When Wade woke, his head felt heavy and muddled.
Yet the deep sleep he had enjoyed the previous night had left his body full of energy.
The mismatch between his physical and mental condition made him feel uncomfortable all over.
"Went out again last night?" Tom had just returned from the washroom carrying a towel and washbasin when he noticed Wade's exhausted expression.
"Does going out halfway count as going out?" Wade asked.
His consciousness had gone out while his body remained behind. That surely counted as going out halfway.
Tom did not understand. "What are you talking about? Did some strange spell damage your brain yesterday?"
"What class do we have this morning?" Wade asked.
"Your favourite, Potions," Tom replied after checking the timetable.
Wade rolled over and lay back down. "Then ask Professor Slughorn for leave on my behalf. Tell him I'm exhausted and need to rest."
Tom set down the washbasin and looked at Wade suspiciously. "You really weren't hit by some strange curse, were you?"
"No. I just had a very tiring dream last night," Wade replied weakly.
His body was so energetic that he could not remain still, yet his mental exhaustion left him dazed and sluggish.
Wade casually asked Tom about the Sorting Ceremony, since he had not eaten in the Great Hall the previous night.
Besides Yelena being Sorted into Slytherin, Hagrid had followed the original course of history and been placed in Gryffindor.
Hagrid was delighted to have joined Dumbledore's former House.
Charlie's younger sister, Eileen Prince, had also started school and been Sorted into Slytherin.
Oh... Professor Snape's future mother?
Wade then asked how the evening edition of the Daily Prophet had reported the attack.
Tom simply tossed him the newspaper and told him to read it himself.
Wade opened it and immediately saw a photograph of himself from behind.
A ferocious giant stood opposite him, while the shadowy figures of wizards could be seen through the white mist behind it.
"Tch... Who took this photograph? It looks incredible!" Wade said with satisfaction.
Tom replied jealously, "Should I give you a scrapbook so you can paste the clipping inside as a keepsake?"
"No need. There will be plenty more news about me in the future," Wade said cheerfully.
Tom found Wade's casual boasting extremely irritating.
By then, Wade had finished reading the article.
In summary, the Ministry still did not know who the attackers were or what their objective had been.
Wade understood that Dumbledore had withheld the crucial information.
After all, if everyone learned that the attackers had targeted the Hogwarts Express because of Wade, he would not only cease to be a hero in their eyes, but might even become the object of their resentment.
Unfortunately, that was simply human nature.
So what if you drove the enemy away?
They came because of you. We were all injured because of you.
There would inevitably be people who thought that way.
Dumbledore understood this, so he had deliberately concealed that detail.
"It doesn't sound like anything serious. You probably shouldn't skip class. There are already plenty of people waiting for you in the common room," Tom said.
"Waiting for me?"
"Of course. You fought over a hundred enemies yesterday and saved everyone. Did you really think no one would react? The newspapers praised you extensively as well. How could everyone ignore that? Wait, Wade, isn't this exactly the sort of scene you've always wanted? So many people admire you now. All you have to do is stand on a platform and say a few words..."
"A speech?" Wade asked with a smile.
"Yes. Isn't this the perfect opportunity to instil your ideas in them?" Tom said excitedly.
"No, this isn't the best time." Wade shook his head. "They've gathered in the common room this morning because they're impressed by my strength. Even if I say a few words, they would have to relate to power. If I suddenly started discussing ideology or even the Mutual Aid Society, they would only find it confusing."
"...An opportunity like this is rare, but there's nothing we can do with it?" Tom sounded unwilling to accept that.
"Of course there is." Wade smiled. "I only need to stand there with a smile and accept their cheers. Those who witnessed the battle will naturally exaggerate my achievements as they tell everyone else, just like after the duel between you and me in front of Dumbledore."
Tom thought for a moment, then understood.
"So simply appearing today will deepen the impression you've already made, especially the impression of your strength. Right. The less you say, the better. You don't even need to speak. Maintain an air of mystery, and they'll fill in the rest themselves."
"More or less. Saying anything else probably wouldn't achieve much, so it's better to say nothing," Wade agreed.
"What a shame..." Tom finally sighed.
"What is?"
Tom replied regretfully, "None of the Mutual Aid Society members managed to take part in yesterday's battle. If we had intervened in front of everyone, even if we had only cast a few token spells, we could have gained far more from it. We could claim that we became strong enough to participate in a battle like that because you taught us magic. That would reinforce the impression of your strength even further."
Wade smiled and patted Tom on the shoulder.
"Tom, you really have grown. You're already capable of analysing so much."
Tom was only thirteen this year.
For a thirteen-year-old boy to spend his time studying people's motives instead of thinking about games and entertainment, and to understand things at this level already, was proof of his extraordinary talent.
As long as he did not split his soul to create Horcruxes in the future, he would never become the madman known as Voldemort.
"My strength is still far too weak," Tom said, clenching his fists unwillingly.
"You're still young, Tom. Don't rush. You're already extremely powerful for your age. I doubt even Dumbledore was as strong as you when he was thirteen," Wade said with a smile.
"That would be a good attempt at comfort if it hadn't come from you," Tom replied bitterly.
Powerful for his age?
Was Wade not the same age as him?
Coming from Wade, the words sounded like nothing more than shameless boasting.
"Me? I'm different. I'm a super-genius."
Tom ground his teeth but found himself unable to argue.
Tch. How irritating.
...
The Slytherin common room was already packed with students.
The moment Wade appeared at the entrance to the dormitory stairs, the room erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Everyone looked at him with admiration.
Even the stubborn pure-bloods who had always been hostile towards Wade were forced to raise their hands and offer a few reluctant claps.
At Hogwarts, especially among Slytherins, there was no one who did not admire strength.
During their school years, even winning a single House Quidditch match could turn someone into a hero.
To them, Wade's deeds were like believers witnessing a miracle performed by Jesus.
If they had merely heard the story, no one would have believed it.
But most of them had witnessed it with their own eyes.
One against a hundred, overwhelming and magnificent, combined with the iconic photograph printed in the Daily Prophet...
For the Slytherin students, it was devastatingly impressive.
Tom stood to one side, watching Wade surrounded by the crowd, his heart filled with envy.
Could some people truly be born to become the centre of every story?
Suddenly, Tom sensed someone step up beside him.
Professor Slughorn stood beside him, watching Wade with admiration in his eyes.
"Jealous, Tom?"
Tom nodded. "More than jealous, Professor. I'm practically consumed with envy."
"I know how close the two of you are, Tom, and I understand how painful it is to watch a good friend leave you far behind. So I don't really know how to comfort you. But perhaps you haven't noticed that while you're envying others, many people are envying you as well."
"Envious of me?" Tom looked at Professor Slughorn in surprise.
"Why wouldn't they be? Do you think you're weak? You managed the Mutual Aid Society so efficiently in your second year that even many older students obeyed you without complaint. Do you think just anyone could do that?" Professor Slughorn patted Tom on the shoulder.
"There will always be someone better than you, Tom. So while we may admire those who surpass us, we must never belittle ourselves. If you can't be first, there's nothing wrong with being second."
"Professor, are you trying to persuade me to remain second forever?" Tom asked with a sigh.
Professor Slughorn turned to look at him. "What else can you do?"
Tom opened his mouth but said nothing. When he looked at Wade on the platform, the defiance in his heart finally gave way to helplessness.
"You're right. What else can I do? I can't beat him... What do I have to do to become stronger than him?" Tom asked dejectedly.
"At least you won't have to endure the boredom Wade feels, not for now. Being first is actually rather dull."
Professor Slughorn smiled and left the common room.
"How could being first possibly be dull?" Tom muttered dismissively.
He looked once more at Wade, who was surrounded by admirers.
"Tch. For now, I'll admit you're better."
...
That evening, in the Great Hall.
Amid enthusiastic applause, Wade walked up to Headmaster Dippet before the entire school.
One look at the complicated expression in Dippet's eyes told Wade that Dumbledore had persuaded him.
Still, he wondered how Dumbledore had managed to convince the stubborn old man.
"You may begin casting your spell," Headmaster Dippet whispered into Wade's ear as he handed him the trophy for the Special Award for Services to the School.
Wade glanced towards Dumbledore, whose expression had suddenly become surprised, then smiled brightly.
"Begin? But I've already finished."
Under Headmaster Dippet's shocked gaze, Wade's figure began to turn translucent.
____
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Read 12 Advance Chapters—P@t- Captain69