Chapter 464: Rain and Umbrellas
Chapter 464: Rain and Umbrellas
Wade felt that once he arrived at school, time seemed to speed up, passing by in weeks. One moment it was Monday, and the next, it was Friday, then the weekend.
Students preparing to go to Hogsmeade Village had already put on their gloves and scarves, waiting at the school gates.
"Don't forget the Boggart training, Wade!"
As he jumped off the carriage, Michael waved and shouted, then walked off with Harry and the others.
Wade smiled and nodded, then saw Cyril waving goodbye to his Gryffindor friends, blowing into his hands to warm them as he walked over.
"Damn it!" Cyril complained, hands in his pockets. "This weather is bloody cold!"
"If you didn't try to look cooler by wearing one less sweater, you'd find today's temperature quite comfortable", Wade said with a smirk.
"I'm stronger than you. They say I look like a bear when I wear too much—my home is a bit further away."
Cyril led Wade along the narrow paths between the houses, heading towards the edge of the village.
"Who are they?" Wade asked from behind.
"Just... the girls."
"You should find someone who appreciates your strength instead of trying to please a group of girls who mock you for looking like a bear. Besides, they won't think you look cool with less clothing; they'll just think you look silly", Wade said.
"I was just kidding... I'm not cold", Cyril insisted.
"Your nose is about to freeze", Wade pointed out mercilessly.
As soon as he said it, both of them froze, suddenly feeling like they were back to their childhood.
Back then, Cyril was always getting into trouble, doing things that no one could understand, and Wade, who was dragged along to play, would constantly tease him.
Most of the time, Cyril knew Wade was right, but he found it fun and did what he wanted without thinking about the consequences.
So, after a day of play, Wade would still be clean, while Cyril would often come home with bruises, unable to explain how he got them.
But those days were truly happy!
Cyril's steps slowed down, and when a wooden cottage, almost hidden by tall trees, appeared at the end of their field of vision, he suddenly stopped.
"Wade?"
"Yeah?"
"I said you could bring some friends... why didn't you?"
"I'm a guest, and bringing more guests without an invitation wouldn't be right. Besides, Michael and the others had plans today."
"Did you notify... did you tell any Professor?"
"Why would I need to notify a Professor to visit your home for half a day?" Wade's voice sounded surprised. "Cyril, what are you trying to say?"
"Nothing."
Cyril walked ahead, but after a few steps, he realized the footsteps behind him had stopped.
He turned around and saw Wade standing still, the shadows of the houses falling on him, almost as if he were about to be swallowed by the darkness. But those light gray eyes were like they had been washed by the moon, calm and bright.
The morning sun shone on Cyril, but he felt no warmth, only a bone-chilling cold that froze his limbs.
Cyril forced a smile and asked, "Why aren't you walking, Wade?"
"Do you want to talk, Cyril?" Wade said. "Right now, right here... is there something you want to say?"
Cyril fell silent for a moment, then asked, "...What should I say?"
"I don't know... maybe anything."
Wade continued, "Like why your parents came to Hogsmeade, or the purpose of this invitation, or your experiences before coming to Hogwarts... anything you want to talk about. If you need it, you know I can help."
Cyril laughed helplessly. "You're just a student. What can you do to help me?"
"Don't avoid the important things, Cyril. You know what I mean", Wade said calmly.
For a moment, scenes of his conversations with Dumbledore flashed through his mind.
...
The old man, who rarely showed up except during mealtimes, wasn't just sitting in the Headmaster's office writing letters, reading newspapers, or playing with figurines. Behind the scenes, he did many things that others couldn't imagine—
Presiding over Wizengamot trials, helping the Ministry of Magic solve various issues, investigating Voldemort, and thwarting Grindelwald's expansion... of course, this also includes investigating a certain vampire student.
"Wade, I believe Cyril has already realized certain issues, such as the fact that his current parents are not his real parents."
Dumbledore sat in a high-backed chair, his face filled with pity, and sighed softly.
"I had planned to tell him the truth before the holidays, to help him break free from that so-called vampire family, but Cyril refused."
"He has other plans, which he doesn't want me to know about, and he doesn't want to leave that fake couple. I think the boy is planning to do something very dangerous."
"What do you intend to do, Professor?" Wade asked. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just kill those adult vampires?"
"Be patient, Wade. The vampires seem to be gathering. And I also want to give the boy a chance... he's not yet fourteen, and he should have a chance to make things right."
...
"This is your chance, Cyril", Wade said. "Once we step into that house, everything might change. But for now, you still have the chance to turn back."
Cyril suddenly smiled. "You still told Dumbledore, didn't you?"
"Of course."
"Do you know he has things to deal with today? He'll be too busy to help."
"I trust Dumbledore."
"Ha! Trust! Having the most powerful wizard in the world always there for you must feel great." Cyril sneered. "I really envy you, Wade. Why has misfortune never befallen you?"
"Is that what you think?" Wade asked calmly. "Just because you got caught in the rain, you want me to be without an umbrella too?"
Cyril hadn't heard this saying before, but he quickly understood and, gritting his teeth, said, "If you had gone through what I have, you might not be so calm, Shakespeare!"
"I'm not as ignorant as you think, Cyril." Wade said. "If I were in your shoes, I would seek revenge, but I would never transfer the tragedy to my friends."
"Revenge?" Cyril said angrily, but not convinced. "What good would it do? It changes nothing!"
"Following those people's orders is any better?" Wade countered.
Cyril's nostrils flared, his expression filled with anger, but he didn't continue the argument.
"I'll take back my words, Wade—now you have the chance to turn back. Run as fast as you can, because my enthusiastic friends will catch up soon. Or you can continue forward, but let me remind you, even Dumbledore might not always be able to protect you."
The two men stared at each other, and a wand peeked out from Cyril's sleeve.
He seemed convinced that Wade would strike first, his body tense and ready to cast a spell at any moment.
After an especially long few seconds, Wade suddenly stepped out from the shadows of the wall, passing Cyril and heading toward the old wooden house.
Cyril was taken aback and quickly followed.
Now Wade was in front, and Cyril was behind him. He looked at Wade's seemingly unguarded back, his eyes struggling like never before. His fingers curled and uncurled, several times almost lifting to cast a spell but then dropping again.
Before he knew it, the wooden house was right in front of them.
The house, weathered by countless years, looked crooked but somehow stood firm. The garden was overgrown with weeds, with only a narrow path leading to the door.
Wade felt someone watching him and turned his head, but he only saw rough window frames.
Through the wooden walls, he couldn't see the names of the people inside, but then a plump woman emerged.
She wore an apron, her hands clasped, dressed like a maid, and smiled warmly. "Oh, dear Cyril, and this handsome young guest, please come in... they've been waiting for you!"
(End of Chapter)
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