Chapter 179: Hogwarts Learning Panel Chapter 80

Wizard Sean felt that the only difference between himself and Headmaster Dumbledore at this moment was that the Headmaster needed woolen socks, while he needed a warm sweater.

Wizard Sean's thoughts drifted; one moment he thought of how Mrs. Wei Wei Silai often sent sweaters to the children (including Harry) for Christmas, and the next he recalled Headmaster Dumbledore saying he saw woolen socks in the Mirror of Erised, which were actually Albus·Gellert·Grindelwald·woolen socks.

Professor Snape stared coldly at Wizard Sean's notes, his gaze shifting from icy disdain to suppressed surprise and shock, finally settling into complete emotionlessness:

"You should know that this... is extremely precious."

Professor Snape's voice was eerie.

Wizard Sean nodded.

"Fool! Ignorant fool! I see you do not understand its value in the slightest! Like a Muggle holding a wand, unaware of the magical power it contains!"

Professor Snape roared, his anger stemming from a source Wizard Sean could not fathom again.

He silently opened that copy of Advanced Potion-Making, where the handwriting was clearly visible:

[Libatius Borage's greatest achievement was no longer discovering potion rituals and will-guidance methods,

but continuing the trajectory of truth, handing it completely to his successor.]

Professor Snape's trailing words stuck in his throat; he scanned that sentence, preparing to speak, when he saw the next one:

[Infinite distances, endless truth... you should know, they are being born in your hands.]

Professor Snape's fury gradually subsided, replaced after its extinction by an incredibly suppressed whisper:

"If you knew, Wizard Sean Green, you would not have exposed it..."

He stared icily at Wizard Sean, as if trying to pierce through to his heart.

Wizard Sean remained unmoved, merely saying softly:

"Professor, in fact, only you know."

The mocking corner of Professor Snape's mouth froze; he gazed at this student who stood with him in the shadows, momentarily at a loss.

"Hah—do you mean..."

After a long silence, Professor Snape asked again, his face gloomy.

Wizard Sean silently nodded.

"Do you think... everyone is worthy of trust?"

Professor Snape's voice seemed to burst through clenched teeth,

as if he were rebuking Wizard Sean, yet also rebuking his own self who had foolishly trusted Voldemort.

"Listen to me! Wizard Sean Green, these notes are not to be revealed to anyone! If you dare do so..."

He gripped the notes, threatening.

The student before him... was foolishly laughable, stubbornly laughable, and... purely laughable.

As Wizard Sean walked briskly away from the dungeons, the gaze behind him never left him for an instant.

Snape could not describe these feelings, these feelings he hated, despised... feared—

This fool trusted him.

His gaze dimmed—

Those bitterness and regrets, sealed away until they were nearly rusted, surged into his heart.

To call it awkward would be too harsh, too inhuman.

It was likely that past suffering sought to intimidate present... hope.

In the corridor.

Those portraits on the walls, usually so talkative in days past, had fallen into deep sleep; some emitted soft snores, some wore their hats askew, drool nearly dripping to the edges of their frames.

Looking at Sir Cadogan, who had fallen asleep waiting for him and was drooling, and then at the two sleeping Ladies, Wizard Sean sometimes felt they could get along probably because their "tastes" were consistent.

Several torches inserted into iron brackets still burned, casting wavering shadows of varying lengths, making the ancient carvings on the walls and the patterns on the tapestries seem to come alive, swaying their shadows with the candlelight.

Wizard Sean was already accustomed to walking at night, except for it being somewhat cold.

Sometimes Mrs. Norris would accompany him for a stretch, and that was when Jia Jia Siting's dried fish proved very useful.

Relying on the dried fish, Wizard Sean could pet Mrs. Norris's head, adding quite a bit to his affinity with magical creatures.

But today, the Lady was clearly absent.

Around the corner, suddenly came a series of extremely faint rustling sounds.

Immediately after, three small figures clad in wizarding robes slipped out from behind the wide base of a suit of armor.

The boy leading the way sported a head of messy blond hair, his freckles appearing particularly prominent due to excitement and nervousness. He gripped his wand tightly, cautiously poking his head out to peer down both ends of the corridor.

"Cl... clear?"

The small boy asked in a breathy voice, trembling severely.

The blond boy did not turn around, merely nodding vigorously and making a "follow me" gesture behind him.

"Filch is definitely dozing off in the Trophy Room downstairs; you know, he usually rests a while at this hour..."

He lowered his voice, unable to suppress the excitement within it,

"Also, I saw Mrs. Norris heading that way with my own eyes."

There were many young wizards at Hogwarts who wanted to cause trouble in Filch's office, but those who truly dared to take action were generally from Gryffindor.

Wizard Sean was about to walk away, but they suddenly mentioned Dungbombs.

This caused Wizard Sean to pause in his steps.

Dungbombs were one of the products sold at Zonko's Joke Shop, a type of magical stink bomb that emitted a rotting smell, invented in the 1880s by Alberic Grunnion.

They were among the most malicious prank toys; even touching a Dungbomb would make one's hands dirty.

Wizard Sean imagined the scene of Mr. Filch cleaning up Dungbombs and quickened his pace.

Yet he was still too late.

Just as Mrs. Norris let out a shriek, those audacious young wizards were even preparing to cast a spell on Mrs. Norris.

Although it was only the Aqua Eructo Charm, getting drenched in cold water just before winter was unpleasant.

"Ag—uamen—ti! (Aqua Eructo!)"

Wizard Sean saw the leading wizard waving his wand, even though he had mispronounced the incantation.

Mrs. Norris, frightened, hurriedly ran toward the door, only to be naturally scooped up by Wizard Sean.

"Finite Incantatem."

Wizard Sean waved his wand, and Mrs. Norris panted on Wizard Sean's shoulder.

"Bad! Run!"

The leading boy among the three whispered urgently, quickly attempting to flee Filch's office.

"Bullying someone who cannot do magic is not fun, sir."

Wizard Sean blocked the door.

This immediately caused the three young wizards to bare their fangs and brandish their claws.