In the future, if I get my hands on any magical creatures Hagrid is interested in, I can trade them with him.
"Don't be polite—sit anywhere!"
As Hagrid spoke, he released Fang.
As soon as the dog was let loose, it ran to Ethan's feet, whimpering in an overly friendly way.
"This is Ron Weasley!"
"This is Ethan Adrien!"
Harry introduced them to Hagrid, since they didn't know each other.
Hagrid, who was preparing refreshments, turned around. Upon seeing Ron's red hair and freckled face, he groaned a bit and muttered:
"I've spent half my life trying to chase those Weasley twins out of the Forbidden Forest."
Seriously, heaven knows how much my workload increased after those two came to Hogwarts.
Ron's face turned bright red. He knew his twin brothers all too well—they were practically the kings of mischief.
Luckily, Hagrid didn't dwell on it.
Soon, he served refreshments: rock cakes and hot tea.
Harry and Ron struggled to bite even a few crumbs from the rock cakes, but still pretended to enjoy them.
Although Ethan had enhanced physical abilities—including stronger teeth—he still didn't want to test the rock cakes' toughness. Instead, he broke off a piece and discreetly fed it to Fang.
Maybe Fang had been eating these since he was a puppy, because he seemed used to them and gobbled it down with delight.
"Take more when you're done! I've got plenty here—don't be shy!"
Seeing Ethan finish the cake in his hand, Hagrid beamed and gestured toward the plate.
"No need—one is enough, thanks."
Ethan quickly shook his head to decline.
Harry and Ron understood what was happening, but Fang wouldn't go near them, so they didn't have a chance to feed him.
"By the way, Hagrid, do you know where I can find frogs?"
Ethan asked, suddenly reminded of something.
He'd just obtained the recipe for Baruffio's Brain Elixir earlier that day, but frog brains weren't easy to find. Frogs weren't served in the Hogwarts dining hall, or else he might've worked something out with the kitchen staff. He hadn't seen any in Snape's potions classroom, either.
Trapped in Hogwarts for the time being, Ethan didn't know where else to look except the Forbidden Forest.
"Oh, there's plenty of frogs by the pond to the east—but they're hiding this time of year unless you dig for 'em."
Hagrid pointed off in a direction without hesitation.
Though he didn't know Ethan well, being introduced by Harry meant he was a friend. And Hagrid had always trusted Harry's friends.
"I see."
"Then, Hagrid—do you know if Hogsmeade sells frogs?"
If frogs were only available by the pond, he could use a Summoning Charm. But digging for frogs was far too much of a hassle. That route was closed.
He was sure Diagon Alley or Knockturn Alley would have them. But unless he used a box enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm, he couldn't bring back enough. Relying on owl post wasn't feasible—postage might end up costing more than the frogs themselves.
As for the three suppliers he knew in Knockturn Alley, they were currently wanted and didn't dare leave. Otherwise, he could've had them send some frogs to Hogsmeade for him.
"Bruce's Pet Shop has them. Some magical critters love eating mice and frogs."
As he spoke, Hagrid seemed to recall something and quickly added,
"But you can't go to Hogsmeade till third year—you're not allowed yet. Don't sneak off. If you really need frogs, I can get some for you."
"Okay. If I need them, I'll ask you for help."
Ethan nodded. He didn't plan to rely on Hagrid long-term; the supply would be too limited, and Baruffio's Brain Elixir required frog brains fresh within an hour of death.
Now that he knew a shop sold them, he could eventually go himself—clearing out the whole stock at once using an enchanted box.
Ethan didn't intend to keep the potion just for personal use, either. Selling it could be a lucrative opportunity, especially among fifth- to seventh-year students.
"Hagrid, does Snape target me because of my parents?"
Harry asked suddenly.
Hagrid had been Hogwarts' key keeper for years and had known Harry's parents. Maybe he knew something.
"Doesn't Snape treat all students that way?"
"Especially Gryffindors…"
Hagrid mumbled, looking away from Harry's eyes. He clearly didn't want to lie but didn't want to say more either.
Seeing that Hagrid didn't want to talk about it, Harry gave up. He figured he could ask his aunt later. Still, this only deepened his suspicion that something had happened between Snape and his parents.
Later, when Harry brought up the Daily Prophet article about the Gringotts break-in from July 31st, Hagrid's avoidance became more obvious. He even tried to silence Harry by handing him another rock cake.
When they left, the three had their pockets stuffed with rock cakes. Hagrid was so enthusiastic they couldn't refuse.
Yet Harry felt more confused than ever.
Between Snape, his aunt's family, and the mysterious package Hagrid took from Gringotts, questions swirled in his head. He suspected the robbers had been after whatever Hagrid had picked up.
Chapter 41: Fiendfyre Curse
At ten o'clock that night, Ethan appeared in the Room of Requirement on schedule.
Peter had written more than a dozen parchments today—covering Charms and Potions this time, since the previous two days were focused on Transfiguration and Alchemy.
Today's highlight was the Fiendfyre Curse: its principles and how Peter had successfully cast it once.
At this pace, Peter might be mentally drained by tomorrow.
After requesting a training room, Ethan stepped inside.
There were large magical targets meant for spell testing, and a set of tables and chairs for rest.
In the lounge area, Ethan read Peter's notes on the Fiendfyre Curse and his firsthand experience.
The curse didn't require a spoken incantation, but it did demand precise control of magical energy.
Most importantly, the caster had to unleash their deepest desire to destroy—only by converting that destructive emotion into magic could Fiendfyre be summoned.
Without that intense emotion, the spell couldn't be cast.
Yet, if the emotion was too strong, the caster could easily lose control—Fiendfyre was infamous for killing its own summoner.
But Ethan had no such concerns.
Thanks to his Heart of Darkness talent, his Dark Arts ability didn't require emotional assistance. He could cast even emotion-based spells like Fiendfyre at will.
Combined with his Flame Affinity, which gave him precise control over fire spells, the pairing was nearly flawless.
Still, for his first attempt, Ethan needed emotional assistance—to understand how it felt.
Following Peter's magical operation method, Ethan circulated his magic power and focused on the destructive emotion.
A thin wisp of crimson flame emerged from his wand. It quickly expanded.
Even with little fuel in the room, Ethan's abundant magic acted as an accelerant. The flames gushed forth, reducing the tables, chairs, and targets to ash in seconds.
Amid the chaos, Ethan refined his control. Eventually, he shaped the inferno into a tornado of fire revolving around himself.
Had he looked at his magic panel, he would've seen his Fiendfyre proficiency skyrocket to level 3 in moments.
With multiple learning talents stacking—including Dark Arts talent, general spell talent, and improved cognition—his growth was terrifying.
The more the flames grew, the more confident he became.
Instead of fearing loss of control, he felt exhilarated.
Eventually, Ethan stopped feeding the fire with magic power. Though the flames no longer expanded, he could still manipulate them.
He shaped the fire into phoenixes and dragons, letting them roam the training grounds.
They were still made of Fiendfyre—just shaped like mythical creatures, lacking any true transformation.
That's not transfiguration, Ethan thought.
True magical transfiguration changes an object's essence, not just its form.
"Mjolnir!"
Suddenly, a massive thunderclap rang out. A hammer of lightning, over ten meters wide, smashed the fire phoenix to bits. Sparks flew in all directions.
But the embers didn't die.
With a thought, Ethan gathered them into a giant flaming wolf sprinting across the floor.
As expected—Fiendfyre couldn't be extinguished by brute magical force alone. It had to burn out as magic power depleted.
Finite Incantatem, he realized, likely works by using magic power to neutralize other spells—like-for-like.
Though he had learned Finite Incantatem already, he hadn't yet mastered its advanced version.
As he grew more adept, Ethan approached the Fiendfyre.
His instincts said it wouldn't harm him. Trusting that, he reached into the flames.
He felt intense heat—but no pain. His robe remained intact.
Of course, he smirked. Who gets hurt by their own magic?
However, he still couldn't disperse the Fiendfyre instantly.
Unless its magic was spent, it wouldn't vanish. Total mastery would come only when his proficiency reached the maximum level.
At least he hadn't cast it outdoors.
If there had been fuel, the blaze might have become uncontrollable without Finite Incantatem.
Once most of the Fiendfyre was burned away, Ethan left the Room of Requirement.
Checking his panel, he noticed the spell had already reached level six—his fastest progression ever.