At Hogwarts' Christmas feast, everyone was happily stuffing themselves — including Sean, who would be setting off on a journey shortly.
After finishing the introduction to Ilvermorny Castle, Sean naturally shifted his focus to studying the runic inscription of the Extension Charm.
Which brought him to a new question:
What kind of container should he use?
Most witches and wizards preferred something simple and portable, like a trunk — Newt Scamander used a trunk, and so did Professor Tyra.
Others were… more creative.
Some inscribed the charm into pockets of their robes, some used pouches, and Mr. Weasley famously applied it to the trunk of his flying Ford Anglia.
It wasn't an urgent matter — Sean had only just unlocked the Extension Charm and received rare materials from Professor Tyra.
But he knew he didn't have much time.
He needed to learn how to craft an expanded container as soon as possible, so he could move on to creating livable habitats and climates for magical creatures.
That required steady meteorological spells and advanced Transfiguration — areas mastered by one particular legendary Hufflepuff alumnus.
Just imagining meeting Mr. Newt Scamander at Ilvermorny but lacking the ability to ask proper questions… Sean felt he must not let that opportunity slip by.
So crafting an extended container became his top priority.
While the feast was still going on, he practiced nonstop with a matchbox:
[You practiced the Extension Charm at apprentice level. Proficiency +3]
[You practiced the Extension Charm at apprentice level. Proficiency +3]
…
[Extension Charm: Beginner Level (250/300)]
A week of focused effort was paying off — he was only a hair away from reaching the next level.
The feast ended with the young wizards rubbing their round, full stomachs.
Sean watched as everyone began leaving the Great Hall.
"See you tomorrow, Sean," Harry and Ron yawned as they waved.
"See you after Christmas break," Sean replied.
"What do you mean after Christmas break?" Ron looked confused, but he was far too sleepy to ask more. He and Harry trudged off — the two of them had to rest before the big Kneazle Club event tonight.
After all, it was the Christmas Kneazle of Hogwarts Castle.
Tonight might be the night they finally saw it.
Just the thought made Ron buzz with excitement.
At the portrait hole, Sir Cadogan was sharing Christmas dinner with a few monks, several former headmasters, and his plump little gray pony.
He lifted his helmet and saluted them with a tankard of mead.
"Merry— er— Christmas! The Fat Lady's drunk, so I ask you — the password?"
"Filthy mongrel dog," Ron mumbled.
"And the same to you, sir!" Sir Cadogan bellowed as the portrait swung aside.
—
Up in the North Tower near Gryffindor's, the door of the Alchemy Office quietly opened.
Sean knew Professor Tyra had many offices scattered around Hogwarts — she worked in different ones depending on the project, and even helped maintain parts of the castle.
But this was his first time here—
It felt like a Ministry transportation hub.
At least five fireplaces lined the walls, each connected to the Floo Network, green flames dancing inside them.
The walls and ceiling were rough stone. Round, green-lit lamps hung from chains overhead.
Directly ahead, a beautifully carved mantel framed a crackling fire that lit up Professor Tyra's delighted face.
"Come, my apprentice. Remember the trick to using Floo Powder? Don't mispronounce it. The destination is Ilvermorny Castle."
With that, she grabbed Sean's arm, tossed a handful of glittering powder into the flames, and stepped in with him.
The emerald fire swallowed them whole.
—
Ilvermorny Castle sat atop Mount Greylock, now buried under a blanket of snow.
Inside a small stone hut, a long-abandoned fireplace suddenly roared to life.
Two soot-covered travelers stumbled out.
After multiple transport hops, Sean finally saw…
The castle?
He blinked around in confusion. It was nothing but snowy boulders and drifts of white.
He turned — he had just stepped out of a cramped stone hut.
"Ah, the stone hut fireplace… Eugenia Herrera is certainly giving you special treatment," Professor Tyra murmured, inspecting the runic carvings etched all over the walls.
"My apprentice, do you know where we are?"
She snapped her fingers, and a softened stone slab nudged Sean gently toward the hut. Tyra was too absorbed in the runes to walk on her own.
"Iseult Sayre and her Muggle husband James Steward's stone house," Sean answered after a brief thought.
This was the earliest form of Ilvermorny — where the founders gave their very first lessons.
"I don't recall that being commonly recorded — impressive knowledge!"
A new voice chimed in.
Sean turned to see an elderly witch.
Her hair was silvery-white like moonlight, tied neatly at the back, though a few rebellious curls framed her face. Her robes were an unusual mix of blue and cranberry red, somehow suiting her perfectly.
"My dear Mr. Hermes has finally arrived at Ilvermorny Castle," said the current Headmistress warmly, her excitement almost palpable.
Her enthusiasm left Sean stunned — she even reached out to take his hand.
But Professor Tyra, dragged from her rune-induced trance by instinct alone, instantly stepped between them. Her eyes glittered dangerously.
"Eugenia Herrera. Step three feet away from my apprentice."
Knowing full well the tradition of old alchemists guarding their protégés, Headmistress Herrera actually retreated a couple of steps.
After all, anyone foolish enough to try stealing an alchemist's apprentice risked getting mauled — and Tyra, second only to Nicolas Flamel himself, certainly lived up to her reputation. Her title didn't just reflect her alchemical mastery; it attested to the destructive force she wielded to protect her creations.
"Relax, Olivia. We've been friends for fifty years."
"Yes, and I haven't seen you produce a single competent apprentice in all that time."
Tyra's expression turned… peculiar.
A long silence hung in the snowy air before Herrera sighed and shot Tyra an exasperated look.
"Old stories can stay buried. You're just in time — the statues are still awake…"