September 2 marked the official beginning of the new school term.
Wade woke up at six-thirty in the morning.
Seeing that Draco and his two roommates were still asleep, he quietly slipped out of the dormitory.
It had been too late the previous night for him to properly explore the Slytherin common room.
He had to admit, living beneath the lake had its own unique charm.
The only drawback was the lack of sunlight.
After spending too much time here, it might start to feel a little depressing.
“Lumos…” Out of habit, Wade was about to cast the Lighting Charm.
A tiny white glow flickered at his fingertip before he immediately suppressed it.
No wandless magic.
In a sense, that was proof of exceptional talent.
He let out a slow breath and drew his silver-gray wand.
After thinking for a moment, however, he put it away again.
I’m supposed to be an ordinary student.
There were undoubtedly first-years who already knew the Lighting Charm.
But a half-blood wizard with no formal magical education—and someone who wanted nothing more than a quiet, uneventful life—shouldn’t be able to cast it.
At least…
Not on the very first day.
Feeling somewhat frustrated, Wade lifted his gaze toward the crystal ceiling.
Soft green light filtered through the water above, washing over him.
Schools of fish drifted past before disappearing into the waving underwater plants.
Just then, he heard footsteps.
Turning around, he saw a girl with smooth blonde hair, narrow eyes, delicate features, and an elegant bearing.
Daphne Greengrass.
2 Her name immediately came to mind.
Like Draco, she was a first-year from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, a young witch from an old pure-blood family.
“I thought I’d be the only one awake this early,” Wade said with a smile.
“I was thinking the same thing.” Daphne looked at the handsome boy across from her.
“Your name is…
Wade Moreya, right?” “Half-blood or Muggle-born?” “Half-blood.” “Wade Moreya.” “And you’re Daphne Greengrass.” He smiled.
“You and Malfoy both seem to care quite a bit about blood status.” “Pure-blood witches and wizards are born into distinguished families.” “They also tend to possess greater magical talent.” She answered as though it were common knowledge.
“Plenty of half-bloods and Muggle-borns have achieved remarkable things as well.” Wade remained perfectly calm.
After all, he was a half-blood himself.
If he openly agreed with pure-blood ideology, he’d be placing himself beneath everyone else in Slytherin from the very beginning.
He wanted to keep a low profile.
That didn’t mean he intended to lower his head.
“That’s true.” “But they’re still the exception.” Daphne nodded before changing the subject.
“So why are you up so early?” “It’s just a habit.” “What about you?” “It’s my first day at Hogwarts.” “I was too excited to sleep well.” Without drawing attention, Wade activated his Spirit Vision.
Daphne’s spiritual aura became clearly visible.
Everything looked perfectly normal…
Except for a faint crimson hue hidden within the white aura surrounding her body.
The abnormal trace of red clung stubbornly to both her body and soul, slowly draining her vitality.
“…” Wade quietly dismissed his Spirit Vision.
When he looked at Daphne again, there was unmistakable sympathy in his eyes.
What a cruel fate…
“Daphne.” “If you have the chance, you should visit the Hospital Wing.” Her expression immediately changed.
“What do you mean?” “Don’t misunderstand.” “I’m only suggesting you pay closer attention to your health.” “And if possible…” “Spend a little more time studying Potions.” “I’m sure Professor Snape would be happy to teach one of his own students how to brew advanced restorative potions.” “Of course…” “If your family isn’t short on money, then just pretend I never said anything.” The moment she heard those words, all doubt vanished from Daphne’s heart.
“What exactly do you know?” Wade blinked.
“I don’t know anything.” “You’re lying.” “I know perfectly well something’s wrong with my body.” “…Wait.” “You already know?” The words escaped Wade before he could stop them.
He suddenly felt as though he’d been worrying over nothing.
She was the daughter of a prominent pure-blood family.
If there were a problem, it had surely been discovered long ago.
Her family had probably already tried countless ways to solve it.
“It’s the Greengrass family bloodline curse.” Daphne lowered her eyes.
“The curse slowly drains the host’s life force.” “It affects each person differently.” “Even so…” “The average lifespan of the Greengrass family has always been shorter than normal.” Wade silently swallowed the rest of what he had been about to say.
So…
They knew about the problem.
But they apparently hadn’t found a cure.
Otherwise, that strange crimson stain wouldn’t still be lingering within her aura.
“But how did you know?” “I honestly didn’t know anything about a curse.” “I only noticed something unusual from your complexion.” “…Just by looking?” Daphne asked in astonishment.
“I know a few divination techniques.” Realization dawned on her face.
Even the Sorting Hat had mentioned that Wade possessed talent for Divination.
“Could you give me a reading?” “…Well…” “I do charge for my services.” “Ten Galleons per reading.” “Ten Galleons?” Daphne’s voice rose involuntarily.
“Don’t you think that’s outrageously expensive?” “I’d like to charge less.” “But I really can’t.” “My parents passed away when I was very young.” “My family’s circumstances are…
difficult.” “If I don’t find ways to earn money, I might need financial assistance just to stay at Hogwarts.” Wade delivered the entire explanation with complete sincerity.
Every word was true.
And since a wealthy customer had practically walked right up to him…
It would be a waste not to earn his first Galleons at Hogwarts.
Daphne hadn’t expected his family situation to be so unfortunate.
After hearing that, she no longer argued over the price.
“Are your readings accurate?” “Not always.” “Divination isn’t omnipotent.” Wade answered honestly.
“And you’re still charging that much?” “Is ten Galleons really too much…” “…for even the possibility of seeing hope?” Daphne fell silent.
Deep down, she suspected there was a good chance he was exaggerating.
Yet he had somehow uncovered the Greengrass family curse.
That alone convinced her to give it a try.
Even if not for herself…
She had to think about her younger sister.
The curse affecting her sister was far more severe.
It’s only ten Galleons.
I’ll just spend a little less of my allowance this month.
“All right.” “Ten Galleons it is.” “Excellent.” Wade smiled brightly as he headed toward the dormitory.
“Give me a few minutes.” “I’ll go get my divination tools.” A few minutes later, he returned carrying a deck of tarot cards.
The two sat opposite each other at a table beside the fireplace.
Wade handed her the deck.
“Shuffle them.” “Then cut the deck.” Daphne followed his instructions before placing the neatly stacked cards on the table.
“And now?” “Think carefully about the answer you’re seeking.” “Then draw three cards at random.” “…I have a feeling you’re just making this up as you go.” “You’re mistaken.” “I’m a diviner with professional integrity.” “And besides…” “The interpretation of a reading always belongs to the diviner.” “So just do as I say.” Daphne gave him a long look.
A hint of mischief flashed across her eyes.
Silently repeating the question in her heart, she reached out…
…and drew three tarot cards from the deck.
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