Hogsmeade Village.
This was a bustling, purely wizarding town.
Snow-covered cobblestone streets were lined with all sorts of shops.
Wisps of white smoke constantly billowed from the chimneys.
Most of the students gleefully ran toward Honeydukes Sweetshop.
Ethan heard them shouting, "I want a dozen Fizzing Whizbees!" and "I heard they just got new varieties of Ice Mice," and so on.
This made Ethan ponder.
"If I made gingerbread men with real biological souls, or candies that would make flowers sprout from one's head after eating them, would they sell like hotcakes…?"
Ethan murmured seriously.
He felt he was truly brilliant, and his path to commercial success was wide open.
Ron: "...Mate, the Ministry of Magic will be knocking on your door for tea."
Selling Dark Arts items in the pure wizarding world…
Suddenly.
Ron's words trailed off.
His mouth hung open, his eyes staring blankly at the intersection ahead, almost drooling.
It was as if someone had suddenly pulled his soul out.
Ethan followed his gaze.
He saw a graceful, beautiful blonde lady standing at the intersection.
Almost everyone who walked past would chat with her warmly.
Ah—that's Madam Rosmerta, the owner of the Three Broomsticks.
One of Ron's mad infatuations.
Ethan understood.
He looked at the dazed Ron with pity.
The problem was obvious.
He had contracted "Simp Syndrome."
Just then.
Ethan's gaze inadvertently met Madam Rosmerta's.
Then, he saw the charming lady's expression light up.
She hitched up her skirt and walked quickly toward them with a sway.
Ethan heard Ron beside him make a croaking sound like a frog.
"Hi~! So good to see you again, Mr. Ethan!"
Hearing this warm and intimate address.
Hermione raised her eyebrows high.
She crossed her arms.
She looked like a headmistress about to scold a student.
Madam Rosmerta didn't notice.
She grabbed Ethan's hand, looking at him with her sparkling eyes.
Ron: Abba abba He stared at the two, completely dazed.
Madam Rosmerta: "How have you been lately, my dear?"
Ethan: "Quite well. I blew up a goblin fortress and killed a Chimera Red Dragon, gaining unprecedented power."
Madam Rosmerta: "...
Wow.
That sounds truly exciting.
Is it from an adventure novel??"
She automatically skipped over the topic, raised her red lips, and was about to say something.
Then she heard Ethan hiss, his palm trembling slightly, and his brows furrowed.
He touched the brand on his palm.
"Oh—Merlin! Are you hurt?"
Madam Rosmerta said with a pained expression.
She raised her slightly rough fingers and gently stroked Ethan's palm.
…Ron's gaze from the side was hotter than the sun's brand.
Ethan subtly pulled his hand back and chuckled, "Haha, I'm fine."
"It hurts a lot, but it makes me feel great."
After all, he could create unique artworks.
?!
It hurts, but it feels great?
Madam Rosmerta immediately looked at Ethan with renewed respect and careful scrutiny… I never thought you, with your thick eyebrows and innocent student-like appearance, would be into such kinky things!
Madam Rosmerta's posture softened.
Ignoring Hermione's almost fiery gaze, she leaned close to Ethan's ear and whispered:
"My pub is quite spacious, would you like to come in for a seat?"
?
What kind of wind is blowing now?
Is someone trying to challenge me to a duel?
Ethan's eyes gradually sharpened.
He slowly nodded and said profoundly, "Lead the way."
Madam Rosmerta:
Awkward laugh.jpg
"Haha, then follow me~"
Madam Rosmerta was about to put her arm around Ethan's shoulder.
But then a loud cough sounded from the side.
Then, the handsome young man under her hand was suddenly pulled away.
Ethan turned his head to look at Hermione, who was tugging at his robe, and asked curiously, "Do you also want to challenge me to a duel?"
Hermione:
Is he an idiot?!!
Hermione immediately felt a surge of protectiveness.
She glared cautiously at the strange "old" lady and pulled Ethan behind her.
This gave Madam Rosmerta a sense of déjà vu, like a "mother hen tucking eggs under herself."
Oh my, what a cute friendship! Youth!
Madam Rosmerta chuckled a few times.
She also invited Hermione to be her guest at the Three Broomsticks pub.
Ron: Abba abba.
When he suddenly reacted, he realized Ethan and the others had already walked quite a distance.
"Wait, wait for me! Ethan—hey! Scabbers, stop it!"
Ron quickly clutched the rat Scabbers, who had suddenly started wriggling in his pocket.
He chased after Ethan and the others.
With Madam Rosmerta—cough, no, with Butterbeer ahead.
Who cares about Honeydukes anymore!
The Three Broomsticks pub.
Madam Rosmerta treated the three of them to a large, full mug of Butterbeer each.
Only then did she explain her purpose:
"Ethan, could you do for my Three Broomsticks pub what you did for the Leaky Cauldron and help me renovate it?"
She sighed deeply.
She leaned forward on the table, her substantial weight pressing on her arms.
"Ever since you renovated the Leaky Cauldron, its business has been exceptionally booming!"
"Yes, everyone wants to see grapes that can fall out of paintings, sculptures that can answer life's questions, and psychedelic golden light that allows one to experience bliss!"
She slapped the table excitedly and said:
"They even formed some kind of 'secret society'! They go to worship those artworks all day long!!"
"They've stolen all my customers!"
Hermione: ?
Is this society of yours legitimate?
It sounds like it's halfway to Azkaban!!
Hearing this.
Ethan's eyes lit up, and he proudly curled his lips.
It seemed the renovations he did for the Leaky Cauldron during the summer had achieved excellent results.
Madam Rosmerta: "Now, everyone knows it's your paintings that transformed the Leaky Cauldron… Can you do one for me too?"
As she spoke, Madam Rosmerta's fingers restlessly moved toward Ethan.
But they were stopped by Hermione's heavy thud of a Butterbeer mug.
"Of course."
Ethan casually conjured a top hat, tipped its brim, and winked:
"Rather, I'd be delighted, Madam."
"Oh… you're truly too kind, my dear…" Madam Rosmerta's cheeks flushed, and she stammered.
She quickly raised her hand, pretending to fan herself due to the heat.
What a pity, if only she were twenty years younger… Time spares no one.
Madam Rosmerta tentatively asked, "What about the price…?"
Ethan: "No problem."
At this, Madam Rosmerta was completely captivated.
Her eyes were full of little stars as she looked at Ethan.
This made Hermione's back molars itch, and she drew her wand out only to put it back.
As for Ron.
He looked left and right.
Suddenly, he pulled the rat Scabbers from his pocket, held him up to everyone, and whispered hopefully:
"Want to see a rat? He's very fat…"
A silence fell.
Ron looked like he was about to cry.
Fortunately.
A jingle of bells sounded at the door.
Breaking the strange atmosphere.
Madam Rosmerta turned her head and exclaimed in surprise, "Minerva!"
Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Hagrid, and Minister Fudge were sweeping snow from their clothes as they entered through the door.
As soon as he saw him.
Minister Fudge's face instantly turned white, then purplish-blue.
He froze in place.
Ethan curled his lips and gave him a benevolent smile.
He just didn't know why Minister Fudge seemed to be trembling even more violently.
Professor Flitwick shrieked:
"Mr. Vincent! Madam Rosmerta, I must introduce you to my star pupil from Ravenclaw."
Ethan curved his eyes and said earnestly, "Thank you, Professor, you are an excellent teacher."
Madam Rosmerta invited the few in and complained to Minister Fudge that the Dementors were ruining her business.
Seeing Minister Fudge looking utterly lost, she rolled her eyes dramatically.
Just then.
At the door, the bell rang once more.
Ethan and Hermione casually looked over.
They saw a group of chattering students walking in—and Harry Potter.
And the large "spotted dog" beside him.
Ethan: "…Woof."
Hermione: ?!!
And Harry's smile.
Also froze when he saw Professor McGonagall, her back to him, ahead.
Then.
He suddenly became incredibly terrified!
Oh no, no, no, no!!!
As soon as he got the Marauder's Map from the Weasley Twins, he immediately took the secret passage!
He hadn't brought his Invisibility Cloak at all!
Seeing Professor McGonagall and the others about to turn around.
Harry felt his heart almost stop.
Suddenly.
A figure flashed out, blocking Harry's path.
"—Everyone!"
Ethan suddenly stood up, spread his arms, and said loudly with a smile.
Drawing everyone's attention to him.
Ethan!!
Realizing his good friend was helping him out, Harry was moved to tears!
He quickly crouched down and scurried in along the wall.
As for the "spotted dog."
He was even more nimble and had already disappeared without a trace.
"Mr. Vincent?"
Professor McGonagall blinked, suddenly having a very ominous feeling.
Ethan smiled:
"At the invitation of Madam Rosmerta, the proprietress, I have a special performance I'd like to present to everyone!"
Madam Rosmerta was startled at first.
Then she was suddenly touched!
He's already helping to liven up the atmosphere so quickly!
Ethan is truly a kind and enthusiastic good student!!
The students who knew Ethan immediately quieted down.
But the other patrons from outside Hogwarts frowned suspiciously.
Some drunkards even shouted gruffly:
"Don't disturb me while I'm drinking! Go play somewhere else, kid!"
Ethan didn't respond.
He simply surveyed the pub with his cobalt-blue eyes and curled his lips.
He snapped his fingers.
A small bird, shimmering with golden light, flew out, flapping its wings.
When it chirped.
Everyone froze.
They felt a sudden sharp pain in their hearts.
As if pricked by something sharp.
"The performance is…" Ethan's gaze fixed on the struggling, squealing grey rat in Ron's hand.
He slowly began:
"'The Traitor's Impaling Hell.'"
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