Chapter 319: The Headmasters' Discussion
"Jelly Slugs!"
The password granted access, and the headmaster's office door swung open. Professor McGonagall entered with Sean trailing behind her.
As soon as they stepped inside, Dumbledore's welcoming voice greeted them from behind his desk.
"Minerva, Sean, welcome."
Looking at Dumbledore seated in his high-backed chair, Professor McGonagall spoke directly. "Dumbledore, there's something here that requires your expertise."
Hearing McGonagall's words, Dumbledore glanced at her, then at Sean, before breaking into a knowing smile. "Minerva, my dancing skills are absolutely terrible. I really can't teach Sean to dance."
Sean stared at Dumbledore with a completely blank expression.
Would this embarrassing matter ever end!
McGonagall felt a surge of frustration at Dumbledore's comment, but quickly pushed the subject aside and placed the paper she carried directly on his desk.
"It's not about dancing... ahem. I came here for this. Sean wrote a paper about Transfiguration and Alchemy. I'm not sufficiently familiar with alchemy to provide proper guidance, so I brought both the paper and Sean here, hoping you could offer some revision suggestions."
"Oh? A paper on Transfiguration and Alchemy?" Dumbledore picked up Sean's manuscript and read the title aloud. "'On the Correlation Between Particle Changes in Transfiguration Processes and Particle Alteration in Alchemical Processes.' Quite an extensive title, and fascinating indeed. Let me examine this properly."
Licking his finger and turning to the first page, Dumbledore began reading with careful attention.
While reviewing the paper, Dumbledore lightly tapped his desk with his fingers, conjuring two cups of steaming tea with accompanying refreshments for Sean and Professor McGonagall.
Seeing this hospitable gesture, McGonagall indicated for Sean to sit and wait patiently, while she settled into a chair first and lifted her teacup for a delicate sip.
Sean followed McGonagall's lead and seated himself. After a moment's consideration, he retrieved a book from his Undetectable Extension Bag and began reading quietly.
This display of patience and scholarly focus earned an approving nod from Professor McGonagall, who said nothing further.
Sean's paper proved quite lengthy, and Dumbledore read for an extended period, occasionally picking up his quill to make annotations and corrections, approaching the work with obvious seriousness.
From the opening page to the final conclusion, Dumbledore eventually set down both the paper and his quill, releasing a contemplative sigh. "I finally understand what Severus experienced when he first reviewed your papers. That sensation of watching one's student reach heights that even oneself must admire, the heartfelt pride that wells up within, is truly intoxicating. A remarkable piece of scholarship, though there are still some errors, but the flaws don't overshadow its brilliance."
Returning Sean's paper to him, Dumbledore continued. "Take this manuscript back and carefully consider my revisions and annotations. As for the remainder, there are no significant issues. I look forward to seeing your paper published in the premier Transfiguration journal 'Animagus,' Sean."
Although Sean's paper examined the correlation between Transfiguration and Alchemy, its primary focus remained Transfiguration, necessitating submission to the Transfiguration journal 'Animagus' rather than the alchemy publication 'Philosopher's Stone'.
It should be noted that regarding the quality of Sean's work, Dumbledore had already assumed it would merit submission to either 'Animagus' or 'Philosopher's Stone'. As for lesser journals...
Were there any other Transfiguration or Alchemy publications in the European magical world? Others might not know, but Dumbledore certainly didn't recognise any.
"Dumbledore, do you truly mean Sean's paper qualifies for submission to 'Animagus'?"
Seeing McGonagall's somewhat hopeful expression, Dumbledore immediately nodded. "Absolutely, Minerva. The quality of Sean's work is more than sufficient for 'Animagus'. I believe, given Sean's standing within the Wizengamot, as long as the quality meets standards, it shouldn't encounter delays and should be published directly in the journal."
McGonagall displayed a restrained smile, completely forgetting her earlier frustration about Sean's dancing abilities. After all, what was dancing compared to this achievement? Academic papers were infinitely more important. As long as Sean's paper could be published in 'Animagus', even if he performed some outrageous dance at the Christmas Ball, McGonagall would only consider it creative expression from her most outstanding student.
"Dumbledore, you must be quite busy. We won't disturb you further."
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore."
Nodding farewell to both McGonagall and Sean, Dumbledore smiled warmly as they departed.
After McGonagall left with Sean, the portraits behind Dumbledore abandoned their pretence of sleep and focused their painted gazes upon him.
"Dumbledore, another student gradually winning over each professor's affection?"
Hearing this observation, Dumbledore remained silent for a long moment before responding. "Dilys, I have faith in Sean."
"But does he truly trust you? We can all observe that this young man... he's constantly guarding himself against you!"
Dumbledore retrieved a candy from his drawer and placed it in his mouth, speaking around the sweet. "There's no avoiding that reality, is there? He possesses the ability to see future events. I'm certain he's witnessed some future involving me, which explains his wariness. This reaction is actually quite understandable, considering my plan ultimately requires Harry to face death."
"But you understand perfectly well that the plan most likely won't actually result in Harry Potter's demise!"
"Yet there remains a small possibility that Harry could die. That's also an undeniable fact."
As Dumbledore's words concluded, the headmaster's office fell into contemplative silence.
After an extended pause, Dexter, who typically appeared drowsy, opened his eyes and addressed Dumbledore directly. "Dumbledore, that young man's power is advancing at an alarming rate, and his bloodline carries very unusual properties. I believe you must have sensed it. As a member of the Dumbledore family bearing phoenix blood, I don't believe you can't detect that increasingly remarkable bloodline power within him. That's not the Bulstrode family inheritance."
"Slytherin's true treasure may very well have been claimed by him. You understand, among the four founders, Slytherin conducted the most extensive research into magical bloodlines. It's entirely reasonable that his legacy would grant Sean such powerful hereditary abilities."
"Slytherin's true treasure should belong to Hogwarts!"
"No, Dexter. Slytherin's true treasure should belong to Hogwarts' students. Whoever obtains it, that means Slytherin's treasure rightfully belongs to them."
"But, Dumbledore, do you believe he would willingly dedicate his power to protecting Hogwarts?"
"I have faith in him, Dexter. I always have."
The weight of unspoken concerns hung heavy in the air as the portraits contemplated the implications of Sean's growing power and the uncertain loyalties that might shape the school's future.