Looking at Dumbledore's gentle smile, Sean felt absolutely certain the Headmaster's understanding of Seer's Vision extended far beyond what he'd casually described.
"As Professor Dumbledore mentioned, Seer's Vision is a rare magical ability that occasionally manifests in certain Bulstrode family bloodlines," Sean explained carefully. "I cannot discuss all the specifics, but it can be generally understood as a form of magic that allows me to establish connections with others and perceive fragments of potential futures. It functions essentially as a form of precognitive magic."
"Precognition?" Snape asked sharply.
Hearing his Head of House's question, Sean turned to meet Snape's intense gaze and nodded. "That's correct—precognition. Actually, the reason I was at the Shrieking Shack tonight was because earlier, when I visited Professor Snape's office, I experienced visions triggered through contact with him as the office's owner. Those visions showed me fragments of tonight's events, which is why I went to the Shrieking Shack."
"So, Sean..." Harry's worried voice drew Sean's attention. Professor McGonagall also wore an expression of grave concern. Harry hesitated slightly when Sean looked at him, then pressed his lips together before continuing. "What did you see just now? According to what you've described, it was about our future, wasn't it?"
Meeting Harry's anxious gaze, Sean nodded slowly. "I suddenly felt drowsy, so I subconsciously closed my eyes. Then, while listening to your conversation with Professor Dumbledore, I witnessed certain events concerning both your and the Headmaster's future."
Upon hearing this confirmation, a flash of understanding and keen inquiry passed through Dumbledore's eyes. However, he didn't immediately voice questions. Instead, he regarded Sean quietly, maintaining his characteristic gentle, grandfatherly smile—that carefully constructed expression that concealed virtually all deeper emotions.
Sean made no attempt whatsoever to conceal his prophetic vision. Responding to Harry's implicit question, he addressed the room directly. "I witnessed Professor Dumbledore and Harry in a dark, damp cave. Deep within that cave was a dark pool of considerable depth, filled with Inferi..."
Upon hearing the word "Inferi," Snape's expression immediately darkened considerably. Professor McGonagall released a sharp, involuntary gasp. Harry appeared completely bewildered by the term.
Sean naturally noticed their reactions but continued his account without pause. "I observed Professor Dumbledore standing on a small island in the pool's center, drinking a deadly poisoned potion—something he was compelled to consume in order to retrieve a specific object. I also witnessed the Inferi rising from the water, attempting to drag both Professor Dumbledore and Harry down beneath the surface with them."
He paused briefly. "Perhaps due to limitations in the vision's clarity, I didn't observe Professor Dumbledore employing Apparition to escape. However, I did witness enormous magical flames—fire burning the Inferi—and then I saw both Professor Dumbledore and Harry safely departing the cave."
Sean's prophetic vision had concluded at that point, but he lowered his eyelids slightly and added one final observation. "In the vision's final moments, Professor Dumbledore discovered that the object he'd sought had already been taken by someone else. He had consumed the poison for nothing, returning empty-handed."
The entire office fell into profound silence.
Aside from Sean and Dumbledore himself, no one else present could possibly imagine what object could be significant enough to require Dumbledore's personal retrieval—or necessitate drinking deadly poisons to obtain it. Nor could they conceive who might have reached that location before the greatest wizard alive, leaving Dumbledore with nothing to show for his sacrifice.
Just then, Harry gently tugged at Sean's sleeve and whispered urgently, "Sean, do you know when that happened? Those scenes you foresaw?"
"The version of you in those visions appeared older than you are currently—perhaps two or three years older," Sean replied quietly. "What I witnessed won't occur for some time yet."
As Sean finished speaking, though the office atmosphere remained distinctly heavy, both Snape and Professor McGonagall visibly relaxed somewhat.
At that moment, Dumbledore raised one hand with a gentle gesture. The curtains that had been covering the window suddenly opened of their own accord, admitting a ray of morning sunlight into the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore clapped his hands once, effectively concluding the previous discussion.
"We can set this particular topic aside for now," Dumbledore stated with characteristic calm. "As Sean correctly observed, what he foresaw won't occur for another two to three years at minimum. There's no benefit to dwelling on it prematurely. Our most immediate concern is welcoming Sirius and Remus back safely, then notifying the Ministry of Magic to properly resolve Peter Pettigrew's situation."
With Dumbledore's pronouncement, the matter naturally concluded.
Just as everyone began rising to greet Sirius and Professor Lupin's anticipated return and coordinate with Ministry officials, Dumbledore suddenly appeared to remember something important. He addressed the assembled group. "Oh, I nearly forgot—please keep Sean's Seer's Vision ability completely confidential. No one is permitted to divulge this information to anyone. Is that acceptable to everyone?"
"Yes, Professor!" McGonagall responded immediately.
"Of course!" Snape agreed curtly.
Snape glanced at both Harry and Professor McGonagall, who had readily consented, then shifted his penetrating gaze to Harry specifically. A hint of doubt colored his voice. "Others can certainly maintain secrecy. However, I suspect the great Savior will prove eager to share this fascinating news with Weasley and Miss Granger immediately, at which point the secret will cease being a secret whatsoever."
Hearing Snape's cutting words, Harry immediately glared at him with righteous anger. "Of course I'll keep the secret! Sean is my friend, and I won't do anything that might threaten his safety!"
Snape studied Harry from head to toe with his characteristic skeptical expression, then replied noncommittally, "I certainly hope so."
Watching Snape turn and depart first, the slight regret Harry had been developing regarding his father's possible childhood offenses against Snape evaporated instantly.
The old bat is still the old bat. He won't change one bit!
The group proceeded to the main entrance of Hogwarts Castle. At that precise moment, Professor Lupin—accompanied by an enormous black dog resembling a small bear—rushed through the gates toward the castle. A cluster of Dementors hung back at a considerable distance behind them, clearly maintaining pursuit.
When the Dementors spotted Dumbledore, Sean, and Harry standing at the castle entrance, they immediately altered their trajectory and retreated from Hogwarts grounds entirely.
Clearly, these particular Dementors recognized the three individuals who had thoroughly routed them earlier.
Sirius Black entered Hogwarts but deliberately refrained from transforming back into human form immediately. After all, numerous people were present, and he had no desire for everyone to learn he was an unregistered Animagus. However, Sirius failed to notice that Sean, standing slightly behind the welcoming group, was staring at him with focused intensity—as though contemplating something particularly interesting.