Chapter 128: Soft-Light Badge
Stepping out of the Greenhouse, Wade glanced at the distance between the greenhouse and the castle, then raised his wand without hesitation.
“Broomstick, come!”
A Flying Broomstick shot through the window of the Ravenclaw Tower, tracing a smooth arc through the air before settling稳ly beside him. Wade mounted it and flew back to the dormitory with practiced ease.
Earlier, Wade had thought he’d definitely want to buy a brand-new broomstick—never used, never touched by another hand. Just like how he wouldn’t consider buying a used car. But ever since the three House-elves had presented him with this very broomstick with such heartfelt joy, his perspective had changed.
So what if it was a Sweep 140? He wasn’t playing Quidditch. For a temporary mode of transport, an old broomstick served just as well as a new one.
What mattered most was the sincerity behind it—the pure, unspoken affection woven into every fiber of the broomstick. That made it worth more than any thousand-galleon racing broom.
And Wade had already modified the broom’s enchantments multiple times. Though it wasn’t as fast as a Nimbus Series model, its stability and comfort were unmatched.
Back in the dormitory, Wade quickly showered. The castle bells were already ringing. He changed into clean clothes and headed to the Great Hall, where many students were already seated, enjoying lunch.
Wade picked an empty spot and was just spearing a chunk of steak and a piece of roast bread when Michael sat down beside him, as usual.
Wade glanced up, surprised.
Michael raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
He reached for a slice of maple syrup pie and began scanning the selection of roasted meats.
Wade lowered his eyes with a soft smile. “After what they said today, I thought you’d put some distance between us.”
Michael made a dismissive sound. “Why would I push away a friend over something an enemy said?” He wagged a finger. “If I were that easily swayed, I’d have split from you in Herbology class.”
“Fair point,” Wade nodded, and the quiet worry in his chest melted away.
Michael’s gaze drifted toward the Slytherin long table. Malfoy still looked furious—barely touched his food, had apparently argued with someone nearby, then shoved his plate aside and stormed out of the Great Hall. Crabbe and Goyle, still sitting, glanced after him but ultimately stayed put, unwilling to abandon their meals.
Michael narrowed his eyes.
A mischievous thought bubbled up like a fizzy charm, popping in his mind.
Suddenly, a striking girl passed by—her golden curls glowing faintly as if lit from within. Michael’s eyes instinctively followed her.
Then, someone nearby let out a loud “Hmph!” and brushed past him, shoulder-checking him hard enough to nearly send him tumbling into his plate.
Michael bristled—ready to snap—but froze when he realized who it was.
Padma.
She looked down at him with a glare sharp enough to cut glass. Michael quickly averted his gaze and offered a nervous smile.
“Did you eat already, Padma?”
She snorted again, turned, and walked off with her dorm mates.
Michael rubbed the back of his nose, awkwardly.
Once she was gone, he found himself glancing back at the girl—only to be stunned.
It was Marietta.
An ordinary-looking third-year girl—nothing special before. But after just one summer holiday, she had transformed. Her features were now striking, radiant, undeniably captivating.
“Girls really can change overnight…” Michael murmured, genuinely impressed.
“What?” Wade blinked, utterly confused.
“Uh…” Michael started, then suddenly noticed something else.
It wasn’t just Marietta.
All around the Great Hall, girls—some boys too—had changed dramatically.
Simple as that: they’d all become noticeably more attractive.
Michael touched his sun-darkened face, feeling a strange emotional jolt.
“This is… seriously weird,” he said to Wade. “Why’s everyone else getting better-looking, and I’m just getting darker?”
Wade glanced around, then understood.
“Your family doesn’t have anyone subscribed to Wizard Weekly, do they?”
“Yeah,” Michael said. “Isn’t that mostly for witches?”
Wizard Weekly was a popular magazine packed with celebrity gossip, Divination quizzes, recipes, knitting patterns, and advice columns—extremely popular among witches.
Michael’s mother was a Muggle, and the family only subscribed to a Muggle women’s magazine besides The Daily Prophet.
“Last week, Wizard Weekly published an article. Take a look—you’ll understand why,” Wade said, pulling a magazine from his bag.
The pen box’s design had been adapted into a backpack shape—lightweight, so he stuffed it with all sorts of random things without ever bothering to take them out.
Michael took the magazine, eyeing it with mild suspicion.
“Wade… you subscribe to Wizard Weekly?”
Wade kept his expression calm. “It’s a sample. Someone sent it to me.”
Michael flipped it open. The first thing he saw were several full-color comparison images.
A woman in her twenties, a woman in her fifties, a middle-aged wizard with thinning hair, a young man with freckles—same clothes, same pose, same background.
One photo showed dull skin, tired eyes, a lifeless appearance.
The other? Radiant, glowing, with flawless, youthful skin.
The article was about a new product from Aslan Magical Workshop: the Soft-Light Badge.
Every line of text screamed: One tiny badge. Instant beauty, rivaling that of a Veela. Wear it, and you’ll never lose love, confidence, or harmony in your family. Don’t wear it? You may lose them all.
“Wait—Aslan Magical Workshop?” Michael grabbed Wade’s arm. “This… this can’t be your invention, can it?”
Wade nodded. “You’re excited?”
“It’s a female-oriented product,” Wade added casually.
“Who says?” Michael flipped the magazine open with a dramatic snap, pointing at two men in the demonstration photos. “See? This is about beauty for everyone! There are definitely boys wearing these badges too!”
That explained it.
Malfoy had looked sharper today—more refined than usual.
But Malfoy was already handsome. Michael didn’t notice a huge difference.
But others—some of them looked completely different. Like they’d been reborn.
“Okay, so guys wear them too,” Wade said, shifting slightly. “So what?”
“You’ve got extras, right?” Michael leaned forward, urgent. “Sell me one! I need it—today!”
“No need to sell,” Wade said, pulling a small pile of badges from his bag. “I’ll give you one. But the validity period is only one month.”
Machionni, as always, had sent not just the magazine—but a whole box of samples. Wade had shoved them all into his bag without a second thought.
Michael grinned, eagerly tucking the badge into his pocket.
“This is… too much. I can’t just take this.”
“Don’t worry,” Wade said. “It’s just a sample. I didn’t pay for it.”
He paused, then added, “You’re not ugly, you know. Why do you even need this?”
Michael winked.
“Now that’s a secret.”
(End of Chapter)
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