Wade had always thought Lupin was good, but now he realized Lupin was even better than he'd imagined.
While Wade had helped Lupin a lot, he knew some people, even when indebted to others, acted as if they were owed something, enjoying giving "advice" from a high horse or demanding endlessly without any thought of repayment.
Then there were others who seemed to find being helped shameful, or simply didn't want to repay, so they'd simply avoid the person altogether. The darker-hearted ones might even wish ill upon their benefactors, hoping they'd fall on hard times, as if that would balance their own minds.
But Lupin was different. He was as gentle and accepting as water. He never acted condescending because he taught Wade magic, nor did he fawn or grovel because he was hired.
If he saw that something Wade planned to do was dangerous or harmful, he would gently, softly dissuade him.
But once Wade had made up his mind, even if it seemed completely nonsensical, Lupin would commit himself wholeheartedly to the task, never using the excuse of "it's for your own good" to pry or question endlessly.
That made their interactions very comfortable, especially for someone like Wade, who was full of secrets.
Just like now, Lupin didn't ask what else Wade had discussed with Dumbledore last time, or where his information came from, or why he wanted to burn down the dilapidated Gaunt House, which was practically swallowed by overgrown weeds.
He simply immediately came up with a plan and then set to work.
Next to the house was a large tree with gnarled roots, its branches even puncturing the roof and extending downwards.
All the windows were shattered, and tall nettles grew thickly, obscuring most of the openings. The small windows were covered in thick dust and grime.
Fortunately, the vegetation had long since withered, so clearing it wasn't too much trouble.
"*Incendio!*"
Wade and Lupin each pointed their Wands, and the dry grass in front of them burst into flames with a *whoosh*.
If they released control at that moment, the flames would spread like a natural fire, chasing after anything combustible.
But they maintained constant control. The flames, guided by their Wands, moved from both sides to close in, forming a massive circle of fire.
Lupin had explained the method of fire control to Wade many times before.
Some Wizards used various strange methods to enhance control, such as yelling Spells loudly, adopting specific poses, glaring at the flames with bloodshot eyes, or using magical artifacts.
But at its core, the most fundamental thing was a firm, clear belief, undisturbed by external factors.
After the fire circle closed, it gradually expanded outwards from the inside. Insects and small animals hidden in the grass scurried frantically towards the perimeter.
The flames didn't spread quickly. A wild cat ran out, hid in the bushes to observe for a while, then quickly darted back to carry away its kittens.
Thick smoke drifted upwards, as if a forest fire had started.
The fire circle expanded for over ten meters before stopping, then slowly extinguished after consuming everything within its bounds.
Wade waved his Wand, conjuring a strong gust of wind that blew away all the black ash, revealing the dark gray ground beneath.
Lupin then used a cleansing Spell, and streams of water sprinkled onto the ground, preventing the dry leaves from scattering.
Finally, only the small house hidden beneath the tree in the center and the surrounding weeds remained.
From beginning to end, Wade and Lupin did not approach the house.
Wade looked up at the gradually spreading smoke in the sky and said to Lupin, "Let's begin... Even though everyone in Little Hangleton is asleep, it's inevitable that someone far away will see it and call the police."
A forest fire was no small matter. If anyone saw the smoke, they would most likely call the fire department.
However, the fire station was far from here, and the road was difficult, so they still had plenty of time.
Lupin nodded and said, "Remember what I told you: precise control is more important than its power."
"Yes."
Wade put away his Wand and took out the Rowan Wood and Phoenix Feather Wand he'd bought from a second-hand shop. He calmed his breathing and cleared his mind to focus.
"*Fiendfyre!*"
With a *whoosh*, an orange-gold flame shot out from the tip of his Wand, landing on the large tree next to the Gaunt House, immediately bursting into a raging inferno.
Wade didn't lower his Wand. He focused intently on the flame, vaguely sensing the hidden, invisible connection between it and himself.
Lupin also held his Wand, ready at any moment.
Although Fiendfyre was dangerous and difficult to control, it had a counter-charm. If there was only a slight loss of control, Lupin could temporarily block it with a shield, giving Wade time to regain mastery.
The flames constantly spread and rose, suddenly transforming into the shape of a hunting dog, seemingly wanting to devour someone, then abruptly dissipating. Immediately after, a Hippogriff ran out of the fire. It circled the house, igniting every combustible surface, then merged back into the flames.
The flames constantly shifted forms—dragons, phoenixes, Nifflers, Occamys, wolves, Chimeras...
Some flew, some ran, sometimes seeming as if they would rush out, but were blocked by Lupin's water barrier.
Gradually, the fire creatures' movements became more agile, yet they no longer broke out of the circle. Lupin glanced at Wade, whose forehead was beaded with fine sweat, and praised him silently.
Many Wizards never dared to use the Fiendfyre Spell in their lives, fearing they couldn't control it. Magic was subjective; their fear of the Spell unconsciously increased the difficulty of learning it.
Lupin himself had learned this magic in his teens. Back then, he and his friends had done many big things, fearless of anything, only disliking Dark Magic but holding no reverence for it.
Even so, he had to burn many things on the beach before he learned how to master Fiendfyre.
Lupin had originally planned to teach Wade the same way, expecting Wade to fail several times and have to discard his old Wand. He never expected him to slowly succeed on his very first try.
This child before him was a born Wizard; he was destined to become as powerful as Dumbledore.
Perhaps even surpass Dumbledore.
Lupin narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the flames gradually form a golden-yellow bird, like a phoenix, yet somewhat different from Dumbledore's phoenix.
It unfurled its wings gracefully in the flames, taking flight. Its eyes, seemingly formed from firelight, appeared to be watching them.
Within the flames, intermittent popping sounds echoed—sometimes like shattering glass, other times like something exploding.
Lupin wasn't surprised.
Since this was once a wizarding family's home, there would undoubtedly be various spells set up around it, but Fiendfyre was powerful enough to destroy most spells.
However, Lupin's calm expression soon broke.
From within the flames, a familiar scream suddenly rang out!
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