Hogwarts: The Child Who Improves Too Much!

Under the guidance of three wizards, Ethan came to the bottom of a dilapidated two-story building.

A figure stepped forward and tapped a moss-covered brick on the right wall with their wand, each knock deliberate and steady.

After the knocking, about half a minute later, a voice came from inside, "Dennis, is that you?"

"Yes. Now, open the door." The wizard named Dennis replied.

The hut was surrounded by multiple protective enchantments, carefully woven to keep intruders at bay.

One such spell was placed on the door itself, a powerful charm that made it impossible to open from the outside without using force.

And then, even the faintest touch from an outsider would trigger an alarm within, giving the wizard inside the chance to use a door key to escape before any unwanted visitors could enter.

Only by knocking the brick in the correct sequence would the guard inside allow the entry and unlock the door from within.

This level of caution was necessary, as they were far from involved in any legal business.

"Did you find a seller so quickly?" The wizard inside, still cautious, didn't open the door right away.

"Don't be too cautious, Kiplin. Open the door, we caught a lamb this time," another wizard said, his tone blunt and to the point.

"Oh, that's great. Come fast inside." The wizard inside, Kiplin, no longer hesitated, his doubt evaporating in an instant.

Catching a "lamb" referred to capturing a young wizard, which easily explained why they had returned so quickly.

The little wizard was worth at least a few hundred gold galleons, and there was no doubt they could sell him. They weee a prized commodity among dark wizards. 

Young little wizards are perfect for experimenting with new potions and spells, far more valuable than most magical creatures. 

To craft magic items imbued with cursed properties, a strong magical essence and intense negative emotions were essential—making wizards with unrefined emotions like Ethan even more sought after.

As the door creaked open, a middle-aged wizard in a black robe with a greasy, bald head stepped into view. 

"This is the lamb you caught today? Good quality!" Kiplin grinned as he surveyed Ethan, clearly pleased. 

A strong, healthy wizard like Ethan was far more valuable than a frail one, making him an even more prized find. 

With a swift motion, the black-robed wizard beside Ethan shut the door behind them as soon as everyone had entered.

"By the way, how did you..." 

"Avada Kedavra!" 

Before Kiplin could finish his sentence, a flash of green light filled his eyes. 

He hadn't even registered the curse before he collapsed to the floor, his body lifeless and silent. 

Ethan stepped forward with a slight grin.

"Looks like a big surprise is always more effective when you speak it out loud." 

He took two steps closer, eager to inspect the situation of the wizard who had just met his end so unexpectedly.

Ethan's previous practice targets had all been mice, so this was his first time using the curse on a human. 

The man's pupils were wide with shock, his face contorted in a mixture of panic and confusion, his expression forever frozen in the moment of death. 

The remaining three wizards said nothing about Ethan killing their companion. 

It was because from the very moment they had taken Ethan hostage, he had quietly cast the Imperius Curse on them, turning them into his puppets without their knowledge.

It couldn't be said that they weren't cautious, but they truly didn't think a young wizard could pose any real threat—especially without drawing his wand. 

There was another factor at play. 

The Imperius Curse, much like the Cruciatus Curse, was a silent spell.

There were no noticeable effects during its casting, making it nearly impossible to detect. 

Once hit, the victim would feel a sudden emptiness in their mind.

All thoughts and responsibilities would vanish, replaced only by an overwhelming sense of happiness and joy, leaving them completely vulnerable to Ethan's control.

In this state, any command from Ethan would be obeyed without question, even if it meant they had to take their own lives. 

Of course, the Imperius Curse could be resisted. The more it was used, the greater the resistance, though that was a minor concern. 

Even if they had some resistance, it would be useless. Ethan's mastery of the Imperius Curse made it nearly impossible to overcome. 

These adjustments gave Ethan the perfect chance to strike.

As they turned or looked up, he cast the Imperius Curse on them one by one, and not a single alarm was triggered.

"What's the situation with your operation, and who are you really?" Ethan hadn't asked many questions while they were outside. 

At Ethan's command, one wizard stepped forward and explained. "I am Dennis. This here is…"

However, after hearing Dennis's story, Ethan began to piece together the truth about this group. 

They were all members of Thress, an international magical animal smuggling organization. With a clear division of labor, their members were scattered across the globe. 

A specialized team captured magical animals, then transported them worldwide in boxes enhanced with the traceless expansion spell.

Afterward, members like Dennis and his crew sold the creatures in various black-market taverns and other hidden spots.

Not long ago, the group responsible for capturing magical creatures made a critical mistake. 

A wealthy collector in America had placed a commission for a specimen of the Hebridean Black Dragon, demanding a beautiful adult to complete his collection.

This was a major deal for Thress. 

Once the order came through, the poachers swiftly took action, rushing to the Scotland's Hebridean Islands to capture the dragon.

However, they encountered Newt Scamander in the Hebridean Islands Reserve. 

Despite being outnumbered, the poachers stood no chance against Newt Scamander, especially with his trusty suitcase in hand.

Of the dozen fully armed poachers, only five managed to escape, and they were in terrible shape—burned, bitten, poisoned, and covered in injuries too gruesome to describe. 

The ones caught by Newt Scamander couldn't withstand the pressure during their Ministry of Magic interrogation, and they soon confessed.

This led to the Thress Magical Animal Smuggling Organization being put on the wanted list, not only in Britain but across several countries. 

As a result, Dennis and his team had to retreat, hiding deep in the shadows of Knockturn Alley.

They kept a low profile, only daring to sell small items occasionally, careful not to draw attention after such a major blow to their operations.