Sean's entire body felt like it was being pierced by countless needles. His muscles tore apart, his skin split, and tiny black scales began to grow across his body. As his frame expanded, the scales grew larger along with it.
An image began to form in his mind—the creature he was about to become. Animagus transformations were random; before this moment, Sean had no idea what he would turn into.
"A dragon? A two-headed dragon?" The image became clearer. It was a massive black two-headed dragon.
Sean had never heard of such a creature in this world. Every known dragon species in the wizarding world was recorded in Fantastic Beasts: Dragon Species, yet the one he was becoming was something far more dangerous and powerful than any of them.
His pajamas melted into his skin at a visible speed, replaced by hard, black dragon scales.
The first transformation took around ten seconds. Sean changed from a boy over 1.7 meters tall into a towering three-meter-tall two-headed magical dragon. Its eyes glowed yellow, its horns gleamed like metal, and its long tail ended in a blade-like spike. Its ferocious appearance alone was enough to make weaker wizards faint.
Sean felt an overwhelming sense of unreality. He tried to move his limbs, but having just transformed, he struggled to control his new body. Every motion was heavy and sluggish.
Both dragon heads slowly opened their jaws, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. Sean attempted to breathe fire. He raised one head, gathered strength, and released—
Nothing.
Only a puff of black smoke came out.
He tried again, bracing himself. This time, a white mist burst from the left head, carrying frost and shards of ice.
"This… this is frost breath?" Sean was stunned. Had he become an ice dragon instead of a fire dragon?
The right head immediately proved him wrong. A burst of flame erupted from its massive jaws.
Sean's heart leapt with excitement. This was an ice-and-fire dragon.
Ice on the left. Fire on the right.
Combined with the natural magical resistance of a dragon, fighting in this form would allow Sean to easily contend with Auror-level wizards.
After three minutes of testing his new body, Sean focused on his human form. Slowly, his dragon body shrank, and the scales receded.
Back in human form, Sean picked up his wand from the ground. He had successfully mastered Animagus transformation, though achieving wandless, instantaneous transformation like Professor McGonagall would take more practice.
He slipped back into the dormitory through the girls' bathroom exit. After the painful transformation, his pajamas were soaked through with sweat. He took another shower, changed into clean clothes, and collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep instantly.
In his dream, he saw Chris being tortured by Quirrell using the Cruciatus Curse. Hearing her heart-wrenching screams for help, Sean jolted awake.
He glanced at the clock on the wall—it was only four in the morning. He had slept for just three hours. When he tried to lie back down, he couldn't fall asleep again.
He stayed awake until seven-thirty, got up, washed, and headed to the Great Hall early. The replica Philosopher's Stone would arrive today, and he wanted to learn the rescue plan from Dumbledore.
Sure enough, Dumbledore glanced at him and signaled for him to come to the office later.
Cassius looked at Chris's empty seat. "How many days did Chris take off? When's she coming back?"
Sean paused before answering, "The day after tomorrow. Yeah… the day after tomorrow."
Sean followed Snape to the Headmaster's office. Inside were already two people—Dumbledore and a blond, bearded middle-aged man. Sean guessed this was the one delivering the replica Philosopher's Stone.
Dumbledore introduced him. "This is Hoff Stark, a student of my friend Nicolas Flamel. He brought the replica Philosopher's Stone, and he'll also participate in the rescue the day after tomorrow."
"Sean," Dumbledore called, handing him a bright red, gleaming stone.
It was Sean's first time seeing the Philosopher's Stone in person. He immediately activated his Magic vision. The white glow emitted by the stone wasn't as intense as he expected—it wasn't even half as bright as the Wizard's Heart.
"Probably due to differences in creation and function," Sean thought.
The Wizard's Heart was a pure source of magical power, while the Philosopher's Stone could turn metal into gold and brew the Elixir of Life. Its functions were far more diverse.
"This is the replica," Dumbledore said. "Voldemort wants to use the Stone to restore his body. This imitation will cause him to fail at the final step."
Dumbledore looked at Sean. "The day after tomorrow, you'll take this and trade with Quirrell. Seeing a student, he'll be less cautious. Once Chris is returned, the professors will ensure your safe return."
Meanwhile, Quirrell was hiding somewhere in London with Chris. To prevent Haerpo from discovering his plan to resurrect Voldemort using the Stone, he hadn't even gone to Knockturn Alley.
"Once we have the Philosopher's Stone, summon all my followers back. The British wizarding world will fall under my rule once again," Voldemort said.
"My great master," Quirrell replied humbly.
Christmas was only a few days away. Trafalgar Square was filled with festive decorations—red and green ornaments everywhere, brimming with holiday spirit.
Five Hogwarts members were positioned around the square. Sean stood at the center, the replica Philosopher's Stone tucked into his coat pocket, scanning his surroundings.
"Quirrell."
A man wearing a purple turban entered Sean's sight. Though his appearance had changed, Sean recognized him instantly.
The turbaned man spotted Sean as well and walked straight toward him through the crowd.
"Where's the Stone?" Quirrell asked bluntly.
"Where's Chris?" Sean shot back.
"You're not in a position to negotiate. Give me the Stone first, then I'll hand over the girl," Quirrell said.
Sean didn't believe a word of it. Quirrell would do anything to resurrect Voldemort. But Sean had no choice.
"She's just a child. I hope you keep your word. Once you have the Stone, let her go."
Quirrell sneered. "Hand it over, and I'll spare her life. Try anything funny, and old Crouch can collect his granddaughter's corpse."
Sean pretended to hesitate before pulling the Stone from his pocket. The moment he did, Quirrell snatched it away.
Ecstasy filled Quirrell's face. In the next instant, he Apparated and vanished.
A few nearby Muggles noticed the strange scene, but Professor McGonagall and Snape quickly arrived and erased their memories.
"Hoff, can you track the Stone's location?" Dumbledore asked.
Hoff looked at the metallic compass in his hand. "Yes. It's about fifty kilometers southwest."
Before delivering the replica, Nicolas Flamel had placed a subtle magical mark on it—so well hidden that even Dumbledore hadn't detected it.
The compass in Hoff's hand was designed to track that mark.
Voldemort had undoubtedly returned to his hiding place to begin his resurrection. Chris had to be there as well.
But none of them had ever been to that location.
They couldn't Apparate.
They would have to fly.
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