Chapter 524

“Let me explain.”

Professor Lupin said slowly,

“The Patronus Charm is the most famous spell known, and one of the most powerful defensive incantations…”

It is an extremely complex and difficult spell that summons a semi-corporeal force of positivity—the Patronus.

It can drive away Dementors and Voldemort bats, creatures that have no other defense against it.”

Lupin clearly understood the Patronus Charm deeply, and he introduced it gently,

“Yet the vast majority of wizards and witches cannot summon any form of Patronus…”

“Then what do they do when faced with Dementors?”

Ron asked.

Lupin fell silent for a moment, then gave a slight shake of his head.

The young wizards instantly felt a chill run down their spines.

What would the Dementors have done to them if not for Wizard Sean’s Patronus?

And worst of all, they had no ability to resist at all.

“Can I learn it?”

Hermione suddenly asked,

“Professor Lupin?”

After eating a piece of chocolate, Hermione had clearly begun to respect this professor from the bookstore.

“The Patronus Charm is widely regarded as advanced magic, far beyond the level of ordinary wizards, Granger.

It is especially intricate and complex; even many experienced wizards and witches struggle to cast it.

Thus, even summoning an invisible Patronus is considered a mark of exceptional magical ability.”

Lupin did not directly answer Hermione’s question, but instead framed it as an explanation, causing her to lower her head slightly.

“What about Wizard Sean? I just saw… a cat?”

Ron asked, scratching his head.

“Mr. Green… forgive me, everyone, but Mr. Green is the most gifted wizard I have ever encountered.

I find it hard to imagine any wizard summoning a corporeal Patronus at this age.

Of all the wizards I’ve ever met, not one has achieved this.”

Lupin said with a touch of awe.

“Oh, of course. That’s Wizard Sean…”

Ron nodded in agreement.

Lupin scanned the room and noticed that nearly all the young wizards wore expressions of firm conviction.

This surprised him somewhat.

“Anything you think impossible—just add Wizard Sean’s name to it, and it becomes fact.”

Ron murmured thoughtfully, shrugging.

“Is that so?”

Lupin smiled.

“You’ll find out later, Lu…”

“Lupin.”

“Professor Lupin.”

Ron’s old-fashioned tone was slightly amusing.

A loud whistle rang out, and finally, the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station.

Everyone disembarked in chaos.

Owls hooted, cats meowed, and Neville’s pet toad croaked loudly beneath his hat.

The small platform was bitterly cold; a heavy, bone-chilling rain poured down.

“First-years, this way!”

A familiar voice called out.

Wizard Sean had just stepped off the train when he saw Hagrid’s massive figure at the far end of the platform, gesturing to the frightened first-years to follow him, as tradition dictated, toward the Black Lake.

“Hey! Wizard Sean!”

Hagrid waved at Wizard Sean and formed a word with his lips.

Wizard Sean knew it meant he should remember to visit Hagrid’s hut to discuss the first lesson of the term.

Wizard Sean was, after all, Hagrid’s teaching assistant—even though he was still a student…

Still, Hagrid felt he absolutely had to consult Wizard Sean on the lesson details before he could feel at ease.

Naturally, Wizard Sean also did not wish for Buckbeak to be sent back to the execution platform, so he gladly accepted Hagrid’s invitation.

A few sharp clicks echoed as Harry and the others stepped off the train as well.

Just as if following Harry, a drawling, smug voice sounded near Wizard Sean’s ear, close to Harry.

“You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? Did you really faint?”

Malfoy shoved aside the first-years, blocking Harry’s path to the carriages, his face beaming, his gray eyes gleaming with malice.

“Move aside, Malfoy.”

Ron said, his jaw clenched tight.

“Did you faint too, Weasley?”

Malfoy said loudly,

“That dreadful old Dementor scared you too, Weasley?”

“Is there a problem?”

A calm voice said.

Professor Lupin stepped out of the train.

Malfoy glared haughtily at Professor Lupin, taking in the patches on his robes and his battered suitcase.

He said:

“Oh, no—er—Professor.”

His voice carried a faint hint of sarcasm.

Before he could say more, he caught sight of those piercing green eyes.

Wizard Sean felt a pang of reflection—he thought Malfoy was like Harry’s shadow; whenever Harry got into trouble or made a fool of himself, Malfoy always appeared, eager to snap a hundred photos.

When Malfoy finally left in annoyance and they boarded the carriages to the castle, Wizard Sean thought back to how it all began—simply because Harry had refused Malfoy’s arrogant offer in the Great Hall.

But none of it mattered.

Wizard Sean thought: the Malfoy family had never accomplished a single thing for Voldemort.

Outside the castle.

The young wizards followed the crowd up the stone steps, passed through the grand oak doors, and entered the spacious, shadowy entrance hall.

Torches burned along the walls, and a magnificent marble staircase led upward.

To the right, the Great Hall’s doors stood open. Wizard Sean turned toward it, glancing at the enchanted ceiling—

Tonight it showed a dark, cloud-choked sky—when a voice shouted:

“Wizard Sean—you brat—and Potter! I need to see both of you!”

Wizard Sean felt as if he’d shrunk a little; he and the startled Harry turned around.

Professor McGonagall, Hogwarts’ Transfiguration teacher and Head of Gryffindor House, was shouting at them over the heads of the crowd.

She was a stern witch, her hair tightly coiled into a bun, square spectacles perched on her sharp eyes.

“No need to be so tense—I simply want to speak with you in my office, Potter—”

She said to Harry, then turned to Wizard Sean,

“As for you, you brat—you ought to be more tense—”

Finally, she turned and pointed,

“Go over there, Weasley, Granger, Longbottom, and you, Finnigan.”

The young wizards stared wide-eyed as Professor McGonagall led Harry and Wizard Sean away from the laughing, chattering crowd.

They followed her through the entrance hall, up the marble staircase, and down a corridor.

Professor McGonagall’s office was small, but warmed by a roaring fire.

No sooner had they entered than she gestured for them to sit; she paused beside Wizard Sean, then suddenly said:

“Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead—he said you encountered something unpleasant—”