Vid paused: "Is it obvious?"
"Others might not see it, but to us, it's quite obvious!" Fred said with a grin, "We saw you coming out from the corridor with the mirror, and now you've found Paracelsus's portrait — you're looking for secret passages, right?"
"But it's no use; Filch also knows about the passage behind the portrait, and he's very alert! Even if you sneak in, you'll definitely be caught on your way out," George chimed in, "That guy knows four secret passages in the castle."
"But we know more! If you really want to sneak out and do something —"
"We mean — like going to Honeydukes to buy some sweets —"
"Then go to the middle of the fourth-floor corridor and look for a statue of the one-eyed hunchback witch —"
"The password is 'Split Apart' —"
"The exit is at Honeydukes."
"So —," Fred winked mischievously, "we await your great adventure!"
"Why are you telling me?" Vid asked curiously, "You haven't shared this passage with many, have you?"
"Of course not! Even Ronnie Jr. doesn't know!"
"But you've already found two secret passages by yourself — you're qualified to become the new generation of rule-breakers!" Fred said solemnly, as if passing on a serious legacy.
"We also received some help from our predecessors — um — very valuable help —" George muttered, "so we should also help like-minded people!"
"Do well, Vid!" Fred gave a thumbs up, "You have talent."
Vid didn't want to know what he meant by "talent"... He always felt the twins had misunderstood him.
"Split Apart!"
Vid found the statue of the hunchback witch, recited the spell, and the hunchback immediately opened up, enough space for him to walk in.
But Vid stood at the entrance, gazing into the dark passage, and finally chose to restore the statue again.
—Why must one sneak out of school?
Vid suddenly had this thought.
Gryffindor might see it as a remarkable adventure, but to him, such behavior that increases personal risk is actually inadvisable.
He did need to see Remus Lupin and could also meet Machioni, but the secret passage was just a backup option. If proper means couldn't achieve his goals, he could use the passage to leave the school later.
Several professors flashed through his mind, finally resting on Professor Morry's kindly smile.
Not just because Professor Morry cared for and admired him, but because this professor didn't really hold rules and discipline in high regard —
Though Hogwarts officially didn't allow Floo Network connections, he connected his office fireplace anyway (though Dumbledore surely knew);
Legally, it's forbidden to connect a non-magical family's fireplace to the Floo Network, yet he secretly found someone to open it;
Those with similar status and prestige as Professor Morry often gradually become moral exemplars and incarnations of rules with age (even if only superficially so), but Professor Morry would roll up his sleeves and personally haggle with merchants over every penny.
Therefore, Professor Morry was most likely to approve an exception for him to leave the school.
...
"Pop!"
The familiar soft sound made Vid immediately turn his head. He thought it might be one of Phil's group, but instead, it was an unfamiliar House-Elf.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Vid Gray." The House-Elf bowed deeply.
"You are—" Vid's fingers subconsciously gripped his Magic Wand, glancing at the top of the House-Elf's head, "Maki? Good afternoon, Maki."
The House-Elf stared wide-eyed in surprise, his eyes, already as large as tennis balls, became even more pronounced, quickly filling with tears.
"Vid Gray actually remembered Maki's name? Even though Maki is a House-Elf less noticeable than dust, Vid Gray actually remembered his name? He even said good afternoon to Maki? No Wizard has even said good afternoon to Maki—No Wizard has ever remembered Maki's name—"
The House-Elf burst into tears.
Vid sighed, crouched down, and spoke, "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"
"No—no—how could Vid Gray be wrong? He's just like Zoe said... a very, very great Wizard... just like Zoe said—" Maki said, crying.
"That's so exaggerated. I'm far from great," Vid took a tissue out of his pocket and handed it to him, "If you keep crying, it might attract others, you know!"
"An unnoticed House-Elf is a good House-Elf"—such thoughts were imprinted in the House-Elf's moral code, and Maki's crying quickly lowered and gradually stopped after a while.
"I remember Zoe said you were researching how to make those sweets?" Vid asked tentatively, "Did you come to see me because your research has results?"
"Yes—yes—Vid Gray will see the sweets on the dining table tonight—"
Maki sniffled, saying: "But—no—Maki didn't come for that—Maki came to warn Vid Gray—"
"Warn?" Vid froze: "Warn me about what?"
"Maki was cleaning in Slytherin, heard some students say—that they want to take advantage of Vid Gray's Magic Potion practice—to give him—a lesson—"
Maki finished very arduously, then froze completely, as if not believing what he had just done. Then he shuddered, suddenly rushed toward the wall, hitting it while shouting, "Bad Maki! Bad Maki!"
"Wait, Maki!" Vid grabbed him to stop him from hitting the wall, "What are you doing, Maki?"
"Maki is punishing himself—Maki is really bad—actually leaking young Wizard's secrets—" Maki said tearily, "But Vid Gray needs to know—someone wishes him harm—Maki... Maki wants to tell Vid Gray who it is, but Maki cannot reveal their names..."
As he spoke, he tried to hit the wall again, Vid quickly stopped him: "Wait! You're doing this to protect me, remember? You didn't leak any secrets but protected a student in danger; there's no need for punishment!"
"Is—is that so?" Maki asked, bewildered.
"Of course," Vid nodded affirmatively and forcefully.
Maki hesitantly stopped struggling, tilting his head, seeming to fall into some kind of confusion.
Vid said softly, "Listen to me, Maki—thank you for choosing to punish yourself just to protect me, sparing me from misfortune... protecting others and sacrificing oneself is a noble act filled with love and responsibility, embodying life's meaning and value; it doesn't warrant punishment."
Maki stared at him, dumbfounded.
After a long time, he bowed deeply, his nose touching the ground.
"Please ensure Vid Gray is careful about his safety—Maki cannot bear Vid Gray being harmed..."
After finishing, he disappeared from the spot with a "pop," taking the dirty tissues along.