"Grindewald?" Tom repeated. There was no reason to mask his surprise and admiration. He had never expected to meet Gellert Grindelwald within the confines of this small place. However, it certainly explained the scope and brilliance of the boy that was seated before him.
Even if he hadn't extensively studied Grindelwald's works and ideas, it would have been hard for him to not know who the other wizard was. He had been in school while the Grindelwald had been stirring the world into action. It had been interesting to watch everything in a calculating way; he had always appraised Grindelwald. He had always listened to what he thought was right and tried to build upon what he thought he could make better.
Of course, he knew that his own ways were different than Grindelwald's, even if, throughout the scope of history, it seemed as if their names were often paired together. That didn't meant that it wasn't an unparalleled opportunity to get to meet him - even if he was somewhat young; there were few people that Tom would have reacted to in this manner. He may have been vain, but he wasn't a fool.
"This is a pleasant surprise then," Tom said, his mouth twisting into a smile.