Far away, Dumbledore's smile hadn't faded; even a snow-flavoured Every Flavour Bean couldn't spoil his mood.
Watching two people handle the same matter in utterly different ways, he seemed already to picture the child's startled expression upon receiving the letter.
Nothing amused him more.
His curious gaze drifted past distant houses, across a great span, and finally came to rest on Hogwarts Castle.
Just then, by firelight, Sean was reading alchemy books.
Senior Bruce wouldn't be well anytime soon. He was wrapped head to toe like a dumpling. Even so, he could still, with Pister's "translation," start a fight with Leon.
It went something like this:
Leon: "I've never seen a fool like you."
Bruce: "Mmph."
Pister: "He says now you've seen one."
Leon: "…"
Fortunately, Leon spotted Sean and at once agreed to his request.
That let Sean, back in the Hope Nook, lay down his worries.
Of course the biggest worry remained Senior Bruce.
Fortunately, he'd be discharged in three days—Madam Pomfrey is remarkably efficient in that regard.
Sean guessed it was because there aren't enough beds in the hospital wing and first-years are so often careless and mischievous. So as soon as she sees a student is mostly healed, she throws them out.
In the Hope Nook.
The second animal biscuit was quickly decided: Mrs. Norris Biscuit.
Hogwarts teems with creatures, but most are in the Forbidden Forest—and Sean didn't plan to go there; the Dark Lord refreshes in there now and then.
With poor luck, it'd be easy to catch an Imperius Curse in "safe" Hogwarts.
So, eliminating the Forbidden Forest, there weren't many options left.
The animals inside the castle were mostly students' pets or staff helpers.
Among toads, rats, spiders, and such, the cat stood out as approachable.
So Sean decided that after reading up and preparing materials and runes, he'd go and feed Mrs. Norris more often. For the sake of the dried fish, perhaps the lady would consent to being observed?
Soon after, Sean returned from the hospital wing to the Nook, where everyone gathered, hesitant and worried.
"Is he alright?" Hermione asked.
"Mm." Sean nodded, then added, "Three days and he can come out."
"Merlin—such serious injuries, only three days?" Ron said, astonished. The last time they'd gone, they'd seen how bad Bruce's wounds were.
"St Mungo's has many brilliant healers…" Neville, who rarely spoke, spoke up now. He trembled, but his eyes shone with confidence in those healers.
"Alright," Ron nodded.
But as everyone dispersed, Sean's and Justin's gaze both fell on Neville.
The Hope Nook sank back into quiet and calm.
Time set like amber, fixing a gentle, unwavering tableau.
After Sean sorted the index of the first book, an owl appeared at the window—coated in snow, battering its wings to come in, but constantly blocked by the window.
Mr. Owl shook with fury in his frame; a flap of his wing shifted the open window from the left wall to the right.
"Good! Good! Come right to me then!" he crowed.
With that, the silver-white owl thumped into the window. Sean hurried out of the room.
Mr. Owl ranted behind him; Sean figured he'd be stuck at the door again next time.
The silver-white owl finally settled on Sean's shoulder. Flame kindled at Sean's wand; the snow melting on its wings ran off in tiny rivulets.
It was the first Christmas present Sean received. It came from Mrs. Rowland Taylor.
Sean flicked his wand; a book turned into a small soft pad on his shoulder. The silver-white owl nestled in and nuzzled Sean's cheek.
Only after it stilled—tremors easing to calm—did Sean take down the letter:
[Dear Mr. Green,
I think I have agreed to help Longbottom…]
Seeing those words, Sean nodded.
Five days to Christmas.
Avalanches of homework would arrive with it.
Everyone got busy—even Ron and Harry, who, once they'd found accurate, simple methods, burst into enthusiasm.
They never could figure out how Justin always had time to bake after finishing homework; nor how Sean even had leisure to feed a cat.
That Mrs. Norris, who so often chased them all over the castle, was docile as a lamb at Sean's side.
[You practiced Mrs. Norris Biscuit at an Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1]
Under Sean's careful observation, he soon made the Mrs. Norris Biscuit; the animal biscuit series had another entry.
Justin and Hermione had been waiting for this one.
Oddly, they didn't seem eager to try it themselves.
"Give it a go, Sean?" Justin said, excited. Hermione set down her book and looked on expectantly.
Harry and Ron were both in the library just then.
Gloved, Sean held out the biscuit—only to see both of them shake their heads.
And stare straight at him.
"Oh—Sean, it can't be me doing the experiments every time," Justin laughed.
Fair enough—without panel prompts, they had no way to know if it was safe.
So Sean bit into the biscuit—and at once, the change happened.
It was a black cat.
A bit small, pitch black, like a walking piece of night. In a moment it leapt lightly onto the windowsill, cocked its head at the remaining crumbs, and those emerald eyes danced with lively light.
"Justin—I recall, after transforming a wizard usually loses consciousness, right?" Hermione didn't blink.
"Oh—of course," Justin said, and he and Hermione leaned closer—
The black cat purred—then sprang into the air and turned back into a first-year wizard.
Sean hadn't recovered from his own surprise—he had his own consciousness!
Then the other two cut in.
"Ahem—" Hermione coughed and turned away, cheeks a little red.
"Oh! Sean—brilliant—another one?" Justin grinned.
Sean ignored that, left a few biscuits, and stepped outside.
The feeling was extraordinary—the world of a cat is so different from a wizard's.
What Sean most wanted to test was: why did he stay conscious?
And—could he still cast magic?
~~~
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