"Harry, I learned about these matters somewhat by accident and verified certain details indirectly through my own research," Sean explained carefully. "Telling you some things wouldn't be a pleasant experience for those involved—particularly for certain professors still teaching here. My suggestion is that you ask Sirius or Professor Lupin directly. They should be willing to share their stories with you."
"Well..." Harry began, then stopped abruptly.
He suddenly realized that even if he pressed Sean about the grudges between Snape, his father James, Sirius, and Professor Lupin, what good would that knowledge actually accomplish? Besides, Sean had made perfectly clear that inquiring about Snape's past would be even less likely to receive honest answers from the man himself.
However, based on Snape's previous hostile attitude, combined with Sirius and Lupin's uncomfortable reactions, and now Sean's careful deflection, Harry could deduce certain implications. He simply didn't want to believe them.
Professor Lupin and Sirius are such fundamentally good people. How could they possibly have been... cruel?
And my father—my father wouldn't have done such things.
Definitely not.
When Sean and Harry returned to Hogwarts Castle, they discovered remarkably few students remaining on the first floor. Only the prefects and Head Students from each house were conducting patrols through the corridors. Clearly, the Dementors' aggressive incursion combined with the urgent news Snape had delivered upon returning with Ron and Hermione had placed Hogwarts on high alert.
"Excellent work, Sean," Dumbledore greeted them at the entrance. "Now, please transfer Peter Pettigrew's custody to us. You may rest."
Looking at the Headmaster, Sean waved his wand smoothly. Peter Pettigrew, who had been floating suspended in midair, immediately drifted to Dumbledore's position. Dumbledore flicked his own wand with practiced precision, and white ethereal mist transformed into magical rope that bound Pettigrew securely before both prisoner and bindings disappeared into a swirling vortex, vanishing from sight entirely.
Witnessing Dumbledore's technique, Sean felt certain the white smoke rope possessed properties that suppressed Animagus transformations entirely. As for where Peter Pettigrew had been transported, that remained beyond Sean's concern or authority. Dumbledore would certainly not permit his escape.
Snape didn't spare Peter Pettigrew even a single glance. Instead, he approached Sean directly and asked in a low, urgent voice, "Those werewolves... were you scratched or bitten at any point during the confrontation?"
"No, Professor. I happened to have dragonhide gloves in my possession. They provided adequate protection." Sean raised both hands, displaying the dragon scale armored gloves for Snape's inspection.
Observing the protective equipment, Snape released a barely-audible sigh of relief and nodded with evident satisfaction. "No scratches or bites means you're uninfected. Excellent." His expression shifted back to characteristic sternness. "Remember to resume work on your third-stage thesis tomorrow. I expect to see it completed before your graduation this semester."
???
Are you serious right now?
Is this transition not absurdly abrupt?
You're supposed to be my professor, my Head of House, my mentor!
Did I somehow owe you three hundred research papers in my past life or something?!
"I'm such a perpetually hopeless paper-writing failure, aren't I!" Sean thought with internal exasperation, mentally composing over a hundred words of creative cursing.
Externally, however, he maintained a perfectly humble smile and nodded respectfully to Snape. "I understand completely, Professor. The third phase of thesis writing and experimental validation will commence tomorrow morning. You have my word."
"Now I finally understand how you've managed to publish so many Potions papers in The Golden Crucible, Sean," Professor McGonagall observed with dry amusement. "It's clearly not merely a matter of natural talent."
"Thank you for the observation, Professor McGonagall."
"Sean, Harry—you're both exhausted, I'm certain," Dumbledore interjected smoothly. "Before you retire for the evening, would you join me in my office for refreshments? I imagine Harry doesn't particularly wish to return to Gryffindor Tower immediately, does he?"
But I desperately want to collapse into bed right now...
Sean naturally didn't voice this complaint aloud. Instead, he inclined his head slightly in acceptance and accompanied Harry, Snape, and Professor McGonagall to the Headmaster's office.
"Please, have a seat, everyone. What would you like to drink?"
Sean settled into the chair beside Snape's position. Understanding the evening's events weren't yet concluded, he didn't bother with excessive courtesy and stated his preference directly to Dumbledore. "A cup of hot chocolate, please—without sugar. Thank you."
"Without sugar? What a terrible shame..." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement before turning to Harry. "And you, Harry?"
"Hot pumpkin juice, no sugar, please."
"Certainly."
It became immediately apparent that the primary focus would be Sean and Harry, as neither Snape nor Professor McGonagall were offered beverages or seemed to expect any. They appeared to have attended specifically to provide supportive presence for their respective students.
Holding the steaming hot chocolate, Sean took an experimental sip. His mouth immediately filled with rich, pleasantly bitter taste.
"Sean, your recent publication has caused considerable discussion throughout the wizarding community," Dumbledore began conversationally.
"This controversy actually has very little to do with the paper's academic merit," Sean replied calmly. "It's simply that certain individuals feel my methodology of systematically modifying established potion formulas isn't sufficiently worthy of publication in The Golden Crucible."
Hearing Sean's assessment, Dumbledore nodded slowly. "Actually, your research possesses tremendous value—that's completely undeniable to anyone approaching it objectively. Those questioning its merit actually harbor other motivations entirely. I was initially somewhat concerned about your mental state given the criticism, but I can see now that concern was unnecessary."
"Thank you for your consideration, Professor. Actually, my mental resilience is the absolute last thing anyone needs to worry about."
Dumbledore smiled warmly at Sean before turning to inquire about Harry's condition and experiences during the evening's events.
Sean, seated comfortably in his chair, suddenly felt overwhelming fatigue wash over him. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to rest while listening to Dumbledore's gentle questioning and Harry's earnest responses.
Listening to their conversation with half-attention, Sean suddenly felt his eyes snap open involuntarily. White prophetic mist rapidly filled his pupils, obscuring his normal vision completely.
In just one day, the Seer's Vision has triggered again!
Vision:
A dark cave, its walls slick with moisture and ancient magic.
A pool filled with reanimated Inferi, their pale forms floating beneath murky water.
Dumbledore and Harry standing together on a small island in the pool's center.
The cave engulfed in roaring magical flames.
Dumbledore collapsed on the floating island, his condition appearing dangerously precarious.
Harry desperately leading Dumbledore away from the cave, away from the pursuing Inferi.
The prophetic vision ended abruptly.
Sean emerged from the Seer's Vision state to find Snape regarding him with obvious concern, along with Harry and Professor McGonagall wearing expressions of worry. Dumbledore, however, was studying Sean with an expression of knowing comprehension.
"It's said that the Bulstrode family possesses a hidden bloodline trait that grants certain descendants the ability of Seer's Vision," Dumbledore observed quietly. "I believe Sean must be one of those rare individuals who inherited this gift."
"Seer's Vision?" Snape immediately turned to Dumbledore with sharp interest. "What precisely is Seer's Vision, Dumbledore?"
"I know only the most basic information about the phenomenon myself," Dumbledore admitted readily. "However, I believe Sean should understand exactly what it entails, shouldn't you, Sean?"