Chapter 43

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Ethan ended up not sleeping at all that night, doing his best to drown himself in his work to stop his mind from reaching undesirable places.

However, as the first lights of the day shone through his window and he looked at the rise of dawn, Ethan couldn't help but be reminded of the past. Not of his childhood, but before that. His past life.

Ethan thought that with time, his memories of his past life would fade away; that was how such things went after all. And to an extent, they did. The details were hard to remember, as if it had all been a dream, turning blurrier with time. Though thinking back, most of it had always been blurry. Names were hard to remember, mostly.

But at the same time, certain things about it remained, no matter how much time passed. Stupid things, like an accident that nearly turned deadly when he was twelve and the strange death of a schoolmate when he was thirteen... But the one thing he seemingly couldn't shake off was loneliness.

Ethan couldn't even tell how it had happened anymore, yet he knew for sure that his life had been dominated by one thing, and that was loneliness.

As if feeling what he was going through, which she was considering their link, Miyuki spurred into Ethan's lap, nuzzling her face against his belly. Smiling softly, carrying a hint of sadness within, Ethan stroked her fur, forcing it all down into the depths of his mind.

He might look like it, but he wasn't a child. Crying about his problems wasn't going to magically solve them. Besides, this was an issue he had been expecting for a while.

Try as he might, he was surrounded by eleven-year-olds after all, so creating any meaningful relationships was tenuous. He did his best to fit in, but it was hard to not look at them like children because they were.

Sometimes he would manage to fool himself into believing he was one of them, but the truth was, he wasn't.

It was fine, though. He wasn't here to make friends. He was here to learn magic because it was all that mattered. Once he graduated from Hogwarts and dealt with whatever problems would plague the world by then, he would meet others like him. All he needed to do was hold on.

Besides, it wasn't like his friends were insufferable; they had their moments.

And as if on cue, Ethan heard someone knock on his door. Considering his current reputation, Ethan was pretty sure of who it could be.

Stretching his stiff legs, Ethan opened the door, and as expected, Theodore was the one who knocked.

Theodore examined Ethan's face, his eyes lasting a little longer on the scar over his left eye, before he remarked, "I can't say whether you look like an experienced adventurer or an evil mastermind."

Ethan smiled slightly at the attempt at humor, and asked, "What day is it? I didn't really get to ask."

Theodore snorted, pulling out a sheet of paper from behind his back. He handed it over to Ethan as he said, "June 10th. Last day of the year."

Ethan looked down and recognized it immediately. It was the result of his exams.

Transfiguration: Outstanding

Charms: Outstanding

Defence Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Potions: Outstanding

History of Magic: Acceptable

Astronomy: Acceptable

Herbology: Exceed Expectations

It was good. Excellent even, and probably better than a vast majority of the students. Still, Ethan couldn't feel any joy as his gaze remained stuck on the Defence Against the Dark Arts line.

He must have been more obvious than he thought, as Theodore said softly, "It was one of the Aurors who graded the Defence Against the Dark Arts papers, as a sort of apology for all the trouble."

For just a moment, Ethan felt his control slip as he asked, "Getting chased around the castle like a dog—that's what you call trouble?"

Theodore held his nape awkwardly, his eyes dodging Ethan's as he muttered, "Sorry."

Ethan suppressed his emotions and let out a sigh. "It's fine. I suppose we need to pack our baggage."

Theodore nodded, and looking into Ethan's room and noticing he hadn't started yet, he offered, "Do you want help?"

Ethan shook his head, waving his wand at his room and casting a silent spell as his belongings started magically flying into his expanded suitcase.

Holstering his wand, Ethan asked, "So, how did you do on your exams?"

Probably relieved Ethan had let go of his earlier blunder, Theodore replied enthusiastically as they started walking towards the common room, "Great! I passed all my classes and got an Outstanding in Potions. I even got Exceed Expectations on Charms and Transfiguration. Thanks for the help, by the way."

"It's fine. I was happy to help." Ethan did his best to show as much emotion as Theodore did, but his voice came out a little empty, which Theodore seemed to notice as he looked at him worriedly.

As they reached the common room, the two met with Daphne and Tracey, who both seemed to be glad to see him.

But while his friends talked about the upcoming summer vacation, Ethan couldn't help but notice the numerous gazes on him. Whatever year they were in, the Slytherin students looked at him with similar emotions: apprehension and fear.

Tracey, who had been talking about how she was going to get stuck at home bored all summer and who was the only one who seemed completely oblivious to the awkwardness between Ethan and the rest, asked him, "So, what about you, my Lord?"

This drew a few more gazes, but Ethan couldn't help but chuckle at the form of address. Taking a moment to think about it, he replied, "I'll try to convince my parents to go to Egypt. Considering what happened this year, I should be able to get what I want."

Tracey exclaimed, "Egypt?! That's so cool; I always wanted to go there!"

Daphne rolled her eyes. "You always wanted to go everywhere."

Tracey only puffed up her chest in response: "You can't blame a girl for having dreams!"

She turned back to Ethan, and clasping her hands together, she asked, "Can you bring me along?"

All three of her friends were stunned by her bravado, and she wasn't even done. "What? I'll probably have to end up conquering the world someday for him, so I might as well get something in return."

They looked at her speechlessly before Daphne burst into laughter. But Ethan looked at the girl and said seriously, "I will be going there to learn magic, not for sightseeing. And it will probably be dangerous."

Tracey deflated, almost like a balloon, as she heard this, but she still asked, "Why are you going if it is dangerous?"

Ethan shrugged. "It's dangerous everywhere for me."

Tracey got up, her hands on her hips, as she proclaimed, "Then take me with you! Besides, I'll even get to use my magic!"

Daphne and Theodore looked dubious, but Ethan looked at her in surprise as he said, "How did you know underage magic is allowed there?"

Ethan was surprised because he didn't even know it himself. It was forbidden to use magic outside of school in the United Kingdom until one was 17, and although the Trace, which regulated magic in the country, didn't extend to other countries, neither did the Wizengamot's jurisdiction.

However, many other countries had similar laws, especially in the West. Egypt was not among them, however.

Ethan wanted to say no at first, but thinking about what had plagued his thoughts over the night, he decided to instead say, "If you can convince your parents, and I can convince mine, then sure."

All three of his friends looked at him in shock, certainly not expecting this answer from him. Moreover, he added, "This extends to you both as well."

Although shocked, Theodore quickly replied, "Thanks, but I'm fine brewing potions at home."

Ethan could feel there was something more, something left unsaid, but he respected his friend's privacy. Similarly, Daphne refused, "It's nice to offer, but I got things to do at home as well."

Astoria Greengrass was one of those seemingly insignificant details about this world that Ethan somehow remembered from his past life. She was Daphne's younger sister and had been afflicted with a blood curse since birth.

A blood curse was a terrible condition that caused all sorts of problems for those affected by it. Those affected by it rarely lived past 30, which was bad in muggle terms, but even worse for wizards who had longer lifespans.

Daphne had never told them about her, however, so Ethan silently nodded at her refusal.