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

Chapter 31 No, I really didn't use the Soul-Stealing Curse!

When Ethan finished reading the line.

The eerie blue light engulfed him, causing him to unconsciously close his eyes.

The original scent faded, and the smell of dust once again filled the nostrils.

Ethan opened his eyes and found himself standing again in the prize display room, in front of the magic mirror.

The bright moonlight shone on its smooth surface, reflecting Ethan's figure.

Apart from that, it was completely empty.

Eris's curse was clearly imprinted in Ethan's mind.

The complex cipher contained characters that Ethan didn't recognize—perhaps it was ancient runes that he hadn't yet learned.

Just by whispering it in his mind, Ethan felt a surge of passionate longing.

It almost blinded his senses.

"call--"

Ethan took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and calmed himself down.

It's a powerful and terrifying spell that captivates the mind, immersing people in illusory dreams and making them forget reality.

Ethan loves it.

With this spell, he was able to paint truly captivating portraits!

Professor Snape no longer has to rack his brains over black and white sketches; he can truly immerse himself in them!

No, he can even replicate the "Mirror of Erised".

As a magical artifact that reflects everyone's deepest desires!

Ethan's heart pounded, his eyes sparkled, and sparks of inspiration kept flying.

He couldn't wait to get back to his dorm and put it into practice.

Just then.

Ethan heard limping footsteps coming from outside the door.

Filch is back.

"Completely cleaned up."

Ethan waved his wand, sweeping away the dust instantly.

When Filch came in, panting, he saw a spotless room.

"You...you used magic!"

Filch's eyes widened, his gaze sharp with rage, and his face turned red with anger.

He failed to catch those troublemakers who were out at night.

Upon their return, the prize display room was thoroughly cleaned.

Are you kidding him?!

Ethan fiddled with his wand, saying innocently, "Magic? You're really wronging me. I cleaned it myself, bit by bit."

Filch nearly vomited blood.

He flew into a rage, roaring and trembling all over:

"I'm going to tell the professor! I'll make them check your wand! You wicked brat, the school will punish you properly—"

Before he could finish speaking...

A strange whisper escaped Ethan's lips.

"Erised stra ehru......"

The incantation was awkward and difficult to pronounce; Ethan felt like he was reciting a tongue twister, and he didn't even recognize some of the words, so he was just guessing.

But it worked.

As the wand was waved, specks of light, like moths, swirled around Filch's head.

Filch's eyes lost focus, and a lewd smile appeared on his face.

Ethan fell silent.

and many more.

This effect is so similar to the "Death Curse," one of the three unforgivable curses!

I'm such a good wizard!

"Do a somersault?"

Ethan tentatively gave the order.

Filch did not react, but continued to indulge in his beautiful illusions.

Ethan was relieved.

It's a very safe spell.

No, it should be called a good mantra that can help people!

It can be called the "Dream Spell".

As for the gap between reality and waking up from the dream...?

Ethan stated that he only cares about giving people sweet dreams, not about after-sales service.

"Even an incomplete spell can have such a great effect... Imagine how powerful it would be if it were completely copied into a painting."

Ethan murmured, striding across the room and stopping at the door.

He glanced sideways down at Mrs. Lorris, who was pacing anxiously at Filch's feet.

"Meow~ Meow~"

The voice sounded rather pitiful.

Ethan grinned, bent down, and gave the wary, immobilized cat a good pat on the back—

Against the grain.

"Meow!!!"

Accompanied by a pitiful meow, Ethan walked out of the prize display room with satisfaction.

Ah, that felt great.

......

On the way back to the dormitory.

Ethan encountered the same "troublemakers" who had previously distracted Filch—

It's Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Compared to Ethan's composure, the three of them seemed distracted and horrified, as if they had seen Professor Quirrell playing with a troll.

They met at the corner.

Ethan heard the footsteps in time and stepped aside.

The three little ones collided with each other due to his sudden appearance, rolling on the ground with groans.

If Filch hadn't been under the Imperius Curse—no, I mean the Dream Curse—he probably would have popped out from some corner of the world long ago.

"Are you going to turn everyone in the castle into a noisy party?"

Ethan asked curiously.

"What? No!"

Ron got up, panting, staring at Ethan, his little face pale.

"You have no idea what we just saw!"

Ethan: "Hmm~ Could it be that I trespassed into the restricted area of ​​the fourth-floor corridor and encountered a three-headed dog?"

Ron: "..."

The three little ones stared wide-eyed at the smiling Ethan, their mouths agape.

That's right!

Having barely escaped death, they were convinced that they were the first people in the school to know what was in the restricted area on the fourth floor.

But to my surprise, Ethan said it so easily!

"How...how did you know?" Ron stammered.

Ethan smiled mysteriously: "It's a secret."

Suddenly, Ethan's image became even more imposing in the eyes of the three.

As expected of Ethan.

That's how profound and unfathomable it is.

—Ethan, of course, learned it from the original work.

It seems that although Malfoy's duel opponent has changed to him, causing Harry and the others' original nighttime duel to be canceled.

But they eventually managed to slip out and, pursued by Filch, ran to the fourth-floor restricted area.

Ethan even suspected that Old Dumbledore had cast some kind of spell on the stairs, so that whenever he had the chance, he would lead Harry and the others into the forbidden area.

Harry, both nervous and excited, pushed up his glasses and whispered:

"Do you remember the little cloth bag I mentioned before, the one Hagrid took from Gringotts vault? The one the newspaper reported someone tried to steal!"

"Yes, I remember."

Ethan lowered his voice, leaned closer, and imitated their secretive manner.

"I suspect that the cloth bag is what the three-headed dog was guarding!"

At this point, Harry paused, then reluctantly added, "It was Hermione who reminded us that there was a trapdoor under Cerberus—"

Before she could finish speaking, Hermione, who had been silent until now, suddenly looked up and said angrily:

"Are you all done talking?!"

"What it's guarding, or who's trying to steal it, is none of our business!"

"You've seriously violated school rules, do you even realize that?!"

"And you, Vincent!"

Hermione turned her head sharply, glaring at Ethan with a look of utter disappointment.

"As you see fit."

Ethan bowed slightly, politely and gracefully.

"..." Hermione choked for a moment, then said angrily, "I didn't expect that someone as diligent in their studies could be so unruly!"

Upon hearing this, Ethan raised an eyebrow and said in surprise, "Is it that hard to think of?"

How many "rule-breaking" things has he done since the start of the semester?

Hermione: "..."

Ok.

Attacking Malfoy with magic, physically beating Malfoy, and stealing money from the Malfoy family...

It seems like he's never followed the rules even once.

Perhaps it's because Ethan's appearance is too alluring.

He wanted others to see his handsome and innocent face so that they would automatically overlook the bad things he had done.

"Fine! I don't care about you guys anymore! If you don't object, I'm going back to my dorm to sleep!"

After saying that, Hermione flicked her hair, and her broom-like hair slapped Ron across the face before she quickly walked away.

Ron covered his face, saying incredulously, "We don't object, go ahead. What kind of talk is that? It's like we forced her to come!"

Ethan smiled and asked casually, "So why are you out here? It's so late."

Malfoy was taken home, so there was no "nighttime duel" whatsoever.

Harry scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and said:

"Uh, we want to distract Filch for you... that way, you'll have time to cast your spells without having to wipe those filthy trophies yourself."