Chapter 263 - Chapter 263

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Sunday – Wooden Bridge

I was currently getting some fresh air as I sat on the edge of the Wooden Bridge, feeling the cold wind hit my face, wondering if everything was going well with the Nick and Penny part of the plan.

I knew they probably wouldn't have too much trouble, as they've been dealing with politics and the government itself since before my great-great-grandfather was even born.

But a part of me was curious as to how they would handle the situation, as I knew that obviously Nick was going to make a little fuss just for the fun of it and ease his little feeling of revenge and grudge against the British government and its antiquated ways.

But deciding to put those issues aside, wanting to take advantage of my free time before classes started, I raised my left hand, looking at it as I controlled and manipulated the ambient magic and the air itself, causing a small tornado to appear in my palm.

Playing with the wind and the humidity in the air, I molded it into various shapes, training my control, remembering that this was one of the first methods of magical training and control I learned when I started my training before coming to Hogwarts.

'Hmm, I think I need to go back to training and creating basic spells... Or maybe I'll try to improve the ones I already know, like the ones I've based myself on in other movies, series and anime' I thought, watching the air in my hand condensing into a spinning ball.

I was going to keep playing with the mini Rasengan in my hand, but then I heard footsteps approaching me, and using my senses and hearing I realized that the one approaching was Harry and Ron, who looked annoyed.

"I still can't believe Professor McGonagall won't give you back your broom!" Ron exclaimed irritably, throwing his hands up in frustration, "What was Hermione thinking when she went to talk to her!?"

"Sigh, I'm also annoyed with Hermione for not talking to me before going to Professor McGonagall, but I can't deny that she might be right," Harry said, and Ron turned to him in surprise.

"What?" he asked.

"Look, don't you also think it's weird that I received a Firebolt, which is the current most expensive broom on the market, as a Christmas gift from a mysterious sender?" Harry asked, scratching the back of his neck and letting out a tired sigh.

Ron then gaped at Harry for a few seconds before shaking his head.

"Well, yes, she might be right, but what if there's nothing wrong with the Firebolt?" he asked, "Right now they must still be taking it apart, and we don't even know if they'll be able to put it back together."

And listening to him Harry frowned, knowing he was right too, but his mind came back to a conversation he had with a certain black haired wizard on Halloween, where they talked about trusting your friends, friends who cared about him.

Remembering that, and knowing that Hermione only wanted to protect him, Harry sighed again.

"Listen, I'm worried about the broom too, but there's currently nothing we can do about it" Harry said, shrugging, "And besides, it's not like I can't keep using my Nimbus 2000"

"Yes, but... I... Urgh!" Ron groaned in frustration before sighing in defeat, "Okay, but just know that Hermione still owes us an apology," he said, and Harry smiled.

"Yes, yes," Harry said, rolling his eyes good-naturedly.

With their conversation finally coming to an end, the two also ended up catching up with me, and upon seeing me they stopped.

"Oh hey Ethan" Ron said, and I raised my hand in greeting to him.

"Hey," I said, and then turned to Harry, nodding at him as well, who responded with a nod, "What were you two talking about?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"Oh, nothing special" Ron replied quickly, "We were just talking about the next Care of Magical Creatures class"

"Really?" I asked, this time looking at Harry.

"Yes, we're curious about what the next creature Hagrid introduces us to is going to be," he replied, and I had to say, they're terrible liars.

"Hmm, interesting," I said, with a bored look, while still staring at them.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...You already know about the Firebolt, don't you?" Harry asked, sighing helplessly, and I just smiled at him.

"How?!" Ron asked.

"I have my means," I said, shrugging.

"Ugh, one day I'm going to figure out how you do it" Ron said, pointing at me, and I smiled innocently.

"Ethan's mysteries aside, I think we should hurry. Hagrid is probably waiting for us," Harry said.

"Oh, it's true" Ron blinked in realization. He then turned to me, "Well, we'll be going then" he said, and I waved at him.

"Yes, and before I forget, I'd like to speak with you later Ethan" Harry said.

"Of course" I shrugged, knowing Harry wanted to continue our conversation about his parents and the first wizarding blood war.

After that the two then continued on their way, and I kept looking at their backs as they walked away, trying to imagine their reaction when they found out that the one who sent the broom to them was Sirius Black.

Actually coming to think of it maybe they won't be too shocked, as by the time they find out the truth Sirius will probably already have been exonerated, and not even in canon did they react surprised when Sirius revealed that he was the one who sent the Firebolt to Harry.

'Hmm, and by the way, I guess now that I'm the one who took Scabbers away from Ron, I have to get him another pet' I thought, with a finger on my chin.

'Maybe I'll give Ron the same little owl that Sirius gave him in canon... What was his name again? Pig or something like that?' I wondered, but then shrugged.

'Meh, never mind' I thought, and deciding to drop the subject I went back to enjoying the view and the cool winter breeze.

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Monday – End of DADA class

"So that's it, don't forget that homework is due next week in our first class" Professor Lupin said to the class as everyone packed up their materials.

Packing up my books and supplies and grabbing my bag, I prepared to leave with my friends, but Lupin stopped me.

"Oh, Ethan, please stay, I have something I'd like to talk to you about," Professor Lupin said, and I looked at him curiously.

Shrugging I put my bag back on my desk, and turning to Anthony and Terry who were waiting for me at the door I waved at them, and they understood I meant that they could go to lunch without me.

After Terry and Anthony left I turned back to Professor Lupin, who was looking at me lost in thought.

I sat down on my desk, waiting for him to collect his thoughts and speak, and after a few seconds he opened his mouth.

"Harry came to talk to me at Christmas," Lupin said, and that made me raise an eyebrow.

"Well, that's interesting and all, but... what does that have to do with me?" I asked curious.

"He told me about a very... illuminating conversation you had with him on Halloween," Professor Lupin replied.

"Yes, and what about it?" I asked.

Hearing this Professor Lupin sighed, realizing that I wasn't going to give him the answers he wanted so easily.

Realizing this, Professor Lupin then decided that it would be best if he got straight to the point.

"What I'm wondering is, how do you know all this?" he asked, with a serious look.

Staring at him for a few seconds I debated whether I should answer him, but realizing he would only need to ask Harry to know the 'answer' I decided it wouldn't hurt to answer him.

"I don't know if you know, but there are hundreds of portraits and dozens of ghosts here at Hogwarts, and they all have great memories, remembering things that happened dozens and hundreds of years ago" I said, and Professor Lupin seemed to understand what I was implying, as he just nodded his head in understanding.

"I see," he said. Professor Lupin then looked at me carefully, "I was quite surprised that you knew so much about my old group"

"Ghosts really like to talk and gossip," I said, shrugging.

"Yes…" he said. Professor Lupin then started to analyze me, and seeming to have thought of something he looked at me with a strange look "And... And what else do you know about us?" he asked in an unsure tone.

Hearing his question I looked at him confused, but then I saw him rubbing his arm with a look of fear, wariness and acceptance, and I realized that the question wasn't about what I knew about the Marauders, but what I knew about him.

"Your secret is safe with me professor" I said, not answering his question directly.

And hearing that Professor Lupin sighed in relief, but then he felt he needed to ask another question.

"But… aren't you afraid of me?" he asked, and I snorted.

"Professor, I'm in a school where every person holds a wand that could very well kill me more easily than claws and bites" I started to say, "If I had to be afraid of anything, it would be the stupidity of wizards, not of a man with a condition he is not to blame for having"

Looking at me with slightly wide eyes, Professor Lupin took some time to process my words, but when comprehension finally dawned on him he chuckled, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"Well, is that all teacher?" I asked after Professor Lupin had calmed down, and he nodded.

"Yes Ethan, that's all," he said, giving me a slight smile.

Smiling back at him I nodded, and grabbing my bag I headed towards the door.

With my hand on the doorknob, I stopped, turning to Professor Lupin again.

"You know professor, I think you should spend more time with Harry, talking a bit about his parents... It's the least you owe him" I said, and Professor Lupin seemed to consider this suggestion.

Without waiting for him to say something else, I opened the door and walked out of the classroom, leaving him alone to ponder what I'd said.

End.

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(End AN: If I were to give a score from 0 to 10 for these series that I watched, they would be:

Arcane - 10/10

Falcon and the Winter Soldier - 9/10

The Last of Us - 9.5/10

Hawkeye - 8.5/10

Wednesday - 8/10

Loki - 7.5/10

1899 - 5.5/10

Getting sick was bad, but at least I got to watch those shows I wanted to watch.

And again, I'm sorry I didn't post chapters last month)