Chapter 24: Purchase Proxy Service

Hermione’s eyes slowly widened, as realization dawned. She trembled, whispering, “So… that’s what it is—”

“That’s right,” Wade said. “Harry Potter.”

“—the Death Indicator!” Hermione shouted at the same time.

They stared at each other in stunned silence.

“—Harry Potter?” Hermione blurted out, stunned.

“…I said it was a joke,” Wade sighed, exasperated.

Another awkward silence passed between them.

Hermione frowned, slowly piecing it together.

“Now I see… That’s why—Percy, Gryffindor’s Prefect, a fifth-year Weasley—he once said that whenever Professor Dumbledore forbade students from going somewhere, he always explained why. But this time… he only said not to enter the right-hand corridor on the fourth floor, without giving any reason.”

Wade wasn’t surprised. “Vague warnings are exactly what attract curious Gryffindors. Dumbledore probably left a test there.”

He remembered Harry Potter’s first year—how he and his friends had each overcome a puzzle using their wisdom and unique abilities. In the end, Harry defeated the final boss, Voldemort, with the power of Love.

The seven Harry Potter books grew heavier and darker with each installment, but the first one still brimmed with childish wonder. Even the schemes felt innocent, almost sweet—Voldemort practically handing himself over to Harry for experience points.

“How could he do that?” Hermione’s fear instantly turned to fury. “What if someone actually got hurt? Does he not care about Harry’s life at all?!”

Wade raised an eyebrow. “Did you get injured when you stumbled in there?”

“No… but that’s because—ah!” Hermione’s face lit up, as if a veil had been lifted. “I get it. He must’ve placed some kind of restriction on the Three-Headed Dog—enough to scare students away, but not to harm them. It only acts if someone tries to go further.”

“I saw it standing on a trapdoor,” Hermione said. “It was guarding something.”

“If our guess is right,” Wade concluded, “then Harry Potter will know exactly what it’s protecting.”

…

The pace of events seemed to slow. Perhaps it was because Hermione was still angry at Harry and Ron, and had stopped paying attention to their updates—so she didn’t learn anything more.

But Wade wasn’t concerned. He knew everything was under Dumbledore’s watchful eye. Nothing could go wrong.

Compared to Harry Potter’s adventures, Wade’s real focus was on advancing his spellwork.

During his latest practice, he’d made a startling discovery: it wasn’t just when guiding others that he could see the glowing arc of Guidance Correct—he could also see it when practicing in front of a mirror. This revelation had dramatically sped up his spellcasting progress.

So Wade dedicated extra time to mastering Potions. The shelves behind the Potions classroom were always stocked with basic ingredients—free for students to practice. But due to Professor Snape’s reputation, most students, even Slytherins, avoided the underground classroom unless absolutely necessary.

Wade, however, visited during his free time. Snape tolerated it, occasionally offering icy sarcasm to point out mistakes. But if you weren’t overly sensitive, you could actually learn a great deal from him.

At such moments, Wade silently thanked his house—Ravenclaw. If he’d been a Gryffindor, he’d likely have been kicked out on his first unauthorized visit.

One afternoon, Wade finally brewed a perfect batch of Wound Cleanser. Snape grudgingly approved, calling it “barely acceptable,” then sent him to deliver it to Madam Pomfrey’s Infirmary.

Quidditch matches were coming up, and the Infirmary always got packed during those times.

Back in the Umbrella Room, Wade found everyone buzzing with excitement. They were all gathered around Theo, even Hermione had put down her books.

“I want three feet of parchment, five bottles of ink,” she mused. “And I’ve heard about this Quick-Write Feather Quill—super convenient. If you have it, I’ll take two.”

Theo scribbled furiously. Nearby, Michael burst out, “Oh come on, Hermione! I know you love studying, but life’s more than books! You need some fun! Honeydukes sweets are amazing! I have to recommend Blow-It-Up Super Bubble Gum—it fills the whole room with bluebell-colored bubbles—definitely a girl’s favorite. Buzzing Bee Candies are a hit too, and Butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks? Nobody can resist a sip.”

“Hmm…” Hermione hesitated. “Fine… add a Galleon’s worth of candy—just not Cockroach Clusters or anything weird.”

She couldn’t bring sweets back to the dorm—too risky. The other girls would pester her, probably with jealous remarks. But she could stash them in the Umbrella Room and share with the SSC members.

“What’s going on?” Wade asked, stepping over, curious.

“You’re finally here, Wade!” Neville beamed. “We’ve all been waiting!”

“This week is the first Hogsmeade Weekend,” Michael said. “Students in third year and above can go to the village.”

“I know,” Wade said. “But what does that have to do with us first-years?”

He’d heard of Hogsmeade Village—Britain’s only wizard-only village, unique and charming, just a short walk from Hogwarts. But the school rule was clear: only third-years and above could go, and only on designated Saturdays with parental permission. So Wade and his classmates wouldn’t be able to go for at least two years.

“Originally, nothing,” Michael said. “But Theo says—there’s a third-year Hufflepuff who’s offering to buy things for younger students. He even made a Hogsmeade Shopping List. Theo and Liam said we could add our stuff to it.”

Wade took the list and scanned it, curious. “Who’s doing this? Doesn’t he find it inconvenient? Or is he charging extra?”

Liam shook his head. “No, Cedric isn’t doing it for profit.”

Wade paused. “Wait… you said his name was?”

“Cedric,” Liam said. “Cedric Digory. Top student in third year. The Hufflepuffs all adore him.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end