Stepping out of the greenhouse, Wade gauged the distance to the castle and decisively raised his wand:
"Broom, come!"
A broomstick soared through a Ravenclaw Tower window, arced through the air, and settled steadily beside Wade.
He mounted the broom and skillfully flew straight back to his dormitory.
Wade had previously thought that if he were to buy a broom, he would definitely buy a new, unused model.
Just like he wouldn't want a used car.
However, ever since the three house-elves joyfully presented him with this broomstick, Wade's perspective had changed.
So what if it was an old Cleansweep 140?
He wasn't participating in Quidditch matches anyway. As a temporary mode of transport, an old broom could perform the same functions as a new one.
This broom carried an immensely sincere intention, which made it more precious than a thousand-Galleon racing broom.
Moreover, after Wade received it, he had repeatedly modified the enchantments on the broom. Now, although this broom wasn't as fast as the Firebolt series, its stability and comfort were in no way inferior.
Wade returned to his dormitory and quickly showered. The castle bells were already ringing. He changed into clean clothes and went to the Great Hall, where many students were already eating lunch.
Wade casually picked an empty seat. Just as he forked a piece of steak and roasted bread for himself, Michael sat beside him as usual.
Wade looked at him in surprise.
Michael raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
He reached for a treacle tart, then deliberated between several roasted meats.
Wade lowered his eyes and chuckled, "After what was said about me today, I thought you'd keep your distance from me."
Michael clicked his tongue.
"Why would I push away my friend because of what an enemy says?" He wiggled a finger. "If I were that easily provoked, I would have separated from you in Herbology."
"True."
Wade nodded, and the faint worry in his heart dissipated.
Michael, however, glanced towards the Slytherin table.
Malfoy was still in a foul mood. He didn't eat much; it seemed he had a conflict with someone next to him, pushed his plate away, and strode out of the Great Hall.
Crabbe and Goyle seemed to want to follow him, but looking at the food on the long table, they ultimately stayed behind.
Michael narrowed his eyes.
Bad ideas bubbled up from Michael's mind like air bubbles.
Suddenly, a beautiful girl passed in front of him, her reddish-golden curls seemingly glowing. Michael's gaze was unconsciously drawn to her.
Someone nearby loudly "hmph"-ed, walked past Michael, and bumped him hard, almost sending him tumbling into his plate.
Michael was about to get angry, but then he saw that the person who bumped him was Padma.
The girl glared down at him, her eyes like knives. Michael immediately averted his gaze and forced a flattering smile.
"Have you eaten, Padma?"
Padma "hmph"-ed again, turned, and walked away with her dormmate.
Michael awkwardly rubbed his nose.
After Padma left, he unconsciously looked at the girl again, surprised to find it was Marietta, a third-year.
A girl whose appearance hadn't been particularly outstanding in the past.
But in just one summer, she had become remarkably beautiful and exceptionally dazzling and charming.
"Girls change so suddenly, don't they..." Michael said with feeling.
"What?" Wade was confused.
"Hmm..."
Just as Michael was about to speak, he suddenly realized it wasn't just Marietta. Many girls in the Great Hall... and even some boys... looked significantly different from last term.
Simply put, they all became more attractive.
He touched his own tanned face from the beach and felt a little dejected.
"It's truly peculiar," Michael said to Wade. "Why is everyone else becoming more attractive, and I'm just getting darker?"
Wade looked around and immediately understood, asking, "Does your family not subscribe to Witch Weekly?"
"Yeah," Michael said. "Isn't that usually for witches?"
Witch Weekly was a magazine that featured celebrity gossip, quizzes, divination, recipes, knitting, and advice columns, making it very popular among witches.
Michael's mother was a Muggle, and their family, besides the Daily Prophet, only subscribed to Muggle-published women's magazines.
"A few days ago, Witch Weekly published an article. You'll understand why when you see it."
Wade pulled a magazine from his bag and handed it to Michael.
One of his pen-box forms was designed as a school bag. Since it weighed nothing, he usually stuffed many random things inside and was too lazy to take them out.
Michael took the magazine and looked at him strangely. "Wade, you subscribe to Witch Weekly?"
Wade's expression was normal. "These are samples sent to me by someone else."
Michael opened the magazine and immediately saw several comparison photos, in color.
Witches in their twenties and fifties, a middle-aged balding wizard, and a freckled young person.
The same person, wearing the same clothes, standing in the same position for photos. One photo showed a dull complexion and rough skin; the other was radiant, with delicate and beautiful skin.
Upon closer inspection, it was an article introducing the new product from Aslan's Magical Workshop: the Soft Glow Badge.
Every line of the article told people that a small badge could instantly give an ordinary person beauty comparable to a Veela.
It also implied that those who didn't wear this badge in the future would likely lose love, confidence, and a harmonious family.
Wait a minute...
Aslan's Magical Workshop?
Michael immediately grabbed Wade's arm. "Wade, this isn't your invention too, is it?"
Wade nodded and asked, "Why are you so excited? This is a product for women."
"Who says!"
Michael dramatically unfurled the magazine and pointed to the two male wizards displayed as examples.
"See? The pursuit of beauty knows no gender! Many boys in school are definitely wearing the badge too!"
He knew it! Malfoy even looked more refined than usual today.
Though that guy was usually good-looking, he hadn't noticed too obvious a difference. But some people had changed dramatically, almost as if they had a new face.
"Hmm... boys are wearing it too, so what?"
Wade leaned slightly to the side, asking.
"You must have some ready, right?" Michael said eagerly. "Sell me one! I want it this afternoon!"
"No need to sell, I can just give you one. Be aware it's only valid for a month."
Wade pulled out a stack of badges from his bag and handed them to Michael.
For the launch of the new product, Marchionne, as before, not only sent magazines but also a pile of samples. Wade simply stuffed them into his bag, not planning to use them.
Michael, grinning as he put them away, said, "How can I accept this?"
"They're just samples, I didn't pay for them," Wade said. "You're not bad-looking, why do you want something like this?"
"Well..." Michael winked. "That's a secret."
Still 2000 words; this chapter is a partial gift.