Chapter 163: The Black Cat
In a distant office, Albus Dumbledore chuckled, his good mood unmarred even by the accidental consumption of a snow-flavoured jelly bean. Imagining the looks on the faces of two certain professors upon receiving their letters delighted him to no end. His gaze drifted, piercing through distance and stone, finally settling on Hogwarts Castle.
There, Sean Green sat by the fire, engrossed in an Alchemy text.
Bruce wouldn't be recovering anytime soon. He was wrapped in bandages like a mummy. Despite his condition, he still managed to argue with Leon, with Pister acting as an unwilling translator.
Leon: "I've never seen such an idiot."
Bruce: "Mmph."
Pister: "He says now you've seen one."
Leon: "..."
Fortunately, Leon had spotted Sean and readily agreed to his request. Sean returned to the Room of Hope, his worry alleviated. His greatest concern remained Bruce, but Madam Pomfrey was ruthlessly efficient. Sean suspected it was partly due to a shortage of beds and an overabundance of mischievous students. She tended to eject patients the moment they were no longer in critical danger.
Room of Hope.
The subject for the second Animal Biscuit was quickly decided: Mrs. Norris.
Hogwarts teemed with creatures, but most resided in the Forbidden Forest. Sean had no intention of venturing there; stumbling upon the Dark Lord was a risk he wasn't willing to take. An Imperius Curse in the "safety" of the school grounds would be an unfortunate end to his academic career.
Excluding the forest left few options. Most animals in the castle were pets or familiars. Between toads, rats, and spiders, a cat seemed the most approachable subject. Sean decided that once he'd finished his research and prepared the materials and runes, he would bribe Mrs. Norris with more dried fish. Surely she'd allow a bit of observation in exchange for treats?
Sean returned from the Hospital Wing, and his friends crowded around him.
"Is he alright?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"Yes," Sean nodded. "Discharged in three days."
"Merlin's beard—three days for injuries like that?" Ron gasped. They all remembered how battered Bruce had looked.
"St. Mungo's has incredible Healers..." Neville spoke up, his voice quiet but filled with conviction.
"Right," Ron nodded.
As the group dispersed, Sean and Justin exchanged a glance, their eyes lingering on Neville.
The Room of Hope grew quiet and slow again, time seemingly suspended like amber, preserving moments of gentle determination.
Sean finished indexing the first book just as an owl appeared at the window. Covered in snow, it flapped its wings against the glass, unable to enter.
The owl portrait on the wall squawked indignantly. With a flap of its painted wings, the open window shifted from the left wall to the right.
"Fine! Fine! You found me!" it shrieked.
The snowy owl promptly crashed into the now-closed window. Sean hurried out of the room. The portrait yelled after him; Sean knew he'd likely be locked out next time.
The owl landed on Sean's shoulder. He conjured a small flame from his wand tip to melt the snow on its wings. This was the first Christmas gift he had ever received, sent by Mrs. Roland Taylor.
With another wave of his wand, a book transformed into a small cushion on his shoulder. The owl snuggled into it, nuzzling Sean's cheek. Once it had calmed down, Sean opened the letter.
Dear Mr. Green,
I believe I have agreed to help Longbottom...
Reading these words, Sean nodded to himself.
Christmas was five days away. Along with the holiday cheer came an avalanche of homework. Everyone was busy. Even Ron and Harry, armed with efficient methods, tackled their assignments with surprising fervor. Though they remained baffled as to how Justin found time to bake and Sean found time to play with cats.
Mrs. Norris, usually a terror to students, was absurdly docile around Sean.
[You have practiced crafting a Mrs. Norris Biscuit to the Apprentice standard. Proficiency +1]
Through careful observation, Sean quickly produced the Mrs. Norris Biscuit, adding another entry to his Animal Biscuit series.
Justin and Hermione had been eagerly anticipating this. Curiously, neither seemed eager to be the test subject.
"Try it, Sean?" Justin suggested excitedly. Hermione put down her book, watching expectantly. Harry and Ron were in the library.
Sean, wearing dragon-hide baking gloves, offered the biscuit. They both shook their heads, staring at him.
"Oh, come on, Sean. I can't be the guinea pig every time, can I?" Justin grinned.
Fair enough, Sean thought. They couldn't see the Panel notifications assuring safety.
He took a bite.
The change was immediate.
He was a black cat. Small, sleek, like a piece of the night given form. He leaped lightly onto the windowsill, tilting his head to look at the remaining crumbs. His emerald eyes shone with intelligence.
"Justin, I remember... wizards lose consciousness after transformation, right?" Hermione asked, unblinking.
"Oh—of course."
Justin and Hermione leaned in closer.
The black cat purred. With a leap into the air, it transformed back into a small boy.
Sean hadn't recovered from his surprise—he had retained his consciousness!
Then he noticed his friends' proximity.
"Ahem..." Hermione turned away, her face flushing.
"Oh! Sean, nice work. Another one?" Justin offered.
Sean ignored him, grabbing a few biscuits and heading for the door. The sensation was incredible. The world of a cat was vastly different from that of a wizard.
More importantly, he needed to verify why he had retained his consciousness. And... could he still cast magic?
(End of Chapter)
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