Professor McGonagall couldn't help but shudder.
She had never seen Dumbledore lose his composure like that before.
During the Malfoy incident, she could still convince herself it was just children's squabbling.
But after the Halloween incident, Professor McGonagall immediately realized the danger in Ethan that she had always overlooked.
That natural darkness even reminded her of You-Know-Who, who had disappeared for years...
"Professor Dumbledore, if we don't intervene, Mr. Vincent might really end up in Azkaban in the long run!"
Hearing Professor McGonagall's urgent accusation, the surrounding portraits couldn't hold back and began whispering among themselves.
"End up in Azkaban? Hmph! Hogwarts truly produces talent after talent."
Former Headmaster Phineas Black said disdainfully.
Dumbledore paid no attention to the portraits' discussions.
He slowly sipped his sugared milk, feeling a warm current flow down his throat, his thoughts involuntarily flying back decades.
Back then, there was also a student with exceptional talent like Ethan.
Only, he was better at disguising himself than Ethan.
Like a venomous snake, using a beautiful appearance to disguise himself as harmless.
Dumbledore had thought countless times—
If back then, during their first meeting, instead of using force to make him submit, he had cared for him better, would things have been different?
...Now everything was in vain.
The only thing he could do was use another method to guide Ethan.
To prevent this child from walking down another path.
"As far as I know, Minerva," Dumbledore spoke slowly, "Ethan hasn't done anything particularly malicious yet."
"If we consider fighting back against others' provocations as intolerable behavior, then I'm afraid Hogwarts would have no Gryffindor House."
Though Ethan was a Ravenclaw.
"What?"
Professor McGonagall's eyes widened in disbelief:
"Malfoy was one thing—he brought it upon himself. But what about Professor Quirrell? Apart from his teaching level being... difficult to describe, he didn't provoke Ethan!"
"Mm—perhaps this was exactly Ethan's small retaliation for his dissatisfaction with his teaching attitude."
Dumbledore said with a smile.
"..."
Professor McGonagall was speechless for a long moment.
If she wasn't certain Ethan had biological parents, she would have thought Ethan was Dumbledore's own son living outside!
This was too protective!
"Besides, Ethan also took the initiative to rescue Miss Granger and the others, didn't he?"
Though that child probably just wanted to test his new spell.
"But—"
"How about this, Minerva," Dumbledore interrupted.
"When Professor Quirrell wakes up, we'll discuss Ethan's punishment together based on his opinion. How about that?"
Hearing this, Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows in surprise and nodded:
"If that's the case... fine. Professor Quirrell is Ethan's biggest victim, so he should rightfully decide."
Why did the conversation suddenly change direction?
Even if Professor Quirrell was a pushover, he would surely impose severe punishment on a student who embarrassed him publicly.
At least, Professor McGonagall couldn't think of any reason that would make Quirrell let it go lightly again.
This time, Ethan would surely understand that Hogwarts still had rules.
She actually thought highly of Ethan.
She believed Ethan's cruel behavior was just due to his young age and ignorance.
As long as he was strictly supervised and severely punished, Ethan could be set straight.
Only then would he not make grave mistakes in the future.
"By the way," Dumbledore said, "Ethan's wand seems to have successfully transformed into a paintbrush. Although I didn't see it personally, I heard it was very beautiful."
"Congratulations, Professor McGonagall, your Transfiguration class is about to produce another talent."
"..."
Professor McGonagall's expression involuntarily softened, her eyes tinged with pride.
But the next second, she became serious again.
—No!
She couldn't be soft-hearted anymore!
"Hehe~"
Seeing his professor's changing expressions, Dumbledore couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, if you have nothing else, Minerva, this old man needs to rest."
Click.
The door closed.
The headmaster's office returned to silence.
"Hogwarts isn't going to produce another generation of Dark Lord, is it? Each generation is stronger than the last."
Phineas Black said mockingly.
"Who says only justice can fight evil?"
Dumbledore wasn't provoked at all, smiling meaningfully:
"Sometimes, greater evil can also devour existing evil."
Attacked from both the light and dark sides.
Voldemort, as long as you dare to return, your good days are coming.
"Hehehe~"
Seeing Dumbledore's smile, Phineas Black shrank back in disgust.
Tsk tsk.
Hogwarts was really becoming a dark wizard breeding ground.
They weren't even pretending anymore.
They should have listened to him long ago and only admitted pure-blood students.
Sigh, truly the world was going downhill.
...
To the talented Ethan,
I thought I had made sufficient preparations for this Halloween. My Dementor performance was very effective—I got the most screams ever.
But when your letter arrived, I knew my imagination was still too limited.
First, congratulations on keeping your art exhibition and getting permission to continue displaying it at Hogwarts for a while.
Although they made you take down the best painting, "A Dream of Nanke," because of that, you could send the painting to me to appreciate.
In this painting, I saw bouncing Red Cap goblins, many colorful ball fish flying around in rainbows, and Thestrals flying freely in the blue sky.
And you, Ethan.
I saw you on the lawn, painting leisurely with paint all over your hands and face.
This feeling was so wonderful!
I sat with my chin propped up in the carpet-like grass, closed my eyes, and seemed to truly feel that gentle breeze brushing my cheeks, hearing the creatures' happy calls.
When I opened my eyes again, I had unknowingly returned to reality.
Like a beautiful dream that stays in your heart, still savored when you wake up in the morning.
This letter is getting a bit long, but I truly think your painting is wonderful! It will definitely bring everyone a very beautiful experience!
Would you like me to publish it in the next issue of "The Quibbler"?
Waiting for your reply.
Your caring friend, Luna
...
My dear Luna,
You don't even need to ask me.
The answer will never change: I'm willing.
Your loyal friend, Ethan
Ethan watched the owl carrying his letter fly into the distance, feeling his heart fly away with it.
Luna was truly his best friend.
Who would have thought that crossing into the world of Harry Potter, he would become the closest spiritual companion with the "crazy girl" from the original story?
Ethan packed his things and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.
A week had passed since Halloween.
However, along the way, Ethan could still clearly feel others' attention.
Wherever he went, he was like an angel walking off a runway, receiving everyone's gaze.
And when he arrived at the Great Hall, he was like a walking rest note—wherever he went, conversations stopped.
Gazes filled with various emotions stared at him unblinkingly.
Admiration, fear, wariness, respect...
Ethan Vincent's reputation had even begun to overshadow that of the savior Harry Potter.
"You know what?" Michael said with a grin beside him, "Some people secretly call you 'the next Dark Lord'! Haha, how interesting!"
Ethan smiled without speaking.
"..."
After two seconds of silence, Michael wisely skipped the topic.
"There are also some girls who worship you crazily—they're almost forming a fan club!"
"Haven't you noticed that every morning, there are more perfumed letters and cards on your nightstand!"
"Those pretty upperclassman sisters all want to get in early! What childhood sweethearts! Women are truly terrifying!"
Michael lamented, wishing he could bear this sin for Ethan.
"I just think Hogwarts' security needs strengthening."
Ethan said emotionlessly.
Making Michael feel frustrated.
He wondered who the person corresponding with Ethan every morning was.
Tsk tsk, it seemed that in a few years, many hearts would be broken.
Truly enviable.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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