Whether intentional or not, Miss Gemma's words seemed to rise slightly in volume, clearly audible throughout the suddenly silent Great Hall.
At the Ravenclaw table, Michael's mouth dropped open in an exaggerated "wow", his eyes gleaming with envy and shameless gossip. He sneakily glanced sideways at Luna, who always stayed close to Ethan's side.
Her expression remained calm as still water, as if she'd heard absolutely nothing. Until Michael inadvertently glanced down, noticing Luna's hand wrapped in ghostly blue magic. The ethereal energy flickered like cold flames, slightly distorting the air around it, yet radiating the chill of moonlight—silent and dangerously beautiful.
Michael immediately gasped, feeling ice crawl down his spine. He withdrew his gaze with genuine fear, looking at Ethan with renewed admiration. Only true warriors can navigate smoothly among multiple interested girls. So envious!
Meanwhile, hearing Miss Gemma's bold invitation, Ethan tilted his head thoughtfully. With a casual wave of his wand, he scattered golden powder that formed something resembling an elaborate schedule in mid-air.
"Hmm, let me see..." Ethan mused aloud. "Miss Fleur asked me to 'duel' in France during summer vacation—that was the 24th invitation. The Patil twins were the 13th time. Hermione mentioned travelling with her family for the 7th time..."
Gemma Farley stared: "..."
Everyone watching: "..."
As Ethan continued listing invitations with complete sincerity, Miss Gemma gradually realised what was happening. Her confident smile slowly faded as she raised her chin slightly, looking down at Ethan with a regal bearing. Her entire body began emanating bone-chilling coldness—even more intimidating than her usual perfect demeanour.
Malfoy shivered visibly and silently stepped back half a pace for safety.
In this increasingly frozen atmosphere, Ethan looked up and flashed Gemma a perfectly natural, innocent smile. "According to the schedule, your available slot is approximately 9 years from now."
Gemma Farley's eye twitched: "..."
The urge to hex him was written all over her face
A faint blush crept up her normally pale, composed face. Staring at Ethan's completely oblivious expression, she ground her teeth together audibly. Clenched her fists so tight her knuckles went white. Then without any explanation, she roughly stuffed the gilt-edged business card into Ethan's pocket with more force than strictly necessary!
"Hmph!" She turned sharply on her heel and strode away with furious dignity.
"What passionate women," Ethan observed casually, pocketing the slightly wrinkled card. "Nearly tore my robes."
Turning to the nervous Malfoy, he asked conversationally, "What? Are you also inviting me to your manor for Christmas?"
Malfoy was silent for two awkward seconds, then smiled obsequiously and nodded, reaching into his robes with practised efficiency. "Of course, if you have time... a small token of respect, nothing worth mentioning."
At this point, other defeated Slytherins also climbed up from the ground where they'd fallen during their earlier magical scuffle, respectfully and fearfully crowding forward to pledge loyalty to Ethan.
So when Headmaster Dumbledore finished handling administrative affairs and entered the Great Hall, he witnessed Ethan surrounded by crowds like some kind of student crime boss. Business cards were handed over with reverent bows. Handfuls of gold coins were stuffed into his pockets as if the students feared he might refuse their tributes.
Dumbledore stared in disbelief: "..."
"Oh, you've arrived, Headmaster Dumbledore." Ethan glanced sideways, noticing old Dumbledore silently standing at the hall entrance with an unreadable expression. He raised his hand dismissively, waving away the surrounding students.
Smiling and nodding with perfect authority, he said, "Please, you may begin the feast."
Then he leisurely walked toward the Ravenclaw table, waving to Luna, who for some mysterious reason looked exceptionally happy.
For one surreal moment, Dumbledore actually thought Ethan was going to walk to the centre platform—to take his own position as headmaster.
Before the feast officially began, Headmaster Dumbledore announced this semester's important precautions. "To capture the escaped convict Sirius Black, Dementors will guard every entrance to the school grounds. They naturally know no mercy—for your own safety, do not provoke them under any circumstances!"
The students looked at the headmaster in complete silence without any visible reaction whatsoever. Dementors are scary? Sorry, but there's something far more terrifying sitting among us right now!
Upper-year students who'd witnessed the train incident actually scoffed audibly.
Ethan sat looking quietly proud.
Dumbledore cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ahem. Now let me introduce this semester's two new professors. First, Professor Lupin, who will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts."
Snape rolled his eyes so dramatically it was visible from across the hall.
At the staff table, Professor Lupin stood and bowed slightly with humble grace. His shabby, patched clothing formed a stark contrast with the other professors' fine robes. Scattered, polite applause rang out across the hall.
Michael said suspiciously, leaning toward Ethan, "Can he really handle Defence Against the Dark Arts properly? I mean, he looks so frail and worn out."
"Careful—appearances can be deceiving," Ethan warned mildly.
Michael looked at Ethan's handsome, harmless face and nodded with deep, knowing agreement. Ethan had shot up another few inches over summer—completely unrecognisable from the thin first-year boy who'd arrived two years ago. Under Hogwarts' abundant meals and whatever mysterious training he did, Ethan had grown like a well-nourished tree. Well-proportioned build, long limbs, ebony black curly hair, pale skin, increasingly sharp features—exactly like a young master from a Renaissance portrait.
When acting human, every movement was elegant and unnervingly calm. No wonder young girls looked at Ethan like they were burning with fever. Michael sighed internally like he'd eaten sour lemons.
"Additionally," Dumbledore continued, "our former Care of Magical Creatures professor Kettleburn felt advanced in years and chose to retire at term's end. The new Care of Magical Creatures professor will be our beloved gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid!"
Thump!
The massive Hagrid clumsily stood up from the long table, his expression nervous yet radiantly joyful. After two seconds of shocked silence, enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the hall!
Ethan clapped along genuinely, watching Hagrid emotionally knock over his wine glass and nearly slap the tiny Professor Flitwick clean off the table with one celebratory hand gesture.
Hmm, if I remember correctly, this semester starts with Hagrid's Hippogriff accidentally scratching Malfoy during their first lesson, causing Hagrid to panic and change all remaining lessons to feeding boring Flobberworms instead. Ethan pondered thoughtfully. Need to think of ways to make those classes more interesting. Hippogriffs are quite fascinating creatures—just need to prevent any safety issues. Ethan felt an idea forming in his strategic mind.
After the headmaster's speech concluded, the feast officially began. The long tables suddenly sprouted incredibly sumptuous, delicious dishes appearing from thin air. But one urgent matter occupied Ethan's mind—"interrogating" Sirius about the Black family secrets. This anticipation made him eager, barely tasting the excellent food before him.
Finally, the feast ended. Prefects led students through the corridors toward their respective dormitories. Ethan finally seized his opportunity. After saying a warm goodnight to Luna, he slipped away like a fish through water, entering the Chamber of Secrets through Moaning Myrtle's abandoned bathroom.
After last year's explosive basilisk incident, Ethan had personally repaired the chamber—making it very convenient as a secret base for private business.
"Hiss—" Under Parseltongue commands, the iron snake heads clanged backward with metallic echoes. The massive gate opened slowly, releasing ghostly green breath into the corridor.
Ethan took out the cosmic wardrobe from his enchanted pocket, opened the ornate door with a flourish, and unceremoniously dumped out Sirius Black. Meeting his bleary, disoriented eyes, Ethan smiled pleasantly. "You're awake? Good timing."
Sirius stared in confusion: "?!!"
He leaped up suddenly, his brain still foggy and disoriented from experiencing that bizarre cabinet universe. Instinctively, he blurted out: "Woof woof woof!"
Ethan raised his eyebrows in amused surprise.
Noticing Ethan's strange expression, Sirius's heart sank as horror dawned on him. He slowly looked down, seeing his canine paws and shaggy black fur.
Sirius stared in complete shock: "...?!" No! I'm still stuck as a dog?!
The atmosphere fell into awkward silence.
Looking at Sirius frozen in horrified realisation, Ethan leaned closer with genuine curiosity, tilting his head. "What are you barking about? Sorry, I don't understand dog language."