Charms Class was over, and it was time for lunch.
A sea of red and blue streamed down from the upper floors, punctuated by cries of surprise whenever the staircases suddenly changed direction.
"I think there must be some kind of pattern to how these staircases move."
Ethan's other dormmate, Mandy Broh, pushed up his glasses and said seriously.
He was a short, skinny boy with glasses as thick as bottle caps perched on his nose. He was a half-blood wizard.
"Maybe."
Michael gave a perfunctory reply, smiling at every girl who passed him.
"Do you know Cho Chang, the second-year?"
Michael spoke enthusiastically, wearing a dreamy expression.
"She's such a pretty girl. I heard she's really interested in Quidditch, too. That's so rare!"
Mandy rolled his eyes, while Ethan gave a quiet "hmph" through his nose in response.
The way to the Great Hall was terribly crowded.
Not only because classes had just ended, but also because the famous Harry Potter was nearby.
Everyone who passed turned to look at him. Some even stopped, staring wide-eyed at his forehead.
Michael said enviously, "I wish I had a reputation like Harry Potter's. Look, all the girls are staring at him."
"If you look closely, you'll see all the boys are staring at him too," Ethan pointed out, correcting Michael's mistake.
Michael: "...Fine."
He'd given up hope of having a normal conversation with Ethan.
Soon, the group had no choice but to stop, because the way ahead was completely blocked.
It seemed a bunch of people didn't care about anyone else and were determined to talk to Harry.
Ethan lowered his head, gazing into the deep space beneath the stairs, and murmured:
"I really want to know what would happen if someone fell off the stairs."
Michael shivered.
Not wanting his companion to turn into a staircase murderer because he couldn't get lunch,
Michael raised his wand and sent two loud bangs into the air, shouting, "Could you move along, please? Make way!"
But it had little effect.
His words were quickly drowned out by the hubbub.
"We'll just have to wait," Mandy said, pushing up his glasses with a hint of impatience. "I was hoping to finish lunch and go to the library to do my homework."
Ethan blinked. He wanted to get through this stretch quickly, too.
Not only because it was lunchtime and he was indeed a little hungry,
but also because he wanted to get to the Great Hall and check out the newly posted Professor's Commission.
It wouldn't do if he got there too late and all the good commissions had been taken.
How could he get them to move...
Just then, inspiration struck Ethan.
"I've got a great idea."
As he spoke, Ethan cleared his throat.
Seeing how confident Ethan looked, Michael suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Wai—"
"I have Broom Rash."
Ethan's demonic whisper rippled outward like a stone dropped into a lake.
The noise died away.
Everyone turned around, staring at Ethan and the others in horror.
That familiar image everyone had seen before flashed through their minds once more.
A bloody stench seemed to spread silently through the air.
Then—
The crowd scattered in an instant!
"Ahhh, don't come any closer!"
"Let me through! Get out of the way!"
"Shit! Who the hell just groped my ass in the confusion?!"
In just a few moments, the way ahead was clear.
No one dared block the way anymore.
Only Harry and the others, who had finally been freed from the crowd, remained. Their clothes were disheveled, and they stared dumbfounded up at Ethan, standing on the stairs.
Ethan smiled down at them, his expression warm and friendly.
His cobalt-blue eyes were like starlight, brilliant and deep.
Sunlight poured in through the window behind him, gilding him in a golden glow.
At that moment, Ethan was like an angel who had rescued people from danger, his whole being suffused with an aura of holiness.
Under the many gazes, Ethan slowly spoke:
"No need to thank me."
Harry: "..."
Are you being a little too extreme?
Michael slowly raised a hand and covered his face, letting out a despairing groan in his heart:
It was true that he'd wanted to get through quickly.
But he hadn't wanted everyone to avoid them like the plague!
Merlin, my hard-earned reputation, my chances in the school dating pool...
Ethan had no idea what his companions were thinking.
At that moment, he thought with satisfaction:
I've done another good deed today.
I helped the weak, pitiful, helpless Chosen One out of a jam and prevented a fall or a stampede caused by the crowd.
Goodness, I really am a kindhearted, helpful wizard.
Ethan nodded in approval and started down the empty staircase, while the others watched him with indescribable expressions.
He reached the Dining Hall without a hitch.
The Great Hall.
It was bustling with noise.
The food smelled delicious, and just the aroma was enough to make your mouth water.
The professors sat at the front, serving as a deterrent.
Otherwise, these mischievous students might have blown the roof off.
Ethan spotted the conspicuous Weasley Twins sneakily stuffing Fanged Frisbees into the seats.
With a bang, a wisp of black smoke rose from the Gryffindor table.
Several little boys had been blasted black in the face.
They looked at each other, then giggled.
Ah, youth...
Ethan sighed inwardly.
He glanced around and, sure enough, spotted a newly installed bulletin board on the wall, with a crowd of students gathered in front of it.
That must be the "Work-Study Program" Professor Flitwick had mentioned.
Ethan's eyes lit up.
He swallowed, then made his way with difficulty past the tables laden with a sumptuous lunch and stopped at the edge of the crowd around the bulletin board.
Students from every house and year were gathered there.
But most of the younger students were just there for a look, while only the older students were seriously considering which commissions to take.
After all, this counted as practical experience, and they had to think about what they'd do after graduation.
The students were packed together so tightly that the older ones blocked Ethan's view completely.
Ethan politely said, "Hi, excuse me, could you move over a little?"
The student in front turned around impatiently. "Wait, what's the rush—huh?! Ethan?!"
The moment the student saw Ethan, his expression froze.
As soon as the name "Ethan" was called out, the students gathered in front of the bulletin board scattered in a flurry.
Leaving the whole bulletin board to Ethan.
At the Staff Table, Professor McGonagall's eyebrow twitched when she saw this.
She couldn't shake the feeling Ethan was bullying the others...
But she had no proof.
After all, the other students had moved aside for Ethan of their own accord, hadn't they?
"...Professor Snape."
Professor McGonagall spoke, her sharp gaze turning to the hook-nosed man beside her.
"I remember that when you came back from Spider's Alley, your report said there was nothing unusual about Ethan's personality and that he was just like everyone else."
He'd been sorted into Azkaban at the Sorting Ceremony and seemed to be intimidating his classmates behind the scenes.
And that was supposed to be nothing unusual?
There was definitely something wrong!!
"..."
Snape said nothing.
He looked away and took a sip of water, pretending he hadn't heard.
But he ground his teeth viciously.
Because of Ethan, Headmaster Dumbledore had summoned him several times already.
Now Malfoy had gotten involved, too.
And the boy knew his deepest secret, and had drawn him a portrait of which there was only one in the world.
How could he punish him in a way that seemed reasonable...
Snape stared gloomily at Ethan.
Suddenly, an idea came to him.
A wicked smile curled his lips. He rose and walked toward Ethan.
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