Professor McGonagall couldn't help shivering.
She had never seen Dumbledore so thoroughly lose his composure.
During the Malfoy incident, she could still convince herself it was nothing more than a squabble between children.
But after the Halloween incident, Professor McGonagall immediately realized the danger she had always overlooked in Ethan.
There was something innately wicked about him. It even reminded her of the Dark Lord, who had been gone for years...
"Professor Dumbledore, if we don't intervene, Mr. Vincent might really end up in Azkaban one day!"
Hearing Professor McGonagall's impassioned protest,
the surrounding portraits couldn't hold back and began whispering among themselves.
"End up in Azkaban? Hmph! Hogwarts really does produce some remarkable talent."
The former Headmaster Phineas Black sneered.
Dumbledore paid no attention to the portraits' chatter.
He took an unhurried sip of sweetened milk, feeling its warmth slide down his throat as his thoughts drifted back several decades.
Back then, there had been another student as exceptionally gifted as Ethan.
Only, he was better at hiding it than Ethan.
Like a viper disguising itself as harmless with its dazzling appearance.
Dumbledore had wondered countless times:
What if, when they first met,
instead of forcing him to submit through sheer power, he had shown him more care? Would anything have changed?
...It was all pointless now.
The only thing he could do was teach Ethan in a different way,
so the boy wouldn't take another path.
"As far as I know, Minerva," Dumbledore said slowly, "Ethan hasn't done anything particularly heinous to hurt anyone."
"If striking back when someone provokes him is considered intolerable behavior, I'm afraid Hogwarts would have no Gryffindor House at all."
Even though Ethan belonged to Ravenclaw.
"What?"
Professor McGonagall's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Never mind Malfoy—he brought it on himself. But what about Professor Quirrell? Aside from his... questionable teaching skills, he never provoked Ethan!"
"Hmm... Perhaps Ethan was simply unhappy with his teaching, and this was his little way of striking back."
Dumbledore said with a warm smile.
"..."
Professor McGonagall was speechless for a long moment.
If she hadn't been sure Ethan had biological parents, she might have thought he was Dumbledore's long-lost son!
That was far too much favoritism!
"And besides, Ethan did go out of his way to rescue Miss Granger and the others, didn't he?"
Though the boy had probably only wanted to test out his new spell.
"But—"
"Let's do this, Minerva." Dumbledore cut her off.
"When Professor Quirrell wakes up, we can discuss Ethan's punishment together and take his opinion into account. How does that sound?"
Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows in surprise, then nodded.
"If that's the case... all right. Professor Quirrell was Ethan's greatest victim, so he should be the one to decide."
Why had the conversation suddenly taken this turn?
However much of a pushover Professor Quirrell was, surely he would punish the student who had humiliated him in front of everyone.
At the very least, Professor McGonagall couldn't think of any reason he would let Ethan off lightly again.
This time, Ethan would definitely learn that Hogwarts had rules.
She actually thought very highly of Ethan.
She believed his cruel, wicked behavior was only because he was young and didn't know any better.
As long as he was strictly supervised and punished, Ethan could be set straight.
Then he wouldn't make a terrible mistake in the future.
"By the way," Dumbledore said, "Ethan's wand seems to have successfully turned into a paintbrush. I didn't get to see it myself, but I hear it was beautiful."
"Congratulations, Professor McGonagall. Your Transfiguration Class is about to produce another talented student."
"..."
Professor McGonagall's expression softened, and a hint of pride appeared in her eyes.
But the next moment, she turned serious again.
No!
I can't go soft again!
"Heh heh heh~"
Watching his fellow professor's expression change back and forth, Dumbledore couldn't help laughing.
"All right, if you have nothing else, Minerva, this old man is going to get some rest."
"Click."
The door shut.
Silence settled over the Headmaster's Office once more.
"Is Hogwarts going to produce another Dark Lord? And each generation is stronger than the last, is that it?"
Phineas Black scoffed.
"Who says only righteousness can stand against evil?"
Dumbledore wasn't the least bit provoked. He smiled meaningfully.
"Sometimes, a greater evil can devour the evil that already exists."
The forces of both sides would close in at once.
Voldemort, just you wait. The moment you dare to return, your good days will be over.
"Heh heh heh~"
At the sight of Dumbledore's smile, Phineas Black shuddered and shrank back.
Tsk, tsk.
Hogwarts was practically becoming a breeding ground for Dark Wizards.
They weren't even pretending anymore.
They should have listened to him and admitted only Pure-blood students.
Sigh, what was the world coming to?
[To the immensely talented Ethan,]
[I thought I'd made ample preparations for Halloween this year. My Dementor act was very effective, and I got more screams than ever before.]
[But the moment your letter arrived, I knew my imagination was still far too limited.]
[First of all, congratulations on keeping your Art Exhibition. You've been allowed to display it at Hogwarts for a while longer.]
[They did make you take down your very best painting, A Dream of Spring, but that meant you could send it to me so I could admire it.]
[In the painting, I saw Red Cap Goblins bouncing about, lots of Colorful Ball Fish flying through rainbows, and Thestrals soaring freely through the blue sky.]
[And you, Ethan.]
[I saw you painting on the lawn, completely at ease, with paint all over your hands and face.]
[It was such a wonderful feeling!]
[I sat on the grassy ground, which looked like a carpet, resting my chin on my hands. I closed my eyes and seemed to truly feel the gentle breeze brush my cheeks and hear the creatures' joyful calls.]
[When I opened my eyes again, I'd returned to reality without even realizing it.]
[It was like a beautiful dream that stayed in your heart, one you could still savor long after waking in the morning.]
[This letter's gotten a little long, but I truly think your painting is wonderful! I'm sure it'll give everyone an amazing experience!]
[Would you mind if I published it in the next issue of The Quibbler?]
[I'll be waiting for your reply.]
[With affection, Luna]
[My dear Luna,]
[You didn't even need to ask.]
[My answer will never change: I'd love you to.]
[Your faithful friend, Ethan]
Ethan watched the owl carrying his letter fly off into the distance, feeling as if his heart were flying away with it.
Luna really was his best friend.
He'd never imagined that, after crossing over into the world of Harry Potter, he would become such a close kindred spirit to the "Loony" from the original story.
Ethan packed his things and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.
A week had passed since Halloween.
Yet as he walked, Ethan could still clearly feel everyone's eyes on him.
Wherever he went, people watched him as if he were an angel stepping off a runway.
And when he entered the Great Hall,
he was like a walking rest note: wherever he went, the conversations there fell silent.
Eyes filled with all kinds of emotions stared at him without blinking.
Admiration, fear, wariness, respect...
The name Ethan Vincent had already begun to overshadow even Harry Potter, the Chosen One.
"Did you know?" Michael said with a grin beside him. "Some people have been secretly calling you 'the next Dark Lord,' haha! Isn't that funny?"
Ethan smiled without replying.
"..."
After two seconds of silence, Michael wisely changed the subject.
"And some girls are crazy about you. They're practically starting a fan club!"
"Have you noticed how every morning, there are tons of perfume-scented letters and cards on your bedside table?"
"Those gorgeous older girls want to make their move early! Childhood friends, huh? Women are terrifying!"
Michael lamented, wishing he could take on Ethan's burden for him.
"I just think Hogwarts needs better security."
Ethan said flatly.
Michael looked at him as if he couldn't believe how hopeless he was.
He wondered who Ethan was exchanging letters with every morning.
Tsk, tsk. In a few years, a whole lot of people were going to have their hearts broken.
It was enough to make a dog jealous.
Before you continue