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Ron's words left Sean slightly dazed.
A moment later, he smiled and nodded.
"It has little to do with me. It is because of your own hard work," Sean said earnestly.
"I knew you'd say that..."
Ron mumbled, his voice so low that no one could hear him.
"You'll never know just how much you've done, or how important it is."
The students in the corridor dispersed in twos and threes.
Including Ron.
At this moment, he was walking past the second-floor windows, where ice crystals had formed on the glass.
One floor above him, Sean passed stained-glass windows in the same position but at a different height.
Ron's words had indeed sparked some inspiration in him.
The wizarding world's education system had always been somewhat vague, a fact that had persisted from the moment he first encountered magic until now.
Perhaps magic was meant to be mysterious and profound, but surely there were controllable laws within it.
Headmaster Dumbledore once said:
"It is the unknown we fear when we look upon death and darkness, nothing more."
This held true for magic as well.
When it came to magic that relied solely on "talent and intuition," wizards were like people plunging headfirst into a vast, boundless forest.
Not only could they not see the path ahead, but they also didn't know where they stood.
Sean's notes were like clear signposts carved by predecessors, and the standards he set through his interface allowed wizards to know exactly what stage they were at.
He had never really considered what knowing their exact level meant for the young wizards...
But now, Ron's words caused him to reflect deeply.
It seemed he could still do something for the continuation of magical knowledge.
That thought alone was enough to bring him joy.
Lost in thought, Sean didn't even notice Professor McGonagall striding not far behind him.
Hogwarts was once again swept by wind and snow. Heavy snowflakes fell against the grey silhouette of distant mountains, and a biting wind carrying ice crystals battered the windows.
Sean had to periodically use his wand to dry his scarf, preventing it from getting completely soaked.
"Not happy with your head?"
Helena asked from beside a window.
"...I'm quite happy with it," Sean answered truthfully.
Helena: "..."
"What story are you going to tell? If you know more about the ninth century than I do, perhaps I'd be willing to listen," Helena asked with a hint of resignation.
"It's about... the world behind the veil of death..." Sean said slowly.
This made Helena very uncomfortable. She feared going there, and could never go there.
It was like describing food to someone starving to death. If the wizard in front of her weren't named Green, she would have scoffed and left long ago.
"Sorry... but I went there, and I met someone unexpected," Sean continued.
"Green, you never lie—"
Helena thought this was a very funny joke.
But Sean silently allowed the Void Rune to float up. Any wizard could feel the dreamlike, wispy mist surrounding it.
"The legendary spiritual Hallows?!"
Helena admitted she had still underestimated the young wizard.
Even though she had already placed him on a level just slightly below "her."
"Very well, what next?" She was intrigued.
"I met Lady Ravenclaw," Sean said.
Helena looked as if she had been struck by lightning. She remained silent for a long time.
"Green, if wizards could see the dead through spiritual Hallows, the world would be in chaos.
But... I believe you.
Go on, what sweet words are you planning to make up?
Frankly, I have nothing left for you to cheat me out of."
She tried to act indifferent, but inside, a storm was raging.
"She said, it's okay."
Sean didn't offer any sweet words, but those three short words left Helena stunned.
Something like pearls fell where she stood.
Sean kept his head down, looking at nothing.
"In the world of ghosts, if no one holds them in their thoughts, they gradually lose their wisdom and emotions.
I want to say... perhaps someone is waiting for you."
After a while, waiting for Helena to calm down slightly, Sean continued.
"Thank you for weaving such a beautiful dream for me, Mr. Good Luck Black Cat, but I'm afraid I can't listen anymore."
Helena had never felt so overwhelmed. Instinctively, she moved to float away.
If she believed the boy's words, the reality would be cruel enough to make a ghost tremble.
"Lady Isolt taught me some methods to lay ghosts to rest," Sean added.
"Stop joking, Green!" Helena couldn't help but shout.
Fortunately, Sean had cast a Muffliato charm in anticipation, so no nearby wizards noticed.
As for Sean talking to a ghost? It didn't matter. No one would be surprised even if Mr. Green was talking to a Basilisk.
---
Helena floated away.
Before she left, she saw the Book of Ghosts in Sean's hand and the ritual for rest.
She watched as the young wizard quickly unfolded the ritual, revealing a unique magical power.
She drifted dazedly through the corridor.
The wind blew past like a transparent river; the rain fell like cold meteors. The castle seemed to contain only her, feeling cramped and desolate.
Her heart, which no longer beat, brewed a immense sorrow for her, yet she could no longer shed a single tear.
"Rowena..."
She curled up in a corner, just like she did a long, long time ago. When she was fragile, she would call her name.
Sean followed silently, ensuring he saw and heard nothing.
Just following, silently following.
Until Helena grew tired.
She saw the worried face of the young wizard; she realized she had drifted outside the castle.
—They were walking out into the deepening twilight...
The air was filled with the warm scent of grass, the smell of the lake, and the woodsmoke drifting from Hagrid's hut.
Never before had she felt so alive.
"How long have you been following, Green?" she asked.
"Ten hours and seventeen minutes. So..." Sean replied.
"I don't know," she said.
"Okay," Sean answered.
As if nothing had happened, they began to watch the sunset glowing like fire in the distance.
"I have to go to class," Sean suddenly blurted out.
Helena couldn't help but smile.
---
Returning to the castle, Sean still didn't know how much he could help.
It wasn't him facing the difficult choice.
But soon, he couldn't ponder this profound question any longer.
Because he ran into Professor McGonagall, whose eyes were slightly unfocused. She was standing next to a suit of armor in the corridor.
"Child, do you have something to tell me?" she asked.
"Yes, Professor. I experienced some wonderful things in the world behind the veil... I met Lady Ravenclaw."
Sean hid nothing.