Chapter 85: Three Broomsticks
The conversation about House-elves was dropped as Hagrid arrived, leading a Night Kneazle hitched to a carriage through the morning mist.
"Good morning, Hagrid. Thank you for arranging the carriage for us," Professor MorGentle said politely.
"Not at all, Professor!" Hagrid grinned. "Happy to help—hello there, Child."
He bent down to greet Wade with a warm, if slightly awkward, smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Hagrid," Wade replied, looking up.
His grey eyes held a quiet, weary depth—something that made Hagrid’s fleeting impression of the boy suddenly sharpen into something more tangible.
"Oh—wait… you’re… you’re Wade from Ravenclaw, aren’t you? Harry mentioned you…" Hagrid blinked, then frowned. "Uh… but you’re a First Year, right?"
He glanced between Wade and Professor Mor, clearly uncertain.
Though smiling, Professor Mor’s tone left no room for argument. "Wade is my student. I’m taking him to Hogsmeade for advanced alchemy studies."
Hagrid scratched his head.
He didn’t understand why alchemy needed to be studied in Hogsmeade… but then again, he’d only made it to third year at Hogwarts, barely grasping the basics of magic. What did he know about the requirements of alchemical training?
After a moment of hesitation, he let it go.
He patted the Night Kneazle’s neck gently, murmuring something low and soothing to it, then said, "All right, Professor Mor, Wade—go ahead and get in. The child will take you to Hogsmeade. And when you’re done, it’ll bring you back."
"Thank you, Hagrid," Professor Mor replied, already stepping into the carriage. He turned and gestured. "Come on, Wade."
Once both were settled, the Night Kneazle stepped forward through the thin fog, gliding silently beneath the dawn light. The carriage creaked softly as it rolled out of the school grounds. Behind them, Hagrid pushed the massive oak door shut with a heavy thud.
The Night Kneazle occasionally stretched its sleek black wings, as if tempted to take flight—yet it remained grounded, moving with quiet grace along the path.
"Can you see the Night Kneazle?" Professor Mor noticed Wade’s gaze fixed on the creature.
"Yeah," Wade said.
"Who did you see die?" Professor Mor asked, then quickly added, "Oh—no need to answer if you’d rather not."
"...A Muggle friend," Wade said after a long pause. "He passed away years ago. I watched it happen… saw his parents fall apart, helpless. I couldn’t do anything."
His eyes were dark, distant—still caught in the weight of that memory.
Professor Mor placed a comforting hand on his back. "I understand. Losing a friend… it’s like losing part of yourself. But time heals. Perhaps his parents have found peace too… maybe even started a new life."
"...Maybe," Wade murmured, dazed. "I hope so."
The carriage moved forward in silence. Hogsmeade Village slowly emerged from the mist.
It was not a Hogsmeade Weekend, so the village was quiet—barely a dozen people in sight, just two or three wizards in robes walking the cobbled streets.
At a distance, they spotted the Three Broomsticks Inn.
Warm, golden light spilled from the windows, glowing invitingly through the glass. Inside, the place was already crowded—surprising for such an early hour.
Wade jumped down from the carriage and turned to look back.
"Go on in, Child. I’ll join you in two minutes," Professor Mor said from the seat. "If everything goes smoothly, I won’t even need to show up. But if that fool is late… don’t hesitate. Just open him up. Hmph. A mere Werewolf? I’ll introduce you to someone better."
The old man’s protective, domineering tone made Wade chuckle. He nodded. "Of course, Professor. I’ve got it."
He pushed open the door. The bell above chimed cheerfully.
Inside, the pub was already brightly lit, even at this hour. Two wizards with hangovers slumped over a table, fast asleep.
A tall, elegant woman stood behind the bar, directing a cloth to clean the tables on its own. Hearing the door, she smiled warmly—but her expression shifted when she saw Wade’s short stature.
"Child," she said, approaching with a hint of seriousness. "It’s not Hogsmeade Weekend today. You’re not sneaking out from school, are you?"
"I’ve got a meeting here," Wade replied, already spotting the man in the corner. He nodded toward him. "I’ve got permission from Professor Mor."
He walked over.
Remus Lupin looked even more worn than Wade had expected—pale, thin, eyes shadowed with years of hardship.
As Wade approached, Lupin’s eyes widened. His calm demeanor shattered into visible shock.
"You… you’re…?"
"Wade Gray," Wade said, extending his hand. "I assume my father mentioned me?"
"Yes… yes, he did," Lupin stammered, shaking his hand awkwardly. "He said you needed someone to help manage some business… but I thought—well, I thought you’d be… older."
"I get that a lot," Wade said, choosing to sit across from him. The pub’s chairs were too high—his feet dangled helplessly.
He leaned back, hands on the seat, adjusting himself with practiced ease. "Let me reintroduce myself. I’m the inventor of the Book of Friends, Wade Gray—first-year student at Hogwarts. You’ve probably heard about the success it’s brought me. I’ve since partnered with Aslan Magical Workshop and others. Oh—thank you, madam."
Madam Rosmerta smiled and placed a Butterbeer on the table. She glanced at Lupin, then left.
Wade looked at the drink—the golden liquid, the thick, creamy foam. For a moment, he froze.
—Butterbeer was supposed to be non-alcoholic.
Then it hit him.
—So what had knocked him out last time? A couple of chocolate truffles with liquor-filled centers?
—No. That couldn’t be right. Butterbeer had to have alcohol. Otherwise, why call it beer?
This woman must’ve misheard.
He shook his head, refocusing.
"So," he continued, "I need an agent to handle communications with Aslan Magical Workshop on my behalf. And since my studies have far outpaced what the school teaches, I also need a magic tutor."
Lupin considered the job posting he’d read.
"You want to learn the Patronus Charm? And Animagus transformation?"
"Not just those," Wade said. "Disguise Charm, Apparition, memory-related spells… anything I don’t know, I want to learn."
Lupin paused. Then, quietly:
"...Including Dark Magic?"
(End of Chapter)
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