“I really can’t go on like this.” Looking at the mountain of sweets and snacks piling up on his bed, Ethan White couldn’t help but sigh.
In the Great Hall this morning, he had been put on the spot.
In the heat of the moment, he had said a lot—some things he probably should have, some things he probably shouldn’t have—but overall, the outcome was good.
After all, he had cleared his name, proved his innocence, and even prevented a massive brawl between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
So, it should be a good thing.
Yet, he couldn’t figure out exactly which of his words had been misunderstood.
No matter where he went or who he ran into today, someone would hand him sweets.
Even Professor Sprout, the Herbology teacher, had smilingly gifted him a box of nut brittle.
She had also told him he was welcome to visit the Hufflepuff common room anytime, and even assured him that every little badger in Hufflepuff was honest and kind, and would never stoop to slandering someone behind their back.
Ethan’s feelings throughout the day had been quite complicated.
When Harry and Ron returned, what made Ethan uneasy was that they both had sweets in their hands as well.
Harry was now even more convinced that Ethan’s life at home was worse than his own—Ethan didn’t even have pocket money, whereas even Ron did!
“Ethan, no wonder you were the only one who didn’t buy any sweets when George offered to get us some snacks the other night,” Harry said quietly, placing some toffees into his hands.
Ron nodded in agreement and handed over a Licorice Wand.
He was poor too, even if it was just a single piece of candy.
Neville followed behind with a goofy smile, holding a large box of Fizzing Whizzbees—a type of sherbet ball that made you float in the air when you ate it.
Naturally, this candy was very expensive.
Ethan thanked them one by one and explained, “Like Hermione, I come from a Muggle family.
They don’t understand wizards, and my family is indeed a bit tight on money, so I didn’t ask them for any.
But they’ve never mistreated me.
The school’s financial aid is just enough for my expenses.
As for sweets, I really don’t like eating them that much.” As he spoke, he scooped up a handful of sweets and handed them out, saying, “Now that I have so many, I can’t possibly finish them alone.
Let’s share.
I still need to go send some to Hermione.” Harry immediately tore open a pack of Pepper Imps.
After chewing a few times, flames shot out of his ears and nose simultaneously, making everyone burst into laughter.
And so, a sweets party began in the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory.
Ethan packed several large bags of sweets.
He sent one to the neighboring dormitory and asked Ron to bring some to George and Percy, respectively.
He also distributed some to the students in the common room, and finally asked a female student to call Hermione out.
The girls’ dormitory was protected by a special enchantment.
If any boy tried to approach, the stairs would instantly turn into a stone slide.
Hermione stared blankly at the massive bag of sweets in her arms.
“This isn’t just for you,” Ethan explained.
“You should share it with your roommates.” Hermione glanced at him and muttered, “I don’t really like sweets.
They cause cavities.
My parents are dentists, and they always warn me to brush my teeth properly.” “There are chocolates and pies in there too.
Just pick what you like, Miss Granger.” Ethan waved his hand and headed back to the boys’ dormitory.
Hogwarts didn’t have a curfew inspection routine, and everyone in the dormitory was very noisy.
Ethan had to remind them that their first class tomorrow was Transfiguration, which finally sobered up the over-excited young wizards.
But there were still plenty of sweets left.
Even with several of them eating to their hearts’ content, they had only made a small dent.
After all, candy wasn’t a proper meal, and one could easily get sick of it.
After brushing his teeth, Ethan organized the remaining sweets, stuffed them into his wardrobe, and said goodnight to the others.
Lying in bed, his legs tangled in his blanket, he began to feel regret.
*Ravenclaw, just you wait…* The night passed without further incident.
The next morning, when Ethan got up, he found Ron and Harry dressing as well.
He looked at them in surprise.
Both of them smiled.
“Ethan, can I have a Cauldron Cake?” “Sure, Ron.
Help yourself to whatever you like.” Ethan washed up first, grabbed his textbooks and two large bags of sweets, and left the dormitory alone.
At exactly eight o’clock, Ethan arrived in the Great Hall, and Luna appeared shortly after.
He handed a large bag of sweets to Luna and said, “This is just for you.” “Thank you, Ethan,” Luna said, hugging the sweets to her chest and speaking in her usual dreamy voice.
“I think I can keep eating these until Halloween.” Ethan lowered his voice and asked, “Did your roommates say anything to you?” Luna stared at him, hummed in agreement, and said, “They begged me not to tell anyone about that matter.” “Well, they certainly put me through the wringer!” Ethan snorted.
Luna looked a bit dazed.
“Are you going to make trouble for them?” “No, I won’t make trouble for them.
We’re all only eleven years old.” Ethan rubbed his temples and suddenly said, “If they ask you again, just tell them that Ethan asked for your help to find out if the rumors came from Ravenclaw.
Just say that one sentence and nothing else.” “Why?” Ethan explained quickly, “That way, they won’t dare talk nonsense anymore.
But don’t worry, I won’t cause trouble for them.
I’ll act as if I know nothing about it.” As long as Luna passed this message along, they would have to constantly try to stay on Luna’s good side, fearing her.
Luna ate very little for breakfast, mostly vegetarian dishes and fruit.
She didn’t seem to like meat.
After finishing her breakfast, Luna began watching Ethan eat again.
But after a moment, she glanced to the side and stood up.
“Goodbye, Ethan.” “Yeah, goodbye.” Luna walked away, cradling her sweets.
Not long after she left, Hermione, with her bushy hair, came over carrying a tray.
The moment she sat down, she said angrily, “Yesterday’s rumors actually came from Ravenclaw!” Seeing that Ethan didn’t react much, she raised her voice slightly.
“Seriously!
I had to go to a lot of trouble to find out!
The portraits on the walls caught them red-handed while they were talking behind your back!
I can even describe what they look like!” Ethan looked left and right.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he whispered, “Thanks, Granger.
I know about it, but like I said yesterday, the matter ends here.” Hermione was utterly baffled, even a little angry.
“Why?
They almost ruined you!
You should punch them in the face!” Ethan said with a sigh, “They did almost screw me over, but if this gets out, they might be expelled.
They’re only eleven-year-old kids, after all.
Kids say foolish things.
I’m willing to forgive them this time.” At the mention of expulsion, Hermione hesitated.
Ethan thought for a moment and suddenly smiled.
“But since the portraits saw them, the school must already know.
They won’t be expelled, but they won’t get off scot-free either.
Just you watch.” His prediction was spot on.
He had just finished breakfast with Hermione and was heading to the Transfiguration classroom when he noticed a crowd gathered in the corridor.
Pinned to the wall was a brand-new wooden board: [Due to several Ravenclaw students severely violating multiple school rules, one hundred points will be deducted from Ravenclaw House, and those involved will serve one month of detention.
If there is no reform, the school will consider more severe punishments!] — Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall The specific names of the students were not posted on the wall.
But the phrasing was incredibly harsh.
Any harsher and the only step left would be expulsion.
Many students speculated about what on earth Ravenclaw had done to make Professor McGonagall so furious.
Ethan and Hermione exchanged a look, both curling their lips in a tacit understanding as they walked together toward the Transfiguration classroom.