While Snape was away hoodwinking Yaxley, Ethan continued to drill the students in Defense Against the Dark Arts classes as usual.
His reputation had become polarized to the extreme.
The lower-year students praised him as the best teacher ever! This was largely because they were new to magic. The sparring partners Ethan provided for them were interesting wooden puppets or Dark Magic creatures imported from Borgin and Burkes—such as Boggarts, Red Caps, and Cornish Pixies.
From time to time, he would even summon the Basilisk to teach them how to counter petrification magic.
In a way, he was like a practical, hands-on version of Professor Lupin. The classroom was often filled with laughter and joy.
But for the upper years—especially fifth year and above—it was absolute hell.
It was practice combined with more practice. If they weren't fighting bizarre and grotesque monsters, they were being attacked by actual Dark Magic.
For example—
Ethan: "Next, I'm going to start using Legilimency~ Prepare your Occlumency defenses."
"I'll count to three———————————Legilimens!"
Whoosh!
Students: ?!!
In an instant, it felt like suddenly rushing through a train tunnel. Countless memories interwoven and flowed into Ethan's extraordinary mind. The spell even affected the "innocent" Ministry officials standing guard.
"Miss Rosier."
Ethan rolled his neck, raising an index finger with a playful expression. "If I have time, I'll help you get Mr. Vincent's autograph~"
Connie: !!
Her face instantly exploded into a shade of crimson. She twisted her voluptuous body, stammering out a denial. "I-I'm doing this for official business!"
"How can Auror matters be considered personal matters..."
However, at this moment, everyone was too busy looking after themselves to pay attention to another "Ethan Admirer."
Ron was seeing stars, swaying unsteadily as he spoke, "I think I'm going to be sick... Every single spider in my memory now has a terrifying swirling face!!"
"Me too..."
Harry was equally exhausted. He took off his glasses and closed his eyes.
In the darkness, the swirling face was everywhere, surrounding him three hundred and sixty degrees. It was practically demonic.
The professor had forcibly turned "Legilimency" into a form of mental pollution.
This Swirl Professor... why does he feel so exceptionally familiar?
Harry fell into deep thought.
To escape the torture, the students had never been more diligent than they were now. In the corridors, in the classrooms, in the library... everywhere you looked, you could see students from every house burying their heads in practice!
It was as if everyone had suddenly turned into Ravenclaws. Including Harry.
The professors were astounded. Even the caretaker, Mr. Filch, no matter how much he stretched his nose to snoop around, couldn't find a single student causing trouble.
In the Courtyard Garden.
"Sigh, ever since everyone realized that using Skiving Snackboxes is not only useless but actually makes Professor Norn more interested, our sales have dropped significantly," the Weasley twins complained with grins on their faces, holding handfuls of colorful candies.
"However, Professor Norn is quite enthusiastic. Unlike other professors—especially our Head of House—he's very willing to give us some pointers."
"Like this one," they held up a small gray pill. "The 'Octopus Brain Pill' that makes tentacles grow out of your face after you eat it! Professor Norn gave us the inspiration!"
The surrounding students let out a "Wow" and gathered around curiously. Even the Slytherin students, adopting an attitude of "academic inquiry," stood on their tiptoes to get a better look.
Before long, amidst a chorus of exclamations, several slippery tentacles extended from a student's face, waving around wildly.
"Wow! That's so fun!"
"It's amazing... how on earth is this transfigured?"
"I really don't know where that Professor Norn came from; he knows so much magical magic."
"Ah! Ethan!"
The Weasley twins, sharp-eyed as ever, caught a glimpse of a black-haired figure and called out immediately.
They waved their arms enthusiastically, holding up the gray pill and laughing, "Do you want one, Ethan? It can turn you into an octopus~"
Recently, Ethan had likely been busy with his paintings again, as he was rarely seen.
Hearing this, Ethan blinked, then suddenly flashed a brilliant grin.
Then, in full view of the crowd, Ethan's head abruptly transformed into the head of a complete, giant octopus!
Thick tentacles, like long whips, flailed about. Two orange eyes, devoid of pupils, were filled with wicked madness. A mouth opened at the base of the tentacles, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
It erupted with a shrill, piercing howl!
[ROAR!!!]
The smiles froze on the students' faces. Their hair and robes were blown back by the blast of air.
They stared blankly as Ethan transformed back to normal, nodded to them as if taking a curtain call, and then walked away arm-in-arm with a swaying, blonde Luna.
The Weasley twins stood petrified in the wind, holding the Octopus Brain Pill.
After a long while, they murmured with emotion, "As expected of Ethan... there is no magic he can't do. That was simply... a method actor's performance!"
Amidst this unprecedentedly intense atmosphere at Hogwarts, grades in all subjects—not just Defense Against the Dark Arts—rose by a significant margin.
By now, even a third of the students had inadvertently used wandless magic at least once.
The Enlightenment Society also deserved some of the credit. Under the leadership and training of the Enlightenment Society in previous years, the students' foundations were solid.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was Halloween Eve.
All sorts of jack-o'-lanterns were piled in the corners, emitting raspy, heavy laughter. Small bats flapped their wings, dancing among decorations made of finger bones.
At the strong suggestion of a certain professor, the decorations also included spinning, blood-stained circular saws, serrated cleavers that looked like they might fall at any moment, and meat hooks hanging from the ceiling that looked ready to snag their scalps.
From the distance, the faint clang, clang sound of chopping meat could be heard.
The students sat motionless in the Great Hall. They didn't dare to move—didn't dare to move at all.
Ron gnawed on a chicken leg while glancing warily at the Ravenclaw table. "I wonder what kind of stunt Ethan is going to pull on us this Halloween..."
It happened every year. It had become a classic Hogwarts program.
A new student asked an older student, "Senior, why do you keep looking at the ceiling?"
The older student sighed. "I'm afraid a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor might suddenly drop from the sky."
New student: "Senior, why are you staring at the floor?"
The older student looked miserable. "I'm afraid an Inferius might suddenly crawl out of the ground."
New student: ?
Is this Hogwarts or the Underworld?
However, contrary to everyone's expectations, they waited on tenterhooks through the entire feast, but Ethan—who usually loved to pull a big prank on Halloween—remained quiet.
There was no noise.
At the Ravenclaw table, the Indian girl, Padma Patil, lifted her smooth, chocolate-colored face. Her thick, exotic dark eyes looked worriedly at Ethan.
She asked with concern, "Are you okay, Ethan? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
"Ethan" didn't respond to her. He simply sat there quietly, stirring the pumpkin soup in his bowl with a spoon.
When he didn't speak, he looked as exquisite and handsome as a porcelain doll in a shop window.
It made Padma stare in a trance. She gazed obsessively at the curve of Ethan's sharp nose, his cobalt-blue eyes that shone like glass beads, and his slightly pale skin.
It all made Padma's heart race and her cheeks burn.
Sob It's so good to be in the same house as Ethan!
Even if he was immersed in his own thoughts and ignoring others, that was totally OK~!
In front of a handsome guy, Padma selectively ignored the "terror incidents" Ethan had caused.
On the other side, Luna glanced at Padma. Surprisingly, she didn't say anything.
This "Ethan" was just a clone made by puppet magic.
Luna turned her head and exchanged a look with the "Swirl Person" on the stage, smiling sweetly. Two cute dimples appeared on her cheeks.
The real Ethan was actually up on the stage~
"Maybe," Michael leaned forward, grinning, "Ethan is holding back, waiting to release a big move after Halloween—————"
Before he could finish his sentence, a voice as rich and elegant as red wine rang out from the front of the Great Hall.
"Everyone, in this warm festive season, I have good news to tell you."
Michael: ?
He whipped his head around to look at the Swirl-Faced Professor rising gracefully from the staff table!
His heart immediately skipped a beat!
No, I was just saying that, nothing actually has to happen!!
In the silence, they heard their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, "Ann Norn," announce with excitement:
"Over the past two months, everyone has made tremendous progress!"
"Although some of you still haven't grasped the mysteries of wandless magic, I believe the time has come!"
Ethan raised his arm high. The candlelight reflected on his layered, swirling face; it seemed as if even the darkness within those grooves was illuminated.
Gulp.
The students swallowed nervously.
Under countless gazes, Ethan announced excitedly, "After Halloween, I will lead everyone to Knockturn Alley..."
"To find a 'treasure' left behind by a Dark Wizard!"
"This will serve as our Defense Against the Dark Arts class's first field trip~"
As he spoke, Ethan grinned playfully again.
—Being able to go out for a 'walk', these students must be very happy, right?
This "treasure" was naturally Bellatrix's wand!
Just yesterday, Professor Snape had finally sent back the location of Bellatrix's wand.
"It's in Knockturn Alley, Alley #17, in the third row, the house with red tiles," Snape had said with a sneer. "It's a hidden property under her husband's name. No wonder that bunch of useless wastes at the Ministry couldn't find anything."
Finally, Snape had lowered his voice to warn him, "Yaxley has been up to something in Azkaban recently. He's probably setting up an inescapable net there to deal with you."
"You'd better be careful."
At the time, Ethan had promised solemnly. So, Snape had relaxed a little.
But Snape never expected that the very next day, Ethan would announce he was taking all the students to Knockturn Alley for a "Grand Adventure"!!
Is this what you call "being careful," Ethan?!
Amidst the shock, Ethan's impassioned shout echoed through the Great Hall, bouncing off the stunned faces.
After a long while, a trembling voice spoke up.
"W-We probably won't have to go and deal with real Dark Wizards, r-right?" Ron asked, his face pale.
Ethan smiled slightly—although externally, it was just the swirl face twitching twice.
He said gently, "We will, Mr. Weasley. We will."
"Hiss————!"
Ron instantly sucked in a breath of cold air. The large chicken leg in his hand fell onto his plate, and he looked as if he had lost the will to live.
Hermione raised her hand and questioned, "Excuse me, Professor, but wouldn't this be too dangerous? We are just a group of students——————"
Ethan: "This field trip counts towards the final exam, Miss Granger."
Hermione shut her mouth immediately. Her arm retracted with a whoosh, and a raging fire of determination ignited in her eyes.
Ethan: "For this field trip, wands are not allowed. I believe that with the stimulation of actual combat, everyone will gain a deeper understanding of wandless magic~"
.....Just as long as we don't get stimulated to death!
The students felt a deep sense of dread, looking at each other uneasily.
Harry stared tightly at the bizarre Swirl Person on the stage, his brows deeply furrowed.
...Although his scar hadn't hurt recently, years of exposure to Defense Against the Dark Arts professors had bred a great sense of mistrust in this new teacher.
Ethan was still sitting at the Ravenclaw table, so it couldn't be Ethan in disguise.
Then this unique, grotesque style...
Could it be... [Mr. Lamp]?!
Harry's pupils shook. He hurriedly lowered his head to hide the shocked expression on his face. This earth-shattering thought surged uncontrollably in his mind.
Meanwhile, in the vast ocean, stood a pitch-black triangular structure.
Waves crashed against the thick walls of its pentagonal exterior, leaving behind wet, greenish stains that quickly froze into a layer of white frost.
[Ah]
Several terrifying black shadows hovered in the sky, their flowing cloaks looking like the embodiment of death and cold.
This was the place where the Wizarding World kept its prisoners—Azkaban.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Suddenly, an incredibly shrill scream pierced the sky, tearing through the atmosphere of painful, hopeless numbness.
The Dementors were attracted, swarming in layers, but were driven away by a corporeal Patronus. They floated around greedily and hungrily.
Inside a cell.
Voldemort's most loyal follower, Bellatrix, was lying on the ground like a beast. Her back was covered in crisscrossing bloody welts. Blood flowed across the floor.
Outside the iron bars, two Aurors leisurely raised their wands, grinning.
"Diffindo."
"Ugh—AH!!"
A curse shot out. Bellatrix threw her head back, her eyes bulging, panting hoarsely. Another wound was added to her back, bringing unbearable pain!
——————This was requested by the newly risen Savior, Ethan Vincent, two years ago.
He asked that this "Miss Bellatrix" be given a chance to exercise her muscles and bones every day.
Since then, Azkaban had been filled with laughter and joy daily.
Auror: "Heh, who knew such a 'bright' Savior would make such a cold-blooded request?"
"But if you ask me, it should have been done long ago! Let these Dark Wizards suffer some physical pain too!"
"Haa.... haa....."
Bellatrix trembled all over, her face as white as paper. Amidst her disheveled hair, her blood-red pupils vibrated constantly, showing irrational madness.
She muttered hoarsely, " The Dark Lord... The Dark Lord will definitely come to save me... He will kill you all...!"
Seeing this, the Auror sneered, accustomed to her ramblings.
Slowly, he pulled a painting from his robes. "Still tough? It's time to dial up the intensity."
As if anticipating what he would take out, Bellatrix's eyes suddenly widened.
In those eyes that hadn't flinched even when drained by Dementors or tortured, a trace of fear actually emerged.
She clutched her head with both hands, squeezed her eyes shut tightly, and let out an incredibly miserable shriek:
"NO!!!"
"No? Begging for mercy won't count towards the time——————Guk!"
Two flashes of green light.
Thud, thud.
The two Aurors collapsed to the ground. Their lifeless faces were filled with disbelief and shock.
The painting in their hands fell to the side.
Then, it was picked up by a rough hand.
"...The Scream? What the hell is this thing?"
Yaxley ground his heel into the Auror's face without a care, frowning.
For some reason, the twisted, bald humanoid figure in the painting gave him a very strong sense of déjà vu. It made him feel uncomfortable from the bottom of his heart.
Whoosh!
Yaxley set the painting on fire, preferring not to see it. He didn't notice that although the portrait was burning, no ash fell from it.
He turned his head to look at Bellatrix, who remained indifferent even though he was standing right in front of her.
He clicked his tongue heavily.
"Useless woman... looks like she's of no use right now. I'll have to rescue her and treat her first."
Yaxley looked up, gazing down the deep, dark corridor of Azkaban. He licked his cracked lips, grinning like a hungry wolf.
"Hehehe... Professor Norn, you must never have imagined that all your actions are within my control!"
"Knockturn Alley, is it... faced with criminals who have killed countless people, how capable can you really be?"
"I hope you're smart enough to make the right choice..."
"Hehehe..."
Although, if Lord Voldemort wasn't still in "hiding," he wouldn't have to be so restricted.
——————Damn Ethan!
Yaxley's eyes were cold and gloomy as he ground his back molars.
After Halloween, amidst the continuous gloom.
A tall figure holding a black umbrella appeared at the entrance of Knockturn Alley.
Following his footsteps, out of the thick fog, dozens of human figures gradually revealed themselves!
A dense, swarming mass of people. Like a wall of humanity gradually closing in, their presence was incredibly intimidating!
The Dark Wizards recoiled in astonishment. Their scalps went numb!
————Merlin! Have the armies of hell finally arrived?!!
At the front, Ethan, disguised as the "Swirl Professor," tipped the brim of his hat.
He gazed with amusement at the circle of terrified eyes. Curling the corners of his mouth, he smiled:
"Miss Bellatrix, don't worry. I'm coming to 'rescue' your wand right now!"
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