"Fine, no problem."
Seeing Ethan nod, Snape turned on his heel, not wanting to stay a second longer. When he heard Ethan call out, "Huh? I wonder where my doll's heart went?" his pace quickened even further.
He pretended not to notice Ethan's teasing gaze.
Good. Seamlessly, he tucked a certain something into his inner coat pocket, securing it properly.
...Coming here to deliver news to Ethan and asking for a little "mental distress compensation" was only right, Professor Snape thought, his face a frozen mask.
As for how Ethan knew about such a scene, he no longer bothered to investigate. Just like their first meeting, when Ethan had sketched a portrait of Lily out of thin air.
The reincarnation of Merlin needed no explanation.
Departure Day.
The dark red train sat like a great steel dragon, carrying huddling young wizards and their mountains of luggage. It surged across the open fields and golden wheat lands, finally plunging into the jungle of high-rises.
It came to a slow, rhythmic halt at Platform 9¾.
Tap.
The originally boisterous platform was suddenly hit with a "mute" button by the appearance of a single figure.
Countless eyes watched in shock as the black-haired youth stepped down leisurely. It was as if he were unaware that he had become the wizarding world's Most Wanted Man; he simply strolled into the public eye with total composure.
He wore a dark blue waistcoat embroidered with fine gold patterns, which perfectly traced his tall, upright frame. His long legs, encased in straight-cut trousers, moved with a careless, rhythmic grace as he followed his own whims.
Having finished his fifth year and spent another year at Hogwarts, the boy had clearly grown even more handsome.
His features were as exquisite as a painting—deep, rich, and striking. A few locks of jet-black curly hair strayed near his cheeks, exuding an air of elegant artistry. The boy looked as if he had stepped directly out of a classical canvas.
He appeared quiet and reserved, without a hint of ostentation.
When girls accidentally locked eyes with his cobalt-blue gaze, their cheeks would invariably flush, and their hearts would skip a beat. It was as if they had just downed a massive swig of Amortentia.
No one would ever guess that this princely youth was the "Greatest and Most Evil New Dark Lord" of the current era.
Beside this suave Dark Lord, a blonde girl, fair and slender as an elf, snuggled silently against him. She clutched his arm, her dreamy, wandering blue eyes suggesting she couldn't care less about the opinions of outsiders.
The sight of them together created an odd, yet undeniable, sense of harmony.
Tap, tap, tap.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Ethan walked calmly across the platform. People parted for them wherever they went, their gazes trailing him as he passed.
Suddenly, three figures rose from the crowd. They stepped forward to meet Ethan without the slightest hesitation.
It was the Malfoy family.
They held their chests high as usual, yet any keen observer could see their underlying tension.
"Blimey," someone whispered. "The Malfoys have placed their bets on a Dark Lord again!"
"It is an honor to see you, Mr. Vincent."
Lucius cracked a stiff grin and reached out his hand, but after catching a glimpse of his own sweaty palm, he pulled it back in embarrassment. Meeting Ethan's calm, waveless eyes, Lucius swallowed hard and said respectfully:
"Having heard of your great achievements, we feel a deep sense of shock and reverence. Congratulations on fulfilling yet another of your desires."
"I simply wished to tell you that the Malfoy family is forever at your disposal. Isn't that right, Draco?"
Lucius shot a cold glance at his son and used his cane to give Draco a sharp poke in the back.
Draco stumbled forward, and as if waking from a dream, he quickly forced a fawning smile. Bowing and scraping, he said:
"Of—of course! Ethan, if you need anything, just give me the word!"
This subservient display left the onlookers utterly stunned.
"What happened to the 'Pureblood Nobility'?" Ron's eyes widened. "I've never seen the Malfoys act so humble!"
Since when did they not look at people through their nostrils?
"That is the effect of true power," Mr. Weasley remarked with a sigh. Watching Lucius look as though he were about to die of fright, Arthur couldn't help but chuckle. He was secretly over the moon!
—Who told you to run off and join Voldemort back in the day?
Lucius was certainly good at judging the winds of change; otherwise, Ethan would have blown him up long ago.
At that moment, Mr. Weasley realized once again how much Ethan looked out for their family and other righteous folk. Otherwise, if it were strictly based on contributions, the Malfoy family—who were throwing money and resources at Ethan—would be at the top of the list.
If that happened, Ethan would just become the next "Ministry of Magic."
Ethan spoke: "Then you must surely want to make your manor a bit more... artistic?"
He could find it in himself to accept their "invitation" and go there to display his grand ambitions. Speaking of which, there were likely many interesting trinkets in Lucius's home. In the original history, there was even an underground dungeon used to imprison Harry and the others. It was an ancient estate with quite a history.
"..." Lucius's mouth twitched. He gritted his teeth and nodded. "Ha... haha, the Malfoy family welcomes your presence at any time..."
"Mm-hmm."
Ethan nodded in satisfaction. He was about to leave to catch up with Mr. Lovegood before heading to the Order of the Phoenix.
Just then, Mrs. Malfoy—Narcissa—suddenly stopped him. Her hands gripped her skirt tightly, her lips pale as she spoke softly:
"My sister... Bella. Did she say anything... at the end?"
Ethan stopped. He looked up at the woman whose eyes were red with unshed tears. His gaze finally flickered slightly, revealing a hint of human emotion.
There was a long silence. Just as Narcissa was about to retract the question, Ethan spoke slowly:
"...Bella said: Tell Cissy that she doesn't regret it."
—That was a lie.
Bellatrix's mind had been entirely filled with her Master; she had been gone in a flash, with no presence of mind to leave a final testament.
As the words fell, Ethan saw a single crystalline tear roll down Narcissa's cheek.
"...She always called me 'Cissy'."
Narcissa wore a tragic smile and lowered her head to wipe away the tear. Looking at Ethan, she took a deep breath to steady herself and said softly:
"Thank you. You really are a gentle person, Mr. Vincent."
As she spoke, Narcissa slowly reached out, as if to touch a close child, wanting to brush a stray lock of hair from Ethan's forehead.
However, a moment before she could touch him, Ethan turned his head, avoiding her hand. He gave the family a nod and, with Luna at his side, turned and walked away.
Narcissa's hand hung in mid-air for two seconds before she withdrew it. Unsurprisingly, she let out a sigh. Watching Ethan's retreating back, she murmured almost inaudibly:
"Lucius, we really shouldn't have followed the Dark Lord."
That was the biggest mistake the Malfoys had ever made.
Lucius thinned his lips and said coldly: "It's too late for that now. All we can do is try our best to make amends."
Fortunately, this time, they had finally chosen correctly. As long as they vomited up everything they had gained, they might avoid the tragic end of their "colleagues"—having their bones and flesh devoured.
"...Sigh, Ethan is just too far beyond the norm."
The once-glorious Head of the Malfoy family, under Ethan's "playful" manipulation, finally bent his stiff back in exhaustion.
That night, at the Order of the Phoenix.
The Black ancestral home was brightly lit. In the vast hall, several figures were either sitting or standing. Harry had gone to stay at Ron's; tonight was an occasion for the adults.
"Mad-Eye" Moody let his magical eye spin wildly as he took a large gulp from his hip flask.
The dark-skinned Auror, Kingsley Shacklebolt, frowned at Moody's state before turning to speak with the more composed Remus Lupin.
The bubbly Metamorphmagus, Nymphadora Tonks, suppressed her urge to pull a face and instead shared a few secret winks with Sirius.
Mundungus Fletcher, a man who specialized in shady dealings, kept his eyes darting around greedily, staring at the dusty silver heirlooms.
The serious witch Hestia Jones, the overly enthusiastic Dedalus Diggle, as well as Elphias Doge and Emmeline Vance...
Members of the Order who rarely visited headquarters were gathered together tonight. Leading them was, naturally, the pillar of the wizarding world—and freshly minted "criminal"—Albus Dumbledore.
"You said you wanted to introduce a new member to us tonight, Mr. Dumbledore," Kingsley said in his booming voice. "I certainly won't question your decision, but with the situation so volatile—"
"Ha! I heard the news too!" Tonks raised her hand sharply, her hair turning bright pink with excitement. "The 'Third Generation Dark Lord,' [Mr. Lamp] Ethan Vincent!"
"...Yes."
The dark-skinned Auror let out a long sigh, his exhaustion clear as he began to vent:
"The Ministry of Magic has exploded—in every sense of the word. The Aurors are out in full force, trying everything to corner Ethan, but everyone knows it's nearly impossible. This afternoon, dozens of us watched helplessly as Ethan simply teleported away from the platform! We couldn't catch him at all!"
"...Speaking of which, there are ten times as many Aurors on the streets now. It's making my business very difficult."
Mundungus rubbed his chin and shuddered. "Not only that, but the Death Eaters! Their numbers have surged! Like rats in a sewer, they're pouring out as if they've received some kind of summons!"
"It's a mess! Everything is a mess!"
Kingsley continued: "The Ministry naturally says it's Ethan's doing, but that 'Enlightenment Society' sometimes helps us catch Death Eaters instead. In short, I personally hope we don't get involved with Ethan. You see, even Mr. Dumbledore has been implicated because of him."
As soon as he said this, the others nodded, launching into a chaotic discussion about the turmoil caused by [Mr. Lamp]. Only Mad-Eye Moody gave a dry chuckle and took another swig from his flask.
"You can't say that about Ethan!" Sirius snapped, standing up to argue.
However, Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder and said with a beaming smile:
"Let's get back to the newcomer joining us this time."
"...Sorry, I got us off track," Kingsley said, scratching his head sheepishly. Although he didn't quite understand adding a new member at this critical juncture, if it was Dumbledore's decision, it couldn't be wrong. He straightened his back in anticipation.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Hehe~ This newcomer is someone you are all quite familiar with—"
He stepped back two paces, clearing the way to the dark corridor, and smiled mischievously:
"Let us welcome the newest member of the Order of the Phoenix, Ethan Vincent!"
The moment the words left his mouth, everyone's expression froze in place.
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