#76 - Section 76

Ethan helplessly glanced at Penelope; her progress was already quite fast.

Harry's accelerated learning was thanks to the help of a Boggart, and later, he directly faced a Dementor, forcing rapid progress under high pressure.

Ethan could try using a Dementor later, but a Boggart was out of the question. Harry was afraid because he directly faced a Dementor, so the Boggart would transform into a Dementor. It wouldn't work for anyone else.

However, with Dementors, he'd have to wait until next year; right now, besides Azkaban, there were basically no traces of Dementors anywhere else.

When the time comes, he must abduct one back, if only to have a Patronus Charm training device.

"But this isn't a physical Patronus; it doesn't do anything."

"Think about it another way. Which student at Hogwarts currently knows the Patronus Charm?"

Everything fears comparison. Without experiencing the terror of Dementors rampaging, few people would actively learn the Patronus Charm.

"I'll try again. Expecto Patronum!"

Ethan felt his emotions were properly built up, and he immediately raised his wand, closing his eyes to carefully recall things that made him happy.

However, nothing happened.

He followed the steps; the Patronus Charm is a reaction to positive emotions, requiring recalling the happiest things.

He had already recalled everything from his past life: playing 'Troll So' at an internet cafe, saving money with his roommates for KTV, or even spending a little money to find a 'one-stop service' from the girls at the neighboring vocational school.

Even the moment he obtained the Golden Finger in this life, Ethan had tried using it, but it didn't work!

It can only be said that his talent isn't strong enough, and he hasn't stacked enough buffs.

In Nicolas' collection, Ethan had seen such a book.

In earlier times, there were no spells, no wands, no gestures needed. People didn't understand how magic worked. Wizards of that era relied solely on their minds and instincts to release fire and lightning magic, and they could even perform spatial teleportation, although the stability wasn't great.

It was just like superpowers in urban novels; only those who could do this were true wizards.

Later, with development, wands, spells, and gestures were invented to gain more power and better control over it.

Casting became more convenient, and wizards gradually lost their previous abilities. Now, few can cast spells wandlessly and silently, let alone cast spells with just a thought without learning anything.

Ethan agreed with this idea.

[Thank you, REEN 2000, for the reward! Thank you, Boss!]

Chapter 103: Skeleton Dance Troupe

On Halloween Eve, it was still raining heavily at Hogwarts.

But this still couldn't affect the joyous atmosphere of the little wizards attending the Halloween feast.

Like last year, the little wizards woke up early in the morning and smelled the sweet and enticing aroma of roasted pumpkin wafting through the corridors.

In the Great Hall, decorative bats and dark clouds had already been set up.

The giant pumpkins provided by Hagrid were carved into jack-o'-lanterns and floated in the air, adding a little atmosphere to the day.

Besides these, Ethan also heard a rumor that Dumbledore had booked a skeleton dance troupe to entertain everyone.

It can only be said that this old geezer has terrible taste. Who wants to see a few skeletons performing?

With that spare money, he might as well hire a Veela dance troupe; that would suit most people's tastes.

In addition, Fred and George told him during lunch that they had been warned by Professor McGonagall.

If she was made unhappy again this Halloween, it wouldn't be as simple as deducting points.

She wouldn't mind inviting Mrs. Weasley to Hogwarts for afternoon tea, once a week, with house-elf pick-up and drop-off service.

She could chat with her about her precious children's performance at Hogwarts during afternoon tea and let Mrs. Weasley see her beloved sons.

The children are all at school; Mrs. Weasley must be quite bored alone at home during the day and wouldn't refuse this suggestion.

As Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall has the ability to do this; the twins understand this very well.

After receiving this warning, Fred and George rushed over to tell Ethan not to cause any trouble this year and to stop any ideas he had.

If Ethan caused trouble and it was blamed on them, they would be completely finished.

They really didn't want to see their mother at Hogwarts, especially once a week. It was unbearable.

This was even more unacceptable than being punished to clean the corridors dirtied by Dungbombs.

Ethan didn't have any ideas this year, so he readily agreed.

Last year, he wanted to complete an achievement, so he caused trouble.

Now that the prank achievement has been completed, Ethan is too lazy to do anything without an achievement, unless there is a bigger stage, otherwise he is not interested.

"Ethan, I heard that the Halloween feast won't have pumpkin pie and will have hot pot instead?"

"Did you initiate it?"

At the Ravenclaw table, Cho Chang looked at Ethan with a strange expression.

She lived in China when she was little, so she naturally understood hot pot very well. When the weather was cold at Hogwarts, Ethan even took them to the Room of Requirement to eat it.

But now Hogwarts is combining Chinese hot pot with a local holiday, which looks strange no matter how you look at it.

"We've already eaten two meals of pumpkin today; haven't you had enough?"

Although he felt a bit of a difference, Ethan didn't think it was a big deal.

The Hogwarts feast is not a formal feast; it's just a group of little wizards eating, drinking, and having fun together.

Is there a difference between Western and Chinese food like that?

"That's not it. What I can't figure out is how you got Dumbledore to agree to this?"

Heaven knows how surprised she was when she heard a Hufflepuff student next to her say that the dinner today would be hot pot when class ended today.

She also learned from them that Ethan had a part in it.

According to Cho Chang's idea, Dumbledore shouldn't be able to accept this novel way of celebrating the festival.

"Actually, the house-elves facilitated this. I didn't say any of this to Dumbledore."

"You two, what are you talking about? So happy!"

Penelope walked over from behind and sat down to Ethan's left.

"We're talking about hot pot!"

"I think it's great!"

Just like that, Cho Chang and Penelope were on the left and right, with Ethan in the middle, chatting like this.

Not far away, Terry and the others sitting on the other side watched this scene and gave Ethan a thumbs up. To be able to chat so happily, instead of drawing wands and fighting, was truly something.

Speaking of which, some of the pretty Ravenclaw upperclassmen are still single. Should they ask Ethan to teach them a few tricks and give it a try?

To this end, the three guys launched into a heated discussion.

As the group chatted idly, Dumbledore led the group of professors over, signaling the official start of the feast.

With a wave of Dumbledore's wand, steaming brass cauldrons appeared on the four house tables, including the staff table, with alcohol lamps burning underneath. The remaining space was filled with plates of various ingredients and dipping sauces.

Ethan, constantly paying attention to Professor Snape, could clearly see his face instantly darken the moment he saw the steaming cauldrons.

Although Snape didn't understand what was going on, with his knowledge, he knew that this was definitely not potion brewing.

If it wasn't for making potions, then was this using cauldrons to cook food?

Thinking of this, Snape stared at Dumbledore with murderous eyes.

Dumbledore had known all of this for a long time and had even agreed to it. Did he know what cauldrons meant to a potions master?

Looking at the colleagues around him who weren't surprised, one after another picking up ingredients with chopsticks and preparing dipping sauces, was he the only one being kept in the dark?

Snape really couldn't stand this grievance and didn't want to endure it any longer, staring intently at Dumbledore with eyes devoid of any emotion.

"Great Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, do you know what you are doing right now?"

"Ah? Eating hot pot!"

"The taste is really good, Severus, come on, sit down and eat together, hurry up, or there won't be any ingredients left."

Dumbledore, who was busily adding beef, mutton, and beef balls to the tomato broth, raised his head after hearing the voice and looked at Snape blankly as he replied.

Just look at those skillful movements, and the other professors are all using tongs and forks. Only Dumbledore is using chopsticks. It's obvious that Dumbledore has had a lot of hot pot in his office.

Perhaps the other professors, under Dumbledore's leadership, have also eaten a lot of this hot pot. Look at their skillful movements and eager little eyes.

Thinking about the recent sharp drop in temperature, the continuous rainy days, and the steaming cauldrons in front of him, Snape became even more convinced that this idea was true.

"Hot pot?"

"These are cauldrons, important tools for potions class, the most important friends of a potions master, not some hot pot!"

Snape directly broke down, revealing an angry expression.

In these days after losing Lily, only potions and cauldrons accompanied him. He would not allow anyone to use cauldrons like this.

Most importantly, without him!

This feeling of being excluded was really damn uncomfortable!

"Severus, I think you can listen to everyone's opinion!"

Dumbledore gestured for Snape to look below. You treat the cauldron as a partner and friend, but others don't think so!

The cauldron is just a tool. It's up to its owner how to use it. Brewing potions or cooking are all personal choices. Even if someone sells the cauldron and uses it as a chamber pot, that's their freedom.

Anyway, that's Dumbledore's idea.

Turning his head to look at the little lions who were fighting to grab food.

The little snakes who were eating with no aristocratic demeanor, covered in sweat.

The little badgers who were going to other house tables to promote the dishes.

And Ethan, sitting in the front row of the Ravenclaw table, being served by two little witches on either side, but his attention was clearly on him.

Snape was silent. If it were in potions class, he would definitely deduct points without hesitation, but now he couldn't find a reason.

"So, Severus, why don't you hurry up and come and eat? If you're late, you'll only be able to eat some green vegetable leaves."

Dumbledore, who was still frantically adding meat dishes and not touching any vegetables, still knew how to offer a way out at a critical moment.

Snape at this moment obviously wanted to explode but didn't know how, and retreating would be too embarrassing.

"You are the headmaster, what you say goes!"

Snape said coldly, then returned to his seat and began to eat like McGonagall and the others beside him.

And to be honest, although it was very spicy, it was really delicious, and the more he ate, the more he couldn't stop.

Speaking of which, how was Dumbledore's broth different from his side? And how come McGonagall's wasn't red?

Is that all?

Ethan had specially chosen this seat, close enough to the staff table to enjoy the show to his heart's content. He even thought Snape would freak out!

I really overestimated you, Snape!

When everyone had eaten almost enough, Dumbledore waved his wand, and all the cauldrons, plates, and unfinished dishes disappeared, even the tables were wiped clean, and then all kinds of desserts and candies covered the table.

The lights in the hall also dimmed at this moment, and a twelve-person team stepped onto the high platform in front.

The Skeleton Dance Troupe, specially prepared by Dumbledore for today, officially took the stage.

The little wizards below also gave warm applause.

Ethan, listening to the discussions of the little wizards nearby, also learned some things related to this Skeleton Dance Troupe.

The Skeleton Dance Troupe is actually a similar existence to ghosts, belonging to wizards who have died, but have not gone to the underworld and have not become ghosts, but have become such a unique existence.

Before their death, they were already a team, and they were also engaged in the dance industry, but they were not very popular at that time. They only really became popular after they died and became skeletons.

Especially on Halloween Eve, reservations are made years in advance.

If Dumbledore's influence wasn't big enough, he really wouldn't have been able to invite them to perform at Hogwarts on Halloween Eve.

It's just that Ethan can't appreciate their taste. Can skeletons in tuxedos dancing really be good-looking?

Even if their technique is good, skeletons have no aesthetic appeal!

As the lights on the stage began, the Skeleton Dance Troupe began their performance. Because they were freed from the constraints of the flesh, they could do all kinds of movements, but Ethan still couldn't appreciate it. The sexy dance of the young ladies was more interesting.