#40 - Section 40
After Ethan boarded the Hogwarts Express, he prepared to look for Cassandra and the others.
"Lee, have you finished your homework? Let me copy it."
"Homework? What homework? Oh, Mike, let me copy your homework!"
"You think I actually did the homework?"
"Sorry, I misunderstood!"
Passing by a compartment, Ethan heard the conversation inside. He poked his head in and saw that it was Lee Jordan, the Weasley twins' roommate, and some of their Gryffindor friends.
It's no wonder they're Gryffindors, they don't want to do homework.
Speaking of homework, it seems like I haven't even started mine.
For some classes, Ethan doesn't have homework, like Transfiguration and Charms, because this knowledge doesn't offer much improvement for excellent students. They should already understand it, so these professors will waive homework depending on the situation.
However, Ethan needs to do the homework for Potions, Herbology, and History of Magic.
Similar to before a holiday at home, the Hogwarts professors also assigned a large amount of homework for these two weeks of break.
"Senior is getting more beautiful again!"
In the corridor, Ethan encountered Penelope.
"Really?"
"Of course!"
Ethan nodded with certainty.
"Alright, go say that to those three!"
"Just walk a few compartments back, they're already there."
The corners of Penelope's mouth couldn't help but turn up, but she still pretended to be indifferent.
After saying goodbye, Penelope continued her patrol. When there are no professors present, prefects like them need to be more diligent.
Arriving at the back compartment, Ethan greeted Cassandra and the others before sitting down directly.
Ethan's arrival didn't interrupt their chatter. Of course, this was mainly Hermione talking, with Cho Chang listening. Most of it was about the Santa Claus Village.
As for Cassandra, she still maintained her aloof appearance, although she couldn't keep it up around Ethan.
"Which of you will let me copy your homework?"
Ethan looked at Cassandra and Hermione. They were both in the same year, although not in the same house, but the homework was the same.
"Ethan, you should do your own homework. Copying is not allowed. The professors assign homework in order to..."
"Here!"
Hermione was still extolling the evils of copying homework, but Cassandra had already taken action.
Opening her trunk, she took out her homework, quill, and ink, and placed them in front of Ethan, without any hesitation.
Checkmate!
Hermione lowered her head, looking rather helpless.
[Thank you to the Strategy Emperor for the monthly ticket, thank you!].
Chapter 64: Malfoy's Apology
The Great Hall.
After the feast ended.
Today's feast, besides eating and drinking, only mentioned one thing: Professor Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, was seriously injured due to an attack by a dark wizard and is now on leave. The specific length of the leave is unknown.
Starting this week, Professor Snape will take over the Defense Against the Dark Arts class until Professor Quirrell returns, or the end of the term.
Ethan suspects, how can Snape handle two classes at the same time, and for seven grades? Will he be able to manage?
Moreover, the times for the two classes will conflict!
Although this can be considered fulfilling a dream of his.
Ethan wasn't surprised that Quirrell couldn't come to class.
His condition wasn't very good at the time. It's unknown what damage that final blow caused him. Perhaps he could drag his crippled body back to the stage after ten days or half a month, or perhaps he couldn't come back at all.
But it doesn't matter, as long as Voldemort isn't dead, as long as the Philosopher's Stone is still at Hogwarts, he will definitely not give up.
Currently, he still needs to rely on the Philosopher's Stone to revive.
"Malfoy?"
Ethan, preparing to return to Ravenclaw, looked at Draco blocking his path, feeling somewhat puzzled.
Ever since the incident where he took on five upperclassmen from Slytherin, this guy had been like a mouse seeing a cat when he saw him. Except for class time, he always went around him.
Now, after just going home for Christmas, what gave him so much confidence?
"Sorry, Adrian, I was the one who instigated the last incident. I apologize to you."
"This is my compensation gift."
Saying that, Draco handed a yellowed book to Ethan.
The cover of this book doesn't have European mainstream text. It's a bit like the Middle Eastern side. Ethan hasn't touched on this area. No matter how smart he is, he can't understand it. The material is made of some kind of animal skin, which is quite thick.
A Middle Eastern book that is quite old?
"This is the 'Book of Balances' written by Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan, the most famous alchemist of the eighth century. It's from my family's collection, specially brought as an apology."
Seeing that Ethan didn't accept it, Draco became anxious and hurriedly introduced it.
During this time, Draco had been worried that Ethan would cause him trouble, and had repeatedly woken up from nightmares, all of which involved his limbs being broken by Ethan.
He really couldn't stand it anymore. When he went home for Christmas, he told his parents about the matter, from starting on the Hogwarts Express to instigating five Slytherin upperclassmen to cause trouble for Ethan and being dealt with. He told everything related to Ethan and himself.
He hoped they would have a way to solve it. As for being forced by a Muggle to find his parents, he would just lose face!
Unexpectedly, after listening, his father not only didn't comfort him or say he would help him teach Ethan a lesson.
Instead, he scolded him for being brainless and severely reprimanded him, telling him to apologize and obtain Ethan's forgiveness.
If he couldn't do it, even if he was beaten to death by Ethan, he wouldn't provide help.
And this book was also chosen by his father as an apology after hearing him say that Ethan had been reading alchemy books recently.
To be honest, Draco didn't understand why his father had to do this. He was the head of the Malfoy family, a Hogwarts governor. Did they need to apologize?
Shouldn't his father step in and solve this matter?
Draco now regretted it immensely.
"Since that's the case, I'll accept this book. I'll let the last incident go. If there's a next time, it won't just be this ~"
Ethan took the book "The Balance Book" and glanced at Draco before speaking slowly.
Ethan naturally knew the name Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan; he was one of the most successful alchemists in Islam, and much of the alchemy there today is developed based on his work.
It's just that too few of his works have survived, and those that have are collected by some major families, making them extremely valuable.
Books from the eighth century predate the founding of Hogwarts by one or two hundred years.
The Malfoy family has a long history, originally arriving with the Muggle king who conquered Britain, so it's normal for them to have such books.
"I understand!"
Malfoy finally breathed a sigh of relief, having finally completed his father's instructions. He probably wouldn't have nightmares anymore!
After leaving, Malfoy immediately rushed to the owlery to write a letter to his father, as he had requested.
Draco was completely spoiled and didn't realize how difficult things were at home. They seemed infinitely glamorous, still one of the sacred twenty-eight pure-blood families.
But because they chose the wrong side, a large amount of investment in Voldemort went down the drain. Voldemort never treated them like people anyway, just like dogs. They didn't get much benefit when he was in power.
After Harry defeated Voldemort, Lucius spent a great deal of money to avoid joining his sister-in-law in Azkaban, bribing officials at all levels. He sacrificed a lot of family property and Galleons, otherwise, how could a well-known Death Eater stay safely at home?
Now, if he provokes an infinitely promising young wizard, he might be removed from the pure-blood families in the future.
Lucius Malfoy knew how fast talented young wizards could grow. His father was once Voldemort's senior, and he had told him that a few years after leaving school, no one but Dumbledore could suppress Voldemort, and he quickly established the Death Eaters, eliminating everyone who had offended him.
This was why Lucius wanted Draco to apologize; not asking you to build a good relationship, but you can't offend him!
Although he always despised Muggle wizards, it was just political correctness and a habit. When dealing with someone capable of defeating you, even if you want to despise them, you can't show it.
...
"Ethan, what did Malfoy want from you just now?"
Ethan, who had returned to the dormitory, was immediately stopped by Terry, who loved gossip.
Terry knew that the relationship between the two was not good.
"He apologized to me!"
Ethan said, showing the book in his hand.
"I see!"
"By the way, Ethan, do you know why my phone won't turn on?"
"This is a Christmas gift from my parents, to make it easier to contact home. Owls are too slow."
Soon, Terry took out a flip phone and placed it in front of Ethan. Before this, he and Michael had studied it for a long time but couldn't find the reason.
It couldn't be out of battery either, it was fully charged before going out. He was just worried about not finding a place to charge it at Hogwarts.
Maybe he could ask Professor Flitwick if there was any magic that could charge the phone.
"Hogwarts doesn't allow the use of Muggle items, especially electrical ones, didn't you know?"
Ethan looked at Terry speechlessly. Although the notice didn't explicitly state it, it was recorded in many books. He should spend less time gossiping.
Moreover, this phone was a new Motorola model. His family was quite well-off!
It's just that in the second half of this year, a Muggle kid who idolizes Harry will come in. How did he use his camera?
Doesn't it also have batteries inside?
"I see!"
Terry scratched his head in distress. Now, he didn't need to bother Professor Flitwick.
"I'm going out, you guys chat!"
Now Ethan didn't avoid night tours anymore; there was no need for it.
Walking into the Room of Requirement, Cassandra and Penelope were already inside.
One was practicing the Weather Charms, and the other was reading "Runic Dictionary" and "Runic Hieroglyphs."
As for Hermione and Cho Chang, neither of them had ever come here.
After Hermione stopped playing with Ron and Harry, she became a standard good student, never doing anything against the rules. Although she was studious and talented, she had no interest in practical combat. (Or rather, Hermione had no talent for practical combat)
Cho Chang had to train for Quidditch every weekend, and sometimes even on school nights, which took up a lot of her energy.
"Ethan, this is what I found at home, the Fire-Shield Charm and the Curse of the Goblet of Fire spell books. I didn't find the Fire God's Path; my family probably doesn't have it."
Cassandra came to Ethan immediately, taking out two books like she was offering a treasure.
After Christmas, Cassandra took advantage of her father going to work at the Ministry of Magic and began searching the family's library, father's study, and secret rooms, but found nothing.
Later, when her mother was going to attend a tea party, Cassandra declined with an excuse, and then secretly ran to their room, where she finally found them.
It was probably specially hidden by her own father. Fortunately, she was one step ahead.
"Good job!"
Ethan was quite surprised. Although on the train, Cassandra had already hinted that she had found something Ethan needed, he was still a little excited to see it now.
The power of the Fiendfyre Curse had already been demonstrated a few days ago when he was fighting Voldemort. With this one spell, he could go anywhere in the wizarding world, and he didn't have to care about anyone except a few people.
And these two spells, which were no less famous than the Fiendfyre Curse, were definitely not bad.
"Um, Ethan, can you teach me after you learn them, including the Fiendfyre Curse?"
Cassandra asked a little embarrassed. Originally, she regarded Ethan as a rival, but now she was almost treating him as a teacher.
"No problem."
