Hogwarts: Starting as a Card Maker from a Failed Art Student

Chapter 37 Ethan, this is blatant murder!!!

The dinner was halfway through.

Quirrell, who was apparently playing some kind of game with the troll, still hadn't appeared.

On the dining table, plump turkeys had been reduced to skeletons.

The young wizards, slumped about, their faces glistening with the rich, oily food, and then lay satiatedly in their chairs.

Headmaster Dumbledore, wearing a purple wizard's hat decorated with bat wings, rose and went to the brass owl microphone.

He set off two loud bangs with his wand, and golden ribbons shot out from the tip of the wand, attracting the students' attention.

"Seeing everyone so happy makes me feel younger," Headmaster Dumbledore said with a smile. "Now, I'd like to make some arrangements for the upcoming semester."

"Various clubs have already started recruiting, and there will be a presentation in the auditorium next Monday. Interested students can check the notice board."

"Hogwarts has many interesting clubs, such as the Gobstone Club, the Quidditch Club, the Painting Club, and so on."

When he got to the last one, Ethan was certain he saw Dumbledore wink at him.

Hmm...that's interesting.

I just set up an art exhibition today, so the head of the art club can have a look at it later.

"Of course, if the numerous clubs at Hogwarts still don't satisfy you, you can create your own club—"

"However, I'm afraid I still won't be able to approve the establishment of the 'Toilet Bombing Club' this year."

At Dumbledore's long table, the Weasley twins burst into laughter.

Their prefect brother, Percy, glared at them angrily.

"In addition to interest groups, there are also academic groups led by the professors."

"For example, Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration Research Society, Professor Flitwick's Spell Creation Workshop, and so on."

Ethan was also invited by Professor Flitwick to join his club—or "tutoring group".

But Ethan declined because he was too busy.

It is said that...

The predecessor of the Spellcraft Workshop was the famous "Duel Club".

However, because of the negative impact, it was changed to a gentler form, focusing on learning the inner principles of spellcasting.

The aim is to master the silent spell and better create opponents.

"Did you know?" Michael suddenly leaned closer, speaking mysteriously, "In our college, besides Professor Flitwick's academic group, there's another top-notch club!"

"They only admit the best students, and they never recruit publicly! They also never accept lower-year students!"

"Evaluation and assessment are conducted only internally by members. You will only receive an email if you pass the assessment."

"Very mysterious!"

Michael's eyes were full of anticipation.

Joining this club would be absolutely awesome!

Unfortunately, the student they exceptionally admitted was also Qiu Zhang, a second-year student.

It's completely impossible for a first-year student.

Upon hearing this, Ethan raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.

What kind of internal assessment is this? It's just a small group sticking together.

After all, Ravenclaws make up a large portion of the talent that the Ministry of Magic sends out each year.

Naturally, you should screen those you get along with in advance and build good relationships beforehand.

On the podium, Principal Dumbledore's speech was drawing to a close.

He said something touching, and his eyes behind his half-moon tinted glasses sparkled with joyful tears.

"...I wish you continued success in your studies in the coming semester. Remember, Hogwarts will always be your warm and welcoming home!"

Headmaster Dumbledore raised his arms, and the audience erupted in applause.

"The curfew will be extended to 10:30 tonight."

"Yay—!"

Ethan clapped his hands as well, glancing repeatedly at the ceiling.

Looking at the youthful, radiant faces, Dumbledore turned and exchanged a smile with his professors.

Oh—what adorable students!

So what if someone is a little mischievous or makes a small mistake sometimes?

Even the most mischievous Weasley twins only manage to blow up toilets.

Even Ethan Vincent, who dueled with Malfoy right after the start of the school year, was just young and impetuous.

Professor Flitwick was a duelist back in the day!

There's nothing to be wary of.

After all, Hogwarts is the safest place in the world.

Just then.

A beam of light suddenly shone down from above!

As if space had opened its mouth wide, a rectangular, door-like crack appeared, splitting open from the ceiling.

The interior was pitch black, like a gaping maw that could devour people, with cold and gloom spreading out from within.

The auditorium quickly fell silent as the students looked up in confusion at the strange black rectangle.

"Is this the grand finale at Hogwarts?"

Ron asked the question with a silly look on his face as he munched on a chicken leg.

However, upon seeing Dumbledore's sudden serious expression, his smile froze, and he looked around in alarm.

It's the grand finale of Hogwarts, right?!

In the stillness, Dumbledore frowned, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Enemy attack?

But Apparition is not allowed at Hogwarts, so who dared to be so bold?

Daring to teleport directly to his face—uh, wait?

Dumbledore suddenly realized something.

He turned his head suddenly and narrowed his eyes.

Among the tense and anxious little faces, I saw an expression that seemed out of place.

Ethan Vincent!

Ok.

It's you, kid.

Headmaster Dumbledore immediately relaxed and looked at the black hole with great interest.

Are you trying to surprise everyone?

Oh my, what a lively child!

the other side.

Ethan was completely unaware, or rather, indifferent, that he was being targeted.

His cobalt blue eyes lit up with excitement, like bright stars, and he clenched his fists in exhilaration.

His eyes were fixed on the teleportation portal.

It's finally here!!

Who will be the lucky one?

Is it Hermione?

She was probably feeling emo in the women's restroom before, and might have run out and bumped into the art exhibition.

Perhaps it was Sybil Trelawney, the professor of prophecy, who didn't come to dinner with everyone tonight; perhaps fate required her to admire her own paintings.

Regardless of who it is, Ethan has prepared the levitation spell.

After all, he was such a gentle and kind little wizard.

The portal began to fluctuate.

The next second, a figure fell from it!

"Yugadi—Professor Quirrell?!"

Ethan's eyes widened in surprise.

In that moment of distraction, the levitation spell was no longer cast.

With a loud "bang," Professor Quirrell slammed heavily onto the floor between the long tables.

It trembled twice like a rag doll, then stopped moving.

Dumbledore: "..."

Dumbledore's relaxed smile froze on his face.

The Weasley Twins: Holy crap, awesome!!

The auditorium was completely silent.

At the teachers' table.

After a two-second silence, Snape smirked and said in a barely audible voice:

"Ravenclaw gets five points...for Ethan Vincent's wit."

"puff!!"

Professor Flitwick then came to his senses and spat out the malt liquor in his mouth.

He coughed as if he were about to suffocate, staring in disbelief at his prized student!

Ethan, you?!

—One point to note here is that…

Ethan is a very warm-hearted kid who never hides his feelings.

Ever since his duel with Malfoy, students and professors have been asking him how he did it.

He also generously shoved his painting in the face of the person who came to ask.

I even cooperated with them on several experiments.

The professors wanted to replicate it, but they found they couldn't paint it at all—it was as if every stroke of that painting was imbued with Ethan's soul.

It is unique in the world.

Even if you ask a painter or wizard to make a copy, it will only be an ordinary painting without a soul.

Only Ethan could paint that.

one way or another.

At this point, the professors all recognized that it was Ethan's work.

Several sharp gazes instantly shot towards Ethan!

Ethan: "..."

He slowly got up and peered at Professor Quirrell, who seemed to still be alive.

Then, with arms outstretched, like a protagonist making a grand entrance at the end of a program, he smiled at the students and professors:

"Surprise~"

Happy Halloween.