Chapter 106: Return Home
The final week without classes passed quickly, and the weekend brought the season’s last Quidditch match. Without a Seeker, Gryffindor was thoroughly defeated by Ravenclaw. The Ravenclaw Seeker floated lazily through the sky for ages, only catching the Golden Snitch once he was certain his team had secured a commanding lead.
That year, Ravenclaw finally claimed the Quidditch Cup. Gryffindor fumed, but there was nothing they could do.
Yet, despite the loss, Slytherin still ended up with the highest House Points—thanks, once again, to Professor Snape’s exceptional contributions.
But at the Final Feast, Dumbledore finally addressed the earlier incident, awarding extra points to those who had braved the Chamber of Secrets. Each of them received twenty points for their House. Harry Potter received an additional fifty points. Suddenly, Gryffindor surged to first place, while Slytherin slid into second.
The celebration first belonged to the Serpents, then to the Lions. Ravenclaw students clapped along—still third before the bonus, still third afterward. But even last place wasn’t a tragedy for the Eagles.
Whether the hanging tapestry ribbons were red or green didn’t matter much. What truly fascinated everyone was the dramatic emotional swing between Gryffindor and Slytherin.
At the Staff Table, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape exchanged subtle, telling expressions—so much said without a word.
“I still can’t believe it,” Michael whispered to Wade. “Professor Snape wasn’t Quirrell’s accomplice! He looks exactly like a Death Eater… don’t you think so?”
“He does,” Wade replied. “But if he were truly one, how could Dumbledore have let him stay at Hogwarts all this time?”
…
The next day after the Final Feast, academic results were finally posted. Wade topped the entire year in overall academic performance. However, History of Magic and Astronomy were both won by Hermione. The other SSC members also scored remarkably high—nearly every top spot in each subject belonged to them.
To those unaware of the SSC, it simply looked like this year’s first-years were unusually talented, with balanced performance across Houses. Malfoy of Slytherin and Zabini both had impressive scores. Unlike previous years, when the top ten were almost exclusively Ravenclaw students.
Students once again signed the holiday notice forbidding magic during the summer break, packed their trunks, and boarded the Hogwarts Express. Wade, Michael, Theo, and Liam claimed a compartment. Hermione was with the Patil sisters, while Harry and Neville shared a car with their dorm mates.
“How about coming to visit us this summer?” Michael said enthusiastically. “We live by the sea—we can take a boat to nearby islands.”
“Sounds great!” Theo replied at once. “Let’s set a time—otherwise, two whole months stuck at home will be unbearable.”
“What about you, Wade? Got time?” Liam asked.
“I’m studying Alchemy with Professor Mor,” Wade smiled. “But if I can squeeze it in, I’ll definitely come. Even I don’t want a summer with nothing but study.”
“Then wait for my message,” Michael instructed. “And don’t forget to check the Book of Friends!”
The train pulled into King’s Cross Station, and students filed off one by one. As Wade stepped onto the platform, he spotted Ferdinand and Fiona standing side by side, smiling and waiting.
His mother hugged him first, as usual. His father took the suitcase from him.
“Let’s go—dinner’s already booked at the restaurant,” Ferdinand said, pulling open the car trunk and shoving the trunk inside. Watching him struggle, Wade nearly reached for his wand to cast a Hovering Charm—then remembered he was no longer at school. He suppressed the urge.
“Wade,” Fiona said eagerly after they’d finished eating. “I heard some wild rumors at The Leaky Cauldron—did they really happen? I mean… one of your professors being a puppet of the Dark Lord? And your school hiding a stone that grants immortality?”
Wade looked up, meeting Ferdinand’s quiet gaze.
“The Philosopher’s Stone is real,” Wade said. “Nicolas Flamel and his wife have lived for six centuries, thanks to the Elixir of Life.”
“Good heavens!” Fiona gasped. “I’ve read about him in fantasy novels! I didn’t know he was still alive… I wonder what it’s like to live forever?”
She looked utterly enchanted.
“Actually, it’s only immortality, not eternal youth,” Wade said, shrugging. “So… you can imagine.”
The romantic, mysterious image of the immortal wizard instantly crumbled. Fiona’s mind conjured up a wrinkled, toothless, bald old man with sagging skin.
But the oldest person she’d ever seen was barely over a hundred. What would a six-hundred-and-sixty-year-old truly look like? She couldn’t picture it—and her imagination began drifting toward something far stranger, almost Lovecraftian.
Ferdinand noticed the part Wade had left unspoken. His heart sank.
Back home that evening, Fiona went to the bathroom. Ferdinand gave a subtle signal, and the two men stepped onto the balcony.
“So… that incident was real?” Ferdinand fiddled with a lighter, not lighting it. “The rumors about the Dark Lord?”
Wade hesitated. Should he tell him?
Ferdinand saw it in his eyes. His expression darkened. He forced a weak smile. “Don’t tell me… the truth is even stranger than the rumors?”
Wade finally made up his mind.
“It wasn’t Voldemort’s puppet who infiltrated Hogwarts. It was Voldemort himself. He didn’t die completely—he survived as a phantom spirit, bound to Quirrell’s body.”
Aware of the fear many felt at the mere mention of Voldemort’s name, Wade avoided saying it aloud in front of others.
Ferdinand’s hand trembled. The lighter nearly slipped from his fingers.
“He… didn’t die?” His voice was pale.
“No,” Wade said calmly. “But his concealment was poor. Dumbledore saw through it from the start. The situation was never out of control.”
He kept his tone light. “You’ve probably heard—Quirrell was defeated by Harry Potter, a first-year. In truth, it was the Dark Lord who failed, not Quirrell.”
Ferdinand said nothing for a long time. Only when he heard the bathroom door open did he turn to leave. But as he reached for the door, he paused.
“Wade—”
“Yeah?”
“Now that you’ve learned magic… you’re no longer a Silent Shadow. Have you ever thought…?” His voice cracked. “—about going to America? Or Australia? I heard there’s a fine magical school there. Maybe they’d accept a transfer student.”
Wade remained silent for a moment. Then, quietly: “I’m sorry, Dad.”
“Alright…” Ferdinand sighed. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“But we can prepare in advance,” Wade added. “If someday things get too dangerous… I want you and Mom to go ahead and move there.”
“You’re such a fool,” Ferdinand chuckled, half in exasperation, half in affection. “How could we abandon you? Just hide in safety while you face danger alone?”
“If I’m in danger,” Wade said with a smile, “I’ll go too. You know wizards can Apparate. I’ve already planned to master it by second year—escaping will be easy.”
…
(This chapter concludes.)
(End of Chapter)
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