Chapter 149: I Promise

The Weasley twins were punished for enchanting several snowballs to chase Quirrell around, finally smashing into the back of his turban.

Wizard Sean saw this scene and was momentarily stunned.

It seemed Hogwarts’ persecution of Voldemort wasn’t just Penelope’s flames—it was also the Weasleys’ snowballs.

No wonder Voldemort was determined to attack Hogwarts.

There was a grudge.

Just as the Weasley twins were being dragged away by a visibly angry Professor Sprout, Wizard Sean headed toward the castle, fully prepared—now only practice remained.

Cold wind swept through the corridors; the fire in the Transfiguration office burned weakly.

Professor McGonagall stood by the window, fingers gripping a letter, as if she had seen last winter.

The firelight danced on her square glasses, revealing a dimness in her eyes she had never shown anyone.

She set down the letter, deliberately slowing her movements, as if merely organizing papers—and outside, the snowscape of Hogwarts stretched on.

Until—

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Wizard Sean gently tapped on the door of the Transfiguration office.

“Come in, child.”

Professor McGonagall sat down before the wooden desk.

Advanced Transfiguration is more dangerous and complex; it must be practiced under safe conditions.

Wizard Sean remembered the professor’s words and began today’s Transfiguration practice.

He waved his wand, and the beetle gradually began growing feathers…

[Clear and specific intent, firm belief, sufficient will]

Transfiguration always obeys these three rules; the beetle grew larger, but within two seconds, it reverted back.

Wizard Sean panted, staring at the beetle, puzzled.

“Child,”

Professor McGonagall had rarely seen a young wizard look so confused; only now did she feel he truly resembled an eleven-year-old boy.

“Try to think—why a beetle?”

The professor’s eyes narrowed, then seemed to recall something, returning to a deep stillness.

“Why… a beetle?”

Wizard Sean murmured to himself, then quickly pulled out the professor’s notes:

[When performing Advanced Transfiguration, one can strengthen belief by identifying corresponding elements.]

Below this line, examples were listed:

For instance, transforming a frog into a toad is easier, or a canary into a cuckoo.

Both are “living creature to living creature” transformations in Advanced Transfiguration, yet they are easier precisely because they share extremely similar traits.

Wizard Sean suddenly recalled something—the wizard who turned his companion into a badger—did he truly believe his companion was a badger?

So when Wizard Sean waved his wand again, the beetle quickly became a large feathered bird—though some antennae and shell surfaces remained, it had reached apprentice level:

[You performed one Advanced Transfiguration at apprentice standard, proficiency +30]

“You are an unquestionable genius, Mr. Green!”

Professor McGonagall exclaimed, then watched as Wizard Sean, eager, began practicing relentlessly with his wand.

As he had said, once the interface showed progress, success was merely a matter of time.

After some practice, Wizard Sean had mastered the basics.

And once he reached adept level, he could begin crafting “Owl Cookies.”

Just before leaving the office, he saw Professor McGonagall walking slowly over; she took his hand, her face softened by the warm firelight, and whispered:

“This Christmas, you will receive a letter. I promise.”

Wizard Sean understood the hidden knowledge within magical branches, yet felt bewildered by these inexplicable feelings.

…

Thanks to the thickening snow, Professor Sprout’s smile grew warmer:

“By next spring, life buried under snow will flourish even more.”

She often said this while holding her hoe.

Outside the castle, Wizard Sean, Jia Jia Siting, and Neville trudged through deep snow toward the greenhouses.

Nearby, Harry had just returned from training.

“I really feel sorry for those people,”

Draco Malfoy said, standing in the snow,

“They have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because their families don’t want them.”

He spoke with his eyes fixed on Harry.

Crabbe and Goyle snickered beside him.

Harry ignored them, turning instead to Ron, who had come to meet him—behind Ron stood Hagrid wrapped in a coat, and Ron held a steaming cup of honey-lemon tea—given by Jia Jia Siting.

Since the Quidditch match, Malfoy had grown even more sullen.

He raged over Slytherin’s defeat, claiming next time a giant-mouthed tree frog would replace Harry as Seeker.

He had hoped to make everyone laugh, but no one found it funny—everyone admired how Harry had managed to stay firmly on his wildly bucking broom.

Malfoy, jealous and furious, turned to mock Harry’s lack of a proper family.

“And you—can you move out of the way? Don’t block the path?”

At that moment, Malfoy snapped at Ron in a cold, drawling tone:

“Pandering to Hagrid, Weasley? I suppose you hope that after graduating from Hogwarts, you’ll become gamekeeper too?

—Hagrid’s hut must seem like a palace compared to your old home!”

Ron lunged at Malfoy—just as Professor Snape appeared.

“Weasley!”

Ron released his grip on Malfoy’s shirt.

“Someone provoked them first, Professor Snape,”

Hagrid said,

“Malfoy just insulted both their families.”

Hagrid and Harry held little hope—they knew Professor Snape was unreasonable.

Ron clenched his anger, knowing what awaited him: Snape’s prejudice—he had done this before, many times.

But to their surprise, Professor Snape said nothing at first; he stared at them darkly, then glanced toward the distant, fleeting emerald eyes heading toward the greenhouse.

“What… did he say?”

Snape felt an unnamed fury tearing and surging in his chest.

“Ah—I just said someone has no parents and is poor and ridiculous…”

Malfoy grinned smugly, unaware of the trembling beneath the black robes.

“Get out— all of you!”

Snape roared first at Harry, Ron, and the others.

They had never seen Professor Snape so furious; all fled, terrified.

“That’s weird, Harry—we just escaped punishment?”

Ron asked, bewildered.