Ravenclaw's diadem had been hidden by Helena inside a hollow tree stump somewhere in the forests of Albania.
Wade had already learned the exact location from Helena.
However, Albania was quite far from Britain, and at present Wade was under close scrutiny from both Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
Sneaking out during the school term to undertake a long-distance journey was clearly not a wise choice.
So Wade planned to make a trip to Albania during the holidays instead.
The diadem had remained there for over a thousand years anyway, and Wade was in no great hurry.
In any case, this time, Ravenclaw's diadem would not be turned into a Horcrux.
The next day, Wade saw the Bloody Baron in the castle corridors, looking utterly dispirited.
Clearly, Slytherin's violent beating of the Bloody Baron had not resolved the lingering obsessions of either Helena or Baro.
Sure enough, when Wade went to Astronomy class that evening, he saw the Grey Lady in Ravenclaw Tower, Helena herself.
Unlike her usual cold and indifferent expression, there was now a trace of sorrow on her face.
After seeing Wade, she gave an almost imperceptible nod, then passed through the wall and vanished from the tower.
Astronomy classes were held at eight o'clock in the evening.
By the time Wade finished class, it was already half past nine.
However, instead of returning to the dormitory with the others, he left the group on his own and headed to the Room of Requirement.
Just as before, Dumbledore was waiting for him there.
"I had intended to tell you to rest for a few more days, but you insisted on being discharged early," Dumbledore said helplessly.
"It is not a big problem." Wade tossed his bag into a corner, his wand already in hand. "How is Aurelius recovering?"
"Other than his magic not being as strong as it once was, there are no other issues," Dumbledore said with delight. "His body has already begun to recover gradually. With proper care, he will return to normal very soon."
Dumbledore was genuinely happy. What he yearned for most was family.
Now that Aurelius was improving, it was as though he had gained another family member.
Perhaps his brother Aberforth would even soften because of this son, and scold him a little less…
How could Dumbledore not be pleased by that?
"I will go see Aurelius this weekend," Wade said with a smile.
"Wade… you are not to violate school rules again," Dumbledore said helplessly.
"Professor, I think the rule that students below third year are forbidden from going to Hogsmeade is unreasonable," Wade protested.
Dumbledore smiled. "I felt the same way when I was a student. But now that I am a professor, my perspective has naturally changed."
"That is truly unfortunate…" Wade sighed.
Seeing Wade's darting eyes, Dumbledore knew at once that the boy was already planning to sneak off again.
"However, I can grant you special permission to go to Hogsmeade once."
"Only once?"
"If you can defeat me, I will place no limit on the number of times," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"..." Wade's smile faded. Who could possibly beat you? He might as well take a secret passage instead.
Ever since receiving Anne's help and completing the Marauder's Map, Wade could be said to know every secret passage in Hogwarts like the back of his hand.
"Alright, let us begin," Dumbledore said with a smile. "First, we will review the combat methods I taught you that day…"
One minute later.
Boom!
Rampaging magic once again swept through the Room of Requirement…
…
Hogsmeade.
Inside a guest room at the Hog's Head Inn.
Nagini was packing her belongings.
Aurelius sat on a chair, his face pale.
"Do you really have to leave?" His voice was still somewhat weak.
"You have recovered. That means it is time for me to go as well," Nagini paused, then continued. "My life has been wasted for a long time. Now, I want to do things I never did before."
"I will recover soon. I can go with you," Aurelius said.
Nagini heard the meaning behind his words. She stopped what she was doing and turned to look at him gently.
"Thank you, Aurelius… but I cannot go with you," Nagini said.
"Why not?" Aurelius asked in surprise.
Nagini let out a sigh. "I am a blood maledictus. The blood curse on me is still there… Aurelius… it is better for me to remain alone in this life. Let the curse in my blood be buried along with me…"
Aurelius froze, unable to say another word.
Nagini sighed softly once more, picked up her suitcase, and walked toward the door.
"Goodbye, Aurelius."
Click.
The door closed, sounding like a breaking heart.
After leaving the Hog's Head Inn, Nagini did not linger in Hogsmeade. She turned and headed straight toward the Forbidden Forest beyond the village.
Before long, she arrived at the edge of the forest.
After carefully confirming her direction, she stepped into the pitch-black Forbidden Forest.
She walked for an unknown length of time before finally stopping in front of a stone frog statue.
Nagini glanced around, then gave a light cough. "Ahem… I am here. May I ask… Woop!"
Suddenly, the frog statue came to life and swallowed Nagini whole in a single gulp.
Nagini felt a dizzying whirl, and when she finally saw her surroundings clearly, she realised that she had arrived inside the goblin workshop where Wade had previously helped treat her.
Only now, there was not a single goblin to be seen anywhere in the workshop.
A green figure stood some distance away, with her back to Nagini, atop a stone platform.
Nagini took a deep breath and walked toward that figure.
It was only when she reached her back that Nagini saw she was a young woman dressed in a green robe, her long blond hair loosely cascading down behind her.
"Was it you who left me the message?" Nagini asked.
"Yes." The woman turned around, her green eyes calmly resting on Nagini. "When I helped Wade treat you, I left a message within your soul."
Nagini stared in astonishment at the beautiful woman before her, who appeared slightly ethereal. Only then did she realise that the owner of this goblin workshop was none other than this woman.
She looks incredibly powerful… Nagini suddenly understood why Wade knew so many things. This woman must be the one standing behind him.
"Thank you," Nagini said sincerely.
If this woman was the one supporting Wade, then she must also have played a significant role in her treatment. Offering thanks first could never be wrong.
"There is no need to thank me. I was merely helping Wade."
"May I ask why you called me here? Is there something you need me to do?" Nagini asked.
She knew she would not have been summoned here without reason. There had to be something she was meant to do.
"I heard that you wish to repay Wade and help him realise his ideals," the woman said.
"It is not entirely about repayment. I genuinely believe his ideals are good," Nagini said with a smile.
"But your current strength is not enough, Nagini. Wade's ideals cannot be realised peacefully. If you want to be of help in the future, there is still much you must learn."
Nagini felt a little ashamed. "I have never studied magic before, so… I am still rather clumsy."
"That is fine. Your potential is very high. With only a short amount of time, you can become strong," the woman said. "So, why not stay here for now? I can help you grow stronger."
"Alright." Nagini agreed without hesitation. "Then… how should I address you?"
The woman paused for a moment before answering, "I have forgotten my name. You may call me whatever you like."
"Then… how does Wade address you?" Nagini asked curiously.
"He likes to call me The Senior."
…
Hogwarts.
Inside Professor Slughorn's office.
Professor Slughorn beamed as he looked at the parchment in his hands.
"Excellent… truly excellent! This is what a proper Moral Education class should be like! '…Priority must be given to establishing correct core values for wizarding society…' Tsk tsk, absolutely incisive! Compared to this, the things I used to teach in Moral Education were complete rubbish!" He looked up at Wade. "You have really helped me immensely!"
Heh~ ehm..
"Please do not say that, Professor. It is only what I should be doing," Wade said with a smile. "If there are no issues with it…"
"No issues at all. Absolutely none!" Professor Slughorn laughed. "From now on, I will leave the content of Moral Education classes entirely to you!"
"Understood. I will do my best to organise the drafts properly. When the time comes, Professor, you will only need to read them out in class," Wade said with a smile.
Professor Slughorn laughed so hard that his round belly trembled.
"Hahaha, you rascal! I am already starting to worry. Once you graduate, where am I supposed to find another student as thoughtful and considerate as you?"
"Then I will do my best to come back as a professor after I graduate," Wade said with a smile.
"Ha! Then it is a deal! To be honest, you and Tom are both my favourite students!"
"I am honoured, Professor."
"Heh, you little rascal…" Professor Slughorn was no fool, and he quickly caught on. "Go on, what are you trying to get out of me this time?"
Wade looked genuinely surprised. "Professor, that is unfair. I have no ulterior motive at all."
"Oh, enough, enough. Do you think I do not know you by now?" Professor Slughorn flicked his wand lightly, and a vial of potion floated over from a nearby shelf and landed in front of Wade.
"This is a potion brewed from basilisk blood and venom. Consider it a gift. Truly astonishing. Something so lethally poisonous, yet it produces the most effective healing potion. Unfortunately, the materials are limited. If only there were more."
Wade accepted the vial, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Professor, the materials are indeed limited at present… but why not make the materials more plentiful?"
Professor Slughorn straightened in his chair. "Wade, what scheme are you plotting now?"
"Professor, do not forget that Tom is also a Parselmouth. Since Slytherin could do it, why should he not be able to?" Wade said softly.
Professor Slughorn's pupils contracted slightly. "That… that would be extremely dangerous, Wade."
"If we tried to do it on our own, of course it would be dangerous," Wade replied. "But with your assistance, Professor, it would not be quite so risky, would it?"
Professor Slughorn pondered for a moment before speaking. "I will need to think about this. And besides… raising a basilisk is no simple matter. You wretched boy, this was your real objective all along, was it not?"
___
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