Hogwarts and the Holy Grail War

It was like forcing himself to use ancient magic.

Wait a minute, ancient magic, tracker... Could it be...

Ethan's frown deepened.

"Ethan? Are you okay? What are you thinking about?" Alana asked, waving her hand in front of Ethan's eyes.

"Ah, nothing, just something that bothers me a little." Ethan collected his thoughts and smiled apologetically at Alana.

"What are you concerned about? Can you tell me about it?" Alana blinked, with a curious expression on her face.

"…It's the giant monster from before. I always feel like something very important is missing." Ethan thought for a moment and told Alana his thoughts.

It was only a matter of time before he told her his secrets. After all, she was familiar with Professor Figo and he was a trustworthy person. It shouldn't be a big deal to tell her about ancient magic.

"That giant monster?" Alanna frowned and thought, "It's really strange. How did it become immune to magical attacks? Is it some kind of spell? Or is there something wrong with its armor?"

Ethan sighed and raised his head, intending to put all these things aside for the time being, but unexpectedly he saw a familiar figure not far away.

He has a burly figure, a black ponytail, and a monocle on his left eye.

It was Agnas, the technical leader of the Fire Snake Party, who had met Ethan once.

Ethan watched from afar as Agnes looked around furtively, and after making sure that he was not being followed, he turned into an alley.

Ethan's intuition told him that this might be his only chance to find out the reasons behind everything that happened today.

"Follow me." Ethan made a quick decision, called Alanna, and followed Agnes into the alley at the corner.

Chapter 73 I've met the right person after seeing your eyes

Ethan followed Agnes and turned two corners in the alley, arriving at a dilapidated courtyard.

"You're back, Agnas. How's the situation?" A familiar voice sounded from the courtyard. It was the leader of the Salamander Party.

"Things have gotten out of hand, Boss." Agnus's anxious voice sounded, "The troll has been defeated, not a single piece of it is left! And... it has also attracted that Auror, and he is now in Hogsmeade!"

"What?" The little leader took a breath and continued to ask, "You haven't been discovered by him, right?"

Ethan pressed his whole body against the wall, poked his head slightly out of the door, and saw the situation in the courtyard clearly.

In addition to the few Fire Snake Party members who were just seen gathered together, there was also a faceless figure wearing a black robe and a long hood standing at the innermost side of the courtyard.

Well, he definitely doesn't look like a good person.

"Ethan, they are..." Alanna stuck close to Ethan, looking towards the courtyard, and asked in a low voice.

"Shh-"

Ethan gestured to keep quiet, pushed Alanna back into the blind spot outside the door, cast an Disillusionment Spell on himself and Alanna, leaned against the wall outside the door and stuck his head out to continue eavesdropping on the conversation between the people in the courtyard.

Alanna hit Ethan lightly with a hint of dissatisfaction, leaned against Ethan, and also slightly leaned her head out to look at the movements in the courtyard.

"No, I was quite far away from him at the time, and he was talking to someone else and didn't notice me." Agnes shook his head.

"That's good." The little leader let out a long sigh, "We can't afford to lose any more manpower."

At this time, the man wrapped in the black robe spoke.

"So, have you seen the person we are looking for?" His voice was very hoarse and sounded indescribably harsh and disturbing.

"Hmm?" Ethan frowned. He seemed to have heard this voice somewhere before.

"Of course, sir. I saw it clearly." Agnes' attitude became respectful, and he looked a head shorter due to his excessive formality. "It was a yellow-skinned boy, and his name seemed to be... Ethan."

"Okay, okay, let me see what he looks like." The man in black robe said, and stretched out a hand to Agnus, "Legilimency!"

A strange wave spread out from the palm of his hand. Agnas, who was the target of the spell, seemed to have seen something extremely terrifying and let out a fearful scream.

"Hooa ...

After a while, the black-robed man stopped the movement. Agnes felt as if he had been pardoned. His legs softened and he knelt on one knee on the ground. Sweat beads instantly covered his forehead and he couldn't stop breathing heavily.

"So that's it, it's him. I didn't expect... that we actually have this kind of fate... Ethan, very good." The black-robed man withdrew his hand and muttered to himself. Ethan could feel that his tone gradually became a little grim, and the previous calmness was no longer there. "Who is that girl following him?"

"I'm sorry, sir. I was concentrating on Ethan at the time...I didn't see the girl's appearance clearly." Agnes swallowed and answered tremblingly.

"Really? But it doesn't matter. We are only looking for Ethan. The others are nothing to worry about." The man in black robes restrained his emotions and raised his hand to Agnes who was kneeling on one knee. "Get up. You did a good job."

"Thank you for your compliment, sir. This is what I should do." Agnes stood up tremblingly and cautiously asked, "Then sir, what you saw of me..."

"Don't worry, I'm not interested in your life, and I don't want to comment on it." The man in black robe snorted coldly and said disdainfully.

"Thank you, sir." Agnes stepped aside and stood stiffly.

The Fire Snake Party leader swallowed his saliva and politely asked the man in black robe: "So what should we do next, sir?"

"Let's keep our troops in place for the time being." The man in black robe sighed and continued, "I originally thought that once they left Hogwarts, they would be in trouble. But I didn't expect them to grow so fast."

"You can see that my current methods are useless to him. Now I can only wait for the right opportunity and organize a counterattack after I recover my strength."

The man in black suddenly coughed twice, and became visibly weaker. "I don't have much time now. This body can't hold out for much longer. How long will it take you to get ready?"

"It won't take long, sir." The little leader answered confidently, "We will be done by next spring at the latest."

"No, it's still too long. You have to hurry up." The man in black robe coughed again and said, "Christmas, we have to prepare it before Christmas!"

"Yes, I will definitely live up to your trust, sir." The little leader bowed, a smug smile flashing in his eyes, "Once we have prepared the ceremony, no matter whether it is that Auror or that Ethan, as long as they come, they will never come back!"

"Very good, remember to do things in a way that is concealed from others." The man in black robe gave the little leader a meaningful look and said calmly, "I will create an opportunity for you to settle your personal grudges when the time comes, but if you still can't get rid of him, then I will no longer need you."

"I understand. I won't let you down." The little leader's throat moved twice, and he finally agreed.

"That's good. I believe in your ability, and I will lend you a helping hand when the time comes." The man in black robe nodded, and walked forward a few steps at an unhurried pace. Suddenly he raised his head, his eyes flashing with an inexplicable red light, and said with feeling, "We have guests."

Ethan suddenly felt a chill running up his feet to his heart. He cried out inwardly that something was wrong and subconsciously pushed Alana, who was leaning on him, back a few steps from the door.

"Come out." The man in black robe said lightly and snapped his fingers. Ethan felt as if a bucket of cold water was poured on him, and the disillusionment spell on him and Alanna was immediately lifted.

Ethan's half body was exposed in front of the Fire Snakes from the door. He smiled awkwardly, raised his hand and greeted the Fire Snakes who were staring at him in amazement and had not yet reacted: "Ciao~"

Then he immediately turned around, picked up Alanna and ran away.

At the same time, the Fire Snake Party in the yard finally came to their senses. The leader pointed at the door and quickly gave orders to his minions: "Quick, catch up with him! Don't let him get away!"

"Yes!" The minions swarmed out like hornets, ran out of the courtyard and chased after the two people not far away.

As Ethan ran, he looked back at the Fire Snakes who were chasing him. He shook his wrist slightly, and the wand in his sleeve slipped into his palm.

"Fumos!"

A stream of smoke spurted out from the tip of the wand, and the thick silver-white fog enveloped him and Alanna, blocking the view of the pursuers behind them.

"Go this way."

Ethan pulled Alana into a sharp turn in the thick fog, then cast an Disillusionment Spell on him and Alana and continued running desperately.

After they ran out of the alleyway with many twists and turns and entered the busy main street of Hogsmeade, and put some distance between themselves and the alley entrance, they lifted the Disillusionment Charm, slowed down their pace and took a deep breath.

Alanna wiped the sweat from her forehead and asked breathlessly, "Did they find us?"

Ethan covered his chest and shook his head. “It wasn’t us. It was me. You should not have been discovered by them.”

"Who are they?" Alana looked up at Ethan and asked in confusion, "I heard everything just now. They are looking for you. Why?"

She was afraid that Ethan was falling into some unknown danger again.

"They are the Fire Snake Gang. They are looking for me because..." Ethan answered while constantly looking back at the entrance of the alley to see what the Fire Snake Gang was doing.

Four Fire Snake Gang minions in black robes ran out of the alley, looking around. When Ethan turned around, his eyes accidentally met those of a red-haired man, and the two of them fell into an extremely awkward stare-conversation.

After confirming through eye contact, I knew that this was the person I wanted to catch.

I can tell from the look in his eyes that he's the one who wants to mess with me.

Red Hair came to his senses, quickly pointed out Ethan's location to his accomplices, and rushed towards Ethan together with his accomplices.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Ethan pulled Alana and ran towards the three brooms not far away.

"I'll explain it later. Come on, three brooms first!"

Chapter 74 Clearly arranged

The Three Broomsticks, the most popular bar in Hogsmeade, dates back to the 17th century. In addition to the store's signature hot butter beer, it also offers a variety of drinks such as honey wine, red currant rum, and cherry syrup soda.

So almost every wizard who comes to Hogsmeade will come here to sit.

This also resulted in the bar being always full of people, extremely crowded and noisy, and there was always hot smoke lingering in the bar.

The owner of the bar, Ms. Rosmurta, was about 40 years old, maybe a little older. She had been running the Three Broomsticks when Harry's father was studying at Hogwarts.

She has a wide range of interpersonal relationships, and even the current Minister of Magic Fudge has drunk with her. She is also very good at brewing wine. Dumbledore once brought her oak-ripened honey wine to a visitor and praised it for being very good.

Moreover, Ms. Rosmuta has a very good appearance and figure. She is still charming even at the age of over 40. Teenagers who are just beginning to fall in love cannot control themselves when they see her.

Yes, I'm talking about you, Ron Weasley.

At this time, Ms. Rosmuta was standing behind the counter, wiping wine glasses and greeting customers skillfully.

boom!

The wooden door of the bar was roughly pushed open, and two young men carrying large and small bags rushed into the store, bent over and gasping for breath.

It's Ethan and Alanna.

Ms. Rosmuta's brows tightened, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly put on a polite smile: "Welcome to the Three Broomsticks. What would you like to order today?"

She paused, looked at Ethan who just raised his head and looked at her, and raised her eyebrows: "Ah, here comes a new face I've never seen before, welcome, welcome. Would you like a cup of butterbeer?"

"Please wait a moment, ma'am." Ethan waved to Madam Rosmuta, then chose a table for two people near the door, slapped two gold galleons on the table, and said to the customers at the table: "I'm sorry to bother you. Could you please let me, your friend, sit here for a while? This will be my apology to you."

The two girls who were originally sitting at the table saw the glittering gold galleons. The disgust they had felt for Ethan's sudden interruption disappeared in an instant. They put on a smile and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Don't worry, young man. We promise to take good care of your friend."

"Thank you very much, both of you." Ethan smiled apologetically, turned around and pressed Alanna to sit on the seat next to the table with her back to the door, and said, "Alanna, just sit here for a while until I finish my business, okay?"

Alanna nodded in confusion.

Ethan turned around and was about to leave, but then he thought of something and turned back to warn the two girls again: "If anything happens later, I'll have to trouble you two to help comfort my friend. Don't let her stand up and show off, okay?"

After saying that, Ethan took out two gold Galleons from his pocket and flashed them at the two witches.

"Of course, brother, just rest assured, we will take care of it."

When the two saw that Ethan was so generous, they immediately patted their chests and agreed.

You basically don't have to do anything, just help look after the little girl next to you for a while and you can get two full gold Galleons. It would be hard to get such a good thing again if you miss it.

"Okay, thank you." Ethan nodded, and then instructed Alanna, "By the way, Alanna, take off your coat first and put on the periwinkle tuxedo I just bought for you. Quickly."

Alanna tilted her head, obediently took out the tuxedo she had just bought from her bag, changed out of her cobalt blue coat, sat on the chair and looked at Ethan obediently.

"Yeah, it's beautiful." Ethan nodded. "I'll be back soon, just wait for me."

After Ethan finished speaking, he ignored Alanna's gradually flushed face, turned around and walked to the bar, chose a seat near the inside and sat down.

As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest place. If it is the innermost area of ​​the bar, it may be the focus of the search by the Fire Snakes. The area close to the door may become a blind spot due to perceptual inertia and will not be taken seriously. So he arranged Alana to sit at the door. At the same time, he also let her lean against the door to prevent the Fire Snakes from seeing her as soon as they entered the room.

As for me, I will separate from Alanna and sit down in a place that is not so conspicuous but can be easily seen. In this way, the Fire Snake Party will be able to see me after a brief search, and focus their attention on me. This will prevent them from turning around to look at the door after searching the inside of the house, and then discovering Alanna sitting at the door.

Although they didn't see Alana's face, and he had asked Alana to change his coat just in case in case they recognized him through his clothes, it was still better to be cautious.

"Ma'am, please give me and that lady a glass of butterbeer each!" Ethan placed four silver Sickles on the bar, snapped his fingers, and called to Ms. Rosmuta.

"Okay, I'll be right there." Ms. Rosmuta watched Ethan's operation quietly throughout the whole process. She waved the magic wand lightly, and the two glasses flew under the faucet of the barrel. The faucet opened automatically with a squeak, and the hot butter beer slowly flowed into the cup, creating thick foam.

Ethan watched as a glass filled with butterbeer flew in front of him, and another glass flew over the bar and landed on the table in front of Alanna. He picked up the glass in front of him and took a sip.

"Ha~" Ethan made a panting sound that seemed to be only made by a middle-aged man drinking beer. The butter beer had a sweet and mellow taste like toffee, which was very much to his taste.

No wonder it’s the signature drink of this store, it’s really delicious.

"Two Sickles will be enough. Your first drink is on my table." Ms. Rosmuta came to Ethan and took out two silver coins from the bar and pushed them back.

“Oh, how can I say this?” Ethan blinked and quickly put the two silver coins back into his pocket. “Then I won’t be polite.”

"Haha," Ms. Rosmuta chuckled, covering her mouth, "you are a really interesting guy."

"I'll take that as a compliment, ma'am." Ethan shrugged and took a sip of his butterbeer.

"Rosmuta, just call me Ms. Rosmuta." Ms. Rosmuta glanced at Ethan with interest, then leaned against the bar and approached Ethan to ask in a gossipy voice, "What is your relationship with Miss Shanans? You obviously came here together, why don't you sit together?"

"Alanna? You know her too?" Ethan raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Oh, you even called her by her name. It seems like you're quite close." Ms. Rosmuta's eyes shone with a desire for gossip. "She's your girlfriend, right?"

"No, just friends," Ethan replied, shaking his head as his eyes began to drift around.