After the three of them entered the Headmaster's office, Snape and Professor McGonagall immediately stepped forward, concern written all over their faces when they saw Dumbledore.
"Professor, are you alright?" McGonagall asked anxiously.
"What trick did he use?" Snape's first instinct was foul play. He simply couldn't believe Dumbledore could lose to anyone.
Dumbledore's white beard was still stained with blood. He shook his head, his voice low and weak. "No… he defeated me fair and square."
The three of them exchanged uneasy looks, struggling to accept the truth. To defeat Dumbledore head-on—especially someone so young—how could such a person remain unknown in the magical world?
Sean felt a chill run through his heart. A man in his thirties, with magical power comparable to the Wizard's Heart, and capable of defeating Dumbledore—his mastery of magic must also be terrifyingly high.
"So I'm not the only one with a cheat? Another anomaly exists? Is he a transmigrator, or native to this world?" A deep sense of crisis rose within him.
"Professor, do you need me to prepare any healing potions?" Snape asked.
As a Potions Master, Snape could usually provide whatever Dumbledore required. But this time, Dumbledore refused.
"Potions won't be the best solution. Ogadis's magic has entered my body and mixed with my own. I can no longer use my magic smoothly," Dumbledore explained.
"How could that happen?" McGonagall frowned deeply.
Snape remained silent, his expression cold as he searched for a solution.
Sean found the situation strangely familiar—he had experienced something similar, though in a different form. When he absorbed the Wizard's Heart, he had also allowed foreign magic to enter his body.
However, thanks to his Magic vision, he had filtered out the violent magical factors and resentment within it, allowing him to remain unharmed.
Both Salazar and Merlin had absorbed a portion of the Wizard's Heart's power as well. Though the process was painful, they ultimately fused it into their own magic.
But Dumbledore's situation was different. The Wizard's Heart had originally been an experimental construct by Haerpo—a collection of absorbable magic. Though flawed, it was still usable.
Dumbledore, on the other hand, had been invaded by Ogadis's magic during their final clash. That magic was purely offensive—impossible to absorb or integrate. It could only be removed.
"I'll need to travel far," Dumbledore said. "To see an old friend. I believe she can help me."
"Where?" Sean asked curiously.
"In the northern forests of Norway. A mysterious race of elves lives there. I happen to know one who is skilled in healing magic."
Sean had only heard rumors about elves before. He had never seen one in person. He couldn't help but wonder if they were as beautiful as he imagined.
"Professor, should I accompany you?" Snape asked.
"You and Minerva must remain at the school," Dumbledore said, looking at them. "Sean will come with me."
"Elves are wary of unfamiliar adult wizards. Sean is still a child—he'll be more easily accepted. And with his current magical ability, he's already at the level of a graduate. He can also protect me along the way," Dumbledore added.
Sean immediately nodded. "Yes, I'll protect you, Professor."
With Ogadis's magic contaminating him, forcing himself to cast spells would cause irreversible damage. It might sound absurd for Sean to protect Dumbledore—but under these circumstances, it was necessary.
Last time, when they went to Austria, they had used Muggle transportation before Apparating. But now, Dumbledore couldn't Apparate at all. To reach northern Norway, they would have to rely entirely on Muggle transportation.
The day after Christmas, the Headmaster had been seriously injured. Although the students who stayed behind didn't know what had happened, an inexplicable gloom settled over Hogwarts.
"I feel like something bad has happened," Harry said uneasily.
Ron pointed at Harry's scar. "Is it hurting again?"
"No… not that." Harry shook his head. "Do you think that man earlier came for the Philosopher's Stone?"
Ron thought seriously for a moment, then nodded. "Very possible."
Since Sean was leaving again and Cassius wasn't around, he entrusted Jerry to Hagrid for safekeeping.
"Look at them, having so much fun," Hagrid said happily, watching Jerry and Fang.
Fang, currently being bullied by Jerry, would have protested if he could speak: "The only one having fun is him."
"Where is Dumbledore taking you this time?" Hagrid asked.
"To the forests of Norway," Sean replied.
"Norway? What for?" Hagrid was puzzled.
"Dumbledore lost a duel and was injured. He needs to seek healing from the forest elves," Sean said.
Hagrid froze, then frowned in confusion. "Dumbledore got hurt? Can't Madam Pomfrey or Professor Snape treat him? Why go all the way to Norway?"
"Hagrid, I know it's hard to accept. How could Dumbledore lose? How could he be injured? It sounds unbelievable—but he really was defeated fair and square," Sean said.
Hagrid fell silent, then hurried out of the hut toward the castle. He needed to see Dumbledore himself.
After seeing him, Hagrid felt even worse.
"Don't worry. Everything will be alright. Wait for me to return. Until then, Hogwarts is in your hands," Dumbledore said to his three most trusted allies.
McGonagall and Snape had calmed down, but Hagrid was still visibly shaken. To him, Dumbledore was the strongest wizard in the world—the one he trusted above all else.
Even when facing Voldemort, who once ruled the British magical world, Hagrid had always believed they could win as long as Dumbledore was there.
Before dinner, Sean and Dumbledore went to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. The customers were both surprised and delighted to see Dumbledore.
But they were only there to use the fireplace. Politely declining the offers of hospitality, they quickly stepped into the flames. When they emerged, they were already in the Leaky Cauldron in London.
"Dumbledore!" Old Tom exclaimed upon seeing him—and Sean. "Well, this is rare. You're actually using the Floo Network."
"It's much more stable than it was decades ago," Dumbledore said.
"Sean, you still remember to come back during the holidays?" A voice came from the side. It was Haines, speaking with mild sarcasm.
"Actually, Uncle, I was just passing through. I wasn't planning to come back," Sean replied.
"I need to take Sean with me for something," Dumbledore explained.
Only then did Old Tom and Haines nod, looking at Sean with approval. The two didn't linger long. They took a taxi straight to the airport.
A day later, in a small town in northern Norway, an old man and a boy sat in the town's only pizza shop, eating freshly baked pizza. Snow fell gently outside. If not for the purpose of healing, this could almost be considered a pleasant trip.
"Professor, what kind of elf are we meeting?" Sean asked between bites.
"Her name is Arwen Selwyn. Thirty years ago, when I came to Norway, I met her in this very pizza shop. This town is the closest one to the forest where she lives. Occasionally, she comes here to gather supplies."
"The moment I first saw her, I knew she was special."
"What kind of special?" Sean asked curiously.
Dumbledore smiled. "You'll understand when you see her."
They rested in the shop, preparing to use Sean's flying magic to search for the elves in the forest.
At that moment, on the snow-covered street outside, a silver-haired girl in a gray robe ran toward the pizza shop, her feet sinking into the snow with each step.
She pushed open the door, and the bell above it rang.
Sean looked at her—the sharp silver hair, eyes like shining stars, flawless pale skin. The combination made her seem almost otherworldly, like a fairy descending to earth.
Even Sean, who had lived two lives, found himself momentarily stunned.
"Professor… could it be her?"
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