“I’ve heard all about it, Ethan,” Luna said in a very airy, light voice that felt like a soothing massage for the brain.
Ethan really enjoyed listening to her speak.
He looked up from his mountain of breakfast, staring at her blankly.
“Heard what?” “They say you’re teaching everyone Transfiguration just to curry favor with Professor McGonagall,” Luna said lightly.
“But whatever your reasons, you’re doing a good thing anyway.” Ethan was utterly bewildered.
“To curry favor with Professor McGonagall?
What does she have to do with this?” Luna tilted her face up and smiled.
“The Wrackspurts around you haven’t increased, so you’re telling the truth.
I’ll tell them you aren’t teaching everyone Transfiguration to curry favor with Professor McGonagall.” Ethan understood.
Someone in Ravenclaw must have been gossiping about it, speculating on what he stood to gain, and Luna had overheard them.
He couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
Did those Ravenclaws think of him as some sort of sycophant?
Granted, his motives weren’t entirely pure, but it had nothing to do with Professor McGonagall.
“They must have too much time on their hands—” he muttered, disgruntled.
“Ethan!
Ethan!” Ron and Harry shouted his name, both of them marching over looking furious.
“Ethan, some people outside were saying you only agreed to help us with Transfiguration to curry favor with Professor McGonagall!
But we know that’s not true at all!” Ron said loudly, “We’re friends!
We were the ones who asked for your help, not you seeking us out!
Professor McGonagall didn’t show up even once while you were teaching us!
So it’s definitely a lie!” Neville, who had tagged along, said timidly, “Yeah, I don’t believe Ethan is that kind of person.
He taught me over and over without any impatience, and he was genuinely happy for me whenever I made progress.” Ethan’s expression turned quite dark.
He had assumed it was just idle gossip whispered in some common room, but he hadn’t expected them to actually spread it around.
Suppressing his anger, he looked around at the Gryffindors watching him, stood up, and spoke loudly: “Professor McGonagall indeed helped me, but if I really had such intentions, she would definitely not be pleased about it!” “I have never thought of currying favor with anyone!
Especially not in this way!” “I’m just a very ordinary student.
I’m no different from any of you!
We study together, we live together!
We are classmates and friends who will spend seven years together!
So, when everyone needed my help, I was truly happy!
Because it meant I was accepted!” “I believe that if there comes a day when I also need help, someone will surely be willing to help me too!
Without any selfish motives!” “Because that old hat said we are brave, daring, and chivalrous Gryffindors!” The Gryffindor lions were deeply moved.
Cracking their knuckles, they clamored, “I’m going to find whoever slandered Ethan!
I’ll beat them until they cry!” “It must be someone from Slytherin!” On second thought, everyone agreed.
Only Slytherins liked to do such things.
After all, all the bad guys came from their house!
Besides, Gryffindors had always been at odds with Slytherins; they didn’t even need a reason to beat them up.
The crowd whipped around, glaring fiercely at the Slytherin table.
The young Slytherins’ faces paled.
Malfoy, who had been enjoying the drama, suddenly realized with horror that nearly everyone was staring directly at him.
Harry shouted, “Malfoy!
Was it you?!” Malfoy glared back.
He was scared out of his wits, but his mouth refused to back down.
“Harry Potter!
What do you think you’re doing?!” he spat.
The commotion was so loud that even some of the professors at the High Table looked over with interest.
Ethan quickly held back the Gryffindors who were on the verge of a riot, calling out, “Alright, everyone!
Calm down!
We cannot convict someone based on mere suspicion!” “Of course, I prefer to believe this is just a misunderstanding!
As long as we know it’s false, it poses no threat!” “Naturally, such a misunderstanding does make me feel hurt, angry, battered, and a bit depressed!
Because it didn’t just slander me; it also compromised a professor’s reputation.” “To prevent this from happening again, I think perhaps I should stop these group study sessions.” “But if I do that, will people think I have a guilty conscience?
If new rumors start spreading then, what should I do?” Ethan looked around at everyone and declared loudly: “If misunderstandings are inevitable, and if people must look at me through colored lenses, then I hope they focus that gaze solely on Ethan White!” “I was able to come study at Hogwarts because the school provided me with financial aid, letting me afford a wand and books!
Professor McGonagall even personally gave me my ticket to Hogwarts!
I thank the school and the professor from the bottom of my heart!” “Now, I have made a decision—starting today, I will no longer host group study sessions in public spaces!” “If anyone needs my help, please seek me out privately!” “And prepare something to exchange!
It could be your favorite snack, candy, knowledge you possess, or anything you deem valuable—even a stone off the ground!” “We will make a fair exchange!
We will never give anyone leverage over us!” “Of course, if you have nothing to offer, there is no need to worry!
You only need to tell me honestly.
I will still help you with your studies!
All you have to do is keep it a secret!” “For now, let this matter end here!” Ethan’s throat was dry from speaking.
He reflexively took a cup of juice passed to him from the side.
Only after finishing it did he realize it was Luna’s breakfast—a cup of grape juice.
Luna blinked and clapped softly.
As if on cue, thunderous applause erupted.
The Gryffindor lions swarmed Ethan, scrambling to shake his hand and hug him.
The little lions’ way of expressing emotion was always so direct—physical contact, hugging allies, and bashing enemies.
A group of Hufflepuff students clapped while rubbing their red eyes, feeling deeply sympathetic toward Ethan.
If they were the ones being slandered, they would have broken down in tears.
Some of the professors at the High Table were also clapping, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
Dumbledore, whose beard almost swept the floor, rubbed his eyes and said with a sigh, “What a marvelous speech!
Minerva, watching these youngsters makes me feel like I could live another hundred years.” Minerva McGonagall was both moved and furious.
“Such malicious slander occurring in our school, forcing a wizard to make such a vow…
I believe we must investigate this thoroughly!
Whoever did this must pay the price!” she said coldly.
Dumbledore smiled.
“Minerva, just as Mr.
White said, it is merely a misunderstanding.
Do not forget, they are only eleven-year-old children.” Professor McGonagall didn’t buy it.
“To have such malice at eleven…
perhaps letting them into this school was a mistake in the first place!” Dumbledore explained patiently, “But if we do not guide and correct them properly, the wizarding world might see more Dark Wizards.
Minerva, that is the very reason schools exist—we cannot allow errors to go uncorrected.” Professor McGonagall looked at him and suddenly asked, “Albus, do you already know who did it?” Dumbledore quickly shook his head.
Professor McGonagall said expressionlessly, “We must find out.
Even if they aren’t expelled, they must face punishment.” “Ten points to Gryffindor for Mr.
Ethan White’s success in preventing a serious incident of violence!
However, for Gryffindor’s groundless suspicion, recklessness, and near-resort to violence, five points will be deducted!”