Chapter 226: Courage and Despair
As dawn approached, Sean returned to Hogwarts Castle carrying a few unassuming honors.
His green eyes remained calm, betraying only a faint hint of sorrow.
Before his return, he encountered a small interlude. A woman who had secretly transformed from a "beetle" was persistently trying to interview him.
Although the International Alchemical Symposium was highly secretive and she had no insider information, that didn't stop her from developing a keen interest in such a young wizard.
The castle was protected by special enchantments that prohibited Apparition, yet when Sean walked out of the castle, she appeared as if out of thin air just beyond the boundary.
"Such a young participant... Come now, child, look over here. Let me help you capture some wonderful memories..."
She glanced around and saw no other wizards. If there were other alchemists present, she would have had to keep her distance. She might act crazy, but those old fossils were truly mad.
Looking at the young wizard in front of her, she guessed he had slipped out for some fresh air. What could be the reason?
"Young Genius Devastated by Setback?"
"The Reason for Alchemy's Decline—Is It the Exclusion of Fresh Blood by Established Alchemists?!"
Her imagination ran wild, and raising her magical camera, she prepared to snap a few photos of Sean's face.
As for the "wonderful memories" she spoke of... if headlines like "Cunning Miss Granger Toys with the Affections of Harry and Krum, Possibly Brewing Love Potions," "Half-Breed Hagrid Exposed as Dangerous Gamekeeper," or "Dumbledore: A Rigid Old Madman" counted as wonderful...
"A beetle turning into a wizard. are you a registered Animagus?" Sean glanced at her elaborate, stiff, and eccentric curls and asked calmly.
"Ah—ah—"
Her hand holding the camera trembled, and in a panic, she moved as if to cover Sean's mouth.
At that moment, the tall, stern-faced Professor McGonagall raised her wand and pointed it directly at Rita Skeeter. She had only been away with Headmaster Dumbledore for a short while—where had this intruder come from?
Sean returned to Hogwarts Castle.
Overhead, thunder rolled ominously, and fierce winds battered the castle walls. Sean could hear the cracking of branches snapping in the distant Forbidden Forest.
It was not good weather...
Professor McGonagall went off to deal with the backlog of administrative tasks, and Sean bid her farewell in the Great Hall. He harbored a well-concealed worry, but it did not escape the keen eyes of Minerva McGonagall.
That child always hides things from me. He still doesn't know there are people he can rely on... But I can't blame him. When he needed help the most, no one was there for him.
Minerva McGonagall took out a letter. She had been corresponding for a long time with a woman named Roland. She was a truly noble person who had spent her life working for orphans.
In her hand, the letter was slightly damp:
Dear Madam McGonagall:
Love is a vague and hazy fantasy, but did you know? Perhaps it is only when you truly love a person's weaknesses, a person's flaws, that it is true love.
Respected Madam, be careful. Those who love are easily hurt, for they are completely open to the other.
Yours chatteringly,
Roland
It doesn't matter. We still have plenty of time. That is the best news of all.
Minerva McGonagall put away the damp letter and watched the small figure of the wizard disappear into the distance.
The corridors were still noisy. Having missed two Transfiguration lessons, the students were enjoying a brief respite amidst the busy end-of-term workload, savoring their hard-won relaxation.
Sean walked straight ahead until he reached the entrance to the Headmaster's office.
He didn't know exactly what had happened in the castle, nor did he know what choice Professor Quirrell had made. But if there was anyone in Hogwarts who could move secretly, appear anywhere in the castle, and observe everything that happened... the answer was actually quite simple.
"Little Green, I didn't think it was that dangerous. Keep a positive heart, remember?"
Sir Cadogan sat on his pony, guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office with the air of a man holding a pass against ten thousand enemies.
"Nothing special has happened here lately. Only a squirrel stopped here for a while. It held a strange button and said 'Cockroach Cluster'—but the gargoyle didn't jump aside. Because, apart from those who aren't thinking clearly, everyone knows Headmaster Dumbledore has left."
"You are truly brave."
Sean's eyes remained devoid of emotion as he lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry..."
He apologized to no one in particular; the corridor was filled only with the sound of wind mixing with rain.
"Oh, oh, don't worry! I did as you said and hid a Squirrel Biscuit in the corner—It's gone?! Don't tell me the squirrel took it?"
Sir Cadogan ran into the painting in the corner, shoving aside several panicked women in hoop skirts.
Sean had already left silently.
He couldn't imagine how much courage had once existed here, nor how much despair it had carried.
"There's still a chance..."
He extended his hand, and a broomstick plummeted like a meteor from a window on the second floor.
When he landed at the entrance to the Room of Hope, Mr. Owler asked no questions. Instead, the brass knocker bowed steadily:
"When the Grey Lady ran for those little wizards who had no place to learn magic and died from losing control, I saw eyes like yours far too many times."
"Clever young wizard, you know which choice is the one of self-preservation, but you are unwilling to choose it, aren't you? May you know, that is the greatest wisdom..."
Sean nodded gently and stepped into the room granted by hope.
Killing a Unicorn is an extremely brutal act.
To slaughter a pure, defenseless life... from the moment its blood touches your lips, you will have but a half-life, a cursed life.
But what if the Unicorn isn't dead yet?
There is still a chance...
The group inside the Room of Hope was embroiled in a fierce discussion and didn't even hear the door open.
"It was Justin and Firenze who rushed out to save me! Bane said Firenze shouldn't have done it... he was furious... saying it would disrupt what the stars foretold... The stars must have shown that Voldemort is coming back... Bane thinks Firenze should have let Voldemort kill me in the forest... I bet that's written in the stars too!" Harry said loudly.
"Don't say that name!" Ron whispered in terror, as if afraid Voldemort might hear him.
"Firenze said Voldemort is right here in the Forbidden Forest! He's drinking Unicorn blood just to stay alive until Professor Quirrell can steal the Philosopher's Stone for him... Firenze also said..."
Harry ignored Ron, though his voice did grow quieter as he imitated the Centaur's tone:
"Some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. I reckon there wasn't enough human left in him to die."
Everyone in the room knew exactly who "he" was.
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