the full weight of my influence behind promoting it. In return, perhaps you'd consider naming me an honorary member."
"There's an old saying from the East," Dumbledore said, resting a hand on Tom's shoulder. "A magpie builds the nest, and the turtledove moves in. Tom, be wary of any kindness that arrives too suddenly. There's always something unspoken hiding behind it."
"Professor, are you saying Grindelwald means to take over my Guild for himself?" Tom asked, direct as ever.
Dumbledore gave a noncommittal answer. "Who's to say?"
"Dumbledore, don't paint me worse than I am," Grindelwald said, sounding genuinely put out. "I haven't sunk quite low enough to steal from a child."
"Perhaps not, once. These days, I couldn't say for certain."
Dumbledore didn't press the exchange further, turning his attention back to what actually mattered: Tom's plan. "Tom, it's a solid proposal. An independent organization for exchange between wizards genuinely has real potential. But you're still a student. Do you truly have the time and energy to manage something like this alongside everything else?"
"The magical world has no shortage of people looking for work," Tom said, smiling. "I've already spoken with Mrs. Greengrass. She can supply plenty of hands, and I'll bring on a few more staff of my own. Keeping the basic operations running shouldn't be a problem at all."
Dumbledore let out a sigh. "It seems you've already thought this through quite thoroughly."
Something about the whole arrangement sat uneasily with him, some vague sense that nothing here was quite as it appeared, though he couldn't pin down exactly what. That was precisely what left him uncomfortable.
Still, he couldn't think of any better path forward, one that would let both sides walk away satisfied. Tom's proposal genuinely was the cleanest solution on the table, letting the Guild serve as a buffer zone between the two powers.
"I'll agree to the concept, but could we discuss the finer details later, in private?" Dumbledore said.
Tom nodded his agreement, and the other representatives had nothing left to add. The agreement hadn't been formally signed yet, and until it was, they remained the weaker party in the room, with little say in how things unfolded.
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