Night had deepened, trucks rumbling over the wet pavement outside.
London was financializing, Canary Wharf rising, but the streets where the orphanage stood were still piled with uncollected garbage bags.
Inside the house, there was always the smell of disinfectant, but it couldn't cover the stale odor, the matrons were exhausted, the children alert like wounded little animals.
Sean curled up in the worn-out cheap synthetic fiber bedding, sleeping soundly.
Just now, he had tested the unlocked green talent.
To this, he only wanted to say one thing:
"What kind of hard days did I live before?"
It turned out that three practices could yield one correct practice,
it turned out that wizards had some perception of the pronunciation of Charms,
for example "Scourgify", he had always thought it was "Scour—g—ify", but just now, on a sudden whim, why couldn't it be "S—cour—g—ify"?
So in some mysterious state, he had harvested his first [Proficient].
A full 10 proficiency!
His progress of five days,
he had achieved in five seconds! No wonder it was the magical world of talent, he could also somewhat experience it.
Tomorrow was the time for Professor McGonagall to pick him up, hoping he could perform well enough, at least enough to meet the minimum standard for the scholarship.
Speaking of which, what was the scholarship standard for first-year young witches and wizards at Hogwarts?
Sean didn't know, but he was sure he would achieve it.
No other reason, just the Proficiency System.
As long as he could persistently learn magic, he would definitely stand at the pinnacle of the magical world.
With beautiful fantasies of the future, Sean fell into a deep sleep.
...
September 1, 1991.
This was a special day, Sean was leaving the orphanage.
He neatly packed his clothes, only two undergarments and two pairs of pants were still barely usable, as for the others, they were either too big or too small.
When he dragged a cheap suitcase to the door, he was surprised to discover that the things belonging to him in the orphanage were so few.
"Sean, you'd better not come rolling back because you can't pay the tuition and miscellaneous fees! You'll regret it then!"
Matron Anna twisted her obese body, her tone still sharp and mean.
"No need to worry about me! Square Aunt! I hope you don't get laid off because of the recent cuts! But with your performance, you're definitely getting fired!"
After saying that, Sean quickly ran to the door, leaving only Matron Anna's shrill curses behind,
Sean didn't understand this slang, only assuming she was cursing him.
Phew—finally able to properly retort that cylinder, it was her turning a blind eye to the original body's serious illness, one of the culprits in the original body's death.
In this world, no one knew of the original body's death, the Sean who had transmigrated from another world was the only one,
cursing her harshly was like collecting interest for the original body.
Normally, this was something he wouldn't dare think of, but now he did it as soon as he thought of it,
Oh my god, Sean, how did you do it, you're really something, you guy! With a smile, Sean trotted to the peeling paint door, the faded "Oak Children's Home" plaque hanging crookedly on it, shaking off dust in the wind.
Below the plaque,
Professor McGonagall wore square glasses, black curly hair tied in a high bun, a deep green robe paired with a Scottish plaid shirt, exuding a stern aura.
But when she saw the thin Sean running over, her lips still curved up a bit.
"Professor McGonagall, sorry to keep you waiting."
Sean trotted all the way to Professor McGonagall, his body was weak, running two steps would leave him gasping, but he always ran like this to Professor McGonagall.
Last time when shopping, it was the same, when Professor McGonagall asked the reason, this little guy replied in an almost inaudible voice:
"Important people should be met by running."
The adult cat lady didn't say it on her mouth, but her heart was completely softened.
"You can go slower, Mr. Green, we have plenty of time."
Professor McGonagall's voice wasn't as stern as her expression, she gently took Sean's hand.
But suddenly discovered that this thin little guy was looking at her carefully and attentively.
"S—cour—g—ify."
With Sean's wand wave, the dust on Professor McGonagall's hair disappeared.
"Dirty things can't be... on your head."
Sean was still gasping, after doing this, his breathing became even more rapid, the voice he made was very soft, but also very stubborn. Professor McGonagall stared at Sean somewhat dazedly, surprise and relief flashing in her eyes.
"A qualified Scourgify, how long did it take you to learn it, Mr. Green?"
Professor McGonagall gently led him forward slowly while asking.
"I only learned it yesterday, Professor."
Sean wasn't gasping anymore, his head was lowered, his tone carrying caution and lack of confidence.
"You did very well, Mr. Green, it seems you really can get that scholarship."
Professor McGonagall noticed that caution, she smiled and said this encouraging words.
Sean was silent, only lifting his head to gaze at Professor McGonagall with sparkling big eyes, then quickly withdrawing his gaze.
His heart was already popping champagne.
According to Professor McGonagall's character, when she said this, half of his scholarship was in the bag, although acting like a pitiful orphan was somewhat immoral, but for the scholarship, to escape the deadly orphanage and survive, Sean had no choice.
His body still needed recuperation, the scholarship was the money he had the most hope of earning.
Sure enough, the next sentence, Professor McGonagall revealed the scholarship news.
"Headmaster Dumbledore has approved it, within the first month, if your seven subjects can all achieve Outstanding, you can be granted a scholarship of six hundred Galleons."
Professor McGonagall calmly said the news that made Sean's heart surge, she looked at the little boy beside her, as if waiting for his smile.
Unexpectedly, Sean only lowered his head even more.
After a long time, his voice finally sounded weakly:
"...Thank you, Professor, actually, I know from the books that Hogwarts doesn't have scholarships for first-year young witches and wizards, thank you for your efforts, letting me learn magic."
After saying these words, he didn't speak anymore,
this was his sincere words.
Professor McGonagall was stunned for a moment, then, her heart softened just like her smile.
"This is what you deserve, Mr. Green, you don't need to thank for such things."
She inadvertently glanced at Sean, but collided full-on with his third careful peek,
"How long have you practiced Charms?"
Before arriving at the platform, Professor McGonagall asked the last question.
"Thirteen hours, Professor."
Sean answered honestly.
"Total?"
The professor's gaze flickered, seeming somewhat heavy.
"Every day."
...
The train station was bustling with noise, Sean dragged his heavy suitcase, struggling through the crowded crowd.
"That platform behind is the Hogwarts Express, don't be afraid to just rush in, Mr. Green."
Professor McGonagall's words echoed in his mind, looking at that solid wall, even knowing there wouldn't be a problem, Sean still had some worries, but thinking that Professor McGonagall might still be watching, he gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and merged into the wall.
But in the eyes of a certain adult cat lady, Sean had no hesitation at all, just charging toward that wall.
"That child trusts you a lot, Minerva."
An elderly voice appeared beside Professor McGonagall,
"Outstanding in all seven subjects isn't a simple task, do you believe he can do it?"
Out of some interest, a certain white Dark Lord chuckled and asked this.
"Albus, even if all of Hogwarts only has one person who can do it, I believe that will be Sean."
Professor McGonagall's gaze was firm, she was still immersed in that thirteen hours every day.
Even in her most forgetful-of-sleep-and-meals times, she couldn't achieve two months of such intensity continuously.
Let alone the group of mischievous young witches and wizards at Hogwarts who fooled around all day.
"Sean is a pitiful child, and also a... well-behaved and sensible child, he deserves that scholarship."
Professor McGonagall was silent for a moment, making such an evaluation.