[Werewolves are fate's chosen calamity; to defy it requires tremendous cost]
[Mr. Black sacrificed his own body, his consciousness merging into the forbidden book]
[Luring later arrivals as sacrifices to reach the final destination, exchanging blood for his daughter's rebirth]
[But your existence reversed the battle's outcome]
[Curing werewolves violates fate's decree; you will face unprecedented challenges... and opportunities]
Ghostly blue subtitles appeared before Ethan's eyes.
"There are opportunities! Excellent!" Ethan's eyes lit up with excitement.
Fate? Give it two slaps and see if it still acts crazy! Treasures are found in danger, and pain is merely a test. Ethan naturally wouldn't retreat from such a challenge.
"I remember Professor Snape mentioned a key ingredient missing from Wolfsbane Potion—it lacks a powerful protective component: Moonsight Bloom." Ethan pondered thoughtfully. Extinct in modern times, but in 1612... should still be findable.
Thinking this, Ethan's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he made his decision. "Perfect—the Weasley family still owes me a significant favor..."
After giving final instructions, Ethan led the students and professors away from the battlefield. The silver key sent its return signal, glowing with temporal magic.
Before departing, Professor Snape looked back at the reunited wizards, his face twitching as he snorted heavily. The war had finally ended. The outcome was something no wizard could have anticipated—all participating goblins dead, yet humanity's side suffered remarkably few casualties, far exceeding the wizards' wildest expectations. Beautiful, like a dream. Considering that apocalyptic [Solar Eclipse Calamity], it should probably be called a "nightmare" instead.
"Brother!" Little Amy with her two neat braids shouted, running over and throwing herself into the filthy, blood-stained arms of Henry Weasley, sobbing uncontrollably. "Waaah! I thought—I thought Amy would never see brother again!"
"Haha, how could that be... Sorry for making you worry." Henry sat exhausted on the scorched ground, his eyes red-rimmed as he hugged his sister tightly, glancing fearfully at the ruined fortress. When the fortress exploded, that terrifying three-headed monster protected us from the blast and collapse. Without that Cerberus... without that mysterious youth, all the prisoners would have died below.
"It's all thanks to that mysterious person..." Henry murmured, watching wizards treating the wounded and burying the dead among the ruins. Their magic seemed unreliable in this area, forcing them to coax reluctant spells from their wands just to make flowers bloom on the burial mounds. The goblin leader's corpse was burned, its ashes nourishing the very land the goblins had excavated and destroyed.
Miss Black remained unconscious. She would be sent to Hogwarts for proper treatment. Some said she was a werewolf, the real reason the Black family had disowned her. She had only regained human form because of that mysterious black-haired youth. Regardless, no one cared about such details anymore.
Sunlight filtered through dimly, as if clouds had obscured it. The muted light suited the solemn atmosphere perfectly.
"Was he a great hero who saved everyone?" little Amy asked innocently, looking up at her brother with wide, wondering eyes.
"Hehe." Henry laughed, using the goblin-blood-stained baton to shakily stand, gazing toward the deep forest with sparkling eyes. He shook his head slowly.
"No, I think what saved us can't be called a 'hero.' Should say—a more powerful villain, a [Demon King] who commands evil itself."
His power seemed to come directly from the underworld, making everyone fearful and those villains even more terrified. A great demon lord who crushes every creature equally and unapologetically makes the world bend to his rules.
"But following the villain seems far more satisfying." Henry grinned, his face stained with goblin blood, making little Amy frightened. Brother has changed... he's no longer the pure, kind brother he used to be...
"Come! Let us toast to the Demon King!" Henry shouted, his excitement rising as he raised his fist triumphantly. "May he achieve his wishes and conquer all obstacles! Let his name echo across the world, Light!"
And he would follow Light's instructions, devoting everything the Weasley family possessed to search for and cultivate that rare flower, Moonsight Bloom.
The world was rapidly changing. The only constant was "Light's" name quietly appearing in a rewritten history that shouldn't exist, waiting to be discovered by future generations.
Ministry of Magic.
"What? You're saying Hogwarts students have started practical combat training?" Minister Fudge was shocked, his greasy face draining to deathly pale.
The reporting Auror, Dawlish, nodded curtly. "They've even ordered a batch of battle armor."
Minister Fudge collapsed into his chair with a heavy thud.
"Leading them is Ethan Vincent," Dawlish added.
Fudge gasped like a bull, his eyes wide with terror. Is Ethan finally starting to train his own private army?! Hogwarts—you're staging a rebellion!
Though why wizards would buy armor, Fudge couldn't figure out. But regardless of the details, this development seriously threatened his power and position!
Fudge clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. "Damn it—still no trace of Sirius Black?"
Dawlish shook his head grimly. Vanished without a trace. Sometimes, Dawlish couldn't help suspecting Ethan was interfering, but he dismissed the thought immediately. Sirius Black is a major criminal, even the Ministry struggles to contain. Ethan's just a third-year student. No matter how capable, he couldn't possibly control a vicious murderer.
"Useless!" Fudge roared, slamming his fist on the desk hard enough to rattle the inkwells. He had an increasingly uneasy premonition—as if failing to capture Sirius would lead to something terrible that would shake his power's very foundation.
"Negotiate with Dumbledore to allow Aurors to search the school!" Fudge said hoarsely, sweating profusely despite the cool office air. "We're protecting the students—Dumbledore has no legitimate reason to refuse... Find an opportunity to 'accidentally' reveal that 'Professor Lupin's' true identity to the public!"
Fudge's lips curved into a sinister grin. A bigger news story diverts public attention from the Ministry's incompetence—I'm all too familiar with this tactic. Wait for the next full moon night—he won't be able to hide it then!
"Yes, Minister!" Dawlish said loudly, straightening his spine, his eyes blazing with renewed determination. Ethan... the tournament, that humiliating sea fishing incident—painful memories flooded his mind. This time, he'd redeem himself! Prove an Auror's true strength! Fate surely stood with their righteous side.
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts.
Dawn broke over the castle. Professor Snape awoke from his not particularly comfortable but functional bed, finally leaving behind that battlefield of gunpowder and rust. He felt immensely peaceful. Hmph, if not for Lily's memory, I wouldn't get involved in this mess! Ancient goblin rebellion? All past events—what does any of it have to do with me!
Fortunately, everything had ended. He could finally return to his previous peaceful routine of brewing potions and terrorizing students...
Thinking this pleasant thought, Snape opened his eyes. Before him, Ethan's smiling face appeared, extremely close.
"?!" Snape jolted. "Sectumsem—Ahhh!" BANG! Snape flipped off the bed, crashing heavily onto the cold stone floor.
Ethan looked down at the painfully groaning Professor Snape with cheerful amusement. "Good morning! So happy to see you so energetic and alert~"
I'm not happy, Professor Snape thought bitterly.
Fully awake now, Snape desperately maintained his composure to avoid looking pathetic. Clutching his aching back, leaning heavily on the wall, he slowly rose to his feet. Seeing his familiar surroundings—not transferred to some dark, damp cave or ominous beach—he sighed with relief. Then his expression darkened dangerously as he spoke word by deliberate word:
"May I ask why you entered a professor's private quarters without permission... surely there's some urgent emergency, correct? Like Dark wizards attacking? Hogwarts collapsing into the lake?"
Snape stared at Ethan like a coiled snake ready to strike at any provocation.
Ethan blinked innocently, exclaiming with mock surprise, "Wow—you have prophetic abilities too, Professor Snape!"
Snape's eye twitched: "..."
"Actually, I came to seek your expert guidance," Ethan said with disarming honesty.
Snape raised his eyebrows skeptically. "I'm listening."
Ethan's smile widened. The Moonsight Bloom for curing werewolves remained elusive. No suitable resources were found for a proper container to hold the ancient magic rune burning in his palm. Temporarily stuck on both fronts. But no matter—this was the magical world. Even luck itself could be artificially controlled and manipulated.
"I want to learn Felix Felicis brewing methods, Professor Snape," Ethan stated with clear determination.
Then attempt to replicate the potion's effects directly into a painting!