Chapter 1286: News from Afar

Vid looked at the boy, his eyes were very clear, and he spoke earnestly.

At the beginning, even when holding the baby in his arms, Vid always remembered this was actually a powerful Auror who had fought Dark Wizards for many years.

But as time went on, and the baby gradually grew up, that thought faded quite a bit.

Both he and Madam Pomfrey began to see this “child” more and more as a real child.

Although the time he could spend as a “child” was getting less day by day.

Vid finally just smiled and said:

“I’m happy that you’re so considerate… but don’t be afraid.”

“Even if we are discovered, I guarantee, the person who needs to be afraid definitely won’t be you.”

“Because I will protect you.”

…

A soft “click” was heard as the door was gently closed and locked.

Hughes stared at the door for a long time.

After Vid left, Madam Pomfrey returned, muttering about those children who didn’t take care of their bodies, while organizing Magic Potion Bottles on the shelf not far away, labeling some empty bottles.

Hughes sat on the bed flipping through a book.

Until night fell, Madam Pomfrey took the book from his hands and said: “It’s time to sleep, dear, you can read these tomorrow.”

“Madam Pomfrey.” Hughes obediently lay down in the blanket, then suddenly spoke.

“Hmm?” Madam Pomfrey answered casually, “What is it, dear?”

Hughes looked up and asked softly, “What kind of place is the Ministry of Magic?”

“The Ministry of Magic?”

Madam Pomfrey snorted, displeased, “That’s a place specialized in causing trouble for others!”

Hughes tilted his head: “Then why does such an annoying place exist?”

Madam Pomfrey suddenly remembered that the child in front of her was actually a high-ranking official from another country’s Ministry of Magic. She fell silent, slowed her action of tucking the quilt a bit, and after a moment of thought, said:

“It exists because… someone has to take care of those things that—no one wants to do, but must be done by someone.”

She looked down at the boy, compassionately said:

“For example… capturing those bad guys who can’t be simply ‘locked up’, dealing with various dangerous things, and when someone does something bad, letting them know that comes with a price.”

Hughes listened quietly.

Madam Pomfrey sat beside the bed, gently smoothing the boy’s messy hair, said:

“At first, everyone hoped the Ministry of Magic could bring peace and stability, so they gave them the power to manage people, paid taxes to them, and listened to them.”

“But many people… once they gain that status, only think about benefiting themselves, elevating themselves to higher positions, and forget why these positions exist in the first place.”

“Even very excellent, very polite children once exposed to power, seem to forget what they once were…”

She sighed softly as if speaking to herself.

Seeing the regret and sorrow on Madam Pomfrey’s face, Hughes pulled the blanket a little higher and suddenly said softly, “I won’t.”

“Hmm?” Madam Pomfrey looked at him.

“If I am in a place like the Ministry of Magic, I won’t forget.” Hughes earnestly said: “I will definitely remember to work hard for those who need protection.”

Madam Pomfrey thought of his experiences and couldn’t help but smile tenderly, saying, “Of course you will… I know you will. Sleep now, child, you don’t need to think about these things yet.”

Hughes quietly closed his eyes.

…

The wind was strong tonight, making the windows rattle, and occasionally there was something hitting the wall—a fallen tree branch, perhaps, caught up by the gale.

Vid came out of the washroom, towel-drying his wet hair, and saw the Communication Pea on the table vibrating continuously, emitting a low buzzing sound.

He picked up the Communication Pea, tapped it softly, and put it in his ear, while pouring himself a glass of water.

“Vid?” Fiona’s voice entered his ear, saying cheerfully, “It’s Saturday today, did you go for a stroll around Hogsmeade?”

“It’s not yet the Hogsmeade weekend, mom.” Vid smiled and said, “What have you and dad been busy with lately?”

“Ah, so many things recently, I’ve been rushed off my feet…”

Once she got started, Fiona had an endless stream of things to share, from organizing the basement to snapping up bargains during sales, from the surprise of a light snowfall to the trouble of needing to wash the car, and even that there was rosemary blooming by the fence in the corner!

Ordinary days sounded exceptionally colorful in her chatter.

After chatting for quite a while, Fiona handed the conversation over to her husband, satisfied, and went to freshen up.

After a short rustling, Vid’s father’s voice came to his ear:

“Vid.”

“Dad.”

“Recently, at school, have you come across anything unpleasant?”

“Other than a safety inspector sent by the Ministry of Magic, the school is just like before.”

“Why is there a need to send such a person?” Ferdinand seemed slightly anxious, “Is it necessary in the school?”

He asked vaguely.

“No.” Vid said, “It’s because of that incident at Ilvermorny before.”

“That’s good to hear…” Ferdinand breathed a sigh of relief, “Give me a moment.”

Vid heard footsteps, the sound of a door opening, and then faint wind noises.

He imagined his father putting on a coat, leaving the living room, stepping out onto the balcony, and closing the door behind him.

“Vid,” Ferdinand said, “do you remember that nightmare you mentioned before?”

Vid’s fingers clenched slightly, and his heart tightened.

“I remember.” He said.

“A truck, crashes into a cream-colored building, then explodes…” Ferdinand’s voice was slow, “This incident just happened recently.”

He deliberately used an exceptionally calm tone, as if afraid of scaring his son, paused for a moment, then continued:

“I saw it in the newspaper—it happened just a few days ago, in Sri Lanka, there was a bombing attack.”

“Someone drove a truck full of explosives into the local central bank building… it’s said a nine-story building was completely destroyed, over a hundred people were killed, and more than a thousand injured.”

Vid stood at the desk, unmoving.

Water dripped from his hair, landing on his shoulder, chilling him, but he barely felt it.

For a moment, he felt as if he was still standing in that boundless darkness, with giant red flares expanding, countless despairing faces beneath looking up at him.

“Vid,” his father’s voice came through, “are you listening?”

“…Yes.” Vid said, “That newspaper, can you send it to me?”

“Of course, I’ve already mailed it to you, you should receive it by tomorrow morning… Vid, I’m a bit concerned about your dream.”

Ferdinand said, “You dreamt about something that hadn’t happened yet, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence…”

“It’s Divination, dad.” Vid heard his own voice unusually steady, “Professor says I have a gift for it.”

“Quite gifted…” Ferdinand repeated, sighed deeply: “I guess you might be too gifted, but that’s not necessarily a good thing.”

He said worriedly: “Wizards might learn Divination, but there won’t be many who can do it like you. Dreaming about things that happen so far away…”

He paused.

“Don’t flaunt it, Vid, and don’t show off, keep yourself protected.”

Vid removed the towel, said: “…I understand.”

“Alright, go to sleep.” Ferdinand exhaled, his voice softened: “You’re just… more skilled in one more subject than others, it’s no big deal… don’t feel burdened.”

“Those things… although you dreamt about them, they happen for reasons unconnected to you, and you can’t stop them.”

“…I understand. Goodnight, dad.”

“Alright, goodnight.”

A soft “beep” came through the Communication Pea.

Vid stood silently at the desk, then pulled a newspaper from between his books.

—The one Cho Chang thought he should look at, about the major casualty event in Kizlyar, Russia.