"Professor, Professor Snape said you wanted to see me."
Wayne arrived at Professor McGonagall's office. It appeared she'd just returned from teaching a class herself.
"Yes, Mr Lawrence. Please sit."
Professor McGonagall waited until Wayne was seated before continuing. "In a short while, it will be the Hogsmeade visiting weekend. You're aware of this?"
"Yes." Wayne nodded. "The day before Halloween, right?"
"Correct." Professor McGonagall rubbed her hands together, seeming uncertain how to proceed. "I've heard Potter has obtained signatures from his aunt and uncle now?"
"Er, yes. They're getting along quite well these days." Wayne didn't know where this was leading, but answered truthfully.
"I can scarcely believe Potter could get along with those people," Professor McGonagall muttered, then caught herself. She straightened abruptly.
"The fact is, based on multiple reports, the Ministry of Magic has confirmed that young... Black is in the vicinity of Hogwarts. He may even be in Hogsmeade itself." A flash of pain crossed her eyes when mentioning Black.
"So..." Professor McGonagall hesitated. "I believe it would be unwise for Potter to leave the castle during such dangerous times."
"But this contradicts the rules. Therefore, I wondered if you might have a better solution?"
"Understood." Wayne nodded. "I'll go break Potter's legs then."
Professor McGonagall instantly broke into a sweat, hastily grabbing Wayne's arm as he made to stand. "Wait, wait!"
"Lawrence, assaulting fellow students violates school rules. Even if it's for Potter's own good, you can't do this."
"Don't worry," Wayne assured her confidently. "I've got experience. No one will be able to prove it was me."
Professor McGonagall looked utterly flabbergasted.
Why on earth would you have experience with that?
"Please think of a solution that doesn't involve harming Potter!" she said exasperatedly, finally restraining the eager young man.
"Not harming Potter..." Wayne adopted a troubled expression. "That does complicate matters."
"Name your terms then," the elder cat-witch rolled her eyes in resignation. The boy was slippery – this wasn't about inability, but pure negotiation.
"Professor, Harry is my friend, too." Wayne immediately changed his tone. "I didn't mean anything else."
"It's just that the Potions class assignments have been piling up lately. You know, I still have other subjects to revise..."
Professor McGonagall looked even more exasperated.
You revise other subjects?
Every time she saw Wayne, he was surrounded by different girls.
Granger from their house, Cho Chang and Clearwater from Ravenclaw, Greengrass from Slytherin.
Are you revising how to make girls laugh?
"I'll speak with Severus," Professor McGonagall said, massaging her temples in frustration.
"Ah, I just remembered something!" Wayne suddenly exclaimed, punching his palm in excitement.
Professor McGonagall simply watched the boy's performance with quiet resignation.
"Do you remember when Harry inflated his aunt during the summer holidays?"
"That did happen," Professor McGonagall nodded.
"We could use that as grounds to restrict Harry. The Ministry of Magic didn't punish him, but the school should take some action, shouldn't it?"
"I see," Professor McGonagall smiled, some of her hidden worries finally easing.
Only some, because this excuse could only be used once.
She could only hope Sirius Black would be captured before the next open day.
Looking at Wayne's bashful smile across from her, Professor McGonagall voiced a thought she'd harboured for a long time.
"It's a miracle you got sorted into Hufflepuff."
...
Bang!
Wayne stormed out of Professor McGonagall's office with a dark expression.
He'd kindly offered help, and this was the thanks he got? Personal attacks?
What did she mean by it being a miracle he got into Hufflepuff?
It was clearly about compatibility.
He was obviously the most suitable student for Hufflepuff.
"You seem angry?" an ethereal voice spoke up. Only then did Wayne, who'd been walking with his head down, notice the small shadow trailing behind him.
"When did you get here?" Wayne looked down at the blonde girl.
"I saw you come out of Professor McGonagall's office," Luna said in her usual dreamy tone.
Wayne glanced around curiously. "Where's Ginny? You two are actually separated?"
Every time he saw Luna, she was with Ginny, like conjoined twins.
"We don't share this class," Luna shook her head, then suddenly reached out to grab at the air around Wayne.
Familiar with the girl's quirks, Wayne stood still until she withdrew her hand before asking patiently:
"Did you catch any?"
"No," Luna sighed regretfully. "The Wrackspurts were flying too fast. I couldn't catch them."
"What are Wrackspurts?" Wayne asked curiously.
"Little creatures that make you angry," Luna widened her eyes. "There were two around you just now, but they've all flown away."
Wayne grew increasingly intrigued by Luna. Was the girl terrifyingly perceptive, or did she genuinely possess some special talent?
"Luna, remember you promised to do me a small favour?"
The girl tilted her head. "I remember. You never came to find me, so I thought you'd forgotten."
"I've just been busy," Wayne said. "How about this weekend? We can properly discuss those stars you mentioned."
"Alright," Luna agreed without hesitation.
The two arrived at the Great Hall together, but instead of heading to the Hufflepuff table, Wayne walked straight towards Gryffindor's.
"Who is it?" Ron instinctively turned around when he felt someone tap his shoulder.
Wayne smiled. "Ron, finished eating?"
"Done, all done." Ron nodded frantically, grabbing three chicken legs before dashing off.
Ron's psychological trauma still hadn't faded, especially with the upcoming cheerleading duty. He wished he could go back in time and slap himself silly.
Should've kept your mouth shut. Shouldn't have suggested that stupid idea.
Harry looked bewildered at Wayne sitting beside him.
"Wipe the sauce first." Wayne pointed at the corner of his mouth, and Harry hastily scrubbed his face.
"Something up, Wayne?"
"Nothing major. Professor McGonagall asked me to announce some punishments on her behalf."
"What punishments?" Harry grew even more confused.
He hadn't done anything wrong recently.
Wayne reminded him, "The incident with you inflating your aunt."
"Huh?" Harry's jaw dropped. "But the Ministry of Magic isn't pursuing it? Why punishments now?"
"The Ministry is the Ministry, school is school," Wayne said sternly. "Professor McGonagall considers your behaviour extremely dangerous. Without consequences, you'll definitely repeat it."
"So, you're banned from this term's first Hogsmeade weekend."
"What?!" Harry's voice shot up, drawing attention from nearby young wizards. "I've been looking forward to Hogsmeade forever! How can you stop me?"
"Shall I fetch Professor McGonagall to explain?" Wayne made to stand, but Harry urgently grabbed his arm.
"No, no, no, let's just discuss this between us."
Harry lacked the courage to argue with Professor McGonagall. He pleaded, "Wayne, you're close with her. Put in a good word for me? I've been counting down to this day."
"Can't help you there." Wayne shrugged. Though it had been his suggestion, Professor McGonagall had approved it.
He consoled, "Look on the bright side - it's just one trip. You can go next time."
"Slytherins have it worse. Malfoy's lot can't visit Hogsmeade either. You'll have company."
Malfoy, eavesdropping nearby, twitched his mouth.
At the end of last term, Snape had demanded that four top-ten students per year be from his house. For each shortfall, one Hogsmeade weekend would be cancelled.
Malfoy's year only had two.
Meaning no Hogsmeade trips this year - they'd have to wait until next term.
While Malfoy felt stung, Harry found some comfort.
Misery loves company, after all?
Their gazes accidentally met. Through Harry's glasses, Malfoy clearly saw his schadenfreude and began breathing heavily in anger.
"That's settled then. Any complaints, take them to Professor McGonagall." Wayne patted Harry's shoulder and left.
...
That afternoon, the first Hogsmeade weekend date appeared on noticeboards, delighting most upper-years.
Though the castle was fascinating, daily exposure grew dull.
Hogwarts offered limited entertainment, with shopping trips being the most popular.
However, unlike before, strict time regulations were imposed due to Black's escape.
Students had to return to the castle before sunset, as Dementors would begin patrolling at dusk and the shops in Hogsmeade would close for the day.
Many resident wizards were deeply dissatisfied with this, having sent numerous complaint letters to the Ministry of Magic, but all went unanswered.
Compared to a dangerous fugitive, minor inconveniences simply weren't within the Ministry's considerations.
After seeing the notice, Hermione immediately dragged Wayne to the library to plan their visiting schedule for the open day.
"We must visit Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop – they have such beautiful notebooks. Honeydukes Sweetshop... Oh, wait, Wayne, you don't like sweets, so we can skip that one."
"It's fine, I've actually grown quite fond of their new Fizzing Whizzbees recently."
"Oh! Then we'll add that. Next is Zonko's, then Dervish and Banges – I need to buy some flying broomstick maintenance tools."
"For lunch..." Hermione hesitated between the Three Broomsticks and Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop.
"We can visit the Three Broomsticks next time. Let's try the tea shop first," Wayne suggested. Since this was a date, certain essential steps simply had to be followed.
"Alright, one last trip to the Shrieking Shack, and that should about do it."
"Plus the Hog's Head." Wayne pointed at the parchment.
It had been ages since he'd seen Aberforth, so this was a good opportunity to visit.
"Do we really have to go there?" Hermione frowned. "I've heard many older students say the owner has a terrible temper, and the place is in poor condition..."
Wayne quietly explained Aberforth's relationship with Dumbledore to Hermione. The young witch's mouth fell open in shock, taking a long moment to process this revelation.
"Well... alright then. We'll need to streamline our itinerary further."
"No need. We'll just sit for a while – it won't take long."
"Incredible... the Headmaster's brother is actually that grumpy old man?"
...
Hermione wasn't the only one. Other students erupted with unexpected enthusiasm after seeing the notice, their minds wandering to Hogsmeade during lessons.
Professor McGonagall had to resort to point deductions and doubled homework to drag everyone's attention back to the teapots at hand.
The twins had it worst. During Potions class, while discussing which type of magical fireworks to buy with Lee Jordan, they were caught by Snape and given three days' detention – polishing every portrait frame in the castle.
Fred vowed that once he'd mastered advanced magic, he'd curse Snape with eternal bachelorhood.
On Friday evening, just as Wayne was preparing for bed, a letter arrived that shattered his good mood.
It was from Crouch.
Crouch had uncovered why the Ministry of Magic had delayed purchasing protective equipment.
Someone had indeed interfered, directly halting the project.
Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Office and prominent Ministry hawk.
His reason was simple: he deemed the price too high.
With over a dozen Auror teams and an even larger force of Hit Wizards, fully equipping them would require an astronomical sum of Galleons.
At today's Ministry meeting, Scrimgeour had advised Fudge to pressure the store, hoping to drive down prices.
Ideally, the Ministry could purchase the protective gear at cost price.
Though Madam Greengrass and Amelia Bones vetoed the proposal, Scrimgeour remained undeterred.
He believed the store would eventually lower prices – no other organisation could match the Ministry's purchasing volume.
Reading this, Wayne felt fury rising.
He was usually the one wielding power over others. Now Scrimgeour dared to try pressuring him with authority?
The sheer audacity.
He'd never liked the man anyway.
Nominally a hardliner who became Minister after Fudge's downfall, Scrimgeour was just another standard politician.
All talk about the Ministry opposing Voldemort, yet practically ineffective – until Death Eaters thoroughly infiltrated the Ministry.
His sole redeeming moment was refusing to betray Harry under torture before his death.
Previously, it was just an annoyance with no real connection between them.
But now? This meant war.
After lengthy contemplation in bed, Wayne devised a solution. He rose and began drafting letters at his desk.
The first was to Nagini.
He had Nagini remove all protective items from the shelves. Did they genuinely believe he sold these for profit?
All the wealth of the wizarding world meant nothing in Wayne's eyes.
You think you've got me cornered? Fine, I'll stop selling.
When the situation changes later, it won't be my Aurors dying.
No, to be precise, I'll stop selling in Britain.
The second letter was addressed to Cross Rosier, the head of the French Rosier family – a rather decent business partner.
After some hesitation, Wayne added a peculiar symbol at the end of the letter.
A triangle enclosing a circle, bisected by a vertical line.
The younger generation wouldn't understand this mark, but those of a certain age would find it more terrifying than the Dark Mark.
This was the symbol of the Deathly Hallows – and also the signal Grindelwald once used to command his followers!
If the Allies won't buy my weapons, then don't blame me for turning to the Axis.
Having finished these two letters, Wayne began a third.
A burst of flames appeared mid-air as Ho-Oh descended with a melodic cry, though Norman and Toby remained fast asleep.
This third letter was for Grindelwald himself.
Its contents were simple: Lend me your old comrades...
Europe's been too quiet for too long – time to stir things up!