Chapter 286: Luna
Perhaps a localized earthquake could actually be a form of magic?
The thought struck Sean suddenly.
In the early days of wizardry, those who mastered Ancient Runes were capable of incredible, almost biblical feats. Sean had found records of a 1379 Dueling Contest where a wizard utilized a form of "Environmental Transfiguration"—the very origin of the legendary Gargantuan Levitation Charm, or the "Mountain-Moving Curse."
The participants of that contest were described as possessing "unprecedented skill and dueling mastery."
The chronicles noted: The second wizard faced the third, conjuring massive storm clouds that drenched his opponent in freezing rain while forcing him to dodge relentless strikes of lightning. The third wizard countered by manifesting a localized cyclone so powerful it not only dispersed the storm but also carried away the judges, most of the audience, and several ancient oak trees.
This was the kind of magic Sean was currently studying under Professor McGonagall: Material Transfiguration on a grand scale.
McGonagall, however, had dismissed such feats as "flamboyant and utterly impractical magic."
But for Sean, it was a vital tool for his confrontation with the Basilisk. If he could literally drop a mountain—or even a very large part of the ceiling—on the serpent's head, one of the biggest hurdles in creating a "Basilisk Biscuit" would be solved.
Under these plans, the summer holidays quietly slipped away.
During this time, the Fairy Tale Workshop officially announced the launch of the "Cerberus Series," a move that set the wizarding world ablaze once more. Shop No. 77, a place only a handful of people had ever entered, was fast becoming a legend.
Journalists from Witch Weekly camped outside Diagon Alley daily, desperate for a scoop, but they always returned empty-handed. Aside from the designated opening day, the shop remained "dead to the world."
September 1st.
Every student in Britain was heading toward King's Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express. Leaving home was always tinged with a bit of melancholy, but the thought of reuniting with friends on the train usually cured the blues in record time.
This was the tradition of September 1st, but today, there was an exception.
"Do I really have to do this, Hagrid?"
Sean was following the half-giant out of the castle. He had spent his recent days researching the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. His memory was a bit fuzzy on the details, recalling only Moaning Myrtle and a girl's bathroom. He had a few theories, and finding the true entrance was his top priority for the new term.
"'Course yeh do! Yeh've never ridden in a Thestral carriage before—believe me, it's a grand feelin'!"
Hagrid's voice boomed as he led Sean down the slope toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Specifically, toward the Thestrals. They were tasked with leading the herd to Hogsmeade Station to ferry the older students back to the castle.
After all, the first-years had the traditional boats, but the second-years and up couldn't very well be expected to swim across the lake.
The sky had begun to dim, the sun hanging in the trees like a ripe orange.
Hogsmeade Station was becoming a hive of activity. In the distance, the scarlet steam engine began to slow down. Justin, Hermione, and Neville could hear the chaotic bustle from within the carriages as everyone scrambled to gather their trunks and pets.
They stepped onto the platform, feeling the familiar, sharp bite of the night air on their faces. As they moved toward the exit, they caught the scent of the pine trees lining the path to the lake.
Once on the platform, they strained their ears for a familiar voice.
"Firs'-years over 'ere! Firs'-years! Come on, now..."
The voice was familiar, yet strangely high-pitched. They looked toward the source and saw a young wizard corralling the new students.
"Sean?"
Hermione froze. Had Hogwarts actually given Hagrid's job to Sean? He was only a sec—well, he was only twelve!
While Hermione stood in shock, Justin and Neville were already jumping in to help guide the wandering, confused first-years. Once the newcomers were finally gathered, Hermione finally managed to voice her confusion.
"Where's Hagrid, Sean? Why are you doing this?" she asked, her brow furrowed.
"Lost a Thestral. Hagrid's gone to find it; he'll be back shortly," Sean replied calmly.
When Hagrid was around him, the half-giant tended to get a bit over-reliant on Sean's competence. He had actually suggested that Sean lead ten Thestrals back to the station on his own, completely forgetting that Sean was still just a student.
"Thestrals? Is that the—never mind, not the time. Have you seen Harry and Ron? We couldn't find them on the train. Did they come back early?" Hermione asked.
Justin and Neville both looked up, waiting for the answer.
Sean had a fair idea of what had happened. He gave a quiet "They'll be fine," which caused Hermione to let out a long sigh of relief.
"Right. Well, how are we getting up to the castle?" Hermione asked, looking curiously at the line of about a hundred carriages standing without horses.
"Don't be in such a rush."
As Sean spoke, a completely unfamiliar voice—dreamy and almost musical—spoke from behind them.
"You use Thestrals to pull the carriages?"
Before anyone could react, the speaker moved closer. It was a "strange" young witch.
She had straggly, waist-length, dirty-blonde hair and very pale eyebrows. Her eyes were slightly protuberant, giving her a look of permanent surprise. There was an unmistakable aura of "dotty" about her.
Perhaps it was the way she had tucked her wand behind her left ear for safekeeping; or the necklace she wore made of Butterbeer corks; or the fact that she was currently reading a magazine—The Quibbler—upside down.
"A pleasure to meet you all. Can you see the Thestrals as well? No... it seems only he and I can see them."
Luna Lovegood looked up from her upside-down magazine. She didn't seem to blink as often as normal people, and she spent an inordinate amount of time staring directly at Sean.
"Yes," Sean replied simply.
"She's a bit... odd," Hermione whispered, watching Luna.
"Maybe," Justin said mildly, not sounding particularly bothered.
"It's just like the Thestrals," Luna said, her voice airy as she seemingly overheard Hermione. She raised her voice slightly. "People used to think Blibbering Humdingers and Crumple-Horned Snorkacks didn't exist either. Can you imagine?"
"But Blibbering Humdingers and Crumple-Horned Snorkacks don't exist," Hermione said, her voice sharp with irritation. She was particularly annoyed to see Sean looking as though he were giving the girl's words serious, thoughtful consideration.
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