A beam of light shone through the window, illuminating the canvas.
It depicted a small bird standing on thorns.
It had a body of goose-yellow feathers, shimmering with tiny lights, like the warm summer sun.
In the slightly dim bedroom, it appeared like a treasure.
Only...
Its dark pupils were always staring at something beyond the canvas.
Motionless, unblinking.
[Name: Shrike's Nest]
[Type: Portrait Painting]
[Grade: First-tier · Blue Precious]
[Description: Its feathers are like gold, its chirping like silver bells, its... oh, look, its beak is crimson like blood]
[Effect: The first time you release the Shrike, it will guide you to its treasure-filled nest; the second time you release the Shrike, it will lead you deep into the forest where the water is like wine; the third time you release the Shrike... hey buddy, how did your head get up there?]
[Comment: A stronger, more lasting, and more convenient "Felix Felicis," but there's always a trade-off. You know the Shrike's other name, don't you?]
"So beautiful."
Ethan lovingly stroked the Shrike's golden body on the canvas.
He felt the touch of warm downy feathers beneath his fingertips.
It was painted with golden pigments transformed from sun runes,
Filled with the aura of light and warmth!
Then, combining Felix Felicis ingredients, such as fairy wing powder and scarab powder, the spells were meticulously drawn into the painting.
Finally,
This incomparably sacred painting was created!
"Now, let's see who still calls me evil. Everyone will have to praise me as a Son of Justice!"
Ethan gripped his paintbrush, his gaze burning.
His sight swept over the crimson-tipped thorny branch in the painting.
"Although there are only two uses, it's much more efficient than a one-time Felix Felicis."
And it's cheaper than Felix Felicis.
Thinking of how many Galleons were concentrated in that small bottle of Felix Felicis,
Ethan couldn't help but gasp.
Professor Snape, you've worked hard.
Presumably, you must also be very willing to contribute to a great cause.
Ethan thought deeply.
"There's one more chance to go to Hogsmeade Village before the Christmas holidays."
"Perfect. I'll take advantage of this free time to release the Shrike and let it guide my way!"
Let Hogsmeade Village be bright again!!
Amidst faint chirping, Ethan contentedly put away the painting.
I wonder what kind of secret treasure I'll find...
Before the Christmas holidays.
Snow fluttered down.
As far as the eye could see, everything was pure white.
Thick, goose-feather snow draped the castle and the ground like a quilt, crunching underfoot.
Hagrid slowly walked towards the castle, dragging a giant fir tree.
He waved and greeted the jubilant students one by one.
Buckbeak, all white with snow, walked gracefully beside him, letting humans shower him with praise.
"Good morning, Hagrid."
Ethan said with a smile, waving his wand to complete his snow sculpture of "The Meditating Octopus Head."
I've truly fallen. I'm actually using magic to take shortcuts.
I'm no longer the pure boy who molded models by hand.
Ethan chastised himself internally.
At the same time, he carefully adjusted the angle of a tentacle.
The surrounding snowmen struggled to escape.
"Oh! Good morning, Ethan!"
Hagrid shouted with great enthusiasm.
Then, seeing the octopus head cosplaying The Thinker,
He choked for a moment, then stammered out a "Very nice."
He wondered if it was his imagination.
He always felt as if this octopus head was staring at him?
As if it was summoning him.
"Professor said it's time to gather. See you later, Hagrid."
Ethan's words rang out.
Hagrid suddenly woke up with a start.
"Ah, oh, okay, you go..." He rubbed his eyes in confusion.
When he looked at the octopus head again, the strange sculpture was motionless once more.
Perhaps it was just an illusion earlier.
It was better not to delve into it.
Just then,
Hagrid looked up and saw Harry leaning against a stone pillar.
He watched the jubilant students with a face full of melancholy.
Like a "husband-waiting stone."
Hagrid's heart ached immediately.
"Oh—poor Harry, with no parents to sign for him, he can't even go to Hogsmeade."
Your words seem a bit too strong.
Ethan glanced at Harry and said meaningfully, "I think Harry will always find a way."
He remembered, in the original story,
The Weasley twins gave Harry the magical item "Marauder's Map," allowing Harry to pass through a secret passage and arrive at Hogsmeade Village.
"Ethan—let's go!"
Hermione called from ahead, waving her hands.
Ethan nodded at the bewildered Hagrid.
Turning his head, he said to Luna, "Bye, Luna. I'll bring you something delicious when I get back."
"Okay! I've always wanted to try the new strawberry-flavored Cockroach Clusters!"
Luna's eyes curved into crescents.
She took Ethan's hand, soothing the burning sun rune brand.
"Ahem," Hagrid cleared his throat awkwardly and said loudly, "I should go set up the Great Hall too! See you, Ethan!"
As he left,
Luna: "[Watch your step]—this is what the Moon Elves whispered to me last night."
"Okay, I'll remember that."
Ethan said with a smile, waving his hand.
He turned.
A Portal opened in front of the "guarding" Auror's face.
Auror: ?! !
With a yelp, the poor Auror was so startled he landed squarely on his backside, right on a Sleeping Draught Biting Cabbage that the Weasley twins had randomly dropped.
"Bang!"
"Ow, ah, ah, ah!"
Professor McGonagall exclaimed:
"—Ethan?!! "
Ethan: Hehe.
Ethan's back was straight, his eyes fixed forward.
It was that Auror who attacked the innocent Biting Cabbage with his backside.
Ethan didn't do anything at all. The journey was long.
Even the wind and snow couldn't dampen the students' joyful spirits.
Ron slurped, "I'm going to buy another greasy chocolate ball, stuffed with the purest cream! Not at all cloying!"
"Oh, Pepper Imps are also good. I can mix them into Fred and George's breakfast..."
Hermione: "My parents want some more Honeydukes' Fuzzy Peach Mints! This is when having a wizard in the family comes in handy."
"Ethan, is there anything you want to buy?"
Hermione and Ron looked at Ethan curiously.
Last time, Ethan bought some of all the candies at Honeydukes!
This extravagant spending stunned all the students in the shop!
The Weasley twins said they had never seen the owner of Honeydukes smile as sweetly as "honey."
But even though Ethan bought them,
No one saw him eat them.
Instead, Ravenclaw's "Loony Lovegood" had a table piled high with candy the next day.
But Ethan bought so much.
It piled up into a mountain.
And so,
From the Enlightenment Society, to Ravenclaw, and then to the Great Hall.
Finally, even the newly enrolled first-year little wizards were happily chewing on Quill Candies during class.
According to Ethan, he was "very curious what they tasted like, so he bought one of each."
One could only say, he truly lived up to Ravenclaw's thirst for knowledge.
"Hmm..." Ethan thought for a moment and said,
"I want to go to the Quill Shop at the Literati's Dwelling. I heard they just got a new batch of Thunderbird feathers."
If you zone out and your pen stops for more than a certain amount of time,
It will shock you with electricity.
"!"
Hermione immediately looked at him with reverence and admiration:
"As expected of Ethan! The number one person in the Talent Cultivation Program!"
Always thinking of progress!
Ron: pain.jpg
He quietly moved away.
He just felt that there was a pathetic thick barrier between himself, Ethan, and Hermione.