As Sean thought, all kinds of oddly shaped clouds swept past them.
Down below, a train appeared—chugging and snaking its way around a snow-covered mountain.
It was easy for Sean to think of the Hogwarts Express, and just as easy for him to realize something else.
Just like at Hogwarts, he had gone to Ilvermorny, where there were so many witty, charming witches and wizards.
He'd also gained more "balls of yarn." Those "yarn balls" might be the reason he could stay longer.
Next time he entered that dream-space, maybe he could observe them closely. They seemed to vary in size—
Sean wrote the plan into his notebook, and time slipped away through the clouds they passed.
By the huge carriage window, some clouds drifted softly through the crack in the door and settled onto Sean's parchment.
It was a draft invitation letter. A paper airplane had already carried it away, wobbling as it flew. Far away in Diagon Alley, at the Fairy Tale Shop that was about to open, Quirrell watched respectfully as the paper airplane landed on his desk.
He stared into the distance, toward where it had come from—toward a young wizard studying a small mirror in his hand.
Another hour passed. The sun sank below the clouds, turning the cloud-sea pink.
"Diagon Alley's next," Newt announced.
"Diagon Alley?"
Pulled out of his stack of two-way-mirror manuals, Sean repeated the words blankly.
"Of course, dear. You didn't think we could go straight to Hogwarts, did you? Flying there is forbidden."
Miniature Professor Tayra spoke calmly from inside the mirror.
Now Sean finally understood why Harry and Ron's car had gone out of control—and why he'd needed to sign a flight permit.
Without permission, there was a good chance his broom wouldn't have been able to lift off back in first year.
He nodded, then glanced to the side.
The window was open, sunlight pouring in. Sean could hear the traffic from the unseen Muggle street below, and—right beside it—the bustle of the invisible crowd in Diagon Alley.
It was Christmas break. A wave of Hogwarts students had flooded into Diagon Alley.
As Sean stared out the window, wondering where they would stop, Will stepped out through the wooden door of the Wizard's Book and handed him a pair of binoculars.
"Thanks, Will."
Through them, Sean saw a familiar face.
"I keep feeling like someone's watching us, Mum."
Hermione frowned, holding the hand of a robed woman.
"Then they must think you're adorable, darling."
The woman beamed.
"Mum!"
Hermione stamped her foot.
Hearing their voices, Sean looked at Will with mild surprise.
"Goblin-made," Will said. "A small magical item, respected Mr. Green."
He stood ramrod straight, wearing a much smaller suit, looking every bit the reliable butler.
"Enlargement Charm, Summoning Charm—so you can apply it to sound too, summon sound… that's magic."
Intrigued, Sean began examining the binoculars.
His quill scratched beside him, steadily copying down the runic arrays inside.
"Oh. Oh. Yes."
Will's straight back drooped a fraction, then snapped even straighter.
"Can I take it apart and put it back together?"
Sean asked politely.
"As you wish."
Will jolted.
"Thank you, Will—Scourgify."
Sean's mouth curved upward.
With a tap of his wand, the binoculars came apart.
Various parts and materials floated in the air. After a moment, Sean understood the manufacturing process—though to replicate it, he still lacked hands-on experience.
[You have practiced making the Sound-Seeking Binoculars to a beginner standard. Proficiency +3]
The proficiency gain came fast.
Setting the binoculars aside, the dragon-drawn carriage had already halted in midair.
"Apparition, dear," Miniature Professor Tayra said.
"And the dragons and Mr. Scamander—?"
Sean asked.
"Oh, don't worry. We'll be back soon—Hebrides, too. I have materials to collect."
Miniature Professor Tayra produced a long list.
Almost every part of a dragon seemed to be on it.
Sean had no idea how she planned to collect them, but he nodded anyway.
"Will, I'm counting on you."
Sean turned to Will.
"My honor!"
Will puffed out his chest.
Diagon Alley was roaring with noise.
The place Hogwarts students visited most was Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and Green's branch. Near the top of the list were also Quality Quidditch Supplies and Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
So, inside the Quidditch shop, Sean spotted Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas—both staring longingly at a Nimbus 2001. Outside Fortescue's, he also saw Neville, with Hermione beside him, clearly intending to drag him to Flourish and Blotts next.
"Stop eating, Neville."
Hermione said helplessly.
"Oh—oh—okay."
Neville obediently followed her away. They didn't notice that, in a corner of Diagon Alley, a young wizard was testing the sound-seeking binoculars he'd just made.
And Sean didn't notice either, because right beside him, a curly-haired, shabby-coat-wearing master of magical creatures appeared as if out of nowhere.
"Professor Tayra wants some time to gather materials. Let's go to Fairy Tale Shop first."
Newt spoke shyly, nothing like the version of him in the dream.
"All right, Mr. Scamander."
Sean replied, briefly imagining Professor Tayra wrestling dragons.
Then he dismissed it—dragons wouldn't last more than a move or two against her.
They walked forward along Diagon Alley's cobblestones. Again and again, delighted witches and wizards recognized Scamander and begged for an autograph.
Scamander signed—shy, but obliging.
They passed Flourish and Blotts, and only then did Sean notice there was a dedicated section for magical-creature books.
Even the display out front had Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them placed right in the center.
And Hermione—was holding a copy and reading it, while Neville stood beside her with his eyes wide.
"Hermione—"
Neville tried to warn her, still stuck in the book trance.
Hermione jerked her head up. The title page showed a moving photograph of a young Newt.
"Professor Scamander—"
Hermione's mouth fell open.
The man in the picture had stepped right out of the pages, and for a second Hermione felt strangely unreal.
When she looked closer, that unreality shattered into pure excitement.
"Sean!"
~~~
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