[55] Through Another's Eyes

Mum's beef stew is a bit bland today.

It's pretty good. I wonder if Hall will like it. If he doesn't, I can have another one.

Hehehe, when is Ron going to touch the rag next to him?

I tried that glue. Works really well.

This is going to be interesting.

Hall has lost weight. He used to look about the same size as Ron, but now he looks half as big. I'm going to cook him lots of good food these next few days to fatten him up.

Isn't Ron Harry's friend? Why doesn't he invite Harry over?

Hey, where's the ketchup?

"Here." Hall handed the ketchup to Dad.

Dad was taken aback. "Hall, it seems you and Dad are on the same wavelength now!"

"What?" Hall asked, puzzled.

He glanced at Ron and reached for a rag to wipe his hands. George and Fred, sitting opposite, were practically bursting with excitement.

"Wait, Ron, use this." Hall handed Ron a clean rag. He used a stick to pick up the old one and handed it to George.

George and Fred looked dejected. They assumed Hall had noticed the trick.

"Harry invited us to the Blacks' house in a couple of days," Hall shared at the table.

"Really? Then I'll prepare some food for you to take," Mum said excitedly.

"Perhaps you could invite Harry to the Burrow for a few days," Dad winked at Ginny.

Ginny's face flushed. Everyone knew she was a huge Harry Potter fan.

"Oh, right, Ron, I want some of that bread. I can share half with you." Hall divided his bread with Ron.

Ron stared blankly. "Hall, how did you know — ?"

"Didn't you say so?" Hall munched, tilting his head.

Ron shook his head. "No."

"Hall, you're acting really strange today." George half-stood, peering at him.

Hall glanced around the table. "I was just joining in the conversation."

Everyone stopped eating. They looked at each other.

"But we weren't saying anything," Mum said.

Hall froze. They all nodded.

Is this one of Hall's pranks?

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

That's a great prank.

Bringing him on board was the right choice.

Hall heard two voices — identical tones, but he knew they belonged to two people. George and Fred.

"This isn't a prank," he said.

George and Fred looked bewildered. "Hall, who are you talking to?"

"Of course, it's you two — "

His pupils contracted. He pushed back his chair and stood abruptly.

"I must have been reading too much today. I need to rest." He apologised to Mum. "Your dinner was delicious."

What happened?

Are you feeling unwell?

This beef stew is really good.

The sounds grew louder. Even covering his ears, Hall couldn't stop them. They weren't entering through his ears — they were playing directly in his mind.

He stopped covering his ears. Useless. He grabbed the bread and went straight upstairs. On the third floor, the noise stopped.

Back in his and Ron's room, he said softly, "Open the control panel."

[Host: Hall Weasley]

[Bloodline: Wizard Bloodline (Leech-feeding Ability)]

Hall looked at the words and understood what he had just heard — someone else's thoughts. He hadn't expected this ability to be completely independent, like a mind-receiving station. The closer the distance, the clearer the thoughts.

In modern times, he knew of only one person with this ability: Queenie Goldstein of MACUSA. A natural Legilimens, able to see through others' emotions and thoughts. After learning his bloodline ability was Legilimency, Hall had researched her life. Her ability could not be turned off — it was almost always active. Only highly skilled Occlumency masters could stop her instinctive intrusion.

If he were in the same situation, his mind would be filled with other people's voices.

Like right now.

There was a voice at the door, chattering for almost ten minutes. Ron.

Hall opened the door. "What's up, Ron?"

Ron paced at the door. He wanted to ask if Hall was unwell, but didn't want to disturb him. Seeing that Hall seemed fine, he breathed with relief.

He's in good spirits. Dad said we're visiting the Diggorys, and asked me to ask if Hall wants to come. Actually, Dad just wanted to take Hall for a walk to clear his head.

Hall shook his head apologetically. "I won't go. You go ahead. I want to sleep a little longer."

Fine. I was hoping to play Quidditch with Hall and Cedric.

Hall sighed. After Ron left, he closed the door and cast a simple warning spell. The reason he couldn't control this ability was ultimately that he was too weak. If he increased his magic power, he should be able to control the switch freely.

"Upgrade eleven thousand points of magic."

[Ding]

[Congratulations, host. Magic has reached level twelve.]

[Panel Update]

[Magic: LV12 (0/1200)]

[Available Galleons: 202,181 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

He continued.

[Ding]

[Congratulations, host. Magic has reached level twelve.]

[Congratulations, host. Bloodline upgrade — activated Legilimency (complete version), Beginner Serpent's Roar.]

[Panel Update]

[Magic: LV20 (0/2000)]

[Bloodline: Wizard Bloodline (Legilimency (Complete Version), Beginner Serpent's Roar)]

[Available Galleons: 78,181 Galleons, 6 Sickles, 23 Knuts]

Upgrading to level twenty in an instant, Hall felt his body change. He felt incredibly light, yet brimming with power. Magic coursed through every muscle.

He closed his eyes, slowly channelling the surging magic outward. He could sense everyone in the Burrow — what they were doing, what they were saying, what they were thinking.

A golden light flashed through his eyes, so fast it seemed an illusion. His awareness extended outward, toward the distant village. Countless Muggles appeared in his mind. A wisp of magic seeped into their minds. Hall felt he could control them — their thoughts, their actions. With a mere thought, he could kill them.

He was like a king who could control the lives of others.

Hall realised his mindset was extremely wrong — arrogant, contemptuous of all living beings. He abruptly withdrew his magic, took a deep breath, and suppressed the strange thoughts.

The golden light faded from his eyes. But that feeling of superiority remained etched in his heart.

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