Dumbledore's speech marked the end of the feast.
He began by praising Harry's bravery.
This left those who had once suspected Harry of opening the Chamber of Secrets feeling profoundly ashamed.
Ethan spotted Justin from Hufflepuff—the boy Harry had "attacked" using Parseltongue.
His face turned red as he stammered his way over to apologize to Harry.
Hermione exclaimed, "Exactly! Some people actually believed Harry was behind all of this himself! It's utterly ridiculous!"
Harry blushed as well.
He quirked his lips, extended his hand, and shook Justin's, declaring that he "forgave him."
Ron muttered to himself, "Merlin's pants, Harry's expression is just like Ethan's!"
Harry shrugged.
He glanced over at Ethan at the Ravenclaw table, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"It's no big deal. I just think sticking with Ethan is a smart move."
At the very least, it felt incredibly satisfying.
Ron: "It's all over now—another one's fallen for it..."
Hermione shot Ron a glare before nodding approvingly at Harry.
As long as you followed Ethan and supported the great talent development plan, they were good friends.
Dumbledore awarded two hundred points to Gryffindor all at once.
The red hourglass surged dramatically—
Almost overtaking Ravenclaw's.
But no chance.
Ravenclaw had been exceptional.
This semester, the impact of Ethan's Enlightenment Society on the students was plain for everyone to see.
It had even been hailed as the "best Defense Against the Dark Arts class in history."
This put Ravenclaw's hourglass well ahead of the others.
By mid-semester, they had already locked in first place,
And it earned Ethan Vincent the Hogwarts Special Contribution Award!
Professor Flitwick looked as if he might float right off the ground.
Ethan quirked his lips when he heard Dumbledore announce the award.
He had expected as much.
If little Tom could earn it, why couldn't he?
Inside the Great Hall,
The decorations remained in blue and bronze.
The young eagles of Ravenclaw all sat up straight with pride.
They gazed at the composed Ethan with adoring eyes,
Feeling as though he was radiating light, every movement carrying a regal presence!
"Oh~ The thought of not seeing Ethan for the whole summer vacation is breaking my heart!"
A girl clutched her chest, tears glistening in her eyes.
"I heard that Padma, the girl from India, invited Ethan to her home for the summer. Is that true?"
"Huh? The version I heard is that Ethan's visiting Miss Fleur's family in France."
"Pfft! Miss Gemma Farley, the Slytherin prefect, is going on an international trip with Ethan!"
"Maybe Ethan, being such a dedicated student, will be diving into studies with that 'Miss Know-It-All' from Gryffindor."
"Alas! How enviable!"
That last remark struck a chord with all the boys.
Yet they couldn't summon any real jealousy.
The difference was just too immense!
Ethan was handsome, and his personality... well, it was actually pretty decent when he was behaving normally.
And his talents were unmatched, far beyond anything they could hope for.
Setting aside the Khornate aspect for a moment, he was simply the ultimate winner in life that they could never reach!
Damn it!!
Lord Ethan, please leave them some room to breathe!!
...Indeed, their only option was to latch onto Lord Ethan's coattails!
Ethan didn't notice the intense stares fixed on him—or rather,
He had long since grown used to them.
A celebrity's life was just that straightforward and unassuming.
At that moment, he was huddled close with Luna, discussing summer plans.
Ethan: "I want to host an art exhibition in the wizarding village near your home."
The villagers there were too...
Several times, just as Ethan was about to greet them, they'd scream and bolt away, disappearing in an instant.
As if they'd spotted a feral Dementor.
Luna nodded enthusiastically: "That sounds fascinating! I'm sure the villagers will love joining in!"
Ethan's eyes crinkled in amusement.
He wasn't paying any attention to old Dumbledore up on the stage.
It was the usual stuff anyway: "Professor Lockhart has unfortunately lost his memory," "no magic over the summer," and "no need to fret about the Chamber of Secrets anymore, since it's been blown up."
Light cascaded over Luna's pale face.
Her smile revealed faint dimples that were utterly adorable.
With summer upon them and the weather warming up,
Luna had tied back her light blonde hair.
It was loosely bundled at the nape of her neck, secured with a carrot-shaped hair clip.
From afar, she resembled a little bunny bounding along with a carrot perched on its head.
Luna said brightly, "I've been letting my hair grow so that one day, birds can build nests in it."
Ethan's eyes sparkled: "That's quite fashionable."
Beside them,
Michael's face contorted in confusion as he overheard their chat.
...He couldn't make sense of a single word. Was this even human speech?
Perhaps only "Loony Lovegood" could sync perfectly with Ethan's wavelength.
The serene and graceful "moon" hanging in the night sky.
A flawless pair.
How enviable...
Michael let out a soft sigh.
Goblet in hand, he eavesdropped on the exchange next to him with a forlorn expression.
He felt like he was about to explode.
In the blink of an eye,
The luggage had been loaded onto the Hogwarts Express.
With the final exams canceled, nearly everyone wore broad, joyful grins.
Except for a few Ravenclaws and Hermione Granger, the year's top student.
Hermione said anxiously, "Ethan, I heard you chose Ancient Runes too. It's a really tough subject. What if I can't keep up?"
Ethan: "Haha, then nobody can."
Hermione replied earnestly, "Ethan, I won't let you say you're not human."
Ethan: "..."
That wasn't what he meant at all.
He had selected Ancient Runes not just out of interest, but for some distinctive reasons.
Ancient Runes were also called "Ancient Magical Script."
Otherwise known as "Ancient magic."
Ethan had been pondering how to boost his power further.
Beyond gathering various extraordinary artistic materials,
It involved the "spells" to infuse into his paintings.
Just like the Labrador fish king's Guardian Spell.
And Ethan was convinced.
The best way to master any knowledge was through hands-on practice.
For instance, if you wanted to learn Avada Kedavra, a trip to Knockturn Alley was indispensable.
So... the same logic applied to learning "Ancient magic."
The optimal approach was to journey back to the era when it still thrived.
To explore, study, and practice it firsthand.
Hermione: "I asked Professor Flitwick, and he said the Ancient Runes we'll be studying are all about translation."
"Because true Ancient magic has long been lost."
If it was just translation,
Then Hermione figured she might not be outmatched by Ethan.
Ethan smiled at the girl's confident expression.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked:
"Hermione, do you have a Time-Turner?"
Hermione: "!!"
She jumped, glancing around nervously.
Then she gazed at Ethan in awe, nodded, and whispered:
"Nothing gets past you..."
"Yes."
"My grades were excellent last semester, and I wanted to take every class. So Professor McGonagall arranged with the Ministry of Magic to approve a Time-Turner for me."
"But how did you know, Ethan? I haven't told a soul!"
Ethan quirked his lips, flashing a enigmatic smile:
"Because I have one too. A Time-Turner."
It was a legacy left for descendants behind the Pure White Door, in Salazar Slytherin's true Chamber of Secrets.
The [Silver Key] that could traverse time.
He wondered if it could transport him back to the age when Ancient magic still flourished.
To seek out, learn, and master this profound lost art in person.
It would undoubtedly take his paintings to an entirely new level.
In Ethan's mind, a thunderous roar resounded from the depths of that concealed realm.
As if repelling all mortals, smiting them before the threshold of transcendence.
...And I will never repeat the same mistakes!
Ethan resolved silently to himself.
Hermione: "Ah! So you got a Time-Turner approved by the Ministry too, Ethan!"
Of course.
Ethan was so brilliant; he absolutely deserved one.
She just hadn't anticipated
That the Ministry would actually grant one to him.
Hermione glanced at Ethan, then at Luna beside him, and her spirits dipped unavoidably.
Hmm~!
She really wanted to join Ethan's study group as well!
Unfortunately, she'd already promised her parents a trip to France for the summer.
...But that was fine!
Once school resumed, maybe Ethan would even come to her for advice on Ancient Runes!
After all, even with a Time-Turner, you could only rewind a few hours.
It was impossible to travel back to the historical era where Ancient magic still existed.
To actually enable Ethan to learn Ancient magic.
"Hoo hoo hoo~"
Just imagining herself and Ethan poring over books together in the library made Hermione giggle uncontrollably.
She couldn't wait to demonstrate her skills to Ethan when third year began.