The voice reverberated through the Great Hall like a heavy hammer striking stone, stunning the just-awakened students into complete silence.
Students wearing rumpled sleep caps, disheveled and bleary-eyed, stared blankly at the radiant Ethan standing confidently before them. After a long, confused moment, Neville silently crawled back into his sleeping bag, muttering, "I must still be dreaming."
Harry's face turned ashen—the same expression he'd worn upon learning their first class would be Potions. The practical activity was a bit too... literal.
"Think about Sirius, Harry!" Ron whispered from beside him, chuckling nervously. Anyway, Ethan can't really take us to ancient times to participate in an actual goblin rebellion. It'll probably just be split into two groups—one playing goblins, one playing wizards. Playing war games like that.
"Hey!" Harry punched Ron's shoulder, and they looked at each other, laughing together nervously. Only Hermione seemed genuinely worried for some reason.
"Hmph, ignore her. She's probably just worried about that scary cat of hers!" Ron lovingly stroked Scabbers in his pocket, who'd been acting sick. Ever since last night's Sirius attack, the elderly gray rat had been trembling constantly, as if suffering tremendous fright.
This relaxed, dismissive attitude continued until Friday evening at the Forbidden Forest's edge. Over a dozen magnificent Hippogriffs flared their nostrils, their powerful wings beating restlessly, sharp talons impatiently scraping the ground. Their tall, robust bodies gleamed with cold, hard silver armor reflecting the dying light.
In the dim tree shadows, only a sea of heads was visible—silent and utterly wordless.
Ethan stood before everyone, slowly pulling back his pitch-black hood. Surveying the nervous yet curious faces, he said hoarsely, "You came."
Professor Snape stood to the side thinking: This scene feels disturbingly familiar—like being transported back to Voldemort's meetings.
Professor Lupin and Headmaster Dumbledore stood observing nearby. Leading the student group were Morning Star Club members: Harry, Hermione, Luna, Cedric, Neville, and the Weasley twins. Following them were carefully selected excellent students from various years—Slytherin's Gemma Farley, Ravenclaw's Penelope Clearwater, Gryffindor's Quidditch captain Wood, and others.
Ethan's voice rang out sharply, pulling everyone's scattered thoughts back. "Attention—this is NOT a drill!"
Like war drums beating before battle, Ethan's voice no longer held its previous casual leisure, filled instead with solemn, low killing intent that made everyone's hearts tighten involuntarily!
Ron, specially permitted to observe as a non-combatant, muttered nervously, "Why so serious about it... making everyone tense."
"Soon, your nostrils will be filled with acrid gunpowder smoke, your sleeves stained with goblins' foul blood. And the spells you cast will take away real, living lives."
The clear voice echoed through the deadly silent dark forest. Everyone unconsciously tensed, their faces growing grave.
Ethan paused briefly, then smiled with unexpected gentleness. "Withdraw now—there's still time."
Complete silence followed. But not one single person withdrew! Even Neville Longbottom, considered the most timid Gryffindor, pressed his lips tight without saying a word of protest.
This feels... kind of thrilling, Harry thought, unexpected excitement rising within him despite his fear.
"Very good." Ethan smiled approvingly, looking toward Professor Snape. "Then Professor Snape will distribute the Felix Felicis. Everyone can drink it now."
Felix Felicis?! Those in the know, like Hermione, immediately widened their eyes in shock! This—this was an extremely rare, impossibly expensive potion! Dozens of people, one small bottle each?
When Hermione received the thumb-sized vial containing shimmering golden liquid from Professor Snape (whose expression was thunderous), she remained completely stunned.
Is Ethan Professor Snape's patron? He must be incredibly wealthy and powerful!
After the students drank their potions, visible excitement rose on Ethan's face. He raised Salazar Slytherin's gift—the ornate silver key—and shouted with commanding authority:
"Come! It's time to witness the real battlefield! Depart for the past!"
The moment he finished speaking, blinding white light burst from the key! Intense magical fluctuations instantly distorted the surrounding space itself!
Dumbledore's pupils constricted in shock! Instinctively raising his wand defensively—but when the white light faded completely, the clearing was empty. Only himself and Ron Weasley remained, staring at each other in stunned disbelief.
Two seconds later, Ron's features contorted with dawning realization. An incredulous shout rang through the vast Forbidden Forest: "Wait—Ethan really took them to the actual past?!"
Dumbledore gave a rueful laugh. Seems I was deliberately excluded. This will be quite the headache.
1612. Goblin Headquarters. Underground Prison.
"Clang clang!" Goblin guards violently banged their batons on the iron railings, watching the terrified expressions of Muggles and wizards cowering in cells, grinning with sadistic pleasure and revealing jagged sharp teeth.
"Stupid pigs! Get out here now!" The goblin guard yanked open the cell gate, roaring with cruel delight, viciously kicking over a prisoner by the door and knocking him hard to the ground.
The prisoners exchanged fearful glances, seeing deep terror in each other's eyes. People who left other cells never returned alive. However, seeing the goblin raise the heavy baton threateningly, they had no choice but to submit to intimidation, standing up one by one, trembling as they shuffled out.
Just then, a youthful angry shout rang out defiantly: "You wait! Wizards will soon break through your fortress and kill you all!"
The shout echoed through the massive prison, carrying raw anger and hatred—very inspiring in its defiance. However, the other prisoners' faces showed expressions of unbearable dread, because they knew too well the brutal consequences of resistance.
Sure enough, the goblin guard dangerously narrowed his eyes, then laughed with cold malice, slapping the heavy baton against his palm, advancing slowly toward a red-haired young man among the prisoners—the one who'd just shouted so angrily.
"You're quite brave for a pig," the goblin said slowly, voice dripping with cruel amusement. "Indeed, you stupid humans never learn from others' painful lessons. I'll beat you to death, stick by stick!"
"Even if you beat me to death, thousands and thousands of wizards will rise to take my place!" Henry Weasley gritted his teeth and growled. Though his body trembled visibly, his eyes fearlessly glared at the goblin guard with pure defiance!
I can do this. I believe we'll win this war! Even if I die here, I'll show them our spirit—humanity won't be broken!
The heavy baton glowing menacing red raised high overhead, whistling through the air as it swung down with lethal force! Henry clenched his fists helplessly. His mind went blank. Wand confiscated, alchemical shackles restricting spellcasting—he had no defense—
Clang!
Just then, a translucent magical barrier materialized before Henry! The baton smashed heavily against it, red light flashing brilliantly, but couldn't break through at all! Instead, that powerful recoil force knocked the goblin backward to the ground with tremendous impact!
"Ahhh!" The goblin screamed, rolling across the ground. His small frame, struck by the reflected force, tumbled several times before stopping!
Henry gaped in complete shock. What—what just happened?!
Not just him—all prisoners stood dumbfounded! The next second, behind everyone rang an incongruous, cheerful clear voice:
"Direct delivery to goblin headquarters? Excellent. Wonderful targeting~"
Ethan Vincent pulled back his dark hood, revealing that clean, handsome smiling face—like brilliant sunlight piercing through dark storm clouds—appearing before all prisoners' astonished eyes. His wand hummed with gentle, protective magical power.
Ding ding! Your Grim Reaper has arrived! Please receive this annihilation gift package courtesy of Hogwarts!