Chapter 421: Preparations

After Transfiguration class, Hermione and Jia Jia Siting headed for the hospital wing.

For over a week, the lawn outside the hospital wing’s windows had become their base.

From there, Wizard Sean could hear their discussions below.

Today, their plan was finally set to begin.

As they discussed the details, heads bowed, they waited for Madam Pomfrey to come to the door and open it; the moment the door swung open, they immediately noticed two red-haired figures.

“Water or pumpkin juice?”

Fred held a tray of water cups.

“Water’s fine… no, pumpkin juice.”

Wizard Sean rubbed his temples, slightly exasperated.

“Careful, Fred, the great Green is a patient!”

George yelled, gripping the partition rail beside the bed.

“Of course, George! Let me ask you quietly—have you ever seen the great Green injured?”

Fred set down the tray, pretending to ask George, but his eyes never left Wizard Sean.

“Of course—not at all. Strange. The strangest thing in Hogwarts in recent years.”

George blinked at Wizard Sean.

“But he won’t say a word.”

Fred mocked in a singsong tone.

“Even his loyal followers don’t know who to blame.”

George immediately picked up the thread.

“I swear, if I ever meet the bastard who cast the curse—”

Fred picked up a telescope, his bulging eyes filling the tube.

“I’ll shove a whole handful of constipation beans down his nose and mouth!”

George shouted.

“Aha!”

They clapped hands together.

“What do you think?”

Two heads flanked Wizard Sean on either side.

“I need to think…”

Wizard Sean said slowly.

Shove constipation beans down Voldemort’s nose?

That would be difficult.

After all, Voldemort is the only wizard who will never be led by the nose.

“Bummer!”

Fred slipped away before Madam Pomfrey could chase them out.

“Boring!”

George bowed, then dashed off too.

Madam Pomfrey chased after their retreating backs, furious:

“You two brats! If you make another racket in the hospital wing, you’ll never be allowed in again!”

Far off, their echoes could be heard:

“Sorry, Madam Pomfrey! Oh, don’t be angry—we’ll be back!”

“Two little rascals.”

Madam Pomfrey spat again.

Then she looked down and saw the two second-year wizards standing there, frozen.

“Oh, dears, I didn’t mean you two.

Go on in. The Weasley brothers always cause a commotion, especially…”

Madam Pomfrey glanced at the other students staring over, then shook her head in confusion.

Little Green didn’t look at all like a troublemaker—how had he become their… leader?

Jia Jia Siting and Hermione finally peeked inside.

They looked ahead—Wizard Sean was only a few meters away.

He lay on a bed covered in crisp white linen sheets; the table beside him was piled high like a small mountain, as if half a sweetshop had been moved there.

“Jia Jia Siting. Hermione.”

He smiled.

“Wizard Sean, you’re… alright? You know, our plan could be delayed…”

Hermione scrutinized him closely.

“I hope you know—more importantly, we need you.”

Jia Jia Siting stared at Wizard Sean, wanting to know if he was truly fine.

“Madam Pomfrey has cleared me for discharge, but for safety, I need a few more days of observation.”

Wizard Sean said.

Madam Pomfrey, who had just looked up from cleaning, met the two boys’ pleading, helpless gazes.

“Go on, take the patient for a walk, children.”

Madam Pomfrey softened her sharp tone.

…

As February gave way to March, the weather changed little—only grew damper and windier.

The three young wizards walked side by side down the corridor, lips moving, yet no sound reached the air.

Only when close enough could one hear their startling conspiracy.

“Alright, let’s go over the plan again, to make sure nothing’s missed.”

Hermione said seriously,

“First, I’ll go to Professor Lockhart for his signature, telling him we’re organizing a fan club for him, then lure him to the storage room you mentioned, Wizard Sean.

Then, Jia Jia Siting, you’ll hide inside and use your new spell, Expelliarmus, to disarm him, followed by the Dancing Spell to disable him.

Finally, Jia Jia Siting—are you certain you can disarm him the instant the door opens?”

Jia Jia Siting nodded calmly and sincerely.

“If he reacts, I’ll join you immediately.”

Hermione nodded,

“Then the most critical point—Wizard Sean, you’ll be there the whole time, right?”

She asked.

Wizard Sean nodded.

“Perfect! I’m confident every step is flawless, but the key remains adapting if something goes wrong…

Now, I’ll confirm one last time the truth potion’s effects…”

Hermione said, pulling out a crystal vial and nervously flipping to the stained page of Advanced Potion-Making,

“It looks exactly as the book describes… after Lockhart drinks it, we’ll have a full hour to question him.”

“Hermione, listen—I’ve heard you confirm this for the sixteenth time.

There might be surprises, but if something goes wrong, we’ll handle it together.

Relax, okay?”

Jia Jia Siting soothed.

Hermione glared at him, then turned serious eyes to Wizard Sean.

“The plan is perfect. Nothing will go wrong.”

Wizard Sean’s voice came, and Hermione relaxed slightly.

“Alright, we split up. See you tonight.”

Hermione strode off, crystal vial in hand, determined to test the truth potion’s effects.

“See you tonight, Wizard Sean.”

Jia Jia Siting prepared to find Neville to practice spells.

Thus, Wizard Sean gained peace.

He sat in the central courtyard of Hogwarts’ tower, commanding a vine to serve as a chair.

Then he quietly read.

He had many books: the Ghost Book, Headmaster Dumbledore’s Transfiguration notes, and recently, old volumes left behind by Ravenclaw’s workshop.

In the hospital, he should have had plenty of time, since the hospital wing was supposed to be quiet.

But Fred and George ran in all day, and occasionally other students brought him sweets.

Among them, Hannah had cautiously asked him a few very specific questions.

“Mr. Green, oh, I heard you’ve been dreaming. You dreamed of the black cat of good fortune, didn’t you?”

Hannah asked earnestly.

Wizard Sean held the book, unsure how to respond.

“I think I understand. Congratulations on having a lucky dream!”

Would you like to join our club? The largest club at Hogwarts.

If you’d rather not, please still join the Lucky Council—it includes Harry, Ginny, and me.

We are among the very few wizards who have dreamed of a lucky black cat, and I believe there must be a reason.

Would you be willing to uncover these secrets with us?”

Hannah extended her sincere invitation.