Chapter 185: A Grand Theory
Sean had a nagging feeling he had found the missing piece for the Magical Creature Biscuits. Professor Terra's words echoed in his mind:
"You have put much effort into profound domains, just like the alchemists of the past. Now you know those paths offer no immediate breakthroughs. I require you to look at this with a different perspective."
A different perspective...
Sean formed a theory.
After the heavy snows of December, a relentless drizzle set in.
The students returned to Hogwarts Castle, brimming with excitement.
Justin was the first back. He greeted everyone in the Room of Hope with a hug.
"Oh, you'll never guess what I saw in Diagon Alley," Justin said.
"What?" Harry and Ron asked, their curiosity piqued.
Sean had already guessed.
"This, of course—"
He pulled out a photograph. It showed a shop packed with people. A friendly witch stood at the door, enthusiastically selling biscuits shaped like various animals.
The photo seemed to have been taken from a distance. Every few yards, wizards dressed as waiters were handing out flyers. The large poster read: ANIMAL PARTY TRANSFIGURATION BISCUITS – LIMITED TIME OFFER – WHILE STOCKS LAST!
"Wicked—Fred and George always dreamed of opening a shop like that!" Ron stared at the poster, mesmerized. The slogan made him want to buy some, even with his measly few Sickles.
Justin gave him a strange look. How could he miss so much important information?
"You won't believe what I saw in Diagon Alley!"
Hermione entered the Room of Hope carrying a gift bag.
Everyone turned to look at her.
"...You definitely don't know!"
After entering, she grabbed Sean, who was trying to slip away to the Alchemy office.
She looked at him with a scrutinizing, knowing gaze.
"Who goes first?" Ron asked tentatively.
"Alright, I will—" Hermione raised an eyebrow at Sean and began her story.
"I went to Diagon Alley because my parents don't go often, so we went for a look. We were buying those teeth-cleaning sweets when I saw this shop..."
Her voice rose. "Sean! You kept it from us again!"
"Kept... what?" Harry was confused.
"Oh, Harry, you and Ron were gone during all the important bits. I'll explain later. Justin, you saw it too?" Hermione asked, glancing at the photo.
"Yeah. I wanted to b... buy some, but they were sold out. But when I asked the shop manager for her name, she pulled me inside and sold me an extra series. She also asked me to pass a message to hurry Sean up," Justin said slowly.
"An extra series?!" Hermione puffed out her cheeks.
Opening a new shop in Diagon Alley was normal, but when that shop was called Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes, things were different.
"So, Sean, you opened a shop with Fred and George? And it's already a hit all over Diagon Alley?" Ron asked incredulously.
"All over Britain, actually. Weasley & Green's Wizard Wheezes uses owl post for 'online shopping'," Justin corrected with a smile.
"Merlin's beard! I have to ask Fred and George for some! I've been eyeing that Gandoka Knight for ages!" Ron bolted for the door.
Sean smiled slightly, remembering something.
Outside the Room of Hope, Ron ran towards the Great Hall but was intercepted by another Gryffindor.
"Ron! You've ruined me!" Dean Thomas tackled him.
"Whatever it is, tell me later, Dean. I have to find Fred and ask for something," Ron said, scrambling up. His mind was filled with the super-rare knight; nothing else mattered.
"Oh? Oh, really? Can I come with you?" Dean asked suspiciously, seeing Ron's confidence.
Afternoon. The Great Hall.
The joy of reunion filled the air. The golden plates and goblets were piled high with food and drink. The returning students, their appetites revived, grabbed everything within reach. Laughter and the clatter of cutlery echoed from all four house tables.
"Fred!" Ron shouted.
"George!" Ron's voice turned pleading.
A moment later, the twins left, looking satisfied. Ron was left looking like death warmed over, Dean beside him.
"I'm such an idiot, really, Ron! How are you going to fix the fact that I have to pay double for everything now?!" Dean tackled Ron again, wrestling him to the floor.
The spectacle drew a crowd. The twins even started taking bets on whether Ron would push Dean off first or if Dean would squeeze the breath out of Ron.
Professor McGonagall eventually appeared at the High Table to break up the brawl.
Sean ate quietly. While Ron was running around shouting, Sean had stocked the cabinet by the door with some of the biscuit series he had made recently.
He arrived at the Great Hall earlier than Ron.
While Ron was begging Fred, Sean was eating.
While Fred was "playing" with Ron, Sean was eating.
While Ron and Dean wrestled and the twins took bets, Sean was eating with interest.
Several third-year Hufflepuffs approved of his behavior and shyly shared some food they had made in the kitchens.
Sean's assessment: Hufflepuffs really were naturally gifted at food magic.
Lunch ended quickly.
Sean went to the library to research his theory. Few students were there.
Madam Pince was taking a rare nap at her desk. Sean cast a Silencing Charm around her and transfigured a book into a thick, warm blanket to cover her.
He sat beside her, opening heavy, ancient tomes one by one.
The sky was dreary with drizzle and sleet, cold enough to make anyone shiver.
The winter air shattered in the crackle of the fireplace. Soft magical candles illuminated lines of crooked text.
Sean had been sitting in this spot near the fire for almost half a year. It was now littered with his used quills and Madam Pince's thick stacks of library records.
As the flames danced, Sean wrote down a hypothesis that would shake the entire alchemical world.
(End of Chapter)
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