Professor Morisse glanced at Sean. When he first took the position, several professors had told him that there was a particularly unusual second-year student. As for what made him unusual—well, nothing too strange, except that he was simply too outstanding.
"A couple of days ago in the fifth-years' class, I did teach the Patronus Charm. Why?" Morisse replied.
"Professor, I want to learn it," Sean said sincerely.
Morisse hadn't expected Sean to come asking to learn that spell. The Patronus Charm had complicated theory, and casting it required precise coordination between the magical framework and one's mental strength. Younger students usually lacked the necessary foundation and rarely reached the level required to cast it. That was why he only taught the spell to fifth-years and above.
"I wouldn't recommend that a second-year student study this spell," Morisse said thoughtfully. "I've heard you're exceptionally talented, but magic should still be learned step by step. Being overly ambitious isn't a good thing."
Sean nodded. The logic made sense—but it didn't apply to him. If he followed the same steady pace as ordinary students, he would feel like he was wasting his own potential.
"Well… Professor, the thing is, I might learn a little faster than most students. Higher-level spells aren't exactly beyond me," Sean said modestly.
But to Morisse, it sounded a bit like Sean was showing off his talent.
Morisse smiled and said, "It's not impossible. If you can get Professor Snape's approval, I'll even allow you to sit in on my advanced classes."
This was a standard procedure. Since Sean was a Slytherin student, academic matters should ultimately be decided by Snape.
"I understand. Thank you, Professor," Sean said.
Snape would probably agree. After all, he had already begun teaching Sean the Flight Charm. Letting another professor teach Sean some advanced magic shouldn't be an issue.
During the lunch break, Sean went to Snape's office. He knocked on the door, and a low voice responded from inside.
"Enter."
"Professor, there's something I need your permission for," Sean said as soon as he stepped in.
Snape seemed to appreciate such directness.
"What is it?"
"Professor Morisse from Defense Against the Dark Arts said that if you agree, he can teach me spells from the advanced curriculum. You know, Professor—the second-year course content isn't very challenging for me."
Snape fell silent for a moment. He looked at Sean and then asked,
"How is your progress with the Flight Charm?"
Sean froze for a moment. Was Snape going to check his progress?
That would be awkward. He hadn't taken any notes or even calculated a single magical framework formula.
"It's going fairly well," Sean replied calmly, bluffing without hesitation.
Snape remained silent, as if considering something. Meanwhile, Sean felt a little nervous, afraid Snape might suddenly test him on the spot.
But Snape's next words made him relax.
"I will speak with Professor Morisse," Snape said flatly, still looking down at the lesson plans on his desk.
Sean hesitated for a moment before replying, "Thank you, Professor."
Then he turned and left the office.
After Sean left, Snape lifted his head, his eyes deep in thought.
At first, he had intended to refuse Sean's request. He had just given Sean the extremely complex Flight Charm, yet instead of dedicating himself fully to studying it, Sean was already thinking about learning spells from another professor.
That made Snape feel Sean might be aiming too high.
But then again, Snape himself had spent two full years mastering the Flight Charm. Even if Sean was more talented, there was no way he could master it before the Valley of Shadows event began.
Since that was the case, there was no need to force him to focus solely on the Flight Charm.
Snape had once said he could teach Sean other spells besides the Flight Charm. But now that there was a reasonably competent professor available, letting Sean bother someone else was far better than having him bother him.
Very much like Snape.
If something could inconvenience someone else, he would absolutely not trouble himself. He preferred to remain a quiet, cold middle-aged man.
"I didn't expect Professor Snape to approve your request, Grells. It seems he values you highly."
After the afternoon classes ended, Sean went straight to Professor Morisse's office on the third floor. Morisse had already received Snape's message.
"In that case, I'll agree to teach you spells from the advanced curriculum. But only two hours each Saturday," Morisse said.
Sean nodded. That was perfectly acceptable.
Professors also had their own personal time after classes. Setting aside two hours of private time to tutor a single student was already quite generous.
"However," Morisse continued, "before learning the Patronus Charm, you must first master the Disarming Charm."
That morning Morisse had just taught the Disarming Charm to the second-years. At their usual pace, students would need at least two weeks to learn it. Those who were lazier—or less talented—might take three.
"Professor, do you mean like this?"
Sean raised his wand and flicked it toward the wall.
"Expelliarmus."
A streak of white light shot forward. Though it didn't knock a wand from anyone's hand, Morisse was experienced enough to see that Sean had successfully cast the spell—and done so smoothly.
Morisse froze for a moment.
When he first arrived, he had heard about Sean Grells' reputation as a prodigy. That only made Sean's name stand out a bit more in his mind. After all, Morisse himself had graduated from Hogwarts, and talented students weren't unheard of.
But learning a spell the very same afternoon it was taught—before the sun had even set—that was something Morisse had never seen during his own school years.
"You learned the Disarming Charm in just half a day?" Morisse asked, almost disbelieving.
Sean scratched his head awkwardly.
"Well… not exactly. I had studied it a little on my own before."
That explanation made Morisse feel slightly better. Realizing he had lost his composure, he coughed lightly and said,
"Come to the classroom at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. I'll begin teaching you the Patronus Charm."
"Thank you, Professor," Sean said.
But just as he finished thanking him, he suddenly realized something.
Three o'clock wouldn't work. The team had training sessions on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. That would create a scheduling conflict.
"Professor, could we change it to the morning or evening? I have team training in the afternoon," Sean said apologetically.
Morisse seemed to have forgotten that detail.
"In that case, let's make it nine o'clock in the morning."
Sean nodded.
But there was another reason behind his request.
It wasn't that he had anything against Defense Against the Dark Arts professors. It was simply that the position itself had been cursed by Voldemort. Every professor who held the job eventually ran into trouble.
Sean wanted more opportunities to interact with Morisse so he could observe him closely.
Who knew—he might turn out to be another imposter who had sneaked in using Polyjuice Potion.
If only I had a Time-Turner right now, Sean suddenly thought.
When Hermione was in her third year, Professor McGonagall had applied to the Ministry of Magic to get her a Time-Turner so she could take additional elective classes.
Sean hadn't received that kind of treatment.
Perhaps it was time to drop a hint to Snape.
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