Vid didn't understand, "What does it have to do with the magic wand?"
Neville looked at his magic wand, his gaze sweeping over every familiar scratch on it, and said softly, "This isn't my magic wand; it's one my dad left behind. My grandmother originally didn't agree for me to take it. She said if it's not your own wand, its effectiveness would be greatly reduced... but I..."
He insisted on carrying this wand and didn't go to Olivander's Shop to buy a new one—this way, it was like his parents were also with him.
Whenever using this wand to cast spells, Neville always felt powerless, but he didn't care much about it. He had long accepted the fact that he was clumsy, timid, and not very talented, even often questioning why he was sorted into Gryffindor instead of Hufflepuff.
Actually, back during the sorting ceremony, Neville argued for a long time with the Sorting Hat—he thought he didn't possess the courage Gryffindor required, pleading the hat to place him in Hufflepuff. However, the Sorting Hat insisted he should go to Gryffindor and eventually announced the result as such.
However, after joining the SSC, Neville could feel himself steadily improving every day, magic spells became less of insurmountable barriers to him, and for the first time he experienced great joy and a sense of achievement. Therefore, when encountering setbacks in spell learning again, he could no longer calmly tell himself—
"Yeah, you're just so stupid, you can't do anything right."
—He knew he could actually do it, but the partners he chose were hindering him.
Neville confided in his grandmother in the Friendship Book, and Mrs. Longbottom once again strongly told him—let go of those useless stubbornness, you need to choose a new wand that suits you!
"Vid, what do you think I should do?" Neville asked confusedly.
Vid knew that when he hesitated about it, deep down he already had a preference. It's just that to go against what he had always insisted on was like letting go of his feelings for his parents, which made it so difficult for him.
Vid thought for a moment and said, "How about letting a coin decide?"
"A coin?" Neville, caught up in his dilemma, was momentarily dumbfounded.
Vid took a Silver Sickle from his pocket and held it between his fingers, saying, "Heads—continue using your father's wand, even if it requires ten times, a hundred times more effort to reach a normal level, you won't give up!"
The Silver Sickle spun halfway between his fingers.
"Tails—cherish the memories and love for your parents in your heart, choose the most suitable wand, gain stronger power, become the son your parents could be proud of, and also have the power to protect others."
"See it clearly?"
Neville swallowed with difficulty, nodding, nervously staring at the Silver Sickle.
Vid glanced down, seeing Neville's fists clenched tightly, wrinkling his shirt's hem.
"Then—let's begin."
Vid said, flicking his finger, and the Silver Sickle spun swiftly, flying high up. Neville couldn't help but lift his head, his gaze following the dazzling silver light ascending—descending—his heart in his throat!
Vid covered the coin with his hand and slowly opened it.
"Gulp."
Neville's throat moved as sweat broke out in his palms.
Just as the Silver Sickle was about to be revealed, Vid suddenly closed his hand again!
"Ah!" Neville couldn't help but cry out, "I haven't seen it yet!"
"—But you already know, right?" Vid asked, "What is the true answer you seek?"
Neville was stunned, as if a thunderclap exploded over his head.
Vid stood up and left him to slowly think on the sofa.
"How's Neville?" Theo came over and asked worriedly.
"It's okay, he'll figure it out."
Vid said, glancing at the Silver Sickle in his palm, suddenly smiled, and put it in his pocket.
—What is this! Turns out fate is also favoring this clumsy kid.
However...
Compared to being pushed forward by fate, deliberating and making a decision on one's own is more suitable, right?
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the Easter holidays again, during which professors from various subjects assigned quite a bit of homework. With only two weeks of spring break, most students wouldn't choose to go home.
Neville applied for leave, planning to go to Diagon Alley to pick a wand truly suitable for him.
Vid also applied for leave, but he only went home on Easter Day to spend the holiday with his parents, spending the rest of the time in Hogsmeade learning spells with Lupin.
Extracting memory spells were not as advanced as Vid had imagined. If the memory provider concentrated on recalling and was willing to voluntarily provide it, the spell could become very simple. Forcibly extracting memories their owner wished to hide would belong to advanced dark magic.
On the other hand, Occlumency requires long-term practice. The most basic skill is to clear one's brain—not thinking, not recalling, not perceiving. Advanced techniques involve weaving false memories and emotions in the mind, thus deceiving a Mind Reading Master.
During the holiday, Vid made the most progress in the Transfiguration Spell and Disillusionment Charm, additionally learning several ways to use Flame Curses. Lupin also taught him some practical tricks for use in school, like spells to check for typos in essays.
Vid returned to school the day before the start of the new term. While distributing Easter egg gifts to his friends, he noticed two Gryffindors looking tense and worried.
"What's wrong?" Vid asked.
"This..." Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance, and then Hermione worriedly said, "It's Hagrid...he got a dragon egg and is even planning to hatch it!"
Vid thought for a moment, "I remember that's illegal, right?"
"Yes!" Harry said with a frown, "What if someone finds out? Hagrid doesn't seem to care at all; he's only fixated on being a dragon mom!"
"Hmm... that is quite Gryffindor."
Vid muttered under his breath, seeing the two so troubled, he then said, "I know a friend who works as a caretaker under Mr. Scamander, maybe you can let them help hatch the dragon egg? Or have someone secretly transfer the dragon egg to a place where breeding is allowed. But—"
In the two's surprised eyes, Vid added, "The premise is you can convince Mr. Hagrid to give up his current plan—privately raising a dragon—unless he wants to end up in Azkaban."
This wasn't an easy task.
Hagrid naturally loved all dangerous creatures, raising a dragon was his lifelong dream. Even knowing Harry and Hermione's concerns were valid, he couldn't bring himself to give up on the adorable, yet unborn dragon baby. The thought of the little guy being displaced, possibly captured by wizards for its blood or liver, brought tears to the Half-Blood Giant's eyes.
Back and forth, it dragged on until the dragon baby was about to be born.