Chapter 24: 24
Chapter 24: Purchasing on Behalf of Others
Hermione's eyes widened slowly, realization dawning. Trembling, she said, "So, that's what it means—"
"That's right," Wade nodded. "It's Harry Potter."
They stared at each other.
"—Harry Potter?" Hermione asked, surprised.
"...It's a joke," Wade said helplessly.
They exchanged glances once more.
Hermione frowned.
Gradually, Hermione pieced it together.
"No wonder..." She murmured. "Percy—the fifth-year Gryffindor prefect, one of the Weasleys—mentioned that Professor Dumbledore always provided reasons for places off-limits to students. But this time, he only forbade entering the right corridor on the fourth floor without explanation."
"If it had been stated clearly that a three-headed dog was hidden there, even the Weasley twins wouldn't have gone seeking trouble, let alone Potter, a first-year," Wade wasn't surprised. "The vague warning was likely bait for curious Gryffindors—Dumbledore probably left a test there."
He recalled Harry Potter's real-life game in his first year. Each challenge was tackled with their own wits until Harry used "love's magic" to defeat the final boss, Voldemort.
Though the seven "Harry Potter" books grew darker and thicker, the first retained a childlike innocence. Even conspiracies seemed innocent and adorable. Voldemort targeted Harry to regain strength.
"How could he do that!" Hermione's fear turned to anger. "Doesn't anyone's life matter? Or does he not care about Harry Potter's life at all?!"
"Did you rush in and nearly get hurt by the three-headed dog?" Wade countered.
"No, but that's because it began—uh—"
Hermione suddenly realized, seeing through the fog.
"I speculate—just a guess—maybe Dumbledore placed restrictions on the three-headed dog so it wouldn't attack students who stumbled in, merely scare them. But if anyone went further, the dog wouldn't sit idly." Wade spoke cautiously.
"I saw it guarding a trap door," Hermione said. "It must protect something."
"If our speculations hold true," Wade concluded, "Harry Potter will surely discover what it guards."
...
Progress seemed slow, with Hermione's anger toward Harry and Ron diverting her attention, yielding no further news.
But Wade wasn't overly concerned. Dumbledore watched over everything; there was little to worry about. Amid Harry's adventures, Wade focused more on spell progress.
In his latest practice session, he accidentally found he could see the correct spell-casting arc not just when guiding others, but also in the mirror—speeding his practice. Wade devoted time to potion brewing, despite Slytherins avoiding the dungeon classroom except for Snape's lessons.
Wade brewed potions in spare moments. Snape overlooked his efforts, occasionally critiquing with sarcasm—learning, if one had thick skin.
Wade appreciated being in Ravenclaw. In Gryffindor, Snape might have expelled him on his first unauthorized potion class visit.
One afternoon, Wade brewed a rudimentary wound-cleaning agent. Snape deemed it "barely usable," sending it to Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary—busy with Quidditch nearing.
Returning from the school infirmary to the Umbrella House, Wade found everyone excited. Around Theo, even Hermione set aside her book, calculating, "I need three feet of thick parchment and five bottles of ink. I've heard of a shorthand quill that's quite useful; two of those, please—"
Theo jotted it down swiftly, while Michael interjected, "Oh, Hermione, I know you love studying, but life's dull without fun! Honeydukes' candies are fantastic! Try the bluebell-colored bubble gum—fills a room! Fizzy Bee Candies sell out, and Three Broomsticks' Butterbeer? Irresistible!"
"Hmm—" Hermione pondered. "Add a Galleon of candies for me! No dung bombs or creepy stuff!"
Though inconvenient bringing sweets to her dorm—inviting gossip—she'd share at SSC in the Umbrella House.
"What's the chatter?" Wade approached, curious.
"Finally, Vader's here! We've waited!" Neville beamed. "It's the first Hogsmeade weekend. Third-years and up can visit."
"I know," Wade nodded. "But what about us first-years?"
Hogsmeade, UK's lone all-wizard village, near Hogwarts, unique and fascinating, accessible only to third-years with guardian-signed permission.
"Originally inconsequential," Michael grinned. "But Theo suggested—Cedric, a third-year Hufflepuff, can help younger students buy desired items from Hogsmeade with a prepared list."
Wade scanned the list, querying, "Who's so kind? Trouble-free—or profiting?"
"No, Cedric isn't profiteering," Ryan shook his head.
Wade's eyes widened. "What did you say his name was?"
"Cedric," Ryan clarified. "Cedric Diggory, third-year top Hufflepuff, admired by all Hufflepuffs."
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