Chapter 92: 92
Chapter 92: Learning
As Wade anticipated, the Slytherins refrained from reporting to the professor.
Seven or eight Slytherins had attempted to ambush a Ravenclaw of the same age, only to end up defeated and frightened to tears—a humiliating outcome that Malfoy desperately wished to keep quiet.
After Wade departed that day, several students supported each other to the school infirmary, claiming injuries from an accidental potion explosion during private practice. While such mistakes were common among students, the scale of injuries was unusually high. Madam Pomfrey, feeling Professor Snape had neglected his supervisory duties, vented her frustration for over half an hour.
Upon hearing that many of his students were injured, Snape hastened to the infirmary, where he was met by Madam Pomfrey's scolding before he even entered.
Snape was perplexed. "..."
Unaware of the situation, he accepted the blame, standing at the doorway with a somber expression while enduring the rebuke.
—Madam Pomfrey had been Hogwarts' nurse even during Snape's own school days. Back then, he often clashed with the James Potter quartet, sustaining injuries that required her care. Now, though Snape and Dumbledore might quarrel, he always kept his temper in the presence of the matron.
Though he said nothing, Snape's cold gaze swept over each student. He recognized the red, swollen patches on their bodies as the aftermath of failed Scabies Potion experiments. Yet, after half a year in Potions class, who could make such a foolish error?
Perhaps Neville Longbottom of Gryffindor, or Seamus Finnegan, known as the "explosion expert", might still be possibilities.
After Madam Pomfrey tended to the other students, Snape approached. "What happened?"
Malfoy, his face smeared with potion, kept his head down. "I... I was careless, Professor."
Snape narrowed his eyes.
Draco Malfoy's demeanor felt eerily familiar—echoing the excuses Snape himself had given years ago, lying in the school infirmary.
Yet Draco's actions stemmed from a different motive. Knowing that revealing the truth would invite ridicule and further bullying, Draco, coddled by his parents, likely underestimated the harsh realities of the world.
But having been ganged up on, Snape felt little sympathy—truth be told, he'd always suspected Draco Malfoy's arrogant, mean-spirited demeanor would eventually lead to such consequences.
…
At noon the following day, Michael and Wade dined together in the Great Hall. Spotting Slytherins, Michael tensed instinctively. However, Millicent and Nott merely lowered their heads and resumed their activities upon their approach.
"What did you do to them?" Michael asked, incredulous.
"Uh..." Wade pondered briefly. "You might not believe it—they surrendered before I even entered the classroom yesterday."
Michael eyed him skeptically but nodded. "If it's a secret, then I won't pry."
"It's not really a secret," Wade explained slowly. "I could show you sometime. Just hope it doesn't scare you."
"How scary could it be?" Initially doubtful, Michael's expression shifted. "—Did you encounter a Boggart?"
A Boggart, a shape-shifting creature, manifests as its viewer's greatest fear.
Wade shook his head. "No... But I'd like to see one if the opportunity arises."
Passing Slytherin girls, led by Pansy, nodded awkwardly upon spotting Wade. Having encountered them multiple times, Wade noticed a subtle change in the attitudes of some first-year Slytherins—not resentment or plotting revenge, but a mix of fear, admiration, and respect.
—Slytherin students seemed to possess strong-minded resilience...
The thought lingered in Wade's mind.
…
With Slytherin no longer a pressing concern, Wade's Hogwarts life largely revolved around academics. He even skipped the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff Quidditch match, hearing only that Harry had caught the Golden Snitch in record time, much to the chagrin of Snape, the referee, who reportedly wore a displeased expression throughout.
The Space extension Charm proved unexpectedly challenging, especially when Wade aimed to create a miniature world storage box akin to Newt Scamander's. Professor Murray advised patience.
In spare moments, Wade crafted two alchemical marvels for practice: a slowly rotating Möbius strip with a tiny figure forever walking upon it, and an automated floor-sweeping and mopping device. The latter occasionally emitted colorful bubbles that amused both Hermione and Padma.
Additionally, one Sunday afternoon, Wade brought his insect sparring partners to the Greenhouse, resulting in unprecedented excitement. Harry cast a powerful Disarming Charm that severed a mantis's forelimbs, Hermione successfully conjured an Shield Charm for the first time, and Michael used a fiery burst to incinerate a spider, causing it to screech.
The grotesque appearance of these insect partners notwithstanding, their educational value proved substantial. Even Neville demonstrated marked improvement—when Padma was besieged, he leapt onto a spider's back, inserting his wand into its enormous compound eye.
Meanwhile, lessons with Lupin on defensive magic had commenced. Wade's first request was to learn the Memory extraction Charm.
[Lupin: May I inquire—why this particular spell?]
Lupin's words in the enchanted diary were cautious, subtly advising: [Under Ministry regulations, any memory-altering spell is strictly forbidden.]
[Wade: I intend to use it on myself.] After a pause, Wade's response appeared on the page: [I've forgotten something crucial that I must recall. Additionally, I wish to learn Occlumency. Are you familiar with it?]
[Lupin: Certainly. During the Wizarding War, many of us learned methods to shield our minds from intrusions. However, I must admit I'm not an expert. Severus Snape would excel in this area.]
[Wade: I only require basic techniques to prevent others from intruding on my thoughts and memories silently.]
Avoiding Snape for Occlumency lessons was prudent; those skilled in mind-closure often excelled in Legilimency, the art of probing minds. Using the enchanted diary for communication provided a sense of security. Despite potential limitations in learning efficacy, Wade could steadily improve through practice.
In the Room of Requirement, Wade finished writing a line of text, glancing up at a large gray stone basin atop a pillar.
The basin, wide and empty inside, held no water. Encrusted with a circle of sparkling gems, it gleamed brightly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone