The conversation about house-elves didn't continue because Hagrid, pulling a carriage hitched to a Thestral, approached through the morning mist.
"Hello, Hagrid, thank you for preparing the carriage for us," Professor Murray said politely and warmly.
"No problem at all, Professor!" Hagrid said happily. "Glad to help—hello there, kid."
He bent down to greet Wade.
"Good morning, Mr. Hagrid," Wade said, looking up.
His gray eyes appeared cold and calm, suddenly giving Hagrid a more concrete impression of the boy, which had been vague before.
"Oh, you're... you're... Wade from Ravenclaw, right? Harry's ntioned you..." Hagrid said, curiously examining him, then added in confusion, "Uh… shouldn't you be a first-year?"
He looked from Wade to Professor Murray, clearly a bit troubled.
Though still smiling, Professor Murray spoke with an unmistakable tone of authority: "Wade is my student, and I'm taking him to Hogsade for alchemy training."
Hagrid scratched his head.
He didn't understand why alchemy training required a trip to Hogsade… but after all, he had only completed up to his third year at Hogwarts and hadn't even fully mastered basic magic. How could he know what was needed for alchemy studies?
After hesitating for a mont, Hagrid didn't raise any more objections. He patted the Thestral's neck reassuringly, whispering sothing to it softly before saying, "Alright, Professor Murray, Wade, you can get in now. This fella will take you both to Hogsade. When you're done, it'll bring you back."
"Thank you, Hagrid," Professor Murray said courteously. He boarded the carriage first and then called, "Co on up, Wade."
Once they were both seated, the Thestral stepped lightly through the mist, moving forward as the morning light broke. The carriage creaked as it rolled out of the school grounds.
Behind them, Hagrid pushed the massive oak doors with a strong shove, closing them tightly.
The Thestral occasionally stretched its black wings, as if wanting to take flight, but ultimately walked quietly along the road.
"Can you see the Thestral?" Professor Murray asked suddenly, noticing where Wade's gaze was fixed.
"Yes."
"Who did you see die?" Professor Murray asked, then quickly added, "Oh, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
"...It was a Muggle friend," Wade said after a long pause. "Many years ago, he passed away from an illness... I watched it happen, saw his parents' pain and despair, but there was nothing I could do..."
His eyes were dim and hollow, as if still lost in the grief of that mont.
Professor Murray patted him gently on the back, offering comfort as he spoke softly:
"I understand—losing a friend feels like losing a part of yourself, but ti will heal all wounds… Perhaps your friend's parents have also moved on by now, maybe even had new children."
"Yeah… maybe so…" Wade murmured, his voice was distant, "I hope so…"
The carriage moved forward in silence, and soon Hogsade Village began to erge from the mist.
Since it wasn't a Hogsade weekend, the small village was very quiet, with only two or three people in wizard robes walking along the streets. From a distance, they could already see the Three Broomsticks Inn.
Warm orange light glowed through the tavern's windows, making it seem inviting and bright. Through the glass, they could see a crowd inside—it looked like there were quite a few early custors already.
Wade jumped down from the carriage and turned back.
"Go on in, child—I'll co in two minutes later," Professor Murray said, still seated on the carriage.
"If all goes well, I won't need to show up. But if that guy is late, don't hesitate to get rid of him... Hmph, just a werewolf… I'll introduce you to soone better."
The professor's protective and slightly domineering words made Wade chuckle. He nodded and said, "Of course, I'll rember that, Professor."
He pushed open the door, and the sound of wind chis tinkled in the air. The tavern was brightly lit even early in the morning, and two wizards, clearly hungover, were slumped over a table, likely asleep.
A graceful woman stood behind the bar, directing a cloth to clean the tables on its own.
Hearing the door, she imdiately flashed a warm smile, but when she saw that it was a student—obviously not old enough for a Hogsade visit—she looked surprised and walked over.
"Child, today isn't a Hogsade weekend, is it? Did you sneak out of school?" she asked with a hint of sternness.
"I'm here to et soone. I got permission from a professor," Wade replied, already spotting the wizard sitting in the corner. He nodded and added, "Sorry to bother you, ma'am. Could I have a non-alcoholic drink, please?"
After speaking, Wade walked toward the corner.
Remus Lupin looked even more worn and aged than Wade had imagined.
It was clear that life had been difficult for him in recent years. As he watched Wade approach, Lupin's eyes gradually widened, and his previously calm face showed clear astonishnt.
"You... you are..."
"Wade Grey," Wade extended his hand and said, "I believe my father has introduced to you?"
"Yes, yes..." Lupin shook his hand awkwardly. "He said you had so business that needed managing, but I thought... uh... I thought you'd be older."
"I understand. Many people think first-year students don't know anything," Wade replied, choosing to sit across from Lupin. Awkwardly, the bar stools were a bit high, and when he sat down, his feet dangled in the air.
Wade shifted back in his seat, hands on the edge, and casually looked at Lupin.
"Let reintroduce myself. I am the inventor of Book of Friends, Wade Grey, a first-year student at Hogwarts.
As you may know, this invention has brought considerable profit. Additionally, I've partnered with Aslan's Magic Workshop for further collaborations—oh, thank you, ma'am."
"Enjoy," said Madam Rosrta, the tavern owner, smiling as she placed a butterbeer on the table in front of Wade. She gave Lupin a glance before leaving. After thanking her, Wade looked at the golden-yellow drink with its creamy foam and suddenly fell silent.
—Is butterbeer really non-alcoholic?
What was it that knocked him out last ti? Just two pieces of chocolate with alcohol?
—Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Butterbeer must have alcohol; otherwise, why call it beer?
—Perhaps Madam Rosrta hadn't heard my request correctly.
Wade snapped out of his thoughts and continued the conversation.
"—So, I need a representative to handle communication with Aslan's Magic Workshop on my behalf. Also, because my learning pace has far surpassed what the school is currently teaching, I need a magical tutor as well."
Lupin thought for a mont, recalling the details from the job ad. "—You want to learn the Patronus Charm? And Animagus transformation?"
"Not just that," Wade replied. "Also the Disillusionnt Charm, Apparition, mory-related spells, and so on. Basically, any magic I don't know, I want to learn."
After a brief pause, Lupin asked quietly, "—Including Dark Magic?"
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⭐Harry Potter: Becoming a Study God (HP:BSG)- 71 Chapters & 2 Chapters/Day
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