Chapter 426: The Spellcraft Plan

“Show respect to Mr. Green, big fellow!”

Will roared, shooting an arrow through the tree beside Hagrid.

“Didn’t Mr. Green tell you I’d be coming back?”

Hagrid grumbled.

“Mr. Green told me my task ends when the owner of this place returns.”

Will tilted his head up.

It seemed an immense honor to serve the gentleman he spoke of.

“I am the owner of this place!”

Hagrid shouted at the top of his lungs, hopeful.

“Mr. Green didn’t mention that—”

Will pointed his arrow at Hagrid’s forehead.

“Stubborn goblin! Why don’t you ask?!”

Hagrid couldn’t help but growl.

According to its logic, only the owner could enter—but since it didn’t know who the owner was, that meant no one could enter at all?!

“Fat mole! How dare you speculate on Mr. Green’s intentions?!”

Will roared without backing down.

Wizard Sean watched silently at the edge of the grass as a snowy-white-feathered owl landed on his shoulder, its beak clutching Mr. Owl, lifeless as a corpse.

Mr. Owl was unharmed—only exhausted.

It had battled three rounds with Bai Yi in owl form, and its former desire to challenge her was utterly shattered.

If it had seen Bai Yi defeat dozens of owls and land gracefully on Wizard Sean’s shoulder, it might never have entertained such thoughts.

“Bai Yi.”

Wizard Sean tapped the owl’s head with his finger.

“Goo-goo-goo…”

Bai Yi complained.

The Forbidden Forest was silent, save for Hagrid and Will standing face to face.

Suddenly, they both turned toward the grass—a young wizard stepped out.

“Will, this is the owner of the house, Hagrid.”

Wizard Sean said.

“Ah! Please come in, Mr. Hagrid.”

Will instantly changed his demeanor, bowing deeply to make way.

Completely different from before.

Hagrid scratched his head, suddenly filled with great curiosity about this goblin-like creature.

What a stubborn fool!

“Wizard Sean, come in quickly, and you too, Will.”

Hagrid called warmly.

His black beard gleamed with oil, and he wore a long beaver-fur coat; the moment he saw Wizard Sean’s face, he broke into a joyful smile.

Inside the house, the hearth glowed warmly; Hagrid sipped egg nog and recounted heart-pounding stories from his time at the Ministry of Magic.

“...Fudge refused to drop the case—he thought it was a great loss to the Ministry. But soon he changed his mind…”

Professor Dumbledore came, and word of your deeds reached his ears—oh dear, you said in the paper that I’m your best friend—is that true?

The Ministry finally agreed… By the way, Fudge asked me to pass along a greeting… What’s the point of that?

After he agreed, the Wizengamot reopened the case. Do you know what the Wizengamot is? The highest court in the wizarding world.

Never mind if you don’t—they were planning to nominate you as a Junior Councilor, but they couldn’t find you; Professor Dumbledore wouldn’t allow anyone else to enter Hogwarts…”

Hagrid had been away from Hogwarts for a long time; it seemed he wanted to pour out every word he’d held back.

Wizard Sean listened quietly, nodding occasionally.

“Hagrid, was the journey hard?”

He asked.

“Not at all! I could go to the Ministry three more times if every trip were this good!”

Hagrid’s broad face glowed red in the firelight.

“But there were troubles—they kept kicking the matter around like a ball.”

Hagrid’s beard twisted in frustration.

“But you handled it well.”

Wizard Sean said.

“Of course, of course…”

Hagrid laughed heartily.

After chatting with Hagrid, the moon had already risen high above the trees of the Forbidden Forest; Hagrid saw Wizard Sean off, reluctant to part.

He waved his large hand beside the hut, watching the young wizard vanish into the ink-black darkness.

Entering the castle corridor, Wizard Sean walked silently toward Ravenclaw Tower.

The matter of Hagrid and Lockhart had reached a temporary close.

As for what Hagrid mentioned about events beyond Hogwarts—such as the Wizengamot’s invitation—Wizard Sean had no interest.

This was the wizarding world; magic was the foundation of everything.

Wizard Sean would rather advance his spellcraft to [Expert] level than give an interview on today’s Transfiguration or publish an alchemy manual.

He opened his panel:

[Levitation Charm: Master (600/?) ]

[Stupefy: Expert (1201/9000)]

[Silencio: Expert (1011/9000)]

[Disillusionment Charm: Expert (2380/9000)]

[Advancement: Twelve Expert-level spells or five Master-level spells unlock the Expert title in Spellcraft.]

With his spell talent alone, reaching the Expert title would have taken at least until third year.

But now, with direct guidance from Ravenclaw, Wizard Sean was confident he could advance before the end of second year.

Still, he needed to choose five Master-level spells.

The Shield Charm, once thought difficult, was no longer his biggest hurdle.

With difficulty no longer the main concern, what now lay before him was choosing the most suitable spells.

Wizard Sean pondered as the night grew deeper.

[Patronus Charm], [Shield Charm], [Legilimency].

The parchment rustled softly as Wizard Sean wrote these three at the top of his notes.

The Patronus Charm was for next term; the Shield Charm, as a universal defensive spell, he would not miss.

As for Legilimency, that was Wizard Sean’s research in another direction.

…

Hogwarts Castle slept soundly; only owls occasionally flew past, their wings brushing the air with faint whispers.

Wizard Sean’s two-way mirror rippled suddenly; he pulled it out—the tabby cat was no longer licking its fur.

The moment Professor McGonagall’s angry face appeared, Wizard Sean swiftly called for Puckidge the butler.

Almost forgot again…

“Wizard Sean Green.”

Professor McGonagall said sternly, scanning Wizard Sean’s surroundings.

“Professor.”

Puckidge the butler returned to the Book of Wizards; Wizard Sean appeared suddenly on the hospital bed.

Beside him, Madam Pomfrey rubbed her eyes, muttered “Strange,” then ignored him.

She was a healer—patients returning was all that mattered; how they returned…

She had seen too many strange methods from Dumbledore.

“Hmm.”

Professor McGonagall’s expression softened.

They sat in silence; the last snow of winter was nearly melted.

Hogwarts was no longer as cold as before; Wizard Sean no longer spent his days wrapped in scarves from various wizards.

“Professor, could I learn the Patronus Charm from you?”

Wizard Sean asked suddenly.