Bang!
Suddenly, Snape shot to his feet.
He stared at the portrait with wide eyes, a flicker of something close to fear in his expression.
As though he were facing a terrible curse—or the sweetest dessert he had ever seen.
That flowing hair, those gleaming eyes, that radiant smile as bright as sunlight…
It was just a black-and-white charcoal portrait, and yet, Snape could almost see the fiery red hair, the brilliant emerald eyes. He could almost hear the silvery laughter echoing by his ear.
A voice he would never hear again, calling his name—
"Severus~!"
So lifelike.
Snape snapped out of his daze.
He abruptly pulled the drawing away, raising a hand as if to tear it—only to carefully lower it and fold the portrait with the utmost caution.
Damn it.
Now Snape understood why this mere picture could have Muggles so utterly entranced.
It wasn't a portrait. It was a devil's work of art.
"Well, sir?" Ethan's lips curled into a smile. "Are you satisfied?"
"…How do you… know this person?"
Snape's voice was low and deliberate, each word pressed through clenched teeth as his obsidian eyes bore into Ethan's.
Ethan tapped his temple, giving a half-truth, half-lie answer.
"You projected a thought to me—a very strong image. I merely brought it to life."
He was in a fantastic mood.
Based on Snape's reaction, Ethan was sure of it: this portrait was a success.
Look how much Professor Snape liked it!
...
[A high-grade artwork has been detected. Automatically added to Gallery.]
[Title: "Always" (Gifted)]
[Type: Portrait]
[Grade: Tier One – Rare White]
[Description: A portrait of a deceased person; one man's lifelong love.]
[Effect: Vividly evokes memories and emotional immersion. When gifted, permanently increases favorability with the recipient.]
[This painting can be viewed in your Gallery.]
[Current Number of Works in Gallery: 1]
[Reach 5 paintings to unlock the Beginner's Gift Pack.]
[Your Soul Integration has increased by 1%.]
[Current Soul Integration: 26%]
.....
As the system announced the updates, a wave of warmth spread through Ethan's limbs.
Like a freezing person sipping hot soup, he realized just how stiff and sluggish his magical power had felt before.
So this was what it felt like to increase soul integration…
Even if it was just a 1% boost, he could already feel a difference. He'd be able to produce high-quality paintings more easily now.
But what had caused the improvement?
Ethan looked up at Professor Snape.
Maybe it had to do with interacting with important figures of this world?
He made a mental note.
Ultimately, all answers lay within Hogwarts.
What he knew for certain was that if he wanted to improve his painting ability—if he wanted to create more extraordinary works—
He had to increase his soul integration rate.
Hogwarts…
He could hardly wait.
Ethan's eyes darkened thoughtfully, his tongue running over his molars.
"…Originally, I was going to report your… abnormal situation to the Ministry of Magic," Snape muttered, almost to himself. "Or at the very least, to Dumbledore."
"But then I thought—what does this have to do with me?"
Snape's lips curled into a faint smirk as he pulled a letter from inside his robes and handed it to Ethan.
"I'm just here to deliver a letter. Nothing more."
Wow, he really made a bribe sound elegant.
Ethan clicked his tongue inwardly but took the envelope with curiosity.
It was thick and heavy, sealed with a wax stamp in the shape of a shield.
At the center was a large, ornate "H," surrounded by four animals—lion, snake, badger, and eagle.
A Hogwarts acceptance letter!
A surge of excitement burst in Ethan's chest.
He tore open the envelope—careful not to damage the beautiful seal—and pulled out the thick parchment within.
.....
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class; Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot; Supreme Mugwump, International Confederation of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Vincent,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1st. Due to your unique circumstances, a liaison will be assigned to provide guidance prior to term.
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
....
The second page listed textbooks and required school supplies.
Then, regardless of whether Ethan was keeping up, Snape launched into a long lecture about the wizarding world.
He explained what Muggles were, what Hogwarts was, and the four houses.
Although he was clearly reluctant, perhaps because of that portrait, Snape's explanations were surprisingly detailed.
"I must remind you," Snape said darkly, "that your current behavior has already violated the Wizarding Statute of Secrecy—specifically, displaying magic in front of Muggles."
"Namely, your idiotic paintings."
"Before the school year has even started, the Ministry had to dispatch several Obliviators to erase the memories of those poor Muggles—just to get them to stop staring at your cursed drawings."
"They also confiscated every last one of your… forbidden items."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Confiscated? Including the one I just gave you, Professor Snape?"
"…"
Snape choked.
He narrowed his eyes at Ethan's wide-eyed, innocent face—pretending that was just a casual question.
"…If you end up in my house—Slytherin—I will be sure to personally watch over your progress."
Snape's voice hissed like a snake through clenched teeth.
With a dramatic wave of his hand, a cloth pouch clinked onto the table, coins rustling inside.
Beside it lay a ticket to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
"Hogwarts offers support for special students like yourself. It's not much, but if you're careful, it'll be enough for a while."
"As for everything you need to know before school starts—I've told you already. I trust the young art genius of Spinner's End can find his own way to Diagon Alley."
"I can do that. Thank you for coming all the way, Professor Snape," Ethan replied with a nod and a smile.
Snape snorted, walking to the empty cabinet, brushing a finger over its dusty surface like a judge passing judgment.
Then, like a large black bat, he swept out through the door and disappeared.
Ethan closed the door behind him and let out a long breath. Clutching the envelope, it all felt like a dream.
That's when he noticed something.
In the once-empty cabinet, a book had appeared.
Ethan walked over and saw a black leather cover with simple golden lettering: [Complete Guide to Potions]
He didn't even have to guess who had left it.
"Well, well, such a tsundere, Professor Snape."
Ethan chuckled and shook his head.
He eagerly picked up the book and flipped it open. Inside were notes written by its previous owner.
"Bezoar: A stone taken from a goat's stomach, capable of neutralizing many poisons. Commonly used in antidotes…
Note: Has a strong, foul stench. If it doesn't, it's fake."
"Ugh, even the name sounds disgusting…"
Still, Ethan figured, when it came to life-or-death situations, he probably wouldn't be picky.
By the lamplight, he kept reading.
It was late now. Though he was buzzing with excitement, Ethan decided to wait until morning to shop in Diagon Alley.
....
The Next Morning, Charing Cross Road, London.
Ethan stood between a bookstore and a record shop.
People bustled by without giving him—or the spot he was watching—a second glance.
The Leaky Cauldron.