Restless and uneasy, Sean returned to his dormitory under Professor McGonagall's reassurance. Cassius and Graham were still sitting on the couch in the common room. Seeing Sean come back alone, they asked, "Where's Chris? Why hasn't she returned yet?"
Sean adjusted his expression, forcing himself to look normal. "Mr. Crouch had someone come and take her home."
"At this hour? What could be so urgent?" Cassius asked curiously.
"Not sure. Big families always have a lot going on," Sean replied absentmindedly.
Cassius and Graham exchanged a glance. "Sean seems a bit off today, don't you think? Not like his usual self."
Graham nodded as he watched Sean's retreating figure. "Yeah. He's usually confident. Now he looks… out of it."
Sean ignored their whispers, went upstairs, and entered his room. Normally, Jerry would pounce on him the moment he walked in and nip at him, but today, the Kneazle simply wagged its tail and slowly walked over.
Kneazles were highly perceptive creatures. Jerry could sense Sean's low spirits. It rubbed its head against Sean's arm, as if trying to comfort him.
Sean gently stroked its head and muttered helplessly, "Even as a transmigrator, I can't change anything… Am I really this useless?"
Jerry understood human speech, but not the meaning behind his words. It let out a soft meow, unclear whether it was agreement or denial.
That night, Sean truly couldn't sleep.
The next morning in the Great Hall, Dumbledore was already seated at his place. Sean was eager to rush over and tell him about Chris, but Dumbledore simply winked at him, signaling him to sit down and finish breakfast first.
Sean had no appetite. He shoveled a few bites into his mouth and called it done. Dumbledore also barely ate. The two stood up, and Sean followed him to the Headmaster's office.
Soon after, Snape and McGonagall entered as well. Dumbledore handed McGonagall a letter. "This arrived by owl this morning."
McGonagall seemed to have already guessed the sender. She opened the envelope and took out a piece of paper with only a few words written on it. "December 20th, 10 a.m., Trafalgar Square. Exchange the Philosopher's Stone for the girl."
Sean knew the place. Trafalgar Square was a famous landmark in central London, crowded with people every day.
"That's basically terrorism," Sean said.
In truth, Voldemort was exactly that—a terrorist of the wizarding world, spreading fear and suppressing opposition with violence.
"That location is filled with Muggles. We can't act openly," Dumbledore said.
"Professor, should we really not seek help from the Ministry?" McGonagall asked worriedly.
Dumbledore shook his head solemnly. "The British wizarding world cannot withstand the fear of two Dark Lords at once."
Indeed, Voldemort alone was enough to terrify British wizards. Add Haerpo to the mix, and the resulting panic would be unimaginable.
"Professor, do you already have a plan?" Sean asked.
"Yes." Dumbledore looked at the three of them. "I spoke with my old friend Nicolas Flamel. We've decided to hand over the Philosopher's Stone."
"What?" Sean exclaimed in shock.
Snape and McGonagall were equally stunned. Were they really going to compromise with Voldemort?
"We will give him a stone—but not the real one," Dumbledore continued, seeing their confusion. "Before completing the final product, Nicolas Flamel conducted countless experiments. He has given me a near-finished imitation."
"A fake?" Sean hadn't known such a thing existed.
"Yes. A replica. Voldemort won't be able to tell the difference. No one can, except the creator himself," Dumbledore said.
If it came from Nicolas Flamel, then the imitation would likely be indistinguishable from the real thing.
"The replica will arrive at Hogwarts tomorrow," Dumbledore added. "Also, since Quirrell has fled, the Defense Against the Dark Arts position is vacant. I've contacted Professor Morissey to return and substitute."
Sean was slightly surprised. Dumbledore had actually called Morissey back. He had gone to America at the end of June, and rumors said his relationship with Kellyanne had progressed quickly—they were already officially together.
Pulling a man away from a new romance just to teach… Dumbledore really had no shame.
That evening, when the students gathered in the Great Hall, they noticed something strange. The seat that once belonged to Quirrell was now occupied by someone else. The first-years were confused, while the older students were simply surprised.
"Who's that? Why is he sitting in Professor Quirrell's seat?" Ron craned his neck to look at Morissey.
"I just heard—he was last year's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He left to go to America because of a relationship," Hermione said, always well-informed.
"He already looks more reliable than Quirrell," Harry remarked.
"I heard from upper years that his classes are much more interesting," Hermione added.
"Then why is he back? And where's Professor Quirrell? Did they replace him?" Harry asked, puzzled.
Hermione shook her head. Even the older students didn't know the reason. Just like Cassius at the Slytherin table, who was full of curiosity about Morissey's return.
"Sean, do you know why Professor Morissey is back?"
Sean nodded. "I heard from Professor Snape that Professor Quirrell had to leave for personal reasons, so Dumbledore asked Professor Morissey to return as a substitute."
"Really? That's great! His classes are way more fun than Quirrell's boring ones. When Chris gets back and sees the professor has changed, she'll definitely be happy," Cassius said.
"Yeah…" Sean glanced at the seat where Chris usually sat.
Dumbledore officially welcomed Morissey back and informed the students that due to Professor Quirrell's departure, Morissey would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts for the rest of the year.
Before dinner even ended, rain had already begun falling outside. It was the first rain in half a month. There might even be thunder tonight.
Sean had been waiting for thunder all evening. The rain grew heavier, but the thunder never came. Even after he went to bed, all he could hear was the howling wind and rain outside.
At half past midnight, as he waited, he unknowingly fell asleep.
Suddenly, the sky lit up as bright as day. Lightning split the darkness, followed by a deafening crash of thunder that jolted Sean awake.
He snapped to full alert instantly.
Still in his pajamas, he rushed to the fireplace in the common room. Entering Merlin's secret chamber, he found that the Animagus potion in the crystal vial had turned blood-red.
He pointed his wand at his heart and chanted, "Amato, Animo, Animato, Animagus."
He could feel it—a second rhythm beating within his chest, like another heart.
Sean pulled out the stopper and stared at the thick, blood-red liquid at the bottom of the vial. A pungent, metallic stench rose from it. He frowned, tilted his head back, and drank it in one gulp.
"I heard the first transformation is painful… this is seriously painful."
Sean dropped to one knee, his cotton pajamas soaking through with cold sweat, growing heavier by the second.
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