Chapter 349: Chapter 349
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-Still in Nick and Penny's room-
"Well, now I know why you are here, but I have another question" I said, and they both looked at me curiously.
I then ran my eyes over them, as if I was judging them, and this made them somewhat tense and confused.
"If you did all this to spend time with me, then why did you two ignore me in the Great Hall?" I asked.
Even though I didn't have any reaction or expression that showed displeasure, internally I was very upset and hurt that they both ignored me.
And even if we meet now, that doesn't change the fact that when we were among all those people they didn't even notice my presence.
And this is something strange coming from them, since normally they wouldn't care about the situation or the people around them and would act as they always have.
And knowing that, I couldn't help but wonder why they didn't even give me a wave or look at me, at least not other than discreetly.
Upon hearing my question, Nick and Penny looked at me, seeing my frown as I stared at them waiting for their answers.
They then looked at each other for a few seconds before looking back at me.
"Actually, we pretended not to know you because we thought it might upset you," Penny said, placing her hand over mine.
"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked without understanding.
"We thought that if we showed all those people that we knew you, that you would end up getting a lot of unnecessary attention" Nick was the one who responded.
"Yes, and even though we know you like to be the center of attention sometimes, we also know that that wouldn't be the kind of attention you would enjoy" Penny said, a little sad about the situation, and I stopped to think about it for a while.
"Sigh... I think you're right" I said after a few moments.
"I'm always right" Nick said with a slight smile on his face.
I was smiling too, happy with the care they took for me.
But even though they had made it so that I wouldn't have to deal with everyone's incessant uncomfortable questions and surprised looks, I wasn't entirely happy.
"You know, I understand your intention, and I appreciate it" I said, and Nick and Penny nodded happily, "But I don't think that was necessary"
And when I said that they both blinked in surprise.
"Huh? Why?" Nick asked.
"Well, for two very simple reasons," I started to say, before raising a finger.
"The first is that I don't like having to hide our relationship and the fact that I know you guys," I said, looking seriously at them, "I don't mind having to put up with people's stares, whispers, and rumors, since I'm already used to it. The real problem for me is pretending that we are strangers and having to keep meeting in secret."
"And in fact, I wish I could show everyone that I, the amazing and wonderful Ethan Night, know the incredibles... not as much as I, Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel, and I even consider them my family" I said with a small smile, leaving the mood lighter.
And listening to me, Penny hugged me sideways, happy with my statement.
"Well, I understand your feelings," Nick said amused, before tilting his head, "But what's the second reason?" he asked.
"Oh, the second reason is that it won't make any difference for others to find out that we know each other, since I'll already receive a lot of attention when I become the Hogwarts champion" I said with a shrug.
"Oh, yeah" Nick nodded but stopped the next instant.
...
...
...
...
""What!?"" the two immortals exclaimed in shock.
"What do you mean by 'become the Hogwarts champion'?!" Nick asked.
"I intend to put my name in the Goblet of Fire to be selected as champion, simple." I said.
"But Ethan, the tournament is very dangerous" Penny said, looking at me with concern.
"Yes. We can't tell you what the challenges of the three tasks are because we are under a magical contract, but they will be difficult, dangerous and very deadly" Nick said, as worried as Penny, looking at me seriously.
"We know you like to challenge yourself, but you're in fourth year, and these tasks will be difficult even for seventh years," Penny said, holding my hand with both of hers and squeezing them.
"Listen, you two have already taught me and seen what I'm capable of, and you also know that what I've already shown you is not the full extent of my abilities" I began to say, looking at them with a calm expression, "And knowing this, do you really think that my abilities are below that of any seventh year at this school?"
And hearing my question, the two looked at each other, before Nick sighed.
"I understand what you're getting at" he said, before looking at me with less concern, "Of all the students from the three schools you're the only one that I'm 100% sure can win the cup"
"In fact, you competing in the tournament is unfair to the other champions." Penny commented, and I could feel that the worry and fear were still in her, but weaker.
'They're not even questioning how I'm going to get past the Headmaster age line or doubting whether I'm even going to be chosen as champion' I thought, before shaking my head with a slight smile, happy for the trust they had in me.
Turning to me, Penny looked into my eyes, looking for any sign of fear or hesitation, and finding none she sighed.
"Are you sure you're not our real grandson? You're almost as hard-headed as Nick and maybe even more determined than me" she grumbled, and I snorted as Nick looked at her offended.
Shaking her head, Penny spoke again, "I don't think I'll be able to change your mind, so I think I can only support you and root for you, just like every wonderful grandmother would do" she smiled.
"Thank you" I said sincerely. A playful look then appeared on my face, "And know that you will be rooting for the future greatest champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"Certainly" Penny nodded, and I could tell she really believed it.
"Well, then now I have one more reason to watch the Tri-Wizard Tournament" Nick said, before looking at me with an appraising look, "And know that I will watch your trials with great expectations"
"Obviously" I nodded, "And I'm sure I will impress you and everyone who will be watching the tasks with my incredible magical skills." I said, smiling confidently.
"And I can't wait for it" Penny said with a slight smile.
"I'm sure Albus will be surprised" Nick commented, with amusement in his eyes.
"Oh, not only him but the other judges too" I said, with a mischievous look, "I'm sure I'll get the highest scores from them"
And just imagining Karkaroff's constipated look trying to justify the low score he would give me made an evil smile appear on my face.
"Well, then it's good that we didn't agree to be part of the tournament jury" Nick said, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"I agree. If we had agreed to be on the jury, people would probably accuse us of favoritism when we gave Ethan's scores." Penny said, looking at him, who nodded.
And hearing them I stopped, looking at them with a raised eyebrow.
"Were you also invited to be judges?" I asked.
"Uhm" Penny nodded, "But we refused because we thought it would be boring work."
"Oh" I blinked.
'Only the two of them would think that being a judge in a deadly tournament between three big schools is boring' I thought, shaking my head with an ironic smile.
'But come to think of it, after living as long as they have probably everything in the wizarding and normal world has become dull and tedious for them,' I mused, 'And in fact, I'm pretty sure they've watched many Triwizard Tournaments in their more than six centuries of life.'
End.
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