Chapter 464: Rain and the Umbrella
Wade felt that once he arrived at Hogwarts, time seemed to accelerate—weeks now slipped by like days, and before he knew it, Monday had already turned into Friday, then weekend.
Students preparing to go to Hogsmeade Village had already donned gloves and scarves, waiting by the school entrance.
“Don’t forget Boggart Training, Wade!” Michael called out as he jumped down from the carriage, then hurried off with Harry and the others.
Wade smiled and nodded, then watched as Kariel waved goodbye to his Gryffindor friends, blowing warm breath into the cold air as he walked toward him.
“Damn it!” Kariel muttered, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. “This weather is absolutely freezing—should’ve died!”
“If you hadn’t tried to look cooler by skipping a sweater, you’d realize it’s actually quite mild,” Wade said, quirking one corner of his mouth with a smirk.
“I’m stronger than you. The girls say I look like a bear if I wear too much. Besides, my home’s farther away.”
Kariel walked alongside Wade, the two of them following the path between the houses toward the edge of the village.
“Who exactly are ‘the girls’?” Wade asked from behind.
“Just… girls,” Kariel shrugged.
“You should find someone who appreciates your strength instead of trying to impress a bunch of girls who laugh at you for looking like a bear,” Wade said. “Besides, they wouldn’t think you look cool in less clothing—only ridiculous.”
“I was lying,” Kariel insisted, stubbornly. “I’m not cold.”
“Your nose is practically frozen,” Wade pointed out, exposing his lie with icy precision.
The moment the words left his mouth, both boys froze—caught in a sudden, shared silence that pulled them back to their childhood.
Back then, Kariel had been a constant source of nonsense, doing things no one else could understand. Wade, always the one dragged along, would mock him relentlessly. Kariel usually knew Wade was right—but he did it anyway, just because it was fun, rarely thinking about the consequences.
By the time they got home, Wade was always clean and untouched, while Kariel was covered in bruises, often unaware of how he’d gotten them.
But those days… they were truly happy.
Kariel’s pace slowed, and when the silhouette of a small wooden house—nearly hidden behind towering trees—appeared in the distance, he suddenly stopped.
“Wade?”
“Hmm?”
“I told you you could bring a few friends… why didn’t you?”
“I’m just a guest. It wouldn’t be right to bring others without an invitation. Besides, Michael and the others already had plans.”
“Then did you… tell a professor?”
“Why would I need to notify a professor just to visit your home?” Wade sounded genuinely surprised. “Kariel, what are you trying to say?”
“Nothing.”
Kariel turned and walked on, but after a few steps, he realized Wade wasn’t following.
He turned around—and saw Wade standing still, the shadows from the surrounding buildings stretching long across the path, as if threatening to swallow him whole. Yet his pale gray eyes remained calm, clear, and bright, like they’d been washed by moonlight.
Sunlight streamed across Kariel’s back, but he felt no warmth—only a deep, bone-chilling cold that made his hands and feet numb.
He forced a weak smile. “Why aren’t you coming, Wade?”
“Do you want to talk, Kariel?” Wade said softly. “Right now. Right here. Is there something you’d like to say?”
Kariel paused, silent for a breath. “…What?”
“I don’t know,” Wade replied. “Anything. Your parents showing up in Hogsmeade. Why you were invited. Your life before Hogwarts. Anything. If you need help, you know I can give it.”
Kariel gave a nervous laugh. “You’re a student. What can you possibly do?”
“Don’t dodge the issue,” Wade said calmly. “You know what I mean.”
In an instant, memories flashed in his mind—conversations with Dumbledore.
That quiet old man, rarely seen outside mealtimes, wasn’t just sitting in the Headmaster’s office writing letters, reading newspapers, or playing with his collectibles. Behind the scenes, he had done things no one could imagine—presiding over Wizengamot trials, aiding the Ministry of Magic in countless crises, investigating Voldemort, halting Gellert Grindelwald’s rise… and yes, even investigating a vampire student.
“Wade,” Dumbledore had said, seated in his high-backed chair, his expression filled with pity. “I believe Kariel has begun to suspect something—namely, that his parents aren’t his real ones.”
“I planned to tell him the truth before the holidays, to help him break free from that so-called vampire family. But he refused.”
“He has other plans. He doesn’t want me to know. He doesn’t want to abandon those fake parents. I think this child intends to do something very dangerous.”
“And what do you plan to do, Professor?” Wade had asked. “Just kill the vampires. Wouldn’t that be simpler?”
“Patience, Wade. The vampires are gathering. And I want to give this child a chance… He’s not even fourteen. He deserves a chance to redeem himself.”
Now, standing there, Wade said, “This is your chance, Kariel. Once we step inside that house, everything could change. But right now… you can still walk away.”
Kariel suddenly laughed. “You told Dumbledore, didn’t you?”
“Of course.”
“You know he’s got an emergency today, don’t you? He’ll be too busy to come.”
“I sent a letter.”
“Hah! A letter! The greatest wizard in the world answers your call—how wonderful must that feel.”
Kariel sneered. “I’m honestly jealous, Wade. Why has misfortune never touched you?”
“Is that how you see it?” Wade asked calmly. “Because you’re getting soaked in the rain, you wish I’d have no umbrella?”
Kariel didn’t know the saying. He blinked, then understood—and his jaw clenched. “If you’d been through what I’ve been through, you wouldn’t be so calm now, Shakespeare.”
“I’m not as ignorant as you think, Kariel,” Wade said. “If I were in your place, I’d seek revenge. But I’d never let that revenge destroy my friends.”
“Revenge?” Kariel snapped, furious. “What good does it do? It changes nothing!”
“Then obeying those monsters—does that help?” Wade shot back.
Kariel’s nostrils flared. His face twisted with rage—but he didn’t respond.
“Here’s your words back, Wade,” Kariel said, voice low. “You still have a chance to run. Better do it fast—my friends are coming. Or you can keep walking… but I’ll warn you: even Dumbledore might not be able to protect you.”
Their eyes locked.
From beneath Kariel’s sleeve, his wand slowly emerged.
He braced himself, tense as a spring, ready to cast a spell at the first move.
Seconds stretched—long, unbearable.
Then, suddenly, Wade stepped out from the shadow at the wall’s edge, passed Kariel, and walked toward the old wooden house.
Kariel stared, stunned—then hurried after him.
Now, Wade was in front, Kariel behind. He stared at the back of a man who seemed utterly unguarded—and for the first time, his eyes betrayed a storm of inner conflict. His fingers curled slightly, twitched, reached up—then dropped again.
It felt like no time at all before they reached the house.
The building had weathered countless storms, its walls leaning at odd angles, yet somehow still standing. The garden was overgrown with weeds, and only a narrow, winding path led to the front door.
Wade felt someone inside watching him. He turned—only to see rough, weathered window frames.
Behind the wooden walls, he couldn’t see the face of whoever was there. But then, a woman stepped out.
Mrs. Johnson—dressed in a simple apron, hands clasped, smiling warmly.
“Oh, my dear Kariel,” she said, “and this handsome young guest—welcome! They’ve been waiting for you.”
(End of Chapter)
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