HP: The Wizard Who Paints with Magic

The feast was halfway through, and Quirrell, who was apparently playing some kind of game with the troll, still hadn't appeared.

On the dining tables, plump turkeys had been reduced to bare bones. The students were sprawled about, stuffed and satisfied, their faces glistening with grease as they slumped contentedly in their chairs.

Headmaster Dumbledore, wearing a purple wizard hat decorated with bat wings, stood up and approached the brass owl-shaped microphone. He tapped his wand twice, shooting golden ribbons from its tip to catch the students' attention.

"Seeing everyone so happy makes me feel quite a bit younger," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. "Now, let me make some arrangements for the coming term."

"Various clubs have begun recruiting, and there will be an information session in the Great Hall next Monday. Interested students can check the notice board."

"Hogwarts has many interesting clubs, such as the Gobstones Club, Quidditch Research Society, Art Club, and so on."

When he mentioned the last one, Ethan was certain he saw Dumbledore wink at him.

Hmm... interesting. He had just set up his art exhibition today—perhaps he could let the Art Club leader appreciate it later.

"Of course, if Hogwarts' numerous clubs still can't satisfy you, you can also create your own club—"

"However, I'm afraid I still cannot approve the establishment of the 'Toilet Bombing Club' this year."

At the staff table, the Weasley twins burst into laughter while their prefect brother Percy glared at them furiously.

"Besides hobby clubs, there are also academic societies run by various professors."

"Such as Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration Research Society, Professor Flitwick's Charm Creation Workshop, and so on."

Ethan had been invited by Professor Flitwick to join his society—or rather, "extracurricular tutoring group"—but had declined due to being too busy.

Supposedly, the Charm Creation Workshop was the successor to the famous "Dueling Club." But due to bad publicity, it had been reformed into a gentler format focusing on learning the underlying principles of spellcasting, aimed at mastering nonverbal spells to better... create opponents.

"You know what?" Michael suddenly leaned over, speaking mysteriously. "In our house, besides Professor Flitwick's academic group, there's an elite society!"

"They only recruit the most outstanding students, and they never recruit publicly! They never take lower-year students either!"

"Only members can conduct internal evaluations, and if you pass, they'll send you a letter."

"Very mysterious!"

Michael's eyes were full of longing. If he could join this society, it would be absolutely amazing! Unfortunately, the youngest student they'd ever made an exception for was second-year Cho Chang. First-years had absolutely no chance.

Ethan raised an eyebrow at this, noncommittal. What internal member evaluation—it was just a clique sticking together. After all, Ravenclaws made up a large portion of the talent flowing into the Ministry of Magic each year. Naturally, they had to screen for compatible people early and build relationships in advance.

On the podium, Dumbledore's speech was reaching its conclusion. He had said something moving, his eyes sparkling with joyful tears behind his half-moon spectacles.

"...I wish you continued happy learning in the coming term. Remember, Hogwarts will always be your warm and welcoming home!"

Dumbledore raised both arms as thunderous applause erupted below.

"Tonight's curfew is extended to ten-thirty."

"Hooray—!"

Ethan also clapped, his gaze constantly glancing up at the ceiling.

Looking at the youthful faces, Dumbledore turned to exchange smiles with his professors.

Oh—what lovely students they were. Even if they were occasionally mischievous or made small mistakes, what of it? Even the most troublesome Weasley twins only went as far as blowing up toilets. Even Ethan Vincent, who had dueled with Malfoy right after school started, was just being youthfully impetuous.

Professor Flitwick had been a dueling champion in his day! Nothing to be wary of. After all, Hogwarts was the safest place in the world.

Just then, a brilliant light suddenly projected down from above!

Like space opening its maw, a rectangular crack like a doorway split open in the ceiling. Inside was pitch black, like a devouring mouth, with cold and gloom spreading downward.

The Great Hall quickly fell silent as students looked up in confusion at the eerie black rectangle.

"Is this Hogwarts' grand finale?" Ron asked foolishly while gnawing on a chicken leg.

However, seeing Dumbledore's suddenly serious expression, his smile immediately froze as he looked around in terror.

It was Hogwarts' grand finale, right?!

In the tense silence, Dumbledore frowned deeply, a hint of menace in his gaze.

An attack? But Apparition was impossible within Hogwarts—who would be so bold as to teleport directly in front of him—uh, wait?

Dumbledore suddenly thought of something. He whipped around, eyes narrowing.

Among the many tense and anxious young faces, he spotted one completely out of place expression.

Ethan Vincent!

Ah, so it's you, boy.

Dumbledore immediately relaxed, watching the black hole with interest. Trying to give everyone a surprise?

My, my, what a lively child.

Meanwhile, Ethan was completely unaware—or didn't care—that he was being watched. His cobalt-blue eyes lit up with excitement like bright stars as he clenched his fists, staring intently at the portal.

Finally! Who would be the lucky one to emerge?

Was it Hermione? She should have been sulking in the girls' bathroom earlier and might have run into his art exhibition.

Maybe it was Divination Professor Sybill Trelawney, who hadn't come to dinner with everyone tonight—perhaps fate required her to view his artwork.

Whoever it was, Ethan had prepared a Levitation Charm. After all, he was such a gentle and kind little wizard.

The portal began to fluctuate. The next second, a figure plummeted out!

"Wingardium Levi—Professor Quirrell?!"

Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. In that moment of shock, it was too late to cast the Levitation Charm.

With a loud BANG, Professor Quirrell crashed heavily onto the floor between the long tables, twitched twice like a broken rag doll, then lay still.

Dumbledore: "..."

Dumbledore's relaxed smile froze on his face.

Weasley twins: Holy crap, awesome!

The Great Hall fell dead silent.

At the staff table, after two seconds of silence, Snape curled his lips and said in a barely audible voice:

"Five points to Ravenclaw... for Mr. Vincent's ingenuity."

"Pfft!"

Professor Flitwick finally snapped back to reality, spitting out his butterbeer. He coughed as if dying, staring at his prized student in disbelief!

Ethan, you?!

—Here's something that needs explaining: Ethan was a very enthusiastic child who never hid anything. Ever since his duel with Malfoy, students and professors had come asking how he did it. He had generously shoved his artwork in the faces of anyone who asked, even cooperating with them for several experiments.

The professors had tried to replicate it but found they couldn't paint anything like it—as if every stroke on that painting was imbued with Ethan's soul. It was utterly unique in the world.

Even commissioning wizard artists to copy it only produced soulless, ordinary paintings. Only Ethan could create them.

Regardless, the professors all recognized this as Ethan's handiwork.

Several sharp gazes instantly shot toward Ethan!

Ethan: "..."

He slowly stood up, craned his neck to check on Professor Quirrell, who seemed to still be alive, then spread his arms wide like a star taking their final bow and smiled at the students and professors:

"Surprise~"

Happy Halloween.

[Chapter Complete]

***

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