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HP: From Failed Art Student to Dark Artist of Hogwarts - 173
🕑 Added 2025-09-15 19:20:29 +0000 UTCChapter 173: Luna and Ethan's Encrypted Conversation
Dumbledore's closing speech brought this memorable feast to an end. He first emphasised Harry's remarkable bravery and fearless courage in the face of danger, making those who had previously suspected Harry of being the Chamber opener feel deeply ashamed of their unfounded accusations.
Ethan observed Justin from Hufflepuff, the same boy Harry had "attacked" with Parseltongue during that unfortunate incident. His face burning red with embarrassment, Justin stammered his way over to offer a heartfelt apology to Harry.
Hermione called out with stern righteousness: "Exactly! Some people actually thought Harry staged all this drama himself! How completely unreasonable!"
Harry also blushed at the attention, but he curved his lips in a gracious smile. Reaching out to shake Justin's trembling hand, he said he "forgave him" with genuine warmth.
Ron muttered under his breath: "Merlin's beard, Harry's expression is exactly like Ethan's when he's being diplomatic!"
Harry shrugged with newfound confidence. Looking toward Ethan at the Ravenclaw table, his emerald eyes showed a trace of deep reverence and admiration.
"Nothing unusual about it. I just think following Ethan's example is a pretty excellent choice." At least, the feeling of having such unwavering support felt really good.
Ron sighed dramatically: "We're completely done for. Another one's fallen under his influence..."
Hermione glared sharply at Ron before nodding approvingly at Harry. As long as you follow Ethan and recognise the brilliance of his talent development philosophy, we'll remain good friends.
Dumbledore awarded Harry two hundred points in one magnificent gesture. The red hourglass suddenly swelled dramatically, nearly surpassing Ravenclaw's commanding lead.
Not that it would help much. Ravenclaw had proven far too overpowered this semester.
Ethan's Morning Star Club contributions to student welfare and education were plain for everyone to witness. The organisation had even been rated as "the most effective Defence Against the Dark Arts instruction in Hogwarts history".
This achievement made Ravenclaw's hourglass run away with an almost insurmountable lead, practically securing first place by mid-semester.
The success also earned Ethan Vincent the prestigious Hogwarts Special Award for Services to the School!
Professor Flitwick looked ready to take flight with pure joy and pride.
When Dumbledore announced the award with ceremonial gravity, Ethan allowed his lips to curve in satisfied acknowledgement. Of course I knew this would happen.
If little Tom Riddle could earn this award for his dubious "services", how could I possibly not receive the same recognition?
Throughout the Great Hall, the decorations remained proudly displayed in blue and bronze. Ravenclaw's little eagles all puffed out their chests with tremendous pride, looking at their composed leader with absolutely worshipful eyes.
They felt Ethan was practically glowing with inner radiance, emanating regal authority with every casual gesture!
"Oh, thinking there's an entire summer vacation without seeing Ethan breaks my heart!" A girl clutched her chest dramatically, tears glistening in her eyes with genuine distress.
"I heard that Indian girl Padma invited Ethan to visit her family home during the holidays. Is that actually true?"
"Wait, the version I heard was that Ethan's planning to visit Miss Fleur's home in France as an honoured guest."
"Nonsense! Slytherin prefect Miss Gemma Farley is going on an exclusive overseas trip with Ethan!"
"Perhaps such a studious young man as Ethan will be conducting academic research with that 'Know-It-All Miss' from Gryffindor."
"Sigh! I'm so incredibly envious!"
This last wistful comment earned enthusiastic agreement from all the nearby boys. But they couldn't manage to feel even a bit of genuine jealousy.
After all, the gap in their circumstances was simply too enormous to bridge!
Ethan was devastatingly handsome and possessed excellent character... well, his character was pretty admirable when he was acting human. Plus, he demonstrated outstanding magical abilities that left everyone else completely in the dust.
Ignoring the occasionally terrifying aspects of his personality, he literally represented the life pinnacle they could never hope to reach!
Bloody hell! Lord Ethan, at least leave the rest of us some way to survive in this world!
Guess the only viable option is clinging desperately to Ethan's robes!
Ethan remained blissfully unaware of those burning gazes directed at him from all corners, or rather, he had grown completely accustomed to such intense attention. Celebrity life was just so beautifully simple and unpretentious.
At this moment, he was engaged in a head-to-head discussion with Luna about their upcoming summer vacation plans; their voices were kept deliberately low.
"I want to hold an art exhibition in your wizard village," Ethan stated with quiet enthusiasm.
The villagers there had proven far too timid for his liking. Several times when Ethan had attempted to greet them in a friendly manner, they would scream in terror and flee as if witnessing wild Dementors on the loose.
Luna nodded eagerly, her dreamy eyes sparkling with genuine excitement: "That sounds absolutely fascinating! Those villagers will definitely love participating in such a unique cultural experience!"
Ethan smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. He wasn't paying the slightest attention to old Dumbledore's ongoing speech anyway.
After all, it was just predictable content like "Professor Lockhart unfortunately lost his memory," "no unauthorised magic during summer vacation," and "no more worrying about the Chamber because it's been completely destroyed."
Soft light fell across Luna's pale, ethereal face. Her gentle smile revealed little dimples that were undeniably cute and endearing.
Summer had officially arrived, and the weather was growing increasingly warm. So Luna had carefully tied up her pale golden hair in a practical style. The fluffy mass was piled behind her head and secured with an adorable carrot-shaped hair clip.
From a distance, she resembled a little rabbit hopping around with a bright orange carrot balanced on her head.
"I've been growing my hair specifically so that one day, birds can build comfortable nests in it," Luna announced cheerfully, as if this was the most reasonable goal imaginable.
Ethan's eyes lit up with genuine appreciation: "That's quite a trendy and forward-thinking approach to personal grooming."
Nearby, Michael listened to their surreal conversation with an increasingly pained expression on his face. Can't understand a single word of this exchange. Is this even recognisable human language?
Probably only "Loony Lovegood" could perfectly match Ethan's completely unique thought processes.
The serene, elegant "moon" hanging high in the metaphorical night sky of Hogwarts social hierarchy. An absolutely perfect match for Ethan's brilliant "sun".
So enviable...
Michael sighed wistfully, clutching his goblet while listening with growing melancholy to the back-and-forth conversation beside him. He felt ready to burst from the overwhelming cuteness.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, luggage was being loaded onto the scarlet Hogwarts Express for the journey home. Since final examinations had been completely cancelled due to recent events, almost every student wore genuinely happy smiles of relief.
The only exceptions were some disappointed Ravenclaw students and top academic performer Hermione Granger, who actually looked forward to testing their knowledge.
"Ethan, I heard you also chose Ancient Runes as an elective," Hermione said with obvious anxiety. "That subject is notoriously difficult. What if I can't keep up with the advanced material?"
Ethan replied with confident amusement: "Haha, if you can't keep up, then absolutely no one could manage it."
Hermione responded with complete seriousness: "Ethan, I won't let you claim you're not human again."
Ethan blinked in confusion: "..." That wasn't exactly what I meant to imply.
He had chosen Ancient Runes not merely from academic interest but from very unique strategic considerations. Ancient Runes was also called "Ancient Magical Script" or simply "Ancient Magic".
Ethan had spent considerable time contemplating how to further improve his magical strength and artistic abilities. Besides acquiring various extraordinary painting materials, there were the specific "spells" that needed to be integrated into his artwork. Like the Remora Fish King's powerful Patronus Charm.
And Ethan felt absolutely certain that the best method to learn something thoroughly was through direct, hands-on practice. For example, if someone wanted to master Avada Kedavra, practical experience in Knockturn Alley would be essential education.
So learning "Ancient Magic" should follow the exact same principle. The optimal method would be returning to historical periods when such magic still existed in its original form. Personal exploration, learning, and practice in authentic conditions.
"I asked our professor about the curriculum," Hermione continued seriously. "Our Ancient Runes elective consists entirely of translation work, because genuine ancient magic has been completely lost to history."
If the course involved only translation, then Hermione felt confident she might not necessarily lose to Ethan's superior abilities.
Ethan smiled at the determined little girl's confident expression, then casually dropped a bombshell:
"Hermione, do you happen to possess a Time-Turner?"
"!!" Hermione started violently, immediately looking left and right to ensure no one else had overheard.
Then she gazed at Ethan with pure admiration, nodding and whispering conspiratorially: "Really can't hide anything from your perception..."
"Yes, I do have one. Because I performed exceptionally well last semester and expressed a desire to take every available class, Professor McGonagall specially arranged for the Ministry to approve a Time-Turner for my use."
"But how did you know, Ethan? I never told anyone about this!"
Ethan curved his lips mysteriously: "Because I have one too. My own Time-Turner."
The [Silver Key] from the pure white door in Salazar Slytherin's true Chamber, a precious gift left specifically for worthy successors. The artefact that could supposedly cross both time and space.
I wonder if it could transport me back to historical periods when ancient magic still existed in its full glory. To personally seek, learn, and practise this magnificent lost art.
Surely such authentic experience would elevate my artistic work to entirely new levels.
In Ethan's mind appeared that earth-shaking roar from the depths of that hidden mystical place. As if some ancient guardian was rejecting all mortals, striking them down before they could pass through the door of advancement.
And I will never repeat their fatal mistakes!
Ethan silently steeled his resolve with growing determination.
"Ah! So Ethan, you also received a Ministry-approved Time-Turner!" Hermione exclaimed in amazement. That makes perfect sense. Ethan is so incredibly outstanding; he definitely deserves access to such rare magical devices.
Just didn't expect the Ministry would actually approve such a request for any student, even Ethan.
Hermione looked between Ethan and Luna sitting beside him, feeling a pang of disappointment. Hmph! She really wanted to join Ethan's exclusive study group too!
Too bad she had already committed to vacationing in France with her parents.
But no matter! After the new school year begins, maybe Ethan will ask for my assistance with Ancient Runes translation work!
After all, even with a Time-Turner's power, you could only travel back a few hours at most. It is completely impossible to return to ancient historical periods when advanced magic actually existed. Certainly not enough to allow Ethan to learn authentic ancient magical techniques.
"Hehehehe~" Thinking of spending long hours studying alongside Ethan in the library's quiet atmosphere, Hermione couldn't suppress a delighted smile.
She was looking forward immensely to demonstrating her scholarly skills to Ethan after the third year officially began.
