Heart-to-Heart, Heart-to-Heart

Chapter 93: A Heart-to-Heart Talk

After a training session, Harry hesitantly whispered to Michael, asking what Ron should do if he wanted to join the SSC. Would Wade agree?

Lately, every time Harry trained and studied at the Umbrella Room, he felt incredibly happy, even feeling a sense of accomplishment when injured. But as soon as he returned to the dorm, that happiness would vanish, like a popped balloon.

Ron hadn't spoken to him for over half a month. Sometimes, he'd pretend not to see Harry, and in class, Ron would always go sit with Seamus or Dean (the other two boys in the dorm). They were no longer inseparable.

Even though the SSC was great, Harry missed the times he and Ron would slack off together, play Wizard's Chess, and complain about too much homework and difficult lessons. Ron was the first friend Harry made after entering the magical world, and Harry cherished their friendship dearly.

He thought that if Ron could also join the SSC, perhaps they could go back to how things used to be.

Michael pressed him for details, and after learning what had happened, he mentally crossed Ron off his list and once again marveled at his own foresight.

Michael thought for a moment, then said, "Harry, I understand you want to reconcile with your friend. But have you ever considered that friendship needs both sides to maintain it? You can put up with his temper, but has he considered your difficulties?"

Harry paused, then said, "I... I did promise to ask Ron, but I broke my word..."

"That's a different issue, Harry."

Michael slowly continued, "I believe that if someone wants to join an established group, they should proactively demonstrate their ability and willingness, earning everyone's approval through sincerity, effort, or talent, rather than having their friend plead on their behalf—that puts both of us in a difficult position."

He looked into Harry's eyes and said, "First, there's you—I imagine these words have been weighing on you for a long time, making you anxious every day about how to bring it up, whether you'd be rejected... And then there's us—if someone doesn't like Ron Weasley, they'll be in a bind, wondering whether to refuse or endure? Would refusing make us seem petty? Would it harm our friendship?"

Actually, when Hermione first wanted Harry to join, Michael had wanted to say this, but Wade's words convinced him—Harry Potter's parents sacrificed themselves in the war, so their orphaned child should certainly receive preferential treatment. Hermione always felt a motherly affection for Harry, which Michael also found understandable.

Once these Gryffindors took someone to heart, they became so enthusiastic they'd practically give their all. But Michael couldn't tolerate them constantly bringing more people in—if Ron joined, would Seamus and Dean join in a couple of days? And then, in a few more days, would all the other Gryffindor students be brought in too?

Michael didn't say it directly, but his disapproval was quite clear. Finally, he said, "Weasley turned what was originally his own problem into a problem between us. And what has he been doing this whole time? —Giving you the silent treatment. Harry, if a friend is willing to break ties with you over such a small matter, does he truly value your friendship?"

"—Or does he just assume that no matter how he treats you, you'll always reach out and reconcile with him?"

Harry fell into a long silence.

...

Back in the Ravenclaw common room, Michael brought up the matter with Wade, then asked, "Do you know about Harry Potter's life before he came to school?"

"I heard he grew up with Muggle relatives," Wade said, which was common knowledge.

Michael sighed. "His relatives probably didn't teach him well... Harry might not have even had friends before."

"How do you know?" Padma leaned over and asked. "He's quite nice! He couldn't possibly have no friends, could he?"

Although Wizards tended to be reclusive, Padma and the others knew that Muggle children often played in groups. During holidays, they occasionally played with children from nearby villages.

"He's a bit too humble in his interactions with friends," Michael said, puzzled. "Even if his parents died, he's still the 'Savior'! Why is he like this? I thought Harry Potter would be more proud, even arrogant like Malfoy!"

"Muggles probably can't understand the significance of 'The Boy Who Lived.' To them, Harry was probably just a burden left behind by a relative, right?" Wade said, turning a page in his book.

Padma listened thoughtfully, murmuring, "That explains it..."

"What?" Michael asked.

"Haven't you noticed?" Padma said. "Harry Potter's clothes under his robes are always ill-fitting... I thought it was some kind of Muggle fashion trend."

The two discussed various conjectures in low voices, while Wade turned another page of his book, saying nothing.

In his memory, Harry Potter was abused by his aunt's family when he was young, but as he grew up, their relationship seemed to reconcile? He wasn't sure if this impression came from the original story or fan interpretations...

But recently, Wade had also noticed a strange sign—Harry's attitude towards Professor Quirrell had suddenly become enthusiastic. Every time he met him on the road, he would give him an encouraging smile, and he heard that he had also started actively answering questions in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Hermione didn't dare to openly stop him and could only watch helplessly.

His actions had made countless people nervous. Snape circled Harry even more frequently, making Harry think Snape was stalking him, trying to catch him doing something wrong to give him detention, and he even missed two SSC training sessions because of it.

That day, during SSC training, Neville, whose Wand had been knocked away again, seemed greatly disheartened, spacing out for a long time, which worried everyone. Wade gestured for the others to continue training, then walked over, patted Neville's shoulder, and asked, "Want to talk?"

Neville nodded glumly.

They walked over to the side and sat on a sofa. Wade didn't rush to speak, first pouring a glass of water and slowly drinking it.

Neville was silent for a long time before asking, "Wade, my Disarming Charm gesture is correct, and the incantation is correct, right?"

"Yes, you're almost as standard as Hermione," Wade affirmed, feeling a bit puzzled himself.

"But I still keep failing..."

Neville lowered his head, picking at a seam on the table, as if what he wanted to say was difficult to articulate.

"—Is it because I'm too stupid?" he whispered.

"I don't think you're stupid. You do very well in Herbology, don't you?" Wade said. "Not mastering the Disarming Charm might also be because you lack confidence—if you doubt your own magic, it won't respond to you well."

"So—" Neville hesitated for a long time, finally asking, "It has nothing to do with the Wand, right?"

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