"I am Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts."
The newcomer introduced himself.
He looked worn out, dressed in an extremely shabby, patched-up robe that hung loosely on his frame.
Though he still appeared young, his light brown hair was already threaded with strands of gray.
"Professor Lupin?"
Ethan was surprised.
Why would Professor Lupin come looking for him or Luna?
Could it be...
He'd heard about Ethan's accomplishments from last semester and wanted to consult him?
Ethan suddenly understood, a pure smile spreading across his face.
Perfect.
His "Hogwarts Rollercoaster" plan needed some discussion.
With that in mind, Ethan didn't open the door right away.
Since you've come all this way, I should entertain you properly...
"Luna," Ethan turned his head and said excitedly, "Go quickly and call Mr. Lovegood! We need to set up the living room right away!"
Lupin stood there, feeling deeply reluctant.
It wasn't that he had any issue with Ethan.
In fact, due to his financial hardships, he hadn't paid much attention to the Daily Prophet and had no friends to gossip with.
So, Lupin wasn't really aware of Ethan's "achievements."
What made Lupin uncomfortable was the real reason he'd come.
He'd been sent by the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, to keep an eye on Ethan.
"You should know, as Minister for Magic, how much I do not wish for a dangerous werewolf to teach the future of the British wizarding world."
Minister Fudge's words echoed in his mind.
At the same time, there were the disgusted looks Lupin had long grown accustomed to.
Due to a malicious act of revenge by a werewolf when he was a child, Lupin had become one himself.
Every full moon, he would uncontrollably transform into a bloodthirsty beast, tearing at every living creature in sight.
Even friends.
Just thinking about it made Lupin's heart ache.
This was also his biggest, most painful secret.
Fudge: "You go and monitor Ethan for me—every move he makes—and report all abnormalities to me."
"Once I find out you've hidden anything... don't blame me for letting everyone at Hogwarts know your true identity."
After receiving the order,
Lupin immediately turned and told Headmaster Dumbledore.
He would rather lose the job he'd worked so hard to get than betray a student for it.
But Dumbledore listened.
And actually laughed.
"Hahaha, don't worry."
"I think you can approach Ethan without reservation and do as Cornelius asks."
"Hmm, you'll find that Ethan is very willing to show you everything about him."
So willing that Legilimency wouldn't even work.
A bit too intimate in his honesty.
Afterward,
Headmaster Dumbledore even winked at him.
Hinting that he, too, was very curious about what Ethan was up to.
This left Lupin a little disheartened.
From what he knew, Ethan Vincent was an excellent student.
He ranked second in his first year and led Ravenclaw to win the House Cup twice.
And during the Chamber of Secrets crisis in his second year, he proactively stepped forward, spending money and effort to encourage all students to practice magic.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Ethan was the bright and righteous backbone of Hogwarts.
Minister Fudge actually suspected that Ethan was involved with the attacker who bombed Hogwarts, Mr. Lamp?
The position of Minister would change hands sooner or later.
Back to the present.
After knocking, although there was movement inside, no one answered.
Lupin felt puzzled.
Just as he was about to raise his hand to knock again,
A clear voice suddenly rang out from inside: "You haven't said the password yet."
Password?
Ah, is he imitating the Hogwarts common rooms?
Lupin couldn't help but smile.
He said gently and patiently: "Sorry, I don't know the password. Could you tell me?"
Fortunately, the student inside didn't make it difficult for him, but immediately said: "Of course, I can."
...What a good-natured child.
Lupin's heart melted; he hadn't encountered anyone so kind to him in a long time.
Ethan: "The password is—"
"Little bunny, be good (the wolf is coming)."
Lupin: Huh?
Lupin: Huh???
Boom!
As if struck by lightning, Lupin instantly froze in place, his pupils shaking!
This, this was surely hinting at his werewolf identity?!
How did Ethan know this secret?!
Could he really be problematic? In his terror, the door in front of Lupin opened with a creak.
From behind it, an innocent face appeared.
Clean and tidy, even his hair was perfectly smooth.
It formed a stark contrast with Lupin's tattered and messy clothes.
Ethan curved his cobalt blue eyes, smiling at the stunned Lupin, and laughed heartily:
"I was just joking with you, you're not angry, are you?"
Lupin suddenly snapped back to reality.
Oh, it was just a joke....
Right, he was just too sensitive.
That was just a well-known nursery rhyme.
How could Ethan possibly know he was a werewolf and use it to threaten him?
Lupin composed himself, and as he stepped inside, he introduced himself:
"I am your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Lupin—" Lupin's words suddenly stopped.
His eyes widened!
What appeared before him was a huge full moon hanging in the dim room!
All the lights were off, and only this accursed moon lamp rotated, emitting a pale yellow light!
Combined with the craters on it, it flickered on Lupin's face like a giant disco ball.
Lupin:
He slowly closed his eyes, unwilling to look anymore.
Ethan's cool little hand crept up his shoulder from behind.
He whispered like a demon in his ear:
"Do you like it, Professor Lupin? Specially prepared for you~"
Lupin was silent for a moment, then said hoarsely:
"So, you know I—"
Ethan nodded: "I know."
It was already exposed?
As a student who had nothing to do with him, Ethan shouldn't have known his identity...
Out of some wild instinct, Lupin's heart slowly tightened.
Just to be safe, his hand slowly reached for his wand....
Ethan: "I know you really like the moon."
Lupin: ???
"Huh?"
He froze for the umpteenth time today, staring at Ethan with a look reserved for humans.
As if he was another species entirely, completely impossible to communicate with.
Ethan said cheerfully:
"Professor Snape told me."
Ethan's expression didn't change.
"I happened to ask him who the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor would be next semester."
"I also come from Spinner's End, and I have a very good relationship with Professor Snape."
As he spoke, Ethan flashed a bright, sunny smile.
The warmth radiating from him made his face seem to glow.
Even Lupin, who had long dwelled in the shadows, couldn't help but squint.
...So, he just mistakenly thought he liked the moon, and specially decorated for him.
He had misunderstood Ethan.
He could even be friends with Snape.
Lupin's sense of guilt deepened.
Ethan was clearly nothing like the 'terror' or 'evil' Minister Fudge had described.
"...I'm here to deliver your start-of-term notices for next semester, and to make a home visit, by the way."
Lupin pulled two envelopes from his robe and handed them to Ethan and Luna.
"Inside are also the Hogsmeade permission slips. Third-year students can visit the wizarding village on specific Saturdays, led by a professor."
"Thank you for your trouble, Professor Lupin."
Ethan said politely, then looked up and asked:
"I don't have parents. Can Luna's father, Mr. Lovegood, sign for me?"
No parents.
Lupin's heart took another heavy blow; his guilt multiplied tenfold. Lupin took a deep breath: "I think that should be possible..."
"Yay!"
Ethan and Luna exchanged a joyful look.
They could go to the Shrieking Shack, excellent.
Seeing that Ethan was already checking the start-of-term booklist,
Lupin pursed his lips, made up his mind, and asked the core purpose of his visit:
"If it's convenient for you... I can take you to Diagon Alley to buy all your school supplies."
"Actually, Defense Against the Dark Arts also requires quite a few things to prepare."
Lupin added awkwardly.
Ethan was definitely going to Diagon Alley, so as his "monitor," he had to follow him the entire time.
He had expected Ethan to refuse—or rather, secretly hoped Ethan would refuse.
But Ethan just blinked, then nodded:
"Okay, no problem."
Lupin: "...Thank you, Ethan."
Ethan's lips curved into a smile.
In Lupin's eyes, he practically radiated angelic light.
Perfect, Lupin could accompany them to the vault and act as a human shield in times of crisis.
Ethan thought.
As a professor at Hogwarts, he surely wouldn't want to see precious young wizarding world sprouts get hurt, would he?
What?
You say, what if Lupin wants to steal treasures, or report them to Dumbledore?
Not to mention that Vault 12 is his.
Professor Lupin, you wouldn't want others to know your unspeakable little secret, would you?