"I am the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Lupin," the visitor introduced himself.
He looked haggard and worn, wearing an extremely shabby robe covered in various patches that hung loosely on his thin frame. Though he appeared still relatively young, his light brown hair was already streaked with premature grey.
"Professor Lupin?" Ethan was genuinely surprised.
Why would Professor Lupin come looking for him or Luna specifically?
Could it be... he heard about my glorious achievements last semester and wants to learn from my teaching methods?
Ethan suddenly understood, his face breaking into an innocent smile of realisation.
Perfect. My "Hogwarts Roller Coaster" plan needs someone knowledgeable to discuss it with.
With this thought in mind, Ethan didn't immediately open the door. Since you've come all this way, I should properly entertain you...
"Luna," Ethan turned his head, speaking with obvious excitement, "quickly call Mr Lovegood. We need to rapidly redecorate the living room!"
Meanwhile, Lupin stood on the doorstep very unwillingly. Not that he held any particular negative opinion of Ethan personally.
In fact, due to his chronic financial difficulties, he hadn't been able to afford regular subscriptions to the Daily Prophet, nor did he have many friends to chat with about current events.
So Lupin wasn't really clear about Ethan's recent "glorious achievements" that had made him famous.
What made Lupin genuinely uncomfortable was his real purpose for being here. He had been sent by Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge to monitor Ethan's activities.
"You should understand how much I, as Minister of Magic, despise the idea of a dangerous werewolf teaching the future of British wizarding society," Minister Fudge's contemptuous words echoed in his mind.
Along with those disgusted looks Lupin had grown painfully accustomed to receiving over the years.
Due to being maliciously attacked by a werewolf as a small child, Lupin had also become cursed with lycanthropy. Every full moon night, he would uncontrollably transform into a bloodthirsty beast, driven to tear at any living creature he encountered.
Even close friends weren't safe from his transformed state.
Just thinking about this terrible reality made Lupin's heart ache with familiar guilt and shame.
This was his greatest, most painful secret that he guarded desperately.
"You're going to monitor Ethan Vincent for me," Fudge had commanded. "Monitor his every move and report all suspicious activities directly to me."
"Once I discover you're hiding anything important... don't blame me for letting everyone at Hogwarts know your true lycanthropic identity."
After receiving this ultimatum, Lupin had immediately gone to tell Headmaster Dumbledore about Fudge's demands. He would rather lose the teaching job he had finally obtained than betray an innocent student for political purposes.
But after hearing him out completely, Dumbledore had actually laughed with apparent amusement.
"Haha, don't worry about it, Remus. I think you can approach Ethan without any concerns and do exactly as Cornelius asks."
"Mm, you'll find that Ethan is extraordinarily willing to show you everything about himself."
So willing that even Legilimency doesn't work on him. Honest to the point of being perhaps a bit too intimate with his thoughts.
Afterward, Headmaster Dumbledore had even winked at him meaningfully. Hinting that he too wanted to know what exactly Ethan was planning during his free time.
This revelation had left Lupin feeling somewhat dejected about his mission.
From what he understood through reliable sources, Ethan Vincent was an exceptionally excellent student. First year, second place academically, successfully led Ravenclaw to win the House Cup twice in succession.
He had even stepped forward proactively during the dangerous second-year Chamber crisis, spending his own resources and energy to lead school-wide magical defence practice.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Ethan the righteous backbone of Hogwarts' student body.
Minister Fudge actually suspects Ethan is somehow connected to the mysterious attacker [Mr Lamp] who bombed Hogwarts?
The Minister's position will change hands sooner or later with judgement this poor.
Back to the present situation, after knocking and hearing movement inside but receiving no immediate response, Lupin was genuinely puzzled.
Just as he was preparing to knock again, a clear young voice suddenly came from within: "You haven't said the password yet."
Password? Ah, mimicking the Hogwarts common room entry system?
Lupin couldn't help but smile at the innocent imitation. Gently and patiently, he replied: "Sorry, I don't know the password. Could you please tell me?"
Fortunately, the student inside didn't make things difficult and immediately responded: "Sure, of course!"
What a reasonable child, Lupin thought warmly. His heart melted slightly. It had been so long since someone had treated him with such uncomplicated kindness.
"The password is..." Ethan's voice carried clearly through the door. "Little rabbit, be good, open the door."
Lupin blinked in confusion: "Hm?"
Then his eyes widened in shock: "Hm???"
What?!
Like being struck by lightning, Lupin instantly froze in place, his pupils trembling with recognition!
Is this hinting at his werewolf identity?! How does Ethan know this terrible secret?!
Could he really have the problems Minister Fudge suspected...?
In his mounting terror, the door in front of Lupin opened with a casual click.
This revealed a completely harmless face peering out from within. Clean and neat features; even his hair was perfectly groomed and styled. The appearance formed a stark contrast with Lupin's shabby, dishevelled clothing.
Ethan curved his cobalt-blue eyes, smiling as he watched the petrified Lupin. "I was just making a little joke with you. You're not angry, are you?"
Lupin snapped back to awareness with visible relief.
Oh... oh, it was just an innocent joke... Right, I'm being far too sensitive about everything.
That's just a well-known children's nursery rhyme. How could Ethan possibly know I'm a werewolf and use it to threaten me?
Lupin steadied himself, walking inside while introducing himself properly:
"I'm your new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, Lupin..."
Lupin's words suddenly stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened sharply with alarm!
Before him hung a huge artificial full moon suspended in the dimmed room! All the lights were turned off, leaving only this cursed moon lamp rotating slowly and emitting pale yellow light!
Complete with realistic crater details, the light flickered as it shone directly on Lupin's face like some giant, taunting disco ball.
Lupin stared in silent horror: "..."
He slowly closed his eyes, unwilling to look at the triggering display any longer.
Ethan's cold little hand climbed onto his shoulder from behind with gentle pressure.
Whispering like a helpful demon in his ear: "Do you like it? Professor Lupin? Specially prepared just for you~"
Lupin was silent for a long moment, then managed to say hoarsely: "So you know that I..."
Ethan nodded with cheerful confirmation: "I know."
Is my secret exposed already? As a student with no previous connection to me, Ethan shouldn't possibly know my true identity...
Out of wild protective instinct, Lupin's heart rate gradually increased. Just as a precaution, his hand slowly reached for his wand concealed in his robes...
"I know you really like astronomy and the moon," Ethan continued brightly.
Lupin stared at him in complete confusion: "???"
"Huh?" He froze for what felt like the hundredth time that day, staring at Ethan like he was observing some incomprehensible alien species.
As if they were completely different creatures unable to communicate on the same wavelength.
Ethan spoke with continued cheerfulness: "Professor Snape told me about your interests."
Ethan's expression remained perfectly innocent and unchanged. "I happened to ask him who next semester's Defence Against the Dark Arts professor would be."
"I'm also from Spinner's End originally and have developed a good relationship with Professor Snape over the years."
Saying this, Ethan broke into a sunny, cheerful smile that seemed to radiate warmth. The genuine happiness made his handsome face practically glow.
The radiant expression made Lupin, who had lived in social darkness for so long, instinctively squint his eyes against the brightness.
So he just mistakenly assumed I liked lunar observations and specially decorated for it. I completely misunderstood Ethan's innocent intentions.
He can even maintain friendship with someone as difficult as Snape.
Lupin felt waves of guilt washing over him for his suspicious thoughts.
Ethan is completely unconnected to anything Minister Fudge described as terrifying or evil.
"I'm here to deliver next semester's school letters and conduct a routine home visit," Lupin explained, pulling out two official envelopes from his worn robes and handing them to Ethan and Luna.
"There's also a Hogsmeade permission form inside. Third-year students can visit the wizarding village on specific Saturdays, led by supervising teachers."
"Thank you for taking the trouble, Professor Lupin," Ethan replied with perfect politeness, then looked up with a practical question: "I don't have parents to sign for me. Can Luna's father, Mr Lovegood, sign my permission form?"
No father or mother. Lupin's heart took another heavy emotional blow, his guilt intensifying dramatically.
Taking a deep breath, Lupin managed: "I think that should be perfectly acceptable..."
"Excellent!" Ethan looked delightedly toward Luna with obvious anticipation.
Now I can visit the Shrieking Shack. How wonderful.
Seeing Ethan already eagerly checking the book list, Lupin pressed his lips together and steeled himself to address the core purpose of his visit:
"If it's convenient for you... I could accompany you to Diagon Alley to purchase your school supplies."
"Actually, Defence Against the Dark Arts has quite a few specialised items to prepare as well," Lupin added somewhat awkwardly.
Ethan is definitely going to Diagon Alley for shopping, so as his assigned "monitor", I need to follow the entire time.
He had expected Ethan to politely refuse, or rather, he had secretly hoped Ethan would refuse.
But Ethan simply blinked and nodded agreeably: "Sure, no problem at all."
"Thank you, Ethan," Lupin replied with genuine gratitude.
In Lupin's eyes, Ethan practically radiated pure angelic light.
'Perfect,' Ethan thought with satisfaction. I can have Lupin accompany us to the vault as a reliable meat shield during any crisis moments.
As a dedicated Hogwarts professor, he definitely wouldn't want to see the wizarding world's precious young talents get hurt, right?
What's that? You ask, 'What if Lupin wants to steal the treasure or report our activities to Dumbledore?'
Not to mention this vault 12 belongs to me legitimately...
Professor Lupin, you also don't want others to know your unspeakable little secret, do you?