Chapter 185: The Great Hypothesis

Wizard Sean vaguely felt he had found the missing piece that the magical creature cookies lacked, and his mind echoed with the professor's words:

“You’ve worked hard in the deep realm, just like those alchemists of old; now you know they had no path forward, so I ask you to view it from another angle.”

So, another angle…

Wizard Sean had a few suspicions.

After the heavy December snow came endless rainy days.

The young witches and wizards returned to Hogwarts Castle, brimming with excitement.

Jia Jia Siting was the first back; he greeted every wizard in the classroom with a hug.

“Oh, you’ll never guess what I saw in Diagon Alley.”

Jia Jia Siting said.

“What?”

Harry and Ron were both curious.

Wizard Sean already guessed.

“Of course—”

He pulled out a photograph: a shop crammed with people, its entrance guarded by a warm-hearted witch enthusiastically selling animal-shaped biscuits.

The photo seemed taken from afar—every few steps, wizards in waiter uniforms held up posters advertising: “Animal Party Series Transformation Biscuits—Limited Time, Limited Quantity—While Supplies Last!”

“Cool—Fred and George have always dreamed of opening a shop like this!”

Ron stared at the poster; the advertisement made him want to buy, even though he had only a few Sickles to his name.

Jia Jia Siting gave him a strange look—how could he miss all these crucial details…

“You still have no idea what I saw in Diagon Alley!”

At that moment, Hermione entered the Hope Hut, carrying a bag of gift boxes.

Everyone turned to look at her.

“...You definitely don’t know!”

After entering, she grabbed Wizard Sean, who was slipping away toward the alchemy office.

Then she regarded him with a subtle, probing gaze.

“Who’s going first?”

Ron ventured.

“Fine, I will—”

Hermione raised an eyebrow at Wizard Sean and spoke in a storytelling tone:

“I went to Diagon Alley because my parents rarely go, so we decided to check it out. We were buying candy that cleans between teeth when we spotted this shop…”

Her voice rose sharply:

“Wizard Sean! You’ve been hiding this from us again!”

“Hiding… what?”

Harry was confused.

“Oh, Harry, you and Ron weren’t around during the important moments—I’ll explain later. Jia Jia Siting, you saw it too?”

Hermione glanced at the photo and asked.

“Yeah, I wanted to buy a set… but they sold out. But when I asked the witch owner’s name, she pulled me inside and sold me an extra set. She told me to deliver a message to hurry Wizard Sean along.”

Jia Jia Siting said slowly.

“An extra set?!”

Hermione puffed out her cheeks.

…

A new shop opening in Diagon Alley was normal—but if it was called “Weil Wei Silai & Green Magical Tricks Emporium,” it was something else entirely.

“So, Wizard Sean, you opened a shop with Fred and George? It’s already a sensation in Diagon Alley?”

Ron said in disbelief.

“It’s all of Britain—Weil Wei Silai & Green Magical Tricks Emporium offers owl-based ‘online shopping.’”

Jia Jia Siting smiled.

“Merlin! I need to get some from Fred and George! I’ve coveted that ‘Genduoka Knight’ for ages!”

Ron bolted out the door.

A faint smile tugged at Wizard Sean’s lips as he remembered something.

Outside the Hope Hut, Ron had barely reached the Great Hall when a Gryffindor blocked his path.

“Ron! You’ve ruined me!”

Dean lunged at him without warning.

“Wait, I need to get something from Fred, Dean.”

Ron was knocked down but sprang up immediately—his mind was fixed on the rare knight, nothing else mattered.

“Oh? Oh, really? Can I come with you?”

Watching Ron’s confident, determined expression, Dean trailed after him, puzzled.

Afternoon. The Great Hall.

Joy of reunion filled the air.

Before each young witch and wizard lay golden plates and goblets brimming with food and drink. Returning students eagerly piled their plates with everything within reach and began devouring. Laughter and clinking cutlery echoed from all four tables.

“Fred!”

Ron shouted.

“George!”

Ron’s voice turned pleading.

Soon, the twins left satisfied, leaving Ron and Dean with ashen faces.

“I’m such a fool, Ron! How am I supposed to afford anything now that prices are doubled—”

Dean lunged again, wrapping his arms around Ron in a bear hug.

The scene drew a crowd; the twins even placed bets: whether Ron would first shove Dean’s leg away, or Dean would first choke Ron into gasping.

Professor McGonagall appeared at the head table and ended the brawl.

Wizard Sean ate quietly in the Great Hall; while Ron was running and shouting, he left some of the biscuit series he’d made on the entrance cabinet.

Then he went to dine.

He arrived even earlier than Ron, so while Ron pleaded with Fred,

he was eating;

while Fred “toyed” with Ron,

he was eating;

while Ron and Dean wrestled and the twins took bets from the crowd,

he was eating with quiet amusement.

Several Hufflepuff third-years deeply approved of his behavior and shyly shared some food they’d made in the kitchen.

Wizard Sean’s assessment was:

Hufflepuffs were truly gifted in food magic—as if it were an innate talent.

The lunch ended quickly.

When Wizard Sean went to the library to find sources to verify his theory, few witches or wizards were there.

Madam Pince was unusually dozing at her desk; Wizard Sean cast a quiet charm around her and conjured a thick, plush blanket to drape over her.

He sat beside her, opening one heavy, ancient book after another.

The sky was overcast with drizzle and drifting snow, enough to send a shiver through anyone.

Winter air shattered against the crackling fire; soft magical candles illuminated line after crooked line of text.

Near the fire, Wizard Sean had sat for nearly half a year—now the spot held many of his used quills and Madam Pince’s thick stacks of book records.

As the flame flickered, Wizard Sean wrote down a theory that would shake the entire alchemical world.

Two more chapters are linked; Lu will post them later.