Louis quickly sorted through the wave of goodwill from the pure-blood families.
It was obvious enough—this goodwill only existed because the students had gone home and told their parents about Louis being the so-called Heir of Merlin. Their parents' first reaction had been unanimous: curry favor.
But while the pure-blood families believed it and even tried to cozy up to him, they weren't friends. They could turn into enemies at any moment.
They cared only about profit. If Louis ever displayed true power, he would soon be feared—either courted as an ally or targeted for elimination.
That was fine. Louis had always considered them imaginary enemies anyway.
The only pity was that this kind of indirect scam—deceiving the families through their children—didn't earn him any Trick Points. Otherwise, this wave would have made him rich.
The gifts from the pure-blood families were all quite good. Most of the items—limited-edition cauldrons, expensive potion ingredients, and the like—Louis packed up neatly into boxes. The few rare trinkets he left at home as decorations.
Hermione had sent Louis a holiday card, which, for a child, was already a thoughtful gift. He placed it carefully into his drawer for safekeeping.
Then, slinging his broom over his shoulder and dragging his suitcase behind him, he headed out.
It was Christmas Day. Mr. Wilson had a performance, and Mrs. Wilson was going to watch, so Louis had to make the trip alone.
Compared to being a considerate child—love still came first.
The Hogwarts Express was scheduled to depart at exactly eleven o'clock.
Louis handed his luggage over to the porter and found an empty compartment to sit in.
As he did, he felt the weight of countless eyes on him. Nearly every student in the station was staring at him with complicated expressions.
Most of them, of course, were from the powerful pure-blood families.
It didn't take long after he sat down for them to start arriving—one after another, each stopping by his compartment.
"Hello, I'm… It's an honor to be your classmate."
"Mr. Wilson, I'm from… If you need anything, come find me in Ravenclaw."
"Mr. Wilson…"
And so on, an endless stream.
Louis felt like some especially holy idol, pilgrims filing in to pay their respects—or like a limited-time NPC in an event, handing out quests to all comers.
This procession continued until Hermione finally appeared. She had looked excited at first, but the sight of so many students hovering around Louis left her dumbfounded.
"What on earth are they doing?" she asked as she squeezed into the compartment and sat down opposite him.
"Mm… seeing God," Louis replied, spreading his hands.
"…Seeing God?" Hermione rolled her eyes. "Stop joking."
"Think about it. When ordinary people are shocked, they say 'Oh my God.' When wizards are shocked, they say 'Merlin's beard.' The principle's the same, isn't it?" Louis smiled. "They came to see the heir of Merlin. How is that any different from coming to see God?"
How could that possibly be the same?
Hermione gave him a strange look.
Just then, another knock came at the compartment door.
It was Draco Malfoy—flanked by his two ever-present lackeys.
Draco's expression was hesitant. He looked at Louis and said cautiously,
"Hello, Louis. Happy Christmas."
Louis raised a brow.
"Happy Christmas, Malfoy. And thank your family for the gift—even if I've no use for it."
"May I sit here?" Draco asked. A flicker of frustration passed through his eyes.
His father hadn't even bought him a Nimbus 2000, yet when it came to sending someone else a present, Lucius had been so generous.
Infuriating! But whether it was his father or the boy sitting in front of him, Draco didn't dare provoke either.
"No." Louis gestured at the hulking shadows behind Draco. "There's no room."
"They can sit somewhere else." Draco turned and gave a sharp look. Crabbe and Goyle obediently shuffled away.
"And now?" Draco asked again, looking at Louis.
"Can't you tell?" Louis chuckled, pointing at himself and Hermione. "You planning to come warm us up? Shine your light for everyone equally?"
In other words—you came here to play the third wheel?
That struck Draco like a stomp on his foot. He shrieked,
"Her? A Mudblood? Someone like you—how could you possibly associate with such filth?"
He didn't even finish before he felt his entire body tighten, as if a giant hand had seized him.
"You're teaching me how to behave?"
A glimmer of black mist streaked with starlight flashed in Louis's eyes, his face dark with anger.
"Mr. Malfoy," he said coldly, "Hermione is my friend. I don't ever want to hear anyone slander her."
He rose to his feet, stepping closer to the trembling Draco. His lips pulled back into a smile that carried no warmth at all.
"As far as I see it, your family merely offered me a broom to curry favor—not to buy me. I trust you understand the difference."
"Now—get out."
An invisible force slammed into Draco Malfoy, hurling him backwards. He tumbled across the carriage floor in a sorry heap until the not-yet-departed Crabbe and Goyle grabbed him.
Without a change in expression, Louis slid the door shut. When he turned back, Hermione's eyes were sparkling, her cheeks tinged pink.
"You looked really handsome just now," Hermione said.
"I think I always look handsome," Louis replied as he sat back down. "Sorry I lost my temper—did I scare you?"
"No. Actually, you made me feel safe." Hermione giggled into her hand. "By the way, what did he mean by 'Mudblood' just now?"
"You've really never read about it, or heard it before?" Louis asked in surprise.
Hermione shook her head. "It sounds familiar… I think I might've overheard it on the first day of school."
"That was probably someone talking about me," Louis said lightly. "Mudblood means a wizard born to Muggle parents. It's not a good word—full of prejudice."
"Prejudice… how awful." Hermione finally understood the hidden malice in Draco Malfoy's words.
"Just remember—if anyone dares call you that, pick up your wand and beat them. Even the head of Slytherin won't defend them."
Louis adjusted his robe, rumpled from the brief burst of the Rooster Talisman's power. "So—how was your holiday?"
"Not bad. Oh, and thank you for the gift. But… weren't those books a bit too expensive?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
"It's fine. As long as you liked them." Louis smiled. "But remember—use them for the knowledge inside. Don't let yourself be swayed by the author's other words."
"Other words?" Hermione blinked. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean the knowledge is real. The adventures… maybe not. Next term you'll understand why I said that." Louis winked.
Hermione's eyes widened with realization.
"This is another prophecy?"
"That's right."
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