Another Fantasy, the Summer When She Wasn't Called Mudblood

"Bang!"

Snape shot to his feet.

He stared fixedly at the painting, a flicker of alarm even showing in his eyes.

As if facing a terrible curse, or perhaps a pastry too sweet to resist.

Flowing hair, sparkling eyes, a smile as bright as sunshine.

It was just a black-and-white portrait, yet Snape seemed to see the flame-like strands of hair, the emerald-green eyes, and hear the silver-bell laughter of a girl at his ear.

Calling his name in a voice he would never hear again:

[Severus~!]

Lifelike.

Snape snapped back to reality.

He yanked the painting open, raised his hand in fury—then carefully tucked it away.

Damn it.

Now Snape knew why just a painting could make those Muggles lose their wits.

This was nothing less than a devil's artwork.

"Well, sir?" Ethan curled his lips. "Are you satisfied?"

"...How did you know this person?"

Snape said slowly, his dark pupils boring into Ethan's eyes.

Ethan tapped his own head, half-truthfully:

"You passed that image to me, a vivid thought, and I merely painted it."

At this moment, he was quite pleased.

From Snape's reaction.

Ethan confirmed that this painting was a success.

Look how much Professor Snape liked it!

[Extraordinary Grade Artwork detected, automatically collected into Gallery]

[Name: "Always" (Sent)]

[Type: Portrait]

[Grade: Tier 1 · White Rare]

[Description: A portrait of one who has passed, the lifelong love of a man]

[Effect: Can vividly evoke memories, immersing the viewer in the moment. When given as a gift, permanently increases a specific character's favorability]

[When you browse the Gallery, you may view this painting on the wall]

[Current Gallery collection count: 1]

[When the collection count reaches 5, you will receive a Novice Gift Pack]

[Your Soul Fusion Degree has increased by 1%]

[Current Soul Fusion Degree: 26%]

With the system's announcement, Ethan felt a warm surge flow through his limbs.

Like a cold person taking a sip of hot soup, Ethan realized just how stiff and sluggish the magic inside him had been.

So this was the effect of raising the Soul Fusion Degree...

Ethan thought that, even with just 1%, he could now paint Extraordinary Grade Artworks more easily.

But what was the reason for the increase?

Ethan looked up at Professor Snape.

Perhaps it had to do with contacting important figures in this world?

Ethan mused.

Everything would only be revealed once he entered Hogwarts.

The only certainty was that if he wanted to improve his painting skill and create more extraordinary artworks.

He would have to raise his Soul Fusion Degree.

Hogwarts...

How exciting.

Ethan's pupils darkened as he licked his back teeth.

"...Originally, I was going to report your suspicious situation to the Ministry of Magic, or to Dumbledore."

Snape's voice rose, almost a murmur.

"But then I thought, what does that have to do with me?"

A faint curl touched the corner of Snape's mouth. He pulled a letter from his robes and thrust it at Ethan.

"I'm just delivering a letter. Nothing more."

Wow—framing bribery as something so refreshingly straightforward.

Ethan clicked his tongue inwardly, curiosity piqued as he took the letter.

The thick envelope bore a shield-shaped wax seal.

At its center was a capital "H," surrounded by four animals: a lion, a serpent, a badger, and an eagle.

It was a Hogwarts acceptance letter!

A surge of excitement rose in Ethan's chest.

He tore it open—careful not to damage the exquisite wax seal—and pulled out the thick parchment inside.

[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Acceptance Letter]

[Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class; Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot; Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards)]

[Dear Mr. Vincent,]

[We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.]

[Term begins on September first. Given your particular circumstances, we will arrange a dedicated liaison to brief you on pre-term preparations.]

[Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall]

The second page listed the required textbooks and supplies.

Then, whether Ethan understood or not, Snape rattled off a heap of Wizarding World basics.

What Muggles were, what Hogwarts was, the Four Houses, and so on.

Though clearly reluctant, perhaps because of that painting, Snape's explanations were fairly thorough.

"I must warn you—your actions have already violated the Statute of Secrecy by displaying magic in front of Muggles," Snape said.

"Those foolish paintings of yours."

"Before you've even started school, you've forced the Ministry of Magic to send several people to wipe those Muggles' memories and drag them away from those damned pictures."

"And to confiscate all those evil Contraband items."

Ethan: "Confiscate? Including the one I just drew for you, Professor Snape?"

"..."

Snape actually choked for a moment.

He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Ethan's innocent, guileless face, as if the question had been purely casual.

"...If you end up in my House—Slytherin—I will make sure to give you 'special attention.'"

Snape hissed through gritted teeth, like a snake.

With a sweep of his hand, a cloth bag appeared on the table, the crisp clink of coins sounding from within.

Beside it lay a ticket for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

"Hogwarts provides a stipend for special students. It won't be lavish, but with proper planning, it'll last you a while."

"Everything you need to know before term starts, I've already told you. I trust you—Little Genius Painter of Spider's Alley—can manage to buy your own supplies in Diagon Alley."

"I can. Thank you for coming all this way, Professor Snape." Ethan nodded, offering a smile.

Snape snorted through his nose, paced over to the now-empty cabinet, and ran a hand over it as if inspecting it.

Then, like a great black bat, he swept out the door and vanished.

Ethan closed the door and let out a long breath.

Clutching the envelope, he felt as if everything that had just happened was a dream.

Then, Ethan suddenly noticed that the once-empty cabinet now held a book.

He walked over and saw the black cover, stamped with simple gold lettering: Advanced Potion-Making.

...He didn't need to guess who left that.

"Tsk, tsk—such a tsundere Professor Snape."

Ethan shook his head with an amused smile.

Eagerly, he picked up the book and flipped it open, finding annotations from its previous owner inside.

"Bezoar—a stone taken from a goat's stomach, antidote to many poisons, used in numerous antidotes... Note: Smells overwhelmingly of mutton, nauseating. If no mutton smell, it's a fake."

"Hmm—sounds disgusting just from the name..."

But if it ever came down to life or death, he probably wouldn't have the luxury to care.

Ethan thought to himself.

By the light, he continued reading further on.

It was already late, and though his heart was racing with excitement, Ethan decided to wait until tomorrow to shop in Diagon Alley.

Early the next morning, Charing Cross Road, London.

Ethan stood between a bookstore and a record shop.

Pedestrians came and went all around, but not a single one cast a glance toward where he was looking.

—The Leaky Cauldron.