In general, it could be called a good thing.
Personal guidance from a legendary wizard, and on profound Ancient Magic no less.
Sean felt it was a very rewarding experience.
"Heh—awake?"
The sneer that had been on Snape's lips didn't quite materialize.
"Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall," Sean said.
"Tell... us, what happened? Why were you cursed?" Professor McGonagall asked sternly.
Sean fell silent.
The suspicion of multiple Horcruxes, the undestroyed evil artifact, the fact that Voldemort would eventually return...
He didn't think his abilities were greater than the professors', but there were simply some things he couldn't say, let alone let others know.
"Professors, you are disturbing my patient! He still needs rest!" Madam Pomfrey rushed over angrily.
She was a dedicated Healer who treated all her patients with equal importance. Even the Minister for Magic wouldn't be allowed to cause a ruckus in her hospital.
"I understand, Poppy."
Professor McGonagall paused, and after Madam Pomfrey left, she pursed her lips and asked Sean again, "Tell me, why were you unconscious..."
Her tone was no longer stern.
"I had a dream," Sean said honestly.
"What dream?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"A dream of Ravenclaw," Sean continued.
Snape, who had been silent, let out a scoff of suppressed anger.
He can't even fabricate a decent lie...
"Go on," Professor McGonagall said, glaring at Snape.
"I found a book, a repository of knowledge in the form of a scroll, containing wisdom left behind by Ravenclaw...
Afterward, I had a dream about Ravenclaw, and I gained some memories in my head," Sean said slowly.
"Where is the scroll?" Snape asked with a dark face.
"It disappeared," Sean replied.
"What exactly did Dumbledore tell you to make you willing to fabricate this utterly foolish lie?" Snape's gaze locked onto Sean, unblinking, as if carrying physical weight and heat.
"You dreamed of Lady Ravenclaw again?" Professor McGonagall asked in surprise.
Snape's gaze instantly shifted to her.
"Severus, it is true," Professor McGonagall said seriously.
Snape's expression froze.
"Yes, Professor, I learned some knowledge."
Sean had certainly learned some knowledge.
But more importantly, he had comprehended the essence of magic.
He had always had some doubts:
A power like magic was always associated with gods, but in this wizarding world, only legends of ancient wizards existed.
Wizards never worshiped gods; their catchphrase was simply "Merlin."
Why was this?
For at least several thousand years, wizards hadn't developed a belief in gods? Not even in some legends?
But the fact was, none of these existed.
Ravenclaw said in the memory: Wizards only believe in themselves.
Ravenclaw said in the memory: Wizards are gods.
And now Sean said: A wizard's belief in themselves gives birth to magic, and a wizard who is paranoid about their belief is a god.
Why were ancient wizards more powerful than modern wizards?
Because magic at that time needed to be more powerful, and also more cruel.
Cruelty is so mediocre, and mediocrity is so easy.
Beyond cruelty, do wizards have other beliefs that can reach the origin of magic?
Ravenclaw said: Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure.
Sean thought, it is the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge.
Sean thought, Omniscience... is omnipotence.
The hospital wing was very quiet. Melting snow turned into thin streams of water trickling down the glass.
Professor McGonagall didn't doubt him. She knew the story of an owl portrait and the recent disappearance of said portrait.
Snape, however, looked gloomy, his thoughts unknown.
Sean raised a finger and hooked it gently. A book floated down in front of him.
[You practiced the Levitation Charm at a Master standard. Proficiency +300]
Wandless magic increased the difficulty of practice and forced Sean to understand the principles of magic more deeply.
Fortunately, all of this could be found in Ravenclaw's memories.
It also meant that Sean's spellcasting level was about to see a major breakthrough.
He had been stuck at "Expert" for a long time.
"Wandless magic?"
Snape was stunned, then stared straight at Sean.
Two seconds later, he dropped a few bottles of potions and strode out of the hospital wing.
The answer was right in front of him; he had to... temporarily believe it.
"Professor Snape."
Sean suddenly called out to stop him.
Snape turned back to stare at Sean again. His mood improved slightly; it seemed this brat was finally going to tell him.
"Magic Hand Mirror, a variation of the Two-Way Mirror. It supports face-to-face communication between wizards," Sean said.
"Heh—a boring invention."
Snape caught the mirror that floated over, snorted coldly, but his mood improved a little more.
After he left, Professor McGonagall spoke:
"Very good, child. Hogwarts Castle holds countless secrets. Evidently, you have touched a part of these secrets. Mm, I think there are still many magical treasures here to be discovered."
The wrinkles at the corners of Professor McGonagall's eyes smoothed out. She had received a satisfactory answer.
"However, I mean, if you saw Ravenclaw... how is Lady Grey?" she asked curiously.
"They live in a cottage together," Sean recalled.
"Oh, oh, that is truly..."
Professor McGonagall sat down gently. She seemed to know Lady Grey's past well and listened to Sean's account with great interest.
She also held a mirror in her hand.
...
Entering March, the weather became much sunnier, but every time they went out onto the grounds, the biting cold wind still made the young wizards' hands and faces sting.
Owls couldn't deliver letters on time because the fierce wind often blew them off course.
Justin kept sending a tawny owl to deliver letters to Sean—Madam Pomfrey wouldn't allow them to keep entering the hospital wing.
The owl appeared quickly during breakfast, half its feathers ruffled by the wind.
Just as Justin pulled Sean's letter off, the owl flew away in a hurry, evidently afraid of being sent out again.
"What did Sean say?" Hermione asked curiously.
"The plan can begin, tomorrow," Justin read, staring at the letter.
"Sean is finally out of the hospital?!" Hermione covered her mouth.
"...No," Justin's smile stiffened slightly.
"He's sneaking out again!" Hermione squeaked.
"Actually, Sean reported to Madam Pomfrey, and she allowed him to come out for a bit since he hasn't left the hospital wing for over a week," Justin said, reading from the letter.
Although Hermione was suspicious, she finally accepted it.
This meant they were about to drive Lockhart out.
This was for the good of all the students...
Thinking this, the two of them felt justified.
If they let Lockhart teach for a few more years, when Voldemort returned, they would only be able to try defeating him with their "most charming smiles."