Chapter 380: The Bold Plan

Hope Cottage underwent tremendous changes.

According to Mr. Owl, they could alter the cottage at will—no matter their request, the cottage would fulfill it.

Thus, Jia Jia Siting gained a kitchen and a small garden, while Hermione acquired row upon row of bookshelves.

Wizard Sean subtly glanced toward the left side of the cottage, where a hidden door lay concealed.

Wizard Sean did not enter immediately; he sat before his wooden bookshelf and began his daily studies.

First, in Transfiguration, he had already achieved mastery, yet remained at a combat level of five.

He opened his panel:

【Magical Transfiguration: Beginner (50/900)】

【Material Transfiguration: Skilled (10/3000)】

【Soul Transfiguration: Skilled (50/3000)】

Once-leading Magical Transfiguration had now fallen behind; Wizard Sean was unaccustomed to such a thing.

After all, legendary Transfiguration required two masters and one legendary practitioner.

He could not afford any imbalance.

Fortunately, Soul Transfiguration had reached 【Skilled】. Wizard Sean instinctively sensed his Soul Transfiguration had undergone major changes—yet since he had not yet entered the threshold of soul-nakedness, he could not yet feel them deeply.

Second, in Alchemy, he had already discovered two high-grade alchemical artifacts: the Wizard’s Book and the Fairy Tale Cookie.

Progress on the Wizard’s Book and the Fairy Tale Cookie was slow but steady; yet on the third category, Wizard Sean once again hit a wall of exploration.

So he opened his panel:

【High-Level · Wizard’s Book: Apprentice (100/300)】

【High-Level · Fairy Tale Cookie: Expert (6700/9000) (Stored)】

【Advanced: Three Master-level high-grade alchemical artifacts unlock the Master title in Alchemy】

After shifting his gaze, Wizard Sean checked the progress of Potions, Herbology, Charms, Dark Arts, and others.

Thanks to his daily studies, their advancement had always been steady.

Yet most remained at 【Skilled】.

The only lagging magical discipline was Divination.

It was too obscure—even after studying under the Centaur teacher for a considerable time, it had still not unlocked, always three proficiency points short.

The Centaur teacher was not in the least anxious; instead, he calmly reassured Wizard Sean:

“We call the infinite, ever-shifting causality of countless changes Fate. Learning such things, surprise is the least surprising thing.”

Thus, Wizard Sean’s proficiency remained stuck on those final three points.

……

Busy days flowed like water.

Harry and Ron were amazed by the changes in Hope Cottage, and equally astonished by the transformations in Jia Jia Siting and Hermione.

In the past, they had little entertainment and studied constantly within the cottage;

now, they could no longer be seen relaxing—through long stretches, they seemed to hold their breath, determined to fully realize their magical potential.

On very dark nights, just before curfew, Wizard Sean sometimes walked back to the dormitory with them.

Mr. Filch always turned a blind eye to their behavior; as the castle’s caretaker, he understood well the astonishing and inexplicable changes these two young wizards had undergone.

But that did not prevent him from viewing it as an excellent development brought by Mr. Green.

One morning,

when the corridor was coated in a layer of hard frost,

Jia Jia Siting unusually interrupted Wizard Sean:

“Wizard Sean, when we return for Christmas break, we’ve already uncovered Lockhart’s deeds—but…”

Hermione took over:

“He’s like Voldem—like Voldemort, skilled at manipulating minds; we can’t find enough witnesses or testimony.”

As Hermione uttered that terrifying word, she paused instinctively, then spoke it firmly.

“What are you planning to do?”

Wizard Sean put down The Book of Ghosts, tucked away the two-way mirror and cookies, and asked.

“We’ll get the truth from his mouth!”

Hermione said seriously.

“Hermione wants to brew the Truth Serum; when she finishes it, we’ll subdue Lockhart and uncover everything.”

Jia Jia Siting laid out the plan.

If Ron heard this, he’d surely say:

“Have you ever heard of a plan with so many steps that could go wrong?”

But it was Wizard Sean who heard it—he only nodded:

“Fine.”

“Wonderful!”

Jia Jia Siting and Hermione were overjoyed.

“What do you need me to do?”

Wizard Sean asked.

As if subduing a Hogwarts professor were the simplest thing in the world.

And the two before him had not the slightest doubt in the young wizard’s abilities.

If Wizard Sean one day said he intended to duel Voldemort, they would instinctively consider how to prevent Voldemort from escaping.

“You must do the hardest thing.”

Jia Jia Siting said in a low voice.

“Stay at Hogwarts, so we know you’re here.”

……

The fourth week of Christmas break.

Aside from studying, Jia Jia Siting and Hermione were carrying out their secret plan.

Jia Jia Siting was to subdue Lockhart, while Hermione needed to brew the Truth Serum.

Wizard Sean was curious whether Hermione could brew the Truth Serum, and equally curious how Jia Jia Siting would subdue Lockhart.

After all, though Lockhart was a fraud, his proficiency in Obliviation was no small matter.

This pushed him to rapidly modify an object—the two-way mirror.

The two-way mirror was far more convenient and practical than a plan map.

That way, even if something went wrong, he could learn of it instantly and arrive swiftly.

Meanwhile, Yi Fa’s closeness had risen to 【Close】; Wizard Sean’s Cat-Panther Cookie would be ready within a week.

Aside from dedicating effort to alchemical artifact creation, Transfiguration, and Charm proficiency,

Wizard Sean was also quietly waiting for another moment.

That was the restoration of the Soul Relic.

For over a week, Wizard Sean had not entered the Threshold.

His Soul Transfiguration had reached 【Skilled】; logically, it should have changed—but until he entered the Threshold, that change remained only a hidden perception.

That evening, the cold wind cut at his hands and cheeks.

The sky and the Great Hall’s ceiling turned a pale blue-gray; the mountains surrounding Hogwarts wore snowcaps, the castle’s temperature dropped sharply, and many students wore thick gloves during breaks in the corridors.

Wizard Sean walked through the corridor; a faint glow flickered across his chest—the Soul Relic.

The young wizard’s quiet eyes widened slightly; his steps grew lighter.

Thus, night arrived as scheduled.

Lights in Ravenclaw Tower were dim; young wizards still whispered passionately among themselves.

Wizard Sean passed through the common room, his gaze lingering on the statues within Ravenclaw Tower—Rowena Ravenclaw’s white curls crowned with a stone diadem…

At the same moment he returned to his dormitory, mist slowly rose.