Chapter 520: The Start of Term

Remembering the past, Professor McGonagall’s lips trembled, but she said nothing further.

“I thought… we were meant to be together…”

Snape likewise moved his lips, finishing the sentence awkwardly.

“I’m taking him today.”

Professor McGonagall abandoned the first topic and raised her second demand.

“Pointless personal entanglements are making him weak…”

Snape’s expression darkened.

“I believe the opposite.”

Professor McGonagall countered.

“Ha—”

Snape fell silent; his goal had been achieved.

Foolish Green, always surrounded by the truly dense, brawny, and simple-minded Potter…

If he’s going to Hogsmeade, that fool had better stay away—everyone knows the fugitive Sirius is Voldemort’s most capable ally, and his greatest desire is no secret…

“You should know about the safehouse.”

Professor McGonagall said suddenly before leaving.

“What?”

Snape was taken aback.

“He has a Portkey leading to a house protected by the Fidelius Charm.”

Professor McGonagall said calmly.

“…Secret-Keeper… me?”

Snape fell silent for a moment.

“You and I.”

Professor McGonagall nodded slowly.

“Ha… what else did you give him? An unregistered Portkey, a hidden safehouse… why not also give him an unregistered wand, so he can easily become a criminal the Ministry can’t arrest?”

Snape sneered.

Professor McGonagall paused, her expression showing unease for the first time.

“Don’t tell me…”

Snape was stunned—he never imagined someone had completed what he had intended but not yet done.

“It’s not what you think…”

Professor McGonagall seemed reluctant to speak.

“I’m afraid I don’t wish to know what comes next.”

Snape had no respect for Ministry law, but now he grew curious about the mysterious members of the McGonagall family.

He had assumed they were all like his rigid teacher.

Interesting. Very interesting…

Snape suppressed the smile tugging at his lips.

An unregistered Animagus, carrying an unregistered Portkey, a hidden safehouse, and a wand…

Snape could hardly imagine anything that could threaten him unless he deliberately sought danger.

Then Snape’s smile froze.

That fool seemed to have a fondness for seeking out danger.

As his face grew grim, Wizard Sean silently touched the Portkey and wand in his bag—Marcus Grandpa was no doubt a decorated Auror of the Ministry, able to acquire so many illegal items.

Now that he thought about it, his escape routes were remarkably complete.

…

The last week of summer, Wizard Sean spent at McGonagall’s villa.

Which meant that if he was to return to Hogwarts, he should take the Hogwarts Express.

Professor McGonagall clearly favored him boarding the train, mingling with other young witches and wizards, with friends.

Meanwhile, after a week on the farm, Wizard Sean noticed the animals had grown fewer. Whenever his gaze lingered on any creature for more than ten seconds, the next time he saw it, it was in the farm’s large pot.

The farm’s owner, Marcus Grandpa, was a sprightly old wizard who gladly assisted Professor McGonagall in teaching Wizard Sean the Patronus Charm.

Surprisingly, all three of their Patronuses were cats.

Professor McGonagall’s Patronus was noble and elegant, Wizard Sean’s was agile and solid, Marcus’s was thoroughly fat.

It floated there like a large dog.

Professor McGonagall had more than once glanced slyly at Marcus, who would stiffen his neck and mutter things like, “I was slim when I was young,” “Can’t a Patronus grow old?” or “Fat is better—it blocks curses over a wider area.”

Naturally, under the instruction of the professor and the Auror, Wizard Sean mastered a corporeal Patronus and raised its proficiency to [Skilled].

As for Fiendfyre, only one-tenth of its proficiency remained; within three days of the term’s start, Wizard Sean would reach Black Magic Master.

“Do you want to go to Hogsmeade?”

On the morning of September 1st, as they prepared to depart for Platform Nine, Professor McGonagall looked up from her newspaper and asked suddenly.

Wizard Sean met her gentle gaze but said nothing; the professor seemed to understand, and smiled as she rose from her chair:

“Come, child. It’s time to leave. To Hogwarts.”

Marcus's grandfather and the younger McGonagalls walked with them as far as they could; by the time they reached Platform Nine, Wizard Sean still seemed to hear Marcus's grandfather's parting words echoing in his ears.

“Sirius, I know he escaped—be careful, child, but don’t worry too much; we’ll catch him.

More importantly, be happy. A lively life is what matters…”

As he recalled these words, one blink later, Wizard Sean and Professor McGonagall passed through the solid metal wall and arrived at Platform Nine.

They looked up and saw the Hogwarts Express—a bright red steam locomotive, puffing smoke, the platform packed with witches and wizards seeing their children off.

The Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, and Jia Jia Siting appeared at the same moment.

“Oh, Professor McGonagall, what an honor to see you—are you escorting new students?”

“Ah! Green! Child, how is it you?”

Mrs. Weasley rushed forward warmly, surprised that Wizard Sean was always with Professor McGonagall—even last time at the Burrow—and couldn’t fathom why.

After all, the wizard before her was Wizard Sean Green, not Wizard Sean McGonagall or anything similar.

“Mrs. Weasley.”

Wizard Sean said with a touch of warmth.

“So glad to see you!”

Mrs. Weasley gave Wizard Sean a bear hug.

Professor McGonagall frowned slightly at her, leaving Mrs. Weasley utterly bewildered.

“Wizard Sean!”

Jia Jia Siting, Hermione, and Harry ran over together; Ron arrived last, having been staring at Percy’s sudden appearance.

“Look over there.”

Ron winked.

Everyone turned—and saw Percy loudly say:

“Ah, Penelope!”

He smoothed his hair, his face flushing pink.

The young witches and wizards exchanged glances, then turned away, stifling laughter.

Mrs. Weasley’s cheeks reddened slightly—after all, a professor was right there.

A short distance away, Percy strode purposefully toward a girl with long curls, puffing out his chest to make sure she saw his gleaming badge.

“Ah, ah… children, the train’s about to leave.”

Mrs. Weasley hurriedly said.

She kissed each of her children, then Hermione, Jia Jia Siting, and Harry.

Finally, her attempt to hug Wizard Sean was stopped by Professor McGonagall.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Weasley, he’s boarding.”

Professor McGonagall said, expressionless.