"The Dean is looking for Sean?" Andy Pucey's face was etched with worry. "Sean, is it because of the incident? I'll go with you. At least I can explain the details to the Dean so he doesn't misunderstand you."
"Misunderstand what?" Sean asked, a wry twist to his lips. "That I punched Dorian? That's the truth, so there's nothing to explain. Besides, the Dean knows everything that goes on in our house. Whether you explain or not, it makes no difference. Don't worry. He'll, at most, deduct some points or give me detention. Nothing more. Going with me and trying to explain will only make things worse."
He clapped Andy and Blaise on the shoulders, then turned and left the common room, heading straight for Snape's office. He knocked on the heavy oak door.
"Enter!" The familiar, terse command rang out.
Sean pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind him.
"Professor, you sent for me?"
Snape looked up from his desk, his dark eyes fixed on Sean. He remained silent for a moment, an oppressive weight in the air. Then, he spoke, his voice a low, chilling drawl. "I believe you are quite aware why I have summoned you. This matter is... serious. I find myself compelled to deduct twenty points from Slytherin. Furthermore, you will serve detention. Starting next week, you will report to my office every Sunday evening at seven o'clock, for one hour, for four consecutive weeks, to process potion ingredients. Do you have any questions?"
"No questions, Professor."
"Hmm. You may leave."
Snape was not a man for pleasantries. When he told you to leave, you left. To linger would only invite his disdain, a chilling silence that could unnerve even the most seasoned wizard. Sean turned to depart.
But then, a thought struck him. He turned back. "Professor," he said, his voice earnest, "I will earn those points back as quickly as possible."
"That is your prerogative," Snape drawled, his eyes unblinking. "It has no bearing on me."
"Understood. Goodbye, Professor."
As Sean walked out of the office, he felt a strange sense of relief. Snape, by his standards, had been in a remarkably good mood. If he had truly been angry about the lost points, Sean would have been subjected to a torrent of cold sarcasm and venomous barbs. Instead, a simple, dispassionate statement of punishment. It was, in its own way, a display of remarkable leniency.
No sooner had he emerged from Snape's office than Blaise and Andy, who had been waiting anxiously nearby, rushed forward. They scrutinized him from head to toe, as if expecting to find him missing a limb.
"Alright, stop staring," Sean said with a roll of his eyes. "I'm fine. The Dean wasn't difficult. Just deducted some points and gave me detention."
"How many points?" Andy asked, his voice tight.
"Twenty points. It's nothing. I'll get them back in a month or so." Sean's expression hardened. "As for Dorian, it's time we put an end to his meddling for good. He can cause trouble once or twice, but we can't afford to be constantly defending against him."
Andy nodded, a grim determination setting his jaw. "Leave Dorian to me. I'll go all out this time. It's either him or me. If I lose, I'll simply give up my inheritance rights. It will simplify things."
Blaise, who had been listening intently, stepped forward. "Andy, if you lose, I'll cover you. I still have some money left by my father. I was planning to use it to start a business or a shop after graduation if I couldn't find a job. If you're willing, I can get that money from my mother. We can be partners. I'll provide the capital, you provide the effort, and Sean provides the technical skills. The three of us would be unstoppable."
Andy looked at Blaise, and a flicker of hope, almost temptation, danced in his eyes. The two then began to discuss the details in hushed tones, their heads together.
Sean watched them, a small smile playing on his lips. He said nothing, simply accompanying them back to the common room. The mental recovery potion he'd taken earlier had worn off, and he was utterly exhausted, wanting nothing more than a deep, dreamless sleep.
October proved to be a surprisingly peaceful month. Sean diligently worked to earn back the twenty points. He attended two meetings of the Slytherin Brotherhood's Reserve Organization, speaking little and voting in alignment with Samuel and Irina. Several members attempted to draw him into their political games, but Sean skillfully evaded their overtures. His position remained stable.
Andy, meanwhile, was engaged in a full-blown business war with Dorian. By late October, he had commissioned Sean to brew a new batch of exceptionally rare potions and had even secured a loan from Blaise. Slowly, meticulously, he was grinding Dorian into the ground.
"Not bad. A little better than I expected."
Snape's voice, surprisingly mild, cut through Sean's thoughts. He looked down at the finely processed Horned Serpent horn on his workbench, a complex and dangerous ingredient. Horned Serpent horns were capable of secreting a deadly venom that could cause instantaneous combustion. Yet, in the hands of a master brewer, they were invaluable.
Sean wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. These four weeks of detention had been grueling. Snape had worked him like a house-elf, assigning him the most difficult and tedious tasks in potion ingredient preparation. It felt less like punishment and more like an advanced, highly personalized Potions class.
Snape glanced at the large hourglass in his office. "Sean. Your detention is concluded for today. You need not return next Sunday."
"Professor," Sean said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "I'm actually quite willing to assist you every week with these ingredients."
Snape's lip curled into a sneer. "Heh. And what, pray tell, gives you the confidence to assume your 'assistance' is anything but a hindrance? Your technique with such ingredients is more akin to a troll attempting a tap dance. Any true Potion Master would be, at best, mildly annoyed by your efforts."
"It's... it's not that bad, is it, Professor?" Sean asked, feigning innocence.
"Heh." Snape merely sneered again, moving aside and gesturing pointedly toward the door. Sean knew his dismissal when he saw it. He scratched his head, offering a small, dejected bow, and left.
Walking past the Great Hall, Sean paused. The space had been utterly transformed. Giant pumpkins, easily three times his height, stood sentinel outside the enormous doors. Inside, he knew, the hall would be adorned with living bats, flickering ribbons, and countless candles. The air itself seemed to crackle with anticipation. Halloween was almost here.
And Halloween, he remembered, meant the Deathday Party.
His plan was about to begin.
[Chapter Complete]
***
Want more? Check out my Patreon for:
✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories
✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics
✓ Early access content [email protected]/meowthtl
💪 Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter!
Thanks for reading and supporting the story