(TL NOTE: I have decided to give this 'Arthur' a surname.)
Didn't we all understand the risks involved? Why are you still so furious? Ethan looked at the enraged Arthur with genuine confusion and puzzlement.
His gaze shifted to an elegantly dressed woman who entered the Great Hall just behind Arthur. For just an instant, that woman seemed to offer him the faintest hint of a smile.
Hmm? Not here to cause trouble? Ethan raised an eyebrow, sensing something was distinctly off about this situation.
"We're completely done for! That's Arthur Ashworth's mother!" Michael leaned over, whispering in amazed horror: "She's one of the Wizengamot judges, a key member of the International Confederation of Wizards, and a top-ranking official in the Ministry of Magic!"
"Arthur, whom she so carefully cultivated over the years, is now a complete wreck... Bloody hell, she's definitely going to make an enormous scene here at Hogwarts!"
Ethan replied thoughtfully: "Too bad this didn't make it to an actual courtroom trial. That final speech of his left me wanting to hear more eloquent arguments."
Michael stared at him in disbelief. "???" Well, that's Ethan for you. Always thinking things aren't dramatic enough.
Throughout the hall, students whispered anxiously among themselves. "Why is Arthur specifically targeting Ethan?" "Is he picking on Ethan because he's known for being good-natured, looking for someone safe to vent his frustrations on?"
"Clearly he's the one who fell to dark magic, yet he's bothering the righteous president of the Morning Star Club." "Even bringing his influential mother for backup. How absolutely shameless."
Listening to the students' heated discussions, Arthur nearly vomited blood from pure rage on the spot. I was the one fighting against evil forces! When did Hogwarts become a gathering place for Dark Wizards who support each other?!
Arthur felt an indescribable terror rising within his chest, as if the entire world had unknowingly become strange and twisted, with only himself remaining out of place in this nightmare.
No, wait. With Mother here, she'll definitely secure justice for me! My Round Table Council, my future career prospects... it's not completely ruined yet!
Arthur shook his head vigorously, banishing his doubts. Pointing dramatically at Ethan among the seated students, he declared hoarsely: "Mother, he's Ethan Vincent! He's the... the criminal who did this terrible thing to me!"
Saying this, Arthur completely ignored the sudden uproar that erupted throughout the hall. They were all fools anyway, unable to see the truth.
He looked expectantly toward Headmaster Dumbledore. But surprisingly, faced with this public disturbance, Headmaster Dumbledore made no move to intervene or restore order.
The elderly wizard simply leaned back comfortably in his ornate chair, hands naturally folded before him with perfect composure. Calm and serene, as if he'd already witnessed this scene's inevitable outcome.
Behind his half-moon spectacles, a brief flash of what might have been lament passed across his features. But Arthur was far too focused on his moment of triumph to notice such subtleties.
Instead, he felt absolutely delighted and smugly victorious. Look! Even Headmaster Dumbledore is clearly on my side! I've already won this confrontation!
His gaze shifted and suddenly caught sight of his Head of House, Professor Flitwick. The tiny professor stood anxiously balanced on his chair, looking worriedly in their direction with such urgency that he appeared ready to tumble right off the staff table.
Arthur paused and deliberately looked away with dismissive coldness. Professor, you still don't understand the bigger picture here. We excellent Ravenclaws should rightfully stand at the world's pinnacle, ruling over lesser minds and mediocre talents. Someone like Ethan, who doesn't focus on proper intellectual pursuits, represents a dangerous aberration that should be eliminated. Just like the Round Table Council's founding motto always taught.
Just then, his mother finally moved into action. Step by measured step, she walked directly before Ethan with regal bearing. Her imposing presence and obvious authority made the entire Great Hall fall into expectant silence.
Harry leaped to his feet with explosive energy, roaring with passionate conviction: "This has absolutely nothing to do with Ethan! Ethan is completely righteous!"
Arthur snapped back furiously: "Shut your mouth! You ignorant fool!"
He turned toward his powerful mother with sycophantic eagerness, speaking with careful deference: "Mother, please allow me to explain—"
His hopeful words were cut off abruptly by an icy voice that could have frozen summer itself: "Don't call me mother."
Arthur blinked in confusion: "...What did you say?"
His confident smile froze completely as he stared in blank shock at the woman who had given birth to him and raised him with such strict expectations.
Don't call her "mother"? Then what should I call her?
Somehow, an ominous premonition began creeping up from the depths of his heart like poison through his veins.
Lady Ashworth looked down at Ethan, who remained sitting calmly in his seat as if her presence meant absolutely nothing to him. He even had the audacity to casually raise his cup and take a leisurely sip of what appeared to be water.
Though why was that liquid bright crimson red? Lady Ashworth wisely chose not to think too deeply about such concerning details.
She remained silent for several long, tension-filled seconds. Then suddenly, she burst into warm, genuine laughter that transformed her entire demeanour.
A sunflower-like smile bloomed across her previously stern features with radiant warmth.
"?" Arthur felt completely stunned and disoriented.
He watched in growing horror as his mother, who had never once smiled during his entire childhood through adulthood and who had always held him to the most impossibly strict standards imaginable, was actually showing a genuinely motherly smile to a complete outsider.
And to the very person who had utterly ruined his life and future prospects.
RUMBLE! The sensation was exactly like being struck by magical lightning!
Arthur felt the solid ground beneath his feet crumble and collapse entirely, sending him plunging helplessly into an abyss of despair!
He heard his former "mother" speak with warm affection: "I currently have no children whatsoever. Would you be interested in becoming my son? You could inherit my considerable wealth and political position."
"Pfft!" Michael beside Ethan spat out a mouthful of pumpkin juice in shock!
He stared in absolute horror at the stunned Arthur and Lady Ashworth, who had just declared herself "childless" with such casual cruelty.
His mind screamed in disbelief: What kind of twisted fairy tale is this?! A complete family replacement?!
The Great Hall fell into profound, deathly silence. Harry, who had been standing in righteous defence, opened and closed his mouth twice in amazement, then quietly sat back down without another word.
Even Ethan himself raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise at this unexpected development. Then he released a laugh of pure amusement.
Crossing his arms with theatrical confidence, he looked directly at Lady Ashworth: "You know, Lucius Malfoy once hinted rather strongly that he could become my adoptive son as well."
Lady Ashworth's composure faltered: "..." Draco Malfoy turned bright red: "..."
Whoosh. Countless incredulous gazes immediately focused on the Malfoy family table!
Bloody hell! The Malfoy family really will use absolutely any method to climb the social ladder! Ultimate social climbers!
"Ahem." Malfoy coughed lightly, his aristocratic face reddening as he struggled to straighten his spine with wounded dignity.
What do any of you understand about strategic thinking? Being acknowledged as Ethan's heir would represent a tremendous blessing and opportunity, wouldn't it?
Meanwhile, after being stunned speechless for two full seconds, Lady Ashworth smoothly moved past this embarrassing topic with practised political skill.
She withdrew an antique bronze key inlaid with precious gems from her formal robes. Placing it deliberately on the table, she pushed it toward Ethan with ceremonial gravity.
Arthur's gaze trembled with recognition and devastation. He immediately identified it as his personal Gringotts vault key.
"This Gringotts key now has no legal owner," Lady Ashworth announced with business-like efficiency. "I sincerely hope you can accept this small token of respect from what was formerly the Ashworth family."
She's directly giving him an entire vault! Complete ownership!
"BANG!" Malfoy slammed his fist on the Slytherin table, glaring at Lady Ashworth through gritted teeth with professional admiration.
What ruthlessly effective tactics! Worthy of an experienced woman who's successfully navigated official political circles for decades.
On the other side of the hall, Prefect Gemma Farley's eyes flickered with calculating interest. Directly transferring Gringotts vault keys... that sounds like an excellent precedent. Perfectly positioned next to my own family vault. Very convenient for future joint deposits and withdrawals.
"Well then, I have other pressing business matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now," Lady Ashworth declared with crisp finality.
Without bothering to wait and see whether Ethan would accept her offering, she simply left the key on the table. Nodding briefly to Headmaster Dumbledore with professional courtesy, she turned and walked away with decisive authority.
Swift, efficient, and absolutely ruthless. From beginning to end, she never looked directly at her former son even once.
"Clang." The Great Hall doors closed with resounding finality.
The massive space fell into stunned silence that seemed to press against everyone's eardrums.
Someone suddenly cried out in shock: "Look at Arthur's hair!"
Arthur's black hair, already sparse and damaged from excessive dark magic use, had turned completely white in the span of mere minutes.
In an instant, he looked ten years older and utterly broken.
"Merlin's beard, how absolutely tragic," Michael couldn't help but whisper with genuine sympathy.
Why would anyone choose to provoke Ethan of all people? If you provoke The Dark Lord, he might simply Avada Kedavra you quickly and mercifully. But if you provoke Ethan, you truly suffer a fate far worse than death... ultimate humiliation that destroys you from body to spirit.
Amid the students' horrified gasps and whispers, Arthur collapsed heavily to the stone floor with a sickening thud.
His blurred vision looked up at Hogwarts' brilliant chandeliers one final time, hot tears streaming down his prematurely aged face.
Such overwhelming regret... Power, position, wealth, family... Only now, with absolutely nothing left, did he suddenly understand what truly mattered.
Arthur whispered hoarsely with his remaining strength: "The Round Table Council's original motto was to forever maintain our initial hearts, forever pursuing endless knowledge..."
Pure hearts, boundless wisdom. In the end, it was Ethan Vincent who genuinely embodied and upheld Ravenclaw's truest essence.
Forgive me, mentor. I failed everything you taught us.
Just then, Ethan's curious face suddenly appeared in his fading vision. Looking down at him with scientific interest, like observing some fascinating specimen.
Arthur thought wearily: Just let me die in peace.
He watched Ethan rummage thoughtfully through his pockets and withdraw a handful of mixed coins. Heh, showing pity for my having nothing left? How unexpectedly naive and kind-hearted.
Thinking this, Arthur actually felt genuinely touched despite everything. After all, he had been the one who foolishly insisted on challenging Ethan, ultimately falling into dark magic's corrupting abyss through his own choices.
Maybe Ethan's heart truly is as kind and pure as others always claim...
The next second, Ethan carefully selected two silver Sickles from the handful of coins. He placed them thoughtfully and seriously over Arthur's closed eyes with ritualistic precision.
HE'S PREPARING MY BURIAL COINS!
"Pfft!" In a final surge of fury and shock, Arthur spat blood across the stone floor.
His head lolled to one side as he completely lost consciousness. Arthur! Completely defeated!
Amid the stunned stares of hundreds of witnesses, Ethan straightened up calmly, clapped his hands with satisfaction, and sighed with genuine contentment: "I really am fundamentally a good person."
Even provided him with two Sickles for proper underworld passage fees. The Weasley family would be envious of such generosity.
Everyone present thought in unison: "..." Ethan, please try to act more human!
Arthur's symbolic "death" completely marked the end of Ravenclaw's centuries-old Round Table Council. Though such a thoroughly corrupted organisation had no legitimate need to continue existing anyway.
After the professors hastily dealt with Arthur's unconscious form by sending him directly to St Mungo's for extended medical care, Ethan looked around the Great Hall with calculating eyes.
His piercing gaze swept methodically over the terrified yet deeply reverent faces of Ravenclaw upperclassmen throughout the hall.
He could see faint lamps beginning to light up in their minds, illuminating new possibilities and loyalties.
No words were needed to communicate what everyone understood. From this moment forward, it would be the age of the Morning Star Club.
[Lamp influence increased significantly]
[Your influence has grown considerably stronger.]
[Current Lamp Brightness in Minds: Glimmer → Dim Light]
Ethan's lips curved in deep satisfaction. He felt the metaphysical lamp within his own mind burning brighter and more steadily, systematically dispelling shadows and doubt.
The increased illumination made his thoughts sharper and more focused, and his magical energy flow smoother and more controlled.
Only the lamp can truly dispel darkness and death.
Ethan thought of the wandering souls he'd witnessed in that hidden mystical place. If he wanted to venture deeper into those dangerous realms, to successfully pass through that advancement pathway to greater power, he absolutely must kindle a much stronger "lamp".
To guide his way forward safely and protect himself from death's corrupting invasion.
Ethan's eyes burnt with intense desire for advancement, for achieving higher levels of magical artistry.
Don't worry, Lady Rowena Ravenclaw. I will develop Ravenclaw's true essence to its absolute utmost potential. Make Ravenclaw great again!