75

Chapter 75: Seeking Advice, Duel

The atmosphere around them tensed instantly. The Slytherins instinctively avoided Wade's gaze, some stepping back unconsciously. Only Malfoy managed to retort, "This is between Slytherins and Gryffindors. Don't meddle, Wade Grey!"

"Draco—" Nott tugged his arm, whispering urgently, "This is getting tedious. Let's go—"

"It's because of me!"

Summoning courage, Neville spoke with a slight tremor, "I encountered them on the way. Malfoy used the Leg-Locker Curse on me. He said he wanted to find someone to practice it—Harry—and Ron and Hermione—came to my aid. They confronted Malfoy and his cronies, and Malfoy called Hermione—a Mudblood—"

"Neville!" Michael interjected sharply.

Neville fell silent abruptly, momentarily at a loss, then glanced at Wade with a hint of panic.

Everyone present suddenly remembered that Wade came from a non-magical family—a fact he had never explicitly disclosed at school, only hinting that his parents weren't wizards.

In the eyes of wizards, there was little distinction between Squibs and Muggles—Squibs faced even harsher discrimination, seen as rejects of the wizarding world.

Initially, Wade faced disdain from some due to his non-magical origins. However, he swiftly dispelled their prejudices with his skills. Soon, his lineage was no longer a topic of discussion among classmates. Many even assumed Wade hailed from a prestigious pure-blood family, receiving elite wizard training from an early age.

—Otherwise, how could he be compared to nothing?

In this moment, everyone recalled Wade's non-magical heritage. The air grew eerily quiet, the faint murmurs fading into silence, each breath seeming amplified.

Nott released Malfoy's arm.

"So that's it—students practice spells together all the time, right?" Wade looked at Malfoy. "I've just learned a new spell and was hoping for some advice from you, Malfoy."

Had Wade charged forward like Harry and the others, Malfoy might have felt more reassured. Instead, Wade wore a faint smile, his demeanor calm, unsettling Malfoy even more.

"W-What—" Malfoy stuttered, clutching his wand.

If Malfoy could see his reflection, he'd realize he mirrored Neville's earlier fearful expression, if not more so.

Wade raised his wand, nodding slightly, his gaze cold—

"Bow, Mr. Malfoy."

"I—I refuse—" Malfoy instinctively protested, wand aimed at Wade, attempting to explain, "I meant Granger—I wasn't—insulting you—Longbottom said that—"

[This guy... so cunning and naive...]

Wade sighed inwardly and flicked his wand—

"Expelliarmus!"

A bright red light flashed, striking Malfoy, who tumbled backward, knocking Crabbe over. His wand clattered to the ground by Nott's feet.

Nott glanced around but made no move to pick it up, instead taking a step back.

Unnoticed by the others, including Malfoy's two hefty companions, they gaped dumbfoundedly at him, not lifting a finger to assist.

Malfoy, nursing his head, picked himself up. Glaring hatefully at Wade, he shouted defiantly, "Don't think I'm afraid of you, Wade Grey! Do you know who my father is?"

Wade casually kicked Malfoy's wand toward him. "Go ahead."

Trembling, Malfoy retrieved it, seething with anger and resentment, but beneath it all, fear loomed large.

The Wade Grey before him wasn't the bookish Granger. Rumor had it, Wade knew more spells than some fifth-year students.

"Ah, I almost forgot to count to three just now," Wade quipped. "After all, as a Mudblood, I'm not well-versed in the etiquette of pure-blood wizards—"

The word "Mudblood" struck a nerve among the Slytherins, their expressions turning uneasy.

"—If memory serves, count to three, Malfoy, then cast your first spell—"

Malfoy gritted his teeth, eyes flickering.

"One... two..."

As Malfoy began chanting, Wade dodged expertly the moment he spoke. The spell's beam hit Nott, who had been trying to blend into the background, freezing his legs in place!

"Three—"

Calmly reaching three, Wade waved his wand again—

"Tarantallegra!"

Malfoy's legs jerked, as though doing a frenzied dance. He attempted to retaliate, but his upper and lower halves twisted in opposite directions. With a loud crack, he collapsed, legs twitching in mid-air, causing Malfoy to wail in agony.

The sight was so ludicrous that even some Slytherins unintentionally chuckled.

Malfoy's face flushed red with humiliation. From this angle, the once familiar faces now appeared distant and cold. He couldn't discern who was mocking him.

Deliberately pausing, Wade allowed the Slytherins to watch. To outsiders, it seemed like a group ganging up on a lone Malfoy.

As tears threatened to spill, Wade approached Malfoy, lifting the spell. Squatting beside him, he asked sincerely, "Is bullying enjoyable?"

Malfoy met his gaze with fearful eyes, breathing heavily but saying nothing.

Wade smiled, rising to his feet. The Slytherins parted wordlessly, watching him leave with the others.

No one spoke up, no one intervened.