Chapter 74

Hermione had an excellent birthday, there was no doubt about that.

When her family’s faces appeared before her, she was so moved she nearly cried.

Wizard Sean and Jia Jia Siting wisely gave them space, staying outside the classroom—Wizard Sean read a book, while Jia Jia Siting nervously talked incessantly.

After a while, they heard Hermione’s soft voice calling them in.

Hermione’s parents radiated tenderness, praising Jia Jia Siting until his face turned red, and Wizard Sean was equally affected.

Under the watchful eyes of the Grangers, Hermione opened her gifts.

Jia Jia Siting’s gift was a set of lunar charts and astronomical instruments, useful for the young Granger’s recent Astronomy homework.

Wizard Sean had given his own compiled notes—Hermione herself would admit, Wizard Sean’s notes were a lifesaver for any young wizard on a weekend.

Their systematic, scientific, and engaging nature far surpassed those dull, vague textbooks.

Not to mention this nearly complete, widely circulated history of magic.

Late at night, a note suddenly appeared at the top of the notebook.

Hermione paused, carefully checking on her sleeping roommate before opening it.

【I want to say, Hermione, no matter what others say, your worth never changes because of it.

I know you realize this, but please let me say it again.

—Your friend: Wizard Sean Green】

This nearly made Hermione’s eyes well up, after days of low spirits.

Sharing special moments clearly binds people together; after all, the bond among the three young wizards in that classroom had grown tighter.

This also made Jia Jia Siting and Hermione realize Wizard Sean seemed busier than ever.

He rose early and returned late, collapsing the moment he entered the common room, drinking strange potions, then collapsing again.

In contrast, his Transfiguration and Levitation Charm had grown increasingly powerful.

Jia Jia Siting had seen Wizard Sean make chairs float and turn a small stone into a tiny stone figure holding a sharp weapon—though it could only take two steps.

In Transfiguration class, Wizard Sean turned a desk into the front half of a wild boar with sharp tusks; though Wizard Sean collapsed onto his chair within two seconds, it terrified the Slytherins passing outside.

Gao Er couldn’t imagine how terrible it would be to be hit by that boar, so the already-detained Theo quietly abandoned his plans for revenge.

He didn’t think his Dancing Spell could match a charging boar.

…

It was a bright Saturday.

Owls brought many letters as usual; Jia Jia Siting received an envelope with golden edges, and he carefully tore it open to find a message from Mrs. Finnerty:

【Dear Jia Jia Siting:

I saw those memorable moments in your letters, dear—you’ve made wonderful friends, and that is my greatest joy.

As I said, cherish them—because kind, decent people always struggle to survive in a world that is neither decent nor kind.

—Always proud of you: Liliana】

Jia Jia Siting stared blankly as he put the letter away, his gaze shifting to the figure surrounded by owls.

He remembered the conversation by the fireplace.

“Wizard Sean, I mean, there’s a fireplace here with Floo Powder—if you…”

“I have no one to contact.”

He heard Wizard Sean say it, then walk off to practice Transfiguration again.

…

The Great Hall was bustling—young wizards always loved coming here, perhaps for the warm fireplace, perhaps for the lively atmosphere.

In short, it was filled with young wizards snacking, playing games, passionately discussing, or doing homework.

“Hermione, have you noticed?”

Jia Jia Siting’s voice was low.

“Except for that one letter from…, Wizard Sean has never received any mail.”

Hermione froze, waved her wand, and cast a Muffliato:

“I’ve known… so…”

Both saw the weight in each other’s eyes.

…

After the Levitation Charm reached the [Skilled] stage, Wizard Sean was soon interrupted by an unexpected matter.

Before [Skilled], practicing the charm at [Beginner] level granted him 3 proficiency points; now that it reached [Skilled], the gain dropped to a pitiful 1, while the [Skilled] standard itself now granted 3.

But the [Expert] standard still granted 50.

He felt the insights gained from practicing at lower standards were dwindling.

He believed lower standards were too superficial, his areas for improvement terrifyingly vast, and the insights fragmented and sparse.

This pushed him to master deeper magical techniques, to climb higher.

But this made his time extremely tight.

To achieve [Expert] level Levitation Charm within the week, he drastically reduced visits to the dungeons and the Transfiguration office.

Upon learning Neville had returned and Professor Bruce often stayed in the greenhouses, he even requested a few days off from Professor Sprout.

Saturday afternoon.

Wizard Sean stumbled out of the Transfiguration office, pale-faced—he had pushed himself to his absolute limit these past days.

And it had been highly effective:

【Name: Wizard Sean Green】

【Proficiency】

【Summoning Charm: Beginner (3/900)】

【Water-Making Charm: Beginner (2/900)】

【Levitation Charm: Skilled (1200/3000)】

The [Skilled] standard was no longer sufficient; Wizard Sean began pondering how to reach [Expert] level.

He reviewed his Charms notes and suddenly came across Professor Flitwick’s words:

【But I ask you—if you can make a feather spin, why not try it on that small table?

Once you’ve barely mastered the first-year spells, you’ll find silent charms still await you—

Knowledge is never too much!】

“Silent charms?”

Wizard Sean murmured to himself.

Compared to the difficulties Wizard Sean faced in Charms, his Potions studies were no easier.

Professor Snape had grown increasingly stern—

His guidance had clearly increased, his sarcasm had clearly decreased.

This led to a very unpleasant consequence.

When Wizard Sean finished the [Skilled] level Swelling Potion and stepped out of the dungeons,

He once again cheered himself on—he had survived another round of Snape’s hellish training!

Truly remarkable!

Amid those harsh, rushed instructions, Wizard Sean had no time to test his theories about potion emotions.

Still, he looked around and sighed—he, who had memorized every school rule, had just gone out at night.

Misfortunes never come alone.

As he stepped out of the dungeons, a soft cat meow suddenly rose beside his neck, drowning out the owls’ “hoots.”

He looked down and saw two bright yellow eyes, glowing like lanterns.

—It was Mrs. Norris.

Though she was spirited and adorable, Wizard Sean, ever law-abiding, held nothing but goodwill toward her.

But today, everything was different.