Critical hit! Absolutely devastating!
Harry's words transformed into a sharp arrow, piercing straight through Professor Snape's heart with surgical precision!
His sallow face instantly drained of all colour, turning deathly pale. Unable to support himself, he staggered backward, leaning heavily against Dumbledore's desk. Like a fish suffocating out of water, he gasped desperately for air. His wide eyes were filled with raw horror and unbearable pain—as if seeing a ghost coming to claim his life. No, that would actually be preferable to this torment!
"Are you alright, Professor Snape?" Harry asked in genuine confusion, completely oblivious to the tragic history between his mother and the Potions Master.
Snape stared blankly at those emerald eyes—identical to Lily's in every way. In a daze, he seemed to travel back through time to that sunny day under the giant ancient tree, meeting that red-haired girl who would define his entire existence...
Until that damned, cheerful voice shattered Snape's precious memories like glass: "So—that's how it is."
Ethan smiled pleasantly at the violently trembling Snape, his expression the picture of innocence. "To protect our wizarding world's Chosen One, I had no choice but to defend against the Dementors. Tell me, Professor Snape, did I do the right thing?"
Snape trembled violently from head to toe. In his tortured perception, Ethan's polite, smiling face had completely transformed into something twisted and indescribable—a demon crawling up from the deepest pit of hell itself! Pain—too much pain! Simply the incarnation of torture and suffering!
Minister Fudge stubbornly insisted, despite all evidence, "This—this might just be the Dementors' incidental effect! They didn't actively intend to attack Harry—"
"Enough." A single word, spoken like a hammer falling, instantly shattered Fudge's desperate nonsense.
Minister Fudge looked at Snape in complete disbelief, sputtering, "You—you dare interrupt me—"
"Interrupting exactly you," Snape said coldly, glancing sideways at Fudge with barely concealed contempt. His lips moved slowly, precisely, "I believe the result is already quite clear. This time, the Ministry was obviously negligent first. Actually allowing Dementors to attack students—the great Chosen One Potter at that. If something had really happened, could you possibly bear the responsibility and consequences?!"
Fudge stared in shock.
Harry's jaw dropped. What in Merlin's name?
That Snape was actually speaking up for him?!
Harry whipped his head around to look at the calm-faced Ethan, his gaze gradually filling with newfound admiration. Indeed, Ethan has somehow become Snape's weakness! Secretly turned Snape into someone who has to defend me. Truly worthy of Ethan—the student who could make even Snape bend!
Only Professor Lupin, who knew the painful truth about Snape and Lily, had his mouth twitch involuntarily. A dull knife sawing meat—what a vicious move. Whether intentional or not, Ethan just brought massive psychological damage to Snape. And this damage has an area of effect too... Recalling that lively red-haired figure from his memories, Lupin felt genuinely depressed.
Finally, under the combined pressure of Professor Snape's thinly veiled threat—"I recall my improved Wolfsbane Potion is specially supplied to certain Ministry officials"—and Dumbledore's firm declaration—"I won't allow Dementors to guard Hogwarts any longer"—Minister Fudge was utterly defeated.
A bunch of unreasonable fools! Simply impossible to deal with! Fudge trembled with impotent rage, his face turning purple like he'd kissed a poisonous toad. He'd thought he could definitely take down Ethan today and establish Ministry authority, but somehow that boy had instantly turned even Snape to his side?! Too terrifying—what can't that brat do?!
"Fine, fine..." Fudge forced his lips into an ugly, strained smile. "Then this time, we won't pursue Mr Vincent's... actions."
Fudge glared resentfully at Ethan, gritting his teeth with barely suppressed fury, "But I hope not to hear news of Dementors stationed at Hogwarts being attacked again... After all, they only pursue criminals." He emphasised the word "criminals" with loaded meaning.
Hmph. I'll let you off for now, boy. Once we capture fugitive Sirius and restore the Ministry's reputation, then I'll concentrate all resources on dealing with you properly!
Ethan blinked innocently. Oh my, I almost forgot about that if he hadn't mentioned it. Hope Sirius is sleeping comfortably in his cosmic wardrobe prison.
As Fudge swept his cloak dramatically and puffed out his chest to make a dignified exit, Ethan suddenly spoke with perfect timing: "That's it?"
Everyone in the office froze at his words, staring at Ethan with dawning horror—like witnesses watching a natural disaster about to speak.
"I believe the Ministry should compensate me—us—for mental distress and trauma," Ethan stated matter-of-factly.
In the sudden, heavy silence, Ethan spoke eloquently and persuasively, "We're just innocent students who suffered unprovoked Dementor attacks through no fault of our own. Surely we deserve compensation for the psychological distress this caused?"
Fudge froze mid-step, then roared with renewed fury, "What absolute nonsense are you talking?! The Dementors were performing their official duties—"
"Oh." Ethan's voice dripped with false sympathy. "Whose responsibility was Sirius's escape in the first place? So hard to guess who bears that blame~"
"Urk!" Fudge suddenly doubled over, painfully clutching his chest as if having a genuine heart attack!
Dumbledore watched this entertaining scene with obvious interest, cheerfully adding fuel to the fire, "I agree with Mr Vincent's assessment, Minister Fudge. The Ministry really does need to show appropriate accountability."
Fudge stared between them: "...!!"
Professor Lupin watched the spectacle with mixed emotions. So tragic for Fudge... Is Hogwarts life this intense all the time? Then again—I'm Ethan's Defence Against the Dark Arts professor now! Speaking of which, a worrying thought occurred to him. How did the previous two defence professors leave their positions again? Professor Lupin fell into uncomfortable contemplation.
[Ding! Kind and righteous Ethan received 500 Galleons in mental distress compensation!] Ethan provided his own triumphant internal narration, holding the "IOU" parchment written by a defeated Fudge—the compensation would be deposited directly into his Gringotts vault. He couldn't stop smiling with satisfaction. I helped the Ministry eliminate disobedient subordinates who clearly couldn't be controlled, and they still have to thank me for it! Perfect.
Minister Fudge fled the office in humiliated panic, giving Ethan one final vicious glare before departing. Just wait until we catch Sirius Black! Then we'll see who has the last laugh!
"BANG!" The heavy door slammed shut with satisfying finality.
Headmaster Dumbledore turned his attention back, smiling warmly at Ethan and Harry. "You must be exhausted after such an ordeal. Go rest and get something to eat in the Great Hall. I'll join you all shortly."
Harry nodded in a complete daze, feeling like he was trapped in some surreal dream, utterly unsure what had just happened. Somehow got 500 Galleons compensation. Not complaining though. Hehe.
As Ethan leisurely prepared to leave with characteristic nonchalance, old Dumbledore suddenly spoke with careful precision, "Ethan, you haven't encountered Sirius... have you?"
Ethan turned, meeting those sharp, probing blue eyes behind the headmaster's half-moon spectacles, saying with complete confidence, "Everything is within my control."
Literal meaning, actually.
Dumbledore visibly relaxed. Good, Harry should be safe now. The rest is just preparing Hogwarts' repair budget and emergency contingency plans.
Leaving the Headmaster's office and arriving at the Great Hall's massive doors, the moment they swung open, the entire hall fell into sudden, complete silence! Every single student's gaze focused entirely on Ethan with obvious awe! Welcoming the war hero's triumphant return!
"BANG!" At the Slytherin table, several students suddenly leapt to their feet! They'd finally realised what an incredible, unprecedented feat killing Dementors truly was! They absolutely must befriend Ethan at any cost!
"Petrificus Totalus!" Malfoy flicked his wand without hesitation, ruthlessly turning students trying to steal his spot into rigid stone statues! Then ducking smoothly to dodge an incoming hex! Magical warfare erupted. A friendly student sparring session, naturally. Students from other houses watched this unrestricted fighting with dropped jaws and scandalised expressions.
Finally, Malfoy stepped dramatically on Zabini's head, breathing hard as he tried to approach Ethan, only to be glared back into submission by Slytherin prefect Gemma Farley's withering stare. He retreated grudgingly but with dignity intact.
Tap. Ethan looked at the aloof, statuesque girl standing before him. Previously, he'd had to look up at her considerable height, but now his eyes met hers almost evenly.
Gemma Farley gazed at Ethan thoughtfully, at that face showing emerging masculine angles and sharpening features. Suddenly saying with unusual softness, "I'm in seventh year now." She tilted her head slightly, displaying her gleaming Head Girl badge with subtle pride.
"Good luck on your N.E.W.T.s?" Ethan offered politely.
Gemma paused, then suddenly smiled—a genuine, warm expression. Her smile bloomed on that usually ice-cold face like a brilliant rose flowering on frozen plains, stunning the surrounding boys into slack-jawed silence. So the intimidating Slytherin prefect can actually smile. Though this precious smile clearly didn't belong to any of them.
Gemma said nothing more, only pulling out another gilt-edged business card from her robes with practised elegance, handing it to Ethan with slightly curved eyes and a soft, melodious laugh, "You won't refuse my invitation this Christmas, will you?"