Hogwarts eighth floor, Headmaster's office.
Snape and Sean stood before the brass door knocker in the shape of a griffin.
"Cockroach Cluster!"
Sean was already used to Dumbledore's peculiar tastes.
Snape, who spoke the password, rarely showed disgust.
The two entered the headmaster's office. Sean could clearly see that the portraits of former headmasters were all studying him, as if investigating something.
"Severus, Sean, welcome. What would you like to drink? Hot tea or pumpkin juice?"
"I don't need anything."
The great Slytherin Snake King was as cool as always.
Sean wasn't as cool as his Head of House, and he was genuinely thirsty, so he nodded to Dumbledore: "Please give me some lemon water, thank you, Headmaster."
"No need to thank me. After all, I'm the one who invited you both to talk, aren't I?"
With a gentle wave of his hand, a glass of lemon water appeared before Sean, with an eighth of a lime and some ice cubes in the glass. The standard Western way of drinking water, with ice added all year round.
Of course, the young and vigorous Sean didn't mind this way of drinking.
Picking up the lemon water and taking a sip, Sean swallowed the ice-cold lemon water, then looked at Dumbledore with a smile: "Professor Dumbledore, I think we can start talking now."
Looking at Sean, Dumbledore sighed slightly: "Sean, seeing you is just like when I saw your grandfather Gavin in my youth. When he was young, he was just as outstanding. Back then, he was in Slytherin, just like you are now in Slytherin."
"I can't compare to Grandfather. When Grandfather was young, although he wasn't the absolute authority in Slytherin, he was definitely a prominent figure. At least back then, no one in Slytherin dared to sneak into his room to steal things, so I can't compare to my grandfather at all."
Although the words said he couldn't compare to Gavin, whether it was Dumbledore, Snape, or the former headmasters in the portraits behind them, they could all hear that Sean's words had deeper implications.
Dumbledore smiled helplessly, with a helpless and honest appearance: "Sean, this incident is indeed due to problems in my management. There's no doubt about that. However, at the same time, the magic you used really made Brook suffer greatly. He'll probably need at least a month to possibly recover."
"I'll apologize to him. Since it was self-taught magic, I didn't know it would have such results."
Like hell you didn't know! - Dumbledore
Like hell you didn't know! - Snape
Like hell you didn't know! - Former headmaster portraits
"Of course, this isn't your fault. New magic naturally has various problems. As for apologizing... I think it's best to let Mr. Brook rest well for now. What do you think?"
"Of course. If he doesn't rest and recover properly, how will he face the Ministry's investigation and trial afterward?"
After Sean's words fell, both Dumbledore and the former headmaster portraits fell silent.
Dumbledore glanced at Snape, wanting him to say something, but found that Snape was actually studying his fingernails at this moment.
Good heavens!
Snape!
The Slytherin venom-tongued king, lifetime champion of venom-spitting contests, the cold, serious, and supremely dignified Severus Snape was actually studying his fingernails.
Dumbledore suddenly wondered if he had underestimated Sean's influence on Snape?
He had clearly wanted Snape to influence Sean and guide him to the right path, but the result? Snape was being influenced instead!
"Ahem..."
Clearing his throat, Dumbledore looked at Sean: "Sean, I think this matter doesn't need to escalate to the Ministry level, does it?"
Sean looked at Dumbledore. He naturally knew Dumbledore's thoughts. Towards the students in school, he always held the greatest kindness and understanding. Even if students made mistakes, as long as they weren't too serious or matters of principle, Dumbledore would try to resolve them within the school rather than escalating to the Ministry.
Regarding this, Sean naturally thought it was very good and agreed with Dumbledore's approach, but this time, Sean naturally couldn't let Dumbledore have his way.
"Professor Dumbledore, if I didn't have the habit of carrying all materials and data with me, what do you think the result would be now? Most likely, my experimental data and materials would have already been leaked, right? Then all my previous efforts and dedication would have been wasted, wouldn't they? At that time, who would uphold justice for me?"
"Sean, this didn't happen, did it?"
"It didn't happen because of my caution, not because of Brook and those behind him being kind-hearted. What do you say?"
Dumbledore looked at Sean seriously: "Sean, I will seek justice for you. Actually, even without Mr. Brook's problem, I would seek justice for you. You are a Hogwarts student. People outside covet your research results and even use Hogwarts students to do these things. As headmaster, I bear unavoidable responsibility, and I must seek justice.
At the same time, I also hope you can spare Mr. Brook. He did make a mistake, but it didn't cause serious consequences. I will remove his prefect duties, disband the Slytherin Brotherhood reserve organization, and prohibit contact between the Slytherin Brotherhood and Hogwarts. What do you think?"
"These matters are for you to decide, Professor Dumbledore."
"Then thank you, Sean."
Seeing Dumbledore wink at him, Sean also smiled: "Professor Dumbledore, if there's nothing else, I won't continue to disturb you."
"Sean, please wait. Speaking of other matters, there really is one thing I'd like to discuss with you."
Stunned for a moment, Sean looked at Dumbledore: "What matter, may I ask?"
Dumbledore smiled and took out a piece of candy, placing it in front of Sean: "Mr. Antonius and Nicolas have been talking for a long time. Recently, Nicolas wanted me to tell Mr. Antonius that he'd like to communicate with Mr. Antonius face-to-face.
As Nicolas's friend, I haven't seen Nicolas want to come out and walk around for a very long time. So if possible, I still hope Mr. Antonius can agree to Nicolas's idea of meeting.
So I'd like you to convey to Mr. Antonius that if possible, please agree to the face-to-face communication request."