Amidst thunderous cheers, the team members walked onto the field.
Oliver Wood soared into the air, flying around the goalposts to warm up.
Madam Hooch released the balls. The Hufflepuff players, dressed in canary-yellow robes, were currently huddled together, seizing the last minute to discuss tactics.
Harry mounted his broomstick; the match was about to officially begin.
He turned his gaze to the stands. Hermione and Justin, who were so busy they had even canceled their naps, were cheering for him. Neville was beside them, and Ron was holding up a large banner he had made using Transfiguration.
Everyone was here, except for Sean.
He had been very busy, and now he refused to give himself any time to rest.
In fact, Harry hadn't seen Sean for two days—Gryffindor and Ravenclaw didn't have any shared classes recently.
He took a deep breath and listened carefully for Madam Hooch's whistle. It required serious concentration because her whistle was almost drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
Fourteen broomsticks rose into the sky.
Harry felt the hair on his forehead blow back, and his nervousness vanished in the excitement of flight.
The Quidditch match lasted for over an hour, finally ending with Gryffindor catching the Golden Snitch and winning by two hundred points over Hufflepuff.
Applause and cheers erupted everywhere.
Harry's forehead was slick with sweat, his hair plastered damply against it. He scanned the crowd cheerfully, finally locking eyes with Sean, whose eyes were filled with laughter.
"Sean!"
He shouted excitedly.
Immediately, his eyes filled with panic.
Wait...
Wasn't Sean in detention in the dungeon?
Ignoring the Gryffindor Quidditch team rushing toward him, he turned and flew his broomstick back to the changing rooms and then to the common room at top speed.
When he looked around for "Sean," the figure at the edge of the crowd had long since disappeared.
Harry felt as if he were being strangled. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and the cold wind made his figure look exceptionally frail.
"Harry?"
A voice sounded. Harry instinctively drew his wand, then quickly lowered it.
"Sean?"
His voice was full of surprise.
It's Sean. How did he get out of the dungeon?
"Professor Snape gave me a day off," Sean said.
"Ah... is that so?"
Harry hesitated.
But then, who was the Sean I saw in the Great Hall that day?
"I've been researching some 'profound' magic lately," Sean said.
"Is... is that right?"
Harry relaxed a lot.
Maybe Sean had duplicated himself with magic, like that diary; or maybe Sean had conjured a holographic projection of himself...
What does it matter? Sean could invent anything.
"It's not a holographic projection," Sean said.
"Ah, ah... isn't it?
No, no, no, Sean, you... did I speak out loud?!"
Harry quickly covered his mouth.
Cold sweat broke out again.
Did he actually say all his inner thoughts out loud?! No, he clearly didn't say anything!
"Sorry, Harry, I can't quite control it."
Sean rubbed his temples; he indeed had some trouble controlling it.
The combination of the Wampus Cat biscuit and Legilimency had produced a qualitative change, allowing him to hear the inner voices of young wizards directly.
Of course, it had to be wizards who had no defenses against him whatsoever.
If the young wizards had defenses against him, he would have to force his way in to listen.
In other words, wizards who hadn't learned Occlumency were practically blank sheets of paper to him.
"Your eyes?!"
Harry exclaimed again.
In the twilight, Sean's eyes were actually starting to glow. Harry could clearly see that they were a pair of sharp, emerald-green vertical pupils.
"Wampus Cat biscuits, a new product from the Fairy Tale Shop," Sean explained.
"Wampus Cat... what is that?"
Harry was even more confused.
"A magical creature said to possess the ability of Legilimency."
Hermione and the others had arrived beside them at some point. She explained somewhat exasperatedly, "Even Ron knows that, Harry."
Even more surprising to Harry, Ron paused, then nodded at him helplessly.
Harry's gaze dimmed. He knew that because of Quidditch training, he had missed too many study sessions at the Hope Hut.
"It's okay, Harry. There's still plenty of time," Sean said.
"Thanks, Sean. But could you stop reading my mind?"
Harry was about to surrender.
"Reading minds?"
Hermione was a bit bewildered.
"The Wampus Cat biscuit gave me some Legilimency abilities. It's not what you think, and I'm not an alien, Hermione," Sean said helplessly.
Hermione's face turned red instantly.
"You can maintain your sanity while using a Wampus Cat biscuit... Heavens..."
Hermione quickly adjusted her state. Remembering something, she exclaimed in uncontrollable surprise.
The group from the Hope Hut blocked Sean's view entirely. When making eye contact with the wizards, Sean could hear the voices in their hearts.
He shook his head. Using Legilimency on wizards was extremely draining on his mental strength, especially in this uncontrolled state.
After maintaining it for less than a minute, he felt a bit dizzy.
He closed his eyes, and the surroundings quieted down.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you..."
A faint, cold voice drifted over.
The silver-haired professor intimidated the young wizards as soon as she appeared.
Harry and the others exchanged glances, seemingly guessing the identity of this wizard.
"Professor Tyra, hello."
Hermione seemed very excited, just like when she first faced Dumbledore.
"This is Professor Tyra, the Alchemy professor at Hogwarts, the foremost figure after Nicolas Flamel," she whispered to Harry and the others.
Harry and the others immediately tensed up.
"My dear disciple, what is this about?"
When her back was turned to the young wizards, a playful look appeared on her expressionless face.
"The ability of the Wampus Cat biscuit can stack with Legilimency, Professor," Sean said.
"Oh, oh?!"
Professor Tyra's playfulness vanished instantly, replaced by a genuine ecstasy.
They have already stolen the magical authority of magical creatures. Now, can they actually allow wizards to override the abilities of magical creatures...
"Say goodbye to your... friends. We have many tasks today.
It seems there is good news not only about the Magic Hand Mirror."
Professor Tyra beamed.
Magic Hand Mirror?
Sean opened his eyes and looked directly into Professor Tyra's eyes.
And so, living up to expectations, his vision went black.
"Let's go, my lovely, bold disciple."
He seemed to hear Professor Tyra laughing.
Twilight.
Dusk enveloped the young wizards like a curtain. From the distance came the noisy sounds of the Quidditch pitch, and overhead, owls cut through the sunset glow.
Sean arrived at the Alchemy office.