Chapter 1079
The Unexpected Visitor
Chapter 1079 The Unexpected Visitor
Outside the umbrella house, Luna appeared beside Astoria.
She tilted her head, her silver-gray eyes misty as she looked at Ron and Theo. There was no hostility or scrutiny in her gaze; rather, it was as if she had seen something interesting.
She said slowly to Ron, "You seem to be bothered by swarms of horseflies. Do you need me to get rid of them for you?"
Ron looked completely bewildered: "Expel...what?"
"Alright, Ron."
A hand pressed down on his shoulder from behind, applying slight pressure.
Ron turned around and saw Wade say, "You go back to practice, I'll handle this."
"Oh fine."
Ron actually wanted to ask what a harassing fly was, but looking at Luna's dazed eyes, his intuition told him it was best not to ask.
He scratched his head, glanced at Astoria again, and wanted to say something, but couldn't bring himself to say it.
Ron told himself that as a newcomer, it was best not to offer any opinions on the selection process.
Harry patted Ron on the arm as he walked toward the practice area, his ears still perked up, his attention focused on the sounds behind him.
Wade arrived at the door and looked at the three people standing there.
Luna waved and said happily, "Hi, Wade."
Her voice was ethereal, carrying a sense of entitlement that "we meet again."
Astoria looked up at him, her eyes clear and unwavering, her lips slightly pursed.
Beside them stood a man who hadn't uttered a word the entire time—Rolf Scamander.
The boy stood there with his hands behind his back, a hint of unease on his face, scratching his cheek with his fingers.
He met Wade's gaze, smiled shyly, and said in a low voice, "I know this seems a little strange... but we came anyway."
“Of course, I’m glad to see you.” Wade smiled, stepped aside to make way for the doorway, and said, “Come in.”
Rolf's eyes lit up. He took half a step forward, craned his neck to look inside the umbrella house, and asked in a low voice, "Is it okay?"
“Of course you can.” Wade chuckled. “This isn’t our private property; it’s just an empty classroom that the school allowed us to borrow.”
His gaze swept across the corridor, then turned to a few younger students, and he said gently, "Besides, it's not proper for us to be talking while standing in the doorway."
Once the three of them were inside, Wade glanced casually outside again and closed the door.
……
At Hogwarts, SSC—whose full name is "Star Chasers"—has become a legend among many students, a name that evokes both awe and suspicion.
While Wade was undoubtedly outstanding, the others were equally impressive.
Harry is the famous "savior," Hermione is one of the best students in her year, and the Weasley twins are not only interesting, but their various inventions are also very popular among students.
This is different from Wade's invention.
Many of Vader's alchemical creations gradually became "essential items" in daily life, just like blankets and fireplaces, which were needed by everyone.
And the Weasley brothers' works? Absurd and full of fun, like chocolate—you don't have to eat it, but every bite brings joy.
As for Michael and the others, their grades were always among the best, but what truly made them stand out was their maturity and insight beyond their years. Neville was originally considered a drag on SSC, and was even secretly ostracized because of it.
But one day, the boy who used to be so helpless started to change.
He no longer lowered his head to avoid other people's gaze, nor did he simply endure or secretly cry when Slytherin bullied him.
He can stand tall and face the malice of others with his head held high, steadfast and composed, like a tree that slowly takes root.
Neville has always struggled in some subjects, such as Potions; but in others, he has become the one others need to strive for.
Because of these outstanding members, and especially considering Neville's growth and changes, the rumors circulating about SSC among the students began to become increasingly outrageous—
"Actually, it was Vader who found the Ravenclaw's lost crown," the Ravenclaw students declared confidently. "They will take turns wearing the crown and share their wisdom!"
The Slytherin student said somberly, "No, those people obtained the secret treasure left behind by Slytherin. Do you remember that basilisk? It was the guardian of the treasure!"
"You've all got it wrong!" the Gryffindor student said with absolute certainty. "What the SSC discovered is a secret room hidden in the castle. Time flows differently inside and outside the room. One hour of study there might only be one second in the outside world!"
“But the version I heard is… Wade is actually a wizard who has lived for a thousand years. He has studied alchemy for a thousand years, and now he has simply made himself young again, to live a second life…”
Hufflepuff's students, half-believing and half-doubting, uttered the most outrageous rumors.
……
With all these accolades surrounding them, when the three stepped into the Umbrella House, even Luna couldn't help but turn her gaze and curiously observe her surroundings.
Rolf and Astoria, needless to say, wished they had eight eyes to see every single detail.
Seeing them struggling to turn their gazes, trying to see what was happening on the other side of the partition wall, Wade couldn't help but laugh:
"How about... I show you around?"
The three nodded hurriedly, like chicks pecking at rice.
To their surprise, yet not entirely unexpected, the place was indeed just an activity room converted from an empty classroom.
In each individual's area, the bookshelves and desks form a semi-enclosed structure, not much different from the desks in many students' homes.
Some tables were messy, some were neat, some looked empty, and some were filled with various items.
There was no crown, nor any Slytherin treasure; they were just ordinary items.
The reference books on the shelf can all be found in the school library or outside bookstores; there are no secret manuals left behind by "ancient wizards".
The practice area has been renovated several times. There are many targets and soft mats piled up in the corner, and the walls of the partition in the middle are covered with traces of spells, making the room look particularly old.
In addition, there are some strange decorations on the walls, including "garlands" made of stones and vines, crooked sailboats, and some terrifying clay figurines that resemble the legendary "cursed dolls"—of course, the kind that don't move.
Those appalling "handicrafts" were just hanging openly on the wall, and Astoria suspected that she would look better if she just threw a lump of mud on the ground.
"Look, this is SSC."
After walking around, Vader invited them to sit down around the small tea table. He waved his wand, and several teacups flew over and landed in front of the three of them. The teapot tilted and poured them three cups of fragrant black tea.
He looked up and asked, "You just said...you wanted to join?"
(End of this chapter)