Michael had left.
Wade turned his head, gazing out the window.
The reflection in the glass showed a pair of grey eyes. They weren't as deep as black eyes, nor as bright as blue, but more like a tranquil autumn lake, devoid of strong emotions.
Sometimes, those who met his gaze felt an unusual chill, making them wonder if his heart was equally indifferent.
Through the reflection on the glass, one could see a group of students on the castle grounds, carrying brooms and braving the gloomy, rainy weather. They trudged through the lawn, returning to the castle, their faces and bodies covered in mud as if they'd been rolling in a mire, their features indistinguishable. Yet, the smallest figure among them still stood out.
Then, a man wrapped in a turban, seemingly afraid of the cold, scurried out of sight.
Soon after, a figure resembling a black bat strode into the castle, his robes billowing high on either side as if the rain itself recoiled from him. His expression was grimmer than the overcast sky, and all the students he encountered scurried away in panic.
Wade couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
Harry Potter.
Voldemort.
Severus Snape.
The Savior, the Dark Lord, and a former Death Eater.
These individuals, whose identities were contradictory, even murderous, coexisted peacefully in the same castle as teacher and student, merely waiting for the final moment when the dagger would be revealed.
Recalling Michael's expression, as if his soul had been cleansed, when he left, Wade's lips curved slightly upward.
He tidied the clutter on his desk, organized his recent assignments and notes, and then slung his bag over his shoulder, heading for the Astronomy Tower.
Of course, Harry Potter must be involved, and I should even try my best to help him improve his strength. Otherwise, if Voldemort revives – or gains even greater power due to some butterfly effect – who will stop him?
Will it be Wade, who is still very weak? Will it be Michael, who spends all his time with girls? Or Dumbledore, who in the story, was cursed and fell from the tower?
Harry Potter, despite his many flaws – such as being reckless, impulsive, and lacking self-discipline – and despite mastering only a few spells, and not excelling in any subject other than Defense Against the Dark Arts... he was undeniably the ultimate weapon against Voldemort.
Leaving aside his infancy, from the moment he started school, Voldemort essentially lost to Harry Potter every year. In the final year, Harry Potter, as if divinely aided, found all of Voldemort's hidden Horcruxes in an incredibly short time, ultimately sending the Dark Lord to his demise, while he himself emerged almost unscathed.
Whether it's the Protagonist's Halo... or being a Son of Destiny...
Wade currently lacked the strength to defeat Voldemort, so he would never refuse such a friend.
Even if his power surpassed Voldemort's one day, he wouldn't shut Harry Potter out – things change unpredictably, and Harry Potter would always be a powerful trump card.
Outside the castle, the rain poured, and flashes of lightning streaked across the sky, casting mottled shadows through the windows, appearing and disappearing abruptly.
...
"Dreadful weather, isn't it?"
Professor Murray poured a cup of hot tea, then, after a moment's thought, added some milk and sugar. He then settled into his chair, saying contentedly, "It is."
"It is," Wade said, holding his own hot tea. He chuckled, "Though I also think this kind of weather is especially good for sleeping in. Muggles call this steady, continuous sound 'white noise,' believing it can block out other frequencies and thus improve sleep quality."
As he grew more familiar with Professor Murray, Wade understood the professor's attitude towards Muggles, and no longer hesitated to discuss Muggle theories and technologies with him.
"White noise..." Professor Murray mused, chuckling, "They always have some strange and wonderful studies, don't they? I once saw a... hmm, research paper, it seemed to be about the relationship between the length of a human's ring finger and intelligence."
"But there are also some very interesting studies, like the interaction between dreams and reality, time travel, and the forms of alien life," Wade said, thinking for a moment, a hint of yearning in his voice. "They're even exploring beyond Earth. If interstellar travel truly becomes possible, I'd really hope to be a passenger on one of those journeys."
"I long for it too, but at my age, I'm afraid I won't live to see that day. You, living well, might still have a chance – or perhaps you could brew a Philosopher's Stone like Nicolas Flamel," Professor Murray chuckled.
Wade also smiled. "I read in a book that the Philosopher's Stone can create the Elixir of Life – so is Nicolas Flamel still in his youth now?"
He remembered Nicolas Flamel in the movies appearing like a walking, pale ghost, his bones so brittle they'd snap at a touch. He wondered if it would be different in this world.
"Hmm," Professor Murray pondered for a moment before saying, "I can only say – the Elixir of Life can indeed allow its owner to escape death, but the cumulative effect of six centuries is terrifying, and the potion cannot fully counteract that effect –"
"Then such immortality doesn't seem to have much meaning," Wade said, tilting his head in thought.
Professor Murray couldn't help but laugh. "Only a vibrant young person like you would say that without hesitation. When you're as old as I am, you'll understand – when one approaches the end of life, the fear of death, the attachment to life, will make us dread death and long for a longer existence."
"Professor Murray thinks that too?" Wade couldn't help but ask.
"I'm just a mortal, so of course I do." Professor Murray rubbed his teacup. "But Albus once said – death is a great adventure. No one knows what the world after death is like – it might be as terrifying as the legends say, or as beautiful, or just nothingness –"
Professor Murray seemed to recall something, pausing for a moment, then suddenly murmured, "So I both fear death and long for that day to come – I will continue on, to see what the landscape ahead truly holds –"
Wade watched him quietly.
Professor Murray suddenly snapped out of his reverie and chuckled. "These things are too early for you – by the way, did you find an answer to the question I left you earlier?"
"Yes." Wade took the small box from his pocket and placed it on the table, saying with a disapproving tone, "But Professor, this is too valuable."
"The value of a gift isn't about how much it costs, but how you'll use it," Professor Murray said in a kind and encouraging tone. "Tell me your thoughts."
Wade opened the box. "This is a piece of Occamy skin – Steven introduced me to this creature. Its body can expand and contract at will, becoming as large as a dragon or fitting into a tiny teapot. It usually feeds on insects and rats –"
Professor Murray nodded and asked, "Yes, and what else?"
Wade took a deep breath. "– It's the best material for the Undetectable Extension Charm."
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