"Pfft!"
Lucius Malfoy spat out a mouthful of saliva.
The last time he'd seen Ethan, the boy had still been in human form, right?
He remembered him as a handsome young man.
Had he evolved again after all this time?
Hearing this, Cornelius Fudge's eyes glazed over. "It's actually a magical creature... I'll have to start a new file for it..."
The Aurors exchanged glances.
Should this fall under the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, or was it their jurisdiction?
They only dealt with Dark wizards; they'd never heard of having to capture dangerous creatures!
Except for Hagrid.
His eyes suddenly brightened.
He stammered to Harry, "Harry, is that Mr. Lamp really not a human?"
Harry recalled the eerie sight of a face covered in sunflowers and nodded solemnly.
Lord Voldemort still possessed four of his five senses.
This ridiculous Mr. Lamp had straight-up switched over to the botany department.
It made sense—light (photosynthesis) and plants were a perfect match.
Upon hearing this, Hagrid became even more convinced that Mr. Lamp must be some newly evolved creature!
It could speak and think.
It was an intelligent species!!
"No wonder it created so many evil things; turns out 'he' isn't human at all...!"
Hagrid mumbled, feeling like he'd had a revelation.
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
"Alas! If only I could've gone with Harry! 'He' did such frightening things—maybe he was just hungry!"
Hagrid gazed at the surrounding "bodies strewn everywhere" with affectionate eyes.
It was as if, in his mind, this mysterious Dark wizard—who was even more evil than Lord Voldemort—had suddenly transformed into a hungry little caterpillar.
Everyone: "..."
Was Hogwarts some kind of lunatic asylum?
Only the Daily Prophet reporter was scribbling away frantically, thrilled to bits.
His notes were filled with phrases like "instant rapport," "regretted not meeting sooner," and "highly praised."
Fudge: "Alright! Enough nonsense! Let's go see Headmaster Dumbledore right away!"
Ethan Vincent, just you wait until I complain to Dumbledore about you! I'll expose your evil disguise!
Fudge thought grimly.
Concrete evidence?
There was none.
Hadn't they said it was some "magical creature"?
But if he could pin it on a scapegoat right away, it would massively downplay the Ministry of Magic's negligence.
Just like with Hagrid fifty years ago.
Mr. Lamp had been lurking for so long, and no one had noticed a thing.
They'd only discovered him after a major incident erupted!
The public would definitely be unhappy with the Ministry of Magic.
After all, it was a time of peace now, and no one wanted to disrupt that.
There was no margin for error.
Even if Dumbledore still protected this student.
Public opinion was easy to manipulate.
Ethan Vincent wasn't exactly innocent, either.
No one could threaten his power and position!
Fudge curled his lip.
This was a routine he knew all too well.
He hurried eagerly to the headmaster's office, flanked by the Aurors.
The gargoyle at the entrance seemed to have been expecting them.
Without a password, it spun aside to reveal the spiraling staircase.
"!"
Fudge burst into the headmaster's office impatiently and blurted out:
"Headmaster Dumbledore! I want to tell you—"
His words cut off abruptly.
The anger and tension he'd deliberately mustered froze on his face as he saw it.
The figure with its back to him, slowly turning around.
Ethan Vincent.
At that moment.
This evil little imp, the one he'd intended to "report," was smiling at him.
With the light behind him, his face was shrouded in shadow.
Only those cobalt-blue eyes, as if they pierced through everything, gleamed with a chilling, dark intensity.
Ethan had been happily sharing his grand ambitions with Headmaster Dumbledore.
Seeing that more company had arrived—and it was the British Minister for Magic, no less—his eyes lit up immediately!
The audience had grown!
So he spoke gently:
"Minister Fudge, what do you want to tell us?"
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Fudge's forehead.
It was over.
Everything was over.
Ethan Vincent, this demon, must have seen through his plan ages ago.
That's why he'd gotten to the headmaster's office first.
Waiting for him here, like a hunter guarding a tree for the rabbit.
What complaint? What scapegoating Ethan...?
It was utterly foolish!!
That last sentence was a warning: if you dare say a single word, watch out—your life might be in danger!!
At that moment.
Ethan's handsome, innocent face.
In Fudge's eyes, it was no different from a demon crawling out of hell.
"Hic!"
In his extreme fear, Fudge couldn't help but hiccup inelegantly.
He looked like he was about to cry.
Ethan: "?"
Ethan: "Haha, are you surprised to see me? No need to get so excited."
Fudge: (...)??!!
QAQ
Behind the desk, Dumbledore, who had witnessed it all:
Very funny.
But considering that the highest-ranking Minister for Magic was so weak, he couldn't bring himself to laugh.
In the future, would Fudge, intimidated by Ethan, just hand over his position to him?
Haha, just kidding.
Looking at Fudge hiccuping nonstop and trembling like a child—so pathetic.
Dumbledore: "Mr. Vincent, why don't you and the Aurors go help wake up the professors and students, and assist with repairing the school?"
"Hogwarts has stood for a thousand years, and this is the first time it's been bombed like this... What a grand gesture."
Two sharp beams of light shot from behind Dumbledore's half-moon spectacles.
Staring intently at Ethan's innocent, pure face.
Ethan nodded readily: "No problem."
He was such a kind and enthusiastic young wizard; it was only natural for him to help an elderly man with mobility issues manage the school.
Dumbledore: "..."
Even though Legilimency didn't work on Ethan.
He could still tell from the boy's "Oh, I'm so great" expression.
That Ethan was definitely entertaining some rebellious thoughts.
Ethan strolled leisurely toward the door.
As he brushed past the silent Minister Fudge.
He suddenly spoke:
"Minister, who do you think is the true enemy of the wizarding world?"
Fudge: "?"
Before he could respond, an Auror beside him chimed in:
"Of course it's You-Know-Who! He's committed countless evils and brought disaster to all of Britain!"
"Only Hogwarts remains the last pure haven."
Although Mr. Lamp had appeared out of nowhere this time.
But in terms of notoriety, it still had to be You-Know-Who.
Only Lucius frowned thoughtfully.
Then he let out an "Ah," his eyes widening in shock!
He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms, suppressing his excited trembling!
A powerful shiver ran up his spine!
Ethan's ambition was—how terrifying, yet how magnificent!!!
Indeed, the true enemy was the corrupt and incompetent Ministry of Magic.
Ethan thought to himself.
And sooner or later, he would rectify this dark wizarding world.
To make everyone smile happily.
With that thought.
Ethan couldn't help but curve his lips slightly.
Under Minister Fudge's inexplicably terrified gaze.
He left without another word.
He also patted Harry's shoulder and winked at Hagrid.
Harry immediately felt encouraged.
He couldn't help but exclaim, "Ethan is truly a considerate and kind good person..."
Right after waking up, he was helping rebuild the school.
Hagrid nodded: "Yes. Ethan's heart is truly like gold!"
Not only had he saved them from the Acromantula, but he'd also given him a beautiful large bird without holding any grudge.
What a generous child!
Dobby, whose hearing was still sharp: "???"
Had Hogwarts already fallen under the control of that human-skinned demon?
Damn it! That demon was too terrifying!
Dobby must warn Harry Potter!
While Headmaster Dumbledore and Master Malfoy were talking.
Dobby quietly sidled up to Harry's feet.
On the other side.
Ethan: "Achoo!"
He rubbed his nose and sighed:
"Alas, it's easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow~"
"A young wizard as kind and outstanding as I am is bound to attract jealousy and slander."
Auror:
You, my friend, are quite lacking in self-awareness.
However.
Watching Ethan wave his wand skillfully, restoring shattered stones and overturned vases to their original spots.
He couldn't help but secretly marvel.
Though he lacked self-awareness, this kid's talent was indeed enough to justify his arrogance.
Auror: "Kid, do you want to be an Auror in the future?"
Hearing this.
Ethan paused.
He looked at the young Auror who'd spoken and said profoundly: "Very good. You have excellent foresight."
Auror:
What was this déjà vu feeling, like a superior praising a subordinate?
It seemed a mere Auror position couldn't contain this grand figure.
At that moment, Ethan's eyes suddenly sharpened.
He spotted the large black bat sprawled at the entrance to the Potions professor's office—no.
It was their respected Professor Snape.
"I'll go help wake the professor."
"Heh, go ahead, go ahead."
The Aurors watched Ethan's wobbly steps and couldn't help but smile.
He really was still a child...
They shook their heads and headed to the other side without worry.
"Severus~"
A melodious laugh, like silver bells, rang in Snape's ears.
Ah... Where am I...
Snape slowly opened his eyes, and what met his gaze was the figure that haunted his dreams.
Red hair like fire, bright green eyes.
She was smiling, holding his hand, pulling him to run across the lawn.
Snape's eyes widened slightly.
In the lake's reflection, he saw his own youthful face.
No, that's not right...!
Lily, she had already...
"Severus."
The girl suddenly stopped in front of him, gazing at him with her green eyes, full of laughter.
In an instant.
Snape couldn't think of anything.
He stood frozen, staring blankly at that vibrant face.
He watched her slowly lean in closer, almost feeling the warmth of her breath.
She leaned close to his ear and whispered:
"Lily doesn't want you anymore."
"Ah!"
Snape's eyes flew open wide, and he sat up with a jolt, like a carp springing upright!
With a crack, he wrenched his lower back.
His features twisted immediately.
He fumbled for his wand, gripping it tightly, and scanned his surroundings warily.
He looked up and met Ethan's smiling face.
Ethan: "Welcome to this historic moment, Professor Snape."
Snape: "..."
He selectively ignored Ethan's nonsense, gritted his teeth, and roared word by word:
"E-than Vin-cent—!!!"